Adjustable Subframe Alignment Fixture for Go/No-Go Integrity Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack a reliable means to inspect and ensure the structural integrity of automobile subframes, leading to potential replacement of undamaged subframes with faulty ones, especially in high-end vehicles, increasing repair costs and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable automobile subframe alignment fixture with vertical protrusions, rails, and connection points that align with subframe apertures using go/no-go pins to verify structural integrity, ensuring proper alignment and integrity through matching geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If subframe replacement is performed without inspection, then vehicle safety is ensured, but repair costs increase due to replacement of undamaged subframes
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture performs preliminary inspection of the subframe before replacement decisions are made. By aligning the subframe with the fixture and checking aperture alignment, the system determines in advance whether the subframe is damaged, preventing unnecessary replacements and reducing repair costs while maintaining safety standards
Solution Approach 2:
The subframe inspection system enables the repair process to self-determine the condition of the subframe. The fixture provides objective alignment verification that allows the inspection process to conclude whether the subframe is serviceable or requires replacement, eliminating the need for cautious replacement based on suspicion alone
2Loss of substance
If subframe inspection is performed, then repair costs are reduced, but device complexity increases due to need for specialized fixtures
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture creates a precise geometric copy or replica of the undamaged subframe's critical features, particularly the aperture locations and orientations. By copying the correct geometry into the fixture, the system enables alignment verification without requiring complex measurement equipment or procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture transforms the inspection task from complex dimensional measurements to a simple alignment parameter check. By fixing the aperture positions and orientations in the fixture to match the correct subframe geometry, the inspection reduces to checking whether the subframe apertures align with the fixture apertures, simplifying the overall inspection process
3Loss of time
If replacement subframes are used without verification, then repair time is reduced, but reliability decreases due to potential unseen damage
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture enables preliminary verification of replacement subframes before installation in the vehicle. By quickly aligning the subframe with the fixture and checking aperture alignment, the system performs a preliminary safety check that ensures the replacement subframe is free from unseen damage, maintaining reliability while minimizing additional time
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection process is segmented into a simple, discrete step that can be quickly performed. The fixture breaks down the complex task of subframe verification into a single alignment and pin-fit operation, allowing rapid inspection that does not significantly increase repair time while ensuring reliability
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable automobile subframe alignment fixture for inspecting a subframe includes one or more bases; one or more rails, connected to the one or more bases, having indexing positions to accommodate multiple sized subframes; and one or more connection points, adjustably mounted on the one or more rails, configured to receive risers and/or jigs for adjusting to a geometry of the subframe and allowing structural integrity of the subframe to be determined. If the geometry of the subframe matches the geometry of the fixture, the subframe is structurally sound. If the geometry of the subframe fails matches the geometry of the fixture, the subframe lacks structural integrity.