Spring-Coupled Adapter for Vehicle Lining Tolerance Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manufacturing tolerances often result in misalignment of receptacles on vehicles and lining parts, leading to deformations, gaps, or failure in mounting components due to the mismatch of fastening elements.

Innovation Solution

An adapter with movable fastening elements connected via spring elements, allowing limited movement and restoring force to accommodate tolerances, ensuring secure grip and precise clearance, featuring cylindrical design with stop elements for controlled displacement and rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid fastening elements are used to ensure secure grip, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing tolerances cause misalignment and installation failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure gripVSAvoidreceptacle alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening element is designed with a flexible portion that allows dynamic adjustment and movement to accommodate misalignment between receptacles. The flexible portion can bend and deform elastically to bridge the gap caused by manufacturing tolerances, enabling the rigid gripping portions to still engage securely with both the vehicle body and component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening element incorporates a flexible portion that changes its physical state from rigid to flexible through material selection. This parameter change allows the fastening element to adapt its stiffness - remaining rigid for secure gripping while being flexible enough to deform and accommodate alignment variations during installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If movable fastening elements are used to accommodate tolerances, then adaptability is improved, but excessive movement may compromise structural stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetolerance accommodationVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible portion is designed with specific dimensional parameters (length, width, thickness) and material properties that control its flexibility. By carefully selecting these parameters, the fastening element achieves optimal balance - flexible enough to accommodate typical manufacturing tolerances but stiff enough to maintain structural stability and prevent excessive movement during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible portion provides controlled dynamic movement within defined limits. It can deform elastically to accommodate misalignment during installation, but its elastic recovery force and geometric constraints prevent excessive or uncontrolled movement, thereby maintaining structural stability once the component is installed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional components are added to compensate for tolerances, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetolerance compensationVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple functions into a single integrated fastening element: the rigid gripping portions provide secure attachment, while the flexible portion provides tolerance compensation. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate adjustment mechanisms or multiple components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening element is designed as a universal component that simultaneously performs multiple functions: rigid gripping for secure attachment, flexible deformation for tolerance accommodation, and self-alignment during installation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional specialized components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 adapter effectively compensates for manufacturing inaccuracies, ensuring secure and precise installation of components with minimal movement, maintaining structural integrity and sealing functionality.

Implementation Method 1

the first and second fastening elements are coupled to each other via at least one spring element so as to be movable to a limited extent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

By means of the spring elements, a restoring force is additionally provided, minimizing undesired movements of the component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS8997316B2Adapter, assembly unit comprising an adapter as well as a method of installing such an assembly unit

Publication Date: 2015.04.07 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

An adapter for the vehicle-side installation of a component, in particular of a lining part, has a first fastening element to which a component-side holding piece can be attached, and a second fastening element to which a vehicle-side retaining element can be attached. The first and second fastening elements are coupled to each other via at least one spring element so as to be movable to a limited extent.