Steel Beam Vehicle Interior Anchorage Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle interior outfitting systems are complex to install and costly, particularly the aluminum panel-based systems, which have higher weight and material costs compared to steel beam-based systems.

Innovation Solution

A steel beam with a square or rectangular cross-section and an aluminum anchorage guide featuring a longitudinal slot allows for quick installation without pre-drilling, using a guide fastening plate and screws to clamp the guide to the beam, reducing material usage and weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If aluminum panels are used for vehicle interior outfitting, then ease of installation is improved, but weight and material cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines steel beams (for structural strength and low weight) with aluminum anchorage guides (for ease of installation and corrosion resistance). This composite approach allows the system to achieve the ease of installation of aluminum panels while significantly reducing overall weight compared to full aluminum construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Weight of moving object

If steel beam-based system is used, then weight and material cost are reduced, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveweightVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anchorage guides are pre-assembled with the steel beams during manufacturing, creating a integrated component. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex on-site assembly operations such as drilling and masking, significantly simplifying installation while maintaining the weight advantages of the steel beam structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If anchorage guides are pre-fastened to beams during manufacturing, then installation speed is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the fastening parameters by using screws with specific length and threading characteristics that allow for tolerance compensation. This parameter change enables pre-fastening during manufacturing without requiring extremely tight tolerances, thus maintaining manufacturing feasibility while achieving rapid installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution simplifies and speeds up installation, reduces material weight and cost, while maintaining effective anchoring of equipment, making it more efficient and cost-effective than traditional systems.

Implementation Method 1

the anchorage guide is connected by means of screws to a guide fastening plate inserted within the hollow beam, the screws extending through the longitudinal slot to clamp the guide mounting side of the beam between the anchorage guide and guide fastening plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3272576B1A component for outfitting vehicle interiors
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 IVECO SPA
  • EP3272576B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3272576B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A component for outfitting vehicle interiors, comprising a steel beam (21) having a square or rectangular cross-section, and an anchorage guide (40) provided for the anchorage of equipment (S) and consisting of an aluminum bar fastened to a side (21a) of the beam (21), hereinafter guide mounting side, the anchorage guide (40) having a regular array of aligned apertures (41) between which are interposed slots (43) having a narrower width than the apertures (41). The guide mounting side (21a) of the beam (21) has a longitudinal slot (21b) extending along the entire length of the beam (21), and the anchorage guide (40) is connected by means of screws (45) to a guide fastening plate (47) inserted within the beam (21), the screws (45) extending through the longitudinal slot (21b) to clamp the guide mounting side (21a) of the beam (21) between the anchorage guide (40) and the guide fastening plate (47).