Overmolded Hook Groove Assembly for Low-Cost Cover Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assemblies comprising a molded object and a cover face challenges in manufacturing complexity, reliability of fixing, and cost due to the need for continuous alignment of hooks and high material expense, particularly with hook and loop systems.
Innovation Solution
The assembly features a molded object with a longitudinal groove and overmolded hook elements that form part of the groove's bottom, separated by intermediate zones without hooks, and a gusset with loops from the cover's outer surface, incorporating a rod to prevent lifting, allowing for a reduced number of hooks while maintaining tensile strength and simplicity of installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous alignment of hook elements is used to ensure reliable fixing, then the tensile strength and reliability of the cover fixing is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the continuous hook element into multiple separate hook elements distributed along the groove. Instead of using one continuous strip of hooks, the invention uses discrete hook elements positioned at specific locations, which reduces material consumption and manufacturing complexity while maintaining sufficient fixing reliability through strategic placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using only the necessary number of hook elements required to achieve reliable fixing, rather than continuous coverage. The hook elements are positioned to provide sufficient tensile strength where needed, eliminating unnecessary material and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining the required reliability level.
2Reliability
If hook and loop system is used for fixing the cover, then the reliability of fixing is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases due to expensive hooked elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hook system into discrete, separately manufactured hook elements that are inserted into the molded object. This segmentation allows for simpler, less expensive hook elements compared to continuous hooked strips, while the multiple distributed elements collectively provide the necessary fixing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simpler, less expensive hook elements instead of costly continuous hooked strips. These discrete hook elements achieve the required function at lower cost, making the overall assembly more economically viable while maintaining sufficient fixing reliability for the application.
3Ease of manufacture
If fewer hook elements are used to reduce cost, then the manufacturing cost decreases, but the tensile strength and reliability of fixing may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically positioning hook elements at locations where tensile forces are most critical. Rather than uniform distribution, the hook elements are placed to provide maximum fixing effectiveness at key stress points, ensuring sufficient tensile strength with fewer elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by concentrating hook elements at critical locations rather than providing continuous coverage. This targeted approach ensures that the necessary tensile strength is achieved at key fixing points while reducing the total number of hooks needed, thereby lowering manufacturing costs.
4Ease of manufacture
If intermediate zones without hooks are introduced between hook elements, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced and cost decreases, but the continuous fixing coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate zones between hook elements, segmenting the fixing system into discrete units. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing by allowing independent production and placement of hook elements, reducing overall complexity while the distributed arrangement maintains adequate fixing coverage across the surface.
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 reduces manufacturing costs and complexity while ensuring reliable and tensile-resistant fixing, as fewer hooks are required, and the anti-lift mechanism enhances the assembly's stability without increasing costs, allowing for curved trench adaptations.
Implementation Method 1
a rod extends inside the gusset so as to prevent the cover from rising up the trench
Implementation Method 2
hooks, preferably the hooks penetrating inside openings of loops originating from the covering in order to hook thereto and ensure the fixing of the covering to the molded object
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3C
Figure 4A~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly comprising a molded object and a covering that covers the molded object. A longitudinal groove is formed in the molded object while being open toward the outside. Two hook elements comprise hooks being overmolded onto the molded object so as to form at least part of the base of the groove, the hooks penetrating into openings of loops from the covering so as to be hooked thereon and ensure the attachment of the covering onto the molded object, wherein said assembly is provided with at least two overmolded hook elements partially forming the base of the trench while being placed, one after the other, in the longitudinal direction, both elements being separated from each other by an intermediate area in which there is no hook element. Said assembly is moreover provided with a means for preventing the covering from rising to the top of the trench.