Motor Vehicle Central Console Internal Shell Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional central console internal shells in motor vehicles are complex and time-consuming to assemble, require costly screws, and suffer from mechanical weakness under compression forces due to screw usage.
Innovation Solution
The internal shell is formed by articulating and clipping two plastic half-shells together at their upper lateral edges, eliminating the need for screws and enhancing mechanical resistance through a hinge-like joint and harpoon-shaped fastening elements, allowing for easier assembly and reduced manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screws are used to assemble the two half-shells, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes screws from the assembly process entirely, extracting the fastening function and replacing it with a clipping mechanism integrated into the half-shell structures themselves. This eliminates the need for separate fastening components and reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining assembly strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the fastening function with the structural halves themselves by integrating clipping mechanisms directly into the half-shell designs. The clipping elements are formed as integral parts of the half-shells, combining structural and fastening functions into unified components.
2Reliability
If screws are used to assemble the two half-shells, then the connection is secured, but the assembly time increases and the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The clipping mechanisms are pre-formed as integral parts of the half-shell structures during manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate fastening component installation, allowing workers to simply snap the pre-equipped half-shells together, thereby reducing assembly time while ensuring reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic clipping mechanism that allows for easy engagement and disengagement of the half-shells. The clipping elements are designed to flex and lock during assembly, providing a reliable connection that can be quickly formed and later easily disassembled if needed.
3Strength
If screws are used to assemble the two half-shells, then the fastening is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts screws and all associated fastening hardware from the assembly system, replacing them with an integrated clipping mechanism. This removal simplifies the device by eliminating multiple separate components (screws, washers, holes, threading) and replacing them with a unified structural solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies clipping mechanisms at specific localized areas of the half-shells where structural connection is needed, rather than using screws throughout. The clipping elements are strategically positioned to provide adequate fastening strength only where required, simplifying the overall assembly while maintaining necessary connection strength.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The invention relates to an internal shell (10) of a central console (1) of a motor vehicle, said internal shell (10) being formed by the assembly of two half-shells (11, 12), respectively a first half-shell (11) and a second half-shell (12), made of plastic material, said half-shells (11, 12) being articulated together in such a way as to be able to move relative to each other from a partially assembled configuration of the internal shell (10), in which they are retained only at the level of two upper lateral edges (14, 14'), respectively front and rear, of said internal shell (10), to a fully assembled configuration of the internal shell (10), in which they are fixed together by clipping.