Vehicle Side Member Cladding with Pivotable Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle side member paneling arrangements compromise ergonomics and comfort, particularly for elderly or mobility-restricted individuals, as they protrude and obstruct leg space when entering or exiting vehicles, and cannot be easily adjusted to accommodate space constraints like garages.
Innovation Solution
A side member paneling arrangement with pivotable cladding elements that can transition from a protective position to a comfort position, allowing for space-saving displacement, utilizing a single adjustment device with one actuator and featuring a damping element to prevent damage, and being lockable in both positions for secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the longitudinal member cladding protrudes beyond the door lower edge to protect from stone chipping and dirt, then corrosion protection is improved, but leg space for users is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cladding element is made dynamically adjustable between a protective position (protruding) and a comfort position (retracted), allowing the system to adapt its function based on operational requirements. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the cladding to provide protection when needed while clearing the path for user legs during entry/exit operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The position parameter of the cladding element is changed between two states: protruding position for corrosion protection and retracted position for user comfort. This parameter change allows the same component to serve opposing functions at different times, resolving the contradiction between protection and accessibility.
2Device complexity
If a single adjustment device is used to displace both cladding elements, then device complexity is reduced, but control precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Two separate adjustment devices are merged into a single adjustment device that controls both cladding elements. This reduces overall system complexity while maintaining functional independence through the coupling mechanism, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the single adjustment device and the two cladding elements. This mediator ensures that both elements are displaced together with synchronized positioning accuracy, even though they are controlled by a single device, thus resolving the precision concern.
3Strength
If the cladding element is made rigid for structural stability, then strength is improved, but space requirements for adjustment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cladding element's movement is constrained to a specific dimensional path (rotational arc) rather than requiring large linear adjustment space. This dimensional constraint allows rigid construction for strength while minimizing the volume required for adjustment, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and space efficiency.
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 provides enhanced ergonomics by releasing leg space during entry and exit while maintaining protection against stone chipping, dirt, and corrosion, and ensures secure, space-efficient operation by allowing automatic or manual adjustment based on user needs.
Implementation Method 1
the second cladding element having a damping element which is in physical contact with the first cladding element in the second functional position. The damping element effectively prevents a surface of the first lining element facing the second lining element in the second functional position from being damaged by the second lining element resting on it.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a longitudinal beam cladding arrangement (1) for a vehicle, having an adjusting arrangement (3), which can be displaced into a first functional position and into a second functional position, and having an adjusting device (5), which is configured to adjust the adjusting arrangement (3) from the first functional position into the second functional position and/or from the second functional position into the first functional position. According to the invention, the adjusting arrangement (3) has a first cladding element (7) and a second cladding element (9), wherein the first cladding element (7) and the second cladding element (9) are coupled to each other, such that the first cladding element (7) and the second cladding element (9) can be displaced jointly by the adjusting device (5).