Vehicle Interior Fastening Structure With Adjustable Struts and Jig

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for fastening components to vehicle interiors lack efficient load distribution, uniform positioning, and easy attachment, particularly in aircraft where components need to be precisely aligned for a uniform visual appearance.

Innovation Solution

A fastening structure with variably positionable struts and adjustable elongate bodies, using a jig for precise installation, allowing tolerance compensation and continuous height adjustment to ensure components are uniformly positioned and securely fastened.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual fastening methods are used, then installation flexibility is maintained, but positioning precision and uniformity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidfastening structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening structure is divided into separate modular components: an elongate body for positioning, struts for tolerance compensation, and fastening elements for attachment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, achieving precise positioning without requiring a completely complex integrated system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The struts are designed to automatically compensate for dimensional variations and tolerance deviations through their adjustable length capability. The structure self-adjusts to accommodate variations in the attachment structure, eliminating the need for highly precise pre-manufacturing of all components and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If rigid fastening structures are used, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to dimensional variations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetolerance compensationVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The struts are designed with adjustable length capability, transforming the fastening structure from a rigid static system to a dynamic adaptable one. The struts can be adjusted to different lengths to compensate for dimensional variations in the attachment structure, while still providing stable fastening when locked in position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The length parameter of the struts is made variable to accommodate tolerance deviations. By changing the strut length parameter, the system adapts to different dimensional variations in the attachment structure while maintaining stable fastening, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If adjustable fastening components are used, then adaptability to variations is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadjustabilityVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The elongate body is used to preliminarily establish the correct position and orientation of the component before final fastening. This preliminary positioning action ensures precision is achieved first, then the adjustable struts are used to accommodate any remaining variations without compromising the pre-established precise position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The struts act as intermediary elements between the elongate body (which establishes precise positioning) and the attachment structure (which has dimensional variations). The struts mediate by absorbing the variations through their adjustability while allowing the elongate body to maintain its precisely positioned role.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Manufacturing precision

If multiple adjustment mechanisms are added, then tolerance compensation is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetolerance compensationVSAvoidfastening structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The struts are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural support, enable tolerance compensation through length adjustment, and serve as the fastening connection element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated adjustment mechanisms, thereby compensating for tolerances without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4201813B1Method for installing a fastening structure for at least one component on an attachment structure of a vehicle interior and jig for positioning a fastening structure
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
  • EP4201813B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4201813B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP4201813B1 patent drawingFigure 4a

AI summary

A method for installing a fastening structure (3) for at least one component (1) on an attachment structure (2) of a vehicle interior is provided. A fastening structure (3) comprises at least one unit (10). The unit (10) comprises an elongate body (13), a first strut (14) detachably coupled between the elongate body (13) and a first fastening (15) for fastening the unit to the attachment structure (2), a second strut (16) detachably coupled between the elongate body (13) and the first fastening (15) and extending at an inclined angle to the elongate body (13). The first strut (14) and/or second strut (16) are variably positionable with respect to the elongate body (13) to provide tolerance compensation and are lockable in an end position. A jig (30) comprising a support structure (31) is detachably coupled to the elongate body (13) of the fastening structure (3), and one or more height adjustment devices (32) on which the support structure (31) is mounted, are adjusted such that the first elongate body (13) is arranged at a pre-determined height. The jig (30) with respect to the attachment structure (2) such that the first fastening (15) engages with a first fixture (21) of the attachment structure (2) and the first fastening (15) to the first fixture (21) to install the fastening structure (3) on the attachment structure (2). The variable positioning of the first strut (14) and/or the second strut (16) provides tolerance compensation between the elongate body (13) and the first fixture (21).