Motor Vehicle Hood Panel Fixing With Self-Aligning Register Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hoods for motor vehicles face challenges in fixing aesthetic panels with precision and complexity, particularly when covering central areas, which affects commercial success due to aesthetic constraints.
Innovation Solution
A hood design featuring a framework base with integrated fixing devices, including a base element and a register element with translational and rotational degrees of freedom, allows for precise and simple attachment of carbon fiber panels using a screw-nut mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If operators manually fix panels to the hood framework, then the panels can be attached to the hood, but the fixing process becomes complex and time-consuming due to the need for precise positioning and aesthetic constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The framework base is pre-equipped with fixing devices at predetermined positions during manufacturing. These devices include registration elements with locating features that are already in place before the panel installation, eliminating the need for complex positioning operations during assembly and ensuring precise alignment automatically
Solution Approach 2:
A fixing device acts as an intermediary between the framework base and the panel. This device includes a base element that attaches to the framework and a registration element that interfaces with the panel, simplifying the connection process while ensuring precise positioning through integrated locating features
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional fixing methods are used for carbon fiber panels, then the panels can be attached, but the operational complexity increases and assembly time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device is designed to be self-aligning through its registration element with locating features. When the panel is placed on the framework, the registration element automatically positions itself correctly without requiring complex adjustment operations by operators, making the attachment process intuitive and fast
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing devices are pre-installed on the framework base at the correct positions and orientations during framework manufacturing. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming positioning and alignment operations during panel installation, significantly reducing assembly time
Data Source
AI summary
A hood for a motor vehicle includes a framework base having a length extension along a first axis and a width extension along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, a covering panel for at least partially covering a portion of the framework base, and fixing means for fixing the covering panel to said portion, such that the covering panel at least partially covers the portion, the fixing means being provided with a base element carried by the covering panel in a fixed position relative to the covering panel, and a register element coupled to the base element in a movable manner along a third axis transverse to a plane comprising the first and the second axis, wherein the register element has an end that is farther from the base element along the third axis and faces the framework base, the end being adapted to abut against the framework base along the third axis.