Vehicle Door Retainer Hub With Elastic Pivot Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temporary door retainers for vehicles face issues with complex locking mechanisms, reliability under high temperatures, and mechanical strength during painting processes, leading to unreliable positioning and fixing.

Innovation Solution

A device with a fixing hub that pivots between angular positions, featuring a polygonal intermediate section for easy assembly and locking, and elastic deformation for secure retention, made of a single piece of plastic material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a mobile lock with elastic tab is used to secure the device, then the device can be locked by simple manual action, but the unlocking process becomes complex requiring manipulation of the lock and pivoting of the device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking operationVSAvoidunlocking mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the mobile lock and elastic tab components from the device structure. Instead of using a separate locking mechanism, the fixing hub itself performs both insertion and locking functions through its polygonal geometry and elastic deformation capabilities, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing hub combines multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both the insertion element and the locking mechanism. The polygonal intermediate section integrates the locking function directly into the hub structure, eliminating the need for separate lock and tab components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a complex lock design is used to ensure effective locking, then the locking reliability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and handling difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing hub is designed as a simple, single-piece molded component made from plastic material. This disposable-like approach prioritizes manufacturing simplicity and cost-effectiveness over complex, durable locking mechanisms, while still achieving sufficient reliability for the temporary holding application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter by using plastic with elastic deformation capabilities. This allows the fixing hub to achieve reliable locking through elastic engagement of the polygonal section with the oblong slot, replacing complex mechanical locks with material-property-based solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the device is subjected to high temperatures during painting processes, then the painting process can be completed, but the plastic material experiences creep phenomena reducing mechanical strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepainting process completionVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent selects plastic material with specific thermal and mechanical properties that can withstand painting process temperatures. The material parameters are optimized to maintain sufficient mechanical strength and elastic deformation capabilities despite exposure to high temperatures and creep phenomena.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If the intermediate section is made radially compressible by elastic deformation, then the passage between angular positions is enabled, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular positioningVSAvoidintermediate section structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate section of the fixing hub incorporates flexible, elastic material properties that allow radial compression and deformation. This flexible design enables the hub to transition between angular positions by deforming the intermediate section, allowing passage through the oblong slot while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Ensures simple and reliable locking and unlocking without additional handles, maintaining mechanical strength under high temperatures, and providing stable angular positioning.

Implementation Method 1

the intermediate section is radially compressible by elastic deformation to allow the passage from one to the other of said two offset angular positions of the fixing hub

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4628691A1Device for temporarily holding a door of a body

Publication Date: 2025.10.08 MICROPLAST

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Figure 5A~5C

AI summary

The invention proposes a temporary retaining device (10) capable of being fixed to a wall comprising an oblong slot (300) delimited by two edges (302) spaced apart by a determined width (L1), the device (10) a fixing hub (M) comprising a section forming a base (T1), an intermediate section received in the oblong slot (300) and a stop section (T3) for axially retaining the fixing hub (M), characterized in that the intermediate section of polygonal section complementary to the oblong slot (300) is radially compressible by elastic deformation to allow the passage from one to the other of two offset angular positions of the fixing hub (M).