Tonneau Cover Assembly with Nested Winding Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tonneau cover assemblies for vehicles lack flexibility in cargo area layout, limiting users' ability to change the layout according to their intended use.
Innovation Solution
A tonneau cover assembly that includes a tonneau cover, a tonneau cover winding rod, a screen, and a case, allowing the tonneau cover and screen to be rolled up and arranged in various positions, providing flexibility in cargo area layout by integrating the tonneau cover and screen into a single unit with a case that facilitates easy mounting and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the tonneau cover and screen are integrated into a single unit with fixed winding positions, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the cargo area layout flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The screen winding rod is nested within or positioned relative to the tonneau cover winding rod, with both rods sharing a common structural framework. The screen is wound around its winding rod which is integrated into the same case structure that holds the tonneau cover winding rod, creating a compact nested arrangement that enables flexible layout without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The winding rods are designed with variable positioning capabilities along the case structure, allowing the release points to be adjusted to different heights and positions. This dynamic positioning enables the tonneau cover and screen to be deployed in various configurations (horizontal, vertical, oblique) rather than fixed positions, providing cargo area layout flexibility
2Ease of operation
If the tonneau cover releases at a higher position than the screen, then the tonneau cover deployment is improved, but the screen may interfere with tonneau cover movement
Solution Approach 1:
The solution addresses the interference problem by utilizing vertical dimension differentiation. The tonneau cover releases at a higher position while the screen releases at a lower position, creating vertical separation that prevents the screen from interfering with tonneau cover movement. This dimensional separation allows both components to operate independently without collision
Data Source
AI summary
A tonneau cover assembly for a vehicle includes a tonneau cover having flexibility, a tonneau cover winding rod, a screen having flexibility, a screen winding rod, and a case. The tonneau cover winding rod is for rolling up the tonneau cover from the first end that is fixed to the tonneau cover winding rod. The screen winding rod is for rolling up the screen from the first end that is fixed to the screen winding rod. The case holds the tonneau cover, the tonneau cover winding rod, the screen, and the screen winding rod therein. The case includes an opening for releasing and retracting the tonneau cover and the screen. The tonneau cover winding rod is configured to release the tonneau cover at a portion of the tonneau cover winding rod located higher than a portion of the screen winding rod at which the screen winding rod releases the screen.