Integrated Front Part Assembly for Lightweight Rigid Mobility Hoods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hood structures for vehicles are difficult to apply to environment-friendly vehicles due to increased weight and manufacturing costs, and they lack the necessary rigidity to withstand collisions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A front part assembly for a mobility device where a hood, a bumper, and a fender are integrated into a single component, made from plastic materials through injection molding, with the hood being rotatably connected to the bumper to open and close an internal space, and the inner panel of the hood being made of a rigid material to increase overall rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional hood structure with brackets and hinges is used, then the hood can be opened and closed, but the weight increases and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hood, bumper, and fender into a single integrated component made of plastic material. This eliminates the need for separate brackets and hinges, reducing weight while maintaining the opening and closing function through the integrated design where the hood portion is hinged to the bumper portion at the front end.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical system of separate metal brackets and hinges with an integrated plastic structure. The hinge function is built into the integrated component design rather than being a separate mechanical assembly, reducing weight and simplifying the structure.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional hood structure with brackets and hinges is used, then the hood can be opened and closed, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple components (hood, bumper, fender) into a single integrated component that can be manufactured as one piece using injection molding. This eliminates the need for separate manufacturing processes and assembly operations for brackets and hinges, reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal (steel plate) to plastic, enabling injection molding manufacturing. This manufacturing method allows for cost-effective production of complex integrated shapes without requiring separate metal forming operations and assembly steps.
3Strength
If a steel plate hood is used, then the hood has sufficient rigidity, but the structure is difficult to change and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses plastic material with reinforcement structures (such as ribs or stiffening elements) to achieve the necessary rigidity. The integrated design allows for optimized material distribution that provides structural strength where needed while minimizing weight, unlike solid steel plate construction.
4Strength
If a steel plate hood with brackets is used, then the hood has sufficient rigidity, but the structure is difficult to change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material from metal to plastic, enabling more flexible design iterations and structural modifications. The integrated plastic structure can be more easily redesigned and retooled for different configurations compared to welded metal bracket assemblies.
5Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional hood strongly engaged with hood latch is used, then the hood remains closed, but a large impact is applied to the vehicle when closing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material from metal to plastic, which has different mechanical properties including more favorable impact absorption characteristics. The plastic material can deform slightly to absorb closing impact energy, reducing the shock transmitted to the vehicle structure while still maintaining secure closure through the latch mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A front part assembly for a mobility device, a front-part-integrated assembly including the same, and a process of assembling the same are disclosed. The front part assembly includes a bumper, a fender, and a hood, which are integrally formed, wherein the bumper and the fender are connected to each other to define an internal space therebetween, and the hood is rotatably connected at a front end thereof to the bumper such that a rear end of the hood is rotated vertically to open and close the internal space. The front-part-integrated mobility device includes the front part assembly and a frame, which is coupled to the front part assembly and is coupled to a cowl and a rear fender. The method includes rotating the hood to open the internal space, coupling the front part assembly to the frame, and rotating the hood to close the internal space.