Compression Holding Jig for Pre-compressed Rear Suspension Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for manufacturing automobiles, where a body is placed on a pre-assembled underside part set, require compressing springs in the rear suspension by pressing the body onto the underside part set, leading to increased size and complexity of manufacturing apparatuses, especially with the adoption of rear suspensions having separate springs and shock absorbers.

Innovation Solution

The method involves compressing the spring in the underside part set before assembling it onto the body, using a compression holding jig with a threaded shaft, conical upper pressing plate, and lower pressing plate to bring the spring into a compressed state, allowing for assembly without additional compression during the body placement, thus reducing the size and complexity of the manufacturing apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the body is pressed onto the underside part set to compress the spring during assembly, then the spring can be compressed to the required state, but the size and complexity of the manufacturing apparatus increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespring compression stateVSAvoidmanufacturing apparatus size
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring is compressed into the required state before the assembly operation. The compression holding jig pre-compresses the spring and maintains it in the compressed state during transportation and assembly, eliminating the need for compression during the actual assembly process. This preliminary action transfers the compression function from the assembly apparatus to the holding jig.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The compression holding jig acts as an intermediary device that maintains the spring in a compressed state. Instead of requiring the assembly apparatus to directly compress the spring, the holding jig serves as a mediator that preserves the compressed state throughout the assembly process, simplifying the requirements for the assembly apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the spring and shock absorber are arranged side by side in the rear suspension, then the suspension design is improved, but the spring must be compressed during assembly which increases apparatus size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuspension design flexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing apparatus size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The compression holding jig pre-compresses the spring before assembly, allowing the side-by-side arrangement of spring and shock absorber without requiring compression during assembly. This preliminary compression action enables the flexible suspension design while avoiding the need for large assembly apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the body is transported and placed on the underside part set by pressing down, then the spring is compressed for assembly, but the energy consumption and apparatus size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The spring is compressed and held in the compressed state before assembly using the compression holding jig. This preliminary action eliminates the need for high-energy pressing operations during assembly, reducing energy consumption while maintaining assembly efficiency. The holding jig maintains the compressed state without requiring continuous energy input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach enables efficient assembly of automobiles by preventing the need for large manufacturing apparatuses, allowing for accurate and energy-efficient transportation and positioning of the body, while maintaining the compressed state of the spring for assembly, thereby reducing the size and energy requirements of the manufacturing equipment.

Implementation Method 1

a compression holding jig configured to, before a rear suspension in which a spring and a shock absorber are arranged side by side is assembled onto a body, bring the spring into a compressed state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Compression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a conical upper pressing plate configured to be detachably engaged with an upper end of the threaded shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3611084B1Method for manufacturing automobile and compression holding jig
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3611084B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3611084B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3611084B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for manufacturing an automobile includes placing a body on a preassembled underside part set, and then assembling the underside part set onto the body. The underside part set includes a rear suspension in which a spring and a shock absorber are arranged side by side, and the spring is brought into a compressed state in the underside part set before the body is placed on the underside part set.