Commercial Vehicle Cab Water Storage Flap
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driver's cabs for commercial vehicles face challenges in storing water, particularly drinking water, as external storage leads to issues like dirt, uncontrolled access, and freezing, especially in winter months, while internal storage solutions are not efficient for easy access and protection from frost.
Innovation Solution
A storage space within the driver's cab is designed with a flap for internal access, allowing a water container to be securely and detachably fixed inside, protected from frost, with easy filling and removal capabilities, and additional space for storing tools and groceries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If water containers are attached to the outside of the vehicle, then accessibility and filling are easy, but the water is exposed to dirt, uncontrolled access, and freezing
Solution Approach 1:
The water container is nested within the storage compartment of the driver's cab, which is itself integrated into the vehicle structure. This nested arrangement protects the water container from external harmful factors while maintaining controlled access through the cab's interior flap.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage compartment acts as an intermediary between the external environment and the water container. By placing the water container inside this intermediate space with controlled access (flap), the system mediates protection from dirt and unauthorized access while still allowing the driver to access and fill the container.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a storage space is provided inside the driver's cab, then water is protected from frost and unauthorized access, but access and filling become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The storage compartment is segmented with a removable or openable flap that divides the compartment into an accessible interior region and a protected exterior region. This segmentation allows the driver to access the water container for filling and removal while maintaining protection when the flap is closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap is designed to be movable (removable or openable), transforming the storage compartment from a completely sealed space to a dynamically accessible one. This dynamic feature enables easy access for filling and removal operations while maintaining protection during normal operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the water container is fixed inside the storage compartment, then it is protected from frost and unauthorized access, but filling and removal become cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The water container is pre-positioned within the storage compartment in a ready state, allowing the driver to simply open the flap and access it when needed, rather than having to search or reposition it. This preliminary placement facilitates quick access for filling and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage compartment serves multiple functions: it protects the water container from frost, provides secure storage when not in use, and facilitates easy access for filling and removal through its flap design. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between protection and ease of operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
Driver cab (1) has a loading space (2) accessible from outside and closed by a flap, which is arranged in a rear area of driver cab outer panel partly above a fender. The loading space is divided into two areas (10,11), where a receptacle (5) is provided in an area for fastening a water container (3) that is accessible from outside and in another area. A storage surface (4) is provided for storing other articles.