Load Carrying Bar Cover with Elastic Sealing for Wind Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load carrying bars with channels for mounting accessories suffer from increased wind turbulence, noise, and dirt intrusion, and existing cover solutions require user manipulation or risk damage during fastening.
Innovation Solution
A cover for the load carrying bar channel that deforms along the width to accommodate fastening members without user intervention, sealing the opening and returning to its original form when the fastening member is removed, and can be attached using grooves or flanges to ensure secure sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a channel is provided in the load carrying bar for mounting accessories, then accessory mounting capability is improved, but wind turbulence and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful open channel from the load carrying bar by introducing a cover that seals the channel opening. The cover removes the source of wind turbulence and noise while preserving the channel's functionality for accessory mounting through controlled access points.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is designed to be inserted into and nest within the channel structure of the load carrying bar. This nested configuration allows the cover to seal the channel effectively while maintaining a compact integrated design that does not add significant external volume.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a cover is provided to seal the channel opening, then wind turbulence and dirt intrusion are reduced, but access for fastening members is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is segmented into distinct functional zones: sealed portions that cover the channel opening to prevent wind turbulence and dirt intrusion, and access portions with openings that allow fastening members to pass through. This segmentation enables simultaneous achievement of sealing and accessibility requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover incorporates deformable sections that can elastically deform to accommodate the passage of fastening members through the channel. After the fastening member passes, the deformable section returns to its original shape, maintaining the seal. This dynamic behavior provides automatic adaptability without user intervention.
3Reliability
If the cover is made rigid to maintain sealing integrity, then sealing is improved, but the cover may be pinched and damaged during fastening member installation
Solution Approach 1:
The cover incorporates flexible deformable sections made of elastomeric material that can elastically deform during fastening member installation. These flexible sections resist pinching damage through their inherent elasticity while maintaining sealing integrity through continuous contact with the channel walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable sections are pre-configured with elastic properties that provide cushioning against pinching forces during fastening member installation. This beforehand cushioning prevents damage to the cover while allowing necessary deformation for fastener passage.
4Ease of operation
If the cover requires no manipulation to allow fastening member access, then ease of operation is improved, but sealing effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cover's deformable sections automatically deform in response to the passage of fastening members without requiring user manipulation. After the fastening member passes through, the deformable section self-restores to its original shape, automatically re-establishing the seal. This self-service mechanism maintains both ease of operation and sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover utilizes changes in the physical state of the deformable sections (elastic deformation) to accommodate fastening members. The material properties and geometric parameters of the deformable sections are specifically designed to allow controlled deformation during installation while maintaining sealing contact under normal conditions.
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 cover effectively reduces air turbulence and dirt intrusion while allowing easy installation of accessories without user manipulation, maintaining sealing integrity and preventing damage to the cover or the load carrying bar.
Implementation Method 1
The cover is adapted to be deformed in the proximity of the opening as the fastening member is slid along the length of the channel. The cover can be made in a material which substantially returns to its original form if the fastening member is removed or displaced from the current deformed section
Data Source
AI summary
A load carrying bar including a channel with an opening. The channel is adapted to receive a fastening member for fasten a load carrying bar accessory to the load carrying bar. A cover is arranged to seal the opening of the channel. The cover is adapted to be deformed in the proximity of the opening as the fastening member is slid along the length of the channel.