Vehicle Panel Positioning Jig for Centered Equipment Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive equipment mounting on vehicle panels often faces challenges in achieving correct positioning and centering within openings, leading to potential misalignment and difficulties in attachment processes like screwing.
Innovation Solution
A positioning apparatus with a central body, peripheral rim, and flexible retaining members that cooperate with the opening edges to center and securely attach the equipment, allowing for adjustable width and shape to prevent misalignment, and reversible snap-fit means for easy installation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional mounting methods are used without positioning apparatus, then the mounting process is simple, but misalignment and centering difficulties occur leading to severe dissymmetry of placement
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning apparatus serves as an intermediary tool between the operator and the automotive equipment during mounting. It includes a central body with a recess to receive the equipment, a peripheral rim to cooperate with the opening edge for centering, and flexible retaining members with snap-fit means to attach to the panel. This intermediary device ensures precise positioning and centering of the equipment within the opening while maintaining a relatively simple mounting process through reversible attachment.
2Ease of operation
If the equipment is held manually during screwing, then alignment can be achieved, but the operation becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning apparatus enables self-service during the screwing operation. The peripheral rim with flexible retaining members automatically maintains the equipment in correct alignment with the opening, allowing screw holes to be properly aligned without manual holding. The snap-fit attachment mechanism holds the equipment in place during the entire screwing process, making the operation easier while preserving alignment precision.
3Strength
If the positioning apparatus uses rigid retaining members, then strong attachment is achieved, but insertion and removal become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining members utilize parameter changes in the form of reversible snap-fit means. These flexible retaining members can elastically deform during insertion to pass through the opening edge, then snap into a locked position providing strong attachment. For removal, the snap-fit mechanism allows easy disengagement by applying minimal force to reverse the snapping action, thus achieving both strong attachment and ease of insertion/removal.
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 alignment and secure attachment of automotive equipment within vehicle panel openings, ensuring regular play and preventing severe dissymmetry, thereby simplifying the mounting process and allowing for screwing without manual holding.
Implementation Method 1
at least two flexible retaining members arranged on the peripheral rim, each retaining member being configured to cooperate with an edge of the opening so that the positioning apparatus can be removably attached to the automotive vehicle panel
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is directed to a positioning apparatus (30) for positioning an automotive equipment intended to be inserted in an opening defined in an automotive vehicle panel (10), the positioning apparatus (30) comprising: - a central body (31) comprising a recess (32) intended to receive said automotive equipment (22), - a peripheral rim (33) projecting from the central body (31), configured to cooperate with an edge (12E) of the opening (12) and to centre, within the opening, the automotive equipment that is inserted in the recess (32), and - at least two flexible retaining members (34) arranged on the peripheral rim (33), each retaining member (34) being configured to cooperate with an edge (12E) of the opening (12) so that the positioning apparatus (30) can be removably attached to the automotive vehicle panel.