Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05D—HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS
  • E05D11/00—Additional features or accessories of hinges
  • E05D11/10—Devices for preventing movement between relatively-movable hinge parts
  • E05D11/1014—Devices for preventing movement between relatively-movable hinge parts for maintaining the hinge in only one position, e.g. closed
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2600/00—Mounting or coupling arrangements for elements provided for in this subclass
  • E05Y2600/50—Mounting methods; Positioning
  • E05Y2600/52—Toolless
  • E05Y2600/53—Snapping
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2600/00—Mounting or coupling arrangements for elements provided for in this subclass
  • E05Y2600/50—Mounting methods; Positioning
  • E05Y2600/56—Positioning, e.g. re-positioning, or pre-mounting
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2800/00—Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
  • E05Y2800/69—Permanence of use
  • E05Y2800/692—Temporary use, e.g. removable tools
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2800/00—Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
  • E05Y2800/69—Permanence of use
  • E05Y2800/694—Permanence of use during manufacturing
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
  • E05Y2900/50—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for vehicles
  • E05Y2900/53—Type of wing
  • E05Y2900/531—Doors

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a temporary clamping mechanism for maintaining a vehicle door open in a fixed position, a method of use of the temporary clamping mechanism and a method of producing of the temporary clamping mechanism.
• door refers to any vehicle door that is based on a hinge mechanism in order to move it from open to closed and from closed to open position.
• the application CN204492417U discloses a car door hinge with temporary limiting mechanism.
• the car door hinge comprises a fixed hinge plate fixedly connected to a car frame and a movable hinge plate fixedly connected to a car door.
• the fixed hinge plate is hinged to the movable hinge plate through a hinge shaft.
• a limiting pin fixedly connected to the fixed hinge plate and a limiting plate detachably connected to the movable hinge plate through the hinge shaft are further included.
• the limiting plate is made of elastic materials.
• a limiting hole matched with the limiting pin is formed in the limiting plate.
• a guide element matched with the limiting pin to jack up the free end of the limiting plate is arranged on the limiting plate.
• the fixed hinge plate and the movable hinge plate can be kept at a fixed angle under the cooperation action of the limiting pin and the limiting hole.
• the application CN104343304A discloses temporary door brake devices with temporary shaft having clamping teeth.
• the drawback of the prior art can be solved by providing a temporary clamping mechanism having a robust and simpler design, being able to maintain the door firmly fixed in a predetermined position, being able to allow several cycles of fixing and releasing the door without breaking the temporary clamping mechanism, and being able to allow re-use of a part of the clamping mechanism to a subsequent door.
• a temporary clamping mechanism for temporarily maintaining a vehicle door open in a fixed position (claim 1).
• a temporary clamping mechanism 1 for a vehicle for opening and fixing the door in a predetermined open position and releasing the door from the predetermined open position.
• the temporary clamping mechanism 1 comprises a hinge 2, a pin 3 and a temporary stopper 5.
• the vehicle door hinge 2 comprises a mobile hinge element 2.1, a fixed hinge element 2.2 and a hinge shaft 4.
• the mobile hinge element 2.1 has a mobile hinge element surface 2.1.1 arranged to be fitted on a door.
• the fixed hinge element 2.2 has a fixed hinge element surface 2.2.1 arranged to be fixed on a door frame.
• the hinge shaft 4 is arranged parallel to the mobile hinge element surface 2.1.1 and has a rotational axis a.
• the hinge shaft 4 comprises a first hinge shaft end 4.1, an intermediary hinge shaft part 4.2 and a second hinge shaft end 4.3.
• the first hinge shaft end 4.1 is arranged to accommodate the vehicle door hinge 2, such that to allow the rotation of the mobile hinge element 2.1 around the first hinge shaft end 4.1 between a closed position and an open position of the door.
• the intermediary hinge shaft part 4.2 is located between the first hinge shaft end 4.1 and the second hinge shaft end 4.3 and is arranged to accommodate the temporary stopper 5 by a temporary stopper hole 5.1.
• the second hinge shaft end 4.3 is provided with a thread 4.3.1, the thread 4.3.1 being arranged to be assembled with a nut 6.
• the pin 3 is located on the fixed hinge element 2.2 and has its pin central axis parallel to the rotational axis a at a first predetermined distance in respect to the rotational axis a.
• the temporary stopper 5 is placed in a plane perpendicularly to the hinge shaft 4 and perpendicularly to the mobile hinge element surface 2.1.1.
• the temporary stopper 5 comprises a temporary stopper hole 5.1, an E-clip-type cavity 5.2, a temporary stopper gap 5.5.1 and a limiting area 5.5.
• the temporary stopper hole 5.1 has a temporary stopper hole center 5.1.1 which is arranged between a first temporary stopper end 5.3 and a second temporary stopper end 5.4 in order to accommodate the intermediary hinge shaft part 4.2.
• the E-clip-type cavity 5.2 is placed at the second temporary stopper end 5.4, and comprises a fixing circular central portion 5.2.1, two open ends 5.4.1, an opening range 5.2.1.2, and interior holes.
• the fixing circular central portion 5.2.1 has an inner diameter d E and a circular central portion center 5.2.1.1.
• the circular central portion center 5.2.1.1 is placed at the first predetermined distance L Ea from the temporary stopper hole center 5.1.1. such that to set the second predetermined distance L between the projection of the circular central portion center 5.2.1.1 and the projection of the temporary stopper hole center 5.1.1 on the mobile hinge element surface 2.1.1.
• the opening range 5.2.1.2 is dimensioned such that it engages with the pin 3 with a predetermined engaging tolerance.
• the temporary stopper gap 5.5.1 is located between the E-clip-type cavity (5.2) and the temporary stopper hole 5.1.
• the limiting area 5.5 is arranged in the first temporary stopper end 5.3 for solidary assembling the temporary stopper 5 with the mobile hinge element 2.1 in a perpendicular plan to the mobile hinge element surface 2.1.1, such that the E-clip-type cavity 5.2 faces the pin 3.
• the temporary clamping mechanism 1 is configured to allow opening and fixing the door in a predetermined open position and releasing the door from the predetermined open position, respectively.
• the opening and fixing the door in a predetermined open position at a predetermined angle ⁇ between the closed position and the open position is carried out by engaging the pin 3 into the E-clip-type cavity 5.2 with a predetermined opening torque, the predetermined angle ⁇ being directly proportional to the second predetermined distance L.
• the opening torque is the torque necessary to open the door in the predetermined open position at the predetermined angle ⁇ , namely the torque necessary to engage the pin 3 into the E-clip-type cavity 5.2.
• Releasing the door from the predetermined open position is carried out by disengaging the pin 3 from the E-clip-type cavity 5.2 using a predetermined closing torque.
• the closing torque is the torque necessary to close the door from the temporary open position, namely the torque necessary to disengage the pin 3 from the E-clip-type cavity 5.2.
• the fixing of the door in the predetermined open position at the predetermined angle ⁇ is carried out within a preset tolerance interval of the predetermined angle ⁇ .
• the temporary stopper 5 In order to be able to fix the door in the predetermined open position at the predetermined angle ⁇ , the temporary stopper 5 has a specific bending stiffness.
• the specific bending stiffness depends on the Young's modulus and on the area moment of inertia of the cross-section of the temporary stopper 5, being determined by the material and the thickness t of the temporary stopper 5 and by the dimensions of the two open ends 5.4.1.
• Both the opening and the closing torque are directly proportional to the specific bending stiffness of the temporary stopper 5 and directly proportional to the predetermined engaging tolerance.
• the inner diameter of the fixing circular central portion 5.2.1 is designated by d E and the outer diameter of the pin is designated by D p .
• the E-clip-type cavity 5.2 defines within the second temporary stopper end 5.4 an E-clip-type fastener or retaining ring comprising a semi-flexible ring with two open ends 5.4.1. and an opening range 5.2.1.2 between the two open ends 5.4.1. which can be snapped into place on the pin 3.
• the minimum width of the temporary stopper gap (5.5.1) is the value of the displacement f.
• the displacement f determines a bending moment in the sections of the open ends 5.4.1. located at the distance L 1 between the contact point of the pin 3 with the open ends 5.4.1 and the bending line of each of the open end 5.4.1.
• a critical cross-section of the open end 5.4.1 is defined by the bending line, located where the minimum distance between the inner and outer contours of the E-clip is identified.
• the bending line is the connecting line between the open end 5.4.1 with the remaining part of the temporary stopper.
• M f * 3 * E * I c / L 1 2
• the temporary clamping mechanism 1 is configured to allow a predetermined number of cycles of fixing and releasing the door.
• the temporary clamping mechanism has the advantage that it has a robust and simple design, it is easy to be fixed firmly and accurately in the predetermined position, it is easy to be fixed to the door frame by using the existing door hinges and to be removed from the door frame and easy to adapt to the configurations of the existing door hinges.
• This advantage stems from the configurations of the entire temporary clamping mechanism and in particular from the configurations of the temporary stopper 5, allowing to advantageously determine accurately the firmly fixed predetermined position according to the specifications either by the predetermined angle ⁇ or by the predetermined distance L.
• the temporary clamping mechanism disclosed has the advantage that it maintains the same torque for the predetermined number of open-close cycles.
• the temporary clamping mechanism allows a predetermined number of cycles of fixing and releasing the door, the elasticity and the thickness of the temporary stopper determining the predetermined number of cycles.
• the temporary stopper has the advantage that is used for the pre-set number of cycles of opening-closing the door. This advantage is of economic nature.
• the temporary clamping mechanism has the advantage that it allows easy use either by the human operator or by robot(s).
• the temporary clamping mechanism allows quite soft interaction with the surfaces of the door frame and the door itself; no painting or repairing is needed to the door frame or to the door after having removed the temporary stopper.
• the limiting area 5.5 arranged for solidary assembling the temporary stopper 5 with the mobile hinge element 2.1 comprises an anti-rotation leg 5.5.2 - which is part of the invention, or an anti-rotation leg 5.5.5 - which is not part of the invention.
• the anti-rotation leg 5.5.2 is chosen depending on the constructive configuration of the vehicle door hinge 2, more precisely depending on the mobile hinge element surface 2.1.1 to be fitted on the door.
• the limiting area 5.5 comprises:
• the anti-rotation leg 5.5.2 comprised in the limiting area 5.5 in a plan perpendicular to the mobile hinge element surface 2.1.1.
• the dimensions of the anti-rotation leg 5.5.2 depends on the predetermined opening torque, as follows:
• the circular central portion center 5.2.1.1 of the E-clip-type cavity 5.2 is located at a first distance L Ea from the rotational axis a while the anti-rotation leg (5.5.2) is located at a distance L la .
• F a the active force, namely the opening and the closing force
• F al exerted on the anti-rotation leg (5.5.2) for engaging/disengaging the pin 3 into /from the fixing circular central portion 5.2.1 is:
• F al F a * L Ea / L Ia
• the force exerted on the anti-rotation leg (5.5.2) is developing a shear stress in the cross section of the anti-rotation leg (5.5.2).
• the advantage of the anti-rotation leg 5.5.2 is that prevents the movement of the temporary stopper 5 around the mobile hinge element 2.1 in order to ensure maintaining the door firmly fixed in a predetermined position and allowing several cycles of fixing and releasing the door without breaking the temporary clamping mechanism.
• the support leg 5.5.3- is dimensioned depending on the predetermined opening torque. When the opening torque is applied to the stopper 5, it is created a moment around the hinge shaft 4 determining the rotation of the stopper 5, which is prevented by the support leg 5.5.3.
• the configuration of the support leg 5.5.3 as well as the configuration of the arrangement of the leaking gap 5.5.4 between the anti-rotation leg 5.5.2 and the support leg 5.5.4 has the advantage of an accurate positioning of the stopper 5.
• a temporary clamping mechanism 1 for opening and fixing a vehicle door in a predetermined open position and releasing the vehicle door from the predetermined open position.
• Different examples of the invention are provided by selecting the vehicle door hinge from the group of vehicle side door hinges, vehicle front hood hinges and vehicle trunk hood hinges.
• the temporary clamping mechanism in all its examples, has the advantage that the temporary clamping mechanism is rapidly configurated by mounting the temporary stopper 5 to the existing door hinge 2 and it is easily removable from the door hinge when no longer needed.
• the temporary clamping mechanism Due to the firm fixing, the temporary clamping mechanism has the advantage that it allows low-speed move of the vehicle with the doors open, for example during the manufacturing process of the vehicles.
• a temporary clamping mechanism 1 comprising a temporary stopper 5 made of steel.
• a temporary clamping mechanism (1) comprising a temporary stopper (5) made of steel where the opening torque is at least 30 Nm, the closing torque is at least 20Nm, the predetermined number of opening/closing cycles is at least 30 and the predetermined open position angle is 16,2 ° +/- 2°.
• the non-limiting example above is used maintaining the vehicle doors open, during the manufacturing process of the vehicles.
• a temporary clamping mechanism 1 comprising a temporary stopper 5 made of plastic material.
• the purpose of the temporary clamping mechanism of the most preferred embodiment of the invention is to keep the doors of the passenger car in the predetermined open position during the painting carried out when the passenger car is being built by the car manufacturer.
• the passenger car comprises the body of the passenger car and the doors.
• a final door stop is typically mounted on each door of the passenger car by means of an appropriate door stopper, that positions the door relative to the body and maintains the opening position at one or more angles.
• the final door stopper cannot be attached to the vehicle body and door, as its functionality can be substantially affected by the finishing process.
• the temporary stopper is mounted to the vehicle during the manufacturing process prior to installation of the final door stop.
• Each temporary stopper keeps the door open during the operation of immersing in the electrophoresis tank and/or paint projection.
• the temporary stopers must withstand the coating operation and allow multiple openings/closings of the door, for example 20 times or 30 times, without a loss of performance.
• the functionality of hinges that have been coated are not affected since the temporary stopper is removed after the finishing process.
• the doors are removed from the body shell and removed from the passenger car line to apply specific installations and finishing in a separate workshop.
• the temporary clamping mechanism of the invention has 3 main functions:
• predetermined angle ⁇ The value of predetermined angle ⁇ , the minimum value for opening and closing torque and the number of opening-closing cycles are specific to each car manufacturer and each passenger car model.
• the temporary stopper 5 of the invention can be used on all types of passenger car hinges: lateral door hinges, which are equipping the lateral doors of the car, front hood hinges which are equipping the hood or bonnet of the car, and trunk hinges which are equipping the rear or trunk doors.
• the dimensions of the interior holes of the E-clip-type cavity 5.2 are set in order to reduce the contact between the open ends 5.4.1 with the pin 3 and to reduce friction and effort caused by paint accumulation on the inner surface of the E-clip-type cavity 5.2.
• the leaking gap 5.5.4 between anti-rotation leg 5.5.2 and support leg 5.5.3 is designed to reduce the contact surface of the temporary stopper 5 with the mobile hinge element 2.1 and in order to reduce the paint accumulation on the temporary stopper 5.
• the temporary stopper 5 material can be metal or plastic, depending on the required value of the open/closed torque.
• the metal is used for higher torque values (e.g. steel with high carbon content) and the plastic is used for lower torque values (e.g. molded plain polypropylene), as the value of Young modulus is directly affecting the material performance.
• the temporary clamping mechanism of the invention has the advantage that it maintains a minimum closing and opening torque for a bigger number of opening-closing cycles, it is easier removable and it maintains more accurately the door open in the predetermined open position at the predetermined angle ⁇ , the last advantage being known for professionals as better fixation of the opening angle.
• a method of use the temporary clamping mechanism 1 of the first aspect of the invention for maintaining a vehicle door at a predetermined angle ⁇ between the closed position and the open position comprising the following steps:
• using the temporary clamping mechanism of the invention has the advantage that it maintains a minimum closing and opening torque for a bigger number of opening-closing cycles, it is easier removable and it maintains more accurately the door open in the predetermined open position at the predetermined angle ⁇ , the last advantage being known for professionals as better fixation of the opening angle.
• the material of the temporary stopper 5 is steel and/or where the opening torque is at least 30 Nm, the closing torque is at least 20Nm, the predetermined number of opening/closing cycles is at least 30 and the predetermined open position angle is 16,2 ° +/- 2°.
• the method used to produce the temporary stopper 5 can be stamping from metallic blankets, laser cutting, electrical wire discharge or any other method that is capable to provide the shape and tolerances of the finished parts.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Hinge Accessories (AREA)
• Clamps And Clips (AREA)

Priority Applications (5)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (3)

Family

ID=77910563

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 2021
  • 2021-09-22 ES ES21198259T patent/ES3057742T3/es active Active
  • 2021-09-22 MA MA61058A patent/MA61058B1/fr unknown
  • 2021-09-22 EP EP21198259.0A patent/EP4155494B1/en active Active
  • 2021-09-22 PL PL21198259.0T patent/PL4155494T3/pl unknown
  • 2021-09-22 RS RS20260039A patent/RS67672B1/sr unknown

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