Frunk Spare Wheel Retainer for Upright Secure Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spare wheels are inconvenient to store in vehicles due to their bulkiness and the need for secure positioning, which restricts available storage space and can lead to damage during vehicle use or accidents, especially when stored in the trunk or adjacent areas.
Innovation Solution
A frunk-mounted spare wheel retainer with an elastic and rigid retaining arm that securely holds the wheel upright, allowing easy access and retrieval, featuring an engagement element that grips the wheel's center and a clip for secure retention, with optional warning systems to ensure the wheel is properly stowed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the spare wheel is stored in the trunk or adjacent areas, then the spare wheel can be secured in position, but the available storage space is restricted and the wheel may become damaged or damage adjacent parts during vehicle use or accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the spare wheel storage from the traditional horizontal trunk space to a vertical orientation in the frunk area. The retaining arm allows the wheel to be stored upright against the frunk liner, utilizing vertical space rather than horizontal space, thereby resolving the contradiction between security and available storage area.
2Reliability
If the spare wheel is stored in the trunk, then it can be kept inside the vehicle, but it restricts the space remaining for other luggage and requires unloading the trunk when the spare wheel is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spare wheel storage function from the main trunk space and places it in the frunk (front trunk) area. This separation allows the spare wheel to be stored independently from luggage, enabling users to access the wheel without unloading the trunk, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining availability.
3Reliability
If conventional fastening methods are used to secure the spare wheel, then the wheel can be retained in position, but it is difficult to reach and unfasten the fastening devices
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining arm is designed to be manually operated by a single person without requiring tools or complex fastening procedures. The user can easily manipulate the arm to engage or disengage the wheel by simple pulling or pushing motions, making the system self-serviceable and improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable retention.
4Ease of operation
If the spare wheel is stored upright in the frunk, then easier access can be achieved, but the retaining mechanism must securely prevent movement during vehicle use
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining arm is designed with flexible properties that allow it to adapt dynamically to the wheel's position. The arm can be easily moved by hand for access but provides stable retention when engaged, combining ease of operation with position stability through its dynamic, flexible structure.
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 provides secure, upright storage of spare wheels in the frunk, maximizing rear trunk space and preventing damage, while ensuring easy access and retrieval, and includes warning systems to prevent accidental movement during vehicle operation.
Implementation Method 1
the retaining arm comprising elastic and rigid portions and an engagement element configured to engage the centre of the spare wheel, wherein the elastic portion is attached to the frunk at a fixed end, and to the rigid portion at an opposite end
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3c
Figure 4
AI summary
Vehicle frunk (1) comprises an arm (3) retaining spare wheel (50). The arm comprises elastic and rigid portions (5 and 7). An engagement element (10) engages the centre of the spare wheel and is located between the elastic and rigid portions. Elastic portion (5) attaches to the frunk at a fixed end, and to rigid portion (7) at an opposite end. Rigid portion (7) comprises a clip (20) at an end distal to the elastic portion. Clip (20) releasably grips the spare wheel by clamping onto tyre tread (52) and may also engage on a vehicle slam panel. An alarm circuit (110) on frunk liner (1B) comprises contacts (111) which connect with pin (21) on clip (20) to activate a light (114) and/or audible alarm (115), indicating that the spare wheel is not secured.