Rocker Panel Restraint Clamp for Skewed Pinch Flanges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle wind tunnel testing methods face challenges in accurately simulating real-world aerodynamic conditions due to non-rotating wheels on stationary beds, which affect data accuracy and analysis, particularly for vehicles with skewed rocker panel flanges.
Innovation Solution
A clamp system with multiple adjustable components allowing for precise orientation adjustment relative to the vehicle's pinch weld, including a main clamp body, movable jaws, and a pin and adapter system that can pivot and rotate to align with the vertical direction, ensuring secure clamping and data integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stationary bed is used for wind tunnel testing, then the vehicle can be secured and tested, but the wheels cannot rotate which adversely affects aerodynamic data accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp system is divided into multiple independent adjustable components (main clamp body, movable clamp body, first jaw, second jaw, pin, adapter) that can be adjusted separately to accommodate different vehicle configurations and maintain accurate aerodynamic testing conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If the clamp is designed with fixed structure, then the manufacturing is simple, but it cannot adapt to various vehicle configurations especially skewed rocker panel flanges
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp incorporates multiple movable and adjustable components including a movable clamp body that can shift position, jaws that can rotate independently, and a pin-adapter system that can pivot and rotate to align with the vertical direction, enabling adaptation to various vehicle configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is segmented into independently adjustable components (main clamp body, movable clamp body, first jaw, second jaw, pin, adapter) each capable of movement and adjustment, allowing the system to adapt to different vehicle geometries while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular design
3Measurement precision
If the clamp uses simple locking mechanism, then the operation is easy, but it cannot maintain precise orientation adjustment for accurate aerodynamic testing
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp incorporates self-locking features where the movable clamp body is supported by and movable relative to the main clamp body through guided movement, and the jaws with clamps provide automatic positioning and locking without complex external mechanisms, maintaining precision while simplifying operation
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp can include a main clamp body, moving clamp body, a first jaw and a second jaw. The moving clamp body can be supported by and movable relative to the main clamp body. The first jaw can be connected to the main clamp body and rotatable relative to the main clamp body. The second jaw can be connected to the moving clamp body and rotatable relative to the moving clamp body. The clamp can further include a pin connected to the main clamp body so that the main clamp body and the pin can rotate relative to one another. The clamp can further include am adapter connected to the pin so that the adapter and the pin can rotate relative to one another. Rotational motion of the jaws, the main clamp body and the pin, and the pin and the adapter can be locked independently of one another.