Movable Positioning Protrusion for Precise Adhesive Part Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Adhesive connections in industrial assembly processes, such as in the automotive sector, require precise alignment and are challenging to establish due to the irreversible nature of adhesive contacts, necessitating high attention or complex control methods during manual or automatic assembly.

Innovation Solution

A connection part with a leg-shaped positioning protrusion that can pivot or slide, initially protruding to maintain a predefined distance from the mating part, allowing precise positioning before retracting to enable secure adhesive bonding without hindering the connection process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If adhesive connections are used for industrial assembly, then the connection can be established in a simple manner without specific tools, but the connection part and mating part must be in precise relative position upon first contact, requiring high attention or complex control methods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of connection establishmentVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning protrusion performs preliminary positioning action before adhesive connection is established. It protrudes in the pre-assembly position to define the relative position between connection part and mating part, ensuring precise alignment is achieved before the adhesive bond becomes irreversible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning protrusion is designed to be movable rather than fixed. It can pivot or slide from a pre-assembly position (protruding) to an assembly position (retracted), allowing it to dynamically adapt its function: providing positioning guidance initially, then retracting to avoid interfering with the adhesive bonding process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If a positioning protrusion is added to prevent undesired contact, then positioning precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the movable connection mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning protrusion is merged with the connection part body as an integrated component rather than a separate auxiliary device. The movable connection mechanism is incorporated directly into the protrusion structure itself, eliminating the need for separate positioning devices and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning protrusion incorporates an elastically deformable section that acts as a flexible element. This allows the protrusion to move and retract through elastic deformation rather than requiring complex mechanical joints or actuators, significantly simplifying the movable connection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Manufacturing precision

If the positioning protrusion remains protruding during connection, then positioning is maintained, but it hinders the adhesive connection by preventing contact between connection surface and mating part

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning protrusion dynamically changes its position based on the assembly stage. In the pre-assembly position, it protrudes to maintain positioning accuracy. During the connection phase, it automatically retracts to allow the connection surfaces to contact and bond, thus resolving the conflict between positioning and connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning protrusion performs its positioning function as a preliminary action before connection. Once the mating part is in place and adhesive connection begins, the protrusion retracts to complete its temporary positioning task and clear the way for reliable adhesive bonding, ensuring both positioning accuracy and connection reliability are achieved at appropriate stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Facilitates precise and simple adhesive connections by preventing undesired contacts and ensuring stable, reliable bonding through the use of a movable positioning protrusion that secures in place once aligned, reducing the need for elaborate control methods and enhancing assembly efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one positioning protrusion is movably connected to the body portion... In a pre-assembly position the positioning protrusion at least partially protrudes with respect to the connection surface, and in an assembly position the positioning protrusion is flush with the connection surface or is retracted with respect to the connection surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Adhesive connections, for example adhesive connections comprising an adhesive tape, are often used... the connection surface is configured for being connected to a mating part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP4197747B1Connection part for an industrial assembly process, part connection and method for adhesively connecting a connection part and a mating part
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP4197747B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4197747B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4197747B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a connection part (10) having a body portion (12) and a connection surface (14) being arranged on the body portion (12). The connection surface (14) is configured for being connected to a mating part (34). Moreover, the connection part (10) has at least one positioning protrusion (20) being located at a distance (d) away from an edge of the connection surface (14) and being movably connected to the body portion (12). In a pre-assembly position, the positioning protrusion (20) at least partially protrudes with respect to the connection surface (14). In an assembly position, the positioning protrusion (20) is flush with the connection surface (14) or is retracted with respect to the connection surface (14). Furthermore, a part connection comprising such a connection part (10) and a mating part (34) is presented. Additionally, a method for adhesively connecting a connection part (10) and a mating part (34) is explained.