Front Trunk-Glove Box Passage With Raised Wall Package Restraint

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle front part structures require stopping and opening the bonnet to access a trunk, leading to potential unintentional package movement during vehicle travel due to inadequate communication between the trunk and vehicle cabin.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle front part structure featuring a front trunk, a vehicle cabin side housing portion with a lid, a communication portion with a movement restriction mechanism, such as a raised wall that can open and close to prevent package movement, and a seal member to maintain airtight separation between the trunk and cabin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a communication portion is provided to allow access to the trunk from the vehicle cabin, then ease of operation is improved, but package movement during vehicle traveling increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to trunkVSAvoidpackage movement prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to adapt between two states: open during vehicle stopping to enable package transfer between trunk and cabin, and closed during vehicle traveling to prevent package movement. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the structure responsive to operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The partition wall automatically performs the function of package movement prevention during vehicle traveling by being in the closed position, without requiring active intervention. The system self-regulates based on the vehicle's operational state, eliminating the need for additional active restraint mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the trunk and vehicle cabin communicate freely, then ease of operation is improved, but harmful factors increase due to potential package movement into the cabin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackage transferVSAvoidpackage intrusion into cabin
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall transitions between open and closed states based on vehicle operation mode. During stopping, it opens to facilitate package transfer; during traveling, it closes to prevent package intrusion into the cabin, thus dynamically eliminating the harmful effect while preserving useful functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The partition wall is positioned in the closed state during vehicle traveling as a preventive measure before any package movement can occur. This preliminary action blocks the potential harmful effect of package intrusion into the cabin space during dynamic vehicle operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP4480755A1Vehicle front part structure
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 MAZDA MOTOR CORP
  • EP4480755A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4480755A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4480755A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] To provide a vehicle front part structure that can prevent unintentional package movement during vehicle traveling while allowing access to a trunk from a vehicle cabin side. [Means for Solution] A vehicle includes a front trunk 12, a glove box 11, and a communication portion 13. The front trunk 12 has a housing space 12a that is disposed at a front part of the vehicle and can house a package. The glove box 11 is disposed at a front part of a vehicle cabin and, has a housing space 11a into and out of which a package can be taken, and is provided with a lid 11b that can open and close an opening. The communication portion 13 has a communication space 13a providing communication between the housing space 12a of the front trunk 12 and the housing space 11a of the glove box 11. In addition, a raised wall 21 as a movement restriction portion that restricts package movement in the communication space 13a is provided at an opening section of the communication space 13a of the communication portion 13, specifically, a front opening 13c at a front end part of the communication space 13a.