Locking Hinge Assembly for Off-Road Vehicle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-road vehicles face challenges with pivotable components such as doors, gates, and lids that are susceptible to shaking and rattling on uneven terrain, leading to potential dislodgment from their intended positions.
Innovation Solution
A locking hinge assembly is introduced, featuring a hinge base with vertical and horizontal channels, and a hinge tongue that moves between closed and open positions, secured by guide pins and locking notches, and optionally enhanced with a locking latch and elastomeric material for added security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional hinge is used for pivotable components, then the component can move between positions, but the component becomes susceptible to shaking and rattling on uneven terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly incorporates a dynamic locking mechanism that transitions between locked and unlocked states based on operational requirements. The locking member can engage with the locking surface to secure the pivotable component in a selected position, and disengage to allow movement, providing both stability during operation and ease of movement when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member acts as an intermediary element between the hinge body and the pivotable component. This intermediate locking mechanism provides the necessary stability by engaging with the locking surface on the pivotable component, preventing shaking and rattling while allowing controlled movement when the locking member is disengaged.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the pivotable component, then stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the hinge assembly structure itself. The locking member is integrated into the hinge body, and the locking surface is formed as part of the hinge structure. This merging approach provides the necessary stability while minimizing additional complexity, as the locking features are incorporated into the existing hinge components rather than being separate add-on elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking hinge assembly for a vehicle includes a hinge base coupled to a base component of the vehicle. The hinge base defines a vertical channel and a horizontal channel. The vertical channel is perpendicular to the horizontal channel. The locking hinge assembly also includes a hinge tongue coupled to a pivotable component of the vehicle. The hinge tongue is moveable between various positions including a closed position and an open position. The hinge tongue is received by the vertical channel of the hinge base in the closed position. The hinge tongue is received by the horizontal channel of the hinge base in the open position.