Vehicle Covering Shelf Segmented Hinge Dynamics

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing covering shelf apparatuses in hatchback vehicles interfere with loading and unloading freight and can cause user injury due to their design, which is connected to the tailgate and requires unnecessary reassembly when opened and closed rapidly.

Innovation Solution

A covering shelf apparatus with front and rear protrusive hinges and guide rails that allow independent operation, enabling conversion into a using state to cover the luggage compartment, a standing state at an angle, and a stowed state behind the rear seat, with supports and locking projections to secure the shelf in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the covering shelf is connected to the tailgate through wires to open and close with the tailgate, then the covering shelf can be automatically opened and closed, but it interferes with loading and unloading freight and may cause user injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic opening and closingVSAvoidinterference with freight loading/unloading and user injury

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The covering shelf system is segmented into independent components: the covering shelf can operate independently from the tailgate. The shelf is divided with front hinges connected to the luggage side trim and rear hinges connected to the tailgate, allowing differential movement and independent operation to eliminate interference during freight loading/unloading

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The covering shelf transitions from a static, tailgate-dependent structure to a dynamic system with multiple operational states. The shelf can be positioned in a using state (covering the luggage compartment), a standing state (open at an angle for freight access), or a stowed state (inserted behind the rear seat), enabling adaptive positioning to avoid interference during different operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the covering shelf remains in the luggage compartment space during freight loading and unloading, then the covering shelf structure is simple, but it causes interference with work and potential user injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecovering shelf structureVSAvoidinterference with freight loading/unloading and user injury

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The covering shelf is designed with dynamic positioning capability through guide rails and hinges, allowing it to transition between covering the luggage compartment and being positioned aside during freight operations. This dynamic adjustment eliminates harmful interference while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Guide rails and hinges act as intermediary mechanisms between the covering shelf and the vehicle structure, enabling controlled movement and positioning. These intermediaries facilitate the shelf's transition between different states without requiring complex active control systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the covering shelf is connected to the tailgate, then the covering shelf can be opened and closed with the tailgate, but rapid opening and closing may separate the hinged point from the luggage side trim

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening and closing with tailgateVSAvoidconnection stability during rapid operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into front hinges connected to the luggage side trim and rear hinges connected to the tailgate. This segmentation isolates the critical front connection point from rapid tailgate movements, preventing separation while maintaining operational functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The front guide rail and rear guide groove act as intermediary elements that guide and constrain the movement of hinges. These intermediaries ensure controlled, guided motion that prevents abrupt separation during rapid opening and closing operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the covering shelf is made convertible into multiple states (using, standing, stowed), then convenience in loading/unloading freight is improved and space utilization is maximized, but the mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-state convertibilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The covering shelf employs passive dynamic mechanisms through guide rails and hinges that enable automatic transition between using, standing, and stowed states based on gravitational forces and geometric constraints. This passive dynamics approach achieves multi-state versatility without requiring complex active control systems or additional actuators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10696234B2Covering shelf apparatus for vehicles

Publication Date: 2020.06.30 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A covering shelf apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The apparatus is convertible into a using state in which the covering shelf operating separately from a tailgate closes a luggage compartment, a standing state in which the covering shelf is open at an angle, and a stowed state in which the covering shelf is inserted behind a rear seat. Accordingly, freight is capable of being loaded on the covering shelf in the using state in which the covering shelf closes the luggage compartment. Since the covering shelf is operated separately from the tailgate, the covering shelf is capable of being used more conveniently.