Air Guide Lip Assembly with Inclined Sliding Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of a relatively thin elongated lip into a narrow elongated slot is challenging, especially in applications like automobile construction, where the air guide for a motorized fan nozzle is difficult to fit due to the lack of visibility and the flexibility of the air guide, leading to complex and blind fitting processes.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a sliding surface on the elongated flat plate forming an edge of the slot, which can be inclined or curvilinear, facilitates the insertion of the lip by allowing it to slide and gradually enter the slot, with optional stops and wedging ribs to secure the lip in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the air guide is made large and flexible to cover the slot, then the slot can be fully covered, but the air guide deforms during handling and becomes difficult to align correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide is divided into multiple rigid sections (first air guide portion, second air guide portion, third air guide portion) connected by hinge joints. This segmentation allows each section to be smaller and more rigid individually, reducing deformation during handling while still covering the entire slot area when assembled. The hinge joints provide the necessary flexibility for assembly while maintaining rigidity during installation.
2Area of stationary object
If the fitting is performed in non-visible areas, then complete coverage is achieved, but the fitter must work blindly increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Guide elements with sliding surfaces are introduced as intermediary components between the air guide sections and the slot. These guide elements provide tactile feedback and physical guidance during assembly, allowing the fitter to feel when the air guide sections are correctly positioned and aligned, even in non-visible areas. The sliding surfaces create a controlled insertion path that can be detected through touch.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs visual indicators such as colored markings or contrasting colors on the air guide sections and corresponding slot areas. These color changes provide visual feedback during assembly, allowing the fitter to identify correct alignment positions and verify proper installation even when the assembly area is not fully visible. The color indicators act as visual cues that guide the assembly process.
3Reliability
If the lip is thin and elongated to fit tightly in the slot, then a secure fit is achieved, but the introduction of the lip into the slot becomes quite difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Guide elements with inclined sliding surfaces are introduced as intermediary components that facilitate the introduction of the thin elongated lip into the slot. The inclined surface of the guide element acts as a ramp, allowing the lip to be gradually guided into the slot rather than forced directly in. This intermediary guide element maintains the tight fit security while significantly easing the introduction process.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide elements incorporate curved or inclined surfaces that provide a gradual transition path for the lip during insertion. The curved geometry of the guide surface allows the rigid thin lip to be guided smoothly into the slot, reducing the risk of damage and making the assembly process easier while maintaining the secure tight fit once installed.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The assembling of a first element (2), such as a fan nozzle, with a second element (1), such as an air guide, is performed by assembling an elongate thin lip (16) belonging to the second element (1) in an elongate narrow slot (10) formed by the three sides of an elongate flat plate (6) fixed parallel to a planar wall (4) of the first element (2). The slot (10) comprises at least one element forming a guide (11-12) secured to a long side (8) of the plate (6). This guide-forming element comprises a sliding surface (11a- 12a) in the continuation of said plate (6) and diverging from the wall (4) away from the first element. It is designed to collaborate with the lip (16) so that insertion of the lip (16) into the slot (10) begins with the sliding of the lip on the sliding surface and continues as the lip (16) advances, with the progressive insertion of the lip into the slot.