Anti-Flutter Brackets with Energy Absorption for Hood Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vibrations in vehicle front hood assemblies cause noise due to the connection of multiple panels, which existing designs fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an anti-flutter bracket with a softer energy absorption material between the outer and inner hood panels, allowing independent movement and thermal expansion compensation, connected via a bracket body with adhesive or fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple panels are connected to form the hood assembly, then the structural complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but vibrations and noise are generated during vehicle operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an anti-flutter bracket as an intermediary component between the inner hood panel and outer hood panel. This bracket includes an energy absorption material that acts as a mediator to reduce vibrations and noise generated by the connection between multiple panels, while still allowing the panels to be connected for ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-flutter bracket incorporates composite material construction, combining a bracket body with an energy absorption material that has different mechanical properties. This composite structure allows the bracket to both support the panel connection and absorb vibration energy, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and noise reduction.
2Strength
If rigid connection is used between inner and outer hood panels, then structural strength is improved, but vibration and noise increase during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the connection system have different properties. The bracket body provides rigid structural support for strength, while the energy absorption material portion provides vibration damping. This localized differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between structural strength and vibration reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-flutter bracket uses composite materials with different mechanical characteristics - a rigid bracket body for structural strength and a softer energy absorption material for vibration damping. This composite construction allows simultaneous achievement of both strength and noise reduction.
3Stability of the object's composition
If thermal expansion is prevented between hood panels, then dimensional stability is improved, but stress and deformation increase due to thermal constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by allowing the hood panels to move relative to each other through the anti-flutter bracket. The energy absorption material enables controlled movement and thermal expansion, converting the static constraint problem into a dynamic solution that accommodates thermal changes while maintaining overall dimensional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the connection system by introducing an energy absorption material with specific mechanical properties. This material allows controlled deformation and movement under thermal stress, changing the rigid constraint into a flexible connection that accommodates thermal expansion while maintaining stability.
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
Reduces vibrations and associated noise by effectively absorbing energy and accommodating thermal expansion differences between panels.
Implementation Method 1
an energy absorption material that is softer than the bracket body located between the outer hood panel and a first flat area of the bracket body
Implementation Method 2
an energy absorption material that is softer than the bracket body... allowing independent movement and thermal expansion compensation
Data Source
AI summary
A hood assembly for a vehicle including a hood inner panel and an outer hood panel connected to the hood inner panel. An anti-flutter bracket includes a bracket body and an energy absorption material that is softer than the bracket body located between the outer hood panel and a first flat area of the bracket body that extends parallel to the outer hood panel.