Vehicle Bound Stopper Bracket Drainage and Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bound stoppers mounted on vehicle bodies via tubular brackets with drainage holes face issues with water accumulation leading to corrosion, complex production processes, and cumbersome positioning during assembly, particularly in vulcanization-bonded types.
Innovation Solution
A bound stopper design featuring a fixing metal fitting with recessed portions on its bottom portion and a locating projection, allowing for easy drainage through bracket holes and simplified positioning by aligning the projection with drainage holes, eliminating the need for complex molds and visual checks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a bound stopper is mounted on a vehicle body via a tubular bracket having drainage holes, then the mounting structure allows easy adjustment of contact position by changing bracket height, but water accumulates in the bracket causing corrosion and reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming recessed portions on the bottom surface of the fixing metal fitting before assembly. These recessed portions are strategically positioned to align with the drainage holes of the bracket, creating pre-established drainage paths that actively channel water away from the bracket interior, thereby preventing water accumulation and corrosion while maintaining the adjustable mounting structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of water entering the bracket into a beneficial drainage system. By forming recessed portions that communicate with drainage holes, the structure transforms potential water accumulation (harm) into an active water evacuation system (benefit), where gravity-driven water flow is channeled outward through the drainage holes, protecting the bracket from corrosion
2Reliability
If through holes are provided in the bottom portion of the fixing metal fitting to form drainage paths, then water can be drained from the bracket, but the production process becomes more complex requiring precise alignment with drainage holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the recessed portions on the bottom surface of the fixing metal fitting during the molding or manufacturing process. This preliminary formation ensures that the recessed portions are precisely positioned to match the drainage hole pattern of the bracket, eliminating the need for post-assembly alignment adjustments and simplifying the overall production process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the drainage function with the structural bottom surface of the fixing metal fitting. By integrating recessed portions directly into the bottom surface geometry, the design combines the structural element with the drainage pathway, eliminating separate drainage components and reducing manufacturing complexity while ensuring reliable water evacuation
3Reliability
If the fixing metal fitting is positioned by visual check to align through holes with drainage holes, then drainage paths can be formed, but the positioning process is cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the fixing metal fitting with recessed portions that automatically align with the bracket's drainage holes during the assembly process. The geometric configuration of the recessed portions creates a self-aligning mechanism that guides the fitting into the correct position without requiring visual inspection or manual adjustment, thereby eliminating time-consuming positioning operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry in the positioning mechanism by providing a locating projection on one specific portion of the fixing metal fitting that corresponds to a specific drainage hole position. This asymmetric feature creates a unique alignment orientation, ensuring that the fitting can only be installed in the correct rotational position, thereby eliminating the need for visual checks and ensuring accurate drainage path formation
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 facilitates efficient water drainage, reduces production costs, and ensures accurate positioning of the fixing metal fitting, enhancing the durability and mounting efficiency of the bound stopper on vehicle bodies.
Implementation Method 1
a drainage path for draining water that has passed through a plurality of drainage holes formed in the bottom portion of the bracket
Implementation Method 2
a locating projection is provided on an outer surface of a corresponding portion different from the at least one of the corresponding portions having the recessed portion thereon, the locating projection being insertable into the drainage hole corresponding to the different corresponding portion
Implementation Method 3
the stopper body being inserted into the tubular portion of the fixing metal fitting at an axial end portion thereof to be vulcanized and bonded to inner surfaces of the tubular portion and the bottom portion of the fixing metal fitting
Data Source
AI summary
A bound stopper provided with a drainage path for draining water that has passed through drainage holes formed in a bottom portion of a bracket. The drainage path is constituted by a recessed portion formed on at least one of a plurality of corresponding portions of a fixing metal fitting and the recessed portion opens outward in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the fitting. The corresponding portions are positioned so as to correspond to each of the plurality of the drainage holes, upon the fitting being in contact with the bracket. A locating projection is provided on an outer surface of the corresponding portion different from the corresponding portion having the recessed portion. Insertion of a locating projection into the drainage hole corresponding to the different corresponding portion allows the fitting to be circumferentially positioned such that the corresponding portions correspond to the drainage holes.