Pivot Hinge Joint for Motor Vehicle Front Gate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern motor vehicles require a compact front gate arrangement that can reliably transition between normal opening and raised protective positions for pedestrian safety during collisions, while existing systems face challenges in achieving efficient and controlled movement.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates hinge joints with a body-side hinge lower part and a gate-side hinge upper part connected by pivot struts, featuring a controllable actuator that releases a locking mechanism to pivot the upper part and lengthen the first pivot strut, allowing the front gate to be raised for protection, and can be easily returned to the closed position with minimal force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lifting device is provided to raise the front gate for pedestrian protection, then the protective function is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device is integrated into the hinge joint structure itself, merging the protective lifting function with the normal hinge operation. The actuator is mounted on the hinge lower part and connects to the hinge upper part, combining what would traditionally be separate systems into a unified hinge assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge joint serves dual functions: normal door opening/closing operation and emergency pedestrian protection lifting. The same hinge structure and actuator mechanism enable both the routine pivoting motion and the protective raising motion, making the system multi-functional.
2Reliability
If the front gate is raised to a protective position, then pedestrian safety is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to required force
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge joint system automatically performs the protective lifting function when needed through the actuator mechanism, without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by detecting the need for protection and executing the lifting action autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator mechanism provides counterbalancing force to offset the weight of the front gate during lifting and return operations. This reduces the net force required by operators or external systems to move the gate between positions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a locking means is used to secure the hinge upper part, then the stability is improved, but the ease of operation worsens due to release requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is actuated by a controllable actuator that can be triggered by control signals rather than requiring manual mechanical manipulation. This substitution of control method simplifies the release operation while maintaining secure locking during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking means transitions from a static locked state during normal operation to a dynamic released state when protection is needed. The system adapts its locking state based on operational requirements, being locked for stability during normal use and unlocked for protective movement.
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
This configuration enables active pedestrian protection by ensuring the front gate can be moved to a defined raised position effectively, with easy return to the closed position, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the second upper part portion is pivoted about its pivotal connection relative to the first upper part portion
Implementation Method 2
the second strut portion is movable translatorily in relation to the first strut portion
Implementation Method 3
the second upper part portion is detachably secured via a locking means to the first upper part portion
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle includes two hinge joints to swingably connect a front gate to the vehicle body. Each hinge joint includes a body-side hinge lower part and a gate-side hinge upper part that includes an upper part portion swingably arranged on another upper part portion, with the upper part portions being detachably secured by a locking member. Pivot struts swingably connect the hinge lower and upper parts to one another, with one pivot strut including a strut portion arranged on an upper part portion and movable translatorily in relation to another strut portion. To raise the front gate for protection, an actuator is activated to thereby release the locking member and pivot one upper part portion relative to the other one upper part portion, thereby translatorily moving one strut portion relative to the other strut portion, and with the one upper part portion pivoting relative to the other pivot strut.