Foldable Tonneau Cover Hidden Hinge Waterproof Seal

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional foldable tonneau covers for pick-up trucks face issues with waterproof seals due to interference from hinges, leading to compromised waterproof reliability and structural strength, as well as challenges in achieving ideal folding and extension angles.

Innovation Solution

A foldable tonneau cover design featuring hidden-type hinges and a waterproof flexible strip with rigid edge rims and a flexible sheet, which is continuously extended along the frame members, minimizing space occupation and enhancing waterproof reliability, while also incorporating a foam core between rigid cover plates for structural strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large-area elongated piece of seal sheet is covered on the external side of the hinge, then waterproof function is enhanced, but the seal sheet irregularly twists and jams between frame members, preventing ideal folding angle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof functionVSAvoidfolding angle

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The seal sheet is divided into multiple segments: a first seal sheet segment on the external side of the hinge and a second seal sheet segment on the internal side, connected through a connection portion. This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized independently - the first segment provides waterproof sealing while the second segment accommodates folding motion without jamming, resolving the contradiction between waterproof function and folding operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A connection portion acts as an intermediary element between the first and second seal sheet segments. This connection portion is specifically designed to be positioned away from the hinge, serving as a mediator that transmits sealing function while avoiding interference with hinge rotation, thus preventing the seal sheet from twisting and jamming during folding operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a small-area elongated piece of seal sheet is covered on the internal side of the hinge, then folding operation is improved, but the seal sheet still twists irregularly and generates pull force, compromising waterproof reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding operationVSAvoidwaterproof reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The seal sheet is divided into multiple segments: a first seal sheet segment on the external side of the hinge and a second seal sheet segment on the internal side, connected through a connection portion. This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized independently - the first segment provides waterproof sealing while the second segment accommodates folding motion without jamming, resolving the contradiction between waterproof function and folding operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A connection portion acts as an intermediary element between the first and second seal sheet segments. This connection portion is specifically designed to be positioned away from the hinge, serving as a mediator that transmits sealing function while avoiding interference with hinge rotation, thus preventing the seal sheet from twisting and jamming during folding operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the pivot axis of the hinge is installed at the fulcrum position between frame members, then hinge connection is achieved, but it occupies space and interferes with seal sheet installation and operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehinge connectionVSAvoidspace occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot axis is extracted from the traditional fulcrum position between frame members and relocated to an outer surface of a frame member. This extraction removes the space-occupying pivot axis from the critical gap area, eliminating interference with seal sheet installation and operation while maintaining hinge connection functionality through the connection portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge connection is transitioned from a two-dimensional arrangement where the pivot axis lies between frame members to a three-dimensional arrangement where the pivot axis is positioned on the outer surface. This dimensional change allows the hinge to maintain its connecting function while occupying different spatial territory that does not interfere with seal sheet installation and operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9428038B2Foldable tonneau cover for pick-up truck and waterproof flexible strip thereof

Publication Date: 2016.08.30 CYC ENG

AI summary

A foldable tonneau cover is disclosed and has two frame sections and at least one hidden-type hinge. Two frame members of two adjacent frame sections are correspondingly formed with two embedded holes. The hidden-type hinge is pivotally connected between the adjacent frame members. When the frame sections are horizontally extended relative to each other, the hidden-type hinge is substantially received in the embedded holes. When the frame sections are rotated or folded relative to each other, the hidden-type hinge is partially exposed out of the embedded holes. Thus, the occupied space of the hidden-type hinge and the gap between the adjacent frame sections can be minimized. The waterproof flexible strip can be continuously extended along the entire length of the two adjacent frame members without being interfered with by the hidden-type hinge substantially hidden within frame members, so as to enhance the waterproof reliability thereof.