Mudguard Attachment via Elastic Clips
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for fixing a mudguard to a motor vehicle's body face challenges such as poor fit due to the semi-rigid structure of the mudguard, leading to aesthetic and comfort issues, including vibrations and noise pollution, while also being complex and costly to implement.
Innovation Solution
A device with attachment points between the side outlet edge of the mudguard and the arched body edge, using elastically deformable fasteners or rivets, ensures a firm hold and prevents deformation, eliminating the need for additional flaps and simplifying the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the mudguard is attached using conventional fastening methods, then the attachment process is simple, but the mudguard deforms due to its semi-rigid structure leading to poor fit and aesthetic issues
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device is divided into multiple attachment points distributed along the mudguard perimeter, with each point containing independent fastening elements (clips or rivets). This segmentation allows localized adjustment and securing at critical positions without requiring a complex overall structure, thereby achieving precise fit while maintaining device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening elements are designed to be elastically deformable, allowing temporary changes in their physical state during installation. The elastic clips can be deformed to engage with the body and then return to their original shape to secure the mudguard, while rivets can be deformed during installation to create a permanent secure connection. This parameter change enables precise fitting without complex adjustment mechanisms.
2Stability of the object's composition
If additional flaps are added to prevent mudguard sagging, then the positioning stability improves, but the vehicle aesthetics are compromised due to visual flaws
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device incorporates preliminary support structures in the form of attachment points with fastening elements that are pre-positioned to counteract gravitational forces on the mudguard. The elastic clips are designed with built-in support geometry that prevents sagging from the outset, while rivets provide permanent structural support. This preliminary action eliminates the need for additional corrective flaps that would compromise aesthetics.
3Reliability
If the mudguard is securely attached to prevent deformation, then the vehicle appearance and passenger comfort improve, but the attachment device becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic clips are designed to be self-gripping, where the deformation and recovery of the elastic material automatically creates the securing force needed to hold the mudguard firmly in place. The clips self-adjust to the geometry of the attachment points and self-lock through their elastic memory, eliminating the need for additional locking mechanisms or complex adjustment devices. This self-service mechanism achieves high reliability while maintaining device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of elastically deformable fastening elements allows the attachment device to adapt its physical parameters (shape, stiffness) to match the geometry of the mudguard and body. This parameter adaptability enables reliable attachment to irregular surfaces without requiring precisely engineered complex structures, thereby achieving high reliability with simpler devices.
4Manufacturing precision
If conventional fastening methods are used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the attachment precision and aesthetic quality are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device uses multiple simple attachment points with standardized fastening elements (clips or rivets) that can be manufactured using conventional processes. Each attachment point is an independent, simple component that can be produced separately and assembled, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving precise attachment through the distributed arrangement of multiple points along the mudguard perimeter.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic clips can be manufactured using conventional molding or metal forming processes, with their elastic properties arising from the material selection and geometric design rather than complex assembly. The rivets can be installed using standard riveting equipment. These parameter-based solutions (material elasticity, geometric configuration) enable precise attachment without requiring sophisticated manufacturing processes.
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 solution provides a secure, aesthetically pleasing attachment that reduces noise pollution and maintains the vehicle's aerodynamics, while being cost-effective and easy to manufacture, thus addressing the challenges of fit and cost in existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
at least one fastener (54), in particular an elastically deformable fastener, is used to attach the first tab (11) to the second tab (12)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~7
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for attaching a mudguard (2) to the body (1) of a motor vehicle at a plurality of fastening points. The body (1) forms a wheelhouse accommodating the mudguard (2) and defined by an arched body edge (6) to which a wing of the vehicle is intended for being attached. The mudguard (2) is generally dome-shaped and includes a side opening (8). The fastening points of the attachment device comprise attachment points (9a, 9b) between the edge (8') of the side opening (8) of the mudguard (2) and the arched body edge (6).