False Strike Plate Positioning for Tailgate Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for mounting and adjusting the rear flap of a motor vehicle in the rear opening of the vehicle body are prone to defects due to the absence of a lock and striker during painting, leading to misalignment and clearance issues that affect the quality of manufacture.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a false striker plate with indexing holes and a projecting part that engages with a hole on the rear flap, allowing for precise positioning and fixing without risk of rotation or deviation, ensuring correct alignment and flush requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the lock and striker are absent during painting, then the painting process can proceed without interference, but the rear flap positioning becomes imprecise leading to rotation and deviation defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepainting processVSAvoidrear flap positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a positioning device as an intermediary element between the rear flap and the body during assembly. This device includes a positioning member with positioning protrusions that engage with positioning recesses, and a fixing member that secures the rear flap in the correct position. The positioning device acts as a temporary mediator that ensures precise positioning during assembly, then is removed before painting, thus resolving the contradiction between needing precise positioning and avoiding interference with the painting process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the rear flap is assembled without a positioning device, then the assembly process is simpler, but the clearance and flush requirements are not met affecting quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly processVSAvoidclearance and flush requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device serves as a temporary intermediary tool that simplifies the assembly process by providing built-in positioning guidance. The positioning protrusions and recesses automatically align the rear flap correctly, eliminating the need for complex manual alignment procedures. After assembly, the positioning device is removed, leaving the precisely positioned rear flap that meets clearance and flush requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the movable part of the hinge is not perfectly pressed against the upper edge, then the assembly is easier, but rotation and deviation occur affecting quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidflap alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device includes a fixing member that acts as an intermediary to apply uniform pressure and secure the movable part of the hinge against the upper edge of the opening. This ensures perfect contact and prevents rotation or deviation during the assembly process, while the overall assembly remains straightforward due to the positioning guidance provided by the positioning member.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2163462B1Device and method for installing a rear tailgate in the rear opening of an automobile
Publication Date: 2011.01.19 PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP2163462B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2163462B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7

AI summary

The device has a strike plate liner (8) with a rigid base (10) fixed in a detachable manner on a lower edge (9) of a rear opening (2) with the help of indexing holes (11, 12) and fingers (13). The fingers extend in a direction perpendicular to a fixation direction of the base on the lower edge of the rear opening. The fingers are engaged without clearance in a hole (14) formed near a lower edge of a rear shutter (1), to define a predetermined geometrical position of the rear shutter with respect to a body shell of the vehicle. An independent claim is also included for a method for mounting a rear shutter of a motor vehicle in a rear opening of a body shell of the vehicle.