Automotive Shutter Rib Segmentation for Rigidity and Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shutters used in automobile compartments face deformation or breakage due to applied loads, as they lack sufficient rigidity and flexibility, leading to stress concentration at hinge portions and potential rotational displacement when supported by guiderails.
Innovation Solution
A shutter design featuring support portions with integrated abutting portions, where at least three out of four abutting portions support the shutter, preventing rotational displacement and stress concentration, and a hinge portion made from a softer material for flexibility, all molded from the same material for cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the shutter is made from harder resin to support load, then rigidity is improved, but flexibility to deform into curved state deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is divided into multiple rib members (first rib member, second rib member, etc.) arranged in the sliding direction. Each rib member can deform independently, allowing the overall shutter to achieve both rigidity (through the collective structure) and flexibility (through individual segment deformation). This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling localized flexibility while maintaining overall structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite construction by combining multiple rib members made from the same resin material, creating a structure that exhibits both rigid and flexible characteristics. The array arrangement of rib members with their specific geometric configurations (including inclined surfaces and abutting portions) creates a composite structural system that can simultaneously support loads and deform elastically.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the shutter is made from softer resin to provide flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but load-bearing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the shutter into multiple rib members, each member can be optimized for flexibility while the collective array provides load-bearing rigidity. The segmentation allows the shutter to deform into curved states through individual rib member movement while maintaining overall structural integrity under load.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the shutter have different structural characteristics. The rib members have specific local geometries (inclined surfaces, abutting portions) that provide flexibility where needed, while the overall array configuration and engagement with guiderails provide rigidity for load support. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between flexibility and rigidity.
3Ease of operation
If two-point support is used with spherical abutting portions, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to rotational displacement and stress concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is segmented into multiple rib members, each with its own abutting portions. This segmentation distributes the load across multiple support points rather than concentrating stress at two points, preventing rotational displacement and stress concentration while maintaining ease of operation through the spherical abutting portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from two-point support to multi-point support by adding rib members in the sliding direction. This dimensional expansion of the support structure (from 2 points to multiple points distributed along the sliding direction) prevents rotational displacement and distributes stress, improving reliability while maintaining operational ease through the spherical abutting portions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multicolor molding method is used with different resin types, then functional properties are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses the same resin material for all rib members, achieving homogeneity in material composition. This simplifies the manufacturing process compared to multicolor molding with different resin types, while still achieving the desired functional properties through the homogeneous material's consistent elastic curvature deformation characteristics and the segmented structural design.
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 design enhances the shutter's ability to maintain stability and flexibility, preventing deformation or breakage under load, while reducing production costs and ensuring easy operation by minimizing frictional resistance.
Implementation Method 1
cell portions 62 and hinge portions 64 thinner than the cell portions 62 are formed alternately in the sliding direction, so that elastic curvature deformation can be made at each hinge portion 64
Implementation Method 2
The abutting portions 74A of the slide supporting portions 74 are in a form of spherical body so as to decrease the frictional resistance with respect to the groove portions 114 of the guiderails L1 and L2
Data Source
AI summary
A shutter (S) including a plurality of support portions (10) provided in array in a sliding direction of the shutter, a hinge portion (20) for connecting adjoining two support portions (10), and slide supporting portions (30) provided at both ends of each support portion (10) so as to face a pair of guiderails. Each slide supporting portion (30) has a pair of first and second abutting portions (32 and 34) formed in array in the sliding direction for slidably engaging with the guiderail. Each support portion (10) is supported by the pair of guiderails at three or more out of a total of four first and second abutting portions (32 and 34) when a load is applied to the shutter from the outside.