Spring-Loaded Dummy Stop Element for Precise Body Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for adjusting body components in vehicles, such as hoods and tailgates, are time-consuming and imprecise due to manual adjustment with dummy buffers, which can be displaced by varying closing forces and speeds, and adjustments without dummy buffers require multiple iterations.

Innovation Solution

A dummy buffer with a resiliently mounted stop region and locking mechanism, featuring a spring mechanism to compensate for closing forces and speeds, and a remote locking mechanism to fix the stop position, allowing simultaneous adjustment of multiple components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual adjustment with dummy buffers is used, then body components can be adjusted to desired position, but adjustment precision deteriorates due to dummy buffer displacement from varying closing forces and speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment operationVSAvoiddistance determination precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The dummy buffer incorporates a spring element that dynamically adapts to varying closing forces and speeds. The spring compresses or extends based on the applied force, maintaining consistent contact between the stop element and body structure regardless of closing conditions, thereby ensuring precise distance determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical state of the dummy buffer by introducing a spring mechanism that alters the contact pressure and position of the stop element. This parameter change compensates for variations in closing force and speed, maintaining consistent measurement conditions for accurate distance determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If adjustment without dummy buffers is used, then manufacturing precision can be improved, but productivity deteriorates due to multiple opening and closing operations required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreload adjustment precisionVSAvoidadjustment speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The dummy buffer with spring element performs preliminary positioning and preload application in a single operation. The spring mechanism pre-compensates for closing forces, allowing the stop element to be positioned correctly on the first attempt, eliminating the need for multiple iterative adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The spring-loaded dummy buffer acts as an intermediary tool that facilitates precise adjustment in a single operation. It mediates between the body component and body structure, providing consistent contact and preload that enables accurate distance determination without requiring multiple trial operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If dummy buffer is pressed in by closing forces, then ease of operation is maintained, but measurement accuracy deteriorates as correct distance cannot be determined

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosing operationVSAvoiddistance measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element provides dynamic compensation for closing forces. As the dummy buffer is pressed in during closing, the spring compresses proportionally, maintaining constant contact between the stop element and body structure. This dynamic response ensures that the measured distance remains accurate regardless of the magnitude of closing forces applied.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables quick and precise adjustment of body components by ensuring consistent contact with the vehicle structure regardless of closing forces and speeds, reducing manual effort and time, and allowing remote operation for improved accessibility.

Implementation Method 1

the dummy buffer comprises a spring mechanism by means of which the stop region is mounted, in particular resiliently, relative to the arrangement region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring mechanism: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a stop region, which is resiliently mounted relative to the arrangement region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResilient mounting: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

dummy buffer comprises a locking mechanism which is designed to lock, fix or lock a position or orientation of the stop region relative to the arrangement region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLocking mechanism: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3497296B1Dummy stop element
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP3497296B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a stop element (20), in particular a dummy buffer for adjusting body components of, for example, passenger cars, comprising an arrangement region (22) and a stop region (24), which are mounted resiliently relative to each other, wherein the arrangement region (22) is designed for arranging the stop element (20) on a first component, and wherein the stop region (24) is designed as a stop for a second component, and wherein the stop element (20) comprises a locking mechanism (40), which is designed to lock a position/location of the stop region (24) relative to the arrangement region (22).