Panel Standoff and Stopper Hole Design for Injection Molding

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing paneling manufacturing process in injection molding is complicated due to the need for multiple slides to form attachment features extended in different directions, leading to impractical production processes.

Innovation Solution

A panel design featuring a standoff with a wall extended in the height direction and a stopper hole, where a single slide with a projection and barrier is used to inject molding material, forming the standoff and stopper hole, allowing multiple attachment features to be created from a single slide.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple slides are used to form attachment features extended in different directions, then the manufacturing precision and completeness of attachment features are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing process complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment feature formationVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple attachment feature formation operations into a single slide by creating a multi-cavity mold structure. The single slide includes multiple cavities that can form different attachment features (such as standoffs, clips, and other mounting elements) in different directions simultaneously during one injection molding cycle, eliminating the need for multiple separate slides and operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single slide is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple attachment feature formation tasks. The slide includes various cavity configurations that can produce different types of attachment features with varying geometries and orientations, making a single device capable of replacing multiple specialized slides.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple slides are used to form attachment features, then all required attachment features can be created, but the productivity decreases due to the complicated manufacturing process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment feature formationVSAvoidpanel production

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple attachment feature formation operations into a single injection molding cycle using one slide with multiple cavities. This allows all required attachment features to be formed simultaneously in one operation, significantly reducing production time and increasing productivity compared to sequential operations with multiple slides.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single slide design enables continuous formation of all attachment features in one uninterrupted injection molding cycle. The molding material is injected once and distributes to multiple cavities simultaneously, maintaining continuous productive action rather than requiring multiple sequential operations with potential downtime between steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If a single slide is used to form multiple attachment features, then the manufacturing process complexity is reduced, but the difficulty of forming attachment features in different directions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing processVSAvoidattachment feature formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The single slide is segmented into multiple independent cavities, each designed to form specific attachment features in particular directions. This segmentation allows each cavity to be optimized for its specific function while being integrated into a single slide structure, making the formation of multi-directional attachment features manageable through modular cavity design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes three-dimensional cavity arrangements within the single slide to accommodate attachment features extending in different directions. By organizing cavities in multiple spatial dimensions and orientations within the single slide structure, the design achieves multi-directional feature formation without requiring multiple separate slides.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11584462B2Panel standoff and stopper hole

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A panel includes a standoff formed from a wall extended in a height direction from an exterior surface of the panel. The wall is formed from a first wall section and a second wall section that is offset from the first wall section in a lateral direction of the panel along the exterior surface of the panel. A stopper hole is defined in the panel and extended in the height direction, in parallel with the first wall section and the second wall section, from the exterior surface of the panel. The stopper hole receives a stopper. The stopper hole is interposed between and separates the first wall section and the second wall section along the exterior surface of the panel, or is offset from the wall of the standoff in the lateral direction of the panel along the exterior surface of the panel.