Automotive Alternator Protective Cover Radial Hook Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automotive alternators have poor workability for mounting and removing protective covers due to the need for elastic deformation of shank portions and increased diameter requirements for engaging apertures, making the process complicated and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The design features a resin protective cover with engaging hooks that project radially outward from the shank portions, allowing for easy release by radially inward deformation of the peripheral wall portion, eliminating the need for special tools and reducing the diameter of the rear bracket.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hook portions are inserted into engaging apertures to slide on inner wall surfaces while elastically deforming shank portions radially outward, then the protective cover can be securely engaged, but work to remove the protective cover becomes complicated requiring special tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional engagement mechanism by making the shank portion elastic rather than the hook portion. The shank portion elastically deforms radially outward during engagement and radially inward during removal, while the hook portion maintains its shape to securely engage with the aperture. This inversion simplifies removal operations as the elastic shank naturally releases from the aperture when deformed inward, eliminating the need for special tools.
2Ease of manufacture
If engaging apertures are formed to protrude radially outward from the cylindrical portion to accommodate sliding hook portions, then the protective cover can be mounted, but the diameter of the rear bracket increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the engagement parameters by having the shank portion elastically deform during engagement rather than requiring the aperture to protrude radially outward. The aperture is formed within the cylindrical portion without radial protrusion, and the elastic deformation of the shank portion accommodates the engagement process. This parameter change eliminates the need for increased aperture dimensions while maintaining mounting capability.
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 design enhances the workability of mounting and removing the protective cover without special tools and suppresses the increase in diameter of the rear bracket, improving ease of use and manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an engaged state between the engaging hook and an engaging aperture that is formed on the casing can be released by elastically deforming radially inward a portion of the peripheral wall portion on which the shank portion is disposed so as to extend
Data Source
AI summary
A resin protective cover is prepared so as to have a cup shape that is constituted by a floor portion and a tubular peripheral wall portion, and that can be mounted to a rear bracket so as to cover a rectifying apparatus and a voltage regulator that are disposed axially outside the rear bracket. The protective cover includes an engaging hook that includes: a shank portion that is disposed so as to extend from an opening end of the peripheral wall portion; and a hook portion that is disposed so as to project radially outward from a tip end of the shank portion, and the protective cover is held on the rear bracket elastically in an engaged state by the engaging hook being inserted into an engaging aperture that is formed on a casing.