Utility Vehicle Half Door with Integrated Hinge Knuckles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing off-road and recreational utility vehicles require costly half doors with numerous parts, including mounting brackets for door release and latching components, which increases production costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece plastic utility vehicle half door with identical exterior and interior surfaces, featuring a modular interior panel with integrated armrest, door release handle, linkages, pivot member, and release spring, mounted using hinge knuckles for simplified assembly and reduced part count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional half doors with mounting brackets and separate latching components are used, then door functionality is achieved, but production cost and part count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (door body, mounting brackets, latching mechanism, release handle, linkages) into a single integrated half door assembly. The door body includes integrally formed mounting brackets and a latching mechanism with a release handle and linkages, eliminating the need for separate parts and reducing assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The half door assembly is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions: it provides door closure, includes integrally formed mounting brackets for attachment, incorporates a latching mechanism for securing, and integrates a release handle with linkages for operation. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate specialized components.
2Ease of operation
If multiple separate components are used for door release and latching, then functionality is achieved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting brackets, latching mechanism, and release handle with linkages are integrally formed as a single piece with the door body. This integration eliminates the need for separate assembly steps for these components, significantly simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining all necessary functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A utility vehicle half door includes a unitary molded plastic body that is symmetrical and identical on both a first surface and second surface. Hinge knuckles are integral with the unitary molded plastic body for hinged mounting to the left or right side of a utility vehicle. An interior panel subassembly with the door release handle and door latch may be attached to one of the first and second surfaces.