Sliding Joint Applique for Vehicle Interior Trim

Solution Overview

Problem

Interior vehicle trim pieces, such as decorative applique pieces, tend to break and detach during side impacts, posing a risk of presenting sharp or jagged edges that can increase injury to occupants, as they are not integral with other vehicle components and existing solutions like additional fastening means or predefined weakenings are insufficient to prevent separation and edge formation.

Innovation Solution

A composite applique assembly featuring a flexible receiver element and a flexible insert connected by a sliding joint, which allows for relative movement and reduces the likelihood of breakage and edge formation, using materials like ductile plastic, wood, or metal, and optionally frangible fasteners to secure the components to the vehicle door elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional rigid applique pieces are used, then manufacturing precision and structural integrity are maintained, but the applique pieces break and detach during side impacts, creating sharp edges and projections that increase injury risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidsharp edges and projections

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from rigid to flexible, allowing the applique piece to deform under impact forces rather than fracturing. The flexible material absorbs impact energy through elastic deformation, preventing the formation of sharp edges and projections while maintaining structural integrity during side pole impacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite construction with a flexible base material that combines durability with impact absorption capabilities. This composite approach allows the applique to maintain its functional and aesthetic properties while gaining enhanced resistance to impact-induced fragmentation and sharp edge formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If additional fastening means are used to prevent separation, then structural integrity is improved, but the complexity of the device increases and does not adequately prevent breakage and edge formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidfastening system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from rigid to flexible, allowing the applique piece to deform under impact forces rather than fracturing. The flexible material absorbs impact energy through elastic deformation, preventing the formation of sharp edges and projections while maintaining structural integrity during side pole impacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite construction with a flexible base material that combines durability with impact absorption capabilities. This composite approach allows the applique to maintain its functional and aesthetic properties while gaining enhanced resistance to impact-induced fragmentation and sharp edge formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If predefined weakenings are introduced to control breakage, then separation is managed, but sharp edges and jagged projections still form during impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrolled separationVSAvoidjagged edges and projections

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from rigid to flexible, allowing the applique piece to deform under impact forces rather than fracturing. The flexible material absorbs impact energy through elastic deformation, preventing the formation of sharp edges and projections while maintaining structural integrity during side pole impacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite construction with a flexible base material that combines durability with impact absorption capabilities. This composite approach allows the applique to maintain its functional and aesthetic properties while gaining enhanced resistance to impact-induced fragmentation and sharp edge formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 sliding joint mechanism enables the applique assembly to bend and flex instead of breaking, minimizing the risk of sharp edges post-impact, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards by preventing separation and maintaining a safe interior environment during side impacts.

Implementation Method 1

The flexible receiver element defines an internal channel configured for slidingly receiving the flexible insert therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10053027B2Sliding joint applique

Publication Date: 2018.08.21 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A composite applique assembly for a vehicle interior trim piece includes a flexible receiver element and a flexible insert connected to the flexible receiver element by a sliding joint. An end of the flexible receiver element is fixedly connected to a vehicle door element. An end of the flexible insert opposite to the flexible receiver element end is fixedly connected to a vehicle door element. The flexible receiver element defines an internal channel configured for slidingly receiving the flexible insert therein. The flexible receiver element further defines at least a partial-length slot providing fluid communication with the internal channel.