Vehicle Grille Surround Assembly for Uniform Chrome Plating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grille surrounds face issues with uneven chrome plating due to inadequate electrical current distribution, leading to structural degradation and corrosion, particularly when using adhesive connections or welding for mounting brackets.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating conductive members or electrically conductive adhesive to establish electrical connections between the body and mounting brackets, ensuring even distribution of electrical current during chrome plating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If adhesive is used to connect mounting brackets to the body, then manufacturing cost and ease of assembly are improved, but electrical current distribution deteriorates causing uneven chrome plating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces conductive members as intermediary elements between the adhesive connection and the chrome plating process. These conductive members bridge the electrical connection gap created by the non-conductive adhesive, allowing current to flow properly through the mounting brackets while the adhesive maintains the mechanical connection. This resolves the contradiction by adding a mediating component that addresses the electrical deficiency without removing the adhesive connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite connection system combining adhesive (for mechanical bonding) and conductive members (for electrical conduction). This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously achieve the benefits of adhesive bonding (ease of assembly, cost-effectiveness) and proper electrical current distribution (uniform chrome plating), resolving the contradiction through material combination.
2Manufacturing precision
If welding is used to connect mounting brackets to the body, then electrical current distribution is improved ensuring even chrome plating, but manufacturing cost and production time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the welding process (thermal/mechanical system) with an adhesive bonding system combined with conductive members (electrical system). Instead of using heat and pressure to create both mechanical and electrical connections through welding, the invention separates these functions: adhesive provides mechanical bonding while conductive members provide electrical connection. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming welding process while maintaining proper current distribution for uniform chrome plating.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional adhesive is used without conductive members, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to corrosion and structural failure
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive members serve as intermediary elements that prevent the harmful effect of poor electrical contact. By providing a dedicated electrical pathway between the mounting brackets and body, they prevent the corrosion and structural failure that would otherwise result from inadequate current distribution during chrome plating, while maintaining the ease of adhesive-based manufacturing.
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
Ensures even chrome plating distribution, preventing corrosion and structural failure by maintaining electrical continuity, thus enhancing the durability and aesthetic appeal of the grille surround.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of conductive members configured to electrically couple the plurality of mounting brackets to the body. Each conductive member extends in between the body and a respective mounting bracket and establishes an electrical connection therebetween
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of mounting brackets connected to the body via an electrically conductive adhesive. The electrically conductive adhesive is configured to evenly distribute electricity throughout the body and the plurality of mounting brackets during a chrome plating process
Implementation Method 3
the chrome plating is evenly distributed on the grille surround
Data Source
AI summary
A grille surround for a vehicle including a body, a plurality of mounting brackets connected to the body via an adhesive, and a plurality of conductive members configured to electrically couple the plurality of mounting brackets to the body. Each conductive member extends in between the body and a respective mounting bracket and establishes an electrical connection therebetween.