Magnetic Vehicle Object Holder Assembly for Flexible Trunk Compartmentalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing object holder assemblies in vehicles are limited by the arrangement of holes in the floor, restricting the shapes and sizes of objects that can be held, and lack secure mechanical fastening during vehicle impacts or sharp braking.
Innovation Solution
An object holder assembly with a fastening device featuring a movable magnet that can securely attach to a metal floor using a magnetic field, allowing for adjustable positioning and easy release, combined with a control member for locking and unlocking, and optional features like a deformable cover layer and light source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If holes are pierced in the floor to position the base of the separator, then the separator can be mechanically fastened, but the shapes and sizes of objects that can be held are limited by the hole arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fastening system (holes and physical anchors) with a magnetic field-based fastening system. The magnet generates a magnetic field that interacts with ferromagnetic material in the floor, providing secure attachment without requiring holes. This substitution enables the base to be positioned anywhere on the floor surface, not just at predetermined hole locations, thereby resolving the contradiction between fastening reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state or property used for fastening from mechanical interlocking (through holes) to magnetic attraction (through magnetic field strength). By adjusting the magnetic field parameters (magnet strength, positioning), the system can provide secure fastening while allowing flexible positioning of the base anywhere on the floor, thus enabling holding of objects with various shapes and sizes.
2Reliability
If the separator is securely fastened to prevent movement during impact, then safety is improved, but the ability to easily reposition separators is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic fastening system where the magnetic attraction can be easily activated and deactivated. The magnet provides strong holding force during normal operation and in case of impact, but can be quickly released by removing or moving the magnet, allowing easy repositioning of the separator. This dynamic characteristic resolves the contradiction between secure fastening and ease of repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing permanent mechanical fastening (screws, clips in holes) with a controllable magnetic field, the system achieves both strong holding force when needed and easy release when repositioning is required. The magnetic field can be instantly activated or deactivated, providing both security during impact and flexibility for reconfiguration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a magnetic fastening system is used instead of holes, then adaptability for different objects is improved, but the complexity of the fastening device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a complex mechanical fastening system (requiring holes, anchors, and precise alignment) with a simpler magnetic field-based system. The magnet can be positioned anywhere on the base, and the magnetic field automatically provides attachment force when near the ferromagnetic floor, eliminating the need for complex mechanical components and simplifying the overall device 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 assembly securely holds objects of various shapes and sizes, maintaining them during impacts and allowing flexible compartmentalization of the vehicle trunk, while ensuring easy reconfiguration and storage.
Implementation Method 1
the fastening device comprises a movable magnet able to cooperate with the floor in the active configuration
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic field to the ferromagnetic material
Data Source
AI summary
An object holder assembly in a vehicle that includes a floor having a metal layer and an upper face intended to support at least one object. The vehicle includes at least one trunk separator having a base able to be applied on the floor and a separating partition. The separator includes a fastening device having an active configuration in which the fastening device is able to fasten the base on the floor when a lower face of the base is in contact with the upper face of the floor and a released configuration of the separator. The separator has a control member for the fastening device, able to be actuated between a locking position, in which the control member activates the fastening device, and an unlocking position. The fastening device has a movable magnet able to cooperate with the floor in the active configuration.