Elastic Folding Pickup Bed Cover Connection for Vibration Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding pickup truck bed covers face issues with low resistance to vibration, leading to instability and reduced service life, and have complex structures that are costly and inconvenient to operate.
Innovation Solution
A folding pickup truck bed cover with a deformable elastic connecting mechanism and a connecting mechanism that uses rotating members and extension units to facilitate easy folding and unfolding, improving stability and reducing the complexity of the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If rigid hinge connections are used to connect cover plates, then the connection structure is simple, but the resistance to vibration is low and the connection is unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the connecting member from rigid to elastic by using a material with deformation ability. The elastic connecting member can deform under vibration forces and then recover, absorbing vibration energy and maintaining connection stability without requiring complex rigid structures with multiple parts.
2Device complexity
If hinge connections are used to connect cover plates, then the connection structure is simple, but the operation convenience is poor as plates need to be flipped in opposite directions
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic connecting member provides dynamic flexibility that allows the cover plates to be folded in a single direction. The elastic deformation capability enables the connection to accommodate the folding motion more conveniently compared to rigid hinge connections that require opposite direction flipping.
3Ease of operation
If rotating shaft connections are used to facilitate one-way flipping, then the operation convenience is improved, but the structure becomes complex and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential function of allowing one-way folding from the complex rotating shaft mechanism. By using a simple elastic connecting member with deformation ability, the patent achieves the one-way folding capability without requiring the multiple parts and complex structure of rotating shaft connections, thereby reducing cost while maintaining operational convenience.
4Strength
If rigid connections are used between cover plates, then the structural strength is high, but the service life is reduced due to connection damage from vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic connecting member acts as a cushioning element that absorbs vibration energy before it can cause damage to the connection. The material with deformation ability provides beforehand cushioning against vibration forces, protecting the connection from damage and extending the service life while maintaining sufficient connection strength.
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 enhances the bed cover's resistance to vibration, increases its service life, simplifies the folding process, and reduces costs by using a flexible and stable connection system.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic connecting mechanism (7) made of a material with deformation ability... the elastic connecting mechanism (7) is extruded and mounted in the first connecting groove (53) and the second connecting groove (62)... the elastic connecting mechanism (7) is stretched
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and systems in the technical field of vehicles for improving pickup truck bed covers are described. One device includes a first connecting assembly, a second connecting assembly, and a first plate, a second plate and a plurality of extension plates arranged in sequence. The first connecting assembly is configured to movably connect the first plate and the second plate, and the second connecting assembly is configured to movably connect the second plate and the extension plate as well as two adjacent extension plates. The first connecting assembly and the second connecting assembly are flexibly connected to reduce the possibility of damage to the connection due to vibration and improve the service life.