Freestanding Cargo Unit Trim Panel Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cargo in vehicle cargo areas often shifts during transport, causing concern, damage, or injury, and existing cargo management devices occupy valuable space when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A freestanding cargo management unit with a primary wall and projecting wall featuring tiered nibs for anchoring to the cargo area floor, integrated with a recess in the trim panel for storage, providing secure item placement and efficient use of space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a free-standing cargo management device is used to secure items, then cargo shifting is prevented, but load floor area is occupied when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo management device is extracted from the load floor area and integrated into the trim panel, allowing it to be stored within the panel structure when not in use, thus freeing up load floor area while maintaining cargo security functionality when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The cargo management device is nested within the trim panel structure, where the device can be stored inside the panel when not needed and deployed when cargo security is required, effectively hiding the device within the vehicle's existing structure
2Ease of operation
If cargo management devices are placed in the cargo area for convenience, then accessibility is improved, but storage space for larger items is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo management device is extracted from the cargo area and relocated to the trim panel, allowing the cargo area to be fully available for larger items while the device remains easily accessible through the trim panel integration
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional anchoring components are used, then manufacturing is simple, but anchoring strength is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring component is segmented into multiple nibs arranged in a grid pattern, where each nib provides individual anchoring points that collectively distribute and increase the overall anchoring strength while maintaining simple manufacturing of each individual nib
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring component features localized friction-enhancing surfaces on each nib, concentrating frictional engagement at specific contact points with the carpet or liner material, thereby achieving superior anchoring strength through localized quality enhancement rather than uniform complexity
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
The solution effectively secures items within the cargo area, preventing shifting and optimizing storage space by integrating the cargo management device into the vehicle's trim panel, ensuring safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The array of nibs creates a degree of frictional engagement with a carpet or liner material or an exposed surface of the load floor
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a freestanding unit for securing items within the floor of a cargo area in a vehicle comprising a primary wall and at least one projecting wall extending from the primary wall which includes an anchoring component for anchoring the freestanding unit to the floor in the cargo area. The present invention also relates to a vehicular cargo management system that includes such freestanding unit where the trim panel includes a recess to accommodate the projecting wall of the freestanding unit which may then fit flush to the trim panel.