Patent Publication Number: US-2021164277-A1

Title: Door hinge with integrated door check

Description:
FIELD 
     This application relates to the field of door hinges having an integrated door check. 
     INTRODUCTION 
     Vehicles, such as for example cars, vans, trucks, and recreational vehicles, commonly include a door check mechanism (also referred to simply as a ‘door check’). A door check may provide one or more open retention positions at which a door is substantially inhibited from moving (i.e. absent a deliberate application of force by a user). The door check may also control the force required to open and close the door to inhibit the door slamming shut or opening too rapidly. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of a vehicle with a prior art rotational connection between a vehicle body and vehicle door; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a prior art door check; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a prior art hinge; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a hinge, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of a vehicle with a rotational connection, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial exploded view of the hinge of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of a hinge pin, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of the hinge pin of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom plan view of the hinge pin of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of a check plate, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevation view of the check plate of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a partial side elevation view of the hinge of  FIG. 4 , in a first position; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  13 - 13  in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a partial side elevation view of the hinge of  FIG. 4 , in a second position; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  15 - 15  in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a top plan view of a check plate in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIGS. 17-19  are cross-sectional views taken along line A-A in  FIG. 16 , in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 20  is a side elevation view of a hinge pin, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 21  is a bottom perspective view of the hinge pin of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a bottom plan view of the hinge pin of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a check plate in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 24  is a top plan view of the check plate of  FIG. 23 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  25 - 25  in  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  26 - 26  in  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  27 - 27  in  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a top perspective view of a check plate, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 29  is a side elevation view of a check plate, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective view of a hinge, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIGS. 31A-31C  are top, side elevation, and perspective views respectively of a coil spring, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIGS. 32A-33C  are top, side elevation, and perspective views respectively of a conical spring washer, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIGS. 33A-33C  are top, side elevation, and perspective views respectively of a wave spring, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 34A  is a partial exploded view of a hinge in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 34B  is a partial exploded view of a hinge in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 35  is a partial side elevation view of the hinge of  FIG. 34A , in a first position; 
         FIG. 36  is a partial side elevation view of the hinge of  FIG. 34A , in a second position; 
         FIG. 37  is a partial exploded view of a hinge in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 38  is a bottom perspective view of a hinge pin with rolling engaging elements, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 39  is a partial exploded view of a hinge in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 40  is a partial side elevation view of the hinge of  FIG. 39 ; and 
         FIG. 41  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  41 - 41  in  FIG. 40 . 
     
    
    
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a vehicle door hinge with integrated door check is provided. The vehicle door hinge includes a vehicle body bracket, a vehicle door bracket, a hinge pin, a door check plate, and a resiliently compressible bias. The vehicle body bracket may be securable to a vehicle body. The vehicle door bracket may be securable to a vehicle door. The hinge pin may define an axially extending hinge rotation axis. The hinge pin may provide a rotational connection between the vehicle body bracket and the vehicle door bracket that allows the vehicle door bracket to rotate about the hinge rotation axis relative to the vehicle body bracket between a door closed position and one or more door retention positions. The hinge pin may include one or more bearings. The door check plate may have a bearing engagement surface that is (i) axially opposed to the bearings, (ii) in contact with the bearings, and (iii) surrounding the hinge rotation axis. The bearing engagement surface may define one or more semi-circular paths. Each of the bearings may travel along one of the semi-circular paths as the vehicle door bracket rotates from the door closed position to the one or more door retention positions. Each semi-circular path may have a first end corresponding to the door closed position, and an elevation profile with a variable elevation that includes one or more retention portions. Each retention portion may correspond to one of the door retention positions. The resiliently compressible bias may be positioned to axially bias the bearing engagement surface against the bearings. 
     In another aspect, a vehicle door hinge with integrated door check is provided. The vehicle door hinge includes a vehicle body bracket, a vehicle door bracket, a hinge pin, and a door check plate. The vehicle body bracket may be securable to a vehicle body. The vehicle door bracket may be securable to a vehicle door. The hinge pin may define an axially extending hinge rotation axis. The hinge pin may provide a rotational connection between the vehicle body bracket and the vehicle door bracket that allows the vehicle door bracket to rotate about the hinge rotation axis relative to the vehicle body bracket between a door closed position and one or more door retention positions. The hinge pin may include one or more bearings. The door check plate may have a bearing engagement surface that is (i) axially opposed to the bearings, (ii) in contact with the bearings, and (iii) surrounding the hinge rotation axis. The bearing engagement surface may define one or more semi-circular paths. Each of the bearings may travel along one of the semi-circular paths as the vehicle door bracket rotates from the door closed position to the one or more door retention positions. Each semi-circular path may have a first end corresponding to the door closed position, and an elevation profile with a variable elevation that includes one or more retention portions. Each retention portion may correspond to one of the door retention positions. The door check plate may be axially resiliently compressible and may axially bias the bearing engagement surface against the bearings. 
     In another aspect, a vehicle door hinge with integrated door check is provided. The vehicle door hinge includes a vehicle body bracket, a vehicle door bracket, and a hinge pin. The vehicle body bracket may be securable to a vehicle body. The vehicle door bracket may be securable to a vehicle door. The hinge pin may define an axially extending hinge rotation axis. The hinge pin may provide a rotational connection between the vehicle body bracket and the vehicle door bracket that allows the vehicle door bracket to rotate about the hinge rotation axis relative to the vehicle body bracket between a door closed position and one or more door retention positions. The hinge pin may include one or more bearings. A bearing engagement surface may be integrally formed into one of the vehicle body bracket and the vehicle door bracket. The bearing engagement surface may be (i) axially opposed to the bearings, (ii) in contact with the bearings, and (iii) surrounding the hinge rotation axis. The bearing engagement surface may define one or more semi-circular paths. Each of the bearings may travel along one of the semi-circular paths as the vehicle door bracket rotates from the door closed position to the one or more door retention positions. Each semi-circular path may have a first end corresponding to the door closed position, and an elevation profile with a variable elevation that includes one or more retention portions. Each retention portion may correspond to one of the door retention positions. 
     DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS 
     Numerous embodiments are described in this application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not intended to be limiting in any sense. The invention is widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be practiced with modification and alteration without departing from the teachings disclosed herein. Although particular features of the present invention may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments or figures, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are described. 
     The terms “an embodiment,” “embodiment,” “embodiments,” “the embodiment,” “the embodiments,” “one or more embodiments,” “some embodiments,” and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present invention(s),” unless expressly specified otherwise. 
     The terms “including,” “comprising” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to,” unless expressly specified otherwise. A listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an” and “the” mean “one or more,” unless expressly specified otherwise. 
     As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be “coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, “joined”, “affixed”, or “fastened” where the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly (i.e., through one or more intermediate parts), so long as a link occurs. As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be “directly coupled”, “directly connected”, “directly attached”, “directly joined”, “directly affixed”, or “directly fastened” where the parts are connected in physical contact with each other. As used herein, two or more parts are said to be “rigidly coupled”, “rigidly connected”, “rigidly attached”, “rigidly joined”, “rigidly affixed”, or “rigidly fastened” where the parts are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. None of the terms “coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, “joined”, “affixed”, and “fastened” distinguish the manner in which two or more parts are joined together. 
     As used herein and in the claims, a group of elements are said to ‘collectively’ perform an act where that act is performed by any one of the elements in the group, or performed cooperatively by two or more (or all) elements in the group. 
     Some elements herein may be identified by a part number, which is composed of a base number followed by an alphabetical or subscript-numerical suffix (e.g.  112   a,  or  112   1 ). Multiple elements herein may be identified by part numbers that share a base number in common and that differ by their suffixes (e.g.  112   1 ,  112   2 , and  112   3 ). All elements with a common base number may be referred to collectively or generically using the base number without a suffix (e.g.  112 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a vehicle  10  may include a body  14  and one or more doors  18 . Vehicle door  18  may have a rotational connection  22  to vehicle body  14  that allows vehicle door  18  to rotate between a door open position (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) and a door closed position (shown in  FIG. 2 ). In the door open position, things such as passengers and cargo may be loaded into the vehicle  10 . In the door closed position, the vehicle door opening  26  may be closed by vehicle door  18 , such as to inhibit things from fall out of the vehicle  10  through the vehicle door opening  26 . 
     Rotational connection  22  may include one or more vehicle door hinges  30  and a door check  34 . Vehicle door hinges  30  may include a vehicle body bracket  38  secured to vehicle body  14 , a vehicle door bracket  42  secured to vehicle door  18 , and a pin  46  that rotationally connects the vehicle body bracket  38  to the vehicle door bracket. As shown, pin  46  may define a hinge rotation axis  50 . Vehicle body bracket  38  can rotate relative to vehicle door bracket  42  about hinge rotation axis  50  between a door closed position and a door open position. 
     Door check  34  may include a bearing assembly  54  mounted to vehicle door  18 , an end stop  58  mounted to vehicle door  14 , and a door check strap  62 . Door check strap  62  has a thickness  70  that varies along its length. Bearing assembly  54  includes bearings  66  that clamp onto door check strap  62 . 
     Door check  34  provides variable resistance to the rotation of vehicle door  18  based on the thickness profile of door check strap  62 . Specifically, as vehicle door  18  is rotated between the door closed position (shown in  FIG. 2 ) and the door open position (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ), bearings  66  slide along the length of door check strap  62 . The rotation resistance imparted by bearings  66  is positively correlated to the thickness of the portion of door check strap  62  that is located between bearings  66 . That is, bearings  66  provide greater rotation resistance when the portion of door check strap  62  that is between bearings  66  is thicker, and vice versa. 
     Door check  34  also provides an intermediate retention position  74 , which allows vehicle door  18  to maintain a stable position intermediate the open and closed positions. As shown, door check strap  62  defines a retention position  74  at a thickness minima flanked on both sides by portions  78  and  80  of increasing thickness. From retention position  74 , thickness  70  of door check strap  62  increases in both directions. Consequently (i) rotation resistance increases in both directions from retention position  74 , and (ii) force interactions on the sloped surfaces of portions  78  and  80  urge door check  34  to return to retention position  74 . Thus, absent a deliberate user application of force, door check  34  maintains vehicle door  18  in the intermediate position when bearings  66  are positioned at intermediate retention position  74 . 
     Embodiments herein relate to a hinge that integrates a door check. The hinge may provide the variable rotation resistance and/or retention position(s) associated with a traditional door check, without having a discrete door check assembly. All else being equal, this may reduce complexity, cost, weight, assembly, and maintenance associated with the discrete door check assembly, while preserving functionality. Moreover, embodiments disclosed herein may be more compact, allowing the door check functionality to be added to assemblies that heretofore could not accommodate a discrete door check assembly (e.g. due to size constraints, mechanical limitations, cost, or aesthetics). 
       FIG. 4  shows a hinge  100  in accordance with an embodiment. Hinge  100  may provide a rotational connection between any two objects. As an example,  FIG. 5  shows a pair of hinges  100  providing a rotational connection  104  between a vehicle body  14  and a vehicle door  18 . Generally, a vehicle  10  may include any number of (e.g. one to four) hinges  100  and any number of (e.g. none to four) traditional hinges (e.g. hinge  30  in  FIG. 3 ) to collectively provide the rotational connection  104  between vehicle body  14  and vehicle door  18 . The at least one hinge  100  may provide rotational connection  104  with features of a door check (e.g. such as door check  34  of  FIG. 1 ). Accordingly, rotational connection  104  may be free of discrete door check assemblies (e.g. door check  34  in  FIG. 1 ) as shown, which may reduce design complexity, manufacturing cost, weight, required assembly, and maintenance which might have otherwise been associated with providing the discrete door check. 
     More generally, hinge  100  may provide a rotational connectional to, for example any type of door (e.g. cupboard door, building door, access panel door, appliance door (e.g. refrigerator door, oven door, dishwasher door, or laundry machine door)), electronic device (e.g. flip-open cellular phone, laptop screen, or scanner lid), tool (e.g. guillotine paper cutter, or table saw), toy, or any other objects having a rotational connection between parts. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 6 , hinge  100 , in accordance with some embodiments, may include a first bracket  38  (securable to a first object, such as a vehicle body), a second bracket  42  (securable to a second object, such as a vehicle door), a hinge pin  108 , a check plate  112 , and a resiliently compressible bias  116 . Hinge pin  108  may be connected to one of brackets  38  and  42  so that hinge pin  108  and the one bracket  38  or  42  rotate synchronously about hinge rotation axis  50 . Similarly, check plate  112  may be connected to the other of brackets  38  and  42  so that check plate  112  and the one bracket  38  or  42  rotate synchronously about hinge rotation axis  50 . In the illustrated embodiment, hinge includes a bushing  118  to reduce friction at the interface of hinge pin  108  and hinge bracket layer  132 . Alternative embodiments may not include bushing  118 . 
     In use, hinge pin  108  physically interacts with check plate  112  when first bracket  38  rotates relative to second bracket  42  about hinge rotation axis  50  to generate variable resistance and/or retention position(s), which are traditionally associated with a discrete door check (e.g. door check  34  of  FIG. 1 ). 
     Hinge pin  108  may include a shaft  120 , a bearing mount  124 , and a plurality of bearings  128 . As shown, hinge pin shaft  120  may extend co-axially with hinge rotation axis  50  through layers  132  and  136  of hinge brackets  38  and  42  respectively. In some embodiments, hinge pin shaft  120  may be rigidly connected to one of layers  132  and  136  so that hinge pin  108  rotates synchronously with the corresponding bracket  38  or  42 . For example, hinge pin shaft  120  may be rigidly connected to one of layers  132  and  136  by a rivet, welds, fastener (e.g. bolt or screw), or by integrally forming hinge pin shaft  120  with the layer  132  or  136 . Alternatively or in addition, hinge pin shaft  120  may be non-circularly shaped to key into a non-circular layer opening  134  or  138  so that hinge pin  108  rotates synchronously with the corresponding bracket  38  or  42 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 4 and 6 , bearing mount  124  may be connected to hinge pin shaft  120 . For example, bearing mount  124  may be rigidly connected to (e.g. integrally formed with) hinge pin shaft  120 . In the illustrated example, bearing mount  124  is connected to an axial end  140  of hinge pin shaft  120 . As shown, bearing mount  124  may carry a plurality of bearings  128 . Bearings  128  may be positioned on bearing mount  124  so that they are axially opposed to check plate  112 . This allows bearings  128  to physically engage check plate  112  as hinge rotates between positions. 
     Bearings  128  include engaging elements  144 . Engaging elements  144  may be sliding elements and/or rolling elements. For example,  FIG. 6  illustrates needle bearings  128  with semi-cylindrical sliders  144 . As shown, sliding engaging elements  144  may be integrally formed with bearing mount  124 . In some embodiments, hinge pin  108  may be integrally formed as one solid piece of material (e.g. metal or hard plastic)—including shaft  120 , bearing mount  124 , and bearings  128 .  FIG. 38  shows an embodiment in which bearings  128  includes rolling engaging elements  144 . As shown, needling bearings  128  may include cylindrical rollers  144 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , check plate  112  may be positioned between hinge pin bearing mount  124  and hinge bracket layer  132 . As shown, check plate  112  may include a bearing engagement surface  148  that is axially opposed to hinge pin bearings  128  and in contact with hinge pin bearings  128 . Check plate  112  may surround hinge pin shaft  120 . For example, check plate  112  may have a central opening  152  intersected by hinge rotation axis  50 . In use, bearings  128  may physically engage (e.g. slide over) bearing engagement surface  148 , and this physical engagement may provide variable resistance and/or retention position(s), which are traditionally associated with a discrete door check. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 6 , resiliently compressible bias  116  may have any position and configuration suitable to urge hinge pin bearings  128  into constant contact with check plate bearing engagement surface  148 . For example, resiliently compressible bias  116  may be positioned axially between check plate  112  and hinge bracket layer  132 . In some embodiments, resiliently compressible bias  116  may surround hinge pin shaft  120 . As shown, resiliently compressible bias  116  may have a central opening  156  intersected by hinge rotation axis  50 . In use, resiliently compressible bias  116  may provide a variable spring force based on the rotational position of bearings  128  relative to bearing engagement surface  148 . This variable spring force may cooperate with bearings  128  and bearing engagement surface  148  to provide variable resistance and/or retention position(s), which are traditionally associated with a discrete door check. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6-11 , check plate bearing engagement surface  148  may define a plurality of curved (e.g. semi-circular) paths  160 . Each semi-circular path  160  may include a first end  164  corresponding to a door closed position, and a second end  166 . In use, each bearing  128  may move (e.g. slide) along a respective (i.e. different one of) semi-circular path  160  between the first and second ends  164 ,  168  as hinge  100  is rotated between the closed and open positions. As shown, each semi-circular path  160  may have an elevation profile with a variable elevation (i.e. the elevation changes along the semi-circular path  160 ). 
     The elevation profile of each semi-circular path  160  may include (i) one or more upwardly sloped portions  168  where the elevation profile is sloped such that it increases in a direction towards the first end  164 , (ii) one or more downwardly sloped portions  172  where the elevation profile is sloped such that it decreases in a direction towards the first end  164 , and (iii) one or more retention portions  176  extending from a low-elevation end of an upwardly sloped portion  168  and a low-elevation end of a downwardly sloped portion  172 . Upwardly sloped portions  168  and downwardly sloped portions  172  may collectively form at least 50% or at least 70% of each semi-circular path  160 , such that there may be a generally continuously changing rotation resistance between ends  164 ,  166  and any retention positions  176 . 
     Each semi-circular path  160  may be substantially identical. That is, the semi-circular path  160  associated with each hinge pin bearing  128  may be substantially the same as the semi-circular path  160  associated with each other hinge pin bearing  128 . Further, semi-circular paths  160  may be symmetrically distributed to allow the path-positions engaged by all hinge pin bearings  128  at a given moment to have the same elevation. In the illustrated embodiment, hinge pin  108  includes three bearings  128  circumferentially distributed (e.g. circumferentially spaced apart) around hinge rotation axis  50 , and similarly check plate  112  includes three semi-circular paths  160 . In other embodiments, hinge pin  108  may include any number of bearings  128  (and corresponding number of semi-circular paths  160 ), such as for example, one to twenty bearings  128  and semi-circular paths  160 . For the application of a vehicle door  18 , three semi-circular paths  160  of up to 120 degrees each (e.g. 90 to 120 degrees) provides a suitable range of motion. 
     Check plate bearing engagement surface  148  may be hard (e.g. substantially non-compressible). For example, check plate bearing engagement surface  148  may be composed of metal, stone, or hard plastic. This may allow the hard rolling or sliding engaging elements  144  of bearings  128  to roll or slide better across check plate bearing engagement surface  148 . 
       FIGS. 12-13  show that when hinge pin bearings  128  engage a low-elevation portion of their respective semi-circular paths  160  ( FIG. 10 ) on check plate bearing engagement surface  148 , resiliently compressible bias  116  is relatively less compressed.  FIGS. 14-15  show that when hinge pin bearings  128  engage a higher-elevation portion of their respective semi-circular paths  160  ( FIG. 10 ) on check plate bearing engagement surface  148 , resiliently compressible bias  116  is relatively more compressed. Accordingly, when hinge pin bearings  128  move along sloped portions of their semi-circular paths  160 , there will be rotational resistance created when moving “uphill” (i.e. in a direction of increasing elevation) because doing so involves forcing resiliently compressible bias  116  to further compress, and vice versa. 
     Returning to  FIGS. 6-11 , when the position of hinge  100  is such that hinge pin bearings  128  are located on upwardly sloped portions  168 , rotation towards first end  164  may be resisted. In some cases, the forces generated at the interface of bearings  128  and bearing engagement surface  148  may urge hinge  100  to rotate “downhill” towards second end  166 . Similarly, when the position of hinge  100  is such that hinge pin bearings  128  are located on downwardly sloped portions  172 , rotation towards second end  166  may be resisted. In some cases, the forces generated at the interface of bearings  128  and bearing engagement surface  148  may urge hinge  100  to rotate “downhill” towards first end  164 . 
     When the position of hinge  100  is such that hinge pin bearings are located at retention portions  176 , rotations towards the first and second ends  164 ,  168  may both entail bearings  128  climbing “uphill” and thus, rotation away from retention portions  176  is resisted. Within each semi-circular path  160 , each retention portion  176  corresponds with a retention position for hinge  100  where rotating hinge  100  is inhibited absent deliberate user application of force. Thus, the object (e.g. vehicle door) whose rotation is controlled by hinge  100  may be stably positioned at the retention position (e.g. intermediate or fully open position) until deliberately rotated away. 
     In some embodiments, the prevailing spring force of resiliently compressible bias  116 , which produces reciprocal forces at the interfaces of hinge pin bearings  128  and check plate bearing engagement surface  148 , may be responsible for producing some rotational resistance. For example, bearing movement along level (i.e. non-sloped) portions of semi-circular paths  160  may exhibit greater rotational resistance where those portions are characterized by higher elevations. This can allow the elevations of semi-circular paths  160  to contribute rotational resistance independent of slope. 
     In some embodiments, the rotational resistance is attributable to check plate bearing engagement surface  148  being soft (e.g. resiliently compressible). For example, check plate  112  may include a bearing engagement surface composed of rubber. In other embodiments, hinge pin bearings  128  may have a design that exhibits substantial resistance to sliding at high loads (such as forces produced by bias  116 ) even when check plate bearing engagement surface  148  is rigid (e.g. composed of metal, stone, or hard plastic). 
       FIG. 16  is a top plan view of a check plate bearing engagement surface  148 .  FIGS. 17-19  are examples of elevation profiles  178  along a semi-circular path  160   1  of check plate bearing engagement surface  148 . As shown, semi-circular path  160   1  can have any elevation profile of variable elevation along the path length. Further, semi-circular path  160   1  can have any number of retention portions  176  (e.g. one to ten retention portions  176 )—where each retention portion  176  corresponds to a retention position for the hinge.  FIG. 17  shows an example with one retention portion  176 ,  FIG. 18  shows an example with two retention portions  176 , and  FIG. 19  shows an example with three retention portions  176 . 
     The hinge pin can include bearings of any size, shape, and configuration suitable for sliding across check plate bearing engagement surface.  FIGS. 6-9  show an example of hinge pin  108  that includes needle bearings  128 .  FIGS. 20-22  show an alternative embodiment of hinge pin  108  that includes bearings  128  having engaging elements  144 , which may be semi-spherical sliding elements or spherical rolling elements. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 23-27 , in some embodiments, check plate bearing engagement surface  148  may be formed as a transversely concave track  180  (i.e. concave in cross-sections transverse to semi-circular paths  160 —e.g. cross-sections taken alone radial planes). Concave track  180  may be sized to mate with bearings  128  ( FIG. 21 ), and may help to maintain alignment between bearings  128  ( FIG. 21 ) and semi-circular paths  160 . 
     Each semi-circular path  160  may have any elevation profile described and shown herein with association with this and other embodiments of bearing engagement surface  148 , including the embodiment of  FIGS. 10-13  which has a flat surface instead of a transversely concave surface  148 . For example,  FIGS. 25-27  show cross-sections taken at different positions along semi-circular path  160 , each one with a different elevation  184 . In some embodiments, semi-circular paths  160  may have any of elevation profiles  178  shown and described with reference to  FIGS. 17-19 . 
     As a further example,  FIGS. 28-29  show an embodiment of check plate  112  having a check plate bearing engagement surface  148  formed with a transversely concave track  180  and an elevation profile similar to check plate  112  of  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 30  shows an embodiment of hinge  100  having two door check integrated pin assemblies  192  having any configuration described herein. For example, each assembly  192  may include a hinge pin  108 , a check plate  112 , and a resiliently compressible bias  116  as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , hinge  100  may include any resiliently compressible bias suitable to urge hinge pin bearings  128  into constant contact with check plate bearing engagement surface  148 . In the illustrated example, resiliently compressible bias  116  is a coned-disc spring (also referred to as conical spring washer or disc spring). Alternatively or in addition, hinge  100  may include a coil spring  116  (see, e.g.  FIGS. 31A-31C ), a conical spring washer  116  (see, e.g.  FIGS. 32A-32C ), a wave spring  116  (see, e.g.  FIGS. 33A-33C ), or a resiliently compressible bias of another design. In some embodiments, resiliently compressible bias may be composed of, e.g. a flat cylindrical disc of resiliently compressible material such as for example rubber. 
     Referring to  FIG. 34A , in some embodiments hinge  100  may not include a discrete resiliently compressible bias  116 . Instead, the hinge  100  may include a check plate  112  that is resiliently compressible in at least the axial direction  188 . For example, check plate  112  may be entirely or partially composed of a resiliently compressible material, such as rubber. An advantage of this design is that it may omit the resiliently compressible bias, which may reduce the unit cost, part count, and size hinge  100 . For example, check plate bearing engagement surface  148  may be composed of a rigid material (e.g. metal, stone, or hard plastic) and a remainder of check plate  112  below check plate bearing engagement surface  148  may be composed of a resiliently compressible material (e.g. rubber). 
       FIG. 34B  shows an alternative embodiment in which check plate  112  includes an upper portion  196  (including check plate bearing engagement surface  148 ) composed of rigid material (e.g. metal, stone, or hard plastic), and a lower portion  204  composed of resiliently compressible material (e.g. rubber). Lower portion  204  may be permanently joined (e.g. by adhesive or other means) to upper portion  196 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 35-36 , check plate  112  may exhibit greater axial compression when bearings  128  are positioned at higher-elevation locations on bearing engagement surface  148 , and lesser axial compression when bearings  128  are positioned at lower-elevation locations on bearing engagement surface  148 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 37 , in some embodiments hinge  100  may not include a discrete check plate  112 . Instead, a bearing engagement surface  148  with an elevation profile of variable elevation may be integrally formed (e.g. stamped, machined, or molded) into hinge bracket layer  132 . An advantage of this design is that it may omit the resiliently compressible bias and check plate, which may reduce the unit cost and size of hinge  100 . In this embodiment, bearings  128  and/or hinge bracket layers  132 ,  136  may compress or deflect in response to interactions between bearings  128  and bearing engagement surface  148  in place of compressing the resiliently compressible member shown and described herein in connection with other embodiments. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 39-41 . Any embodiment disclosed herein may further include a protective cover  208 . Protective cover  208  may help prevent dust, dirt, debris, or paint (e.g. paint applied during a factory painting step in the manufacturing of hinge  100  or in the manufacturing of the assembly to which hinge  100  is attached (e.g. a vehicle)) from fouling hinge  100 . For example, protective cover  208  may help prevent such dust, dirt, debris, or paint from depositing on bearings  128  and/or bearing engagement surface  148 . Such deposits might otherwise impair the performance of hinge  100 . For example, deposits on bearings  128  and/or bearing engagement surface  148  may impede bearings  128  from smoothly sliding or rolling over bearing engagement surface  148 . 
     As shown, protective cover  208  may overlie at least a portion of hinge pin  108 . In the illustrated example, protective cover  208  covers hinge pin outer end  212 , hinge pin bearing mount  124 , and hinge pin bearings  128 . In some embodiments, protective cover  208  may further cover at least a portion of check plate  112 . 
     Protective cover  208  may have any shape and size suitable to mitigate dust, dirt, debris, and/or paint from depositing on bearings  128  and/or bearing engagement surface  148 . For example, protective cover  208  may include a transversely extending end wall  216  having an end wall perimeter  220 , and an axially extending sidewall  224  extending axially away from end wall  216 . Sidewall  224  may surround at least a portion of hinge pin  108 . For example, sidewall  224  may surround hinge pin bearing mount  124  and hinge pin bearings  128 . In some embodiments, sidewall  224  may further surround at least a portion of check plate  112 . As shown, protective cover  208  may have a circular cross-sectional shape, although other shapes are also feasible. 
     Protective cover  208  may be made of any material suitable to mitigate dust, dirt, debris, and/or paint from depositing on bearings  128  and/or bearing engagement surface  148 , and that is suitable for the environment (e.g. ambient temperature) in which hinge  100  will operate. In some embodiments, protective cover  208  may be made of rubber, metal, or plastic. Where hinge  100  is applied to a vehicle, protective cover  208  may be made of rubber, metal, or high temperature plastic so that it can withstand the high temperatures of the factory paint application process. 
     Protective cover  208  may be permanently or removably connected to hinge pin  108  in any suitable manner. For example, protective cover  208  may be connected to hinge pin  108  by adhesive, a fastener (e.g. screw or bolt), or a friction-fit (also referred to as a press-fit). 
     While the above description provides examples of the embodiments, it will be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described embodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments. Accordingly, what has been described above has been intended to be illustrative of the invention and non-limiting and it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole. 
     ITEMS 
     
         
         Item 1: A vehicle door hinge with integrated door check, the vehicle door hinge comprising:
       a vehicle body bracket securable to a vehicle body;   a vehicle door bracket securable to a vehicle door;   a hinge pin defining an axially extending hinge rotation axis, the hinge pin providing a rotational connection between the vehicle body bracket and the vehicle door bracket that allows the vehicle door bracket to rotate about the hinge rotation axis relative to the vehicle body bracket between a door closed position and one or more door retention positions,
           the hinge pin comprising one or more bearings;   
           a door check plate having a bearing engagement surface that is (i) axially opposed to the bearings, (ii) in contact with the bearings, and (iii) surrounding the hinge rotation axis,
           the bearing engagement surface defining one or more semi-circular paths, each of the bearings travelling along one of the semi-circular paths as the vehicle door bracket rotates from the door closed position to the one or more door retention positions,   each semi-circular path having a first end corresponding to the door closed position, and an elevation profile with a variable elevation that includes one or more retention portions, each retention portion corresponding to one of the door retention positions, and   
           a resiliently compressible bias positioned to axially bias the bearing engagement surface against the bearings.   
     
         Item 2: The vehicle door hinge of any preceding claim, wherein:
       the elevation profile of each semi-circular path includes one or more upwardly sloped portions where the elevation profile slopes upwardly towards the first end.   
     
         Item 3: The vehicle door hinge of any preceding claim, wherein:
       the elevation profile of each semi-circular path includes one or more downwardly sloped portions where the elevation profile slopes downwardly towards the first end.   
     
         Item 4: The vehicle door hinge of any preceding claim, wherein:
       the elevation profile of each semi-circular path includes one or more upwardly sloped portions where the elevation profile slopes upwardly towards the first end,   the elevation profile of each semi-circular path includes one or more downwardly sloped portions where the elevation profile slopes downwardly towards the first end, and   each retention portion is defined between a low-elevation end of an upwardly sloped portion and a low-elevation end of a downwardly sloped portion.   
     
         Item 5: The vehicle door hinge of any preceding claim, wherein:
       when the bearings are located on an upwardly sloped portion of their respective semi-circular path, the hinge pin is urged to rotate relative to the door check plate away from the door closed position, and   when the bearings are located on a downwardly sloped portion of their respective semi-circular path, the hinge pin is urged to rotate relative to the door check plate toward the door closed position.   
     
         Item 6: The vehicle door hinge of any preceding claim, wherein:
       the bearings comprise cylindrical sliding elements.   
     
         Item 7: The vehicle door hinge of any preceding claim, wherein:
       the bearings comprise spherical sliding elements.   
     
         Item 8: The vehicle door hinge of any preceding claim, wherein:
       the bearing engagement surface comprises a transversely concave track aligned with the bearings.   
     
         Item 9: The vehicle door hinge of any preceding claim, wherein:
       the hinge pin rotates synchronously with one of the vehicle body bracket and the vehicle door bracket, and   the door check plate rotates synchronously with the other of the vehicle body bracket and the vehicle door bracket.   
     
         Item 10: A vehicle door hinge with integrated door check, the vehicle door hinge comprising:
       a vehicle body bracket securable to a vehicle body;   a vehicle door bracket securable to a vehicle door;   a hinge pin defining an axially extending hinge rotation axis, the hinge pin providing a rotational connection between the vehicle body bracket and the vehicle door bracket that allows the vehicle door bracket to rotate about the hinge rotation axis relative to the vehicle body bracket between a door closed position and one or more door retention positions,
           the hinge pin comprising one or more bearings;   
           a door check plate having a bearing engagement surface that is (i) axially opposed to the bearings, (ii) in contact with the bearings, and (iii) surrounding the hinge rotation axis,
           the bearing engagement surface defining one or more semi-circular paths, each of the bearings travelling along one of the semi-circular paths as the vehicle door bracket rotates from the door closed position to the one or more door retention positions,   each semi-circular path having a first end corresponding to the door closed position, and an elevation profile with a variable elevation that includes one or more retention portions, each retention portion corresponding to one of the door retention position, and   
           wherein the door check plate is axially resiliently compressible and axially biases the bearing engagement surface against the bearings.   
     
         Item 11: The vehicle door hinge of any preceding item, wherein:
       the elevation profile of each semi-circular path includes one or more upwardly sloped portions where the elevation profile slopes upwardly towards the first end.   
     
         Item 12: The vehicle door hinge of any preceding item, wherein:
       the elevation profile of each semi-circular path includes one or more downwardly sloped portions where the elevation profile slopes downwardly towards the first end.   
     
         Item 13: The vehicle door hinge of any preceding item, wherein:
       the elevation profile of each semi-circular path includes one or more upwardly sloped portions where the elevation profile slopes upwardly towards the first end,   the elevation profile of each semi-circular path includes one or more downwardly sloped portions where the elevation profile slopes downwardly towards the first end, and   each retention portion is defined between a low-elevation end of an upwardly sloped portion and a low-elevation end of a downwardly sloped portion.   
     
         Item  14 : The vehicle door hinge of any preceding item, wherein:
       when the bearings are located on an upwardly sloped portion of their respective semi-circular path, the hinge pin is urged to rotate relative to the door check plate away from the door closed position, and   when the bearings are located on a downwardly sloped portion of their respective semi-circular path, the hinge pin is urged to rotate relative to the door check plate toward the door closed position.   
     
         Item 15: A vehicle door hinge with integrated door check, the vehicle door hinge comprising:
       a vehicle body bracket securable to a vehicle body;   a vehicle door bracket securable to a vehicle door;   a hinge pin defining an axially extending hinge rotation axis, the hinge pin providing a rotational connection between the vehicle body bracket and the vehicle door bracket that allows the vehicle door bracket to rotate about the hinge rotation axis relative to the vehicle body bracket between a door closed position and one or more door retention positions,
           the hinge pin comprising one or more bearings;   
           a bearing engagement surface integrally formed into one of the vehicle body bracket and the vehicle door bracket, the bearing engagement surface being (i) axially opposed to the bearings, (ii) in contact with the bearings, and (iii) surrounding the hinge rotation axis,
           the bearing engagement surface defining one or more semi-circular paths, each of the bearings travelling along one of the semi-circular paths as the vehicle door bracket rotates from the door closed position to the one or more door retention positions,   each semi-circular path having a first end corresponding to the door closed position, and an elevation profile with a variable elevation that includes one or more retention portions, each retention portion corresponding to one of the door retention position.   
           
     
         Item 16: The vehicle door hinge of any preceding item, wherein:
       the elevation profile of each semi-circular path includes one or more upwardly sloped portions where the elevation profile slopes upwardly towards the first end,   the elevation profile of each semi-circular path includes one or more downwardly sloped portions where the elevation profile slopes downwardly towards the first end, and   each retention portion is defined between a low-elevation end of an upwardly sloped portion and a low-elevation end of a downwardly sloped portion.   
     
         Item 17: The vehicle door hinge of any preceding item, wherein:
       when the bearings are located on an upwardly sloped portion of their respective semi-circular path, the hinge pin is urged to rotate relative to the door check plate away from the door closed position, and   when the bearings are located on a downwardly sloped portion of their respective semi-circular path, the hinge pin is urged to rotate relative to the door check plate toward the door closed position.   
     
         Item 18: The vehicle door hinge of any preceding item, wherein:
       the bearings comprise cylindrical sliding elements.   
     
         Item 19: The vehicle door hinge of any preceding item, wherein:
       the bearings comprise spherical sliding elements.   
     
         Item 20: The vehicle door hinge of any preceding item, wherein:
       the bearing engagement surface comprises a transversely concave track aligned with the bearings.