Vehicle Subassembly Locking Structure for Axial Position Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle subassemblies face challenges in maintaining accurate axial positioning of components under harsh environmental conditions, such as large temperature differences and strong vibrations, while requiring expensive welding processes and limiting material choices.
Innovation Solution
The axial position of the rotational body is fixed solely by the first housing part using locking hooks and a locking depression, biased by a spring element, eliminating the need for a second housing part and welding, and allowing for the use of materials with sliding properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If welding is used to fix the axial position of the rotational body, then the fixation is strong and reliable, but the manufacturing cost increases and material selection is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the welding process (thermal/mechanical joining) with a purely mechanical locking system consisting of locking hooks and a locking depression. This mechanical system provides sufficient fixation reliability while eliminating the high costs and material limitations associated with welding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the second housing part from the conventional design, retaining only the first housing part with integrated locking hooks. This simplification reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining reliable fixation through the locking mechanism.
2Manufacturing precision
If a second housing part is used to fix the axial position, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of the first housing part, locking mechanism, and axial positioning system into a single integrated component. The locking hooks are formed directly on the first housing part, eliminating the need for a separate second housing part while maintaining precise axial positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the second housing part from the assembly, retaining only the essential first housing part with integrated locking features. This extraction reduces component count and device complexity while preserving the necessary axial positioning accuracy through the locking depression geometry.
3Strength
If welding is required for assembly, then strong bonding is achieved, but material selection is restricted to weldable materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the welding process with a mechanical interlocking system using locking hooks and a locking depression. This mechanical system provides sufficient bonding strength for the application while enabling the use of diverse materials including plastics, composites, and non-weldable metals, thus expanding material selection freedom.
4Reliability
If multiple components are used for fixation, then the axial position is securely fixed, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fixation functions into a single integrated first housing part with built-in locking hooks. This merging maintains reliable axial position fixation while significantly simplifying the manufacturing process by reducing the number of components and assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate components from the fixation system, retaining only the essential locking hooks and locking depression. This extraction simplifies production while maintaining secure axial position fixation through the streamlined locking mechanism.
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
This solution provides robust and cost-effective fixation of the rotational body, reducing noise emission and protecting against environmental influences, while enabling easier production and material selection.
Implementation Method 1
the locking hooks are biased by their contact surfaces in a locking position of the respective locking hook parallel to the axis of rotation against the circumferential contact surface of the locking depression
Data Source
AI summary
A subassembly for a vehicle, having a housing with a first housing part and a rotational body which is rotatably arranged on the first housing part about a rotational axis when the subassembly is in the installed state, wherein the axial position of the rotational body relative to the first housing part is fixed by the first housing part when the subassembly is in the installed state. In order to improve a subassembly for a vehicle and a vehicle equipped therewith, the invention proposes that the axial position of the rotational body relative to the first housing part is fixed solely by the first housing part when the subassembly is in the installed state.