Vehicle Hatch Optical Component Mounting With Acoustic Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The industry faces challenges in achieving precise and repeatable positioning of front optical assembly components on a motor vehicle hood, avoiding interference with the hood's cover, and ensuring correct installation during mounting, while also protecting components during transportation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a covering element that is coupled to the optical assembly component in a releasable manner, allowing for precise positioning and centring on the hood when open, using snap-fit flaps and prismatic elements for acoustic feedback on correct alignment, and protecting the components during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the first portions are manually positioned and centred on the hood in the open position, then the positioning precision can be achieved, but the mounting time increases and repeatability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A covering element is introduced as an intermediary tool that carries the first portions and provides reference elements for automatic positioning. The covering element includes extractors that enable easy removal after positioning, solving the contradiction by mediating between the component and the hood during the mounting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical positioning operation is replaced by an acoustic feedback system. When reference elements of the covering element engage with the hood, they generate a characteristic acoustic signal that objectively indicates correct positioning, eliminating the need for manual measurement and visual verification.
2Manufacturing precision
If visual verification is used to confirm correct installation, then the positioning accuracy can be verified, but the mounting process becomes slower and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Visual verification is replaced by acoustic feedback. The engagement between reference elements and the hood generates a characteristic sound that objectively confirms correct positioning, eliminating the need for visual inspection and speeding up the mounting process.
Solution Approach 2:
An objective feedback mechanism is introduced through acoustic signals. When the reference elements correctly engage with the hood, they produce a characteristic sound that provides immediate feedback to the operator, confirming correct positioning without requiring visual verification.
3Reliability
If the first portions are protected during transportation, then component damage is prevented, but the mounting complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function and the positioning function are merged into a single covering element. The covering element protects the first portions during transportation and also provides reference elements for automatic positioning, eliminating the need for separate protective measures and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The covering element is designed with multi-functionality: it protects components during transport, provides reference elements for positioning, and includes extractors for easy removal. This universal design solves multiple problems with a single element, reducing overall system complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If the mounting method provides objective indication of correct installation, then positioning accuracy is ensured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Complex measurement and verification systems are replaced by a simple acoustic feedback mechanism. The engagement of reference elements with the hood generates a characteristic sound that objectively indicates correct positioning, achieving high precision without increasing device complexity.
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 method ensures accurate, repeatable, and rapid mounting of optical assembly components, reduces errors, and protects components during transport, while providing an objective acoustic indication of correct installation without visual verification.
Implementation Method 1
the flaps can elastically be spread from the covering element
Implementation Method 2
generating the noise representing that this condition is reached
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7
AI summary
A method to mount a first component (8) of an operating assembly (9), in particular a first portion (8) of an optical assembly (9), on a hatch (3) movable relative to a frame (2) of a motor vehicle (1) between a close position and an open position; the method comprises the steps of: i) connecting a covering element (25) to the first component (8) in a releasable manner so as to form an assembly (24); ii) placing the hatch (3) in the open position relative to the frame (2) of the motor vehicle (1); iii) placing the covering element (25) in a reference position relative to a seat (14) of the hatch (3) designed to house the first component (8), so as to place the first portion (8) in a given position relative to the hatch (3) and to the seat (14); iv) fixing the first component (8) to the hatch (3); and v) removing the covering element (25) from the first component (8).