Off-Road Vehicle Storage Lid Biasing for More Usable Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing storage designs in off-road vehicles face challenges where the grommet at the center of the housing space interferes with object access, reducing the effective volume of the storage space.
Innovation Solution
A storage design for off-road vehicles featuring a rotatable lid supported by a supporter and biased by an elastic member to maintain a fully-closed state, eliminating the need for a locking mechanism and increasing the effective volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a grommet is used to maintain the lid in a fully-closed state, then the lid remains securely closed during vibration, but the grommet interferes with object access and reduces the effective storage volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the grommet (locking mechanism) from the center of the housing space and replaces it with an elastic member positioned at the rear end. This extraction of the problematic component eliminates the interference with object access while maintaining the lid closure function through the elastic member's biasing force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent repositions the closure maintenance mechanism from a central location (interfering with access) to the rear end of the housing space (non-interfering position). This spatial relocation in another dimension resolves the contradiction by placing the functional element where it does not obstruct the storage space.
2Reliability
If a grommet is positioned at the center of the housing space to maintain lid closure, then the lid remains securely closed, but the space at the rear of the grommet cannot be effectively utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The grommet is extracted from the central position and replaced with an elastic member at the rear end. This removal of the obstructive component restores full accessibility to the housing space while the elastic member maintains closure reliability from its new position.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member automatically maintains the lid in the closed state through its inherent elastic force, eliminating the need for a separate locking mechanism like the grommet. This self-service mechanism reduces component count and eliminates interference with object access.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism like a grommet is used to maintain lid closure during vibration, then the lid remains securely closed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member provides automatic, passive maintenance of lid closure through its elastic force, eliminating the need for active locking mechanisms like grommets. This self-service approach reduces device complexity while maintaining reliability under vibration conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex locking mechanism (grommet) is extracted and replaced with a simple elastic member that maintains closure through basic elastic force, thereby reducing overall device complexity while preserving the essential function.
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 design maintains the lid in a fully-closed state while enhancing the storage volume, improving operability, and preventing water or dust ingress, without interference with object access.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member biasing the lid to a fully-closed state in which the housing space is closed with the lid
Data Source
AI summary
A storage 3 of a utility vehicle 100 includes a storage body 4 in a vehicle body 10, the storage body 4 including a housing space 40; a lid 5 opening or closing the housing space 40; a supporter 6 supporting the lid 5 such that the lid 5 is rotatable relative to the storage body 4; and a spring 7 biasing the lid in a direction in which the lid 5 closes the housing space 40.