Clip-On Radiator Attachment for Vibration-Isolated Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiator attachments for motor vehicles require screws, nuts, and bolts for installation and maintenance, which can be cumbersome and may transfer mechanical vibrations to the radiator, potentially causing damage.
Innovation Solution
A radiator attachment featuring detent or clip connections between its components, allowing for secure attachment to a motor vehicle without screws or special tools, and minimizing mechanical vibrations through a clip connection to the vehicle flange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screws, nuts, and bolts are used for radiator attachment, then permanent stable attachment is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring special tools for installation and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into modular components: a radiator attachment assembly and a vehicle flange assembly that can be independently assembled and disassembled. The radiator attachment includes a body with a through-opening that receives the flange, allowing segmented assembly without requiring complete disassembly of the entire radiator system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional screw-nut-bolt mechanical fastening system with a detent-based mechanical engagement system. The detent elements engage with corresponding features in the flange to provide secure attachment while allowing tool-free installation and removal through simple axial motion.
2Reliability
If screws, nuts, and bolts are used for radiator attachment, then permanent stable attachment is achieved, but device complexity increases due to requiring multiple fastening components
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fastening functions are merged into a single integrated attachment assembly. The body, detent elements, and flange engagement features are combined into one unit that performs both securing and alignment functions, eliminating the need for separate screws, nuts, and bolts.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical securing through detent engagement, enables axial alignment through the through-opening design, and facilitates tool-free installation. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity compared to traditional multi-component fastening systems.
3Reliability
If rigid mechanical connections are used for radiator attachment, then attachment stability is improved, but harmful factors increase due to mechanical vibrations being transferred from the motor vehicle to the radiator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a damping element as an intermediary component between the radiator attachment and the vehicle flange. This damping element acts as a mediator that transmits necessary mechanical forces while filtering out harmful vibrations, thereby protecting the radiator from vibration-induced damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping element is incorporated into the attachment design to provide beforehand cushioning against mechanical vibrations. By pre-positioning this vibration-absorbing component in the attachment pathway, the system proactively protects the radiator from vibration damage before the vibrations can cause harm.
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
Enables easy installation and maintenance of radiators without specialized tools, while reducing mechanical vibrations, thus enhancing the durability and efficiency of the radiator system.
Implementation Method 1
Furthermore, in the solution which is presented here, few or even no mechanical vibrations are transferred from the motor vehicle to the radiator, whereby the radiator is conserved
Implementation Method 2
A spreading element, formed in a clamp-like manner, projects transversely, preferably perpendicularly, from the tank bottom along an axial direction. The radiator attachment further comprises a detent body, extending along the axial direction and surrounding a body interior, from which detent body two inner detent elements project into the body interior. The spreading element of the tank bottom is received here in the body interior and is engageable or engaged with the two inner detent elements of the detent body.
Implementation Method 3
on which sleeve body at least one outwardly projecting clip element is formed for clipping with a radiator flange of the motor vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a radiator attachment for attaching a radiator to a motor vehicle. In detail, the radiator attachment comprises a tank bottom, from which a spreading element, formed in a clamp-like manner, projects transversely, preferably perpendicularly, along an axial direction. The radiator attachment further comprises a detent body, extending along the axial direction and surrounding a body interior, from which detent body two inner detent elements project into the body interior. At least one outwardly projecting detent hook projects at a first of the two axial ends. Here, the spreading element of the tank bottom, received in the body interior, is engaged with the two inner detent elements. The radiator attachment further comprises a socket of an elastomer, in particular of a rubber, extending along the axial direction and lying externally against the detent body, which socket is engaged with the at least one detent hook.