Vehicle Parcel Shelf With Rotating Cover for Concealed Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parcel shelf assemblies in vehicles are inefficient and aesthetically unsatisfactory due to exposed and vulnerable additional pull-out fabric devices, which lose functionality quickly and are visible, making them prone to damage and dust exposure, especially when rear seats are rearranged.
Innovation Solution
A parcel shelf assembly with a rigid portion, a covering portion, and a weakened intermediate portion that allows the covering portion to rotate and conceal the pull-out fabric devices within a housing chamber, protecting them from damage and dust while maintaining a clean, aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional pull-out fabric devices are fastened to the parcel shelf using screws or mechanical fastening means, then the fabric devices can be securely attached, but the aesthetic appearance is degraded and the devices are exposed to damage and dust
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric devices are nested within housing chambers formed by the parcel shelf structure itself. The covering portion integrates the fastening elements and fabric devices within its volume, concealing them from external view while maintaining secure attachment through the integrated fastening means.
Solution Approach 2:
The parcel shelf and covering portion are merged into a single integrated structure. The fastening elements are integrated into the parcel shelf rather than being separate components, eliminating the need for visible external fasteners and improving aesthetic appearance while maintaining attachment security.
2Ease of operation
If additional pull-out fabric devices are arranged on the outer surface of the parcel shelf, then they are easily accessible, but they are exposed to impact damage and dust contact
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric devices are nested within housing chambers that provide protective enclosure. The covering portion forms the outer surface of these chambers, shielding the fabric devices from impact damage and dust contact while allowing operational access through the parcel shelf structure.
3Shape
If separate components are used to hide the additional devices, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but production and assembly costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The parcel shelf and covering portion are merged into a single integrated component manufactured as one piece. The housing chambers and fastening elements are formed during the same manufacturing process, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing production costs while maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The parcel shelf structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, forms protective housing chambers, integrates fastening elements, and creates aesthetic covering portions. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies both production and assembly.
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 solution effectively protects the pull-out fabric devices from damage and dust, maintaining their functionality and providing a visually appealing design, while reducing production and assembly costs by integrating the covering mechanism into the parcel shelf itself.
Implementation Method 1
said intermediate portion defines a virtual hinge suitable to allow the covering portion to rotate with respect to said rigid portion from and towards said covering position about a hinge axis
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
In a parcel shelf assembly (1) for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, a parcel shelf (3) that covers a boot area (2) comprises a rigid portion (10), which supports at least one pull-out fabric device (8) housed in a space (20) of said rigid portion (10); the space (20) being closed by a covering portion (25) of the pull-out fabric device (8) hinged to the rigid portion (10) by means of a weakened portion (26) which is made as a one-piece construction with the rigid portion (10) and the covering portion (25) and defines a virtual hinge (28) suitable to allow the covering portion (25) to rotate between an assembly position, in which it allows the pull-out fabric device (8) to be attached to the parcel shelf, and a rotated portion in which it covers said pull-out fabric device (8).