Extendable Vehicle Load Floor With Sliding Locking Positions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles face challenges in providing sufficient cargo space and ease of loading and unloading due to the proximity of cargo area walls and limited side access, which restricts the utility of the cargo area as a working surface.
Innovation Solution
An extendable load bearing floor for vehicles, comprising a frame, sliding mechanism, locking mechanism, and release handle, which allows the floor to transition between stowed and extended positions, increasing cargo space when stationary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the cargo area walls are positioned close to the cargo, then the vehicle structure is compact, but the loading and unloading of cargo becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the floor extendable from a fixed state to an extended state. The floor transitions from being stationary within the vehicle to being movable, allowing it to extend beyond the vehicle boundaries during loading/unloading operations and retract during transit. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction by providing both compact storage during movement and expanded accessibility during stationary operations.
2Length of moving object
If the cargo area depth is limited, then the vehicle maintains maneuverability, but the cargo space is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dimensionality change principle by extending the floor in the longitudinal dimension beyond the vehicle boundaries. Instead of increasing cargo depth within the vehicle's fixed footprint, the floor extends outward horizontally, creating additional cargo space in a different spatial dimension. This allows the vehicle to maintain its original maneuverability while providing increased cargo capacity when stationary.
3Shape
If the vehicle body limits side access to the cargo area, then the vehicle structure is streamlined, but the utility of the cargo area as a working surface is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming the floor from a fixed interior surface to an extendable working surface. When extended, the floor creates a new working surface that protrudes beyond the vehicle body, providing additional utility for cargo manipulation and organization. This dynamic extension maintains the streamlined vehicle shape during transit while providing enhanced versatility when stationary.
4Volume of moving object
If an extendable floor is added to increase cargo space, then cargo space and utility are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle through the locking mechanism that automatically secures the floor in its extended or retracted position. The locking system engages automatically when the floor reaches the desired position, eliminating the need for manual locking operations. This self-locking feature reduces operational complexity while maintaining the extendable functionality, allowing users to simply activate the extension without managing complex locking procedures.
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
Facilitates easy loading and unloading of cargo by expanding the cargo area, providing additional space and improving utility as a working surface.
Implementation Method 1
a locking mechanism locks the sliding mechanism and the first floor connected thereto in at least a stowed position and an extended position
Implementation Method 2
a sliding mechanism slidingly coupled with the frame in a longitudinal direction; guide rollers and load rollers facilitate longitudinal translation of each rail in relation to the frame
Implementation Method 3
one torsion spring connected to each catch; each torsion spring returns the respective catch to which it is connected to an unrotated position, after a force causing rotation of the respective catch during locking or unlocking of the first floor is released
Implementation Method 4
the bumpers mounted on the rear portion and the front portion of the frame are adapted to engage with the load roller mounted on the outer surface of each rail on a same side as the respective bumper to provide over travel and noise protection
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated and extendable load bearing floor of a vehicle includes a frame, a sliding mechanism slidingly coupled with the frame in a longitudinal direction, a first floor connected to the sliding mechanism, and a release handle adapted to trigger a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism locks the sliding mechanism and the first floor connected thereto in two or more different positions and is triggered to unlock the sliding mechanism and the first floor connected thereto from any position to freely translate longitudinally in relation to the frame.