Vehicle Panel Part With Closed Hollow Profile Load Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paneling parts for vehicles are difficult to produce efficiently and cost-effectively, and they often struggle to withstand dynamic and static loads while maintaining a visually appealing design.

Innovation Solution

A paneling part design featuring a carrier part and a design part with a support structure that forms a closed hollow profile, where the carrier part is attached via a material bond through the support structure, and a connecting section with reduced material thickness to prevent visible markings, allowing for easy installation and strong connections using plastic injection molding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a two-component process is used to manufacture paneling parts with a carrier part and design part, then the structural strength and load-bearing capacity are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the carrier part and design part into a single integrated component manufactured in one injection molding process. The support structure of the carrier part is designed to directly receive and bond with the design part, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing steps and assembly operations while maintaining structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier part is designed with a universal support structure that serves multiple functions: providing structural strength, forming bonding surfaces for the design part, and enabling direct integration during a single molding process. This multi-functional design reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining load-bearing capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If the support structure has sufficient material thickness to ensure strength, then the connection strength is improved, but the risk of visible markings on the design part increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidvisible markings
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure features locally varied material thickness with thicker regions providing bonding surfaces for strong connections and thinner regions that minimize visible markings on the design part. This local quality variation allows the structure to achieve both connection strength and aesthetic quality simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent addresses the conflict between thickness and markings by transitioning to a different dimensional approach - creating a support structure with controlled thickness variations that prioritize aesthetic quality on the visible surfaces while maintaining sufficient thickness in bonding regions for connection strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used for the carrier part and design part, then the manufacturing flexibility is improved, but the installation time and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier part and design part are merged into a single integrated component manufactured in one injection molding process. The support structure is designed with built-in bonding surfaces that directly receive the design part, eliminating separate assembly steps and reducing installation time while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through modular design options.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables the production of paneling parts that are easy to install, cost-effective, and capable of withstanding high loads, while minimizing the risk of visible markings and ensuring strong connections to the vehicle body.

Implementation Method 1

The plastic material bonds to a carrier part (4) formed from a plastic material in such a way that a secure connection, in particular a material bond, is formed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMaterial bond: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3710315B1Panel part for a vehicle, vehicle, and method and device for producing a panel part of this kind
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3710315B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3710315B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3710315B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates, among other things, to a panel part (1) for a vehicle (3), comprising a design part (5) and comprising at least one carrier part (4), the at least one carrier part (4) having a base structure (4a) with at least one support structure (4b) and being fastened to the design part (5) by means of the at least one support structure (4b). The invention advantageously provides that the carrier part (4) is designed and is fastened to the design part (5) by means of the at least one support structure (4b) in such a way that the carrier part forms, together with the design part (5), a hollow profile (7) that at least in some sections is closed when viewed in cross-section.