Vehicle Centering Device for Sub-Assembly Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle interior structures face challenges in achieving precise positioning tolerances between sub-assemblies, leading to difficulties in disassembly and assembly processes, particularly when sub-assemblies have varying sizes due to manufacturing tolerances.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a centering device system comprising a first centerer linked to the reference structure, a floating centerer, and complementary centering devices that allow for adjustable positioning of sub-assemblies relative to each other, enabling precise alignment and independent disassembly of sub-assemblies along specific directions with minimal tolerance (+/-0.5 mm or +/-0.3 mm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If sub-assemblies are directly connected to each other for positioning, then assembly is simplified, but positioning tolerance accumulates and cannot be adjusted for size variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a floating centering device as an intermediary element between the reference structure and sub-assemblies. This floating centering device includes a floating centerer that can move along the first direction and complementary centering devices on sub-assemblies, creating an adjustable positioning system that mediates between fixed reference structures and variable sub-assembly sizes, thereby achieving precise positioning without direct rigid connections
Solution Approach 2:
The floating centering device is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing the floating centerer to adjust its position along the first direction based on the actual dimensions of sub-assemblies. This dynamic positioning capability enables the system to adapt to size variations while maintaining precise positioning tolerances, resolving the contradiction between fixed structure and variable dimensions
2Manufacturing precision
If sub-assemblies are rigidly connected to reference structure, then positioning is precise, but disassembly requires complete disassembly of all connected components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning system into independent centering modules: a first centering device linking the reference structure to the first sub-assembly, and a second centering device linking the reference structure to the second sub-assembly through the floating centering device. This segmentation allows the first sub-assembly to be disassembled independently from the second sub-assembly, as each connects to the reference structure through its own centering mechanism rather than being rigidly chained together
3Stability of the object's composition
If fixed centering devices are used for all sub-assemblies, then positioning is stable, but adaptation to size variations is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The floating centering device incorporates a floating centerer that can move along the first direction, transforming a static positioning system into a dynamic one. This movement capability allows the system to adapt to different sub-assembly sizes while the complementary centering devices maintain stable positioning relationships, achieving both stability and adaptability simultaneously
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The structure (1) is provided with a centering device (15) comprising: - a first centerer (17) linked to the reference structure (3) and a first complementary centerer (19) linked to the first sub-set (5), which define the position of the first sub-set (5) relative to the reference structure (3) along at least one first direction (D1); - a floating centerer (21) linked to the reference structure (3) and a second complementary centerer (23) linked to the first sub-set (5), the floating centerer (21) being movable relative to the reference structure (3) along the first direction (D1); - a third complementary centerer (27) linked to the second sub-set (7), cooperating with the third complementary centerer (27) to define the position of the second sub-set (7) relative to the first sub-set (5) along at least the first direction (D1).