Pivotable Luggage Compartment Divider With Resilient Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle luggage-compartment dividers with pivotable designs are complex and costly due to the use of spring elements for preloading, leading to increased parts and manufacturing expenses.

Innovation Solution

A coupling arrangement with a first coupling part and a second coupling part, where the first part is rotatable and resiliently movable relative to the second part, allowing the divider to pivot between positions using engagement members, reducing the number of parts and simplifying the design while maintaining functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spring elements are used to preload and fix the luggage-compartment divider in different positions, then the divider can be fixed in position, but the setup becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition fixationVSAvoidsetup complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the spring elements from the system entirely. Instead of using springs to preload and fix the divider, the invention uses a coupling arrangement with engagement members that can engage with mounting arrangements to provide positional fixation without requiring elastic preloading components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces engagement members as intermediary components between the luggage-compartment divider and the vehicle structure. These engagement members provide the necessary coupling and fixation functionality that previously required complex spring mechanisms, simplifying the overall system while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If spring elements are used to preload the luggage-compartment divider, then the divider can be fixed in position, but the number of parts increases and manufacturing becomes more expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition fixationVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates spring elements from the design, directly reducing the number of parts required. The coupling arrangement with engagement and mounting members provides the necessary fixation functionality with fewer components than the spring-based system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the fixation function previously provided by separate spring elements into an integrated coupling arrangement. The engagement members and mounting arrangements work together as a unified system to provide positional fixation without requiring additional spring components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the luggage-compartment divider is made pivotable between two positions, then accessibility is improved, but the mechanism becomes more complex requiring additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic coupling arrangement where the engagement members can transition between engaged and disengaged states. This allows the luggage-compartment divider to be pivotable between positions while using a relatively simple mechanism that doesn't require complex preloading or multiple fixation components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 results in a less expensive and easier-to-manufacture protective arrangement with fewer parts, maintaining the same functionality as previous designs, and allowing for two distinct positions without requiring additional components for stabilization during normal vehicle acceleration.

Implementation Method 1

the first coupling part being arranged to be resiliently movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the second coupling part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2700544B1Protective arrangement for a vehicle comprising a luggage-compartment divider
Publication Date: 2016.07.27 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP2700544B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2700544B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2700544B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a protective arrangement (1) for a vehicle. The arrangement comprises a protective arrangement (2) which, in the vehicle, can be pivoted into a first position where two spaces in the vehicle are divided by the protective arrangement (2), or into a second position thereby forming an opening between the two spaces. The protective arrangement (2) comprises a coupling arrangement (7) being arranged on at least one side of the protective arrangement (2). Said coupling arrangement (7) is adapted to engage in a mounting arrangement (3) in the vehicle forming an articulation around which the protective arrangement (2) can pivot. The coupling arrangement (7) comprises a first coupling part (9) where the first coupling part (9) comprising a first engagement member (10). The mounting arrangement (3) comprises a second coupling part (11). The second coupling part (11) comprises a second engagement member (12) into which the first engagement member (10) of the first coupling part (9) can engage. The first coupling part (9) is arranged to be rotatable relative to the second coupling part (11). The first coupling part (9) is arranged to be resiliently movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the second coupling part (11) and/or the second coupling part (11) being arranged to be resiliently movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the first coupling part (9). The first coupling part (9) being arranged to rotate between said first position, in which the first engagement member (10) is not engaged in the second engagement member (12), and said second position, in which the first engagement member (10) is at least partly engaged in the second engagement member (12), by means of pivoting the protective arrangement (2), thereby fixing the protective arrangement (2) in at least said second position.