Vehicle Fastener Locking Structure for Vibration-Safe Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fastening systems for purpose-built vehicles (PBVs) face challenges in efficiently mounting and separating top hats or battery modules from the chassis frame, leading to inefficiencies in assembly, potential for erroneous assembly, and increased risk of separation due to vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A fastening apparatus featuring a first fastener, a case with an elevation unit, a second fastener, and a locking unit that allows for rotational and vertical movement, along with a restoration part to maintain alignment and prevent separation, enabling easy assembly and disassembly while preventing slip during vehicle vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional fastening system is used, then the structure is simple, but the assembly and disassembly operations are complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening apparatus is divided into distinct functional modules: a first fastener fixed to the first structure, a case with an elevation unit, a second fastener rotatably supported, and a locking unit. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling automated assembly operations while maintaining manageable overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The second fastener is rotatably supported within the case, and the locking unit is installed within the case as well. This nested arrangement allows multiple components to occupy the same spatial envelope, reducing the overall footprint of the fastening apparatus while enabling complex assembly operations through coordinated movement of nested components.
2Loss of time
If manual fastening operations are used, then the device complexity is low, but the assembly time and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The second fastener is rotatably supported against the elevation unit, allowing it to rotate and move up and down dynamically. The locking unit can selectively lock and unlock to permit or prevent rotation. This dynamic design enables automated assembly operations where the fastener can be quickly engaged and disengaged, significantly reducing assembly time compared to static manual fastening methods.
3Ease of operation
If the second fastener is freely rotatable, then the assembly operation is easy, but the fastener may separate due to vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit is configured to interfere with a work tool that enters the case and to selectively permit the rotation of the second fastener. This preliminary anti-action mechanism prevents unwanted rotation caused by vibrations while still allowing intentional rotation during assembly operations. The locking unit engages to counteract vibrational forces before they can cause separation, maintaining both ease of operation and reliability.
4Reliability
If multiple locking mechanisms are added, then the reliability increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit combines multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism: it interferes with work tool entry, selectively permits rotation of the second fastener, and prevents separation due to vibrations. By merging these functions into one unit rather than using separate mechanisms for each function, the design achieves high reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fastening apparatus for a vehicle may include: first fastener (100) fixed to a first structure, a case (200) fixed to the second structure and configured to have the first fastener (100) inserted into an one side of the case (200), an elevation unit (300) installed within the case (200) in a way to be movable up and down, a second fastener (400) rotatably supported against the elevation unit (300), fastened to or separated from the first fastener (100) in a rotation direction thereof, and moved up and down along with the elevation unit (300), and a locking unit (500) configured to interfere with a work tool that enters an another side of the case (200) and to selectively permit the rotation of the second fastener (400).