Vehicle Partition Support Hinge for Compact Stowage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing space dividing apparatuses in vehicles require support members that occupy valuable packaging space and are costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A space dividing apparatus with a support member that hinges between deployed and stowed positions, featuring a partition body and support elements with a hingeable coupling mechanism, allowing for efficient storage and deployment, and includes a release button for easy transition between configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional support members are used to support load floors and shelves, then the components can be maintained in user-desired positions, but valuable packaging space is consumed and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed with a hinge joint allowing it to dynamically change between a deployed configuration (providing support) and a stowed configuration (reducing packaging space). This dynamic transformation enables the same component to fulfill both support functionality and space efficiency requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The support member folds into a compact stowed configuration that nests within or alongside the partition body, minimizing the volume occupied when support functionality is not required. This nesting principle allows the support structure to be stored efficiently within the overall apparatus boundaries
2Reliability
If traditional support members are used to support load floors and shelves, then the components can be maintained in user-desired positions, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hingeable support member replaces complex traditional support mechanisms with a simpler folding structure, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining the ability to support components in desired positions
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is divided into multiple segments connected by hinges, allowing each segment to be simpler in design and easier to manufacture individually, while collectively providing the required support functionality
3Volume of stationary object
If the support member is made hingeable between deployed and stowed conditions with orthogonal planes, then packaging space is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is integrated into the overall structure of the partition body and support member, with the hinge axis and mounting features built into the existing structural elements rather than added as separate complex components
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism is merged with the partition body structure, where the partition body serves dual functions as both the structural element and the hinge mounting structure, reducing overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A space dividing apparatus is arranged to move between a stowed position and a deployed position relative to a base, the apparatus comprising a partition body and a support member comprising: a first support element having a first support element plane; a second support element having a second support element plane; and a support hinge arranged to hingeably couple the support elements and having a support hinge axis, wherein the support member is hingeable between: a deployed condition in which the first and second support element planes are each substantially parallel with a first plane; and a stowed condition in which the plane and second support element planes are each substantially parallel with a second plane.