Vehicle Multibracket Spring-Clip Assembly With Blind Fit Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Assemblers face challenges in confirming the correct connection of multibrackets to vehicle frames without visual feedback, and securing them in multiple directions, particularly along the longitudinal and vertical axes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving a multibracket with a trough and spring clips that interact with pins on the vehicle frame, providing haptic feedback and securing the multibracket in multiple directions through biased engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If blind assembly is used to connect multibracket to vehicle frame, then assembly process can be simplified, but assembler cannot confirm correct connection
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clip provides tactile feedback to the assembler during assembly. When the multibracket is correctly positioned and the spring clip engages with the pin, the assembler can feel the engagement through the spring mechanism, confirming proper assembly without visual inspection. This feedback loop resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple blind assembly procedures while providing sensory confirmation of correct connection.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multibracket is fixed along x-axis (longitudinal direction), then displacement is prevented, but positioning along z-axis (vertical direction) is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into separate functional components: the spring clip handles x-axis fixation through lateral engagement with the pin, while the pin structure itself (extending distally from the vehicle frame) provides z-axis positioning reference. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one directional function, resolving the contradiction between longitudinal stability and vertical positioning precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the fixation mechanism to a different dimensional approach. Instead of trying to achieve both x-axis and z-axis control through a single rigid connection, the spring clip engages the pin in a lateral dimension (x-axis) while the pin's distal extension from the frame provides the z-axis positioning reference. This dimensional separation resolves the trade-off between longitudinal stability and vertical positioning.
3Strength
If spring clip extends around pin, then connection is secured, but interaction between multibracket and pin is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lip is extracted from a full circular extension around the pin. Instead of the spring clip forming a complete loop around the pin, the lip is positioned only at the end section to provide targeted engagement. This extraction maintains sufficient connection security through the lip's engagement with the pin while preserving better interaction between the multibracket and pin by avoiding excessive constraint from full circumferential contact.
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
Ensures correct assembly with haptic feedback and secure fixation of the multibracket in multiple directions, enhancing assembly confidence and stability.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring clip extending into the trough... a lip on the at least one spring clip is biased against the at least one pin proximally of the pin head
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A system for connecting a multibracket (100) to a vehicle frame (200) is provided. The multibracket (100) comprises a trough (101) to be placed across the vehicle frame (200) and at least one spring clip (102) extending into the trough (101). The vehicle frame (200) comprises at least one pin (201) extending distally from the vehicle frame (200), said at least one pin (201) extending along a pin axis (P), and said at least one pin (201) comprising a pin head (202) at a distal end thereof. The multibracket (100) is adapted to be placed across the vehicle frame (200), such that the at least one pin (201) extends into the trough (101) to cooperate with the at least one spring clip (102), such that a lip (103) on the at least one spring clip (102) is biased against the at least one pin (201) proximally of the pin head (202).