Vehicle Door Hinge Installation Kit with Positioning Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for installing doors on motor vehicles face challenges in maintaining geometrical referencing during separate processing of the body and door, leading to complexity and limited operating range, especially with composite materials and specific hinge types.

Innovation Solution

An installation kit comprising a hinge with a positioning element that allows for the complete removal and subsequent reassembly of the hinge during separate processing of the body and door, without the need for dowel pins or complex tolerance adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the hinge is completely removed from the body during separate processing, then the door can be processed independently, but the geometrical reference is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor processing efficiencyVSAvoidgeometrical reference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge is divided into two separate elements: a first hinge element that remains fixed to the door, and a second hinge element that stays fixed to the body. This segmentation allows the door to be completely removed for processing while the first hinge element maintains the geometrical reference on the door, and the second hinge element preserves the reference position on the body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge elements act as intermediary components that maintain the geometrical relationship between the door and body even when separated. The first hinge element on the door and the second hinge element on the body serve as reference markers that enable precise reassembly without requiring the hinge to remain physically connected during processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If dowel pins are used to maintain geometrical reference, then the reference is preserved, but the complexity of the working cycle increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeometrical referenceVSAvoidworking cycle complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The geometrical reference function is merged with the hinge elements themselves rather than requiring separate dowel pins. The first and second hinge elements collectively perform both the mechanical connection function and the geometrical reference function, eliminating the need for additional reference components and simplifying the working cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the pin is slid out of the hinge for separation, then the door can be removed, but the tolerance requirements become excessively stringent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor separation capabilityVSAvoidtolerance requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the hinge into two elements that remain on opposite components (door and body), the patent eliminates the need to slide the pin out of a single hinge assembly. This allows for more relaxed tolerances because the reference points are distributed across separate components rather than requiring precise alignment within a compact hinge structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Manufacturing precision

If the hinge remains connected to the body during separation, then the geometrical reference is maintained, but the door cannot be completely removed for processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeometrical referenceVSAvoiddoor processing independence
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge is segmented into two independent elements that are distributed across the door and body. This allows the door to be completely detached from the body for independent processing while the hinge elements remain in place on各自的 components, preserving the geometrical reference without preventing separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3868989B1A kit for the installation of a door on a motor-vehicle body, and related method of installation
Publication Date: 2025.02.26 STELLANTIS EUROPE SPA
  • EP3868989B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3868989B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3868989B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Described herein is a kit for installation (100) of a door (D) of a motor vehicle (VL), comprising: - a hinge (1) including a first hinge element (3) and a second hinge element (4), the first hinge element (3) being articulated to the second hinge element (4) about a hinge axis (γ1); and - a positioning element (2) configured to be fixed to a body (BW) of the motor vehicle (VL). The first hinge element (3) is configured to be fixed to the door (D) of the motor vehicle (VL). The second hinge element (4) is configured to be fixed to the body (BW) of the motor vehicle and comprises a coupling element (22) configured to engage said positioning element (2) so as to position the hinge (1) with respect to the body (BW) of the motor vehicle at the moment of fixing of the second hinge element (4) on the body (BW) of the motor vehicle (VL).