Detachable Fastening Element for E-Components in Vehicle Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fixing systems for electronic and electrical components in vehicles are costly and difficult to install, with the risk of protrusions from the vehicle housing leading to attachment issues with covering parts like the headliner.

Innovation Solution

A fixing system using a fastening element with a cement layer or embedding mass that allows for direct linkage of E-components, reducing installation space and production costs, and enabling flexible routing of components like cables, with closure parts forming a detachable adhesive connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a looped fabric covers the entire surface of the cover plate to form a detachable adhesive closure, then the E-components can be detachably connected to the vehicle housing, but the installation becomes time-consuming and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetachable connection reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure system is segmented into discrete closure elements (hooks or loops) that are spaced apart rather than continuous fabric coverage. This allows for faster installation while maintaining reliable detachable connections at specific points along the cable strand.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure elements are pre-attached to the cable strand or cover plate during manufacturing, so that during installation only the mating fastening element needs to be applied to the vehicle housing, significantly reducing installation time while preserving connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple layers of closure parts are laminated to provide sufficient attachment strength, then the connection becomes more reliable, but the structure projects far from the vehicle housing part causing problems with later attachment of covering parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidprotrusion distance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The closure elements are integrated directly into the fastening element structure rather than being separate laminated layers. This merging of functions allows the closure parts to be attached with minimal protrusion while maintaining sufficient attachment strength for reliable connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The closure elements concentrate attachment strength at specific localized points rather than distributing thickness across multiple laminated layers. This allows strong attachment with minimal overall protrusion from the housing surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If traditional fixing systems are used for E-components, then secure attachment is achieved, but production and installation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening elements use cost-effective materials and simple construction (spaced closure elements rather than continuous fabric) that reduce material costs while maintaining sufficient attachment security for the application requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts only the essential function of secure attachment from complex traditional systems, using minimal spaced closure elements rather than continuous fabric coverage, thereby reducing material and manufacturing costs while maintaining attachment security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The system reduces production and installation costs, minimizes protrusions from the vehicle housing, and facilitates flexible component routing, enhancing the reliability and ease of installation while ensuring secure attachment of E-components.

Implementation Method 1

The other fastening element can be connected to the support having at least in part a cement layer and/or having an embedding mass producing the direct linkage of the respective E-component to the respective other fastening element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

At least one first fastening element with individual closure parts interacts with the corresponding closure parts of another fastening element to form an adhesive closure which can be repeatedly opened and closed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS8011626B2Fixing system and fastening element which can be used therefor

Publication Date: 2011.09.06 GOTTLIEB BINDER

AI summary

A fixing system for electronic and/or electric components—called E components in short—such as chips, circuits, transponders, cables (10) etc., has at least one first fastening element (12) having individual closure parts (14, 16) which, in interaction with corresponding closure parts (22) of a further fastening element (20), form an adhesive closure which can be opened and closed repeatedly. The respective E component can be connected to a support (30). The further fastening element (20) can be connected to the support (30), at least part of which has an adhesive layer and/or which is composed of an embedding compound. The adhesive layer or embedding compound produces the direct connection of the respective E component to the further fastening element (20) assignable to it. This connection requires only a very little amount of installation space.