Rotating Support Finger for Vehicle Trim Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for installing and fixing exterior trim parts on motor vehicles lack precision and simplicity, often requiring complex adjustments to prevent movement relative to surrounding components.
Innovation Solution
A carrier device with a receiving shaft and support finger featuring internal and external teeth that can be rotated between release and fixing positions, allowing for easy alignment and secure fastening of outer paneling parts, such as radiator grilles, to surrounding vehicle components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional support devices with locking screws and adjusting bolts are used, then the exterior trim part can be fixed relative to surrounding components, but the installation process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is divided into modular components: a support element with receiving shaft, a separate support finger with external teeth, and a carrier with internal teeth. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in itself while combining to provide secure fixation, eliminating the need for complex locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The support finger is designed to be rotatable relative to the receiving shaft between a release position (where external teeth disengage from internal teeth) and a locking position (where they engage). This dynamic mechanism allows quick installation by simply rotating the support finger into place, replacing complex screw-based adjustment systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional fixed support methods are used, then the exterior trim part is secured, but precise positioning and alignment become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support finger can rotate around the longitudinal axis of the receiving shaft, adding a rotational degree of freedom. This allows the support finger to be aligned precisely with the carrier's internal teeth by rotation, making positioning intuitive and accurate without complex adjustment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The support finger automatically positions itself when rotated into the locking position, where the external teeth engage with the internal teeth of the carrier. This self-locking mechanism ensures precise positioning without requiring additional adjustment or alignment steps by the installer.
3Reliability
If the support finger is always locked in position, then vertical movement is prevented, but installation and adjustment become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support finger transitions from a static locked position to a dynamic state during installation. When rotated to the release position, the external teeth disengage from internal teeth, allowing free vertical movement for installation. Once installed, rotation to the locking position re-engages the teeth, providing reliable fixation. This dynamic design combines ease of installation with secure fixation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a support device (10) for an outer body panel of a motor vehicle, comprising a support (12) for receiving the outer body panel, which has at least one vertically extending receiving shaft (28) with internal teeth (30); at least one support finger (14) that can be inserted into the receiving shaft (28), which has external teeth (20) on its outer surface and at a lower longitudinal end (16) a frontal support area for supporting the support finger (14) vertically on a support part (18) of the motor vehicle; wherein the support finger (14) is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the receiving shaft (28) between a release position and a locking position; wherein in the release position the external teeth (20) and the internal teeth (30) are not engaged, so that the support finger (14) is movable vertically relative to the receiving shaft (28);wherein in the fixed position the external teeth (20) and the internal teeth (30) are engaged, so that movement of the support finger (14) in the vertical direction relative to the receiving slot (28) is blocked. The invention further relates to a front-end assembly for a motor vehicle comprising such a carrier device (10) by means of which an outer trim part can be mounted in the area of a bumper.