Vehicle Partition Net Panel With Flexible Compensating Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle body mounting arrangements for net partition rods often result in mechanical stresses due to tolerances, leading to improper connection between the net partition panel and the roof liner, causing gaps and noise issues.

Innovation Solution

A two-part net partition panel design featuring a rigid base body and a flexible compensating element, such as foam rubber, which allows for tolerance compensation and flexible mounting, preventing direct contact and noise transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the net partition panel is rigidly attached to both the roof liner and the body-side support part, then the connection strength is improved, but the tolerance-related misalignment causes mechanical stresses and connection failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The net partition panel is divided into two distinct parts: a rigid base body for structural support and a flexible compensating element for tolerance accommodation. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function - the rigid base body provides structural integrity while the flexible element absorbs misalignment stresses, thereby maintaining both connection strength and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The net partition panel combines rigid and flexible materials in a single composite structure. The rigid base body (e.g., plastic or metal) provides structural strength, while the integrated flexible compensating element (e.g., elastomer or rubber) provides tolerance compensation. This composite approach enables the panel to maintain strong connections while adapting to assembly variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If the net partition panel is rigidly connected to the body-side carrier part, then the structural stability is improved, but the assembly tolerances cause the panel to lift off and create gaps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible compensating element changes its physical parameters (shape, volume, density) in response to assembly tolerances. When misalignment occurs, the element deforms elastically to accommodate the dimensional variations, maintaining stable connection without creating gaps or lifting the panel from the roof liner

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the net partition panel is firmly mounted to compensate for tolerances, then the connection reliability is improved, but the vibration noise transmission increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidvibration noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible compensating element serves as an intermediary between the rigid base body and the body-side support part. It maintains reliable connection through elastic deformation while simultaneously acting as a vibration isolator, preventing direct rigid contact that would transmit vibration noise to the vehicle interior

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Ensures a problem-free connection of the net partition panel to the roof liner, eliminating gaps and noise by compensating for assembly tolerances and decoupling vibrations, while maintaining vibration coupling with the vehicle shell.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible compensating element (47) made of a soft material with the help of the compensating element (47), a tolerance-related misalignment between the body-side carrier part (19) and the net partition panel (25) that occurs when the vehicle body is assembled with the roof liner (11) can be compensated for

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

preventing direct contact and noise transmission... decoupling vibrations, while maintaining vibration coupling with the vehicle shell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3259158B1Vehicle body with a mounting assembly for a partitioning net support bar
Publication Date: 2018.11.07 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3259158B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3259158B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3259158B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle body having a mounting arrangement for suspending a rod (9) for a net partition in a suspension eye (21) that is formed on a body-side support part (19), which starting from the vehicle interior (3, 5) is covered, protected from view by a roof lining (11), and is spaced a clear distance (a) apart from the roof lining (11). The invention further comprises a net partition screen (25), the outer circumference of which is attached at a first connecting point (A1) to an opening edge region (29) of a mounting opening (31) on the roof-lining side. Said net partition screen (25) has a screen opening (39), which is substantially oriented in alignment with the suspension eye (21) of the support part (19), the ring-shaped opening edge region (41) of which is attached at a second connecting point (A2) on the support part (19). According to the invention, the network partition wall screen (25) is formed in two parts having a component-rigid main body (45) made of a hard material and a resilient compensating element (47) made of a soft material, by way of which a tolerance-related offset (Δν) between the body-side support part (19) and the network partition screen (25) during the assembly of the vehicle body can be compensated for.