Vehicle Interior Stitching Support Strip for Flat Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle interior components with decorative stitching face challenges in maintaining a flat and uniform surface during the stitching process, as the materials tend to compress and 'pillow' when threads are inserted, leading to uneven seams and potential elongation of holes.
Innovation Solution
The use of a resiliently compressible intermediate layer and a support strip within a recess, with threads stitched through the outer layer, support strip, and intermediate layer, which provides rigidity and prevents compression, maintaining a flat surface and reducing 'pillowing' during stitching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If threads are stitched through the outer layer and intermediate layer, then decorative stitching is achieved, but material compression and pillow formation occur leading to uneven seams
Solution Approach 1:
A support strip is placed within the intermediate layer at the location where stitching will occur before the stitching process begins. This preliminary placement provides structural support during stitching to prevent material compression and pillow formation, ensuring uniform seams without compromising the decorative stitching function.
Solution Approach 2:
The support strip acts as an intermediary element between the outer layer and the intermediate layer. It provides mechanical support to the soft compressible material during stitching, preventing excessive compression and pillow formation while allowing the thread to pass through and create decorative stitches.
2Manufacturing precision
If resiliently compressible material is used in the intermediate layer, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but material compression during stitching increases causing pillow formation
Solution Approach 1:
The support strip is positioned within the intermediate layer before stitching occurs. This preliminary structural reinforcement allows the use of soft, aesthetically pleasing compressible material while preventing excessive compression during the stitching process, maintaining surface uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support strip provides localized structural support specifically at the stitching locations within the otherwise soft and compressible intermediate layer. This creates different mechanical properties in different regions: soft and compressible in non-stitching areas for aesthetics, and rigid and supportive at stitching locations to prevent pillow formation.
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
This solution effectively prevents material compression and maintains a flat, uniform surface, reducing the likelihood of uneven seams and elongation of holes, ensuring a high-quality aesthetic finish for vehicle interior components.
Implementation Method 1
The intermediate layer may be formed from a resiliently compressible material
Data Source
AI summary
A component for an interior of a vehicle may include inner, outer and intermediate layers, a support strip and a first thread. The outer layer may cover the inner layer. The intermediate layer may be disposed between the inner and outer layers and may be formed from a resiliently compressible material. The support strip may be at least partially received in a recess in the intermediate layer and may include an inward-facing surface and an outward-facing surface. The outward facing surface may be adjacent an inward-facing surface of the outer layer. The first thread may be stitched through the outer layer, the support strip, and the intermediate layer.