Plastic Housing Screw Connection With Integrated Clamping Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing plastic housing devices for motor vehicle antenna modules require a metal cage for alignment and clamping, leading to increased costs and complex assembly due to the need for pre-screwing and tolerance issues.
Innovation Solution
A plastic housing device with integrated positioning elements, such as spring tabs, that hold the clamping element in place and allow for direct screw engagement without pre-screwing, simplifying assembly and compensating for tolerances through spring travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a metal cage is used for alignment and clamping, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the positioning element and clamping element into a single integrated component that performs both functions simultaneously. The positioning element with L-shaped profile provides alignment in two directions while the clamping element secures the module, eliminating the need for separate metal cage structures and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning and clamping element serves multiple functions: it provides positioning in the x-direction, positioning in the y-direction, and clamping force application. This multi-functional design replaces what previously required separate metal components, reducing device complexity while maintaining positioning precision.
2Force
If a metal cage with clamping element is used, then clamping force is improved, but assembly complexity increases due to pre-screwing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the screwing operation from the assembly process by designing the positioning and clamping element to be insertable without pre-screwing. The element is simply inserted through the mounting hole and secured with a single screw from the rear, eliminating the complex pre-screwing step while maintaining adequate clamping force.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of screwing the positioning and clamping element in from the front (which would require pre-screwing), the design allows insertion from the front and securing from the rear. This inverted approach simplifies assembly by eliminating the need for pre-screwing operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If a metal cage is used for positioning, then alignment accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a homogeneous plastic material for the positioning and clamping element instead of combining metal and plastic components. This single-material approach simplifies manufacturing, reduces costs associated with metal procurement and processing, while maintaining adequate alignment accuracy through the geometric design of the L-shaped profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning and clamping element is designed as a cost-effective plastic component that replaces expensive metal cage structures. The simplified design and single-material construction reduce manufacturing costs while providing sufficient positioning accuracy for the application.
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
This solution reduces costs, simplifies assembly, and improves tolerance management during module installation in vehicles by eliminating the need for pre-screwing and integrating the metal cage functionality into the plastic housing.
Implementation Method 1
Tolerances are compensated for by the spring deflection of the tabs
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a plastic housing device (100) for an indirect screw connection for a motor vehicle, said plastic housing device (100) comprising: at least one positioning element (50); a clamping element (20); and a screw element (30); wherein the at least one positioning element (50) is designed to hold the clamping element (20) in place in a formfitting manner; the screw element (30) is designed to be pressed against the clamping element by means of the at least one positioning element (50) and thereby produce a rotation of the clamping element; and the clamping element is designed to clamp the plastic housing device (100) against a plate by means of the rotation.