Decklid damper for a vehicle
View Patent ↗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.
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.