Vehicle Component Anchoring in Sound Insulation With Blind Recess Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening devices for vehicle components on soundproofing elements lack effective and acoustic solutions that ensure secure attachment while preventing accidental detachment and facilitating correct alignment during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device with anchoring and positioning recesses in a sound insulation element, featuring a carrier layer with closed recesses and anchoring elements with barb-like structures, ensuring secure attachment and alignment through mechanical coding and an undercut design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a through-opening is formed in the sound insulation element for inserting the anchoring element, then the anchoring element can be easily inserted and secured, but the sound insulation property deteriorates due to the through-opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the anchoring system into two separate components: an anchoring recess formed in the sound insulation element and an anchoring element with insertion opening. The anchoring recess is a blind hole (closed at the bottom) that receives the anchoring element, while the insertion opening is a separate access path. This segmentation allows the sound insulation element to maintain its acoustic integrity while providing a secure anchoring mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring element is nested within the anchoring recess, with the anchoring element's outer circumference fitting into the recess's inner circumference. The anchoring element contains an insertion opening that allows it to be inserted through the sound insulation element's carrier layer into the closed recess. This nested structure enables secure fastening without creating through-openings that would compromise sound insulation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the anchoring recess has a closed bottom surface (blind hole), then sound insulation is maintained, but the anchoring element cannot be inserted from the bottom side
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing access to the anchoring recess from both sides (which would compromise sound insulation), the patent inverts the approach by creating a separate insertion opening in the carrier layer that provides access to the closed recess. The anchoring element is inserted through this opening from the outer side of the sound insulation element, eliminating the need for bottom-side access while maintaining the blind hole structure for acoustic integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the receiving space is uniformly sized, then manufacturing is simpler, but the anchoring element may detach accidentally under load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a constriction (narrowing) in the inner circumference of the anchoring recess at a specific location. This constriction forms an undercut that locally reduces the receiving space, creating a mechanical lock for the anchoring element. The rest of the recess maintains its simple cylindrical shape for ease of manufacturing, while the localized constriction provides enhanced retention security.
Solution Approach 2:
The constriction in the anchoring recess is pre-formed during manufacturing to create an undercut structure. This preliminary action ensures that when the anchoring element is inserted, it automatically engages with the constriction, forming a mechanical lock that prevents accidental detachment under load before the component is even installed.
4Reliability
If the anchoring element is secured tightly in the recess, then detachment is prevented, but removal for repositioning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic retention mechanism where the anchoring element's outer circumference can elastically deform to pass through the constriction in the anchoring recess during insertion. Once inserted, the elastic recovery of the anchoring element creates a locking engagement that prevents accidental detachment. However, by applying sufficient force, the element can be removed, allowing for repositioning if needed.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The device for securing a vehicle component (28) in and/or on a vehicle has a sound insulation element (10) comprising a support layer (12) and a sound damping layer (13). Formed in the support layer (12) is an anchoring recess (50) which has an insertion opening (18) in a first face of the support layer (12), adjoining which insertion opening is a receptacle (44) which is delimited by the plastic material of the support layer (12) and is defined by a closed peripheral inner face (48) and a closed base face (66). An anchoring element (24) is also provided. The anchoring recess (50) has a narrowing region (54), which is formed on the peripheral inner face (48) and at least partially narrows the receptacle (66), and a widened widening region (68) which adjoins in the direction of the base face (66). The anchoring element (24) has a anchoring shoulder (58) for engaging behind the narrowing region (54) when the anchoring element (24) is received by the anchoring recess (50).