Textile Vehicle Interior Fold Sections for Compact Stowage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle interior parts face challenges in achieving a lightweight, cost-effective, and space-efficient design with an appealing appearance due to restricted space and weight concerns, especially when incorporating additional components like storage features with complex structures.

Innovation Solution

A textile material-based interior part with fold sections created by altering material properties through energy input, allowing for flexible use and compact folding, which reduces structural requirements and simplifies production processes, using thermal processes like laser treatment or hot air to weaken or melt fibers, and optionally bonding to a carrier part for structural support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional components with increased structural-space requirement are provided in the vehicle interior, then the functionality is improved, but the weight and space consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The interior part is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a decorative cover for aesthetic purposes and simultaneously provides stowage space when expanded. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate additional components, reducing overall weight while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The interior part can be folded into a compact form that nests within the vehicle interior space constraints. When not in use, it occupies minimal space; when deployed, it provides both decorative coverage and functional stowage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If elaborate additional components with increased structural-space requirement are provided, then the functionality is improved, but the structural-space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidstructural-space requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The interior part features a dynamic structure that can transition between a compact folded state for minimal space occupation and an expanded state for functional use. This dynamic capability allows the same component to provide enhanced functionality without permanently increasing structural-space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Strength

If multiple production processes such as adhesive application and lamination are used, then the structural integrity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The production process merges adhesive application and lamination into a single integrated step. The adhesive is applied and the lamination occurs simultaneously during one manufacturing operation, reducing the number of discrete process steps while maintaining the structural integrity that would result from multiple separate processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive is pre-applied to the substrate before the textile material is positioned, allowing the lamination to occur in a single subsequent step. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate adhesive application and lamination processes, simplifying manufacturing while ensuring proper bonding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 results in a lightweight, flexible, and aesthetically pleasing interior part that can serve multiple functions such as storage or covering, with reduced material usage and simplified manufacturing, achieving a compact form factor and low weight.

Implementation Method 1

through input of energy, at least one material property of the textile material is changed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal process: Heating

Implementation Method 2

using thermal processes like laser treatment or hot air to weaken or melt fibers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser treatment: Laser

Implementation Method 3

weaken or melt fibers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 4

through input of energy, at least one material property of the textile material is changed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20230415671A1Interior Part for a Vehicle, Method for Producing Such an Interior Part, and Vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.12.28 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG

AI summary

An interior part for a vehicle includes a decorative part composed of a textile material that has a fold section where the fold section is a portion of the textile material that has a changed material property. A method for producing an interior part for a vehicle includes providing a decorative part composed of a textile material and producing a fold section in the decorative part by changing a material property of the textile material along a line and/or in a region by an input of thermal energy.