Elastomeric Trim Cover Prevents Pinching

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional trim panels in vehicles often leave tight gaps between adjacent surfaces, which can pinch or trap occupants' hands or feet, failing to provide a safe and comfortable interior environment.

Innovation Solution

A trim member with a substantially rigid frame and an elastically deformable cover that collapses to prevent pinching, featuring a flexible outer surface and a rigid frame for secure attachment, made from materials like polypropylene or ABS, with cross members for reinforcement and fastening options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid trim panel is used to maintain structural integrity and appearance, then the panel maintains its shape and aesthetic quality, but it creates pinching or trapping hazards in tight spaces between panels and adjacent surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidpinching hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The trim panel is segmented into two distinct components: a rigid frame structure and a separate flexible cover. The rigid frame maintains structural integrity and aesthetic appearance, while the flexible cover provides safety by collapsing under pressure to prevent pinching. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible cover made of elastomeric material is applied over the rigid frame. This flexible shell maintains the desired aesthetic appearance while providing the critical safety function of collapsing under pressure to prevent pinching hazards in tight spaces between panels and adjacent vehicle surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Shape

If a rigid trim panel is used to maintain desired outer appearance, then the aesthetic quality is preserved, but the panel cannot collapse to prevent appendage entrapment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveouter appearanceVSAvoidappendage entrapment

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The trim panel is segmented into two distinct components: a rigid frame structure and a separate flexible cover. The rigid frame maintains structural integrity and aesthetic appearance, while the flexible cover provides safety by collapsing under pressure to prevent pinching. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible cover made of elastomeric material is applied over the rigid frame. This flexible shell maintains the desired aesthetic appearance while providing the critical safety function of collapsing under pressure to prevent pinching hazards in tight spaces between panels and adjacent vehicle surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a flexible cover is added to prevent pinching, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepinching preventionVSAvoidpanel structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid frame and flexible cover are permanently bonded together through adhesive application, creating a unified trim panel assembly. This merging of components simplifies installation and ensures the flexible cover remains properly positioned while maintaining the safety function of preventing pinching in tight spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively prevents pinching by allowing the trim cover to deform and return to its original shape, ensuring a safe and comfortable vehicle interior by eliminating the risk of appendage entrapment between panels.

Implementation Method 1

the cover being elastically deformable to prevent pinching of an appendage of a user between the frame and an adjacent fixed surface in the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS7338103B2Collapsible cover for vehicle interior

Publication Date: 2008.03.04 TOYOTA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A trim member for covering an interior surface of a vehicle has an elastically collapsible outer wall. The trim member includes a substantially rigid frame and a cover. The frame is adapted for fixedly securing the cover to the interior surface. The cover is fixedly secured to and covering at least a portion of the frame, the cover being elastically deformable to prevent pinching of an appendage of a user between the frame and an adjacent fixed surface in the vehicle.