Vehicle Console Table Layout for Preventing Item Drop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Consoles in automobiles often allow items placed on a projecting table to accidentally fall out when pushed, requiring occupants to pick them up from the floor, as existing designs lack effective containment mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A console design featuring a console body with recesses and a side table that extends away from the body, allowing items pushed towards the console to be caught in recesses or a cup holder, preventing them from falling out and simplifying collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a flat upper surface is used on the console body, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but items placed on the table can accidentally move beyond the console and fall onto the floor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoiditem falling out

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The upper surface of the console body is segmented into multiple recesses (first recess and second recess) instead of a single flat surface. These recesses are strategically positioned to catch items that slide off the table, preventing them from falling to the floor while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular recess design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The recesses act as intermediary structures between the table surface and the floor. When an item slides off the table, the recesses intercept and contain the item, serving as a protective intermediary zone that prevents direct contact with the floor and allows easy item recovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If items are allowed to be placed on a projecting table, then the console provides useful functionality for occupants, but items can move out of the console when pushed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsole functionalityVSAvoiditem containment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The solution adds a vertical dimension to the previously flat surface by creating recesses at different depth levels. The first recess is positioned adjacent to the table edge, and the second recess is positioned adjacent to the first recess, creating a stepped containment structure that captures items in multiple spatial zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The recesses are pre-positioned and pre-shaped on the console body upper surface before items are placed on the table. This preliminary structural preparation ensures that when items accidentally slide off the table, they are immediately caught by the pre-positioned recesses, preventing them from reaching the floor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20240424992A1Console

Publication Date: 2024.12.26 TOYODA GOSEI CO LTD

AI summary

A console includes a console body and a table configured to be used in a position in which the table extends away from the console body. A direction in which the table extends away from the console body is referred to as a first direction, and a direction intersecting the first direction is referred to as a second direction. An upper surface of the console body includes a first recess and a second recess. The first recess is adjacent to the table. The second recess is adjacent to the first recess in the second direction.