Motorized Trunk Door Hinge Biasing Cargo

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Solution Overview

Problem

Trunk doors with limited cargo space face issues where larger cargo items extend through the trunk aperture, preventing full closure and necessitating separate securing of cargo and door to prevent movement during vehicle operation.

Innovation Solution

A powered trunk door system with a motorized hinge that applies a consistent downward force to secure cargo within the trunk aperture, utilizing a braking mechanism to maintain the door's position and adjust for shifted cargo, ensuring the door remains closed and preventing unwanted movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the trunk door is designed to fully close, then the door can latch securely, but larger cargo items cannot be accommodated when they extend through the trunk aperture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor latching securityVSAvoidcargo space flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to operate at multiple rotational positions (fully-closed, intermediate, and fully-open) rather than being fixed at a single position. This enables the door to adapt between fully closing for security and stopping at an intermediate position to accommodate cargo that extends through the aperture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the trunk door is left open to accommodate cargo, then cargo space is accessible, but the cargo and door become unstable during vehicle operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo loading accessibilityVSAvoidcargo and door stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The motor applies a downward biasing force on the door panel in advance to press the cargo against the door. This preliminary action ensures that when the vehicle operates, the cargo is already secured against movement, maintaining stability without requiring the door to be fully closed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a motor is added to apply biasing force on the door panel, then cargo can be secured, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo securing capabilityVSAvoidhinge mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The motorized hinge serves multiple functions: it enables the door to rotate between fully-open and fully-closed positions, stops at intermediate positions to accommodate cargo, applies downward biasing force to secure cargo, and works with the braking mechanism to maintain position. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The motor is integrated directly into the hinge mechanism, combining the rotation actuation and cargo biasing functions into a single unified component rather than using separate actuators and linkages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If the door panel is biased against cargo to secure it, then cargo movement is prevented, but the door cannot reach the fully-closed position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo securing effectivenessVSAvoiddoor rotational position

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge mechanism is designed to dynamically adjust its rotational position based on cargo presence. When cargo extends through the aperture, the hinge automatically stops at an intermediate position where the door panel can apply biasing force without requiring full closure, maintaining both cargo security and door functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Effectively secures cargo within the trunk by maintaining a consistent biasing force, even when cargo shifts, preventing the trunk door from opening fully and ensuring safety during vehicle operation.

Implementation Method 1

A motor is coupled to the hinge, wherein the motor applies a rotational force to the hinge. The rotational force biases the door panel toward a closed position.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational force: Torque

Implementation Method 2

the braking mechanism includes a caliper that applies a braking force against a portion of the hinge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS20180319342A1Cargo securing mechanism for a trunk door of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2018.11.08 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A vehicle trunk door includes a door panel. A hinge is coupled to the door panel for rotating the door panel between a plurality of rotational positions. A motor is coupled to the hinge, wherein the motor applies a rotational force to the hinge, wherein the rotational force biases the door panel toward a closed position. When cargo is disposed within a trunk aperture, the door panel is biased against the cargo to at least partially secure the cargo within the trunk aperture.