Vehicle Cover Structure With Opaque Edge Layer for Hidden Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cover devices for vehicles, such as those described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications No. 2019-177873 and No. 2020-044904, face issues with visual gaps and lack of composite materials, which affect the external appearance and increase manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A cover device comprising a transparent member with a support member and extension portions, integrated with a decoration layer to conceal visual gaps and enhance aesthetics, and a second cover body with continuous lattice grooves to unify design elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a transparent member with support member is used for the cover device, then the structural support and transparency are achieved, but visual gaps and poor external appearance occur at the peripheral edges
Solution Approach 1:
A decoration layer is introduced as an intermediary element between the transparent member and the support member. This decoration layer fills the visual gap at the peripheral edge where the support member extends beyond the transparent member, mediating the aesthetic conflict between structural support requirements and external appearance by providing a visual transition that conceals the abrupt edge of the support member.
Solution Approach 2:
The decoration layer utilizes color or optical property changes to improve external appearance. By applying a decoration layer with appropriate optical properties (such as matching the transparency or color of adjacent components), the visual discontinuity at the peripheral edge is reduced, creating a more seamless appearance while maintaining the structural function of the support member.
2Strength
If the thickness of the transparent member varies between central and peripheral portions, then structural requirements are met, but external appearance uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The decoration layer is applied locally at the peripheral edge region where thickness variation occurs, rather than uniformly across the entire transparent member. This local application addresses the appearance non-uniformity specifically at the problematic peripheral region while leaving the central portion's structural thickness unchanged, thus maintaining structural integrity while improving local appearance uniformity.
3Shape
If extension portions are added to cover peripheral edges, then external appearance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The decoration layer is merged with the existing transparent member and support member structure, forming an integrated assembly. Rather than adding separate complex extension portions, the decoration layer is combined with the peripheral edge region, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while achieving the desired appearance improvement through a unified component design.
Data Source
AI summary
A first cover body of a cover device for vehicle includes a transparent member and a support member integrally formed on a back surface of the transparent member. The support member includes a first extension portion extending from an edge of the support member to a side opposite the transparent member. The transparent member includes a second extension portion and a decoration layer. The second extension portion is integrally formed with the first extension portion. The decoration layer overlaps an entirety of the second extension portion when viewed from a front surface of the transparent member, and is opaque over an entire surface.