Foldable Vehicle Platform for Cargo Barrier and Sleeping Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smaller four-wheel drive vehicles lack internal space for sleeping and spreading out camping gear, as they are designed for cargo transport rather than providing a comfortable surface for recreational activities.
Innovation Solution
A foldable, stowable platform that fits between the rear wheel wells of a vehicle, expanding to serve as a table, sleeping platform, and pet barrier, anchored to vehicle members and capable of being fully folded or partially folded to extend from the rear of the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If smaller four-wheel drive vehicles are used for remote wilderness locations, then mobility and access to remote areas are improved, but internal space for sleeping and spreading out camping gear deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The platform extends from the vehicle in a third dimension (outward and upward from the wheel wells) rather than requiring additional internal volume. This allows the vehicle to maintain its compact size for mobility while providing extended usable space for camping activities outside the vehicle interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform is designed to be foldable and collapsible, transitioning between a compact stored position within the vehicle and an extended operational position. This dynamic configuration allows the same structure to serve both space constraints during transport and space requirements during camping activities.
2Loss of energy
If smaller four-wheel drive vehicles are used, then gas mileage and campground fees are improved, but internal room for sleeping and spreading gear deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The platform creates additional functional space by extending outward from the vehicle body rather than requiring increased internal volume, allowing the vehicle to remain compact for fuel efficiency while providing adequate space for camping activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform serves multiple functions including sleeping surface, gear spreading area, and table surface, replacing the need for multiple separate items and maximizing the utility of the limited space available in smaller vehicles.
3Loss of energy
If smaller four-wheel drive vehicles are used, then overall economy is improved, but ability to spread out camping gear and perform tasks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable platform design allows the structure to be compact during transport for economy, then easily deployed to provide a large flat surface for spreading gear and performing camping tasks, and folded back for storage when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform is divided into multiple sections that can be folded and collapsed, allowing it to be stored in a compact configuration within the vehicle while providing a large extended surface area when deployed for camping activities.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a platform is added to smaller four-wheel drive vehicles, then sleeping and gear spreading capabilities are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is segmented into multiple foldable sections that can be independently manipulated, allowing the structure to provide a large sleeping and gear spreading surface when needed while collapsing into a compact form that is simple to store and manage.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic foldable design allows the platform to transform between compact and extended configurations, providing versatile sleeping and gear spreading capabilities only when required, while maintaining simplicity during storage and transport phases.
Data Source
AI summary
A platform that connects to the seat brackets on the floor of a vehicle by a clamping mechanism actuated by a rotatable bolt that extends from the planar top face of the platform. The platform is made in front and rear frame portions that are hingedly attached. The platform is convertible from a folded storage position to a lockable vertical configuration to form a barrier in the cargo compartment of the vehicle, or to a fully extended horizontal configuration to form a table/sleeping platform that extends from the rear of the vehicle. A lockable, extendable ladder pivots from the back frame portion to stabilize the platform onto the ground. Adjustable legs on the frame portions enable the top faces of the two frame portions to be made coplanar.