Airbag Mounting Element with Elastic Arms for Tilting and Rattling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clip mounting elements for airbags in motor vehicles lack a secure and easy-to-disassemble design, often resulting in instability and potential rattling during operation.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece mounting element with a rectangular base plate and extending arms that form an inner space, featuring actuation sections accessible with pliers or nippers for easy disassembly and a mounting tool with a pusher to ensure complete installation, preventing tilting and rattling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two pairs of arms extend from two edges of the base plate, then the mounting element provides connection, but the retaining effect and security against tilting are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting element is divided into a base plate and four separate arms extending from each edge, creating a segmented structure that provides both connection and stability. Each arm independently contributes to the retaining effect while the overall segmented design allows for simplified manufacturing and assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The arms are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the base plate edges, with each arm positioned to optimize the retaining effect in specific directions. This asymmetric arrangement enhances security against tilting in both directions while maintaining structural integrity.
2Reliability
If the mounting element is designed for secure connection, then retention is improved, but disassembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting element incorporates elastic arms that can dynamically change their state between a clamped position for secure connection and an expanded position for easy disassembly. The elastic properties allow the arms to be compressed during installation for strong retention, then expanded using simple tools for quick removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation sections serve as intermediary elements that facilitate disassembly by providing access points for external tools. These sections allow the elastic arms to be manipulated with simple pliers or nippers, acting as a mediator between the secure connection state and the disassembly state.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the mounting element prevents rattling, then stability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-rattling function is merged into the basic arm structure by forming the arms as integral elastic elements extending from the base plate. The same arms that provide connection also prevent rattling through their elastic clamping action, eliminating the need for separate anti-rattling components.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic arms automatically provide anti-rattling stability through their inherent elastic properties. When the mounting element is installed, the arms naturally clamp the airbag fabric to the vehicle structure, creating friction and mechanical interference that prevents rattling without requiring additional active components or complex mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If actuation sections are added for easy disassembly, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation sections are pre-formed as integral parts of the elastic arms during the single-piece manufacturing process. These sections are preliminarily shaped to provide access points for tools, allowing easy disassembly without requiring additional manufacturing steps or separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation sections are merged with the arm structure in a single-piece design. The arms and actuation sections are formed simultaneously from one piece of material, combining the structural function of the arms with the operational function of the actuation sections, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining ease of disassembly.
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 solution provides enhanced security against tilting and rattling, facilitates easy disassembly, and ensures correct mounting through the use of a specialized tool, thereby improving the retention and stability of airbag connections.
Implementation Method 1
The second arms are formed so as to be elastic
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting element having an essentially rectangular base plate with four edges from which two first arms extend and face each other. The first arms have a first contact section a first distance from the base plate. At least two second arms also face each other, which exhibit a second contact section a second distance from the base plate which is greater than the first distance. At least the first arms extend to their first contact section from the base plate in such a way that their distance from each other increases. In order to achieve an improved retaining effect, one arm extends from each edge of the base plate so that the base plate and arms surround an inner space.