Rail-guided compartmentalizing device for light commercial vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compartmentalizing systems in light commercial vehicles are inefficient, requiring significant effort and time to convert between passenger and cargo configurations, often hindering access and causing safety concerns due to complex mechanical structures like endless chains that impede access and pose hazards.
Innovation Solution
A compartmentalizing device with spaced and parallel guide rails and a flexible wall that can move between positions, allowing for easy reconfiguration of vehicle spaces without obstructing door openings, using guide elements and a support frame member to facilitate the movement of furniture members like seats, beds, or tables, ensuring unobstructed access and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex mechanical structures like endless chains are used to move compartmentalizing elements, then the vehicle interior can be reconfigured, but access is impeded and safety hazards arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful endless chain mechanism from the vehicle interior and replaces it with a rail-based system. The compartmentalizing elements (seats, walls) are extracted from the chain-driven mechanism and reconfigured to move along fixed rails, eliminating the hazard while preserving reconfiguration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the complex mechanical chain system with a simpler rail-guided mechanism. Instead of using endless chains to drive movement, the system uses rails with sliding or rolling elements that allow smooth reconfiguration without the hazards associated with chains.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional compartmentalizing systems are used to convert between passenger and cargo configurations, then space functionality is adapted, but significant effort and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic, movable compartmentalizing elements that can be easily repositioned along rails. Seats and walls are designed as movable components that can be quickly shifted between positions, enabling rapid conversion between passenger and cargo configurations without significant effort or time.
Solution Approach 2:
The rail system is pre-installed in the vehicle structure, and compartmentalizing elements are designed to slide or roll along these predetermined paths. This preliminary preparation of the guidance system allows for quick reconfiguration, as users only need to move elements along the existing rails rather than assembling complex mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If furniture members like seats are moved using complex mechanical systems, then reconfiguration is possible, but maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical drive systems with simple rail-based guidance. Furniture members move along fixed rails using sliding or rolling contact, eliminating the need for chains, gears, or motors that would require maintenance. The system becomes virtually maintenance-free while preserving full repositioning capability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~11
Figure 12a~12c
AI summary
A road vehicle comprises a first space, a second space behind the first space, and a third space behind the second space. A compartmentalizing device in the vehicle comprises spaced and parallel inverted U-shaped guide rails and a flexible wall extending between the guide rails. The flexible wall is provided with guide elements engaging the guide rails. In a first position, the flexible wall extends between guide rail front portions for separating the first space from the second space and not separating the second space from the third space. In a second position, the flexible wall extends between at least part of guide rail back portions for at least partly separating the second space from the third space, and not separating the first space from the second space. At least one of the guide rails extends along edges of a side door opening of the vehicle. A furniture member has a support frame member extending between the guide rails, and at each side thereof being provided with at least two spaced frame guide elements at each side engaging the corresponding guide rail to movably guide the support frame member along the guide rails. The support frame member is connected to the rear edge portion of the flexible wall to be movable along the guide rails together with the flexible wall. The furniture member is stowed along the guide rail connecting portion in the first position of the flexible wall.