Nested Pivotable Members in Vehicle Door for Expandable Cargo Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle owners often face limited interior cargo space, which is insufficient for occasional needs such as transporting luggage, furniture, or camping gear, leading to a lack of demand for vehicles with greater cargo capacity since the additional space is not utilized for most of the time.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door apparatus with nested pivotable members that can extend to create an exterior cargo space when needed, allowing the interior space to be expanded without occupying additional room when not in use, featuring a first member hinged to the door and a second member nested within it, which can be pivoted to form a floor and rear closure of the exterior space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the vehicle interior cargo space is increased, then the cargo capacity is improved, but the vehicle size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo space members are nested within the door cavity when not in use, with the first member nested in the door cavity and the second member nested within a cavity formed in the first member. This nesting arrangement allows the cargo space to be stored compactly within the existing door structure, avoiding the need for additional permanent structural elements that would increase vehicle size and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cargo space is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. The first and second members can be selectively positioned between a stowed position (nested in the door) and an extended position (forming cargo space). This dynamic configuration allows the vehicle to transition between different cargo capacity states without requiring a permanently larger structure.
2Volume of moving object
If the interior cargo space is increased to meet occasional needs, then the cargo capacity is improved, but the space is not utilized for most of the time
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo space members are designed to be selectively extendable and retractable. When additional cargo space is needed, the first and second members are positioned to extend from the door cavity to form the cargo space. When not needed, they are retracted into the nested position within the door. This dynamic adaptability ensures the cargo space is available when needed but does not permanently occupy unnecessary space.
Solution Approach 2:
The door structure serves multiple functions: it provides the primary door function while also housing the nested cargo space members. The first member serves as both a structural component of the door assembly and, when extended, as the floor portion of the cargo space. The second member similarly serves as both a nested component and, when extended, as the rear closure member of the cargo space.
3Volume of moving object
If the cargo space extending apparatus is added, then the cargo capacity is improved, but the apparatus occupies interior cargo space when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo space extending apparatus is designed with a nested configuration where the first member is nested within the door cavity and the second member is nested within a cavity formed in the first member. This nested arrangement minimizes the volume occupied by the apparatus when not in use, as all components are compacted within the existing door structure rather than occupying separate space within the vehicle interior.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided that offers a flexible amount of vehicle cargo space, allowing a vehicle user the option of additional vehicle cargo space when needed. A first member is operatively connected to the vehicle door, is nestable within a door cavity within the door, and is selectively movable to an extended position for partially defining an exterior cargo space. Preferably, a second member is substantially nested within an additional cavity formed in the first member and is selectively movable to an extended position for partially enclosing the exterior cargo space. Preferably, a second vehicle door substantially identical and adjacent to the first vehicle door includes members substantially identical to the first and second members postionable to define, along with the first and second members and the doors, the exterior cargo space. A method for achieving this flexible cargo space is also provided.