Vehicle Door Hinge With Integrated Elastic Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinges for vehicle doors with integrated door-stop devices have a complex assembly process that is difficult to automate due to a large number of components, hindering efficient disassembly and reassembly.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design featuring a simplified door-stop device with a small number of components, including a metal hingepin with an integral retention portion and an elastic retention element housed in a casing, allowing for easy assembly and automation, and capable of holding the door in any angular position without hindering disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a door-stop device with multiple components (outer casing, first disk with retention balls, second disk, elastic elements) is used to hold the door in multiple positions, then the door can be withheld in a plurality of positions with different angles of opening, but the assembly process becomes complex and difficult to automate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple door-stop components into a single integrated mechanism. The retention element with retention arms is merged with the elastic element and the interaction with the hingepin's retention portion, eliminating the need for separate disks, retention balls, and multiple elastic elements. This single integrated mechanism maintains the ability to hold the door in multiple positions while simplifying assembly for automation.
2Reliability
If a door-stop device with multiple components is used to provide reliable door retention, then the door can be securely withheld in open positions, but the number of components increases making disassembly and reassembly more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the retention function and the elastic urging function into a single retention element. The retention arms provide reliable door retention while the elastic element provides the urging force, all within one component that interacts with the hingepin's retention portion. This reduces the total number of components while maintaining secure door retention capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides retention arms that engage with the hingepin's retention portion, it incorporates elastic elements that provide urging force, and it enables the door to be held in multiple angular positions. This multi-functionality reduces component count while maintaining reliability.
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 enables straightforward assembly and automation of the door-stop device, ensuring the door can be held in any desired open position while maintaining a compact component count and withstanding vehicle preparation processes without damage.
Implementation Method 1
a retention device (16) consisting of an elastic retention element (68) housed in a casing (54) and acting on a retention portion (40) of the hingepin
Data Source
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AI summary
A hinge for vehicle doors, comprising: - a first hinge element (12) comprising a fixing portion (20) and an articulation portion (24), wherein the fixing portion (20) is equipped with holes for fixing the first hinge element (12) to an upright of a vehicle and wherein the articulation portion (24) has a through hole (26) with a longitudinal axis defining a hinge axis (A) and a first face and a second face (30, 32); - a hingepin (34), which is axially fixed and rotatable about said hinge axis (A) with respect to the first hinge element (12), said hingepin (34) having a head portion (36) and an articulation portion (38) with circular cross section that engages said through hole (26) of said first hinge element (12) in a rotatable way, wherein the head portion (36) of the hingepin (34) protrudes from the first face (38) of said first hinge element (12); - a second hinge element (14) fixed in a removable way to the head portion (36) of said hingepin (34); and - a door-stop device (16) associated to said first hinge element (12) and to said hingepin (34) for withholding the hingepin (34) in a plurality of angular positions, wherein said hingepin (34) comprises an integral retention portion (40) that extends axially from the articulation portion (38) and that protrudes from the second face (32) of said first hinge element (12), and wherein said door-stop device (16) comprises: - a casing (54) having a blind hole (56) and a front surface (58) in contact with said second face (32) of said first hinge element (12); and - at least one elastic retention element (68) with a substantially U-shaped cross section, which has a shape elongated in the direction of said hinge axis (A), the elastic retention element (68) having a retention seat (74) in which the retention portion (40) of said hingepin (34) is engaged with radial interference.