Lateral Vehicle Storage Compartment Footwell Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles, the scarcity of available space makes it difficult to add additional storage without compromising space for occupants, necessitating innovative solutions for lateral storage compartments.
Innovation Solution
A storage compartment is integrated into the vehicle, located forward of the footwell or on the passenger compartment door, with a sliding mechanism and sensor-activated locking system, allowing for accessible and secure storage without occupying interior space, and can be configured with partitions and insulation for temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If additional storage space is added to the vehicle, then storage capacity is improved, but available space for occupants deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The storage compartment is positioned in the footwell area, utilizing the lateral dimension of the vehicle rather than adding depth or height that would encroach on occupant space. This allows storage capacity to increase while maintaining the original occupant volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage compartment is divided into multiple sections with partitions, allowing the storage space to be segmented into functional zones. This segmentation maximizes the utility of the available footwell space while keeping the overall compartment compact and non-intrusive to occupant area.
2Ease of operation
If storage compartment is made accessible from lateral side, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage compartment is integrated with the existing vehicle door structure, merging the storage function with the door assembly. This combination provides lateral accessibility without requiring separate access mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The door structure serves dual purposes: as an access control mechanism for the passenger compartment and as the housing for the storage compartment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, simplifying the overall system while maintaining ease of access.
3Reliability
If sensor-activated locking system is added, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is activated automatically by sensors that detect the presence or absence of objects in the storage compartment. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual locking operations and complex mechanical locking components, providing enhanced security through a simple sensor-based system.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical locking system is replaced with an electronic sensor-activated mechanism. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while improving reliability, as the sensor-based system can detect and respond to storage compartment status changes automatically without requiring complex mechanical linkages.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage compartment of a vehicle including a passenger compartment and a passenger compartment door controlling access to the passenger compartment. The storage compartment includes a base and a side wall surrounding a storage volume. The storage compartment is located forward of a footwell of the passenger compartment, the storage compartment is further positioned so that an opening to the storage volume is accessible from a lateral side of the vehicle.