Motor Vehicle Longitudinal Cladding with Integrated Lighting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing longitudinal cladding members for motor vehicles are complex to install and produce, with separate parts and cover strips required to avoid skewed installation, and lack integration of illumination technology, which increases production and assembly complexity.

Innovation Solution

A longitudinal cladding member made from plastic materials using a multi-phase injection-moulding method, where light-permeable regions are punched from a film and integrated into the cladding member, allowing for a joint-free design and efficient adhesion, with dissimilar materials used for different properties, and incorporating a lighting device for illumination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If longitudinal cladding members are embodied in multiple parts to avoid skewed installation, then installation reliability is improved, but device complexity and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate parts (cladding sections and cover strips) into a single integrated longitudinal cladding member with built-in connection elements. This integration eliminates the need for separate assembly of multiple components while maintaining installation reliability through predefined connection points and integrated joint faceplates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated cladding member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the cladding function, includes built-in connection elements for fastening, incorporates joint faceplates for covering joints, and integrates lighting device housings. This multi-functionality reduces assembly complexity by eliminating the need for separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate cover and decorative strips are assembled on specifically provided fastening points, then joint covering is achieved, but production complexity and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint covering qualityVSAvoidproduction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The joint faceplates are merged with the cladding member itself, forming an integrated structure where the connection elements and joint covering are built-in features rather than separate assembled parts. This eliminates the need for separate production and assembly of cover strips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The joint faceplates and connection elements are pre-integrated into the cladding member during the injection molding process. This preliminary integration of joint covering features eliminates the need for separate assembly steps and reduces production complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Area of stationary object

If surround lights are attached at a comparatively high level above the ground, then illumination coverage is improved, but lighting device output requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination coverage areaVSAvoidlighting device energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the illumination to a lower dimension by incorporating light-permeable regions in the lower portion of the cladding member, close to the ground. This dimensional extension provides illumination coverage near the ground level without requiring high-output lighting devices mounted at high positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting function is localized to specific light-permeable regions within the cladding member structure. This localized illumination approach provides targeted lighting coverage near the ground with lower energy consumption compared to high-level surround lights.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

The solution simplifies installation and production by eliminating joints and enhancing material properties, enabling efficient illumination of the vehicle's surroundings with a lower output lighting device, reducing complexity and cost while meeting aesthetic and functional requirements.

Implementation Method 1

A method for manufacturing a longitudinal cladding member from plastic material is proposed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInjection-moulding:

Implementation Method 2

The injection-moulding tool is opened and the still warm cladding member (1) is removed from the injection-moulding tool

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling and solidification: Freezing

Data Source

PatentUS10265896B2Method for manufacturing a longitudinal member cladding, and a longitudinal member cladding

Publication Date: 2019.04.23 MAGNA EXTERIORS GMBH

AI summary

A longitudinal cladding member for a motor vehicle, a method for manufacturing the longitudinal cladding member, and a motor vehicle having such a longitudinal cladding member. The longitudinal cladding member is to be fixedly connectable to a body of the motor vehicle, and in an assembled state covers a longitudinal member at least on the visible side of the motor vehicle.