Vehicle Panel Mounting Clip Structure for Rattle-Free Attachment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clip systems for attaching a mounting panel to a vehicle body require multiple components, increasing manufacturing costs and operational complexity, and may lead to rattling and abnormal noise due to uneven thickness and vibration, especially when non-woven fabrics deteriorate.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece clip with a base and clamp portion, where the clamp portion includes resiliently deformable support portions that contact the body-side member over a significant length, ensuring stable attachment and reducing the need for separate components and adhesives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single clip is used to clamp the body directly, then the number of components is reduced, but the mounting stability deteriorates due to small contact areas of resilient claws
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp portion is segmented into multiple resilient claws (first resilient claw, second resilient claw, third resilient claw, fourth resilient claw) that contact the body at different locations. This segmentation distributes the contact points along the thickness direction, increasing the effective contact area and improving mounting stability while still using a single integrated clip structure.
2Reliability
If the load for inserting the body clip is increased to absorb thickness unevenness, then the coupling stability improves, but the work burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient claws are designed with elastic properties that allow them to dynamically adapt to the body's thickness variations. During insertion, the claws elastically deform to accommodate thickness unevenness without requiring excessive insertion force. After insertion, they maintain sufficient clamping force to ensure coupling stability, thus reducing work burden while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If non-woven fabric is adhered to the body clip surface, then the movement prevention function improves, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient claws themselves provide the movement prevention function through their elastic clamping action on the body. The claws inherently prevent relative movement between the clip and body without requiring additional materials like non-woven fabric. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate adhesive materials, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining the movement prevention function.
4Reliability
If the contact area of resilient claws is increased, then the mounting stability improves, but the clip structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient claws extend in the thickness direction of the body, utilizing the Z-dimension to increase contact area. Instead of expanding the contact area in the planar direction (X-Y plane), the claws are positioned at different depths along the thickness direction, effectively increasing contact area without complicating the overall clip structure. This dimensional approach maintains structural simplicity while improving mounting stability.
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 stable mounting without rattling, reduces manufacturing costs, and eliminates the need for additional materials like non-woven fabrics, ensuring reliable attachment and noise reduction.
Implementation Method 1
A support portion is formed on one of the first and second jaws and is positioned within the receiving space. The support portion is resiliently deformable and can apply a pressing force against the part of the second member in a direction toward the other of the first and second jaws during and after insertion of the part of the second member into the receiving space.
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect according to the present invention includes a base portion and a clamp portion. The base portion can be joined to a first member of a vehicle. The clamp portion is formed integrally with the base portion and can joined to a second member of the vehicle. The clamp portion includes a first jaw and a second jaw defining a receiving space therebetween. The receiving space can receive a part of the second member. A support portion is formed on one of the first and second jaws and is positioned within the receiving space. The support portion is resiliently deformable and can apply a pressing force against the part of the second member in a direction toward the other of the first and second jaws during and after insertion of the part of the second member into the receiving space.