Cowl Assembly Mounting with Flexible Grille
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing mounting devices for cowl assemblies on motor vehicles face challenges such as precise positioning difficulties due to deviations in fender liner geometry, high costs associated with custom-shaped sealing members, and the need to adapt to pedestrian impact regulations, which complicate the assembly and structural organization of cowl assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A mounting device that attaches the cowl assembly's collector to the vehicle body by its bottom, eliminating side attachments and using a flexible, arcuate cowl grille to compensate for fender liner deviations, with simplified sealing members made from inexpensive foam profiles fixed with adhesive, allowing for deformation in the event of impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If custom-shaped sealing elements are used to match the canopy assembly configuration, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the sealing element from custom-shaped to standard profile, and changes the material parameter from solid foam to open-cell foam. This allows the use of inexpensive standard profiles while maintaining sealing effectiveness through the compliant foam material that can deform to match the canopy assembly configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies using open-cell foam for the sealing elements. The porous structure of open-cell foam provides compliance and deformability, allowing the sealing element to conform to the canopy assembly's shape without requiring custom tooling or complex geometry, thus reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
2Manufacturing precision
If the canopy assembly is rigidly mounted to maintain positioning accuracy, then positioning precision is improved, but adaptability to fender liner deviations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the flexible nature of the canopy grille and sealing elements to accommodate fender liner deviations. The thin, flexible structure of these components allows them to deform and adapt to positioning variations without compromising the overall mounting accuracy or requiring rigid, precision-critical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static, rigid mounting approach to a dynamic system where the sealing elements and canopy grille can deform elastically to accommodate fender liner position variations. This dynamic adaptability allows the assembly to self-adjust to manufacturing tolerances and installation variations.
3Strength
If the canopy assembly structure is reinforced to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but ability to deform under impact deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different structural qualities to different parts of the canopy assembly. The collector and mounting brackets are designed with sufficient strength for structural integrity, while the canopy grille and sealing elements are designed to be more compliant and deformable. This local differentiation allows the assembly to maintain overall strength while enabling controlled deformation under impact through its weakest, most compliant components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of impact forces into a beneficial deformation mechanism. The compliant canopy grille and sealing elements are designed to deform under impact, absorbing energy and protecting more critical components. This controlled deformation under harmful impact forces protects the overall assembly and meets pedestrian impact regulations.
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 solution simplifies the mounting process, reduces costs, enhances sealing effectiveness, and ensures compliance with pedestrian impact regulations by allowing the cowl grille to deform and absorb forces, maintaining structural integrity while reducing assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The lower edge of the cowl grille is equipped, by means of an adhesive material, with a first sealing gasket formed from a constant-profile open-cell foam
Implementation Method 2
a first sealing gasket formed from a constant-profile open-cell foam
Implementation Method 3
allowing for deformation in the event of impacts
Implementation Method 4
ensures compliance with pedestrian impact regulations by allowing the cowl grille to deform and absorb forces
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The subject of the invention is a device for mounting a cowl assembly (1) on the bodyshell (7) of a motor vehicle extending between two wing linings (4) of the vehicle. The cowl assembly (1) comprises a removable fluid collector (6) fixed to the bodyshell (7), a globally planar cowl grating (5) fixed to the collector (6) at its upper face, and sealing members (13, 16) formed on the cowl assembly (1). The longitudinal ends of the cowl grating (5) protrude longitudinally (8) beyond the longitudinal ends of the collector (6) and are kept pressed against the respective wing linings (4) by elastic deformation of the cowl grating (5) in its overall plane.