Vehicle Grille Retention via Resilient Deflectable Support Tab
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive grille designs face challenges in maintaining secure installation without requiring excessive ergonomic effort, as increased rigidity to prevent disengagement often leads to higher installation forces that are not ergonomically sound.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle grille with a resiliently deflectable support means and reinforcing elements, such as a tab with a reinforcing rib, that engages with the bumper cover nail only in a fully installed position, providing increased retention strength without altering installation resistance, thus allowing for ergonomic installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigidity of retaining members is increased to prevent unintentional disengagement, then retention reliability is improved, but installation force increases making installation non-ergonomic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the retaining member by introducing a resilient (flexible) portion that can deflect during installation. This resilient portion has different mechanical properties than rigid retainers - it can elastically deform under installation force and then maintain retention after installation, resolving the contradiction between ease of installation and retention reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining member transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic resilient structure that can adapt its rigidity based on operational state. During installation, the resilient portion is flexible and can deflect to accommodate installation force. After installation, it maintains sufficient rigidity to prevent disengagement, thus providing dynamic adaptation to different operational requirements
2Strength
If retention strength is increased to prevent disengagement under external forces, then reliability is improved, but installation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the mechanical parameters of the retaining member by incorporating a resilient portion with specific elasticity characteristics. This allows the member to exhibit different strength characteristics during installation versus during operation - flexible during installation for ease of operation, but strong during operation for reliable retention
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient portion acts as a cushioning element that absorbs installation forces through elastic deformation. This beforehand cushioning capability protects the rigid portions of the retaining structure from damage during installation while still allowing strong retention after installation is complete
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 solution ensures secure retention of the grille without increasing installation force, allowing for ergonomic installation and preventing unintentional disengagement, while maintaining the desired level of rigidity through the use of a resiliently deflectable tab and reinforcing rib.
Implementation Method 1
The support means may be resiliently deflectable about its proximal end and biased toward the bumper cover nail
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~3B
AI summary
A vehicle grille 2 is provided. The vehicle grille includes a first locking means configured to engage with a portion of a bumper clip, a second locking means configured to engage with a portion of a bumper cover nail 3 to retain the vehicle grille in an installed position, and a support means 5 configured to engage with the bumper cover nail to prevent disengagement of the second locking means.