Eccentric Trim Compensation Elements for Vehicle Pillar Joints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for setting a joint pattern between outer trim elements on vehicle door frames are complex and require cumbersome adjustments to accommodate varying tolerances, often necessitating costly tool changes and potential mix-ups during assembly.

Innovation Solution

A tolerance compensation system featuring interchangeable tolerance compensation elements with differently positioned receiving regions, allowing for easy selection and insertion into door frame cutouts to adjust the joint pattern, either through multiple variants or a single eccentrically arranged variant, facilitating quick adaptation to geometric changes without tool changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a bracket with screws is used to displace the outer trim element, then the joint pattern can be adjusted, but the solution becomes relatively complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint pattern adjustment capabilityVSAvoidbracket and screw mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tolerance compensation system divides the adjustment function into separate modular elements (first and second tolerance compensation elements) that can be independently selected and combined, replacing the complex single-bracket mechanism with simpler discrete components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tolerance compensation elements serve multiple functions: they provide positioning adjustment, compensate for manufacturing tolerances, and enable different joint patterns through various combinations, replacing the need for multiple specialized brackets and screws

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple variants of tolerance compensation elements are used to set the joint pattern, then the positioning flexibility is improved, but the inventory complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint pattern positioning flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of tolerance compensation element variants

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The first and second tolerance compensation elements feature asymmetric receiving region configurations that allow them to be differentiated by function while maintaining a common basic structure, enabling easy identification and selection without requiring completely different component designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving regions of the tolerance compensation elements have locally differentiated properties (different positions, orientations, or dimensions) that provide the necessary positioning variety while the overall component design remains standardized and interchangeable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11459047B2Tolerance compensation system for setting a joint pattern between two outer trim elements to be mounted in the region of a vehicle pillar of a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG

AI summary

A tolerance compensation system for setting a joint pattern between two outer trim elements to be mounted on respective door frames in the region of a vehicle pillar of a motor vehicle. The tolerance compensation system includes a set of tolerance compensation elements which are insertable into respective cutouts in the door frame and which each have a receiving region for receiving the outer trim elements. The set has at least two different variants of the tolerance compensation elements which differ in terms of the positioning of their respective receiving regions in order to set the joint pattern or the set has only one variant of the tolerance compensation elements in which the receiving region is arranged eccentrically and the tolerance compensation elements are insertable into the cutouts in the door frames in two positions rotated through 180° with respect to one another in order to set the joint pattern.