Trunk Cover Panel Mounting With Air-Gap Vibration Decoupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotational mounting systems for vehicle luggage compartment cover shelves do not allow vertical vibration of the shelf, compromising ergonomics and transmitting unwanted vibrations to the vehicle's interior.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a decoupling device with an air gap and elastomeric material between the receiver and middle wall, allowing vertical vibration of the shelf while minimizing horizontal vibration transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the receiver is directly connected to the middle wall, then the structural rigidity is improved, but the vertical vibration of the shelf is restricted and horizontal vibrations are transmitted to the vehicle interior

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural rigidityVSAvoidvertical vibration capability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an air gap as an intermediary element between the receiver and the middle wall. This air gap allows the shelf to vibrate vertically while preventing direct rigid connection that would transmit horizontal vibrations to the vehicle interior. The air gap acts as a mediator that permits beneficial vertical motion while blocking harmful horizontal vibration transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different connection qualities at different locations: the receiver is rigidly connected to the upper and lower walls for structural support, but deliberately separated from the middle wall by an air gap to allow vertical vibration. This local differentiation of connection quality resolves the contradiction between overall structural rigidity and localized vibration freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If the receiver is directly connected to the middle wall, then the assembly stability is improved, but unwanted vibrations are transmitted to the vehicle's interior

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly stabilityVSAvoidvibration transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air gap serves as a vibration isolation intermediary between the receiver and the middle wall. It maintains assembly stability through the overall structural configuration while preventing the transmission of harmful vibrations to the vehicle interior by eliminating direct rigid contact in the horizontal plane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the harmful vibration transmission path by removing the direct rigid connection between the receiver and the middle wall. The air gap effectively takes out the problematic rigid linkage that would transmit vibrations, while preserving the necessary structural support through other connection paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If an air gap is introduced between the receiver and middle wall, then vertical vibration is enabled and vibration transmission is reduced, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevertical vibration capabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air gap is a simple intermediary space that requires no additional components or complex mechanisms. It is created simply by positioning the receiver at a specific distance from the middle wall, enabling vertical vibration while reducing vibration transmission without increasing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If the air gap thickness is increased, then vertical vibration freedom is improved, but the assembly precision and positioning accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevertical vibration freedomVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the air gap thickness parameter to a specific range that balances vertical vibration freedom with positioning accuracy. By carefully selecting this dimensional parameter, the design achieves sufficient vibration capability while maintaining acceptable assembly precision and positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Preserves ergonomic assembly and reduces unwanted noise and vibration transmission to the vehicle's interior by enabling vertical vibration and limiting horizontal contact.

Implementation Method 1

a decoupling device (14) in elastically compressible material extending between said receiver and said upper and lower walls

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

a decoupling device (14) in elastically compressible material extending between said receiver and said upper and lower walls

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic compression: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

an air gap (15) is provided between said receiver and said middle wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir cushioning: Air Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP4433329B1System for rotatably mounting a covering panel for a motor vehicle trunk
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 TREVES PROD
  • EP4433329B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4433329B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3a
  • EP4433329B1 patent drawingFigure 3b~4

AI summary

A system for rotatably mounting a covering panel (2) for a motor vehicle trunk on a trim element (3), the system comprising two devices (4) into which the panel can be rotatably slotted, each of the devices comprising: a finger (5) and a receiver (6) into which to slot the finger, the receiver having a recess (7) provided with a first opening (8), the system further comprising a cavity (9), the receiver being mounted in the cavity, the first opening leading into a second opening (10) made in the cavity which has an upper wall (11), a lower wall (12) and a middle wall (13), a decoupling means (14) made of elastically compressible material extending between the receiver and the upper and lower walls, an air gap (15) being provided between the receiver and the middle wall.