Hinged Retainer for Articulating Vehicle Interior Substrates
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The curvature within vehicle interiors creates variable distances between substrates to be attached, making it challenging to use a one-size fits all fastener-retainer system for effective attachment.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle interior substrate attachment system featuring a fastener coupled to a roof substrate with a retainer that includes a base, a body, and an engagement platform with a hinge feature allowing the platform to articulate between different positions, enabling secure attachment of substrates at varying distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a one-size fits all fastener-retainer system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to varying distances between substrates deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer incorporates a hinge feature that enables the engagement platform to dynamically articulate between multiple positions (first, second, and third positions). This dynamic mechanism allows the retainer to adapt to varying distances between substrates while maintaining a relatively simple overall system design, as the articulation is achieved through a flexible portion rather than complex adjustable mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If a rigid fixed-position retainer is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation for accommodating curvature deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer incorporates a flexible portion (hinge feature) that allows the engagement platform to articulate between multiple positions. This flexible element enables the retainer to accommodate curvature and varying distances between substrates during installation, while the overall retainer structure maintains manufacturing precision through its defined base, body, and engagement platform geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle interior substrate attachment system is provided herein. The vehicle interior substrate attachment system includes a fastener coupled to a roof substrate. A retainer is coupled to the fastener and includes a base, a body extending from the base, and an engagement platform defining a receiver to receive the fastener coupled to the body by a hinge feature. The hinge feature is configured to articulate such that the engagement platform is operable between a first position and a second position that is further from the base than the first position. A liner substrate is coupled to the base of the retainer.