Vehicle Interior Trim Suction Mounting Without Underbody Drilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle interior trim securing systems are time-consuming and reduce the durability of underbody panels by requiring drilling for anchoring, which can lead to holes and potential water ingress and corrosion.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle interior trim securing system utilizing a trim piece with a wire harness support and a sealing structure that includes a suction cup and a pull tab, allowing secure attachment to underbody panels without drilling, using a suction cup to seal against the panel and a pull tab for easy release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wire harness assemblies are used to anchor side trims to underbody panels, then the side trims can be securely attached, but the anchoring process is time-consuming and requires drilling holes through the underbody panels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical drilling and clipping system with a suction-based attachment system. The suction cup creates a vacuum seal against the underbody panel, eliminating the need for drilling holes and using wire harness assemblies. This substitution of mechanical fastening with suction attachment resolves the contradiction by providing secure attachment without the time-consuming drilling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles through the suction cup mechanism. The suction cup creates a partial vacuum (pneumatic effect) to adhere to the underbody panel, providing secure attachment. This pneumatic approach replaces the traditional mechanical anchoring system, achieving both secure attachment and time efficiency without drilling holes.
2Reliability
If clipping holes are drilled through underbody panels to anchor wire harness assemblies, then the side trims can be anchored, but the durability of the underbody panels is reduced due to holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical drilling system with a suction-based attachment system. The suction cup adheres to the surface of the underbody panel without requiring any holes or penetrations. This preserves the structural integrity and durability of the underbody panel while still achieving reliable anchoring of the side trim.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction cup acts as an intermediary between the side trim and the underbody panel. It provides the anchoring function without directly penetrating or damaging the panel. The suction cup mediates the attachment process, allowing secure mounting while preserving panel durability by avoiding holes entirely.
3Reliability
If traditional drilling and clipping methods are used to attach trim pieces, then secure attachment is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and damages the underbody panels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical drilling and clipping system with a simple suction-based attachment. The suction cup can be attached by simply pressing it against the underbody panel, eliminating the need for drilling, wire harness manipulation, and clipping operations. This dramatically simplifies the installation process while maintaining attachment security.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction cup attachment system is self-service in nature. The suction cup automatically creates its own attachment mechanism through vacuum sealing when pressed against the panel, without requiring external tools, drilling operations, or complex assembly steps. This self-attaching capability greatly enhances ease of manufacture and installation.
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
This solution provides a quick and durable attachment method that maintains panel integrity by avoiding holes and corrosion, while allowing for easy removal and reattachment of trim pieces without damaging the underbody panels.
Implementation Method 1
A sealing structure extends outward from the outer portion that includes a suction cup that seals against a floor underbody panel
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle interior trim securing system includes a trim piece that includes a trim piece body. The trim piece includes a wire harness support that extends outward from the trim piece body that includes a support portion including an inner portion, an outer portion and a connecting portion that connects the inner portion and the outer portion forming a channel that is sized to receive a wire harness. A sealing structure includes a suction cup that is connected to the outer portion and a pull tab connected to the suction cup. The pull tab is partially covered by the trim piece body with the suction cup adhered to a floor underbody panel and has a length such that a free end extends laterally beyond the trim piece body.