Invisible Repair Device for Vehicle Optical Unit Fixing Lug

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing repair devices for vehicle optical units with broken fixing lugs are aesthetically unappealing and raise concerns about potential damage to the optical unit and vehicle impact, as screw heads are visible on the upper face of the casing when the bonnet is lifted.

Innovation Solution

A repair device with a design that masks screw heads and holes on the upper face of the optical unit's housing, using a plastic-made piece with a connecting part that extends over the screws and holes, ensuring they are concealed, and an anchoring part with holes that allow secure attachment to the fixing lug without visible fastening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a repair device with visible screw heads is used to attach to the broken fixing lug, then the optical unit can be securely reattached to the vehicle, but the visible screw heads create aesthetic concerns and raise suspicions about damage to the optical unit and vehicle impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachment of optical unitVSAvoidaesthetic appearance and customer concern

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The screw heads are extracted from the visible surface by using countersunk holes that allow the screw heads to be recessed below the upper face of the housing, removing the aesthetic harm while preserving the secure attachment function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The screw heads are nested within the housing structure through countersunk holes, where the screw heads are contained inside the housing volume rather than protruding outward, achieving both secure attachment and aesthetic appearance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the repair device uses a complex structure with multiple parts to mask the screws, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidstructure of repair device

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The masking function is merged with the attachment structure itself by integrating the countersunk holes directly into the housing, eliminating the need for separate masking components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining aesthetic appearance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3507139B1Repair device with invisible attachment, for a damaged optical unit of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2020.07.08 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA

Figure 1~3

AI summary

A repair device (DR) equips an optical unit (BO) intended to equip a vehicle and comprising a housing (BB) comprising an attachment lug (PF) comprising no more than a first portion (P11) comprising first holes (T1) opening on an end surface (FE) intersecting upper and lower surfaces. This device (DR) comprises a part (PR) comprising a main portion (PP) secured to the vehicle and extended by a connecting portion (PL) provided with a weakened area (Z1') that can break in the event of an impact experienced by the optical unit (BO) and extended by an anchoring portion (PA) positioned against the end face (FE) and comprising second holes (T2) positioned in front of the first holes (T1) for the passage of screws (VS). One of the anchoring portion (PA) and connecting portion (PL) is positioned above the screws (VS) in order to conceal the latter and the seconds holes (T2).