Luggage Compartment Flap Alignment via Interlocking Shuttles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing systems for covering a motor vehicle's luggage compartment often experience 'crabbing' issues, where the flap becomes offset longitudinally, leading to potential blocking and improper functioning when actuated in the access position.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates two rigid shuttles sliding on guide rails with interlocking means at the ends, and the flap has transverse projections that interlock with these means to prevent crabbing, ensuring proper alignment and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the flap is moved manually to access the compartment, then access to the compartment is freed, but the flap may experience crabbing (lateral offset) leading to blocking and improper functioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces shuttles as intermediary components that mediate between the flap and the guide rail. These shuttles carry the flap along the inclined track and enforce proper alignment through geometric constraints, preventing crabbing while enabling smooth manual operation for compartment access
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the alignment enforcement function from the guide rail system and places it in dedicated shuttles. By separating the guidance function (handled by shuttles on inclined tracks) from the blocking prevention function, the system achieves reliable flap alignment without interfering with manual operation
2Ease of operation
If the flap is raised and advanced to overlap the panel in the access position, then access to the compartment is freed, but the risk of lateral offset (crabbing) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an inclined track geometry that guides the shuttles in a controlled path. The curved or inclined nature of the track ensures that the flap moves along a precise trajectory, maintaining proper alignment relative to the panel while being raised and advanced to the access position
3Reliability
If interlocking means are added to prevent crabbing, then flap alignment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the alignment enforcement function into discrete shuttles that operate independently on each side of the flap. This segmentation allows the interlocking means to be distributed and modular, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable flap alignment through coordinated shuttle operation
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a system (1) comprising a fixed panel (4) covering the front part of the compartment, and a flap (5) mounted to slide between a covering position of said compartment where it is disposed behind and in line with said panel, and an access position of said compartment where said flap is raised and advanced so as to come into cover of said panel presenting substantially the same position in both positions, said system further comprising two rigid shuttles (6) mounted by their front and rear ends to slide on each of the rails (3), said ends being provided with means for interlocking said flap, said flap being provided, at the ends of each of its lateral edges, with two respective transverse projections (8) received by interlocking in said means.