Floating Locating Pin Positioning for Damage-Free Body Bore Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing positioning devices for vehicle body components with locating bores often damage the components during the positioning process, leading to dimensional inaccuracies and potential water ingress due to the use of rigid locating pins.

Innovation Solution

A positioning device with a locating pin having a conical end, mounted in a radially floating manner within a holding ring, which allows for accurate and repeated positioning of body components without significant damage, utilizing a two-stage design with a cylindrical pin portion and collar, and an internal taper for axial and radial movement, along with a locking pin for secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid locating pin is used for positioning body components, then the positioning stability is improved, but the locating bores and body components are damaged during positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoiddamage to locating bores

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locating pin is designed with a radially floating mounting that allows it to move dynamically between locked and unlocked positions. The pin can be locked in place during positioning to provide stability, then unlocked to move radially and avoid damaging the locating bore during component removal or repositioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the radial position parameter of the locating pin between two states: a locked position where the pin is fixed radially for stable positioning, and an unlocked position where the pin can move radially to clear the locating bore. This parameter change allows the same pin to serve both stability and damage prevention functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If locating pins are used multiple times for repeated positioning, then the productivity is improved, but the dimensional accuracy deteriorates due to bore widening and damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepeated positioning capabilityVSAvoiddimensional accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The radially floating locating pin can be unlocked to move radially after each positioning operation, preventing cumulative damage to the locating bore. This allows the same pin to be used repeatedly while maintaining dimensional accuracy, as the bore is not progressively widened by a rigid pin

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides beforehand protection by allowing the locating pin to move radially and clear the bore after positioning. This prevents the progressive damage that would otherwise occur with repeated use of rigid pins, cushioning against future dimensional inaccuracies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS11198201B2Positioning device

Publication Date: 2021.12.14 MAGNA STEYR FAHRZEUGTECHNIK AG & CO KG

AI summary

A positioning device to position, during in vehicle construction, a vehicle body component having at least one locating bore. The positioning device includes a locating pin having a conical end designed to be guided axially through a locating bore of the vehicle body component to centre and position the vehicle body component. The locating pin is mounted in a radially floating manner.