Reconfigurable Cargo Screen Assembly for Upright Third Row Seats

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cargo screens in vehicles are not usable when the third row of seats is in an upright position, as they interfere with the screen's functionality, limiting their ability to protect and hide cargo effectively in varying seating configurations.

Innovation Solution

A reconfigurable cargo screen assembly with retractable components, including a cassette member, retractable screen, first end beam, retraction mechanism, middle cover component, rod member, middle screen, second end beam, and back component, allowing for two configurations: one for folded-down seats and another for upright seats, ensuring continuous cargo protection regardless of seating arrangement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional load cover is positioned behind the second row of seats, then it can protect and hide cargo effectively, but it becomes unusable when the third row of seats is in an upright position due to interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo protection reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different seating configurations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The load cover is divided into multiple segments or panels that can be independently positioned and configured. This segmentation allows the cover to adapt to different seating arrangements by adjusting which segments are deployed and how they are arranged, resolving the conflict between maintaining reliable cargo protection and adapting to various seat positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The load cover system incorporates dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing it to be reconfigured between different states (e.g., fully extended, partially extended, folded). This dynamic adaptability enables the cover to maintain effectiveness whether the third row seats are upright or folded, eliminating the usability limitation of conventional fixed-position covers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If the load cover is designed to extend fully behind the second row of seats, then it provides comprehensive cargo coverage, but it cannot be used when the third row seats are upright

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo coverage areaVSAvoidcompatibility with seating configurations

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The load cover is divided into multiple segments or panels that can be independently positioned and configured. This segmentation allows the cover to adapt to different seating arrangements by adjusting which segments are deployed and how they are arranged, resolving the conflict between maintaining reliable cargo protection and adapting to various seat positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The load cover system is designed to perform multiple functions across different configurations. It can provide full cargo coverage when seats are folded and adapted partial coverage when seats are upright, making it universally applicable to various seating scenarios rather than being limited to a single configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the load cover is positioned to work with folded-down third row seats, then it maximizes cargo space utilization, but it interferes with the screen's functionality when seats are upright

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo space utilizationVSAvoidscreen functionality reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The load cover system incorporates dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing it to be reconfigured between different states (e.g., fully extended, partially extended, folded). This dynamic adaptability enables the cover to maintain effectiveness whether the third row seats are upright or folded, eliminating the usability limitation of conventional fixed-position covers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the load cover system are designed with different functional characteristics. Certain segments are optimized for maximizing cargo coverage when seats are folded, while other segments or positioning options are optimized for maintaining screen functionality when seats are upright, allowing local optimization for different operational modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11718236B2Reconfigurable cargo screen assembly

Publication Date: 2023.08.08 VOLVO CAR CORP

AI summary

Reconfigurable cargo screen assemblies for a vehicle are provided. The assembly includes a retracting component including a cassette member, a retractable screen, a first end beam, and a retraction mechanism. A first end of the retractable screen is connected to the first end beam, and a second end of the retractable screen is retractably connected within the cassette member by the retraction mechanism. The assembly further includes a middle cover component including a rod member, a middle screen, and a second end beam. A first end of the middle screen is connected to the rod member, and a second end of the middle screen is connected to the second end beam. Also included is a back component having a connection beam and a back screen.