Vehicle Hinge Arrangement for Bonnet Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bonnet hinge arrangements fail to effectively mitigate injuries to vulnerable road users by not adequately increasing the distance between the bonnet and engine parts during collisions, leading to severe injuries from impact with hard engine components.
Innovation Solution
A hinge arrangement that transitions between a normal and deployed state, featuring a deployment guiding element and locking member, allowing the bonnet to be raised vertically and rearwardly, thereby increasing the distance between the bonnet and engine parts, and is designed to collapse controllably in case of impact, reducing head injury risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the bonnet is made from thin metal sheet to reduce weight, then the weight of the bonnet is reduced, but the bonnet tends to bend and deform on hard engine parts during impact
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge arrangement enables the bonnet to dynamically transition from a closed position to a deployed position upon impact detection. The deployment mechanism allows the bonnet to move rearward and upward, creating distance between the bonnet and hard engine parts, thereby protecting vulnerable road users while maintaining the lightweight thin metal sheet construction
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spatial parameters of the bonnet by deploying it to a different position. The hinge arrangement transitions the bonnet from a forward-closed position to a rearward-deployed position, altering the distance parameter between the bonnet and engine components to mitigate impact severity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the bonnet is deployed to increase distance from engine parts, then the safety for vulnerable road users is improved, but the complexity of the hinge arrangement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge arrangement is segmented into distinct functional components: a hinge portion with pivot axes for rotation, a deployment guiding element with guide axes for translational movement, and a locking mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while achieving the safety objective
Solution Approach 2:
The deployment guiding element acts as an intermediary between the hinge portion and the bonnet. It controls and guides the translational movement of the bonnet during deployment, ensuring the bonnet moves along the correct trajectory while reducing the complexity of direct hinge-bonnet connection
3Ease of operation
If the hinge arrangement allows opening of the bonnet for maintenance, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of the deployment mechanism may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge arrangement provides dynamic functionality with two distinct operational modes: normal opening/closing operation and emergency deployment. The mechanism can adaptively switch between these modes based on the situation, allowing routine maintenance access while maintaining the capability for reliable automated deployment when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge arrangement serves multiple functions: it enables normal bonnet opening and closing for maintenance, supports the deployed position for safety, and facilitates the transition between these states. This multi-functionality is achieved through the combination of hinge pivot axes and deployment guide axes working together
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 hinge arrangement effectively reduces the severity of accidents by increasing the bonnet's distance from engine parts, minimizing head injuries and allowing for efficient packaging and manufacturing, while also providing access for maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The hinge portion (19) provides a hinged connection between the body portion (18) and the bracket portion (21). The hinge portion comprises a first member (25) and two second members (27a, 27b). The second members (27a, 27b) are pivotally connected to the first member (25) at first ends (271a, 271b) of the second members (27a, 27b) by first and second pivot axes (A1, A2).
Implementation Method 2
The deployment guiding element (23) is pivotally connected at one end to a first end (28a) of the bracket portion (21) at a fifth pivot axis (A5) and at an opposite end to the first member (25) by a sixth pivot axis (A6). During the transition from the normal state to the deployed state, the bracket portion (21) is translationally displaced at least in the vertical direction (z-direction) in relation to the first member (25) of the hinge portion (19).
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a hinge arrangement (11) of a vehicle (3), the hinge arrangement being transitable between a normal state and a deployed state. The hinge arrangement comprises a body portion (18), a bracket portion (21), a hinge portion (19) and a deployment guiding element (23). The hinge portion comprises a first member (25) and a second member (27a, 27b), the deployment guiding element pivotally connecting the bracket portion and the first member of the hinge portion. The bracket portion is arranged to be in a fixed position relative to the first member during movement in a hinged connection. The bracket portion is arranged to be translationally displaced as a whole in relation to the first member of the hinge portion during the transition of the hinge arrangement between the normal state and the deployed state, the deployment guiding element being adapted to guide the transition and the hinged connection being inactive during the transition. The hinge arrangement further comprises a locking member (29) pivotally connected to the first member, the locking member being adapted to in a first state lock the bracket portion in relation to the first member and in a second state lock the first member in relation to the body portion, wherein the deployment guiding element and the locking member are connected to the first member by means of a common pivot axis (A6).