Molded Vehicle Part Clip Holder with Stiffening Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing design of molded vehicle parts with H-shaped clip holders complicates the mold design due to undercuts, making it difficult to strip the parts efficiently, especially when the main portion is curved, as it requires two drawers that interfere with each other.
Innovation Solution
A molded vehicle part with a core featuring single stiffening elements protruding from each large face, allowing for a single drawer to move transversely with a small incline, eliminating the need for complex mold designs and interference issues, even when the part is curved.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If two drawers are installed in the mold to strip curved parts with H-shaped clip holders, then the part stripping capability is improved, but the mold design complexity increases due to guide means interference
Solution Approach 1:
The clip holder core is segmented into distinct functional zones: the H-shaped cross-section is modified by adding stiffening elements that create clear separation between the wings and the core body. This segmentation allows the drawer to access and strip the part without interference, as the stiffening elements define precise boundaries for drawer movement while maintaining structural integrity during the stripping operation.
2Strength
If an H-shaped cross-section is used for the clip holder, then the structural integrity is improved, but the drawer movement capability is restricted due to undercuts
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening elements are strategically positioned only at critical locations where structural support is needed, rather than uniformly across the entire H-shaped structure. This local reinforcement maintains structural integrity in the wing regions while leaving the core body sufficiently open to allow drawer movement. The stiffening elements create localized rigidity without globally restricting access, enabling the drawer to move transversely and strip the part effectively.
3Device complexity
If a single drawer with transverse movement is used, then the mold design is simplified, but the ability to strip H-shaped clip holders is reduced due to lack of access to undercuts
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening elements are oriented and positioned to exploit the third dimension (depth) of the H-shaped structure. By placing these elements vertically along the core body, they provide structural support in the depth direction while leaving the transverse dimension accessible to the drawer. This dimensional strategy allows a single drawer moving in the transverse direction to effectively strip the part, as the stiffening elements do not obstruct the drawer's path but rather reinforce the structure from a different spatial perspective.
Data Source
AI summary
A molded vehicle part having at least one clip holder comprising a core designed to receive a clip. The core has a single first stiffening element, protruding from its first large face, and a single second stiffening means, protruding from the second large face.