Hook-Projection Air-Directing Component for Tool-Free Vehicle Front End

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current air-directing components for motor vehicles, such as front spoilers, are difficult to install and remove efficiently, often requiring tools and multiple fastening elements, which increases time and cost.

Innovation Solution

An air-directing component with hook-shaped projections that can be easily installed by transverse displacement onto the vehicle's front end, engaging with recesses without the need for fastening elements like screws or clips, allowing for simple installation and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional fastening elements (screws, clips, rivets) are used to secure the air-directing component, then the component achieves reliable fixation, but the installation process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for separate fastening elements (screws, clips, rivets) by integrating the fastening function directly into the air-directing component through hook-shaped projections. These projections are formed as integral parts of the component itself, allowing direct engagement with recesses in the body front end without requiring additional fastening hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the structural body of the air-directing component with its fastening function by incorporating hook-shaped projections directly into the component. This combines what were previously separate elements (the main component and the fastening elements) into a single integrated unit, simplifying both the component structure and the installation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple fastening elements are used to secure the air-directing component, then the component achieves stable fixation, but the number of parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation stabilityVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the need for multiple separate fastening elements by integrating the fastening function into the air-directing component itself through hook-shaped projections. This reduces the total number of parts while maintaining fixation stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The air-directing component serves multiple functions: it provides the aerodynamic function as an air-directing element and simultaneously serves as its own fastening mechanism through the integrated hook-shaped projections. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate fastening components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If traditional installation methods with multiple steps are used, then the component achieves secure fixation, but installation time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation securityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the installation process into a single simple motion: pushing the air-directing component forward so that the hook-shaped projections engage with the recesses in the body front end. This eliminates multiple installation steps while maintaining secure fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hook-shaped projections are pre-formed as integral parts of the air-directing component during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows the component to be installed in a single motion without requiring additional fastening elements or complex assembly steps during installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If the air-directing component uses a complex fastening system, then the component achieves reliable attachment, but removal becomes difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidremoval ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional fastening approach: instead of using elements that require tools for removal (screws, clips, rivets), the hook-shaped projections are designed to be pushed forward for installation and can be easily removed by pulling the component outward. The same structural feature that provides secure attachment also enables easy removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS7883140B2Air-directing component and body front end of a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2011.02.08 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

An air-directing component (10) of a motor vehicle has an installation surface (18) that bears against an outer side (20) of the front end (12) of the motor vehicle. Hook-shaped projections (14.1, 14.2) protrude from the installation surface (18) and have dimensions which are matched to dimensions of the recesses (16.1, 16.2) in the front end (12) in such a manner that be pushed into recesses (16.1, 16.2) of a body front end (12) of the motor vehicle. Each projection (14.1, 14.2) reaches through the recess (16.1, 16.2) and engages behind an edge (26) of the recess (16.1, 16.2) on an inner side (28) of the front end (12). The shape and arrangement of the projections (14.1, 14.2) permit the projections (14.1, 14.2) to be pushed transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle into the recesses (16.1, 16.2).