Movable Side Walls for Vehicle Storage Compartment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles without a center console, the low side walls of storage compartments pose a safety risk as objects can fall out during driving, and traditional solutions like lids compromise the open, spacious feel.
Innovation Solution
Movable side walls that can be adjusted in height and guided by rails, allowing for a spacious open position and secure closed position, with options for manual or electromotive operation and various cross-sectional geometries, including flexible materials and blind-like configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If low side walls are provided to maintain an open, spacious feel, then the feeling of space is improved, but objects may fall out during driving causing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to transition between a lowered position (providing open access and spacious feel) and a raised position (preventing object fall-out). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the side wall height to different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The height parameter of the side walls is made variable through the movable design, allowing the storage compartment to switch between an open configuration (low side walls) and a secure configuration (high side walls). This parameter change enables the system to satisfy both the spacious feel requirement and the object containment requirement at different times.
2Reliability
If lids are provided to prevent object fall-out, then safety is improved, but the open, spacious feel is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using fixed lids that permanently close the storage compartment, the invention employs movable side walls that can be raised only when needed to prevent object fall-out. This maintains the open, spacious feel during normal use while providing safety when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure function is segmented into movable side walls that can be independently adjusted, rather than using a complete lid structure. This allows partial closure (raising only the necessary side walls) while maintaining open access to the storage compartment, thus preserving the spacious feel.
3Adaptability or versatility
If side walls are made movable to provide adjustable height, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls are designed to be manually movable, allowing users to adjust the height and position according to their needs without requiring complex motorized systems or control mechanisms. This self-service approach provides adaptability while keeping the device complexity low.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least two seats and, located between these seats, a storage compartment which has a base, a front wall, a rear wall, and two side walls, wherein one or both side walls can be moved between a lowered position, laterally opening the storage compartment, and a raised position, laterally closing the storage compartment.