Vehicle Door Ajar Retaining Tab With Curved Stress Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temporary devices for holding opening elements in a motor vehicle assembly, such as doors, degrade quickly due to stress concentration zones and paint retention issues, leading to premature failure and aesthetic defects during the assembly and painting process.
Innovation Solution
A temporary device with a tab featuring an intermediate zone configured to distribute stresses along its length, an elastic deformation element with curved sections, and a stop to limit movement, reducing stress concentration and enhancing durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the tab is made as a simple straight connection between the body and the housing edge, then the device structure is simple, but stress concentrates at the ends of the tab causing premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the tab by introducing an intermediate zone with at least one curved section between the first end and second end. This curved geometry redistributes the stress along the tab length, preventing stress concentration at the ends and thereby extending device lifespan while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Volume of moving object
If the device components are positioned close together to minimize space, then the assembly is compact, but paint is retained in the gaps causing aesthetic defects
Solution Approach 1:
The curved intermediate zone creates a smooth transition that eliminates sharp corners and gaps where paint could be trapped. The curvature ensures paint flows smoothly over the tab surface without accumulating, preventing aesthetic defects while maintaining compact device dimensions.
3Strength
If the tab is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then the device is strong, but it cannot deform elastically to accommodate housing variations
Solution Approach 1:
The curved intermediate zone acts as a flexible element that can deform elastically under stress while the straight sections maintain structural strength. This curved geometry allows the tab to bend and adapt to housing variations, providing both strength and flexibility simultaneously.
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 device extends its lifespan by evenly distributing stresses, preventing breakage and paint retention, thus maintaining optimal assembly and painting conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the tab comprises, disposed between the first end and the second end, an intermediate zone comprising at least one section configured to distribute stresses applied to the tab
Implementation Method 2
the retaining means deforms elastically under the action of the stresses and then retracts
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3a~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Device (1, 21, 31, 41, 51, 616, 71, 810, 91, 100) for temporarily holding an opening element (52) in an ajar position relative to a stationary element (51) of a body of a vehicle, comprising a body (14, 414, 614) provided with at least one mounting means (2, 11), and a retaining means (15, 415, 615) comprising a tab (6, 46, 66) a first end (63) of which is designed to cooperate with a first flange (53a) of a housing (53) and a second end (61, 461, 661) of which provides a junction with the body (14, 414, 614), characterised in that the tab (6, 46, 66) comprises, between the first end (63) and the second end (61, 461, 661), an intermediate area (62, 462, 662) comprising at least one section configured to distribute stresses applied to the tab (6, 46, 66) when the device is moved to the ajar position or the fully open position (1, 21, 31, 41, 51, 616, 71, 810, 91, 100).