Moveable Tray Assembly with Collapsible Cup Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle interior storage solutions lack a moveable tray assembly that allows access to storage areas without removing items, and current trays do not efficiently utilize cupholder recesses for larger items.
Innovation Solution
A moveable tray assembly with a collapsible cup portion that can extend into a cupholder recess and a tray portion with a floor that supports items, allowing the tray to be moved between a storage compartment and a cupholder recess without disturbing stored items, and can accommodate larger items by expanding to fit within the tray portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed tray is built into the vehicle interior, then items are securely stored, but access to storage areas requires removing items from the tray
Solution Approach 1:
The tray assembly is designed to be moveable between a storage compartment and a cupholder recess, transforming from a static fixed tray to a dynamic reconfigurable system. This allows the tray to be easily accessed by simply moving it to the cupholder position without removing stored items, resolving the contradiction between secure storage and ease of access.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a standard-sized tray is used, then it fits in storage compartments, but it cannot accommodate larger items when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the third dimension (vertical space) by extending the tray floor downward into the cupholder recess. This allows the tray to accommodate larger items by increasing its effective volume through vertical extension rather than increasing horizontal footprint, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stationary area.
3Volume of moving object
If the tray floor is extended to accommodate larger items, then capacity increases, but the tray becomes too large for storage compartments
Solution Approach 1:
The tray floor is designed to be extendable and collapsible, allowing it to dynamically change its volume. When extended, it accommodates larger items in the cupholder recess; when collapsed, it fits within the storage compartment dimensions. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction between increased capacity and storage fit.
4Ease of operation
If a rigid tray structure is used, then it provides stable support, but it cannot be moved between positions without disturbing items
Solution Approach 1:
The tray assembly is segmented into the tray portion and the collapsible cup portion, allowing independent movement and stabilization. The cup portion can be collapsed during movement to reduce interference, then extended at the destination to provide stable support, resolving the contradiction between moveability and item stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A moveable tray assembly for a vehicle includes a tray portion and a collapsible cup portion coupled to the tray portion. The cup portion is extendible downward from the tray portion and sized to fit within a cupholder recess. A floor of the tray portion extends outwardly from a top circumference of the cup portion to support items. The floor has a length and width greater than 3″×4″.