Pivoting Storage Floor and Magnetic Cover for Vehicle Trim
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive interiors lack efficient storage solutions that allow easy access and visibility of stored items, such as navigation devices, while maintaining a clutter-free and aesthetically pleasing design.
Innovation Solution
A storage assembly that includes a storage floor and cover system, where the storage floor pivots relative to a trim panel, supported by a track and connectors, allowing the cover to be movable and magnetic for secure closure, with apertures for easy item placement and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If storage compartments are added to vehicle interiors, then storage capacity is improved, but accessibility and visibility of stored items deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The storage floor is designed to be movable relative to the trim panel, allowing it to transition between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic configuration enables users to access stored items easily while maintaining visibility when needed, resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system is divided into separate functional components: a movable storage floor for item placement, a cover for protection, and connectors for positioning. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component to achieve both adequate storage capacity and easy accessibility.
2Quantity of substance
If storage compartments are added to vehicle interiors, then storage capacity is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The storage assembly is nested within the trim panel cavity, with the cover providing a finished exterior surface that matches the surrounding trim. This nesting approach allows storage capacity to be increased without compromising the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover acts as a flexible shell that can be positioned in multiple configurations (open, closed, angled), providing aesthetic coverage when needed while allowing access to storage capacity when required. This resolves the contradiction between storage capacity and appearance.
3Ease of operation
If the storage floor is made movable to improve accessibility, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a hinge for pivoting the storage floor, provides translation along a track for positional adjustment, and serves as a pivot point for the cover. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed, improving accessibility while minimizing the increase in device 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
Enhances storage efficiency and accessibility of items within vehicle interiors by utilizing space underneath trim panels, providing easy viewing and hiding of items, maintaining an aesthetically pleasing design, and accommodating various item sizes.
Implementation Method 1
The cover may include a magnetic material.
Data Source
AI summary
In one or more embodiments, a storage assembly to be at least partially received underneath a trim panel of a volume of space is provided to include a storage floor positioned at least partially within the volume of space, a first connector about which the storage floor pivots relative to the trim panel, a cover providing covering to the storage floor, and a second connector spaced apart from the first connector and supporting the cover such that the cover may be moved relative to the storage floor.