Two-Part Hinge Cover Concealing Fixings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinge covers for swan neck hinges on vehicles are aesthetically unsatisfactory due to visible fixings and fail to fully conceal the hinge arm and attached cables, leading to gapping issues when the closure is adjusted.
Innovation Solution
A hinge cover assembly comprising two cover members that completely encircle the hinge arm with resilient channel-shaped portions and locking projections, providing a secure, aesthetically pleasing solution by hiding all fixings and maintaining alignment with trim panels during closure adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a single elongate three sided channel section cover is used, then the hinge arm is covered on three sides, but the fourth side remains visible reducing aesthetic quality
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into two separate cover members: a first cover member in the form of an elongate three-sided channel section, and a second cover member in the form of a plate. This segmentation allows the second member to cover the previously exposed fourth side of the hinge arm, achieving complete encirclement and improved aesthetics without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The second cover member (plate) is positioned within the opening formed by the first cover member's channel section, with the plate's perimeter inserted into the channel's opening. This nesting arrangement allows both cover members to work together to completely encircle the hinge arm while maintaining a compact integrated appearance
2Reliability
If visible fixings such as buckles, belts, clips or straps are used to secure the cover, then the cover can be retained in place, but the fixings are aesthetically unsatisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing mechanism is extracted from the visible exterior and relocated to the interior of the first cover member's channel section. Locking tabs extend inward from the channel's inner surface to engage with corresponding features on the hinge arm, securing the cover without any visible fixings on the exterior
Solution Approach 2:
The first cover member's channel section is designed with resilient side walls that can flex outward during installation to accommodate the hinge arm, then return to a closed position that conceals all fixing mechanisms. This flexible design allows secure retention while maintaining a clean aesthetic appearance
3Shape
If a housing portion is provided at the closure end to encapsulate the hinge mounting, then a neat finish is achieved, but subsequent adjustment of the closure causes misalignment with the trim panel leading to excessive gapping
Solution Approach 1:
The housing portion is designed with resilient side walls that can dynamically flex outward to accommodate closure adjustments and hinge arm movements. This dynamic flexibility allows the housing to maintain alignment with the trim panel while accommodating the range of motion required for closure adjustment, preventing excessive gapping
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 conceals the hinge arm and cables, preventing visible fixings and minimizing gapping between the hinge cover and trim panel, resulting in an improved aesthetic and functional vehicle design.
Implementation Method 1
a first cover member mountable to the hinge arm, the first cover member comprising an elongate channel shaped portion for receiving the hinge arm, the channel shaped portion being resiliently deformable such that the side walls can be biased apart from a rest position
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge cover assembly (10) for a hinge having an elongate hinge arm has first and second cover members (20, 22) mountable about the hinge arm so as to completely encircle the hinge arm over at least part of its length. The first cover member (20) has a channel portion (24) which surrounds the arm on three sides and the second cover member (22) is mountable to the first enclose the arm on the other side. The first cover member (20) has locking projections (46) on the inner surface of a side wall that engage in apertures in the hinge arm. The cover assembly (10) is particularly suited for use with a swan neck hinged used to mount a boot lid to a vehicle body. A housing portion (32) of the first cover member encapsulates a mounting structure of the hinge and may have a clip formation for clamping an edge region of a trim panel mounted to the boot lid.