Adjustable Cargo Storage Press With Hinged Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large, open cargo spaces in vehicles do not provide adequate means to secure cargo during transport, leading to movement and potential damage of items, especially fragile ones, and inconvenience in removal.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable cargo storage system featuring guide tracks and hinged walls that pivot between horizontal and vertical positions, compressing cargo items between them to secure and organize cargo within the vehicle's cargo area, utilizing a tension mechanism and activation switch for deployment and locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If large, open cargo spaces are designed to maximize storage capacity, then the storage capacity is improved, but the ability to secure cargo during transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic walls that can pivot between horizontal and vertical positions, and movable press members that can move along guide tracks. These dynamic elements allow the cargo area to transition from an open state (maximizing storage capacity) to a compressed state (securing cargo by applying pressure), thus resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and cargo security
Solution Approach 2:
The cargo securing system is divided into separate functional components: guide tracks mounted on the cargo area, hinged walls that can pivot independently, and movable press members that travel along the tracks. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining the overall flexibility needed to balance storage capacity and cargo security
2Reliability
If hinged walls pivot to vertical position to compress cargo, then cargo security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinged walls are equipped with spring mechanisms that automatically provide the force needed to pivot the walls from horizontal to vertical position when the press members move along the guide tracks. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external actuators or complex control systems, thereby improving cargo security while minimizing the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanisms act as intermediaries between the movable press members and the hinged walls. When the press members move along the guide tracks, they engage the spring mechanisms, which in turn provide the rotational force to pivot the hinged walls into the vertical compression position. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the overall system by using passive elastic energy storage rather than active actuation
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
Effectively secures cargo items, preventing movement and damage, while maintaining the vehicle's cargo storage capacity and allowing easy deployment and stowage of the system.
Implementation Method 1
a hinged wall and a hinge attached to the hinged wall, wherein the hinge allows the hinged wall to pivot between a horizontal position and a vertical position
Implementation Method 2
the hinged wall arrangement moves along the guide track to compress a cargo item between the hinged wall arrangement and another structure
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable cargo storage press for organizing and securing cargo items stored in a cargo storage area of an automobile. The adjustable cargo storage press is disposed within or integrated with a cargo area of an automotive vehicle such as a trunk, bed or bed liner of a car, truck, or sport utility vehicle. The press prevents movement of cargo items and potential damage to the cargo items during transport. The press also maintains the position of the cargo items for easy removal from the cargo storage area. The press includes one or more hinged walls that lock in a vertical position and move towards each other along guide tracks. The one or more hinged walls compress the cargo items between the hinged walls, and fold flat when not in use so as not to limit cargo storage capacity of the cargo storage area.