One-Piece Deep-Drawn License Plate Frame for Curved Bumpers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing license plate holder frames for motor vehicles are complex to manufacture and assemble, often resulting in hard and brittle components that do not accommodate non-flat or curved bumper designs, posing safety risks and aesthetic challenges.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece frame made from metal or stainless steel, produced using deep-drawing and laser cutting processes, with rounded edges and a sliding hook closure, designed to be easily assembled and retrofitted, ensuring safety and aesthetic compatibility with modern vehicle designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If injection molding process is used to manufacture license plate holder frames, then production efficiency is improved, but the components become hard and brittle and cannot accommodate non-flat or curved bumper designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the manufacturing process parameters from injection molding to deep-drawing process, which enables the production of formstable components that are flexible enough to accommodate non-flat and curved bumper designs while maintaining production efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The deep-drawing process inherently produces curved and formstable components that can adapt to the curved surfaces of modern vehicle bumpers, resolving the limitation of rigid injection-molded frames
2Ease of operation
If pivotable frame connections are used, then assembly flexibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity and assembly complexity increase due to pivot bearing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex pivot bearing mechanism from the design, replacing it with a simpler formstable connection that achieves the same assembly flexibility without the mechanical complexity of pivots and bearings
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is divided into separate components (frame parts that can be connected to the base plate) that can be assembled independently, providing assembly flexibility without requiring complex pivot mechanisms
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple assembly steps are required, then precise positioning is improved, but assembly time and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frame parts are pre-formed with specific geometries and connection features during the deep-drawing process, enabling precise positioning to be achieved through the inherent formstability of the components rather than through multiple assembly steps
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions (positioning, connection, and aesthetic coverage) are merged into single integrated frame components, reducing the number of separate assembly steps while maintaining positioning precision
4Adaptability or versatility
If frame components are made separate, then adaptability to bumper curves is improved, but the risk of parts being misplaced or lost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame parts are designed to nest together or connect in a way that prevents them from becoming loose or misplaced, with each component fitting into or onto the others, maintaining both adaptability and reliability
5Strength
If drilling or cutting is used to attach license plates, then secure attachment is improved, but the license plate is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The formstable frame acts as a flexible mounting surface that can be attached to the bumper without drilling or cutting the license plate itself, providing secure attachment while preserving the integrity of the license plate
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a frame (5) for a license plate holder, which serves to attach the license plate to a motor vehicle. The license plate holder consists of a base plate (1) supporting the underside of the license plate, which has a rib (2) at its edge directed towards the license plate. The rib (2) has at least one tab (3) on at least one side of the license plate holder, which encompasses at least part of the upper surface of the license plate edge. At least one opening (6) for a sliding hook fastener is provided in the rib on the side of the license plate holder opposite the tab. A frame (5) is provided that covers the side surfaces formed by the side surfaces of the base plate (1) and the adjoining rib surfaces, and the rib surfaces facing away from the base plate (1). The frame (5) is formed in one piece and is made in particular of metal or...Stainless steel or plastic. The frame (5) can be attached to the side of the base plate (1) facing away from the license plate by means of, preferably flexible, mounting tabs (7). The frame (5) is manufactured by deep drawing, with the corners and edges of the frame (5) being rounded.