Vehicle Console Bin Sloped Channel Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Console bin assemblies in vehicles often pose a risk of damaging portable electronic devices due to exposure to water or liquids, as there is no effective drainage mechanism to prevent liquid accumulation.

Innovation Solution

A console bin assembly design featuring a channel with sloped sections and drainage holes that directs liquids away from the bin surface, integrating with the vehicle's drainage system to discharge liquids from the cabin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a console bin assembly is designed with a closed structure for storage, then storage functionality is improved, but liquid accumulation risk increases causing damage to electronic devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage functionalityVSAvoidliquid accumulation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bin surface is segmented into functional zones including a channel structure with sloped sections and drainage holes, dividing the surface to guide liquid flow toward drainage points while maintaining storage capacity in the bin cavity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A channel structure acts as an intermediary element between the bin surface and the drainage system, receiving liquid from the bin surface and directing it through drainage holes to the vehicle's drainage system, preventing direct liquid accumulation in the storage area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If drainage holes are added to the bin surface, then liquid drainage capability is improved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid drainage capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage features (channel and drainage holes) are integrated directly into the bin surface structure, combining the storage surface function with the liquid drainage function in a single integrated component rather than adding separate drainage systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bin surface is designed with localized drainage features at specific positions - a channel with sloped sections leading to drainage holes - providing drainage capability only where needed rather than uniformly across the entire surface, maintaining simplicity in non-drainage areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Prevents damage to electronic devices by ensuring liquids are efficiently drained from the console bin assembly, reducing the risk of electrical malfunctions and device damage.

Implementation Method 1

The channel is sloped so liquid entering the channel is guided to the drainage hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS11052805B2Console bin assembly for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2021.07.06 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A console bin assembly for a vehicle includes a bin surface having a perimeter and a wall extending upward relative to the bin surface. A channel having a first end and a second end is located adjacent to the perimeter of the bin surface and the first wall. A drainage hole located near the first end of the channel. The channel is sloped such that the channel guides liquid entering the channel to the drainage hole.