Tailgate Protector Composite Cushioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cargo area protectors for vehicles, such as tailgate doors, often lack comfort and protection for users due to their hard polymeric surfaces, which can cause discomfort and injury during access or use as a makeshift table or platform.
Innovation Solution
A tailgate protector with a pressure-absorbing material, such as fabric or rubber, chemically or thermally attached to a resin body using a pressure-sensitive adhesive, providing a soft padded area for user comfort and protection from injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hard polymeric protector is used on the tailgate door, then the cargo area surface is protected from damage, but the user experiences discomfort and injury when accessing or using the tailgate door as a platform
Solution Approach 1:
The protector is constructed as a composite structure combining a hard polymeric body (for durability and protection) with a soft pressure-absorbent material layer (for user comfort). This multi-material composition resolves the contradiction by integrating both protective and comfort functions into a single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The protector applies different material properties to different regions: the outer surface maintains hard polymeric characteristics for protection against foreign materials, while the inner surface contacting the user features a soft, pressure-absorbent material layer. This spatial differentiation of material qualities simultaneously achieves both protection and comfort.
2Ease of operation
If a hard polymeric protector with uneven surface is used, then cargo is secured during transit, but the surface causes discomfort and potential injury to users
Solution Approach 1:
The protector differentiates surface characteristics by region: the outer face retains an uneven, high-friction hard polymeric surface for cargo securing, while the inner user-contacting face features a smooth, soft pressure-absorbent material. This local differentiation allows the same object to provide both cargo retention and user comfort without compromise.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If additional carpet or cushions are added to the hard polymeric protector, then user comfort is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The soft pressure-absorbent material layer is chemically or thermally bonded to the hard polymeric body to form an integrated, all-in-one protector structure. This merging of previously separate components (body and comfort layer) into a single bonded assembly eliminates the need for additional carpet or cushions, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comfort benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
By creating a composite material structure where the soft layer is permanently attached to the hard body through chemical or thermal bonding, the invention combines multiple functions (protection and comfort) into a single integrated component, avoiding the need for multiple separate parts or accessories.
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 solution offers improved comfort and protection for users by providing a cushioned surface that prevents discomfort and injury while accessing the cargo area, and also protects the tailgate door from damage by absorbing pressure and preventing scratches.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure absorbent material which has been chemically or thermally attached to a body of the protector
Implementation Method 2
chemically or thermally attached to a body of the protector
Implementation Method 3
chemically or thermally attached to a body of the protector
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a tailgate protector for a vehicle, wherein the protector comprises a pressure absorbent material which has been attached to a body of the protector with an adhesive, wherein the material having pressure absorbent property is a fabric or rubber and provides a soft padded area for protecting a user from injury or discomfort, and the adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive comprising styrene, and the body is formed from a resin.