Folding Cargo Cover Sealing Structure for Slat Connector Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding type cargo compartment cover units for vehicles lack a sealing mechanism between the slats and connectors, allowing moisture and foreign materials to penetrate, which can damage cargo and reduce the durability of the cover unit.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating weather strips made of flexible material between the slats and connectors to seal the gaps, ensuring that the cover unit can effectively prevent moisture and foreign material from entering the cargo compartment while maintaining the structural integrity and durability of the cover unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a folding type cargo compartment cover unit with multiple slats and connectors is used, then the cover unit can be folded to save space and facilitate loading of long cargo, but moisture and foreign materials can penetrate through gaps between slats and connectors
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing member is introduced as an intermediary element between the slat and connector. The sealing member includes a sealing portion that contacts the slat and a connecting portion that contacts the connector, creating a barrier that prevents moisture and foreign materials from penetrating through the gap while allowing the folding mechanism to function
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member is made of flexible material that can deform to accommodate the folding motion of the cover unit. The flexible sealing member maintains contact with both the slat and connector during folding operations, ensuring continuous sealing while allowing the structural components to move relative to each other
2Device complexity
If connectors directly contact slats to enable folding, then the structure is simple and durable, but gaps between them allow moisture and foreign material ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The connector structure is segmented into a connecting portion and a sealing portion. The connecting portion maintains the structural function of joining slats, while the sealing portion specifically contacts the slat to prevent moisture ingress. This segmentation allows the connector to fulfill multiple functions without significantly increasing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides structural connection between slats for folding capability, and simultaneously provides sealing function through its contact with the slat via the sealing member. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sealing components while maintaining reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A folding type cargo compartment cover unit having a sealing structure includes: a plurality of slats successively arranged on top of a vehicular cargo compartment along one direction of a vehicle; connectors, each being arranged between the adjacent slats; shafts, each hinge-connecting one of the adjacent slats and the connector to each other by passing through the one of the adjacent slats and through the connector; and weather strips, each being formed of flexible material and being provided on at least one of the slat or the connector, thereby sealing a gap between the slat and the connector.