Rotatable Shock Absorber Jig for Confined Fastener Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in vehicle assembly is the limited physical access to confined spaces, making it difficult to properly position and apply mechanical fasteners for attaching a shock absorber to the vehicle body, which is exacerbated by the vehicle's structure and the need to attach other components prior to the shock absorber.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorber attachment jig with a rotatable flap and fastener-receiving sub-assembly that facilitates the alignment and application of fasteners by enabling the rotation of the sub-assembly relative to the cap body portion, allowing easy attachment of the shock absorber to the vehicle body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional fastening methods are used in confined vehicle assembly spaces, then structural integrity is maintained, but assembly time increases and operational ease deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a shock absorber assembly tool as an intermediary device between the assembler and the fastener application point. This tool includes a receptacle that holds multiple fasteners and positions them for simultaneous installation, allowing the assembler to work from a comfortable position while the tool extends into the confined space to apply fasteners to the shock absorber mounting locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool allows preliminary loading of multiple fasteners into the receptacle before approaching the assembly location. The fasteners are pre-positioned and ready for installation, eliminating the need to repeatedly access toolboxes or supply points during the assembly process, thus reducing assembly time and improving operational efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If direct fastener application is attempted in restricted spaces, then assembly simplicity is maintained, but visibility and positioning accuracy worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber assembly tool serves as a mediator that bridges the gap between the assembler's hands and the difficult-to-reach fastener installation points. The tool's design includes positioning features that guide fasteners into correct alignment with mounting holes, ensuring accurate placement even when the assembler cannot directly see or easily access the fastening location.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool replaces the need for manual fastener handling and positioning with a mechanical system that automatically guides and positions fasteners. The receptacle and delivery mechanism provide precise positioning through mechanical constraints rather than relying on the assembler's manual dexterity and visual acuity in confined spaces.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple components are attached prior to shock absorber installation, then structural stability is improved, but access to shock absorber attachment points deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly tool acts as an intermediary that enables shock absorber installation even when other components have already been attached to the vehicle body. The tool's design allows it to navigate around previously installed components and reach the shock absorber mounting locations, maintaining the ability to perform this critical attachment step regardless of the sequence of other assembly operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A shock absorber attachment jig includes a cap including a body portion and a flap extending from the body portion, and a fastener-receiving sub-assembly structured to be attached to the flap. The flap is structured to be rotatable with respect to the body portion so as to enable rotation of the sub-assembly with respect to the cap body portion when the sub-assembly is attached to the flap. When attached to a shock absorber, the jig enables movement of a fastener received in the sub-assembly into an assembly orientation of the fastener, thereby facilitating application of the fastener to the shock absorber and a vehicle body to attach the shock absorber to the body.