Flexible Door Panel Bracket for Spill-Proof Condiment Tray

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions lack an effective and versatile method to securely hold dipping sauce packets in vehicles, particularly in varying door panel thicknesses and shapes, leading to potential spills and inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

A device that attaches to the interior door panel of vehicles, featuring a flexible bracket and adjustable tray system with various reservoir configurations and a raised lip to contain spills, accommodating different tray shapes and sizes, ensuring stability and easy installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid mounting structure is used, then the device is stable and secure, but it cannot accommodate varying door panel thicknesses and shapes

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidaccommodation of varying door panel thicknesses

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is designed with flexible material and geometry that allows it to dynamically adapt to different door panel thicknesses and shapes while maintaining stable attachment. The flexibility enables the bracket to conform to varying dimensions without requiring multiple rigid designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket's physical parameters (such as curvature, length, and thickness) are designed to vary within specific ranges to accommodate different door panel configurations. This allows the same component to maintain reliability across diverse installation environments by adjusting its effective geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple tray configurations are provided, then the device becomes more versatile for different sauce packet arrangements, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetray configuration optionsVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tray system is segmented into modular components that can be independently configured. This allows multiple tray arrangements to be achieved using a limited set of standardized parts, maintaining versatility while controlling complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket and tray components are designed with universal attachment mechanisms that work across different configurations. A single bracket design supports multiple tray types and arrangements, eliminating the need for separate components for each configuration scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If no containment structure is used, then the device is simpler, but spills cannot be prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespillage preventionVSAvoidstructural elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible raised lip or barrier structure is integrated into the tray design to contain spills. This thin film-like containment element adds minimal structural complexity while effectively preventing harmful spillage, leveraging the flexibility of the material to conform to the tray shape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS8870043B2Dipping buddy

Publication Date: 2014.10.28 STROLE ALVIN PAUL

AI summary

The invention is a assembly comprising of a flexible holding bracket and a tray. The bracket fit down between the window and rest on top of the door panel. The flexible backward s bracket fit's the inside part of the door panel for stability. At the end of the holding bracket is a tab for the tray with a slot in it to slide onto. The tray can be made with various types of reservoir combinations for holding different condiment packs.