Spring-Loaded Hinge Tailgate Bridge for Gap Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The gap between the tailgate and the cargo bed of pickup trucks poses a risk of injury and product loss due to debris, ice, or snow falling through, and existing solutions fail to provide a reliable and easy method for prevention and cleanup.
Innovation Solution
A tailgate gap prevention device featuring a diamond-plated aluminum tailgate bridge with spring-loaded snap-over hinges and rubber boots, which can be securely attached to the vehicle and tailgate, sliding over the gap to prevent debris and weather elements from entering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a tailgate gap prevention device is installed, then safety and product protection are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tailgate gap prevention device is divided into multiple independent components: a bridge member that spans the gap, multiple hinges for attachment, and separate mounting points. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while keeping the overall device relatively simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge member acts as an intermediary element that physically blocks the gap between the tailgate and the cargo box. This intermediate structure prevents debris, ice, and snow from falling through the gap without requiring complex mechanisms, simply by providing a bridging surface.
2Reliability
If a tailgate gap prevention device is installed, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates hinges that allow the bridge member to move between different positions - installed and removed. This dynamic design enables easy installation and removal while maintaining reliable gap coverage when installed, as the hinges allow for smooth attachment and detachment without requiring forceful manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be pre-assembled with all components (bridge member, hinges, mounting points) prepared before installation. This preliminary preparation ensures that when installation is needed, the device can be quickly and reliably installed without requiring complex on-site assembly, thereby maintaining both reliability and ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An illustrated view of a tailgate gap prevention device for preventing a gap between a tailgate and a box of a vehicle. The tailgate gap prevention device is useful for preventing debris, ice, snow, etc. from falling into and being trapped in the gap between the tailgate and the box of the vehicle. The tailgate prevention device provides a quick, easy and safe cleanup of the truck box where the gap is not collecting debris, ice, snow etc. The tailgate gap prevention device has a tailgate bridge and a plurality of hinges. The hinges are screwed onto the tailgate bridge and onto the box of a vehicle. Once installed, spring-loaded hinges will cause the tailgate bridge to slide into position preventing the gap from debris, ice, snow, etc.