Flexible Slats Panel for Continuous Seat Gap Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing baggage cover systems fail to completely cover the space between the luggage compartment covering device and the rear seat backrest across all positions of the seat, particularly with large movements.
Innovation Solution
A hinged panel with a rear flap securely fixed to the luggage compartment covering device and a front flap in sliding support along the seat backrest, connected by flexible, elastically deformable slats that form an angle less than 90 degrees, allowing the panel to maintain contact with the seat backrest regardless of its position through a restoring force mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid panel is fixed to the luggage compartment covering device, then the panel structure is simple and stable, but the panel cannot maintain contact with the seat backrest across all positions of the seat
Solution Approach 1:
The panel is divided into multiple flexible slats that can independently deflect and adapt to different seat positions. Each slat acts as an independent segment that can bend to maintain contact with the seat backrest, allowing the panel to accommodate large movements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel utilizes the elastic properties of the slats to change their physical state from rigid to flexible. By selecting slats with appropriate elastic characteristics, the panel can adapt its shape and configuration to maintain contact with the seat backrest across various positions without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the panel is made flexible to follow seat movements, then the panel can maintain contact with the seat backrest, but the panel structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The panel employs flexible slats that function as thin, elastic elements capable of bending and deforming to follow seat backrest movements. These flexible slats maintain continuous contact with the seat surface, ensuring reliable coverage of the space between the luggage compartment and seat without requiring complex mechanical linkages or adjustment mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the panel uses elastic slats to return to initial position, then the panel can automatically adapt to seat position changes, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The panel utilizes the elastic properties of the slats to change their physical state from rigid to flexible. By selecting slats with appropriate elastic characteristics, the panel can adapt its shape and configuration to maintain contact with the seat backrest across various positions without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
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
Ensures continuous coverage of the space between the luggage compartment and the seat backrest across all positions, with flexible slats providing automatic return to the initial position when the seat is adjusted, preventing discontinuity in coverage and maintaining contact without fatigue or deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible slats are made of an elastically deformable material
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The panel (7) has a rear end (19) integrated to a luggage cover cassette (5). A front end (21) slides along a rear surface (33) of a backrest (3) of a rear seat by forming an angle less than 90 degrees, at the level of the front end, between the panel and the rear surface. A rear flap (35) and a front flap (37) are pivotably mounted with respect to each other around a transversal axis (Y2). Flexible plates (39) are made of elastically deformable material and connect the flaps.