Unified Reference Point System for Motor Vehicle Subframe Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In motor vehicle assembly, maintaining consistent reference points across individual components and assemblies is challenging, particularly with symmetrical parts like subframes and torsion beam axles, due to mismatched reference point systems defined by vehicle manufacturers, leading to issues in dimensional accuracy and reproducibility.
Innovation Solution
Designing individual components with a reference point system that includes a 2-way hole capable of functioning as both a 2-way and a 1-way reference, such as square or octagonal holes with rounded corners, to ensure consistent alignment and tolerance compensation, allowing for a unified reference point system across components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If symmetrical individual parts (left and right components) use traditional round holes for 2-way reference and slots for 1-way reference, then each component can be manufactured independently, but the reference points deviate from the assembly group due to symmetry, leading to inconsistent retention of reference points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing a square hole that can serve multiple functions: it acts as a 2-way reference when receiving a circular positioning element and as a 1-way reference when receiving a flattened positioning element. This multi-functional hole design eliminates the need for separate round holes and slots in symmetrical components, ensuring consistent reference point retention across the assembly group while maintaining manufacturing independence.
2Reliability
If traditional hole-slot principle is used with round holes for 2-way reference and slots for 1-way reference, then tolerance compensation is possible, but symmetrical components cannot consistently retain reference points across the assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of separate round holes and slots into a single square hole. By combining these previously separate reference features into one unified structure, the system achieves consistent reference point retention across symmetrical components while reducing the overall complexity of the reference point system. The square hole integrates both 2-way and 1-way reference capabilities that were previously distributed across multiple features.
3Measurement precision
If different positioning elements are used for 2-way and 1-way references, then precise alignment is achieved, but the assembly process becomes more complex with multiple hole types
Solution Approach 1:
The square hole serves as a universal reference feature that accommodates different positioning elements (circular for 2-way reference, flattened for 1-way reference) while maintaining alignment precision. This universality simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need to create and manage multiple types of holes, making the assembly process more straightforward while preserving measurement precision through the consistent square geometry.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly for a motor vehicle, in particular in the form of a subframe (1), which is composed of individual components (2, 3, 4, 5) that have a reference point system for positioning during their manufacture and/or for positioning during their assembly with each other or with other components, wherein this reference point system is formed by reference points in the form of at least one hole (13) suitable as a 2-way reference and at least one elongated hole (11) as a 1-way reference. In order to enable the reference points to be maintained consistently from the individual component to the assembly for the components (2, 3, 4, 5) to be joined together, the hole (13) suitable as a 2-way reference is designed such that it is also suitable as a 1-way reference when it accommodates a positioning element having a flattened or elongated cross-sectional profile.