Hood Release Lever Mounting Structure for Tool-Free Panel Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hood release lever assemblies for vehicles are inefficient to mount on vehicle interior panels without tools, requiring complex assembly sequences and excessive force, leading to potential faulty installations due to visual verification and narrow gripping surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A hood release lever assembly with a bracket and hooked rib design that allows for one-directional assembly by rotating around the interior panel, utilizing a retention clip and torsion spring for secure mounting without tools, ensuring accurate and efficient assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the bracket is mounted using upper and lower clips with visual verification, then the mounting reliability can be checked, but the assembly time increases and worker efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting reliabilityVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The hooked rib structure enables self-verification of mounting status through its own deformation. When the bracket is correctly mounted, the hooked rib naturally deforms and engages with the panel opening, providing automatic visual confirmation without requiring separate verification steps. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for workers to spend additional time checking mounting reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Strength

If external force is applied to seat the upper clip in the opening, then the bracket can be fixed to the panel, but the mounting process becomes complex and requires excessive force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening forceVSAvoidmounting ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hooked rib is designed as a dynamic elastic component that automatically adjusts its shape during mounting. As the bracket is pushed toward the panel, the hooked rib elastically deforms to pass through the opening and then snaps into the engaged position, providing the necessary fastening force automatically without requiring the worker to apply excessive external force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hooked rib structure provides self-fastening capability through its elastic deformation. The rib naturally generates the engagement force needed to secure the bracket to the panel by deforming as it passes through the opening and then locking into place, eliminating the need for workers to apply additional external fastening force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If the bracket is pushed upwardly along the panel, then the clips can be seated, but the gripping surface area is narrow causing excessive pressure on fingers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly processVSAvoidpressure on fingers

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The hooked rib transforms the mounting action from a linear push requiring finger pressure to a rotational motion. The rib pivots on the panel surface, using its own structure as a fulcrum, which allows the worker to apply force more effectively and reduces pressure on fingers by distributing the force through the rotational movement rather than direct compression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Strength

If the lower clip is seated on the engagement shoulder, then the bracket is fixed, but reaction force interferes with seating the upper clip

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening strengthVSAvoidassembly sequence

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hooked rib combines the functions of both upper and lower clipping mechanisms into a single integrated structure. Instead of having separate upper and lower clips that interfere with each other, the hooked rib performs both engagement functions simultaneously through its continuous elastic deformation, eliminating the interference caused by sequential seating of multiple clips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Facilitates quick and tool-free assembly of the hood release lever on vehicle interior panels, reducing assembly time and cost while preventing incorrect mounting through guided snap-fitting mechanisms, enhancing worker safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a retention clip (22) protruding from the bracket body (21)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a retention clip and torsion spring for secure mounting

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorsion spring mechanism: Torsion Spring

Implementation Method 3

the hooked rib is allowed to rotate around the bottom end of a mounting wall (3) of a front interior panel (1)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational movement:

Data Source

PatentUS11851916B2Hood release lever assembly and mounting structure thereof

Publication Date: 2023.12.26 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

In an embodiment a hood release lever assembly includes a bracket and a hood release lever pivotally connected to the bracket, wherein the bracket includes a bracket body, a retention clip protruding from the bracket body, and a hooked rib located at a bottom end of the bracket body and wherein a free end of the hooked rib faces the retention clip.