Decklid damper for a vehicle

• US 8,517,448 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2011
• Issued: 08/27/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Krajenke, Gary W., Standard, Alvin N., Schulte, Edward L
• Primary Examiner(s): Morrow, Jason S
• Application Number:
  US13/221,445
• Publication Number:
  US 20130048399A1
• Time in Patent Office: 728 Days
• Field of Search: 296/146.11, 296/76, 296/207, 162/89, 162/90, 162/98, 163/20, 163/08, 16/82
• US Class Current: 296/76
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/06 Buffers or stops limiting opening of swinging wings, e.g. floor or wall stopsE05F5/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/46 Magnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/462 Electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/548 Trunk lids
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 6/00 Magnetic springs magnetic spring arrangements for the suppression of vibration in systems F16F15/03; Fluid magnetic springs , i.e. magnetic spring combined with a fluid

Abstract

In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a magnetic decklid damper system is provided for a vehicle. The system comprises a decklid coupled to a body of the vehicle via a hinge strap facilitating the decklid moving between a closed position and an open position. The hinge strap includes a first magnetic element coupled to the hinge strap, and a second magnetic element coupled to a body member of the vehicle. The first and second magnetic elements have a common polarity to magnetically repel each other as the decklid moves toward the open position to provide a damping effect for the decklid.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a decklid for a vehicle;

a hinge strap coupled to a body of the vehicle and the decklid facilitating the decklid moving between a closed position and an open position;

a first electromagnetic assembly coupled to the hinge strap; and

a second electromagnetic assembly coupled to a body member of the vehicle and having a common polarity as the first magnetic element to magnetically repel the first magnetic element as the decklid moves toward the open position;

wherein the first electromagnetic assembly and second electromagnetic assembly are activated upon the decklid moving toward the open position.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first electromagnetic assembly and second electromagnetic assembly are deactivated upon the decklid returning to the closed position.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic element and second magnetic element further comprise a first and second magentic assembly each having a plurality of magnets interleaved with a plurality of insulating spacers.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein pairs of the plurality of insulating spacers have a deformable hinge therebetween.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the deformable hinge between the pairs of insulating spacers deforms when the decklid moves into the open position.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first magnetic assembly includes end-caps for the assembly, the end caps having mounting members and providing a loading force to retain the assembly coupled to the hinge strap.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a powertrain providing power to wheels to propel the vehicle.

8. A system comprising:

a decklid for a vehicle;

a hinge box coupled to the vehicle;

a hinge strap coupled to the hinge box and the decklid, and facilitating the decklid moving between a closed position and an open position; and

a magnetic assembly comprising;

a first magnet positioned within a body coupled to the hinge box; and

a second magnet having a common polarity as the first magnet mounted on a rod coupled to the hinge strap, the rod co-axially arranged to translate within the body when the decklid moves between the closed position and the open position;

wherein, the rod moves the second magnet toward the first magnet within the body resulting in a magnetic repelling force between the first and second magnets when the decklid moves toward the open position.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a powertrain providing power to wheels to propel the vehicle.

10. A vehicle, comprising:

a body for the vehicle;

a decklid providing a closure for a portion of the body;

a powertrain mounted within the body for providing power to wheels to propel the vehicle;

a hinge strap coupled to the body of the vehicle and the decklid facilitating the decklid moving between a closed position and an open position; and

a first electromagnetic assembly coupled to the hinge strap; and

a second electromagnetic assembly coupled to a body member of the vehicle and having a common polarity as the first magnetic element to magnetically repel the first magnetic element as the decklid moves toward the open position;

wherein the first electromagnetic assembly and the second electromagnetic assembly are activated upon the decklid moving toward the open position.

11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the first electromagnetic assembly and the second electromagnetic assembly are deactivated upon the decklid moving to the closed position.

12. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the first magnetic element and second magnetic element further comprise a first and second magentic assembly each having a plurality of magnets interleaved with a plurality of insulating spacers.

13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein pairs of the plurality of insulating spacers have a deformable hinge therebetween.

14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the deformable hinge between the pairs of insulating spacers deforms when the decklid moves into the open position.