Trunk Lid Hinge Assembly Damping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinge assemblies for trunk lids are expensive due to the use of gas lifts and coil springs, and they cause the trunk lid to sharply increase in opening velocity, leading to vibration and shaking.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly with a damping mechanism that includes a rolling pin and damping spring, which is housed in a hollow portion of the hinge arm, limits the pivoting movement to reduce the opening velocity and prevent vibration, featuring a guide slot and pin holder for precise movement control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas lifts and coil springs are used in the hinge assembly, then the trunk lid can be supported and opened, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive gas lifts and coil springs with a simple damping mechanism consisting of a damping member, guide slot, and rolling element. This substitution uses inexpensive, easily manufactured components to achieve the same functional effect of controlling trunk lid movement, thereby significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining the support function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the expensive gas lift and coil spring components from the hinge assembly. By removing these complex mechanical systems and replacing them with a simplified damping mechanism integrated into the hinge arm, the design achieves the same operational reliability at a fraction of the manufacturing cost
2Productivity
If conventional hinge assemblies are used, then the trunk lid can open quickly, but the opening velocity sharply increases causing vibration and shaking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a damping mechanism with a damping member and guide slot that provides beforehand cushioning during the trunk lid opening process. The rolling element moves along the guide slot and engages with the damping member, creating controlled resistance that cushions the opening motion and prevents sharp velocity increases, thereby eliminating vibration and shaking before they can occur
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a dynamic damping mechanism where the rolling element moves along a curved guide slot within the hinge arm. This dynamic arrangement adjusts the resistance during opening based on the position and velocity of the trunk lid, providing smooth deceleration and velocity control throughout the opening sequence, which prevents the harmful sharp velocity increases that cause vibration
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 damping mechanism effectively reduces the opening velocity of the trunk lid, preventing vibration and shaking, while also lowering manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for expensive gas lifts and coil springs.
Implementation Method 1
a damping spring elastically supporting the pin holder
Implementation Method 2
a rolling pin in rolling contact with the damping profile
Implementation Method 3
a damping mechanism damping a pivoting movement of the hinge arm
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge assembly for a trunk lid, includes: a hinge bracket attached to a trunk compartment; a hinge arm attached to a trunk lid and pivotally connected to the hinge bracket; and a damping mechanism disposed between the hinge bracket and the hinge arm, and damping a pivoting movement of the hinge arm, where the hinge arm has a hollow portion in which the damping mechanism is received.