Elastic Averaging Couplings for Vehicle Interior Trim Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle interior assemblies lack the ability to be easily reconfigured to match individual occupant preferences, as they are not designed for aesthetic customization and alignment precision.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable vehicle interior assembly using elastically deformable mating members that form elastic averaging couplings, allowing trim members to be securely and precisely attached to vehicle interior carrier components, enabling customization and alignment through deformable protrusions and apertures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional rigid mating members are used to couple trim members to vehicle interior carrier components, then manufacturing precision requirements are high, but alignment precision and ease of assembly deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the mating members by making them elastically deformable. This allows the rigid dimensional parameters to be supplemented with elastic deformation capabilities, enabling the mating members to adapt to manufacturing variances while maintaining precise alignment during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs elastically deformable mating members that function similarly to flexible elements, allowing them to bend and conform during the coupling process. This flexibility compensates for manufacturing tolerances and enables easy assembly without requiring extremely tight manufacturing precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If fixed configuration vehicle interiors are used, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but adaptability to individual preferences deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reconfigurability to the vehicle interior assembly by enabling trim members to be easily coupled and decoupled from carrier components. The elastic deformability of the mating members facilitates this dynamic reconfiguration, allowing the interior to be adapted to different aesthetic preferences while maintaining alignment precision through the elastic averaging effect.
3Productivity
If multiple trim members are assembled to vehicle interior carrier components, then manufacturing positional variance accumulates, but alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elastically deformable mating members act as intermediaries between the trim members and carrier components. These intermediate elements absorb and compensate for manufacturing positional variances through their elastic deformation, preventing the accumulation of alignment errors across multiple assembled components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates elastic deformability in advance into the mating members, providing a cushioning effect that compensates for manufacturing variances before they can accumulate. This pre-built flexibility acts as a buffer that maintains alignment precision throughout the assembly process.
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
Enables customizable vehicle interiors with precise alignment and easy assembly/disassembly, enhancing aesthetic appeal and accommodating manufacturing positional variance, while using suitable materials like metals, polymers, and composites for elastic deformation.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the first elastically deformable mating members matingly engages with at least one of the second elastically deformable mating members in order to couple the trim member to the vehicle interior carrier component. The first and second elastically deformable mating members collectively form a plurality of elastic averaging couplings.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a reconfigurable vehicle interior assembly is provided. The assembly includes a trim member including a plurality of first elastically deformable mating members and a vehicle interior carrier component including a plurality of second elastically deformable mating members. Each of the first elastically deformable mating members matingly engages with at least one of the second elastically deformable mating members in order to couple the trim member to the vehicle interior carrier component. The first and second elastically deformable mating members collectively form a plurality of elastic averaging couplings.