Vehicle Component Mounting Element With Auxiliary Guide Means

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional detachable connections in motor vehicle components, such as body parts and trim components, are difficult to disassemble without damaging the components due to the need for applying force at awkward angles and the risk of damaging flexible or elastic materials, making reassembly challenging.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a mounting element with a disassembly means and a fastening element featuring a guide means that creates an auxiliary connection only when the main connection is to be released, allowing for easy disassembly by keeping the connection partners at a distance until the second component is removed, thus avoiding the need for forceful separation and potential damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional detachable connections are used to connect body components to trim components, then the components can be detached and reattached, but the disassembly process requires applying force at awkward angles which can damage flexible or elastic materials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of disassemblyVSAvoidintegrity of connection partners
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into two distinct functional elements: a mounting element with disassembly means and a fastening element with guide means. This segmentation allows the disassembly process to be separated from the main connection function, enabling gentle removal without compromising the integrity of the flexible or elastic connection partners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The disassembly means acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the main connection. By providing a dedicated disassembly interface, it mediates the force application process, allowing users to detach components without directly applying force to the delicate connection partners, thus preventing damage while enabling easy disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If force is applied to separate components in conventional arrangements, then the components can be detached, but the flexible or elastic materials and delicate contours can be easily damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of disassemblyVSAvoiddamage to connection partners
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful force application is extracted from the disassembly process. The guide means is designed to extract and channel the separation motion along a safe path, removing the need to apply damaging forces directly to the connection partners. This allows rapid disassembly without compromising the integrity of flexible or elastic materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide means provides beforehand cushioning by defining a predetermined separation path. This path cushions and guides the separation motion, preventing direct impact or excessive force on the connection partners. The design anticipates potential damage and prevents it through the guided extraction mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If tools are inserted between components at awkward angles for disassembly, then components can be separated, but it is difficult to optimally apply force and maintain force until detachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of component separationVSAvoidcomplexity of disassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The disassembly means enables self-service disassembly by providing an integrated interface that guides the user through the separation process. The mounting element and fastening element are designed to work together, allowing users to detach components without requiring complex external tools or techniques, simplifying the overall disassembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional detachable connections are used, then components can be connected and disconnected, but reassembly may not be possible if connection partners are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereusability of componentsVSAvoidease of reassembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide means performs preliminary action by defining and establishing a safe separation path before any damage can occur. This preliminary guidance ensures that the connection partners are separated without damage, preserving their integrity for future reassembly operations and maintaining component reusability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution enables easy and gentle disassembly of motor vehicle components without damaging the flexible or elastic materials, allowing for reassembly and maintaining the integrity of the connection partners, thereby overcoming the limitations of conventional arrangements.

Implementation Method 1

Form-fitting connections are created by the interlocking of at least two connection partners

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForm-fitting connection: Geometry

Implementation Method 2

Force-fit connections are characterized by an orthogonal force that acts on the surfaces of the connection partners to be connected. Their mutual displacement is prevented as long as the counterforce caused by the static friction is not exceeded.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

the disassembly means and the guide means are designed in such a way that the disassembly means is spaced apart from the guide means when the arrangement is assembled, and that the disassembly means is connected to the guide means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical guidance: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP3250416B1Arrangement for releasably connecting a first component to a second component
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3250416B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3250416B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3250416B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement for releasably connecting a first component (10) to a second component (20), in particular vehicle body components, with a mounting element (11), which is arranged on the first component (10), and with a fastening element (21), which is arranged on the second component (20), wherein the mounting element (11) and the fastening element (21) are designed in such a way that, in the assembled state of the arrangement, the fastening element (21) is in operative connection with the mounting element (11) in order to produce a main connection (I) between the first component (10) and the second component (20). According to the invention, the mounting element (11) has a demounting means (13) and the fastening element (21) has a guide means (23) which is complementary to the demounting means (13), wherein the demounting means (13) and the guide means (23) are spaced apart from one another in the assembled state, and wherein the demounting means (13) can in particular only then be brought into operative connection with the guide means (23) in order to produce an auxiliary connection (11) between the first component (10) and the second component (20), and in order to facilitate the release of the main connection (I) between the first component (10) and the second component (20).