Automotive Door Module Elastic Clamping for Boltless Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing door module attachment process for automobile door inner panels is complex and requires bolting, which complicates alignment and requires large devices, making it difficult to automate and increasing the number of components.

Innovation Solution

A door module with an elastic fitting portion on a resin closing plate that fits over the service hole's inner edge, using elastic clamping pieces to secure the module without bolts, reducing the need for complex alignment and large devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bolting is used to fix the door module to the door inner panel, then the attachment is secure, but the alignment work becomes complicated and requires large devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidalignment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the bolting mechanism from the attachment process and replaces it with an elastic fitting portion that directly engages with the service hole edge. This eliminates the need for separate bolts and complex alignment devices, while maintaining secure attachment through elastic clamping force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical bolting system with an elastic deformation-based fastening system. The elastic fitting portion uses material elasticity to generate clamping force, substituting the need for threaded fasteners and alignment equipment with a simpler elastic engagement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If bolting is used to fix the door module, then secure attachment is achieved, but large devices such as bolt filling mechanism and bolt fastening mechanism are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidautomation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic fitting portion is designed to automatically engage and clamp onto the service hole edge through its own elastic deformation. The structure self-adjusts and secures itself without requiring external bolt filling or fastening mechanisms, enabling easier automation of the attachment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If bolting is used to attach the door module, then secure fixation is achieved, but sufficient working space cannot be secured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidworking space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic fitting portion is designed to nest within the space between the closing plate and the door inner panel. The elastic clamping pieces fold or compress into the available gap, providing secure attachment without requiring additional external working space that would be needed for bolt manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Stability of the object's composition

If a relatively hard resin closing plate is used, then shape retention is improved, but the elastic fitting portion requires precise deformation control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape retentionVSAvoidelastic deformation control

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The closing plate is designed with different local properties: the main body uses relatively hard resin for shape retention, while the elastic fitting portion uses softer, more elastic material or结构设计 that allows controlled deformation. This local differentiation enables both shape stability and elastic engagement without requiring precise deformation control of the entire closing plate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Simplifies the attachment process by eliminating the need for bolting, reduces the number of components, and allows for easier automation of the assembly process while ensuring high vibration damping characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

the elastic clamping piece closest to the inner circumferential edge of the service hole is elastically deformed toward the recessed groove, and elastically returns when passing over the inner circumferential edge of the service hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

ensuring high vibration damping characteristics

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS11801735B2Door module and door module fixture

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 AUTONETWORKS TECH LTD

AI summary

On an outer circumferential edge of the closing plate, an elastic fitting portion protruding to the outer side of the inner circumferential edge of the service hole and fitting with the inner circumferential edge projects with a thickness larger than the plate thickness of the closing plate and extends in the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential edge. The elastic fitting portion is provided with an inner circumferential edge accommodating recessed groove that opens in the center of a protruding end surface of the elastic fitting portion and extends in the circumferential direction to accommodate the inner circumferential edge of the service hole, and the inner circumferential edge of the service hole is clamped between a pair of elastic clamping pieces that face each other with the inner circumferential edge accommodating recessed groove interposed between the pair of elastic clamping pieces.