Magnetized Door Bumper Assembly for Vehicle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional door bumpers and holders in motor vehicles often cause damage due to direct contact and exposure to elements, and fail to securely hold doors in fully-open positions, especially for 180-degree and 270-degree opening designs.

Innovation Solution

A magnetized bumper assembly made of elastomer or plastic with an embedded magnet, positioned to exert a magnetic force without direct contact, which securely holds doors in place and prevents damage by maintaining contact without touching the door or panel surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If magnets are attached to the exterior surface of bumpers to hold doors open, then door holding capability is improved, but damage to door and panel surfaces occurs due to direct contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor holding capabilityVSAvoidsurface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bumper acts as an intermediary element between the magnet and the door/panel surfaces. The magnet is embedded within the bumper material, allowing it to exert magnetic force through the bumper material to hold the door open without the magnet itself contacting the door or panel surfaces, thus preventing surface damage while maintaining holding capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnet is nested within the bumper structure, specifically embedded in the elastomeric or plastic material of the bumper. This nesting arrangement allows the magnet to function internally while the bumper material provides a protective interface with the door and panel surfaces, eliminating direct contact between the magnet and external surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Force

If magnets are exposed on the bumper surface to exert magnetic force, then magnetic force effectiveness is improved, but exposure to elements reduces durability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic force effectivenessVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The magnet is nested within the bumper material, which encases and protects it from environmental elements such as moisture, corrosion, and physical damage. This protective enclosure maintains the magnet's magnetic force effectiveness while significantly improving its durability and longevity by shielding it from corrosive elements and mechanical wear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomeric or plastic bumper material acts as a flexible protective shell around the magnet. This shell allows the magnetic force to pass through effectively while providing a barrier against environmental elements, thus maintaining both magnetic effectiveness and durability through the protective encapsulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If direct contact between bumper and door is used to prevent damage, then protection is provided, but scratching and dinging occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from damageVSAvoidscratching and dinging

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bumper material serves as a soft intermediary between the rigid door/panel surfaces. Made of elastomeric or plastic material, the bumper provides cushioning and protection during contact while its compliant nature prevents it from scratching or dinging the harder door or panel surfaces, even when direct contact occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively prevents scratches and dings on vehicle surfaces, maintains door positions, and reduces exposure risks for magnets, enhancing durability and assembly efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The magnet is positioned within the elastomeric bumper in sufficiently close proximity to the distal end to exert a magnetic force through the distal end sufficient to retain the door in contact with the distal end but without touching the door

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS7845049B2Door assembly for motor vehicle having magnetized door bumper and methods for making same

Publication Date: 2010.12.07 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

Door assemblies having magnetized bumpers for use with vehicles are disclosed. The door assemblies comprise a bumper assembly for use in a vehicle having a door that when fully opens contacts an adjacent body panel. The bumper assembly includes a bumper having a base and a distal end opposite the base. The base is configured for fixed attachment to the first exterior surface of a vehicle. The bumper is made of an elastomer and/or plastic and is configured for removable engagement with a second exterior surface. A magnet is provided with at least a portion of the magnet embedded in the body between the distal end and the base. The magnet is located within the bumper sufficiently close to the distal end to exert an attractive magnetic force sufficient to retain a door in contact with the bumper but without the magnet directly touching the door.