Vehicle Bumper Skin Fixing Ears for Headlamp Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing method of bumper skins can cause defects such as shrink marks due to extra thicknesses acting as screw studs, which affect the aesthetic and protective functions of the bumper.
Innovation Solution
A guide means, including an elongated lip with deformable wings and latching tongues, facilitates the placement and secure fixing of headlamps, reducing the likelihood of defects during the cooling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If screw studs are placed directly on the bumper skin for headlamp fixing, then easy and solid fixing is achieved, but shrink marks and surface defects occur during cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing function is segmented from the bumper skin surface by introducing separate fixing ears that extend from the skin. These fixing ears carry the screw studs, separating the fixing mechanism from the main skin surface to prevent direct contact between studs and skin during molding, thereby eliminating shrink marks while maintaining fixing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing ears act as intermediary elements between the bumper skin and the screw studs. They provide a dedicated structure for mounting fixing means without requiring direct placement on the skin surface, thus preventing surface defects while enabling secure headlamp attachment.
2Ease of manufacture
If extra thicknesses are created during molding to form screw studs, then fixing means are provided, but defects appear on the bumper skin surface during cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing structure is segmented into separate fixing ears that extend from the bumper skin. This segmentation allows the fixing means to be manufactured as part of the skin without creating extra thicknesses on the skin surface itself, thereby avoiding shrink marks while maintaining ease of manufacture through integrated molding.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing ears extend in a direction perpendicular to the skin surface, utilizing the third dimension to provide mounting points. This dimensional approach allows fixing means to be integrated into the skin structure without creating surface defects, as the extra material is directed outward rather than remaining on the skin surface.
3Manufacturing precision
If the bumper skin structure is modified to include fixing ears, then surface defects are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing ears serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for mounting headlamps, act as integral parts of the bumper skin for unified manufacturing, and eliminate the need for separate surface modifications. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity despite the added structural element.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing ears are merged with the bumper skin as integral components, combining the skin structure and fixing mechanism into a single molded part. This merging eliminates the need for separate assemblies or post-processing modifications, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining surface quality.
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 enhances the aesthetic appeal and structural integrity of the bumper skin by minimizing defects and ensuring a secure, removable attachment of headlamps without compromising the protective function.
Implementation Method 1
Each wing 9 is elastically deformable
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a skin (1) for a vehicle bumper, which is intended to receive at least one spotlight (2), and which comprises an inner surface (3) to be connected to the vehicle, wherein at least one opening (4) is provided in the inner surface (3) and shaped so as to receive at least one portion of the spotlight (2). A lip (5) extends over the periphery of the opening (4) from the inner surface (3) so as to extend toward the vehicle when the bumper skin (1) is mounted onto the vehicle. The bumper skin further includes a means for attaching the spotlight (2) to the inner surface (3). The bumper skin (1) comprises support members which protrude from the lip (5) toward the outside of the opening (4), and which are shaped so as to support the attachment means.