Thermoformed Partition with Tangential Surfaces

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional partitions in police vehicles are heavy, prone to rattling, and often only fit one specific vehicle model due to varying interior dimensions, leading to reduced comfort and increased noise.

Innovation Solution

A thermoformed partition with a single molded sheet, featuring tangentially angled and radiused transitional surfaces, a recessed gun well, and adjustable mounting surfaces, which can be customized to fit different vehicle models, reducing weight, noise, and installation time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional metal framework with multiple pieces is used, then structural strength is improved, but weight increases and rattling occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidpartition weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate metal pieces into a single integrated thermoformed panel. The panel is formed as one continuous molded piece that incorporates the framework structure, eliminating the need for separate metal components and reducing the overall number of parts while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a thermoformed panel that acts as a flexible shell structure replacing rigid metal framework. The thermoformed material provides the necessary structural strength while being lighter in weight and eliminating the rattling associated with multiple loose metal pieces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If traditional metal framework with multiple pieces is used, then structural strength is improved, but noise from rattling increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidrattling noise

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate metal pieces into a single integrated thermoformed panel. The panel is formed as one continuous molded piece that incorporates the framework structure, eliminating the need for separate metal components and reducing the overall number of parts while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a thermoformed panel that acts as a flexible shell structure replacing rigid metal framework. The thermoformed material provides the necessary structural strength while being lighter in weight and eliminating the rattling associated with multiple loose metal pieces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Manufacturing precision

If partition is customized for one specific vehicle model, then fit precision is improved, but adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefit precisionVSAvoidvehicle model adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal partition design that can be adapted to multiple vehicle models. The thermoformed panel incorporates adjustable features and standardized mounting interfaces that allow the same basic design to be configured for different vehicle interior dimensions and shapes, eliminating the need for completely custom partitions for each vehicle model.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates adjustable and configurable elements in the partition design. The thermoformed panel can be modified through adjustments in mounting positions, panel configurations, and accessory placements to accommodate variations in different vehicle models, providing dynamic adaptability rather than fixed customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10640069B2Partition

Publication Date: 2020.05.05 TROY SHEET METAL WORKS

AI summary

A partition is formed with a thermoformed panel having a front side, a rear side, a driver-side portion, a passenger-side portion, and a gun well positioned between the driver-side portion and the passenger-side portion. The gun well is recessed toward the rear side of the thermoformed panel. The driver-side portion is sized and dimensioned to extend along a majority of a vertical height of a driver-side seat of a vehicle. The driver-side portion is formed with a driver-side seatback transitional surface transitioning from the driver-side portion toward the gun well. The driver-side seatback transitional surface is tangentially angled and non-squared. The passenger-side portion is formed with a passenger-side seatback transitional surface transitioning from the passenger-side portion toward the gun well. The passenger-side seatback transitional surface is tangentially angled and non-squared.