Flexible Protective Panel Assemblies for Vehicle Debris Impact

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicles face damage from debris such as dirt and rocks, and existing protective panels are not easily removable or storable when not in use.

Innovation Solution

A protective panel assembly with an inner and outer layer of flexible material, embedding rigid members between them, allowing for easy attachment and detachment from a vehicle, and featuring offset connecting members for secure mounting without interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If rigid protective panels are used to protect against debris, then protection effectiveness is improved, but ease of storage and removal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against debris damageVSAvoidease of removal and storage

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective panel uses flexible outer and inner layers made of durable material that can bend and roll without damage. These flexible layers encapsulate rigid protective members, allowing the entire assembly to be rolled up for storage while maintaining protection when deployed against debris impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Rigid protective members are nested within pockets formed between the flexible inner and outer layers. This nesting allows the rigid elements to be contained within a flexible structure that can be rolled up, solving the contradiction between rigid protection and flexible storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If rigid members are embedded in the panel, then protection effectiveness is improved, but flexibility and rollability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against debris damageVSAvoidflexibility and rollability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Flexible outer and inner layers completely encapsulate the rigid protective members, allowing the assembly to bend and roll while the rigid members remain protected within pockets. The flexible layers conform to the rigid members' shape while maintaining overall flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The panel is segmented into multiple pockets, each housing individual rigid members. This segmentation allows the rigid elements to be distributed and isolated within flexible compartments, enabling the overall structure to flex and roll while maintaining localized rigid protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11208055B2Protective panel assemblies

Publication Date: 2021.12.28 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A protective panel assembly for protecting an exterior surface of a vehicle, the protective panel assembly including a panel having an inner layer, an outer layer, and a plurality of rigid members. The inner layer and the outer layer are formed of a flexible material. The plurality of rigid members are positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer. The plurality of rigid members being spaced apart from each other.