Flexible Tailgate Cover Seals Gaps in Motor Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Small motor vehicles face issues with incomplete tailgate closure when transporting large objects, leading to gaps that allow exhaust gases, wind turbulence, and precipitation to enter the luggage compartment, compromising driving comfort and potentially reaching the passenger compartment.

Innovation Solution

A flexible cover made of air-tight and water-tight material is attached to the vehicle adjacent to the luggage compartment opening, which can be extended to fully close the space between the tailgate and the luggage compartment opening, using a connecting mechanism and tensioning unit to ensure a secure and watertight seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the tailgate is left open to transport large objects, then the loading capacity is improved, but exhaust gases and wind turbulence enter the luggage compartment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading capacityVSAvoidexhaust gases entering luggage compartment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible cover made of air-tight and water-tight material is used to seal the gap between the tailgate and luggage compartment opening. The cover can be extended or retracted as needed, providing a flexible sealing solution that maintains protection while allowing the tailgate to remain in various positions for loading large objects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The cover is designed to be dynamically adjustable between extended and retracted states. A tensioning unit with a pulley system allows the cover to be easily positioned to seal the gap when the tailgate is open, and retracted when not needed, providing adaptive sealing based on the tailgate position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the tailgate is secured in an intermediate position with a strap, then the tailgate can be held open, but a gap remains that allows precipitation to penetrate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetailgate positioningVSAvoidprecipitation penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible cover extends to seal not only the gap at the luggage compartment opening but also the space between the tailgate and the vehicle body, creating a comprehensive barrier against precipitation and other environmental factors while allowing the tailgate to remain in intermediate positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a rigid cover is used to seal the gap, then protection is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against substances and particlesVSAvoidcover structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible cover can be stored in a compact manner when not in use, requiring minimal space and adding little complexity to the vehicle structure. The flexibility of the material allows it to conform to the gap geometry without requiring complex rigid frameworks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic tensioning system with pulley and strap provides a simple mechanical means to extend and secure the cover, avoiding complex motorized or automated systems while achieving reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If a load carrier is arranged on the rear to transport large objects, then the loading capacity is improved, but the tailgate cannot be completely closed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading capacityVSAvoidgap between tailgate and luggage compartment opening

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible cover is designed to seal the gap created by the presence of a load carrier on the rear of the vehicle. It can be extended to reach from the luggage compartment opening to the tailgate, effectively sealing the gap even when the tailgate cannot be fully closed due to the load carrier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS10479280B2Motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2019.11.19 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A motor vehicle is provided with a luggage compartment opening arranged at the rear of a body of the motor vehicle, and a tailgate arranged pivotably on the body and in a closed position closes the luggage compartment opening and in an open position at least partially opens the luggage compartment opening. In order to provide a motor vehicle with a luggage compartment of variable size, the motor vehicle comprises a cover attached to a vehicle portion of the motor vehicle adjacent to the luggage compartment opening and/or defining the luggage compartment opening, and which is made of a flexible material and is configured and arranged such that, in the open position of the tailgate or by pivoting of the tailgate into the open position, it can be transferred from a compact rest state into an extended function state.