Patent Publication Number: US-9896868-B2

Title: Vehicle hinge assembly and method of operating the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims foreign priority benefits under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) to CN 2015 100 919 05.9 filed Feb. 28, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a vehicle hinge assembly and a method of operating the same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Modern vehicles often include a number of parts movably connected with each other. For instance, a vehicle may at its rear end include a trunk, which may be accessed via a trunk opening. A deck lid is mounted at the trunk opening via a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly enables the deck lid to transit between an open position in which the trunk may be accessible and a closed position in which the deck lid covers the trunk opening to protect and retain luggage in the trunk. For assembly, a hinge arm of the hinge assembly may need to extend through a hinge aperture formed on a trunk trim panel. 
     U.S. Patent publication US 2012/0205937 A1 discloses a hinge assembly which enables the deck lid to transit between an open position and a closed position. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one or more embodiments, there provides a hinge assembly of a vehicle including first and second parts with the first part including a hinge aperture, where the hinge assembly includes a hinge arm to be connected to the second part and partially received through the hinge aperture; and a hinge skirt including a skirt aperture to partially receive the hinge arm, the hinge skirt to be positioned between the first and second parts. 
     The hinge skirt may define a first portion extending in a first direction and a second portion extending in a second direction different from the first direction. 
     The hinge assembly may further comprise a cushion positioned between the second portion and the hinge arm. 
     The cushion may differ in material from the second portion. 
     The cushion may contact the hinge arm. 
     The second portion may be at least partially spaced apart from the hinge aperture. 
     The hinge assembly may further comprises a stabilizer to contact the hinge skirt when the second part moves to a closed position relative to the first part. 
     The stabilizer may include two spaced-apart sections with a portion of the hinge arm positioned there-between. 
     The hinge skirt may include a side slit via which the hinge skirt is detachable from the hinge arm. 
     According to another one or more embodiments, a hinged vehicle part assembly includes a first part including a hinge aperture; a second part movable relative to the first part; a hinge arm connected to the second part and being partially received through the hinge aperture, and a hinge skirt including a skirt aperture to partially receive the hinge arm, the hinge skirt being positioned between the first and second parts. 
     The hinge skirt may contact an exterior surface of the first part. 
     The hinged vehicle part assembly may further include a stabilizer connected to the second part, the stabilizer to contact the hinge skirt when the second part moves to a close position relative to the first vehicle part. 
     According to another one or more embodiments, a method of operating a hinge assembly of a vehicle including first and second parts with the first part including a hinge aperture is disclosed. The hinge assembly includes a hinge arm connected to the second part and partially received through the hinge aperture. The method includes positioning a hinge skirt to be between the first and second parts, the hinge skirt including a skirt aperture; and 
     The method may further include removing the hinge skirt from the vehicle; and positioning a second hinge skirt to be between the first and second parts. 
     The step of removing the hinge skirt may be carried out by creating a slit on the hinge skirt. 
     One or more advantageous features as described herein are believed to be readily apparent from the following detailed description of one or more embodiments when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of one or more embodiments of the present invention, reference is now made to the one or more embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustratively depicts a hinge assembly according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2A  illustratively depicts a cross-sectional view of the hinge assembly referenced in  FIG. 1 , taken along line  2 A- 2 A; 
         FIG. 2B  illustratively depicts a perspective view of a hinge skirt of the hinge assembly referenced in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3A  illustratively depicts an alternative cross-sectional view of the hinge assembly referenced in  FIG. 1 , where a second part is in an open position relative to a first part; 
         FIG. 3B  illustratively depicts another cross-sectional view of the hinge assembly referenced in  FIG. 3A , wherein the second part is in a closed position relative to the first part; and 
         FIG. 4  illustratively depicts a flow chart for a method of operating the hinge assembly according to one or more embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
     As referenced in the Figures, the same reference numerals may be used herein to refer to the same parameters and components or their similar modifications and alternatives. These parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting. The drawings referenced herein are schematic and associated views thereof are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
     As is detailed herein elsewhere, the present disclosure in one or more embodiments is advantageous at least in providing a hinge assembly of a vehicle, via which two parts of the vehicle may be connected to each other with relatively enhanced ease and greater visual appeal. 
       FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2A  illustratively depict a hinge assembly  100  of a vehicle including a first part  110  and a second parts  120 . For purpose of illustration, the first part  110  is shown as a portion of the trunk of the vehicle, and the second part  120  is shown as a portion of the deck lid. In other embodiments, the first and second parts  110 ,  120  may be positioned at other locations as needed. 
     The first part  110  includes a hinge aperture  115 . The hinge assembly  100  includes a hinge arm  130  to be connected to the second part  120  and partially received through the hinge aperture  115 . The hinge assembly  100  further includes a hinge skirt  140  including a skirt aperture  215  to partially receive there-through the hinge arm  130 . The hinge skirt  140  is positioned between the first and second parts  110 ,  120 . 
     Advantageously, the hinge skirt  140  may be provided and positioned to be slidable relative to the hinge arm  130  in a longitudinal direction, such as a direction “L 2 ” depicted in  FIG. 2A . This structure is believed to be particularly advantageous when connecting two parts of the vehicle, in that the hinge skirt  140  may sit on the hinge aperture  115  of the first part  110  under gravity when the second part  120  is opened relative to the first part  110  thereby avoiding vehicle structural or harness parts become unpleasantly visible through the hinge aperture  115 . Meanwhile, the hinge skirt  140  may be arranged to be movable relative to the first part  110  along a lateral direction, such as in direction “L 1 ” depicted in  FIG. 2A . This structure is believed to be particularly advantageous for the cooperative interaction between the hinge arm  130  and the hinge aperture  115 , in that lateral movement of the hinge skirt  140  relative to the hinge aperture  115  may be permissible to avoid unwanted interference between the first and second parts  110 ,  120  during opening or closing the second part  120 , where the unwanted interference may be due to any possible manufacturing and/or installation errors, and accordingly user experience may be improved. Accordingly, the employment in the hinge assembly  100  of the hinge skirt  140  provides synergy in substantiating design and/or operation freedom for the hinge arm  130  and visual feel maintenance and even visual enhancement associated with such freedom. 
     For purpose of illustration, the hinge arm  130  is shown in  FIG. 1  as being attached to the second part  120  via a sleeve  160 . This is advantageous for the connection between the hinge arm  130  and the second part  120 . In other embodiments, the hinge arm  130  may be connected at one end to the second part  120  via any suitable methods such as welding and adhesion. The other end of the hinge arm  130  may be connected movably to the first part  110  optionally via a hinge. Accordingly, the first and second parts  110 ,  120  may move relative to each other via the hinge arm  130 . It is to be appreciated that the hinge arm  130  may be fixedly connected to the first part  110  and movably connected to the second part  120 , or may be movably connected to both the first and second parts  110 ,  120 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2A , the hinge aperture  115  is formed in the first part  110 . The hinge aperture  115  may be of any suitable shape in cross-section as needed, such as a circle, an oval and a rectangle. Furthermore, the hinge aperture  115  may be of a cross-section to match that of the hinge arm  130  or the hinge skirt  140  as detailed herein elsewhere. The hinge arm  130  is partially received through the hinge aperture  115 . In particular, at least a portion of the hinge arm  130  may extend through the hinge aperture  115 . The hinge arm  130  may be further shaped such that the hinge arm  130  may move through the hinge aperture  115  without unwanted interference during the movement of the first part  110  relative to the second part  120 . Thus, other structures below the hinge aperture  115  such as metal sheets or harness components are not to be readily visible, while the operation of the hinge assembly  100  may not be negatively affected. 
     In certain embodiments, and as illustratively depicted in  FIG. 2A , a skirt entry surface  146  of the hinge skirt  140  may be slanted to provide relatively enhanced ease for the hinge arm  130  to move within the skirt aperture  215 . By being slanted, the skirt entry surface  146  is at an angle relative to the direction “L 1 ” and/or “L 2 .” 
     However, due to certain unavoidable errors associated with the manufacture and assembly of the hinge assembly  100 , friction may result between the hinge arm  130  and the hinge aperture  115 , and therefore noises and undesirable operation may follow, causing unfavorable user experience. Therefore, the cross-sectional size of the hinge aperture  115  is to be made greater than that of the hinge arm  130  to reduce the operational friction and hence noise. In other words, a clearance is provided between the hinge aperture  115  and the hinge arm  130  to accommodate the occurrence of unwanted errors thus associated with the manufacture and assembly. However, body structures such as metal sheets and harness components may become undesirably visible through the clearance between the hinge aperture  115  and the hinge arm  130 , causing unfavorable visual experience. The hinge skirt  140  positioned between the first part  110  and the second part  120  is believed to be advantageously employed to solve this problem according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     In particular, the hinge skirt  140  may be positioned at least in part above the first part  110  and below the second part  120 . By way of example, a first portion  142  of the hinge skirt  140  is between the first and second parts  110 ,  120 , although a second portion  144  may be received within the first part  110 . It is to be appreciated that the hinge skirt  140  may be of any other suitable position relative to the first and second parts  110 ,  120  as needed. 
     As illustratively depicted in  FIG. 2A , the hinge skirt  140  may include or define the skirt aperture  215 , which partially receives the hinge arm  130 . In other words, the hinge arm  130  may extend through the skirt aperture  215 . Similarly, the hinge arm  130  and/or the skirt aperture  215  may be shaped such that the hinge arm  130  may move through the skirt aperture  215  without unwanted interference during the movement of the first part  110  relative to the second part  120 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the hinge skirt  140  may include a first portion  142  and a second portion  144 . The first portion  142  may extend along the first direction “L 1 ” or along an upper surface or an exterior surface  210  of the first part  110 , and the second portion  144  may extend along the second direction “L 2 ” or along a direction of an angle relative to the exterior surface  210  of the first part  110 . Although the first direction “L 1 ” is shown as perpendicular to the second direction “L 2 ”, it is to be appreciated that the first direction “L 1 ” and the second direction “L 2 ” may be of any other suitable angle relative to each other. The first portion  142  may be greater in cross-sectional size than the hinge aperture  115 , such that the first portion  142  may sit on the exterior surface  210  of the first part  110  without being received through the hinge aperture  115 . In this way, the hinge skirt  140  may cover the hinge aperture  115  to avoid other structures below the hinge aperture  115  being watched as detailed herein elsewhere. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2A , the hinge assembly may further include a cushion  270  positioned between the second portion  144  and the hinge arm  130 . The cushion  270  may be attached to an inner wall of the second portion  144  via any suitable method, such as adhesion. Furthermore, the cushion  270  may differ in material from the second portion  144 . For instance, the second portion  144  may include a plastic or metal to provide structural strength, and the cushion  270  may include a low coefficient of friction material such as a polyester tape. Accordingly, the hinge arm  130  may contact the cushion  270  after entry into the skirt aperture  215 , incurring relatively low friction force between the cushion  270  and the hinge arm  130 , and thus facilitating a desirable operation of the hinge assembly  100  without unfavorable user experience. Furthermore, and due to the relatively low friction force between the cushion  270  and the hinge arm  130 , the hinge skirt  140  may by default always sit on the hinge aperture  115  under gravity and provides covering against unwanted underbody structures. It is to be appreciated that in certain other embodiments the cushion  270  and the second portion  144  may be of the same material. 
     In certain other embodiments, and when the cushion  270  is employed, a cushion entry surface  272  may be also slanted to provide additional ease for the hinge arm  130  to move within the hinge aperture  115 . By being slanted, the cushion entry surface  272  is at an angle relative to the direction “L 1 ” and/or “L 2 .” 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2A , the second portion  144  may at least be partially spaced apart from the hinge aperture  115 . As illustratively depicted, there may be a clearance “W” between the hinge aperture  115  and the second portion  144 . Due to the existence of the clearance “W”, the hinge skirt  140  may move along the exterior surface  210  of the first part  110  relative to the first part  110  or the hinge aperture  115 . The clearance “W” may be of any suitable size. In one or more embodiments, the size of the clearance “W” may be greater than 1 millimeter (mm), 2 mm, or 3 mm. Although the hinge skirt  140  may move along the direction “L 1 ” relative to the second portion  144  as illustratively depicted in  FIG. 2A , it is to be appreciated that the hinge skirt  140  may move in another direction such as a direction perpendicular or of another angle relative to the paper upon which  FIG. 2A  is presented. With this structure, if any tolerance error occurs during the manufacture and assembly of the hinge assembly  100 , the hinge arm  130  may contact the second portion  144  during movement, and then the hinge skirt  140  may move relative to the hinge aperture  115  or the first part  110 . Thus, any friction between the hinge arm  130  and the hinge aperture  115  that tends to be fixed in position may be reduced or eliminated, and associated noises may accordingly be reduced or eliminated. Meanwhile, due to the relatively low frictional coefficient of the cushion  270 , the hinge skirt  140  may sit on the exterior surface of the first part  110  under gravity and cover the hinge aperture  115  without having to move along direction “L 2 ” together with the hinge arm  130 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2B , and in one or more embodiments, the hinge skirt  140  may include a side slit  280 . The hinge skirt  140  may include or be formed of an elastic material. Accordingly, side walls  142   a,    142   b  of the side slit  280  may be spaced apart and separated from each other. When the hinge skirt  140  is to be attached or detached, the hinge skirt  140  may be attached onto or detached from the hinge arm  130  via the side slit  280 . 
     As illustratively depicted in  FIG. 3A and 3B , and in one or more embodiments, the hinge assembly  100  may further include a stabilizer  350 . The stabilizer  350  is to act both as a spacer and a stabilizing cushion between the first and second parts  110 ,  120 . The stabilizer  350  may be of any suitable material and any suitable shape. In certain embodiments, the stabilizer  350  may include or be formed of a polymer material such as rubber. The stabilizer  350  may be a single part attached to the hinge assembly  100  via bonding, welding, or any other suitable attachment method. It is to be appreciated that the stabilizer  350  may be formed integral to the hinge arm  130  and/or the hinge sleeve  160  as needed. When the second part  120  moves to a closed position relative to the first part  100  as illustratively depicted in  FIG. 3B , the stabilizer  350  may contact the hinge skirt  140 , and in particular the upper surface of the hinge skirt  140 . Accordingly, the hinge skirt  140  may be sandwiched between the first part  110  and the second part  120 , thereby reducing vibrations and associated noises. 
     The stabilizer  350  may be of variable configurations. In one or more embodiments, the stabilizer  350  may include two or more sections positioned spaced apart with an angle between any two of the sections. By way of example and as depicted in  FIG. 3A , the stabilizer  350  may include two section  350   a,    350   b  spaced apart with each other, and a portion of the hinge arm  130  may be positioned between these two sections. Accordingly, the stabilizer  350  may exert a relatively uniform clamping force to the hinge skirt  140 . In another or more embodiments, the stabilizer  350  may be positioned about or may wrap around the hinge arm  130  continuously. In such instances, the stabilizer  350  may be configured as a close-loop ring or an open-loop ring to receive there through a portion of the hinge arm  130 . In certain embodiments, the stabilizer  350  may be of a single section for purpose of cost-saving. Moreover, the stabilizer  350  may be formed as part of the second part  120  or the hinge sleeve  160 . In other words, when the second part  120  is in a closed position, the second part  120  or the hinge sleeve  160  may contact the hinge skirt  140  directly to provide clamping force. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a method of operating the hinge assembly is generally shown at  400 . The method  400  is to be detailed below in view of  FIG. 2A and 2B . As detailed herein elsewhere, the method  400  is believed to be advantageous in at least providing economic efficiency and operational simplicity for connecting two vehicular parts without necessarily having to compromise on visual satisfaction of surfaces involved therein. 
     At step  402 , the hinge skirt  140  including the skirt aperture  215  may be positioned between two vehicular parts such as the first part  110  and the second part  120 . In particular, the hinge skirt  140  may be positioned on the hinge aperture  115  of the first part  110 , such that a portion of the hinge skirt  140  such as the second portion  144  as illustratively depicted in  FIG. 2A  may be received within the hinge aperture  115 . When the hinge skirt  140  is configured to include the first and second portions  142 ,  144  as illustratively depicted in  FIG. 2A , the first portion  142  may rest upon the exterior surface  210  of the first part  110 . 
     At step  404 , the hinge arm  130  may be positioned to extend through the skirt aperture  215 . Accordingly, benefits as detailed herein elsewhere may be achieved, among which is the potential of the hinge arm  130  to be movable along the direction L 1  without having to compromise on visual satisfaction at or around the hinge aperture  115 . In addition, the cushion  270  may further be provided to be positioned between the hinge arm  130  and the hinge skirt  140  so as to realize additional level of stability and visual appeal. 
     At step  406 , when the hinge skirt  140  needs to be removed or replaced, the side slit  280  may be created in or provided to the hinge skirt  140  as described herein elsewhere. In particular, side walls  142   a,    142   b  may be separated with each other to create the side slit  280 . The side slit  280  may be provided to the hinge skirt  140  prior to the latter&#39;s installation to the hinge aperture  115 . Alternatively, the hinge skirt  140  may be made of a material flexible enough such that a user may create the side slit  280  after the hinge skirt  140  has already been installed. One of the benefits of this configuration is that the user may replace the hinge skirt  140  with ease, as in replacement may be desirable due to everyday wear and tear. 
     At step  408 , the hinge skirt  140  may be removed and the hinge arm  130  may pass through the side slit  280 , so that the hinge skirt  140  may be removed from the hinge arm  130  via the side slit  280 , and accordingly the hinge skirt  140  may be removed from the vehicle for replacement. 
     In certain embodiments, any of the steps  402  through  408  may be carried out in any suitable order and in any suitable combination. By way of example, step  406  may be carried out prior to the step  404 . Moreover, steps  404  and  406  may be repeated prior to step  408  or step  410 . 
     At step  410 , a second or backup hinge skirt may be positioned between the first part  110  and the second part  120  similarly to step  402 . Step  404  may then again be carried out to install the new hinge skirt. 
     Therefore, and as stated herein, a method is provided for installing, removing, and replacing the hinge assembly of a vehicle. 
     As stated herein, the present disclosure in one or more embodiments provides a vehicle hinge assembly and a method of operating the same. However, one skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the true spirit and fair scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims. 
     While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.