Vehicle Trim Bar with Adjustable Plastic Support Web
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing assembly process for vehicle trim bars is inefficient due to the need for numerous spacers and complex structures, leading to increased production time and potential assembly inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle trim bar with a plastic support web that can be adjusted in height, allowing for precise fitting within channels without additional spacers, using a fixing leg for standardized mounting and providing stability against pressure loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple spacers and mounting brackets are installed in the channel before assembly, then the trim bar can be securely mounted, but the production throughput time increases and assembly inaccuracies occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mounting bracket and spacer functions into a single integrated component. The mounting bracket itself serves as the spacer, eliminating the need for separate spacer components. This merging reduces the number of parts to be installed while maintaining both the security of mounting and the spacing function, thereby improving productivity without compromising reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, acts as a spacer to maintain proper positioning, and serves as the mounting interface for the trim bar. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized components, reducing assembly complexity and time while ensuring reliable mounting
2Reliability
If multiple spacers and mounting brackets are used, then the trim bar can be securely positioned, but the assembly structure becomes complex and assembly inaccuracies increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mounting bracket and spacer into a single integrated component with unified geometry. This eliminates the complex interactions between multiple separate parts and reduces assembly inaccuracies while maintaining secure positioning. The integrated design simplifies the overall assembly structure while preserving positioning reliability
3Ease of manufacture
If a standard trim bar is used across various channel geometries, then manufacturing costs decrease, but additional spacers and clips are required increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is designed as a universal component that can accommodate various channel geometries through its integrated spacer design. The single component adapts to different channel depths and configurations without requiring additional spacers or clips, maintaining ease of manufacture while reducing assembly complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated mounting bracket and spacer design allows for parameter adjustments (such as spacer length) to accommodate different channel geometries while using the same basic component type. This enables a standard trim bar system to work across various applications without requiring additional specialized parts, reducing both manufacturing costs and assembly complexity
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a vehicle trim bar, in particular a roof trim bar, for covering a channel, in particular a roof channel, in a vehicle structure having a trim bar profile which is formed with a fixing leg for fixing the vehicle trim bar within the channel to the vehicle structure and a support leg for supporting the vehicle trim bar on a channel bottom of the channel, the support leg being formed with a support web which projects from the trim bar profile in a manner extending along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle trim bar and which is manufactured from a plastic material. Furthermore, the invention relates to a fixing arrangement for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising such a vehicle trim bar.