External Access Spoiler Connection for Tailgate Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing assemblies for mounting a rear spoiler on a motor vehicle require significant effort due to design constraints, making it difficult and time-consuming to connect the spoiler to the tailgate from inside the vehicle, where space is limited, leading to potential inaccuracies.

Innovation Solution

A detachable connection device accessible and actuatable from outside the vehicle, such as a releasable screw, snap, rivet, or clamp connection, is used to connect the spoiler to the tailgate, allowing for reduced assembly effort and avoiding the challenges of cramped space conditions, with additional connections at the intermediate area for stabilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the connection device is accessible only from inside the motor vehicle, then the connection can be made between spoiler and tailgate, but the assembly effort increases significantly due to cramped space conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly effortVSAvoidaccessibility of connection device
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by making the connection device accessible from outside the motor vehicle rather than from inside. The connection device is integrated into the spoiler structure such that at least one connection point is accessible from the exterior, allowing assembly workers to access and operate the connection device from outside the vehicle, thereby eliminating the need to work in cramped interior spaces and significantly reducing assembly effort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Manufacturing precision

If the connection device is accessible from inside the motor vehicle, then the spoiler can be connected to the tailgate, but positioning inaccuracies occur due to limited working space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidassembly procedure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves positioning accuracy issues by inverting the accessibility approach - connection devices are positioned on the exterior of the vehicle where assembly workers can access them comfortably. This external positioning eliminates the cramped space conditions that cause positioning inaccuracies when working from inside the vehicle, allowing for more precise alignment and connection of the spoiler to the tailgate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If multiple connection devices are used at end areas and intermediate areas, then the connection stability increases, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidnumber of connection devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the spoiler into end areas and intermediate areas, with connection devices strategically positioned at these segments. The spoiler is connected to the tailgate through multiple discrete connection points distributed across its length, allowing each segment to be independently secured while maintaining overall structural stability and distributing mechanical loads effectively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3116766B1Assembly for a motor vehicle and method for connecting a body part to a spoiler
Publication Date: 2018.10.10 REHAU AG & CO
  • EP3116766B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1E
  • EP3116766B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to an assembly (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising a body part (12) and a spoiler (14), said spoiler (14) and the body part (12) being connected together by means of at least one detachable connecting device (16) which can be accessed from the outside of the vehicle for actuating said device. The invention also relates to a method for connecting a vehicle part (12) to a spoiler (14).