Adapter Bracket Fastening for Body Module Strength and Tolerance Fit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The construction of strong connections in motor vehicle bodies is complex and expensive, with existing methods limited to specific areas or shapes, making it difficult to efficiently and cost-effectively fasten shell modules.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device comprising identical, simply structured adapter brackets with component and connector fastening surfaces, including lateral reinforcement surfaces, allowing for versatile positioning and use of screw, rivet, weld, or glue connections, including flow drill screws, to securely attach shell modules while enabling easy replacement and tolerance compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If classic connection techniques (welding, gluing, riveting) are used to construct strong connections in motor vehicle bodies, then connection strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into separate functional elements: connection pieces with attachment surfaces are distinct from the profile parts themselves. These modular connection pieces can be independently manufactured and assembled, reducing the complexity of creating strong connections through complex integrated structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection pieces act as intermediary elements between profile parts. Instead of directly welding, gluing, or riveting profile parts to each other, the connection pieces mediate the connection, providing standardized attachment surfaces that simplify the joining process while maintaining connection strength.
2Strength
If complex component-specific consoles are used for screwed solutions, then connection strength is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection pieces are designed as universal components that can be used in various positions and configurations within the vehicle body. The same basic connection piece design can accommodate different profile parts and connection requirements, eliminating the need for complex component-specific consoles and reducing manufacturing costs through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system allows for parameter adjustments through the configuration of multiple connection pieces rather than requiring custom-designed complex consoles for each application. By changing the arrangement, orientation, and combination of standardized connection pieces, different connection strengths and configurations can be achieved without increasing manufacturing complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If connectors are limited to specific areas or shapes, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection pieces are designed as universal components with standardized attachment surfaces that can be applied to various profile shapes and connection locations. This universality allows the same basic connection piece design to be used throughout the vehicle body, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while significantly improving adaptability to different areas and configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection pieces provide adaptability through spatial arrangement and orientation rather than requiring different shapes for different applications. By utilizing different positions, angles, and combinations of the same connection piece design, the system achieves versatility across various areas and profile shapes without compromising manufacturing simplicity.
4Strength
If strong connections are constructed using traditional methods, then connection strength is improved, but assembly efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into pre-fabricated modular connection pieces that can be independently manufactured and then quickly assembled. This segmentation allows for parallel production processes and reduces on-site assembly complexity, improving assembly efficiency while maintaining connection strength through the standardized design of the connection interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection pieces are designed to be pre-prepared with attachment surfaces and configurations before final assembly. This preliminary preparation of connection components allows for more efficient assembly processes, as the connection elements are ready for immediate installation rather than requiring complex on-site fabrication or preparation, thereby improving productivity without sacrificing connection strength.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A fastening device for attaching a first component (1) to a second component (2), in particular for attaching two body-in-white modules in automotive construction, comprising a first connecting piece (3) and a second connecting piece (4), wherein the first and second connecting pieces (3, 4) each have: a component mounting surface (5), a connecting piece mounting surface (6) which is perpendicular to the component mounting surface (5), and at least one, preferably two, lateral reinforcing surfaces (7) which each connect a lateral end edge (8) of the component mounting surface (5) with a lateral end edge (9) of the connecting piece mounting surface (6), wherein the component mounting surface (5) of the first connecting piece (3) is attached to the first component (1), wherein the component mounting surface (5) of the second connecting piece (4) is attached to the second component (2),wherein the connecting piece fastening surface (6) of the first connecting piece (3) is attached to the connecting piece fastening surface (6) of the second connecting piece (4), and a component assembly comprising at least one such fastening device.