Vehicle Mounting Assembly with Automatic Decoupling Tensioning Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Screwed components in vehicles can cause unwanted blocking and high load peaks during accidents, potentially damaging safety-critical components and posing risks to occupants.

Innovation Solution

A fastening arrangement featuring a clamping element with tensioning elements, such as wedges, that automatically loosen the fastening in the event of an external force, reducing the rigidity of the component attachment and minimizing load peaks by decoupling the component from the vehicle body during accidents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If screwed fastening means is used to attach component to vehicle body, then fastening strength and rigidity are improved, but load peaks and damage risk to safety-critical components increase during accidents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening strengthVSAvoidload peaks during accident
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic system that adapts its rigidity based on external forces. The tensioning element (spring or damper) allows the fastening strength to vary automatically - maintaining strong attachment during normal operation but automatically reducing clamping force when accident loads are detected, thereby reducing load peaks on safety-critical components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the fastening system by introducing elastic or damping characteristics through the tensioning element. This transforms the fastening means from a purely rigid mechanical connection to a system with energy-absorbing properties, enabling automatic parameter adjustment (clamping force) in response to external acceleration forces during accidents

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid screwed connection is used, then structural stability is improved, but unwanted blocking occurs during accidents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidunwanted blocking
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system incorporates dynamic elements (springs or dampers) that enable automatic adaptation between stable rigid connection during normal use and controlled decoupling during accidents. The tensioning element's elastic or damping properties allow the system to maintain structural stability when needed while preventing blocking by automatically reducing clamping force when external forces indicate an accident scenario

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If tensioning element with play is used to allow decoupling, then accident safety is improved, but fastening precision and reliability may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccident safetyVSAvoidfastening precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces controlled parameter variations through the tensioning element's play or clearance. This deliberate design feature allows the fastening system to transition between two distinct states: a precise rigid connection during normal operation and a controlled decoupled state during accidents. The play in the tensioning element enables automatic state transition based on external forces while maintaining manufacturing precision through defined geometric clearances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively reduces the occurrence of load peaks and damage to vehicle components by allowing the component to decouple from the body during accidents, while maintaining sufficient rigidity for normal vehicle operation, enabling lighter and less rigid body parts.

Implementation Method 1

the tensioning element automatically changes into an accident state when an external force is applied, in which the tensioning element loosens the fastening of the component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the clamping element fastening the component in a normal state reinforced via the fastening means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3261149B1Mounting assembly
Publication Date: 2021.09.15 MAGNA STEYR FAHRZEUGTECHNIK AG & CO KG
  • EP3261149B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3261149B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3261149B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fastening arrangement of a component (1) in a vehicle, comprising the component (1), a load-bearing component (2) of the vehicle and at least one fastening means (3), wherein the component (1) is fastened to the load-bearing component (2) of the vehicle by means of the at least one fastening means (3), wherein the fastening means (3) has a tensioning element (4.1, 4.2), wherein the tensioning element (4.1, 4.2) in a normal state reinforces the fastening of the component (1) via the fastening means (3), wherein the tensioning element (4.1, 4.2) automatically transitions into an accident state when an external force (F) is applied, in which the tensioning element (4.1, 4.2) loosens the fastening of the component (1) via the fastening means (3).