Vehicle Grab Handle Single Bracket Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grab handles for vehicle passenger compartments are time-consuming and costly to manufacture and install, and may not provide a sturdy mounting system for easy passenger entry and exit.

Innovation Solution

A grab handle with a single mounting bracket featuring an L-shaped cross section, including an attachment portion with apertures and an abutment flange for easy alignment and mounting to the vehicle body, and a retaining portion with orthogonal design for securing a grip body, made from a single piece of sheet metal for cost-effective manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a traditional multi-part mounting bracket is used, then the structural strength may be sufficient, but the manufacturing and installation time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing and installation speedVSAvoidmounting bracket structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate mounting bracket components into a single integrated mounting bracket that includes both the attachment portion for securing to the vehicle body and the retaining portion for holding the grip body. This merging of functions reduces the number of parts, simplifies manufacturing, and accelerates installation while maintaining structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If a complex alignment system is used, then the mounting precision may be improved, but the installation time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket is designed with an abutment flange that extends substantially orthogonal to the attachment portion, forming an L-shaped cross section. This preliminary structural design built into the single-piece bracket enables automatic alignment with the vehicle body member during installation, eliminating the need for complex alignment systems or procedures and significantly reducing installation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If a single-piece mounting bracket is used, then the manufacturing cost and time decrease, but the structural strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing cost and timeVSAvoidmounting bracket strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket is formed as a single piece from sheet metal, utilizing the material's inherent strength properties. The L-shaped cross section design with the abutment flange extending orthogonal to the attachment portion creates a structurally robust configuration that can handle forceful tugs and pulls while maintaining ease of manufacture from a single material piece.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If multiple separate components are used, then the structural integrity may be maintained, but the installation complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the attachment portion and retaining portion into a single mounting bracket component, reducing the number of parts that need to be assembled while maintaining structural integrity. The single-piece construction eliminates joints or connections between multiple components, thereby maintaining reliability while simplifying the overall device structure and installation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2921346B1Vehicle grab handle and motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.06.27 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC
  • EP2921346B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2921346B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2921346B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a grab handle for a passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising a single mounting bracket (3) including an attachment portion (4) and a retaining portion (5), said attachment portion (4) defining a plurality of apertures (6) for attaching to a vehicle body member (1) and said retaining portion (5) defining two apertures (8) for attaching a grip body (9) to said mounting bracket (3), wherein said attachment portion (4) includes an abutment flange (11) for abutment on said vehicle body member (1). The invention further relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a grab handle (2).