Rotating Panel Lock Structure for Reconfigurable Vehicle Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing purpose-built vehicles (PBVs) face challenges in freely changing design elements and functions due to the need for extensive rework, such as painting, when customization is required.
Innovation Solution
A customizing apparatus with a wall portion, pocket portions, and panel portions that include locking protrusions and boss portions, allowing panels to be easily mounted and removed through a rotation mechanism, ensuring robust fastening and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If design elements are changed in existing PBVs, then customization is achieved, but extensive rework such as painting is required making it difficult to freely change design elements
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle body is divided into modular panels that can be independently removed and replaced. The panel portion includes a panel body and multiple boss portions that can be detached from the wall portion, allowing design changes without affecting the entire vehicle structure. This segmentation enables selective customization of different body panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure with standardized locking protrusions and boss portions serves multiple functions: it provides secure attachment, enables easy removal, and allows replacement with different panel designs. This universal mounting mechanism supports various design configurations without requiring different attachment systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If panels are made detachable for customization, then design flexibility is improved, but structural integrity and stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The boss portions are pre-formed with curved insertion end portions that guide the locking protrusions into place during assembly. The locking protrusions are pre-configured with support end portions that provide structural reinforcement. These preliminary structural preparations ensure stable attachment before the panels are actually mounted.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion end portion of the boss is formed with a curved shape that complements the locking protrusion geometry. This curvature enables smooth insertion and rotation while maintaining structural integrity during the attachment process. The curved geometry also distributes stress more evenly during mounting and removal operations.
3Strength
If multiple locking mechanisms are added to ensure stability, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking protrusion integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides lateral locking through the support end portion, rotational locking through the engagement with boss portions, and structural reinforcement. The boss portion similarly combines insertion guidance, rotational engagement, and attachment functions. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-aligning and self-locking. The curved insertion end portion of the boss automatically guides the locking protrusion into the correct position during insertion. The rotation of the panel automatically engages the locking protrusions with the boss portions, creating secure attachment without requiring additional fastening operations or complex adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A customizing apparatus includes a wall portion forming an internal wall and an external wall of a mobility and including a predetermined area; a pocket portion provided in plural in the predetermined area of the wall portion, including a mounting hole formed on a center portion thereof, and including a plurality of locking protrusions along a periphery of the mounting hole; and a panel portion including a panel and a plurality of boss portions extending from the panel and configured to be inserted into the mounting hole, wherein the boss portions are positioned at a side of the locking protrusion when inserted into the mounting hole, and the boss portions are fixedly locked to the locking protrusion in a rotation direction when the panel is rotated.