Modular Vehicle Floor Support Integrating Cable and Seat Belt Functions

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of motor vehicles with both sedan and utility versions requires distinct series of parts for the floor, increasing production costs and complexity due to separate components needed for cable guidance, seat belt retraction, and protective frame installation.

Innovation Solution

A modular support system for the vehicle floor that integrates functions such as supporting the boot floor extension, seat belt retraction, and handbrake cable guidance, using a structure with vertical uprights, spacers, and crosspieces, allowing for a common design to accommodate both sedan and utility versions, reducing the need for multiple components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate components are used for cable guidance, seat belt retraction, and protective frame installation, then each function can be performed reliably, but manufacturing and labor costs increase due to multiple separate components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate functional components (cable guidance, seat belt retraction, protective frame installation) into a single integrated support structure. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate parts, reducing manufacturing complexity and labor costs while maintaining all necessary functions through integrated design features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs cable guidance, seat belt retraction support, and protective frame installation. This universal design allows a single component to fulfill multiple roles that previously required separate dedicated parts, thereby reducing overall component count and production costs.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If distinct series of parts are produced for sedan and utility versions, then each vehicle type can be optimized for its specific use, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle configuration adaptabilityVSAvoidparts series complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is designed as a universal component that can be adapted to both sedan and utility vehicle configurations. By incorporating adjustable or configurable features within the single support design, the same parts series can serve multiple vehicle types, eliminating the need for distinct component series while maintaining configuration-specific optimization.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure incorporates dynamic or adjustable elements that allow it to adapt to different vehicle configurations (sedan or utility). This dynamic design enables the same basic structure to be modified or configured for different uses without requiring completely separate part series, thereby reducing production complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If multiple separate components are installed to perform specific functions, then each function can be securely implemented, but labor costs and assembly time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional securityVSAvoidassembly efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple functional components into a single integrated support structure, the number of assembly operations is reduced. Workers install one component rather than multiple separate parts, significantly improving assembly efficiency and reducing labor costs while maintaining all necessary functions through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is designed with pre-integrated features for cable guidance, seat belt retraction, and protective frame installation. These functions are prepared in advance as part of the single component design, eliminating the need for sequential installation of multiple separate parts and thereby improving assembly productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2142418B1Floor for automobile including a holder and automobile including such floor
Publication Date: 2011.03.02 PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP2142418B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2142418B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2142418B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a floor for an automobile that comprises: a passenger compartment floor (2) with right (20) and left (22) portions and a longitudinal reinforcement (24) above them; and a trunk floor that comprises a rear portion (30) raised relative to the passenger compartment floor (2). The trunk floor further includes a substantially planar and horizontal extension extending in front of the rear portion and partially above the passenger compartment floor (2). The vehicle floor further includes a holder (4) attached to the reinforcement (24) and provided with a means for supporting the extension.