Vehicle Cargo Protection Corner Element Tensioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cargo protection devices for vehicles face challenges in storage due to stiff bars that make them difficult to fold or roll, and they often have a straight upper edge that does not conform to the curved ceiling, allowing cargo to pass through gaps during braking or collisions, and are complicated to attach to the vehicle interior.

Innovation Solution

A corner element with a holding portion forming an angle between 90° and 110°, made of a rigid material, that attaches to the vehicle interior, allowing the cargo protection device to be tensioned and follow the ceiling's curvature without the need for stiff bars, and includes a method for easy attachment and tensioning using a foldable and/or rollable fabric portion with corner elements that distribute impact forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a stiff bar is provided at the upper edge of the cargo protection device, then the upper edge is retained taut and follows a straight line, but it makes the device difficult to store and creates gaps with curved ceilings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetautness of upper edgeVSAvoidstorability of device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The upper edge element is divided into multiple rigid sections connected by flexible elements, allowing the structure to maintain rigidity for tensioning while gaining flexibility for storage and adaptation to curved surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The upper edge element transitions from a completely rigid bar to a dynamic structure with flexible connections, enabling it to adapt between rigid tensioning function and flexible storage state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If the upper edge is made straight to retain it taut, then the cargo protection device is easier to manufacture, but it creates interspaces with curved ceilings through which cargo can pass

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of upper edge fabricationVSAvoidcoverage of ceiling surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The upper edge element incorporates curved sections and flexible connections that allow it to conform to the curved ceiling surface, eliminating gaps while maintaining structural integrity and tensioning capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If the cargo protection device uses traditional attachment methods with manual adjustment, then it can be attached to the vehicle interior, but the attachment process is complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment capability to vehicle interiorVSAvoidsimplicity of attachment process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The corner elements are designed to self-adjust and self-tension during attachment, automatically adapting to the vehicle interior geometry without requiring manual measurement or adjustment of attachment lengths

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The corner elements are pre-configured with adjustable attachment portions that can be quickly set to appropriate lengths before attachment, simplifying the installation process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Strength

If rigid materials are used for corner elements, then the device can effectively distribute impact forces, but the overall weight and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact force distribution capabilityVSAvoidweight of cargo protection device

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Rigid materials are used only in the corner elements where impact force distribution is critical, while the main body of the cargo protection device uses lighter materials, optimizing the weight-strength balance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2871099B1Cargo protection device and a corner element therefor

Publication Date: 2018.05.09 VOLVO CAR CORP

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AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a corner element (38, 40) for attachment of a cargo protection device (14) to an interior (10) of a vehicle (12). The corner element comprises a holding portion (42), adapted to be located at least partly in or at an upper corner (24, 26) of the cargo protection device, and an attachment portion (44) for attachment of the corner element to the interior of the vehicle. The holding portion comprises a first leg (46) and a second leg (48) connected by a central portion (50), the first leg extending from the central portion in a first direction (D1) and the second leg extending from the central portion (50) in a second direction (D2), such that the first and second directions in an untensioned state of the holding portion form an angle α with each other with 90° < α < 110°. The attachment portion extends from the central portion in a third direction (D3), which has a first component in a direction opposite to the first direction and a second component in a direction opposite to the second direction. The disclosure further relates to a cargo protection device, comprising a foldable and/or rollable fabric portion (20) and at least one such corner element, and a method of attaching such a cargo protection device to the interior of the vehicle.