Self-Adjustable Lock Knob Bezel for Vehicle Door Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automobile lock knob bezel designs require multiple specific designs for different vehicle models, increasing manufacturing complexity, part stocking, and installation costs due to styling requirements, and lack a solution for incorrect orientation installation.
Innovation Solution
A self-adjustable lock knob bezel made of polymeric material with an elastically flexible umbrella, dynamic interface members, flexible fingers, and deflecting legs that can adapt to various door panel orientations, ensuring secure and correct installation without additional alignment tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specific bezel designs are provided for different vehicle models, then styling requirements are met, but manufacturing complexity and part stocking complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bezel is designed with a universal mounting mechanism that can accommodate multiple door panel orientations (horizontal, vertical, and angled up to 25 degrees) using a single bezel design. The flexible umbrella and deflecting legs allow the same bezel to function across different vehicle models and door configurations, eliminating the need for model-specific bezel variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The bezel incorporates flexible materials and deflection mechanisms that allow it to adapt to varying installation angles and orientations. The flexible fingers and deflecting legs can adjust their position and angle to match different door panel geometries, enabling a single bezel design to meet diverse styling requirements without increasing manufacturing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specific bezel designs are provided for different vehicle models, then styling requirements are met, but part stocking complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal bezel design replaces multiple model-specific bezel variants. The bezel's flexible mounting system allows it to be installed on various door panels regardless of orientation or vehicle model, significantly reducing the number of different part numbers that need to be stocked and managed in the supply chain.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional bezel installation methods are used, then styling requirements are met, but installation alignment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bezel incorporates self-aligning features where the flexible fingers and deflecting legs automatically adjust to the correct orientation during installation. The poke-yoke features provide tactile feedback that guides the installer, eliminating the need for complex alignment tools or procedures. The bezel self-adjusts to the door panel geometry, making installation straightforward regardless of the specific vehicle model.
4Ease of manufacture
If rigid bezel structures are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different orientations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bezel utilizes a flexible umbrella structure made of elastomeric material that can bend and deflect to accommodate different door panel orientations. This flexible shell design maintains manufacturing simplicity through injection molding while providing the necessary adaptability to fit horizontal, vertical, and angled installations without requiring complex rigid mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The bezel incorporates dynamic, flexible components (flexible fingers, deflecting legs) that can change their configuration during installation and operation. These dynamic elements allow the otherwise simple molded bezel to adapt to various orientations and geometries, bridging the gap between manufacturing simplicity and orientation adaptability.
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
The self-adjustable bezel reduces part complexity, allows a single design to fit multiple vehicle doors, eliminates the need for installation alignment tools, and maintains contact with the lock knob at any vertical position, reducing noise and friction.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically flexible umbrella having a cylindrical bore extending through the umbrella
Implementation Method 2
multiple flexible finger sets extending outwardly from the body... each of the flexible finger sets includes multiple upwardly directed elastically flexible fingers each directly contacting an inner wall defined by the aperture to resist release of the body from the aperture
Data Source
AI summary
A self-adjustable lock knob bezel assembly includes a body of a polymeric material. The body includes an elastically flexible umbrella having a cylindrical bore extending through the umbrella. Multiple dynamic interface members are positioned within the cylindrical bore and extend away from an inner perimeter wall defined by the cylindrical bore toward a longitudinal central axis of the body. Multiple flexible finger sets extend outwardly from the body. Multiple elastically deflecting legs are positioned below the finger sets. A vehicle door panel includes an aperture receiving the body. A lock knob is positioned within the cylindrical bore and directly contacts each of the dynamic interface members in each of a raised un-locked position and a lowered locked position.