Pivoting Hook Arrangement for Vehicle Lid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing accessory storage compartment lids in vehicles, such as glove compartments, lack a practical and aesthetically pleasing mechanism to easily switch a carrier hook between a storage position and an operative position without being physically or aesthetically disturbing.

Innovation Solution

A hook arrangement with a rigid, self-supporting shaft and hook that can pivot between a storage position inside the lid and an operative position outside, utilizing a hinge attachment on the inside of the lid to maintain a flush design and reduce load on the hinge, allowing for easy switching without manual precision and minimizing protrusions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a carrier hook is provided on the outside of the lid for carrying items, then the functionality to carry items is improved, but the aesthetic appearance is worsened when the hook is not in use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality to carry itemsVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The hook arrangement is designed to be movable between a stowed position (where it does not affect aesthetics) and a use position (where it provides carrying functionality). The shaft can pivot relative to the lid, allowing the hook to be dynamically repositioned based on whether it is needed for carrying items or should be concealed for aesthetic purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hook is extracted from a fixed position and made separable/movable from the main lid structure. By providing the hook on a movable shaft that can be positioned independently, the hook function is extracted from the permanent visual field, allowing the lid to maintain its aesthetic appearance when the hook is not in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If a flexible shaft is used for the hook arrangement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the structural stability is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of switching hook positionVSAvoiddimensional stability of shaft
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is designed with specific dimensional parameters that provide just enough flexibility for easy operation while maintaining sufficient rigidity for structural stability. The shaft's length, thickness, and material properties are optimized to allow controlled movement between positions while preventing excessive deformation or instability during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 hook arrangement provides a robust, easy-to-handle, and aesthetically appealing solution for carrying items, ensuring the hook is secure in both positions and does not disturb the lid's appearance when in storage, while maintaining structural integrity and ease of use.

Implementation Method 1

The hook arrangement is further defined by having a shaft which is a rigid, self-supporting structure... the hook arrangement may be shifted between and transferred in the same configuration all times and change between well-defined positions due to the rigid and self-supporting structure of the shaft... if the hook arrangement is attached to the glove compartment lid via its shaft by a hinge the hook arrangement may switch between the predefined positions by a simple pivotal motion of the shaft around the hook arrangement hinge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHinge: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP3210830B1Accessory storage compartment for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP3210830B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3210830B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3210830B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The invention relates to an accessory storage compartment lid 1 for covering an access opening of an accessory storage compartment 102 in a vehicle, e.g. a glove compartment. The accessory storage compartment lid 1 has an inside 2, intended to face towards the interior of the accessory storage compartment , and an outside 3 intended to face away from the interior of a accessory storage compartment when the lid is positioned to cover the access opening . The accessory storage compartment lid 1 is provided with a hook arrangement 4 comprising a shaft 5 and a hook 6 and the hook arrangement 4 may be switched between a first, storage position (I) in which the hook 6 is located at the inside 2 of the accessory storage compartment lid 1 and a second, operative position (II) in which the hook 6 is located on the outside 3 of the accessory storage compartment lid 1. The invention is further defined in that the shaft 5 of the hook arrangement 4 is a rigid self supporting structure.