Flexible Stop Tab for Temporary Vehicle Door Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temporary door closing devices for vehicles require labor-intensive screwing and disassembly, leading to increased assembly costs and time, and may not provide reliable restraint during painting and assembly operations.
Innovation Solution
A temporary closing device with a flexible upper rear stop tab that can deform elastically to allow opening and closing, featuring a retracted and active functional position, and automatic locking mechanisms to secure the stop tab in place, reducing assembly time and improving resistance to forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screwing and disassembly operations are used to install and remove temporary closing devices, then the device can be securely fixed on the support element, but assembly time and labor costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing mechanism changes from threaded screws to a press-fit system with elastic deformation. The fixation pins are inserted into corresponding holes and held in place by elastic retention, eliminating the need for threading operations and significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The screwing operation is completely removed from the assembly process. Instead of using screws that require threading, the device uses pre-formed holes with elastic retention mechanisms that hold the fixation pins through purely mechanical insertion and elastic deformation, eliminating the time-consuming screwing step.
2Ease of operation
If a flexible stop tab is used to allow opening and closing movements, then the device provides operational flexibility, but the retaining force may be insufficient under certain conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The stop tab is designed as a flexible, movable component that can dynamically adjust its position. It features two operational states: a retracted position for opening/closing movements and an active functional position for providing retaining force. The tab can be manually moved between these positions using control means, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible stop tab is positioned to preemptively engage with the opening element before unwanted movement occurs. By being pre-positioned in the active functional state, it provides immediate retaining force to prevent the opening element from moving unintentionally, while still allowing controlled movement when needed.
3Reliability
If the stop tab remains in a fixed active position, then reliable restraint is provided, but the device cannot accommodate opening and closing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The stop tab transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic movable position. It can be shifted between a retracted state that allows opening/closing operations and an active functional state that provides reliable restraint. This dynamic capability enables the same component to fulfill multiple functions depending on its position.
Solution Approach 2:
The control means act as an intermediary mechanism to manage the stop tab's position. By providing a means to manually move the tab between retracted and active positions, the system mediates between the conflicting requirements of allowing movement versus providing restraint, giving the operator control over which function is active.
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 device allows for rapid assembly and disassembly, reduces labor costs, and provides reliable restraint during operations by dissociating retaining forces based on the direction of intervention, ensuring efficient use in automotive manufacturing and assembly processes.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible upper rear stop tab which is able to cooperate with a second portion of the opening element to retain it in its closed position, and which is able to deform elastically to release the opening element and allow it to pass to a so-called open position
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a temporary closure device (1) of an opening element on a support element, comprising a base (25) and an upper stop body (3) including stop means (31, 32) for blocking the opening element having a first fixed front lateral stop element (31) and a flexible upper rear stop tab (320) which is able to cooperate with a portion of the opening element to retain it in a closed position, and which is able to deform elastically to release the opening element and allow its passage to an open position, characterized in that the stop tab (320) is mounted movably between a lower retracted initial position and an upper active functional position in which it is able to cooperate with the opening.