Integrated Hood Latch Keeper for Vehicle Front Clip Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assembling vehicle front clips result in large variations in component alignment and spacing, leading to aesthetic and functional issues such as uneven gaps, increased opening/closing efforts, and misalignment, particularly with the hood latch, due to reliance on temporary fixtures and machined mounting locations.
Innovation Solution
A position-controlled front hood latch bracket with a bracket base and hood latch keeper features that allow slidable engagement of the latch base, enabling precise positioning and attachment to a positioning and reinforcement structure, eliminating the need for temporary fixtures and ensuring optimal alignment and function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If temporary fixtures and machined body mounting locations are used to position the hood latch, then the hood latch can be positioned, but large variations in alignment and fastening occur leading to nonuniform gaps and spacings
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle body structure itself provides the positioning function through the positioning and reinforcement structure with integrated hood latch keeper features, eliminating the need for external temporary fixtures. The hood latch assembly self-aligns through slidable engagement with the keeper features during assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning and reinforcement structure serves multiple functions: it reinforces the vehicle body structure, provides positioning reference features for component alignment, and integrates hood latch keeper features for latch positioning, replacing multiple separate fixtures with a single multi-functional structure
2Manufacturing precision
If temporary fixtures are used to set the hood latch position, then optimal positioning can be achieved, but the process requires additional fixtures for each vehicle built reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning and reinforcement structure is a permanent built-in feature of the vehicle body that performs the positioning function without requiring external temporary fixtures during assembly, enabling continuous production without fixture setup and teardown
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning and reinforcement structure is pre-installed on the vehicle body during manufacturing, with hood latch keeper features already in place to guide and position the hood latch assembly during final assembly, eliminating the need for temporary positioning fixtures
3Ease of manufacture
If machined body mounting locations are used for the hood latch, then the latch can be mounted, but large variations in alignment occur affecting aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The hood latch keeper features act as an intermediary element between the positioning and reinforcement structure and the hood latch assembly, providing precise geometric constraints that ensure uniform gaps and spacings while simplifying the mounting process
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning and reinforcement structure provides localized precision positioning features at the hood latch location through keeper features with specific geometries, while the rest of the vehicle body maintains its overall structural design without requiring extensive machining
4Device complexity
If the hood latch is not properly positioned, then assembly is simpler, but lateral forces on the striker increase leading to functional deficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The hood latch keeper features serve as intermediary positioning elements that guide the hood latch assembly into the correct position, ensuring proper alignment with the striker and minimizing lateral forces during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The slidable engagement mechanism allows the hood latch assembly to move dynamically during assembly to self-align with the striker position, then maintains a stable fixed position during operation to minimize lateral forces
Data Source
AI summary
A position-controlled front hood latch bracket for a vehicle includes a bracket base having a hood latch opening configured to receive a hood latch assembly having a latch base, the latch base having a perimeter and a plurality of locating apertures. The front hood latch bracket also includes a plurality of spaced-apart hood latch keeper features, the hood latch keeper features configured to receive and keep the perimeter of the latch base in slidable engagement with the bracket base while enabling a predetermined amount of movement of the latch base relative to the bracket base in a pre-assembly position. The bracket further includes a plurality of fastener apertures each configured to receive a fastener for detachably attaching the latch base to the bracket base, the locating apertures having a size and a location that exposes the fastener apertures in the preinstallation position regardless of the predetermined amount of movement.