Perforated Vehicle Floor with Gravity Waste Collection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle floor designs fail to effectively maintain a clean surface by efficiently collecting and removing dust, debris, and liquid waste, as they rely on manual vacuuming and wiping, which can be inefficient and leave residues.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle floor system featuring a mat and substrate with perforations aligned to allow waste to fall into collection trays, utilizing natural vibrations and optional gas pressure for debris removal, ensuring a clean surface without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual vacuuming and wiping are used to clean the vehicle floor, then cleaning can be performed, but it is inefficient and leaves residues
Solution Approach 1:
The floor mat system automatically collects and removes waste through its own structure (perforations and collection trays) without requiring external manual cleaning operations. The system serves itself by incorporating the collection and removal functions directly into the floor mat design.
Solution Approach 2:
The waste collection function is extracted from the traditional floor mat structure by adding perforations and separate collection trays. This extraction allows waste to be separated from the visible floor surface and collected in dedicated containers that can be removed and emptied independently.
2Strength
If a solid floor surface is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but waste accumulates on the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The floor mat incorporates perforations (holes) throughout its structure, transforming it from a solid impermeable surface to a porous semi-permeable structure. This allows waste to pass through the mat while the mat itself maintains sufficient structural integrity to support foot traffic and vehicle loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor system is segmented into multiple functional layers: the visible floor surface, the perforated mat structure, and the hidden collection trays below. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity.
3Productivity
If perforations are added to the floor mat, then waste collection is improved, but the floor structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The collection trays are merged with the floor mat structure by positioning them directly beneath the perforated mat and integrating them into the overall floor assembly. This merging reduces the need for separate independent components and simplifies the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection trays are nested within the floor structure, positioned in the space between the perforated mat and the vehicle floor pan. This nesting approach allows the collection function to be embedded within the existing floor architecture without adding significant external complexity.
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 system maintains a visually clean vehicle floor by automatically collecting and removing waste through aligned perforations and optional gas pressure, enhancing cleanliness and reducing manual effort.
Implementation Method 1
a first collection tray supported by the floor support at a first lateral side of the body and positioned at least partially below the rigid substrate so that solid waste or fluid waste can fall through the mat and substrate perforations onto the first collection tray
Implementation Method 2
utilizing natural vibrations and optional gas pressure for debris removal
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle floor area may include a body and a floor. The floor may be attached to and positioned at least partially above the body. The floor may comprise floor perforations. A collection receptacle may be supported by the body and positioned at least partially below the floor so that solid waste or liquid waste can fall through the floor perforations onto the collection receptacle. The waste that has fallen onto the collection receptacle may be removed from the collection receptacle.