Vehicle Trim Panel Temporary Cover Removal via Segmented Tabs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Temporary covers on vehicle trim panels often prove difficult to remove and can tear, leaving behind visible remnants due to inadequate attachment and removal mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

The vehicle trim panel incorporates attachment projections and retention hooks with perforated tabs on the temporary cover, allowing for secure attachment and easy removal by tearing along predefined perforations, ensuring a clean detachment without visible traces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a removable adhesive layer or adhesive tape is used to attach the temporary cover, then the cover can be removed, but the cover becomes difficult to remove or tears during removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidremoval ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The temporary cover is segmented into multiple tabs that can be individually removed by tearing along perforations. Each tab is attached to the trim panel through retention hooks, allowing controlled removal of portions of the cover rather than attempting to remove the entire cover at once. This segmentation prevents tearing and makes removal easier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Perforations are pre-formed in the tabs of the temporary cover at locations that align with the retention hooks. These perforations create predetermined tear lines that guide the removal process. When a user pulls on a tab, the tear propagates along the perforation, cleanly separating the tab from the rest of the cover and preventing uncontrolled tearing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the temporary cover is securely attached to protect the finished surface, then protection is improved, but removal becomes difficult and leaves visible remnants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from damageVSAvoidremoval ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is divided into multiple tabs that can be removed individually. Each tab is secured by a retention hook during the protection phase, but can be easily removed by tearing along perforations. This segmentation ensures complete removal without visible remnants while maintaining protection when attached.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Retention hooks act as intermediaries between the temporary cover tabs and the trim panel. The hooks provide secure attachment during protection while allowing controlled removal through the perforation-tear mechanism. The hooks engage with the tabs to hold them in place, then release cleanly when the perforations tear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If adhesive tape is used to attach the temporary cover, then attachment is simple, but the cover tears and leaves difficult-to-remove sections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment simplicityVSAvoidremoval completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a continuous adhesive tape that causes tearing, the cover is segmented into tabs with perforations. Each tab can be removed independently by tearing along its perforation, ensuring complete removal without leaving difficult-to-remove sections. The retention hooks provide the attachment function that previously required adhesive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive tape mechanism is replaced with a mechanical retention hook system. The hooks engage with the tabs to provide attachment without requiring adhesive materials. This mechanical system allows controlled removal through perforation-tearing, improving removal completeness compared to adhesive-based systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8973961B1Vehicle trim panel

Publication Date: 2015.03.10 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle trim panel includes a main body and a temporary cover. The main body has a finished surface and an attachment surface with a peripheral edge that encircles the main body. The peripheral edge is defined between the finished surface and the attachment surface. The attachment surface includes a plurality of attachment projections that protrude from the attachment surface. The plurality of attachment projections are dimensioned and positioned to fixedly attach the main body to a vehicle body member. The attachment surface also includes a plurality of retention hooks protruding from the attachment surface. The temporary cover covers the finished surface and includes a plurality of holes fitted to corresponding ones of the plurality of retention hooks.