Hinged Vehicle Load Floor Assembly With Flush Interlocking Sections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing load floor arrangements for motor vehicles are complex and expensive to manufacture and assemble due to intricate interlocking engagement surfaces, compromising ease of access and load-bearing capacity.

Innovation Solution

Engagement surfaces are limited to the cover surface of the floor element, with bearing surfaces interacting with contact surfaces to enclose the trunk recess, reducing complexity and cost while maintaining rigidity and ease of pivoting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a load floor assembly is provided for a motor vehicle boot, then the organization of the boot space is improved and items can be secured against sliding, but the device adds structural complexity to the boot assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of items in bootVSAvoidcomplexity of boot assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The load floor assembly is divided into a modular structure comprising a base element, a side wall element, and a front wall element that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while contributing to the overall stability of items in the boot without requiring a completely complex integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The load floor assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a stable base for items, prevents sliding through friction surfaces, offers structural support, and can be integrated with existing boot components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a load floor assembly with friction surfaces is used, then items are secured against sliding improving stability, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-sliding capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Friction surfaces are applied selectively to specific local areas of the load floor assembly where items contact the structure, rather than requiring the entire assembly to have enhanced friction properties. This localized treatment achieves the anti-sliding capability while keeping the rest of the manufacturing process simple and cost-effective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The load floor assembly utilizes composite construction combining base materials with friction-enhancing surface treatments or coatings. This allows the bulk material to remain simple and easy to manufacture, while the surface layer provides the necessary friction properties for securing items without complicating the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4320014B1Load floor assembly for a motor vehicle, and boot comprising such a load floor assembly
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG
  • EP4320014B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4320014B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a load floor assembly for a motor vehicle (2), said assembly comprising a rigid floor element (10), wherein: bearing surfaces (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) of the floor element (10) are operatively connected to the bearing surfaces (24, 26, 28, 30) of the boot recess (18); the floor element (10) has at least two floor sections (14, 16); a first floor section (14) is pivotably connected to a second floor section (16) by means of hinge means (12); mutually facing end faces (48, 50) of the floor sections (14, 16) have engagement surfaces (52, 54) which have a reduced cross-sectional height such that the floor sections (14, 16) engage in one another without changing the cross-sectional height of the floor element (10); at least the first engagement surface (52), which is located above the second engagement surface (54) as seen in the vertical axis of the motor vehicle, has, in the end region, a rounded portion (56) that faces the second engagement surface (54); and the engagement surfaces (52, 54) are designed in a continuous manner.