Foot Mat Securing Assembly for Thin Vehicle Floors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing securing arrangements for foot mats in motor vehicles often fail to securely attach to floors with small thickness or low rigidity, leading to potential safety risks and damage when the mats are removed, as they may cause deformation or lifting of the floor.
Innovation Solution
A securing arrangement with at least three portions: an upper portion for the foot mat, a pin that protrudes through the floor, and a clamping element with a reinforcement plate that distributes force over a larger area, preventing deformation and providing stability, along with a spring washer for resilient connection, allowing secure attachment without damaging thin or rigid floors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If securing elements are screwed into the floor to prevent foot mat movement, then the foot mat is securely fixed, but the floor may be damaged or deformed, especially with thin or low-rigidity floors
Solution Approach 1:
The securing element is divided into multiple components: an upper portion for the foot mat, a pin that protrudes through the floor, a clamping element, and a reinforcement plate. This segmentation allows the force to be distributed across multiple points and components, preventing concentration of stress on the floor that would cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement plate extends the securing mechanism into a second dimension (the area beneath the floor surface), distributing the tensile force over a larger surface area. This dimensional extension prevents the force from being concentrated at a single point on the floor, thereby preventing deformation and damage.
2Ease of manufacture
If claw-like fingers are used to screw securing elements into the carpet, then the securing element can be fixed to the floor, but the carpet is damaged and the securing elements can become loose
Solution Approach 1:
The pin is pre-configured to protrude through the floor opening, and the clamping element is designed to engage with the pin before final assembly. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the securing element is properly positioned and the floor opening is correctly aligned before the clamping action occurs, preventing misalignment and ensuring reliable retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin acts as an intermediary component that connects the upper portion (attached to the foot mat) and the clamping element (which secures the floor). Instead of directly screwing into the carpet, the pin mediates the connection by protruding through the floor opening, allowing the clamping element to secure the floor without damaging the carpet.
3Ease of operation
If a two-component securing element is used with a pin and clamping mechanism, then the foot mat can be releasably secured, but additional components increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The upper portion, pin, clamping element, and reinforcement plate are designed as an integrated securing element assembly that can be installed as a single unit. The components are merged into a cohesive structure where the pin connects the upper portion to the floor, the clamping element secures the floor opening, and the reinforcement plate provides structural support, simplifying installation while maintaining functionality.
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 slipping and damage by distributing tensile force over a larger surface area, maintaining floor stability and preventing deformation, thus enhancing safety and quality perception during mat removal.
Implementation Method 1
a spring washer for resilient connection, allowing secure attachment without damaging thin or rigid floors
Data Source
AI summary
A securing arrangement for fitting a foot mat to the floor of the foot space of a motor vehicle may have at least one securing element, wherein the securing element has an upper portion which is constructed for releasable fitting of the foot mat, and a pin which is connected to the upper portion and which is guided through an opening in the floor. There is further provided a clamping element which is locked to the pin at the side of the floor facing away from the upper portion in order to thus clamp the floor between the upper portion and the clamping element. At least one reinforcement plate is arranged between the clamping element and the floor.