Movable Receiving Device for Vehicle Storage Compartment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Passengers in vehicles face ergonomic discomfort when trying to use smartphones or tablets for navigation or other tasks, as they need to hold or place these devices in their laps, which is inconvenient and tiring.

Innovation Solution

A device with a movably mounted receiving compartment that can be adjusted to face the user, allowing for ergonomic placement and operation of devices like smartphones or tablets, featuring a guide device for secure adjustment and a compact, space-saving design that integrates with the vehicle's storage compartment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a receiving device for smartphones or tablets is integrated into the storage compartment closure flap, then the user can place devices in an ergonomic position without holding them, but the device complexity increases due to the movable receiving device and guide mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveergonomic comfortVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving device is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to rotate between a stowed position (integrating with the closure flap) and a use position (extending toward the user). This dynamic configuration enables ergonomic device placement while maintaining a simple integrated appearance when not in use, resolving the contradiction between operational comfort and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The closure flap is segmented into functional zones: the receiving device can be moved independently from the main closure flap structure. This segmentation allows the receiving device to be positioned optimally for user comfort while remaining part of the integrated closure system, balancing ergonomic needs with overall structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the receiving device is movably mounted on the storage compartment, then the user can adjust the position for ergonomic use, but the storage space is reduced due to the space required for the guide device and receiving device mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveergonomic comfortVSAvoidstorage space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving device is designed to nest within or integrate with the closure flap structure when in the stowed position. This nesting approach minimizes the space occupied by the receiving device mechanism, allowing for movable ergonomic positioning without significantly compromising the storage compartment volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Volume of stationary object

If the receiving device is integrated into the closure flap, then the device remains compact and space-saving when not in use, but the user cannot easily access or adjust the receiving device position

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompactnessVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving device incorporates a movable mounting mechanism that allows easy transition between the compact integrated state and the extended use state. This dynamic design enables the receiving device to maintain a space-saving profile during storage while providing straightforward access and position adjustment during use, resolving the contradiction between compactness and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3196078B1Device for closing an access opening to a storage compartment and storage compartment
Publication Date: 2019.05.29 MINDA KTSN PLASTIC SOLUTIONS
  • EP3196078B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3196078B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3196078B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for closing an access opening to a storage compartment (10) in a vehicle, which is movably mounted on the storage compartment (10) and has a rear side (24) facing away from a user in a closed state and a front side (22) facing the user, wherein a receiving device (30) for objects is arranged on the device (20) and which can be brought into a position facing the user in an open state of the device (20).