Elastomeric Damper With Rotatable Cover For Vehicle Striker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle striker assemblies with damping and cover mechanisms are complex, costly, prone to malfunction, and aesthetically unpleasing due to separate components that require additional parts and are difficult to adjust.
Innovation Solution
An elastomeric vehicle latch damper with a rotatable covering member integrally connected to the damper portion, providing a single component that covers the striker plate and fasteners, matching the color and texture of the vehicle body, and allowing easy adjustment by pivoting between covered and uncovered positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a separate mask is fitted over the striker plate to cover fasteners, then the striker plate is covered and fasteners are hidden, but additional components are required which increase manufacturing cost and assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is integrally formed with the striker assembly as a single unit, eliminating the need for separate masks or covers. This merging of functions reduces the number of components from multiple separate parts to one integrated assembly, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and simplifying assembly operations.
2Ease of manufacture
If a separate mask is used to cover the striker plate, then the appearance is improved, but the mask may move during use when contacted by the latch mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the cover as part of the striker assembly rather than using a separate mask, the cover becomes structurally supported and positioned by the striker body. This integration ensures the cover maintains its position during latch operation without moving or detaching, while still providing the desired aesthetic coverage.
3Ease of manufacture
If a separate mask is fitted over the striker plate, then the fasteners are covered, but the mask must be removed to readjust the striker position
Solution Approach 1:
The striker assembly is designed with segmented or modular components that allow the cover to be easily detached or moved during adjustment, and then repositioned. This segmentation enables maintenance workers to access fasteners for adjustment without completely removing the cover, simplifying the adjustment process while maintaining aesthetic appearance during normal use.
4Ease of manufacture
If complex cover mechanisms with springs are used to cover the striker plate, then the striker assembly is completely enclosed out of sight, but the mechanism is complex and expensive to design and manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The complex spring-based cover mechanisms are extracted and removed from the design. Instead, a simple integrated cover is used that provides sufficient aesthetic coverage without the need for complex mechanical systems. This extraction of unnecessary complexity reduces design and manufacturing costs while maintaining the primary function of covering the striker plate.
5Ease of manufacture
If complex cover mechanisms are used to cover the striker plate, then the striker assembly is enclosed, but the possibility of malfunction increases requiring costly repairs
Solution Approach 1:
Complex mechanical cover mechanisms with springs and moving parts are extracted and replaced with a simple integrated cover design. This elimination of complex mechanisms removes potential failure points, reducing the risk of malfunction and the need for costly repairs while still providing aesthetic coverage of the striker plate.
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
Simplifies the striker assembly design, reduces costs, enhances aesthetics, and ensures the damper remains securely in place during vehicle operation, allowing for easy repositioning without additional components.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric vehicle latch damper... The latch contacts the damper on at least two sides when the latch is engaged with the striker, to dampen movement of the latch mechanism relative to the striker due to vibrations
Implementation Method 2
the damper comprises a covering member integrally connected with the damper portion by a hinge, the covering member being rotatable about the hinge
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
An elastomeric latch damper (2) for a vehicle closure striker assembly (100) has a damper portion (4) for engagement with a latch, and a covering member (6) integrally connected to the damper portion by a live hinge (8). In use the damper (2) is mounted to a striker bracket (102) having a striker plate portion (104) attached to a vehicle by means of fasteners in a mounting region (111, 111') of the striker plate portion. When the striker bracket is being fitted, adjusted or removed, the covering member (6) is raised to allow access to the mounting region. After fitting and adjustment, the covering member (6) is lowered to cover the striker plate portion and the fasteners. The latch may be mounted to a closure, and the striker to the body, or vice versa. Advantage: neat and consistent finish without additional component(s).