Lateral Latching Lug for Vehicle Fairing Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cladding elements for motor vehicles, such as aerodynamic deflectors, face issues with insufficient clip forces under mechanical and thermal loads, leading to deformation and unintended unclipping due to reduced form fit.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an additional lateral latching function through a lateral latching lug that hooks onto the external add-on part, providing increased resistance to mechanical stress and maintaining the latching connection even when the locking element deforms, ensuring secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single locking element is used to attach the cladding element to the external add-on part, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of the latching connection is insufficient under mechanical and thermal loads
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into two distinct functional elements: a primary locking element for initial attachment and a lateral locking element for securing against displacement. This segmentation allows each element to specialize in one aspect of locking, improving overall reliability without requiring complete redesign of the entire attachment system.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a single-dimensional locking approach to a two-dimensional locking system by adding the lateral locking element that operates in a different spatial dimension. The primary locking element handles the main attachment direction while the lateral locking element provides restraint in the lateral direction, creating a more robust multi-directional locking connection.
2Strength
If the locking element is made rigid to resist mechanical stress, then the strength is high, but the deformation resistance under thermal effects is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism utilizes parameter changes in the lateral locking element's geometry and material properties to adapt to thermal deformation. The lateral locking element is designed with specific flexibility parameters that allow it to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction while maintaining its locking function, thereby preserving form fit under thermal effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral locking element acts as a pre-prepared cushioning mechanism that compensates for potential form fit loss due to thermal deformation. By having this secondary locking mechanism in place beforehand, the system can absorb and compensate for dimensional changes caused by temperature variations without compromising the overall latching reliability.
3Force
If the locking element is designed with large locking surface area, then the clip force is high, but the resistance to lateral displacement is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is segmented into two independent elements: the primary locking element with large surface area for generating high clip force in the main attachment direction, and the lateral locking element specifically designed for preventing lateral displacement. This segmentation allows each element to optimize its geometry for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the locking mechanism have different local qualities optimized for their specific functions. The primary locking element features a large contact surface area for maximum clip force, while the lateral locking element has a geometry optimized for lateral restraint. Each local region of the locking system has properties tailored to its specific mechanical requirement.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4c
AI summary
The invention relates to a fairing element (3) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a plastic flat main member (4) and at least one locking element (5) which is molded onto the main member (4), preferably as an integral part thereof, is used for establishing a locking connection between the main member (4) and an exterior attachment piece (2) on the motor vehicle, and faces away from the flat main member (4), characterized in that an additional lateral locking element (6), which allows the locking element (5) to be also laterally locked to the exterior attachment piece (2), is molded onto the locking element (5). preferably as an integral part thereof.