Movable Flap Arrangement for Vehicle Storage Bin Gap Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current storage bin arrangements in motor vehicles face issues such as aesthetically undesirable gaps between bin and surround walls when open, and contents falling through these gaps, due to reduced packaging space and design constraints.
Innovation Solution
A storage bin arrangement with a movable flap section between the bin and surround wall, utilizing a biasing member like a tension or torsion spring to minimize or eliminate gaps, ensuring the bin compartment is fully exposed and contents are secured when open.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bin is moved to an open position to expose the storage compartment, then accessibility is improved, but gaps appear between the bin wall and surround wall causing aesthetic issues and content loss
Solution Approach 1:
A flap section is introduced as an intermediary element between the bin wall and surround wall. This flap moves with the bin when opened and extends to contact the surround wall, effectively mediating the gap formation issue while maintaining full accessibility to the storage compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap section is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position based on the bin's opening state. When the bin is closed, the flap is retracted; when the bin is opened, the flap extends to bridge the gap, thus adapting to different operational states.
2Device complexity
If the surround wall is lowered to reduce packaging space, then device complexity is reduced, but gap visibility and content security worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The solution segments the bin assembly into multiple functional parts: the main bin structure, the movable flap section, and the surround wall. This segmentation allows the flap to independently extend and cover the gap created by the lowered surround wall, thus maintaining aesthetics and content security without increasing overall packaging space.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap section utilizes the lateral dimension by extending horizontally from the bin wall to contact the surround wall. This dimensional approach effectively closes the gap without requiring vertical space, thus accommodating the lowered surround wall design while preventing content loss and maintaining aesthetics.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed flap structure is used to cover the gap, then content security is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The flap arrangement is merged with the bin structure, sharing common pivot points and mounting mechanisms. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining the dynamic gap-covering function that ensures content security.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap section is designed to automatically extend and retract based on the bin's opening motion without requiring separate actuation mechanisms. As the bin opens, the flap naturally extends to cover the gap; as the bin closes, the flap automatically retracts. This self-service mechanism reduces complexity while maintaining content security.
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 solution effectively hides the understructure from view, preventing contents from falling and enhancing the aesthetic appearance by ensuring the bin compartment is fully exposed without gaps, thus addressing the issues of reduced packaging space and content loss.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a biasing member like a tension or torsion spring to minimize or eliminate gaps
Data Source
AI summary
Storage bin arrangements for motor vehicles are provided. In one example, a storage bin arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a surround having a surround wall that defines a stowage space. A bin has a bin wall that defines a bin storage compartment. The bin moves in the stowage space between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the bin storage compartment is substantially disposed in the stowage space. In the open position, the bin storage compartment is substantially exposed. A flap arrangement includes a flap section extending between the bin and the surround wall. The flap arrangement moves the flap section relative to the bin during movement of the bin between the closed position and the open position.