Elastic Tailgate Load Cover Without Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional load cover arrangements for vehicle luggage compartments are obstructive, expensive, complex, heavy, prone to noise, and prone to malfunction due to moving parts, and do not effectively address aesthetic and security concerns.
Innovation Solution
A load cover arrangement with a fixed end attached to the tailgate and a front portion with fastening members that can be releasably attached to the front side of the luggage compartment, utilizing resiliently elastic materials to adjust length between retracted, closed, and open positions without moving parts, providing acoustic dampening and reducing weight and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional load cover arrangements use housings with winding shafts and web mechanisms, then the load cover can be deployed and retracted, but the device becomes heavy, complex, and obstructive to luggage space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the load cover from the conventional housing structure and attaches it directly to the tailgate. The load cover is mounted via a mounting arrangement fixed to the tailgate, eliminating the need for separate lateral housings that obstruct luggage space. This extraction principle removes the cumbersome housing while retaining the load cover's functional deployment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible load cover made of elastic material that can be stretched and folded. The load cover includes a flexible front portion and a flexible rear portion that can be stored in a compressed state within the tailgate and deployed when needed. This flexible film approach replaces the rigid housing with a lightweight, space-efficient elastic structure.
2Reliability
If conventional load covers use rigid housings and moving parts, then the load cover provides coverage, but it generates rattling noises and is prone to malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible elastic load cover that stretches and contracts smoothly without rigid moving parts. The elastic material naturally dampens vibrations and eliminates rattling noises associated with conventional rigid housings and winding mechanisms. The flexible construction inherently reduces malfunction risks by removing complex mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical winding shaft and web system with an elastic material-based deployment mechanism. The load cover is deployed by stretching the elastic material and secured using fastening members, eliminating the need for motors, gears, and other mechanical components that generate noise and fail.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional load covers use lateral housings arranged at the upper portion of rear seats, then the load cover can be stored, but it obstructs bulky luggage and requires removal for large items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the load cover within the tailgate structure itself. The flexible load cover can be compressed and stored within the tailgate's internal space when not in use, and quickly deployed when needed. This nesting approach eliminates the need for separate lateral housings and ensures the load cover is always available without permanently occupying luggage space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic storage system where the load cover transitions between a compressed stored state within the tailgate and an extended deployed state covering the luggage compartment. The elastic material allows the load cover to be easily compressed for storage and stretched for use, adapting to different spatial requirements without obstructing luggage space when stored.
4Weight of moving object
If simple elastic stretchable fabric is used as load cover, then the cost and weight are reduced, but the aesthetic and security coverage is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible elastic load cover made of aesthetically pleasing material that can be stretched to cover the entire luggage compartment. The elastic material provides smooth, continuous coverage without the mechanical components of conventional systems, maintaining both lightweight construction and effective aesthetic coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a mounting arrangement fixed to the tailgate that prepares the load cover for deployment. The mounting arrangement includes attachment points and guidance structures that ensure the load cover is properly positioned and tensioned when deployed, providing immediate effective coverage without requiring additional adjustment or assembly steps.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution offers a non-obstructive, cost-effective, and reliable load cover that maintains security and aesthetics by eliminating the need for additional housing, reducing noise, and enhancing ergonomics through handle-less operation, while ensuring the load cover is always available without occupying luggage space.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion of the load cover is resiliently elastic so that it is stretchable between a retracted position with a first length of Dretracted, the closed tailgate position with a second length Dclosed and the open tailgate position with a third length Dopen
Data Source
AI summary
A load cover arrangement for an interior luggage compartment of a vehicle. The load cover arrangement comprises a load cover having a fixed end attached to a tailgate of the vehicle, and a front portion having fastening members for releasably attaching to a front side of the luggage compartment. When attached, the load cover extends a distance Dclosed in a closed tailgate position, and a distance Dopen in an open tailgate position, measured from an opening in the tailgate and across the luggage compartment. The fixed end of the load cover is arranged inside of the tailgate and the load cover extends an internal distance Dinternal and projects out through the opening in the tailgate, wherein at least a portion of the load cover is resiliently elastic so that it is stretchable between a retracted position with a length of Dretracted, the closed tailgate position and the open tailgate position.