Vehicle Operating Element Mounting for Automatic Tolerance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle operating element arrangements face challenges in maintaining a precisely defined actuation path due to large tolerances between the body and outer skin, leading to inconsistent operator experiences across different vehicles and potential irritation from varying actuation paths.
Innovation Solution
An operating element arrangement featuring an adjustment device with rotatable adjustment elements and a threaded mechanism allows for precise adjustment of the actuation path, using a combination of rotational movements and axial displacements to set a defined length, while ensuring simple and reproducible mounting processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an operating element is mounted directly to the body without adjustment mechanisms, then the mounting process is simple, but the actuation path cannot be precisely defined due to large tolerances between the body and outer skin
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment device incorporates an adjustable mechanism that allows the actuation path to be dynamically modified during mounting. The adjustment element can be rotated to change the position of the operating element along the actuation path, enabling precise definition of the actuation path length despite tolerances in the body and outer skin.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of the actuation path length by providing an adjustment mechanism that allows continuous or discrete modification of the actuation path. This enables the actuation path to be adapted to compensate for tolerance variations in the body structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If an adjustment mechanism is added to precisely define the actuation path, then the actuation path can be precisely defined, but the mounting process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment device incorporates an adjustable mechanism that allows the actuation path to be dynamically modified during mounting. The adjustment element can be rotated to change the position of the operating element along the actuation path, enabling precise definition of the actuation path length despite tolerances in the body and outer skin.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism is designed to be self-adjusting within a tolerance range. The spring element automatically compensates for small tolerance variations without requiring manual intervention, while still allowing operator adjustment when larger corrections are needed. This reduces the complexity of the mounting process while maintaining precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the actuation path is fixed without adjustment capability, then the device structure is simple, but operator experience varies across different vehicles due to tolerance variations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter of the actuation path length by providing an adjustment mechanism that allows continuous or discrete modification of the actuation path. This enables the actuation path to be adapted to compensate for tolerance variations in the body structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment device serves multiple functions: it provides a fixed mounting structure, allows for adjustment of the actuation path, and compensates for tolerance variations. This multi-functionality ensures consistent operator experience across different vehicles while managing device complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If a complex adjustment mechanism is used to accommodate large tolerances, then the actuation path can be precisely defined, but the mounting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is designed to be self-adjusting within a tolerance range. The spring element automatically compensates for small tolerance variations without requiring manual intervention, while still allowing operator adjustment when larger corrections are needed. This reduces the complexity of the mounting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element provides automatic compensation for small tolerance variations, which covers the majority of cases. This partial action (automatic compensation) handles most situations without requiring the full adjustment mechanism, thereby reducing mounting time while still achieving precise actuation path definition.
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 enables precise adjustment of the actuation path, ensuring consistent operator experiences across vehicles and simplifying the mounting process by accommodating large tolerances and allowing for reliable attachment of operating elements, thereby reducing operator irritation and improving installation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a second adjustment element (16) which is frictionally coupled to the first adjustment element (15)
Implementation Method 2
a threaded device (18) wherein the first adjustment element (15) is mounted so as to be rotatable
Data Source
AI summary
An operating element arrangement for a motor vehicle, with an operating element and an attachment device for connecting the operating element to a body of the motor vehicle. The operating element is mounted on the attachment device so as to be displaceable along an actuation path. An adjustment device for adjusting the actuation path has a first adjustment element, a second adjustment element frictionally coupled to the first adjustment element, an adjustment element end stop for limiting the actuation path and a threaded device. The first adjustment element is mounted so as to be rotatable over a first range of rotation angles and the second adjustment element over a second range of rotation angles about a common axis of rotation.