Steering Column Gap Cover with Perforated Substrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current interior trim gap coverings for motor vehicles either crease and wrinkle with steering wheel movement or break apart during axial translation, such as in a frontal impact, due to their material limitations.
Innovation Solution
An interior trim gap covering apparatus comprising a substrate with strategically formed openings to facilitate deformation, covered by a flexible material that supports the substrate and prevents creasing or breaking, allowing for axial translation of the steering column without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible type gap covering is used, then the steering column can move for full travel and tilt, but the covering creases and permanently wrinkles
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is segmented into multiple sections by forming openings (slots, holes, or recesses) that divide the continuous material into discrete segments. This segmentation allows each segment to move independently during steering wheel travel and tilt, preventing the material from creasing and permanently deforming while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate is designed with a porous structure featuring openings distributed throughout its body. This porous configuration provides flexibility and movement capability while preventing the material from wrincles. The openings act as stress relief points that accommodate material deformation without causing permanent damage.
2Strength
If a rigid plastic-type gap covering is used, then the covering maintains structural integrity, but it breaks apart when the steering column moves axially during impact
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid substrate is divided into segments by openings that allow controlled movement during axial translation. This segmentation enables the structure to flex and deform in a controlled manner during impact events, preventing catastrophic failure while maintaining overall structural integrity during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid plastic substrate incorporates a porous structure with strategically placed openings that provide controlled flexibility. During axial translation in impact scenarios, the porous structure allows the material to compress and deform without breaking apart, while maintaining structural strength during normal steering operations.
3Strength
If openings are formed through the substrate, then the substrate can deform without breaking, but the flexible covering may crease over the openings
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible covering is applied with different characteristics over different regions of the substrate. Over the openings, the covering is designed to be more compliant and conform to the substrate's deformation, while over solid regions it maintains a smoother appearance. This local differentiation allows the covering to accommodate substrate movement without creasing.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible covering is designed as a thin, compliant film that can conform to the substrate's deformation around openings. The covering material and thickness are optimized to allow controlled flexing over the openings while maintaining aesthetic appearance, preventing permanent creases from forming during normal operation.
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 creasing and breaking of the gap covering while enabling the steering column to translate axially, ensuring both aesthetic integrity and safety during impacts.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of openings formed through the substrate to facilitate the substrate deforming in response to an applied force
Implementation Method 2
A flexible covering overlies the substrate
Data Source
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AI summary
Interior trim gap covering apparatuses (16) for motor vehicles and methods for making interior trim gap covering apparatuses are provided. In one example, an interior trim gap covering apparatus comprises a first gap hider member (15). The first gap hider member comprises a substrate (40) having a forward edge (44) and a rearward edge (46) and a plurality of openings (48, 50, 52) formed therethrough extending between the forward and rearward edges to facilitate the substrate (40) deforming in response to an applied force. A flexible covering (42) overlies the substrate.