Vehicle Hinge Shaped Nut Reduces Axis Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hinges for vehicle openings often require a longer hinge axis and nut thread length, which occupies more space and can cause damage to body components in accidents, and lack effective theft protection and tolerance compensation.
Innovation Solution
A hinge design with a shaped nut forming a step, where one part is inserted into a slot and another part protrudes to reduce the hinge axis length, allowing for tolerance compensation and theft protection through a longitudinally movable nut and guide elements, and an upset end portion to prevent screw release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional hinge design with a long hinge axis and nut thread is used, then the connection strength and tolerance compensation are improved, but the spatial occupancy increases and damage risk to body components in accidents increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shaped nut is inserted into the slot of the first hinge part, nesting the nut within the existing hinge structure rather than extending outward. This allows the nut thread to engage with the screw while occupying minimal external space, reducing the overall hinge axis length and spatial occupancy while maintaining connection strength
Solution Approach 2:
The shaped nut utilizes the slot dimension of the first hinge part by being inserted into it, transforming the traditional linear extension of the nut into a three-dimensional arrangement where the nut occupies the slot space. This dimensional reorganization reduces the protruding length of the hinge axis while preserving the functional thread engagement length
2Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional hinge design with a long hinge axis is used, then the tolerance compensation between vehicle parts is improved, but the damage risk to body components in accidents increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shaped nut is nested within the slot of the first hinge part, creating a compact hinge assembly that reduces the protruding elements vulnerable to impact damage. The slot provides tolerance compensation while the nested configuration minimizes the external dimensions that could contact or damage body components during accidents
Solution Approach 2:
The slot in the first hinge part is designed to compensate for tolerances before assembly, allowing for preliminary adjustment and positioning. This pre-compensation reduces the need for long hinge axes that would extend into potential collision zones, thereby preventing damage to body components before accidents occur
3Ease of manufacture
If the second part of the shaped nut protrudes from the first hinge part, then the screw can be tightened effectively, but the space occupied by the hinge increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shaped nut has different functional regions: the first part inserted into the slot provides structural integration and space savings, while the second part protruding from the first hinge part provides the necessary thread engagement for screw tightening. This local differentiation allows each region to optimize its function while minimizing overall space occupation
Solution Approach 2:
The shaped nut extends only partially from the first hinge part - just enough to provide the minimum necessary thread engagement for effective screw tightening. This partial extension avoids excessive protrusion that would increase spatial occupancy, achieving the minimum required function with minimal space consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge for a hinged opening of a vehicle includes a first hinge part and a second hinge part which are connected to one another via an axis of rotation so as to be movable relative to one another. The first hinge part has a slot and the second hinge part has a fitting hole. A screw is received through the slot of the first hinge part and fitting hole of the second hinge part. A shaped nut clamps the first hinge part and the second hinge part against the screw. The shaped nut forms a step that includes a first part received in the slot and a second part protruding from the first hinge part and resting on an edge of the slot.