Rear Bumper Shield Tabs for Air Deflector Panel Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of the rear air deflector panel on a motor vehicle is complicated due to shifting and misalignment with the bumper shield, leading to increased assembly time and potential loss of temporary fixing means, which can be inconvenient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A rear bumper shield with horizontally extending tabs from its lower edge and vertically extending tabs from the lower edge, which support and temporarily fix the air deflector panel, allowing for easier engagement and secure attachment to the rear load floor, reducing assembly complexity and time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the air deflector panel is installed after the bumper shield, then the panel can be temporarily fixed to the rear load floor, but the panel becomes free and gapes relative to the bumper shield, making it difficult to fix

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of fixing panel to shieldVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The tabs are pre-formed on the bumper shield before assembly, creating preliminary positioning features that guide the panel into correct alignment before final fixing occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The tabs act as intermediary elements between the bumper shield and the panel, providing a mechanical interface that prevents gapping and facilitates precise alignment during the assembly process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If a temporary fixing system is introduced to hold the panel during assembly, then alignment is improved, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning and temporary fixing functions are merged into a single integrated tab structure, eliminating the need for separate holding means and simplifying the assembly process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tabs serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide preliminary positioning, prevent gapping, and act as attachment points for final fixing, reducing the need for additional specialized components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If the panel and bumper are manufactured as a single piece, then assembly is simplified, but the manufacturing complexity of the bumper increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly complexityVSAvoidmanufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bumper assembly is segmented into separate bumper shield and panel components, with the tabs providing the connection interface, allowing each part to be manufactured independently with standard processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3849884B1Bumper shield facilitating the assembly of an air deflector on a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.09.25 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS

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Figure 3

AI summary

A motor vehicle comprising: a rear bumper shield (5); and an air deflector panel (15) disposed under a rear loading floor (3) of the vehicle, with a rear edge (17A) attached to a lower edge (7A) of the rear bumper shield (5); the rear bumper shield (5) comprising, at the lower edge (7A), at least two horizontal tabs (7B) under the rear edge (17A) of the air deflector panel (15).