Adjustable Vehicle Bumper Storage Device with Lever Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high investment and logistical effort required to manufacture and manage multiple specialized devices for storing and transporting vehicle trim components, particularly bumpers, due to their varying shapes and dimensions, as well as different manufacturing states, necessitates a solution that can adapt to these diverse requirements.

Innovation Solution

A device with a support structure and adjustable receiving sections, utilizing a lever and coupling rods to change the distance between the sections, allowing for flexible placement of components with different dimensions and manufacturing states, and incorporating elastic foam pads for protection and accessibility, enabling the same device to handle various trim components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple specialized devices are manufactured for different body panels and manufacturing stages, then each panel can be stored and transported with optimal protection, but investment costs and logistical effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of cladding componentsVSAvoidnumber of specialized devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed with adjustable support arms and receiving sections that can be configured to accommodate different body panel shapes, dimensions, and manufacturing stages. This universal design allows a single device to replace multiple specialized fixtures, reducing investment costs while maintaining optimal protection for various cladding components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates adjustable and movable components, including telescopic support arms and reconfigurable receiving sections, that can be dynamically adapted to different body panel requirements. This dynamic flexibility enables the same device to provide optimal protection for diverse panels without requiring separate fixed fixtures for each type

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed distance between receiving sections is used, then the device structure is simpler, but it cannot accommodate body panels of varying dimensions and manufacturing stages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of different panel dimensionsVSAvoidadjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support arms are designed with telescopic capabilities and adjustable mechanisms that allow the distance between receiving sections to be dynamically changed. This enables the device to accommodate body panels of varying dimensions and manufacturing stages while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device allows adjustment of key parameters such as the distance between support arms and the position of receiving sections. By changing these parameters, the same device can adapt to different body panel dimensions and manufacturing stage requirements without requiring complete structural redesign

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution reduces investment costs and logistical effort by allowing a single device to accommodate components with different dimensions and manufacturing states, minimizing damage and logistical complexity.

Implementation Method 1

The adjusting device comprises a lever rotatable about a lever axis, with a first lever section and a first connecting rod

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Implementation Method 2

The lever can be dimensioned such that only minimal forces are required to change the distance between the two receiving sections

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 3

with a first lever section and a first connecting rod, wherein the first connecting rod is connected to the first support arm and, in the region of the first lever arm, to the lever

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce transmission: Force

Implementation Method 4

The first and second receiving sections are each formed with a foam pad

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3321555B1Device for storing and transporting cladding components of vehicles, in particular bumpers
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 SMP DEUTLAND
  • EP3321555B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3321555B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device for storing and transporting trim components (12) of vehicles, in particular bumpers, comprising a first receiving section (22) and a second receiving section (24) onto which the trim component can be placed for storage and transport, a support structure (14) to which the first receiving section (22) and the second receiving section (24) are attached at a distance (D) from each other, and an adjusting device (34) cooperating with the support structure (14) by which the distance (D) between the first receiving section (22) and the second receiving section (24) can be changed.