Pivoting Load Cover Arrangement for Vehicle Cargo Visibility

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional load cover arrangements for vehicles obstruct the view when the tailgate is open, making it difficult to load objects while also failing to provide adequate security by exposing cargo contents to external view.

Innovation Solution

A load cover arrangement with pivoting arms that rotate from a horizontal position covering the cargo space to a vertical position when the tailgate is open, allowing unobstructed access and visibility, featuring a take-up shaft, arms, and pivots attached to the vehicle's side walls, with springs for easy operation and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the load cover is arranged in the tailgate and follows tailgate movement, then appropriate access to cargo space is provided, but the load cover obstructs the view through the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to cargo spaceVSAvoidview through vehicle
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The load cover arrangement is made dynamic by connecting it to pivoting arms that rotate between horizontal and vertical positions. When the tailgate is open, the arms pivot to raise the load cover vertically, moving it out of the viewing path while maintaining connection to the tailgate for coordinated movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The load cover is moved from a two-dimensional plane in the tailgate to a three-dimensional configuration by pivoting it vertically upward. This dimensional change allows the cover to clear the viewing path through the vehicle while remaining attached to the tailgate structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If a conventional load cover arrangement is used, then cargo security is provided, but it obstructs loading of objects into the cargo space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecargo securityVSAvoidloading of objects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The load cover arrangement transitions from a static horizontal position that blocks loading to a dynamic system where the cover pivots vertically upward via connected arms, clearing the loading path while maintaining cargo coverage when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the load cover is fixed in the tailgate, then simple structure is achieved, but it cannot provide both coverage and unobstructed view simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidposition adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The structure evolves from a fixed simple arrangement to a dynamic pivoting system that maintains relative simplicity while gaining adaptability. The pivot connections and arms add minimal complexity but enable the load cover to assume multiple positions (horizontal for coverage, vertical for clear view).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3401138B1Load cover arrangement
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP3401138B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3401138B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3401138B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a load cover arrangement (1) for a cargo space (3) of a vehicle (5). The load cover arrangement (1) comprises a covering (7) for covering objects in the cargo space and a take-up shaft (9) for receiving at least part of the covering. A proximal end portion (11) of the covering (7) is attached to, or attachable to, the take-up shaft (9). The load cover arrangement (1) further comprises a first arm (29), a second arm (31), a first pivot (39) and a second pivot (43). A first end portion (33) of the first arm is connected to, or connectable to, a first end (17) of the take-up shaft. A second end portion (37) of the first arm is connected to, or connectable to, the first pivot (39). A first end portion (35) of the second arm is connected to, or connectable to, a second end (21) of the take-up shaft. A second end portion (41) of the second arm is connected to, or connectable to, the second pivot (43).