Motor Vehicle Side Wall Cladding Element Non-Destructive Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for attaching side wall cladding elements to motor vehicle interior walls require irreversible intervention in the vehicle body, causing damage and compromising anti-corrosion protection.

Innovation Solution

A side wall cladding element with a materially bonded coupling body that uses spacer elements and connecting sections for secure attachment without drilling, allowing for non-destructive installation and adjustable positioning relative to the vehicle's inner wall.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If fastening screws are used to attach side wall cladding elements to the motor vehicle inner wall, then secure attachment is achieved, but the vehicle body is damaged and anti-corrosion protection is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidbody damage and corrosion risk
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A coupling body is introduced as an intermediary component between the base body and the motor vehicle inner wall. The coupling body includes a connecting element for material-bonded attachment to the inner wall and spacer elements that provide spacing. This intermediary structure enables secure attachment without direct penetration of the vehicle body, thus maintaining anti-corrosion protection while achieving strong fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical fastening system (screws penetrating the body) with a material-bonded attachment system. The connecting element of the coupling body is designed for material-bonded attachment to the inner wall, eliminating the need for drilling holes or inserting fasteners that would damage the body and compromise its protective coating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the coupling body uses material-bonded attachment, then non-destructive installation is achieved, but the attachment strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebody integrityVSAvoidattachment strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling body merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: the connecting element provides material-bonded attachment to the inner wall, while spacer elements provide spacing and positioning. This combination allows the coupling body to achieve both non-destructive installation and sufficient attachment strength through the integrated design of bonding surfaces and structural support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3647124B1Motor vehicle and side wall cladding element for motor vehicle interior walls
Publication Date: 2022.06.01 BLOMBERGER HOLZIND B HAUSMANN
  • EP3647124B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3647124B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3647124B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to side wall cladding element 10, 20 for motor vehicle interior walls 58, comprising a base body 12 for forming a section of a motor vehicle interior wall cladding and a coupling body 14, 34 projecting from the base body 12 for spacing the base body 12 from the motor vehicle interior wall 40.In order to provide a side wall cladding element 10, 20 which is easy to manufacture and easy to attach without damaging the vehicle to be clad during attachment, the coupling body 14, 34 is provided to have a connecting element 32 designed for material-fit attachment to the vehicle interior wall 58, a first spacer element 26 connected to the base body 12 via a first connection section 16 and to the connecting element 32 via a second connection section 18, and a second spacer element 28 connected to the connecting element 32 via a third connection section 22 and to the base body 12 via a fourth connection section 18.