Vehicle Floor Joint Structure for Removable Flush Flooring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle flooring systems are complicated to remove and replace due to permanent fixation using plastic rivets, weather stripping, and metal brackets, necessitating the removal of additional components like vehicle seats.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle floor system featuring a center floor with removable brackets and perimeter floor garnishes that overlap without gaps, allowing easy installation and removal, using locator pins and brackets for alignment and securement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If floor materials are permanently fixed using plastic rivets, weather stripping, and metal brackets, then the flooring is securely attached to the vehicle interior, but the removal and replacement of floor materials becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The flooring system is divided into modular components: a center floor section and perimeter floor garnishes that can be independently removed and reinstalled. This segmentation allows each component to be separately accessed and replaced without removing the entire flooring system or adjacent components like seats.
Solution Approach 2:
The flooring system transitions from a permanently fixed state to a dynamically removable and reinstallable state. The design incorporates removable brackets and snap-fit mechanisms that allow the flooring to be easily detached and reattached, providing dynamic adaptability for maintenance and replacement operations.
2Reliability
If floor materials are permanently fixed using multiple components, then the flooring is securely attached, but the complexity of installation and removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flooring system is divided into modular components: a center floor section and perimeter floor garnishes that can be independently removed and reinstalled. This segmentation allows each component to be separately accessed and replaced without removing the entire flooring system or adjacent components like seats.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex multi-component fastening system (rivets, weather stripping, brackets) is extracted and replaced with simplified removable brackets and snap-fit mechanisms. This extraction eliminates the need for multiple fastening elements while maintaining secure attachment, significantly reducing installation and removal complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the center floor and perimeter floor garnishes are joined with gaps, then the components can be independently installed, but the joint appearance is compromised and passenger convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The center floor and perimeter floor garnishes are merged into a unified flush surface through precise edge alignment and overlapping design. The center floor overlaps the perimeter garnishes by approximately 6mm, creating a continuous surface that eliminates gaps and improves passenger convenience while maintaining independent installability.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint between center floor and perimeter garnishes is resolved by introducing a vertical dimension through overlapping layers. Instead of joining edges at the same level, the center floor overlaps the perimeter garnishes, creating a stepped configuration that eliminates gaps and provides a flush appearance from the passenger perspective.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle floor system includes a floor garnish disposed in a cabin of a vehicle, wherein the floor garnish comprises a first peripheral edge, and a center floor disposed in the cabin area of the vehicle, the center floor comprising a second peripheral edge, wherein the second peripheral edge is on the first peripheral edge, and the first peripheral edge and the second peripheral edge form a joint between the floor garnish and the center floor.