Lockable Vehicle Storage Behind Seat Back

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicles, maximizing storage while ensuring secure storage of belongings behind the seat is challenging due to the need for accessible interior spaces, which can be open, making it difficult to prevent unauthorized removal of items.

Innovation Solution

A securable storage volume is created behind the seat by using a securing mechanism that locks the seat back to the rear wall, with a storage tray or bin and louvered wall design that blocks access when the seat is in the stowed position, combined with a locking mechanism and latching system to secure the seat back, enhancing theft protection and airflow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the passenger compartment is designed with open access for easy storage, then storage accessibility is improved, but security against unauthorized removal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage accessibilityVSAvoidsecurity against unauthorized removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The passenger compartment is segmented into accessible storage areas and secured storage areas. The secured storage area is defined by the seat back and is separated from the rest of the compartment by the securing mechanism, allowing different security levels for different storage zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seat back is designed to be dynamically positionable between a stowed position (providing access to storage volume) and a secured position (locked to rear wall). The securing mechanism allows the seat back to transition between these states, providing both accessibility and security as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the seat back is locked to the rear wall for security, then security against unauthorized removal is improved, but storage accessibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity against unauthorized removalVSAvoidstorage accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the storage volume is made accessible from outside the vehicle, then storage accessibility is improved, but security against theft deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage accessibilityVSAvoidtheft risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seat back acts as an intermediary barrier between the storage volume and the exterior environment. When locked to the rear wall, it creates a secure boundary that prevents direct access to stored items from outside the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the seat back is secured to the rear wall, then theft protection is improved, but airflow to the storage area deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetheft protectionVSAvoidairflow

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The rear wall is designed with localized features including airflow channels and ventilation openings that maintain air circulation even when the seat back is locked in the secured position. This allows different parts of the structure to serve different functions - security and airflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10882455B2Lockable interior storage volume within a passenger compartment of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 FCA US LLC

AI summary

A vehicle includes a passenger compartment having a rear wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a floor. The vehicle further includes a seat having a seat back adjacent a rear wall of the passenger compartment. A storage volume is positioned between the seat, the rear wall, the first side wall and a second side wall and the floor. A securing mechanism selectively locks the seat back to the rear wall.