Cargo Space Cover End Cap Mounting Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cargo space covers for motor vehicles face difficulties in mounting and dismounting, especially in wide vehicles with deep cargo spaces, due to increased vehicle width and length, which complicates the operational travel required to reach the supports and can lead to rattling noises when driving over uneven ground.
Innovation Solution
The cargo space cover design includes support structures with guide elements and centering devices that facilitate independent positioning and interlocking of end caps with supports, allowing for easy alignment and secure anchoring without requiring simultaneous alignment of both end caps, and incorporates an ejector mechanism to visually indicate correct interlocking and aid in dismounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the vehicle width and cargo space depth increase, then the cargo space capacity increases, but the operational travel required to reach the supports increases making mounting and dismounting more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting process is segmented into two independent stages: first the guide structure engages to position the end cap, then the interlocking element engages to secure it. This segmentation allows the first end cap to be mounted independently without requiring simultaneous alignment of both end caps, significantly easing the operation in wide vehicles with deep cargo spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure acts as an intermediary element between the end cap and the support. It facilitates the mounting process by providing a preliminary engagement point that guides the end cap into correct position before the interlocking element engages, making the operation feasible even in vehicles with large cargo spaces
2Device complexity
If traditional interlocking mechanisms are used without guide structures, then the structure is simpler, but alignment precision between end caps and supports deteriorates leading to mounting difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure performs a preliminary engagement action before the main interlocking engagement. By first engaging the guide structure, the end cap is pre-positioned and aligned with the support, ensuring precise alignment without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms during the final interlocking step
3Manufacturing precision
If both end caps use spring-loaded locking bars for centering, then dimensional tolerances are compensated, but the device complexity and fabrication cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The centering function is extracted from the interlocking mechanism and implemented separately through the guide structure. This allows dimensional tolerance compensation to be achieved through the simple geometric design of the guide structure rather than requiring complex spring-loaded centering mechanisms at both ends
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure serves multiple functions: it provides preliminary engagement, ensures precise alignment, and compensates for dimensional tolerances. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate spring-loaded centering mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining precision
4Reliability
If ejector pins are added to bridge dimensional tolerances and minimize rattling, then the interlocking reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment and tolerance compensation functions are merged into the guide structure, which is integrated with the interlocking mechanism. This combination eliminates the need for separate ejector pins and springs, maintaining interlocking reliability while reducing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A cargo space cover for a motor vehicle, the cargo space cover including a winding shaft housing with a winding shaft arranged rotatably therein and configured to receive a cover web movable between a functional position where the cover web is at least partially pulled off from the winding shaft and a storage position where the cover web is substantially wound onto the winding shaft; a first support and a second support arranged opposite to one another and at least indirectly attached to the motor vehicle body; a first end cap arranged at a first face of the winding shaft housing; a second end cap arranged at a second face of the winding shaft housing, wherein the first support includes a first receiving space for receiving the first end cap, wherein the first receiving space includes a receiving opening that is oriented towards the second support.