Vehicle Add-On Clip Tower Assembly With Single Cable Aperture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing attachment methods for add-on parts in motor vehicles with limited space struggle to securely attach components using clip towers and cables without requiring additional functional holes, leading to space constraints and material inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A single receiving aperture is used to accommodate both clip towers and a cable, with varying engaging edge sizes and optional flanges and ribs for enhanced stability, allowing robust attachment without additional holes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a single receiving aperture is used to accommodate both clip towers and cable, then space utilization is improved and material usage is minimized, but the attachment robustness may be compromised due to limited space for cable passage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearea occupied by carrier partVSAvoidattachment robustness
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single receiving aperture is segmented into two distinct engagement zones: a first engagement zone with a first engaging edge for receiving the first clip tower, and a second engagement zone with a second engaging edge for receiving the second clip tower. This segmentation allows each clip tower to be securely received in its designated zone within the single aperture, maintaining attachment robustness while minimizing space usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The aperture engaging edges are designed with different local qualities - the first engaging edge has a first geometry optimized for engaging the first clip tower, while the second engaging edge has a second geometry optimized for engaging the second clip tower. This local differentiation ensures that each clip tower type is securely engaged despite the constrained single-aperture configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the aperture engaging edges are designed with different sizes, then both clip towers can be securely engaged in limited space, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidaperture edge dimensional tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The aperture engaging edges are deliberately designed asymmetrically, with the first engaging edge having a first size and the second engaging edge having a second size that differs from the first. This asymmetry allows the aperture to accommodate two different clip tower configurations in limited space, facilitating ease of assembly by providing appropriately sized engagement zones for each clip tower type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Stability of the object's composition

If flanges are added to the add-on part, then attachment stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flanges are merged with the add-on part as an integrated structural feature rather than separate components. The first flange is provided on the add-on part adjacent to the first clip tower, and the second flange is provided adjacent to the second clip tower. This merging approach improves attachment stability by providing additional engagement surfaces while avoiding the complexity of separate flange components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4067170B1A motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 DAF TRUCKS NV
  • EP4067170B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4067170B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4067170B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

A motor vehicle comprises an add-on part attached to a carrier part. The add-on part comprises two mutually opposite clip towers onto each of which a metallic trim clip is provided and a cable, a wiring harness or the like. Each metallic trim clip has a first side part and a second side part, with regard to the clip tower a metallic trim clip is provided on the first side part of the trim clip being positioned opposite the second side part of the trim clip. The carrier part comprises a receiving aperture for receiving a clip tower with the metallic trim clip and a functional hole for passing through the cable, the wiring harness or the like. The carrier part comprises a single aperture for receiving both the two mutually opposite clip towers with the metallic trim and for passing through the cable, the wiring harness or the like.