Elastomer Snap Connection for Vehicle NVH and Secure Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snap-action connections in motor vehicles face challenges in balancing easy fitting and removal with reliable retention, while also providing effective vibration isolation and NVH behavior.
Innovation Solution
A snap-action connection comprising an elastomer connector with a compression geometry and a latching stud, where the elastomer connector has a first latching contour and the latching stud has a second latching contour, allowing for easy assembly and secure retention, with the elastomer providing vibration damping for improved NVH behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latching connection with multiple clips is used to achieve reliable retention, then the connection strength is improved, but the removal process becomes laborious and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into two distinct components: an elastomer connector with integrated vibration damping properties and a separate latching stud. This segmentation allows the elastomer to handle vibration isolation while the latching stud provides secure retention and tool-free removal capability, resolving the contradiction between reliable retention and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer connector acts as an intermediary element between the mounting structure and the latching mechanism. It provides vibration damping and shock absorption while transmitting forces between the latching stud and the mounting structure, enabling both reliable retention and easy removal without compromising either function.
2Reliability
If rigid connection elements are used to ensure secure retention under high forces, then the connection strength is improved, but the vibration isolation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The material parameter of the connector is changed from rigid to elastomeric. This parameter change enables the connector to simultaneously provide secure mechanical retention through the latching stud while absorbing vibrations and shocks through the elastomer's inherent damping properties, thus resolving the contradiction between connection strength and vibration isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system combines two different material properties: the elastomeric material of the connector for vibration damping and the rigid material of the latching stud for secure retention. This composite approach allows the system to achieve both strong mechanical connection and effective vibration isolation simultaneously.
3Reliability
If high assembly forces are used to ensure secure fitting, then the retention reliability is improved, but the ease of manual installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer connector introduces dynamic compliance into the connection system. During assembly, the elastomer deforms elastically to accommodate the latching stud, requiring minimal assembly forces for manual installation. Once assembled, the elastomer maintains secure retention through its elastic recovery and the latching mechanism, resolving the contradiction between retention reliability and manual installation ease.
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 enables simple assembly with low insertion forces and secure retention under high forces, while also providing effective vibration damping and improved NVH behavior in motor vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
the elastomer connector has a compression geometry which is configured, in the event of tension on the latching stud, to compress counter to the direction of insertion and thereby harden the elastomer connector in the region of the at least one first latching contour
Implementation Method 2
The elastomer provides vibration damping, improving the NVH behaviour of a correspondingly equipped motor vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A snap-action connection of an assembly mount of a motor vehicle includes an elastomer connector and a latching stud. In embodiments, the elastomer connector has, on an outer side, at least one first groove, provided for fixing on a holding structure, the elastomer connector has a cavity or through-aperture, the cavity or through-aperture has at least one first latching contour, the latching stud has at least one second latching contour, the latching stud can be inserted into the cavity or through-aperture in a direction of insertion and can be snapped in through the interaction of the at least one first latching contour and at least one second latching contour, and the elastomer connector has a compression geometry configured, in the event of tension on the latching stud, to compress counter to the direction of insertion and stiffen the connector in the region of the at least one first latching contour.