Pivotal Assist Grip Hook Assembly with Integrated Pivot Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assist grip assemblies in vehicles often require complex mechanisms with numerous components, leading to misalignments and increased assembly time due to excessive rotation of articulating hooks without hard stops.
Innovation Solution
A pivot-control mechanism that includes a mating shaft and receiving cavity with flex retainers, allowing dependent and independent rotation of the user handle and object hook, with positive stops to prevent over-travel and misalignment, simplifying assembly and reducing component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex mechanism with numerous components is used for the articulating hook, then the hook can rotate freely, but the assembly time increases and misalignments occur due to excessive rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: the pivot control mechanism with shaft and cavity handles dependent rotation, while the flex retainer with pivot stops manages independent rotation limits. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing overall assembly complexity and time.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot control mechanism changes the rotational parameter from completely free (complex mechanism) to controlled (dependent and independent rotation with stops). By modifying the rotation parameter through the shaft-cavity-retainer interaction, the system achieves the needed adaptability without requiring numerous additional components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a complex mechanism with numerous components is used for the articulating hook, then the hook can rotate freely, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single integrated pivot control mechanism. The shaft, receiving cavity, and flex retainer work together as one unified system that provides both dependent and independent rotation control, eliminating the need for separate springs, C-clamps, styling caps, and secondary pins that would increase device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot control mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it enables the hook to rotate with the user handle, allows independent hook rotation for positioning, and provides hard stops to prevent over-rotation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hook is permitted to rotate 180° without a hard stop, then the rotation range is maximized, but misalignments in the vehicle occur
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot stops on the flex retainer preliminarily prevent the harmful effect of over-rotation by establishing hard stops before misalignment can occur. This preliminary anti-action ensures the hook rotates within the safe range while maintaining alignment precision, without restricting the necessary rotation for functionality.
4Reliability
If additional components such as extra springs, C-clamps, and secondary pins are used, then the articulating hook mechanism is more robust, but the assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The unnecessary additional components (extra springs, C-clamps, styling caps, secondary pins) are extracted and removed from the design. The remaining essential elements (shaft, receiving cavity, flex retainer with pivot stops) form a simplified mechanism that maintains robustness through proper design rather than through the quantity of components.
Data Source
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AI summary
Assist grip assembly (100) includes a user handle (102) and an object hook (104) movably coupled to each other. The object hook and the user handle may be movably coupled to one another through a pivot-control mechanism. The user handle and the object hook are capable of moving together and capable of moving independently with respect to one another.