Hinge for vehicle door has an integral dynamic damper to allow free movement of the door followed by a ratchet locking action to secure the door setting

摘要

A hinge for a vehicle door has a shaft linking the two parts of the hinge and with axially interlocking ratchet profiles, one fixed and the other displaced against an axial return spring pressure. The movable ratchet is coupled to a dynamic damper which holds off the return spring force and enables the door to be opened and closed without additional drag from the spring. The spring locking force is released when the door movement stops, and secures the door setting. The interlocking ratchet profiles are small enough to provide a large range of door openings.