Elastic Bumper Stop With Flippable Conical Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing bumper stops in vehicles often leave an aesthetically unpleasing gap between the bumper stop and the trim member due to the larger size of the opening in the trim member compared to the cross-sectional area of the bumper stop, which affects the appearance of the vehicle assembly.
Innovation Solution
A bumper stop with a hollow conical portion that can be flipped from a first position to a second position, allowing it to cover the gap between the bumper stop and the trim member, with the conical portion being made of elastic materials and integrally formed with the main body, facilitating easy assembly and aesthetic improvement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the opening size of the trim member is made larger than the bumper stop cross-section for ease of assembly, then the assembly ease is improved, but an aesthetic gap appears between the bumper stop and the trim member opening
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper stop is divided into two functional parts: the main body for shock absorption and the hollow conical portion for aesthetic coverage. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function independently while working together as a unified component.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow conical portion acts as an intermediary element between the bumper stop main body and the trim member opening. It fills the aesthetic gap created by the larger opening size, mediating between the functional requirement for easy assembly and the aesthetic requirement for a clean appearance.
2Shape
If a hollow conical portion is added to cover the aesthetic gap, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow conical portion is integrally formed with the main body of the bumper stop as a single molded piece. This merging of components eliminates the need for separate assembly steps and additional fastening mechanisms, reducing manufacturing complexity despite the enhanced aesthetic functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow conical portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides aesthetic coverage for the gap, maintains structural integrity during assembly, and works with the elastic material properties to enable vibration damping. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
3Ease of manufacture
If the hollow conical portion is made of elastic material integrally formed with the main body, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper stop utilizes elastic material properties throughout its structure, including the hollow conical portion. This composite approach with elastomeric materials allows for integral molding while providing both aesthetic and functional performance, eliminating the need for material joins or additional fastening elements that would increase overall material consumption.
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 effectively covers the gap between the bumper stop and the trim member, enhancing the appearance of the vehicle assembly while maintaining ease of assembly and functionality in reducing vibration and shock.
Implementation Method 1
the hollow conical portion is formed of elastic materials... the hollow conical portion may be deformable under an external force and be restored when the external force is removed
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a bumper stop for a vehicle structural member. The bumper stop includes a main body having a supporting surface, an assembling surface opposite to the supporting surface and a side surface between the supporting surface and the assembling surface; and a hollow conical portion partially surrounding the side surface of the main body and connected to the main body along a perimeter of the main body. The hollow conical portion is made from elastic material and configured to be flipped from a first position to a second position.