Lifting Hinge with Dynamic Limiting for Pedestrian Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing openable flap hinges for pedestrian protection systems face issues with compact design, effective kinematics, and dynamic damping, leading to potential overshooting and manufacturing tolerance-related problems that can result in inadequate protection.
Innovation Solution
A compact openable flap hinge design featuring a joint arrangement with a pivoting support and a limiting arrangement comprising two interacting elements, where the first limiting element is biased by a pretensioning means to shift from a passive to a limiting position, ensuring secure displacement limitation and dynamic damping to prevent overshooting during opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a rigid limiting arrangement is used to limit displacement of the flap part, then displacement control is achieved, but the flap hinge may kick back into the non-opened position or undergo considerable vibrational movement
Solution Approach 1:
The limiting arrangement is designed with a pivoting support that can dynamically change its configuration. The support pivots between a first configuration (passive) and a second configuration (limiting), allowing the system to adapt its behavior based on the operational state rather than maintaining a fixed rigid structure throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The limiting arrangement operates in distinct phases: during normal operation the pivoting support remains in the passive configuration, and only during the opening movement does it transition to the limiting configuration to provide displacement control, then returns to passive state.
2Volume of moving object
If a compact design is implemented for the flap hinge, then space efficiency is improved, but the joint arrangement may not effectively transmit vibrational movement to the flap
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting support is designed to be movable between configurations rather than fixed, allowing the compact design to expand functionally when needed. This dynamic capability ensures that vibrational movement can be transmitted effectively during opening while maintaining compact dimensions during normal operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If the limiting arrangement is shifted from passive to limiting position during opening, then overshooting is prevented, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting support combines multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both a structural element of the hinge and the limiting mechanism. By integrating the limiting function into the existing hinge structure rather than adding a separate limiting device, the complexity increase is minimized while achieving the desired position control.
4Manufacturing precision
If a prestressing means is used to bias the pivoting support towards the limiting position, then displacement limitation is secured, but the device complexity and pretensioning requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The prestressing means is integrated into the pivoting support structure itself rather than being a separate external mechanism. This integration reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the necessary displacement limitation through the biasing force.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design achieves improved kinematics and secure displacement control, preventing excessive movement and ensuring the flap maintains a desired installation height, while the dynamic damping properties prevent overshooting and enhance safety.
Implementation Method 1
the first limiting element being biased by a prestressing means towards the limiting position
Implementation Method 2
it is not sufficiently ensured that the joint arrangement will continue to transmit vibrational movement to the flap
Implementation Method 3
a locking device, which locks a installation of the flap part relative to the body part
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a hinged flap, in particular a lockable hinge suitable for use in a pedestrian protection system, comprising a flap part (2) associated with a flap (A), a body part (50) associated with a vehicle body (B), a joint arrangement (25) connecting the flap part (2) and the body part (50) articulately, a release arrangement (26) that raises the flap part (2) relative to the body part (50), a locking device (8) for locking the flap part (2) in the raised position relative to the body part (50), and a limiting arrangement (14) for limiting the displacement of the flap part (2) relative to the body part (50).wherein the limiting arrangement (14) comprises a first limiting element (15) and a second limiting element and is moved from a passive position to a limiting position when the flap part (2) is raised relative to the body part (50). A hinged flap that is compact and provides improved opening kinematics is created according to the invention by designing the first limiting element (15) as a pivot support, wherein the pivot support (15) is pre-tensioned towards the limiting position by means of a pre-tensioning device.