Center Pillar Upper Trim Slider-Knob Assembly With Low Joining Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing center pillar upper part trims require excessive force to join the knob to the slider due to the need for flexing low-height engaging catches, which can cause blanching and complicate member layouts with additional restriction members.
Innovation Solution
A center pillar upper part trim design that eliminates the need for restriction members by using a slide-and-join structure with flexible members and bosses to facilitate sliding and joining of the knob to the slider, reducing the force required and preventing blanching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the engaging catch height is increased to reduce joining force, then the knob can be joined more easily, but the knob may wobble and lose positioning stability
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging catch is divided into two functional segments: a first engaging catch for joining the knob to the slider, and a second engaging catch for positioning and preventing wobble. This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized independently - the first can be lower for easier joining, while the second provides positioning stability without requiring excessive height from the first engaging catch.
2Ease of operation
If restriction members are added to both sides of the knob operation directions, then the knob sliding movement is restricted, but the resin amount and weight increase and member layouts become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The restriction members for restricting knob movement in both operation directions are merged into a single integrated structure on the slider. Instead of having separate restriction members on both sides, the design combines the restriction functions into one component, reducing the number of parts and simplifying the overall member layout while still providing bidirectional movement restriction.
3Reliability
If the engaging catch height is just enough to prevent wobbling, then positioning stability is achieved, but great load is incurred during joining and blanching occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging catch is segmented into first and second engaging catches with different functions. The first engaging catch has a height sufficient for joining but not necessarily for preventing wobble, while the second engaging catch specifically handles the positioning and wobble prevention. This allows the first engaging catch to be optimized for low joining force while the second provides the necessary positioning stability, preventing blanching from excessive load.
Data Source
AI summary
A center pillar's upper part trim includes a slider and a knob. The slider has a boss projecting in the back side direction. The knob has a flexible member extending in a cantilever manner in a first direction being one operation direction and other end opposed to the flexible member on the first direction side of the flexible member. The center pillar's upper part trim further includes: a slide-and-join structure allowing the knob to slide and join to a plurality of engaging catches from a state where the flexible member of the knob is placed on the boss; and a restriction structure restricting the knob, in a state where the knob has slid and joined, from excessively shifting in the first direction and the second direction by setting the boss between the flexible member and the other end when the knob is operated to slide.