Plastic Bodywork Lock Loop for Impact Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bodywork parts in motor vehicles made of plastic face safety issues during impacts, as they can separate into distinct parts, posing risks to other road users, and current solutions like braided fibers or wire ropes increase weight, generate noise, and complicate the manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
A plastic bodywork part design featuring a main body with structural reinforcements and connecting members that form a lock loop around a clamping element, securing the parts together without complex assembly steps, using through-holes and clamping elements to maintain a permanent connection even after impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If wire cable with lugs crimped at ends is used to connect separable parts, then mechanical connection strength is improved, but weight of the part and vehicle increases considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal (wire cable) to plastic (connecting element), creating a lightweight alternative that maintains mechanical connection functionality while significantly reducing weight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a plastic connecting element that copies the functional role of metal wire cables but with different material properties, achieving the same mechanical connection purpose without the weight penalty
2Strength
If wire rope is used to connect separable parts, then mechanical connection is achieved, but noise is generated during driving due to cable vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the wire rope with a plastic connecting element that replicates the mechanical connection function while eliminating the vibration and noise characteristics associated with metal cables
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, which fundamentally alters the vibration and noise characteristics while maintaining the mechanical connection capability
3Strength
If screwing or welding is used to attach connecting element to structural reinforcement, then secure attachment is achieved, but manufacturing process complexity and production cost increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connecting element and structural reinforcement into a single integrated plastic component, eliminating the need for separate attachment operations like screwing or welding
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic connecting element incorporates self-contained attachment features (such as integrated lugs or clips) that automatically secure to the structural reinforcement without requiring additional fastening operations
Data Source
AI summary
A bodywork part of a motor vehicle includes a main body of plastic material and at least one structural reinforcement fastened at least partially to a first part main body. The piece also includes at least one connecting member of the first part and of a second part of the main body including an end, a portion of which forms a lock loop around a clamping element so as to secure the connecting member, the structural reinforcement and the first part.