Vehicle Cargo Guide Rod Suspension With Concentric Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suspension systems for vehicle luggage compartments are complex due to the need for additional security parts and form fuses, making it difficult to change positions without removing or loosening other security elements, and are aesthetically limiting, with complicated part designs and handling issues.

Innovation Solution

A suspension system with a guide rod featuring concentric cylindrical surfaces and ribs, and a slidable part with a centering tooth, allowing rotation and parallel movement, enabling secure positioning in three defined positions without requiring complex security elements or design compromises.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional security parts and form fuses are used to ensure position of sliding parts, then reliability of positioning is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary security parts and form fuses from the suspension system. The guide rod and slidable part use a simplified geometry-based positioning mechanism where the slidable part moves along the guide rod and is secured by its engagement with the rod's features, removing the need for additional security elements while maintaining positioning reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex security parts to prevent displacement, the patent inverts the approach by designing the guide rod and slidable part geometry itself to provide inherent positioning and anti-displacement features. The ribs on the guide rod and corresponding features on the slidable part create natural positioning without requiring separate security mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Stability of the object's composition

If form fuses and security elements are used to secure sliding parts, then positioning stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in changing positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidposition adjustment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic positioning system where the slidable part can easily transition between positions along the guide rod. The geometry allows the slidable part to slide freely to desired positions and then lock into place, providing both ease of adjustment and stable positioning without requiring removal or loosening of security elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guide rod is segmented with ribs and positioning features at different locations, allowing the slidable part to engage at multiple discrete positions. This segmentation enables easy position changes by simply sliding the part to the next engagement point rather than dealing with complex security mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If parts are shaped against each other for reliable connection, then connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase and aesthetic appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidpart geometry precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing connection and positioning features only where needed on the guide rod and slidable part, rather than requiring precision throughout the entire part geometry. The ribs and engagement features are localized to specific areas, allowing standard manufacturing tolerances while maintaining reliable connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The guide rod features cylindrical surfaces that provide smooth, curved contact areas for the slidable part. This curvature allows for reliable connection through surface engagement rather than requiring precision-machined flat surfaces or complex geometric interlocking, reducing manufacturing precision requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP2237990B1Suspension system for the cargo space of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2013.02.20 SKODA AUTO AS
  • EP2237990B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2237990B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A suspension system in the cargo space of a vehicle comprises a guide rod and disposed on the circumference thereof a displaceable part, wherein the guide rod comprises an upper and a lower cylinder surface and also a center cylinder surface, and the displaceable part comprises an inner cylinder surface and a contact surface of the upper end part. The aim of the invention is to maintain the concentricity of all these surfaces so that it becomes possible to rotate the displaceable part on the cylinder surfaces and at the same time displace it on said surfaces. The displaceable part enables three positions on the guide rod. In the base position, the part is uniquely fixed and locked to prevent a movement in the X, Y axis, which is to say it is in the functional position. In the second position, the part in the vertical position is fixed in the base position such that it does not protrude into the cargo space when used in said space. In the third position, the part can be adjusted in any arbitrary position in the displacement direction on the rod.