Truck Cab Back Panel Venting to Bypass Cargo Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Trucks with unibody construction lack a gap between the cab and box, making conventional air extractors ineffective as they vent air into the cargo area instead of outside, which can be obstructed by cargo or bed liners.
Innovation Solution
An air venting system where an air extractor is integrated within the hidden section of the cab back panel, configured to vent air from the passenger compartment to areas outside the cargo area, such as beneath the floor or between inner and outer panels of the box, allowing air to escape without obstructing cargo or requiring a bed liner cover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an air extractor vents air into the cargo area in unibody trucks, then air can be extracted from the passenger compartment, but the air extraction is obstructed by cargo or bed liners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air extraction function from the cargo area and relocates it to the gap between the cab and box. The air extractor is positioned in the hidden section of the cab back panel, directing exhaust air into the gap rather than the cargo area, thereby eliminating obstruction issues while maintaining air extraction functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The gap between the cab and box serves as an intermediary space that receives exhaust air from the passenger compartment without requiring direct access to the cargo area. This intermediary zone allows air extraction to occur without interfering with cargo or bed liner placement
2Productivity
If an air extractor is positioned to vent air outside the truck, then air extraction efficiency improves, but the air extractor requires exposure outside the cargo area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air extractor with the cab back panel structure, integrating it into the hidden section that forms part of the cab-box interface. This integration allows the air extractor to be positioned optimally for air extraction while being structurally incorporated into the vehicle body, reducing the need for separate mounting components
Solution Approach 2:
The air extractor utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning itself in the hidden section of the cab back panel, directing air into the gap space above the box floor. This dimensional approach allows air extraction without requiring horizontal exposure in the cargo area, simplifying the overall positioning arrangement
3Ease of operation
If conventional air extractors are used in unibody trucks, then air can be vented, but the air extractor must be covered by a bed liner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air extractor from the cargo area environment where it would require bed liner coverage. By relocating it to the hidden section of the cab back panel that opens to the gap, the air extractor is removed from the cargo space, eliminating the need for bed liner covers while preserving air extraction functionality
Data Source
AI summary
An air venting system includes, among other things. A box of a truck. The box provides a cargo area. The system further includes a cab back panel of the truck. The cab back panel has an exposed section that provides a front wall of the cargo area. The cab back panel has a hidden section outside the cargo area. An air extractor is held within the hidden section of the cab back panel.