Modular Motor Vehicle Front-End Module Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current front face modules for motor vehicles either require complex assembly due to multiple parts or are cumbersome as a single piece, making transportation and mounting difficult.

Innovation Solution

A modular front panel module design featuring side uprights with embedded fixing heads and a crosspiece with complementary housings, utilizing a reducing section and snap-fastening mechanisms for easy assembly and alignment, allowing for simple mounting without specialized tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the front panel module is made in one piece, then assembly is facilitated, but transportation becomes difficult due to its size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly facilitationVSAvoidmodule size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The front panel module is divided into separate components (crosspiece and side uprights) that can be transported independently. The fixing heads are designed as separate embeddable elements that connect the uprights to the crosspiece, enabling modular transportation while maintaining assembly capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Length of moving object

If the front panel module comprises several parts, then transport is facilitated, but assembly becomes complex requiring assembly benches and screws

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetransportabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing heads are designed to be embedded within slots in the crosspiece, creating a nested structure where the uprights connect to the crosspiece through embedded fixing heads. This eliminates the need for external fasteners like screws and assembly benches, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining modular transportability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If traditional screw fixation is used, then secure connection is achieved, but assembly requires specialized equipment and time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing heads are designed to be self-embedding elements that connect the uprights to the crosspiece without requiring external fasteners or specialized assembly equipment. The embeddable structure allows the components to self-assemble by simply positioning the uprights into the crosspiece slots, eliminating the need for screws, assembly benches, and specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3250446B1Front-end module of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 VALEO SYST THERMIQUES SAS
  • EP3250446B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3250446B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3250446B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a front-end module (1) of a motor vehicle, including: two lateral uprights (5, 7) capable of being attached to the chassis of the vehicle, at least one crossmember (3) capable of being attached to the lateral uprights (5, 7) so as to extend along the width of the vehicle, wherein the lateral uprights (5, 7) include an attachment head (13, 15) capable of fitting into a complementary recess (9, 11) in the crossmember (3).