Cargo Cover Assembly With Rib Supports for Taller Tray Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cargo area cover systems for utility vehicles and pickup trucks are inadequate for covering larger, taller loads, as they often cannot be extended when the tray is loaded.
Innovation Solution
An automotive cargo or tray area cover assembly featuring rib supports with upright legs that elevate the cover above the tray area, using a tongue-in-groove fastening arrangement, and optionally including extendable scissor mechanisms and a rear closure with an electric window.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pliant canvas cover is extended across the raised tray sides, then the cover can be used for standard loads, but it cannot be used when the tray is loaded with larger loads that extend above the tray sides
Solution Approach 1:
The cover system transitions from a static canvas cover to a dynamic structure with extendable rib supports that can be raised and lowered. The rib supports include upright legs that elevate the cover above the tray sides when extended, allowing the cover to adapt to taller loads while maintaining a compact form when retracted.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover assembly is divided into separate functional components: the cover itself, multiple rib supports with upright legs, fastening arrangements, and guide rails. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together to solve the adaptability problem.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rib supports with upright legs are used to elevate the cover above the tray sides, then the cover can support taller loads, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Guide rails are introduced as intermediary structures that constrain and guide the movement of rib supports. The guide rails simplify the mechanism by providing predetermined paths for the rib supports to follow, reducing the complexity of controlling the extendable supports while enabling height adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual manipulation of complex mechanical structures is replaced with a linear actuator system that uses an elongate screw and bevel screw arrangement driven by a motor. This substitution simplifies the operation and control of the rib support extension and retraction mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If a linear actuator with motor is used to automatically move the cover, then ease of operation is improved, but the weight of the moving object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover assembly incorporates self-contained actuation systems at each rib support location, with the leading rib support being linearly moved by a linear actuator and remaining rib supports following by pulling. This distributed self-service approach eliminates the need for complex centralized control mechanisms and reduces overall system weight.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to an automotive cargo or a tray area cover assembly. The cover assembly includes a cover for covering a cargo or a tray area of an automobile. One or more rib supports are provided for moving over the cargo or the tray area and supporting the cover.