Replaceable Tarpaulin Junction Structure for In-Place Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tarpaulins used for covering loads on vehicles often become frayed or damaged, leading to stress concentrations and eventual replacement, even if most of the tarpaulin remains intact, due to the complexity and cost of repairs.
Innovation Solution
A tarpaulin system with a main tarpaulin and a replacement section, where the junction section is cuttable to separate damaged sections, allowing for the replacement of damaged sections while maintaining the integrity of the fibrous bodies, and securing the replacement section using attachment straps and reinforcement belts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the tarpaulin is repaired by cutting the damaged portion and securing a replacement patch, then the damaged area can be replaced, but additional weaknesses are created by exposing the fibrous material at the edge of the cut
Solution Approach 1:
The tarpaulin is divided into modular sections separated by cutlines, allowing individual damaged sections to be replaced independently. The junction sections with reinforced edges enable clean separation while maintaining structural integrity of remaining sections.
Solution Approach 2:
Reinforcement elements are pre-installed at potential cut locations before damage occurs. This preliminary reinforcement prevents fiber exposure and structural weakness when cuts are made for repair purposes.
2Ease of repair
If the tarpaulin is removed and reinstalled for repair, then the damaged section can be replaced, but high labor costs and time are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The tarpaulin is segmented into replaceable sections with standardized junctions, enabling rapid in-situ replacement of damaged portions without removing the entire tarpaulin from the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The repair system allows the tarpaulin configuration to dynamically change - sections can be added or removed from the assembled tarpaulin as needed, providing flexibility for maintenance operations.
3Reliability
If the entire tarpaulin is replaced when damaged, then structural integrity is maintained, but cost increases even when most of the tarpaulin is still intact
Solution Approach 1:
The tarpaulin consists of modular sections that can be independently replaced. Only the specific damaged section needs to be removed and replaced, rather than replacing the entire tarpaulin structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Damaged sections are discarded and replaced with new sections, while the remaining intact sections are retained and reused. This selective replacement minimizes material waste while maintaining overall structural integrity.
4Reliability
If the junction section is made robust to prevent fiber fraying, then structural integrity is maintained after cutting, but the complexity of the tarpaulin structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
Reinforcement is applied locally only at the junction sections where cuts will be made, rather than throughout the entire tarpaulin. This targeted approach maintains structural integrity at critical points while minimizing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The junction sections combine the base tarpaulin material with additional reinforcement elements (such as woven belts or polymer coatings), creating a composite structure that resists fiber fraying during cutting operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A tarpaulin (10) including two sections (20 and 22) linked to each other through a junction section (24). The tarpaulin (10) includes a fibrous body (30, 32 and 33) and a polymer layer (34, 36 and 37) covering or embedding at least part of the fibrous body (30, 32 and 33). The polymer layer (34, 36 and 37) is reinforced in the junction section (24) so that the latter can be cut and to remove one of the two sections (20 and 22) and to attach a replacement tarpaulin (38) to a the remaining one of the two sections (20 and 22) while protecting the fibers of the fibrous body (30, 32 and 33).