Vehicle Member Assembly Thermal Expansion Constraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle components face challenges in suppressing displacement in the vehicle lengthwise direction while allowing thermal expansion and contraction in the widthwise direction, leading to issues like uplift and compromised exterior appearance.
Innovation Solution
A member assembly comprising a first member with an engagement piece and a second member with an engaging portion and a hook, allowing movement in the widthwise direction while preventing movement in the lengthwise direction, with design features like engagement holes and pawls that accommodate thermal expansion and dimensional errors without additional components like bolts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a displacement margin is provided to accommodate dimensional errors, then dimensional error is eliminated, but thermal expansion causes uplift when the margin is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement structure is divided into two independent functional elements: the hook provides thermal expansion accommodation in the widthwise direction, while the engagement piece with engaged portion provides positional constraint in the lengthwise direction. This segmentation allows each element to specialize in one function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The hook allows movement in the widthwise direction (first direction) while constraining movement in the lengthwise direction (second direction). By differentiating the degrees of freedom in different spatial dimensions, the structure simultaneously accommodates thermal expansion and prevents uplift.
2Reliability
If the displacement margin is increased to prevent uplift, then thermal expansion is accommodated, but exterior appearance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement structure is divided into two independent functional elements: the hook provides thermal expansion accommodation in the widthwise direction, while the engagement piece with engaged portion provides positional constraint in the lengthwise direction. This segmentation allows each element to specialize in one function without compromising the other.
3Temperature
If a gap is provided between members to allow thermal expansion, then expansion and contraction are permitted, but displacement in the lengthwise direction occurs when external force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement structure is divided into two independent functional elements: the hook provides thermal expansion accommodation in the widthwise direction, while the engagement piece with engaged portion provides positional constraint in the lengthwise direction. This segmentation allows each element to specialize in one function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The hook allows movement in the widthwise direction (first direction) while constraining movement in the lengthwise direction (second direction). By differentiating the degrees of freedom in different spatial dimensions, the structure simultaneously accommodates thermal expansion and prevents uplift.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are used to achieve both constraints, then functional requirements are met, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hook and engagement piece are integrated into a single unified structure where the hook forms part of the engagement assembly. This merging eliminates the need for separate fastening components while maintaining both the thermal expansion accommodation and positional constraint functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the hook accommodates thermal expansion in the widthwise direction while the engagement piece with engaged portion constrains positional movement in the lengthwise direction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
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
The member assembly effectively suppresses displacement in the vehicle lengthwise direction while allowing expansion and contraction in the widthwise direction, enhancing the exterior appearance and enabling space-saving designs for vehicle components.
Implementation Method 1
When the displacement margin for the spoiler left-half member and the spoiler right-half member is a length corresponding to the dimensional error only, if a thermal expansion is applied to the dimensional error, the displacement margin becomes insufficient
Implementation Method 2
the second member includes an engaging portion to be engaged relative to the engaged portion, and a hook allowing a tip of the engagement piece to be inserted therein
Data Source
AI summary
A member assembly includes a first member and a second member joined to the first member. The first member includes an engagement piece provided with an engaged portion. The second member includes an engaging portion to be engaged relative to the engaged portion, and a hook allowing a tip of the engagement piece to be inserted therein. The hook permits the engagement piece to move in a direction intersecting with an inserting direction of the engagement piece. The engaging portion permits the engaged portion to move by a certain distance in the direction intersecting with the inserting direction of the engagement piece.