Vehicle Bracket Connection Assembly Gap Elimination

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle connection assemblies often have gaps between connectors and brackets, leading to squeaks and rattles during vehicle collisions and wear over time due to inadequate contact.

Innovation Solution

A connection assembly featuring a bracket with a sliding groove and a connector with a base plate that includes a raised portion and through holes, allowing for secure contact via pressure, which eliminates gaps and facilitates assembly by allowing deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a connector is connected to a bracket via a clip or sliding rail, then the connector can be easily assembled, but a gap exists between the connector and bracket causing squeak and rattle during vehicle bumping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidsqueak and rattle

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a raised portion at the specific contact area between the base plate and bracket. This localized structural feature ensures firm contact at the critical interface while maintaining the overall simplicity of the connection assembly, thereby eliminating gaps that cause squeak and rattle without complicating the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-forming the raised portion on the base plate before assembly. This pre-formed structural feature ensures that when the base plate is installed on the bracket, the raised portion automatically provides firm contact and eliminates gaps, preventing squeak and rattle before they can occur during vehicle operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If a connector is connected to a bracket via a clip or sliding rail, then the connector can be easily assembled, but the connector and bracket may be worn out after long time of use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a raised portion at the specific contact area between the base plate and bracket. This localized structural feature ensures firm contact at the critical interface while maintaining the overall simplicity of the connection assembly, thereby eliminating gaps that cause squeak and rattle without complicating the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-forming the raised portion on the base plate before assembly. This pre-formed structural feature ensures that when the base plate is installed on the bracket, the raised portion automatically provides firm contact and eliminates gaps, preventing squeak and rattle before they can occur during vehicle operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If the base plate is made rigid to maintain structural strength, then the base plate can support loads, but the base plate cannot be easily deformed during assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of deformation during assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by incorporating through holes in the raised portion of the base plate. These through holes create a flexible structure that allows the raised portion to be elastically deformed during assembly to engage with the bracket, while the overall base plate maintains its structural strength to support loads during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the local physical structure of the raised portion through the addition of through holes. This changes the local flexibility parameter of the raised portion to enable deformation during assembly, while the overall base plate maintains its strength parameters to support operational loads.

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 ensures firm contact between connectors and brackets, preventing squeaks and rattles during vehicle bumps and extending the lifespan by reducing wear.

Implementation Method 1

the base plate or an inner wall of the sliding groove includes a raised portion and a first through hole on the raised portion. At a locked position, the base plate is at least partially received in the sliding groove and contacts the inner wall of the sliding groove under a pressure via the raised portion.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

the base plate or an inner wall of the sliding groove includes a raised portion and a first through hole on the raised portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10486619B2Connection assemblies in a vehicle

Publication Date: 2019.11.26 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A connection assembly in a vehicle comprises a bracket including a sliding groove; and a connector including a base plate configured to be received in the sliding groove of the bracket. The base plate or an inner wall of the sliding groove has a raised portion and a through hole on the raised portion. At a locked position, the base plate is at least partially received in the sliding groove and contacts the inner wall of the sliding groove under a pressure via the raised portion.