Vehicle Door Reinforcement Bracket for Slide-On Vibration Absorbers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Vibration absorbing members in vehicle structures are challenging to install due to their design, which often requires complex fitting processes.

Innovation Solution

A vibration absorbing member with a slot formed at one end, allowing for sliding installation onto a pre-installed fastener, simplifying the installation process by providing a non-linear slot for alignment and retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If vibration absorbing members are fitted to existing structures using conventional methods, then they can be installed in various locations within vehicle structures, but the installation process becomes challenging and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation location flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration absorbing member is divided into multiple segments or sections, with slots formed at specific locations to allow independent installation at various vehicle structure locations while simplifying the fitting process at each location

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A fastener system acts as an intermediary between the vibration absorbing member and the vehicle structure, with the slot design enabling the member to be installed onto pre-installed fasteners, thereby simplifying the installation process while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If vibration absorbing members are designed for secure retention during impact events, then they can effectively absorb and distribute impact forces, but the installation process becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact force retentionVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Fasteners are pre-installed onto the vehicle structure before the vibration absorbing member is attached. The slot is designed to receive these pre-installed fasteners, allowing for simple snap-fit installation while ensuring secure retention during impact events

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration absorbing member with its slot design nests onto the pre-installed fastener, creating a secure fitted connection that simplifies installation while maintaining reliability during impact events

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11904667B2Vehicle door assembly

Publication Date: 2024.02.20 NISSAN NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

A vehicle door assembly a first reinforcing bracket, a fastener and a vibration absorbing member. The first reinforcing bracket extends from a forward portion of an inner door panel to a rearward portion of the inner door panel. The first reinforcing bracket has a first main surface. The fastener is attached to the first reinforcing member such that a head portion thereof is spaced apart from of the first main surface. The vibration absorbing member has a main body with a first end and a second end. The first end has a slot that extends from an edge of the first end inward. The slot is dimensioned and shaped for sliding installation on to the fastener such that the first end of the vibration absorbing member is located between the head portion of the fastener and the first surface of the first reinforcing bracket.