Rear Door Shelf Assembly One-Touch Opening Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles, such as SUVs, lack convenient and stowable shelving in their rear cargo areas, with existing solutions being heavy, bulky, prone to rattling, and lacking multi-functionality, OEM appearance, and easy deployment.
Innovation Solution
A rear door shelf assembly with a spring-loaded prop rod that allows for one-touch opening and stowing, providing a multi-functional utility table or storage bin, made of durable materials, and can be installed without drilling, featuring a selectively removable container and a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal shelving is used for rear cargo storage, then structural strength and durability are improved, but vehicle weight increases and rattling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, fundamentally altering the weight and noise characteristics while maintaining structural adequacy for shelving applications. This material substitution directly addresses the weight and rattling issues associated with metal shelving.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelving system utilizes plastic as a composite material alternative to metal, providing a balance between structural strength and weight reduction. The plastic construction eliminates the rattling inherent in metal while achieving sufficient load-bearing capacity for cargo storage.
2Strength
If metal shelving is used for rear cargo storage, then structural strength and durability are improved, but rattling noise occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, fundamentally altering the weight and noise characteristics while maintaining structural adequacy for shelving applications. This material substitution directly addresses the weight and rattling issues associated with metal shelving.
3Adaptability or versatility
If known shelving brackets are attached to the tailgate, then storage functionality is provided, but they are heavy and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, fundamentally altering the weight and noise characteristics while maintaining structural adequacy for shelving applications. This material substitution directly addresses the weight and rattling issues associated with metal shelving.
4Quantity of substance
If known storage components are attached to the tailgate, then storage capacity is provided, but they do not stow when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The shelving system incorporates movable, adjustable components that can be dynamically reconfigured or removed entirely when not needed. This dynamic design allows the storage system to adapt between providing maximum storage capacity and stowing to a compact configuration, directly addressing the stowability issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelving system is divided into modular, separable components including adjustable shelves and removable storage bins. This segmentation allows individual elements to be easily stowed, reconfigured, or removed based on storage needs, improving both stowability and operational flexibility.
5Adaptability or versatility
If known shelving parts are used, then basic storage is provided, but they lack multi-functionality and OEM appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The shelving system integrates multiple functions into a unified design: adjustable shelving for various storage configurations, removable bins for organized storage, and a sleek plastic construction that provides both structural support and an OEM-like appearance. This multi-functionality is achieved through coordinated design rather than added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelving system utilizes plastic as a composite material alternative to metal, providing a balance between structural strength and weight reduction. The plastic construction eliminates the rattling inherent in metal while achieving sufficient load-bearing capacity for cargo storage.
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 assembly offers easy access, improved functionality, and an OEM-like appearance while reducing weight and space usage, providing a stable and secure storage solution for various items.
Implementation Method 1
A rear door shelf assembly with one-touch opening with a spring loaded prop rod
Data Source
AI summary
A rear door shelf assembly having a mounting base portion and a shelf rotatably connected to the mounting base portion for moving between an open position and a closed position. A spring-loaded prop rod is rotatably connected to the assembly. Storage features are connectable to the prop rod to provide multi-functionality of the assembly as a utility table and a storage unit. A one-touch latching mechanism holds the shelf in the closed position.