Vehicle Roof Deflector Spring Support for Easier Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle roof structures face challenges in effectively reducing wind noise when the opening portion is open, as they rely on torsion springs that require complex assembly and support mechanisms, increasing manufacturing labor and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle roof structure featuring a frame with a deflector device that includes a torsion spring with a coil portion, first and second arms, and a support system allowing the deflector to rotate between retracted and deployed positions, where the first arm slides on a guide surface to transition from being held by one support to another, simplifying assembly and reducing manufacturing labor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a torsion spring with fixed support points is used in the deflector device, then the deflector can be reliably supported in deployed and retracted positions, but the assembly process becomes complex and requires significant manufacturing labor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the first support point dynamic by allowing it to move along a guide surface during assembly. This dynamic support point transitions from a temporary holding position to a final supported position, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining reliable deflector positioning in both deployed and retracted states
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing a guide surface that pre-defines the movement path of the first support point during assembly. This guide surface is prepared in advance on the movable panel, allowing the torsion spring to be easily attached without requiring complex alignment procedures during the assembly process
2Manufacturing precision
If the first arm of the torsion spring is held in a fixed position during assembly, then precise positioning is achieved, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing the guide surface to automatically guide the first support point to its correct position during assembly. The support point moves along the predetermined guide surface path and automatically reaches the accurate final position without requiring external positioning tools or complex alignment procedures, thereby improving assembly speed while maintaining positioning accuracy
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
The solution reduces manufacturing labor by allowing the torsion spring to be temporarily assembled before the spring attachment step, improving workability and supporting the first arm during assembly, while maintaining effective wind noise reduction through the deflector's position adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
The torsion spring includes a coil portion, a first arm that extends from a first end of the coil portion, and a second arm that extends from a second end of the coil portion, and is elastically compressed and deformed as the deflector is displaced from the deployed position toward the retracted position
Implementation Method 2
The first spring support portion includes a guide surface on which the first arm is slidable. When the deflector rotates toward the retracted position, the first arm slides on the guide surface, and is thereby shifted to a state of being supported by the first spring support portion
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle roof structure includes a frame and a deflector device. The frame defines an opening portion opened and closed by a movable panel. The deflector device includes a deflector and a torsion spring. The frame includes a first spring support portion supporting a first arm of the torsion spring in such a way as to be movable in a front-rear direction. The deflector includes a second spring support portion supporting a coil portion and a second arm of the torsion spring, and a holding portion that can hold the first arm. The first spring support portion includes a guide surface. Under a condition that the holding portion holds the first arm, when the deflector rotates toward a retracted position, the first arm slides on the guide surface, and is thereby shifted to a state of being supported by the first spring support portion.