Bistable Support Cover for Vehicle Rear Seat Gap Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles with displaceable rear seats often have a gap between the rear seat backrest and the luggage space cover, which is undesirable for break-in protection and requires a simple, structurally efficient cover to seal this gap effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cover with a textile surface element and bistable resilient support elements that can be pulled out of a housing, using a curved forced guide to transition from a first stable position inside the housing to a second stable position for sealing the gap, allowing for easy handling and adaptation to varying gap widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cover is provided to seal the gap between the rear seat backrest and the luggage space cover, then break-in protection is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional securing components
Solution Approach 1:
The bistable resilient support element is extracted from the housing and used as a self-contained securing mechanism. When pulled out, it automatically transitions from a first stable position (retracted) to a second stable position (extended), providing gap sealing without requiring complex external securing components. This extraction principle simplifies the overall device by using a single integrated element that performs both support and securing functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover system serves itself through the bistable resilient support element, which automatically transitions between stable positions based on its mechanical properties. The element's inherent elasticity and bistability allow it to self-secure the cover in the extended position without requiring additional locking mechanisms or complex securing components, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Weight of moving object
If a simple and lightweight cover design is used, then production costs and weight are reduced, but the cover may lack sufficient structural support to effectively seal the gap
Solution Approach 1:
The bistable resilient support element changes its structural parameters dynamically by transitioning between two stable positions. In the first stable position (retracted), it maintains a compact form with lower structural profile. In the second stable position (extended), it adopts a configuration with increased structural support capability. This parameter change allows the lightweight element to provide sufficient strength when needed while maintaining low weight in storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element is made from resilient material that combines flexibility with structural strength. This composite-like material property allows the element to be lightweight yet capable of providing adequate structural support when extended to seal the gap, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and maintaining sufficient strength.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cover structure is simplified to reduce production costs, then manufacturing becomes more economical, but the adaptability to varying gap widths may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cover system incorporates dynamic adaptability through the bistable resilient support element, which can extend to different positions depending on the gap width requirements. The element's elastic properties allow it to adapt to varying gap dimensions while maintaining structural integrity. This dynamic behavior enables a single simplified structure to serve multiple gap sealing scenarios without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The bistable resilient support element serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables gap sealing, and adapts to varying gap widths. This multi-functionality allows a single simplified component to replace what would otherwise require multiple specialized parts, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining adaptability to different sealing requirements.
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 cover effectively seals the gap between the rear seat backrest and the luggage space cover, providing break-in protection with a simple, lightweight, and cost-effective design that requires minimal securing components, reducing production costs and weight.
Implementation Method 1
at least one support element arranged on the surface element which, when pulled out of the housing, can be moved from a first stable position into a second stable position
Implementation Method 2
at least one forced guide arranged in the housing which at least at an output side thereof has a curved configuration to force the support element into the second stable position
Data Source
AI summary
A cover is provided for covering a gap between a rear seat backrest of a vehicle and a luggage space cover of the vehicle, which cover extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The cover has a surface element which can be pulled out of a housing of the luggage space cover. Arranged on the surface element is at least one support element which, when pulled out of the housing, can be moved from a first stable position into a second stable position, wherein in the housing there is arranged at least one forced guide which at least at the output side thereof has a curved configuration so that the support element is forced into the second stable position.