Active Grille Shutter Pivot Fastening for Faster Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation and securing of pivot connections in active grille shut-off devices for motor vehicle front ends are complicated and time-consuming, increasing manufacturing time and costs.
Innovation Solution
A pivot connection system featuring a retaining bar and guides that allows for quick assembly, where the retaining bar is slid into guides to secure the pivot axis within a receiving recess, with an elastic tab preventing removal and a retaining flange for secure positioning, facilitating easy and rapid manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pivot connections are secured by screwing a plate to the support frame, then the pivot connection is reliable, but the installation process becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the complex screwing operation by separating the retention function from the positioning function. The retaining bar is designed to be inserted through guides and retained by an elastic tab, completely eliminating the need for screws and plates while maintaining secure pivot connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic tab on the retaining bar provides self-retention by automatically engaging with the support frame structure. The tab's elasticity allows it to deform during insertion and then lock into place, creating a self-securing mechanism that requires no additional fastening operations.
2Reliability
If pivot connections use a plate screwed to the support frame, then the pivot axis is secured, but the manufacturing time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the time-consuming screwing operation entirely by using a retaining bar with an elastic tab that secures the pivot axis through simple insertion and automatic engagement, reducing assembly time while maintaining secure retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical screwing system with a spring-based elastic tab mechanism. The elastic tab uses material elasticity rather than threaded fastening to achieve secure retention, fundamentally changing the retention mechanism to eliminate time-consuming operations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional pivot connections are used, then the structure is stable, but the assembly process is lengthy and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the complex multi-step assembly process by using a single retaining bar component with an elastic tab that performs both positioning and retention functions, eliminating the need for separate plates and screws and simplifying the entire assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the positioning and retention functions into a single retaining bar component. The bar simultaneously guides the pivot axis into position and secures it through the elastic tab, consolidating multiple functions into one simple assembly operation.
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
This solution simplifies the mounting process of the shut-off device, reducing manufacturing time and costs by allowing a single operation to form the pivot connection, which is particularly advantageous for large vehicles like trucks.
Implementation Method 1
a second end of the retaining bar has an elastic tab having a free end, said free end being intended to bear against the internal face of the insertion sidewall and to oppose the removal of said retaining bar through the insertion opening
Data Source
AI summary
A shut-off device including: a support frame with a front face and a rear face and having four sidewalls, a which is disposed within the support frame and is able to pivot about a pivot axis between a first, open, end position and a second, closed, end position, the flap being connected to the support frame by a pivot connection. The pivot connection has an open receiving recess disposed on one of the faces of the support frame and intended to receive the pivot axis of the flap, the shut-off device further including: a retaining bar which covers an aperture of the receiving recess and is intended to retain the pivot axis of the flap within the receiving recess, and two guides which are aligned and disposed so as to retain the retaining bar above the aperture of the receiving recess.