Tonneau Cover Hinge Assembly With Sealed Pivot Recesses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding hard-top tonneau cover systems for pickup trucks require strong hinge assemblies that can support the weight of panels and facilitate easy folding and unfolding, while also needing to prevent water and debris ingress.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly with U-shaped cross-section pivot frames and hinge members, featuring bores and pivot pins for secure connection, and a seal to prevent water ingress, allowing panels to fold on top of each other effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If strong hinge assemblies are used to support the weight of panels, then the structural strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is divided into separate components: a pivot frame, a hinge member, and a pivot pin. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for strength while simplifying the overall assembly process and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge member with U-shaped cross section is positioned within recesses of the pivot frame, creating a nested structure. The pivot pin then passes through bores in both components to secure them together. This nesting approach provides strong structural support while maintaining a compact and simple assembly.
2Ease of operation
If hinge assemblies allow easy folding and unfolding, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of water and debris protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible seal is provided that engages with the pivot frames and extends over the hinge member. This flexible seal moves with the folding action while maintaining continuous coverage to prevent water and debris ingress, thus preserving reliability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly is designed to dynamically accommodate the folding motion through the pivot mechanism, while the seal dynamically adapts to maintain the protective barrier throughout the range of motion, ensuring continuous protection during easy operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge assembly for a tonneau cover. The hinge assembly allows panels of the tonneau cover to be folded on top of one another and includes a pivot frame having an engagement side and a pivot side. The engagement side of the pivot frame is configured to engage one end of a panel of the tonneau cover and pivot side of the pivot frame includes at least one recess defined therein. The hinge assembly also includes a pivot component having a pivot with at least one recess defined therein. A hinge member, having first and second ends, is pivotally engaged with the pivot frame and the pivot component in the respective recesses thereof through the first and second ends.