Elastic Hinge Hole-Sealing Cover for Suspension Bracket Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hole-sealing covers for automobile suspension arms require large attachment holes to allow movement without impeding the part, leading to reduced rigidity in the bracket due to the need for a wide opening, which allows foreign matter to intrude and causes soiling and corrosion.
Innovation Solution
A vessel-shaped hole-sealing cover with a hinge that exhibits elasticity, allowing it to be inserted into a smaller hole and expand to secure space for the moving part, featuring a flange to prevent excessive insertion and latching shoulders for secure attachment, maintaining rigidity while preventing foreign matter intrusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a large hole is formed in the bracket to allow movement of the suspension arm end, then the movement space is sufficient, but the rigidity of the bracket declines
Solution Approach 1:
The hole is divided into two functional zones: an upper sealed portion covered by the cover body that prevents foreign matter intrusion, and a lower open portion that provides movement space. This segmentation allows the bracket to maintain structural integrity while enabling necessary movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover body is inserted into the hole formed in the bracket, creating a nested structure where the cover resides within the hole space. This allows the cover to seal the hole internally without requiring additional external space, maintaining bracket rigidity while providing movement space.
2Volume of moving object
If a large hole is formed in the bracket to allow movement of the suspension arm end, then the movement space is sufficient, but foreign matter can intrude into the hole
Solution Approach 1:
The hole is divided into two functional zones: an upper sealed portion covered by the cover body that prevents foreign matter intrusion, and a lower open portion that provides movement space. This segmentation allows the bracket to maintain structural integrity while enabling necessary movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover body acts as an intermediary element that selectively separates the hole into sealed and open regions. It mediates between the conflicting requirements of preventing foreign matter intrusion and allowing movement space, covering only the necessary portion while leaving the movement area accessible.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover is attached to seal the hole, then foreign matter intrusion is prevented, but the hole size must be large which reduces bracket rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The cover body is designed to cover only the specific portion of the hole where foreign matter intrusion is a concern, while leaving the lower portion open for movement. This localized sealing approach prevents foreign matter intrusion without requiring a complete large-hole configuration, thereby maintaining bracket rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover body extends in the depth dimension of the hole rather than requiring a large surface area. By utilizing the depth dimension to provide sealing coverage, the solution avoids increasing the hole's surface footprint, thereby preserving bracket rigidity while achieving effective sealing.
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
The solution allows for a smaller attachment hole size while ensuring sufficient space for the moving part's movement, preventing foreign matter intrusion and maintaining the rigidity of the bracket, thus enhancing the structural integrity and sealing effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the hinge exhibits elasticity wherewith the width in a direction crossing the hinge can be reduced by a pressing force from the crossing direction toward that hinge, and wherewith the width is restored to the original width when the pressing force is released
Data Source
AI summary
Hole-sealing cover wherewith, while securing space for a moving part such as the end of a suspension arm, the size of a hole in a member being attached to can be made small. The hole-sealing cover is shaped so that it can be inserted into a hole in a bracket, includes a vessel-shaped main cover body which has a space for an end to move in formed inside, and a flange, formed at the peripheral edges of the main cover body, for preventing excessive insertion, in which main cover body, at the top part thereof forming a vessel-shaped bottom surface, a hinge is formed which extends, crossing the top part linearly, which hinge exhibits elasticity wherewith the width in a direction crossing the hinge can be reduced by a pressing force and wherewith the width is restored to the original width when the pressing force is released.