Rear Light Trim Skirt Snap-Fit Mounting for Irregular Body Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
The irregular profile of the vehicle structure at the interface with the rear light housing presents a challenge for securely and reliably attaching a flexible trim skirt, leading to unsatisfactory finish quality and risk of deformation upon impact or accidental damage.
Innovation Solution
A device with centering, support, connecting, wedging, and retaining members on the skirt and housing allows for a mechanically resistant, screw-free attachment by using elastic properties for automatic locking and shock absorption, ensuring the skirt is not directly supported on the vehicle structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the trim skirt is directly mounted on the irregular vehicle structure, then the mounting process is simple, but the finish quality is unsatisfactory and the skirt is prone to deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a housing as an intermediary component between the trim skirt and the irregular vehicle structure. The housing provides a flat, regular mounting surface with integrated retaining members, eliminating the need to directly mount the flexible skirt on the irregular structure while maintaining mounting simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into distinct functional components: the housing with retaining members for structural support, and the trim skirt with fixing members for aesthetic coverage. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together as a system.
2Manufacturing precision
If the trim skirt is made of flexible material for aesthetic purposes, then the finish quality is improved, but the skirt becomes prone to deformation upon impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite mounting system where the flexible trim skirt (aesthetic component) is combined with the rigid housing (structural component). This composite approach allows the flexible material to provide aesthetic finish while the rigid housing provides impact resistance and structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing acts as a protective cushioning element that absorbs impact forces before they reach the flexible trim skirt. The retaining members and fixing mechanisms pre-establish a protective barrier that prevents direct impact on the aesthetic skirt component.
3Reliability
If traditional fixing methods are used, then the mounting is secure, but the maintenance and reassembly become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic fixing members (hooks, clips, or snap-fit elements) that can transition between engaged and disengaged states. These members provide secure mounting during normal operation but allow easy release during maintenance, eliminating the need for tools and enabling quick reassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing members are designed to be self-locking during assembly (automatically engaging with retaining members) and self-releasing during maintenance (when force is applied to the trim skirt). This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional fixing elements like screws or adhesives that would complicate maintenance.
4Reliability
If additional fixing elements are used to secure the trim skirt, then the mounting security is improved, but the complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, creates a flat mounting surface, and integrates retaining members for securing the trim skirt. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mounting brackets, adhesives, or additional fixing elements, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the mounting function directly into the housing structure through integrated retaining members. The fixing mechanism is combined with the housing rather than being a separate component, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining secure mounting.
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 enables rapid, precise, and reversible attachment of the trim skirt, preventing deformation and facilitating maintenance, while allowing for easy reassembly and reducing the need for additional fixing elements, resulting in economic benefits for after-sales services.
Implementation Method 1
by jointly forcing its support members against the receiving members of the housing to deform them elastically which brings the connecting members of the skirt opposite the retaining members of the housing then, by releasing the force, the connecting members of the skirt are then automatically housed in the retaining members of the housing
Implementation Method 2
the elastic properties of the support of the skirt on the housing allow both automatic locking after release at the end of assembly and subsequent shock absorption
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~3A
Figure 3B~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for attaching a trim skirt (1) to a rear light housing (2) of a motor vehicle, characterised in that it comprises, on the internal face of the skirt (1), at least two series of members each comprising at least one centring member associated with at least one support member and at least one connecting member engaging upon assembly with the housing (2) and with at least one wedging member, respectively, at least one resilient receiving member and at least one retaining member, supported by the side face of said housing (2) as well as a signalling assembly (E) comprising a rear light housing (2), a trim skirt (1) and said attachment device.