Removable Cargo Bed Divider Panels in Tonneau Cover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cargo bed dividers in pickup trucks are cumbersome to store and often unavailable when not in use, as they occupy space when removed from the cargo bed, limiting continuous unobstructed space.

Innovation Solution

A cover system with removable panels that can be secured to the underside of a cargo bed cover, featuring snap-fit compartments and latches for easy installation and removal, allowing the panels to be stored within the cover or mounted independently within the cargo bed for partitioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If dividers are stored within the cargo bed, then they are easily accessible, but available unobstructed continuous space is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of dividersVSAvoidunobstructed cargo bed space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The divider panels are nested within storage compartments integrated into the cargo bed cover structure. When the cover is closed, the dividers are stored within these compartments, keeping them accessible yet out of the way. When needed, the cover can be opened to access the stored dividers, or the dividers can be removed from the compartments and used independently within the cargo bed space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Area of stationary object

If dividers are removed from the cargo bed, then unobstructed space increases, but the dividers become unavailable when not stored

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunobstructed cargo bed spaceVSAvoidavailability of dividers

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The storage compartments are pre-configured within the cargo bed cover to hold the divider panels in ready-to-use positions. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the cover is opened or the compartments are accessed, the dividers are immediately available for deployment, eliminating the need for separate storage and retrieval processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If a cover system with integrated storage is used, then divider availability is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedivider availabilityVSAvoidcover system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cargo bed cover is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides weather protection for the cargo bed, serves as a structural element for the vehicle, and incorporates integrated storage compartments for the divider panels. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise be separate components into a single unified system, reducing overall complexity while maintaining divider availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10179503B2Tonneau cover and divider panel system

Publication Date: 2019.01.15 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A cover and divider system for a cargo bed of a vehicle includes a plurality of connected cover portions securable over a cargo bed and at least one panel securable to underside of each of the plurality of cover portions in a stored condition and removable from the corresponding one of the plurality of cover portions to partition the cargo bed.