Protective cover assembly for truck compartment

Abstract

A protective cover assembly for a truck compartment of a pickup-type vehicle is provided, the protective cover assembly comprising a motorized roller blind (1) formed by a plurality of adjacent transverse panels (2) and end slats (4), the plurality of adjacent transverse panels (2) being continuously connected along a transverse length by hinge joints (3), the roller blind (1) is connected at one end with a transverse rotatable shaft so as to be able to be wound and unwound on the transverse rotatable shaft, in which the end slat (4) comprises one or more electrical elements (16, 17, 18, 19) connected to a stationary electrical element, namely a smart AI control circuit board (9) mounted on the housing box (7), in this way, the electrical components (16, 17, 18, 19) are continuously powered during operation of the shield assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective cover assembly for a truck bed of a pickup type vehicle, and in particular to a protective cover assembly comprising a roller blind comprising a plurality of hinged laterally adjacent panels or slats, and end slats comprising one or more electrical components connected to a power supply or controller circuit board so that the electrical components are continuously powered during operation of the protective cover assembly, i.e. during movement or during vehicle operation. Background Art

[0002] Truck beds are commonly used for pickup trucks and similar vehicles with cargo boxes that are largely exposed to the elements. It is well known that there are different types of covers (roll-up covers, folding covers, telescopic covers, one-piece solid covers, etc.) that can provide a safer, more weatherproof storage space.

[0003] Typical motorized roll-up guards achieve obstacle detection by measuring the electrical characteristics of the motor, i.e., the change in current required to extend the guard's roller curtain. Such roll-up guards can compare the electrical characteristic, such as current or voltage, to a predetermined threshold and stop the motor if the threshold is exceeded, assuming an obstacle is present. However, weather conditions such as rain, snow, or temperature changes may affect the rated characteristics of the motor and not necessarily indicate the presence of an obstacle. In certain weather conditions, this false positive condition can render a typical roll-up guard inoperable.

[0004] Typical motorized roll-up shields utilize physical buttons mounted on the side rail members of the shield assembly or in the vehicle compartment to allow the user to operate the shield assembly functions without a remote control key. Since the roll-up shield is exposed to the outside, these buttons are largely exposed to weather conditions, dust, etc. Therefore, there remains a need for an alternative method for the user to operate the shield assembly functions without a remote control key.

[0005] Protective covers, especially roll-up protective covers, are movable and rollable, and it is sometimes necessary to power electrical components arranged on the protective covers, more specifically on the end slats of the roller blinds. These electrical components are used for various purposes, such as indicating that the roller blinds are moving (opening or closing), providing additional lighting, or for safety purposes, i.e., signal lights, sensors, etc., to detect obstacles in the truck compartment.

[0006] Currently known are external batteries placed on the truck bed and trucks with wired side rails (side rails) for connecting to a power source. However, due to the removability / windability of the roll-up shield and the exposure of the roller blind, these solutions cannot provide continuous electrical connection and operation of the electrical components (lights, sensors or signal transceivers) arranged on the end slats of the shield, more specifically the roller blind, when the shield, more specifically the end slats of the roller blind, are operated, i.e. moved.

[0007] Finally, in known systems, due to the lack of power in the intermediate positions of the roller blind, it is not possible to mount electrical components, ie sensor means or lighting means, on the end slats, nor actuators on the end slats to directly operate the roller blind. Summary of the invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a protective cover assembly for a pickup truck bed is provided. The protective cover assembly includes a motorized roller blind that is selectively extended to at least partially cover the pickup truck bed and at least partially retracted to form a roll. The roller blind is composed of a plurality of adjacent transverse panels or slats hinged to each other and end slats.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, the protective cover assembly includes one or more electrical components (lighting devices, signal transceivers, sensor devices, etc.), one or more electrical components are arranged on the end slats of the roller shutter, and are powered and controlled by a controller circuit board, which is included in the roller shutter or connected to the electrical components by means of a wired connection arranged in the protective cover assembly, so that the electrical components are continuously powered during the operation, i.e., movement, of the protective cover assembly.

[0010] In some embodiments, the end slats can slide under pressure between a first position and a second position relative to the rest of the roller blind. The end slats can include one or more sensor devices that can be activated when the end slats are actuated and send signals to the controller circuit board accordingly. The controller circuit board can process these signals in a variety of ways. As a first function, when the roller blind stops in the rear position (fully closed truck bed), the signal sent by the sensor will be processed as a command issued by the user to open the roller blind. As a second function, when the roller blind stops in the front position (fully open truck bed), the signal sent by the sensor will be processed as a command issued by the user to close the roller blind. As a third function, when the roll-up shield moves to close the truck bed, if the signal sent by the sensor assumes that there is an obstacle, the roller blind immediately stops and reverses to release the obstacle (i.e., human hands, luggage). As a fourth function, when the roll-up shield moves to open the truck bed, the signal sent by the sensor will be processed as a command issued by the user to stop the roller blind.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, the shield assembly may further include a solar panel disposed on at least a portion of the plurality of adjacent lateral panels to provide power to the electrical components.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, the protective cover assembly may further include a plurality of cable guide elements for providing wired connections to the electrical components.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, the protective cover assembly may further include one or more rechargeable batteries disposed in the roller blind.

[0014] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the detailed description taken in conjunction with the provided drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1a Detailed Description of the Invention A fully extended shield assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 1b yes Figure 1a Detailed view of a portion of a protective cover assembly showing a cable guide element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2a is a front perspective view of a cable guide element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2b yes Figure 2a Rear perspective view of the cable guide element in FIG.

[0020] Figure 3 is a partially exploded top view of a protective cover assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 is a side perspective view of a housing box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 is a partial top view of a shield assembly of a shield system according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the end slats include signal lights and sensor devices.

[0023] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of electrical connections according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Reference Figure 1aAccording to the present invention, a protective cover assembly for a truck compartment of a pickup type vehicle includes a motorized roller shutter 1 driven by an electric motor (electric motor), the motorized roller shutter 1 consisting of a plurality of adjacent transverse panels 2 and end slats 4, which are continuously connected along a transverse length by hinge joints 3, and the roller shutter 1 is connected at one end to a transverse rotatable shaft not shown, which is included in a housing box 7 so as to allow the roller shutter 1 to be wound and unwound on the transverse rotatable shaft.

[0025] The term longitudinal direction is to be understood as a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the pickup truck.

[0026] The term transverse is to be understood as a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the pickup truck.

[0027] According to the invention, the end slats 4 of the guard assembly comprise one or more electrical components 16, 17, 18, 19 which are movable with the roller blind 1 and are connected to a power source 8 (not shown).

[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the electrical components 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 are one or more sensors 16 and / or one or more signal lights 17 , 18 , 19 .

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 As shown, the sensor is one or more push switches 16 for detecting a pressing action on the end slat 4, which can be interpreted as an obstacle or a user command.

[0030] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the signal light is an illuminated sign or logo 17, a full-length white light 18 that can be moved with the motorized roller shutter 1 to illuminate the interior of the truck cabin according to user preferences, and / or a red light 19 that can be used as an additional brake light, emergency light, or additional driving beam light, just like the vehicle's other tailgate lights.

[0031] The signal lights 18 and 19 may be in the form of light strips.

[0032] In other embodiments, the signal lights 17, 18, 19 may be illuminated when the vehicle and / or the roll-up shield is in operation.

[0033] Furthermore, additional circuitry may be incorporated into any embodiment of the present invention to cause the signal lights 17, 18, 19 to flash or change color and intensity based on the user's preference.

[0034] Additional circuits may be added to any embodiment of the present invention, for example, to cause the signal lights 18, 19 to flash or change intensity when the roller blind 1 moves (opens or closes), when the vehicle brakes or accelerates, etc.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the invention, the power source 8 is a vehicle battery.

[0036] Then, the protective cover assembly further comprises a plurality of cable guide elements 5, such as Figure 1b As shown, a plurality of cable guide elements 5 are mounted on at least a portion of a plurality of adjacent transverse panels 2 and are configured to receive electrical cables to provide a wired connection to the protective cover assembly, so that the end slats 4 can be connected to a stationary electrical component, i.e., a smart AI (artificial intelligence) control circuit board 9 mounted on the housing box and powered by the vehicle battery, via the electrical cables.

[0037] In this way, the electrical components 16, 17, 18, 19 arranged in the end slats 4 can receive power from the smart AI control circuit board 9 with the aid of a cable, which is supported and guided in a predetermined manner along at least a section of the longitudinal length of the motorized roller blind 1 and connects the electrical components 16, 17, 18, 19 to the smart AI control circuit board 9.

[0038] A variety of suitable configurations for the guide element 5 are conceivable.

[0039] The envisaged construction is particularly suitable for receiving an electrical cable therethrough and allowing the electrical cable to be wound together with the motorized roller blind 1 in an endless manner without bending.

[0040] like Figure 2a and Figure 2b As shown, in any conceivable construction, the cable guiding element 5 includes an inner wall 5a, an outer wall 5b, a top wall 5c, a bottom wall 5d, a distal end 5e and a proximal end 5f, and the inner wall 5a, the outer wall 5b, the top wall 5c, the bottom wall 5d, the distal end 5e and the proximal end 5f define a channel 6 over the entire length of the cable guiding element 5, and the channel 6 is used to support and guide the cable when the cable passes longitudinally through the cable guiding element 5.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the protective cover assembly also includes a plurality of solar panels 11 (not shown) constituting a power source 8 for generating electrical energy, and these panels are arranged on the top surface of at least a portion of the plurality of adjacent transverse panels 2, or integrated in at least a portion of the plurality of adjacent transverse panels 2.

[0042] According to another embodiment, the power source 8 is one or more rechargeable batteries mounted on the roller blind 1 .

[0043] The solar panel 11 may be connected to a rechargeable battery to collect and store energy provided by the solar panel 11 , or may be directly connected to the electrical components 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 .

[0044] In an embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the plurality of adjacent transverse panels 2 has a cable guide element 5 mounted at one or both longitudinal ends of the transverse panel 2. In this way, the cables can be arranged along only one longitudinal side of the roller blind 1 or along two opposite longitudinal sides of the roller blind 1, thereby achieving different cable routing arrangements.

[0045] See Figure 2b The inner wall 5 a of the cable guide element 5 may include a passage 10 through which the cable can pass out of the channel 6 in a transverse direction relative to the cable guide element 5 .

[0046] Figure 2a and Figure 2b The cable guide element 5 shown in FIG. 5 may be attached to the adjacent transverse panel 2 by means of threaded bolts or fasteners.

[0047] like Figure 3 As shown, the cable guide element 5 may also include a plurality of transverse protruding parts 12, 13, 14, which extend into the interior of the transverse panel 2 to provide additional attachment means. That is, the design profile of the cable guide element 5 may correspond to the design profile of the transverse panel 2 for better matching.

[0048] The configuration, number, arrangement, etc. of the laterally projecting members 12, 13, 14 may vary.

[0049] In another embodiment, the housing box 7 may include a spiral track arranged on the inner surface of the side wall of the housing box 7 to help guide the roller blind 1 so that the roller blind 1 will not encounter excessive friction resistance when extending or retracting. In such an embodiment, the cable guide element 5 may include a ball bearing 15 to minimize the rolling friction between the transverse panel 2 and the spiral track.

[0050] In an embodiment of the present invention, the solar panel 11 has an electrical connector, wherein the positive and negative terminals of the panel are connected to a cable, which passes through a passage 10 of a cable guide element 5 installed at only one longitudinal end of the panel 2 including the solar panel 11, so that the cable extends along only one longitudinal length of the roller blind 1 to connect the solar panel 11 to one or more rechargeable batteries arranged in the roller blind 1, or directly to the electrical components 16, 17, 18, 19.

[0051] In another embodiment of the present invention, the solar panel 11 can have a positive pole at one end and a negative pole at the other end, so that the cable passes through the passage 10 of the corresponding cable guiding elements 5 installed at the two longitudinal ends of the panel 2 including the solar panel 11, so that the cable extends along the opposite longitudinal length of the roller blind 1 to connect the solar panel to one or more rechargeable batteries arranged in the roller blind 1, or directly to the electrical components 16, 17, 18, 19.

[0052] The end slats 4 may also include an opening and closing mechanism for use with the sensor 16, for example, when pressure is applied to the end slats 4, the sensor 16 may be activated to send a signal to the smart AI control circuit board 9. This activation signal is understood as an opening and closing signal, and the motor of the protective cover assembly is activated to open, close or stop the movement of the motorized roller blind 1 according to the previous state of the motorized roller blind 1. In other words, if the roller blind is closed, pushing the end slats 4 will activate the sensor 16 and the roller blind 1 will open. Therefore, when the roller blind 1 is open, pushing the end slats 4 can activate the sensor 16 and the roller blind 1 can be closed. Such operation is only possible in the following conditions: when power is supplied to the electrical components 16, 17, 18, 19 of the end slats 4 in any intermediate position, that is, when there is a wired connection between the stationary element and the moving or rolling element relative to the housing box of the protective cover or relative to the vehicle for activating the sensor 16 and allowing the sensor to communicate with the smart AI control circuit board 9.

[0053] The end slat 4 differs from the other slats of the roller blind 1, i.e. the adjacent transverse panels 2, in at least two aspects. Firstly, the end slat 4 may consist of two parts, a first part being hingedly attached to the next slat and a second part being slidable and / or pivotable relative to the first part. There may be at least space between the two parts to accommodate one or more sensors 16. By pushing the second part of the end slat 4, the second part may slide or pivot relative to the first part of the end slat 4 and activate the sensor 16. The second part may also accommodate signal lights 17, 18, 19.

[0054] like Figure 5 As shown, the motorized protective cover system is also constructed to be remotely controllable by a remote control element or a mobile application installed in a smartphone, so that the electrical elements 16, 17, 18, 19 can be activated or deactivated, for example, when the electrical elements are signal lights 17, 18, 19, their brightness can be adjusted, and the roller blind 1 can be automatically opened or closed by remotely starting the motor of the protective cover system.

[0055] The motor is driven by a smart AI (artificial intelligence) control circuit board 9, such as Figure 4As shown, the smart AI control circuit board can be mounted on the side wall of the housing box 7 of the roller blind 1. The smart AI controller circuit board is preferably connected to the vehicle battery.

[0056] A control panel arrangement, not shown, may be mounted on or near the housing box, and / or within the truck cab, and / or within the side rails, and / or within the end slats 4 .

[0057] The motor can be remotely controlled by a remote control or an application installed in a smartphone. Thus, the roller blind 1 can be automatically opened, closed, stopped and / or locked in any position.

[0058] Furthermore, the signal lights 17 , 18 , 19 can be automatically activated when the roller blind 1 is unfolded, and can also work together with the vehicle's headlights (headlights), parking lights or taillights.

[0059] Alternatively, the signal lights 17, 18, 19 may also include a light sensor device, not shown, which activates the signal lights 17, 18, 19 when a selected event occurs, such as in darkness, gloom or bad weather conditions.

[0060] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, these embodiments are essentially only for illustration and not for limitation, because it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various other modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A shield assembly for a truck bed of a pickup type vehicle, said shield assembly comprising a motorized roller blind (1) formed by a plurality of adjacent transverse panels (2) connected continuously along a transverse length by hinge joints (3) and end slats (4), said roller blind (1) being connected at one end to a transverse rotatable shaft so as to be able to be wound and unwound thereon, The end slat (4) includes one or more electrical components (16, 17, 18, 19), which are capable of moving with the roller blind (1) and are connected to a smart AI control circuit board (9) which is a stationary electrical component mounted on a housing box (7), so that the electrical components (16, 17, 18, 19) are continuously powered during the operation of the protective cover assembly.

2. The protective cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the one or more electrical components are one or more sensors (16) and / or one or more signal lights (17, 18, 19).

3. The protective cover assembly according to claim 2, wherein the signal light (17, 18, 19) is an additional brake light and / or an additional driving beam light and / or an emergency light.

4. The protective cover assembly according to claim 2, wherein the signal lights (18, 19) are light strips.

5. The protective cover assembly of claim 2, wherein the sensor is a push switch (16).

6. The protective cover assembly according to claim 5, wherein the sensor (16) is configured to function as an actuator and / or an obstacle detector for the roller blind (1).

7. The protective cover assembly according to claims 1 to 6, wherein the protective cover assembly further comprises a plurality of solar panels (11), wherein the plurality of solar panels (11) are arranged on at least a portion of the plurality of adjacent lateral panels (2) or integrated in at least a portion of the plurality of adjacent lateral panels (2).

8. A protective cover assembly according to claims 1 to 6, wherein the power source (8) is one or more rechargeable batteries installed in the roller blind (1).

9. The shield assembly according to claims 7 and 8, wherein the rechargeable battery is charged by the solar panel (11).

10. The shield assembly according to claims 1 to 6, wherein the power source (8) is a vehicle battery.

11. A protective cover assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the protective cover assembly further comprises a plurality of cable guide elements (5), the plurality of cable guide elements (5) being mounted to at least a portion of the plurality of adjacent transverse panels (2), and the plurality of cable guide elements (5) being configured to receive cables passing therethrough so that the cables can be supported and guided in a predetermined manner along at least one longitudinal length of the roller blind (1) so as to provide a wired connection between the electrical components (16, 17, 18, 19), the smart AI control circuit board (9) and the vehicle battery.

12. The protective cover assembly according to claim 11, wherein the cable guiding element (5) comprises an inner wall (5a), an outer wall (5b), a top wall (5c), a bottom wall (5d), a distal end (5e) and a proximal end (5f), wherein the inner wall (5a), the outer wall (5b), the top wall (5c), the bottom wall (5d), the distal end (5e) and the proximal end (5f) define a channel (9) over the entire length of the cable guiding element (5), and the channel is used to support and guide the cable when the cable passes through the cable guiding element (5) in the longitudinal direction.

13. The protective cover assembly according to claim 11, wherein the inner wall (5a) includes a passage (10), through which the cable can pass out from the channel (6) in the transverse direction relative to the cable guide element (5) to reach the transverse panel (2) on which the guide element (5) is installed and / or leave the transverse panel (2).

14. The shield assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the electrical element (16, 17, 18, 19) is configured to be remotely controlled.

15. The protective cover assembly according to claim 13, wherein the electrical components (16, 17, 18, 19) are remotely controlled by a remote control component or an application installed in a smartphone.

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