Vehicle Rear Tray Guide Path and Hinge Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rear vehicle assemblies with movable trays face challenges in easily transitioning the tray from a concealing to a storage position, obstructing light and being cumbersome to remove, which limits trunk accessibility and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A rear vehicle assembly with guide paths defined by each side trim and a driving mechanism that articulates the tray between concealing and storage positions, utilizing a hinge system and a motorized mechanism for easy transition, along with a light source to illuminate the trunk when in storage position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tray is made opaque to conceal objects in the lower part of the trunk, then the concealing function is improved, but the light transmission is blocked, worsening the illumination of the trunk
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is designed to be movable between a first position (concealing the lower trunk) and a second position (stored in the seat housing), allowing the system to dynamically switch between concealing and illumination functions. This resolves the contradiction by making the tray's opacity beneficial only when needed for concealment, while allowing light transmission when the tray is repositioned.
2Ease of operation
If the tray is made removable to allow easier access to the trunk, then the accessibility is improved, but the removal operation becomes tedious and the tray becomes cumbersome, worsening the ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of removing the tray completely (one-dimensional removal), the solution moves the tray to an alternative storage location (the seat housing) along a defined guide path. This transforms the removal operation into a guided movement along a specific trajectory, simplifying the operation while maintaining accessibility benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide path acts as an intermediary mechanism that facilitates the tray's movement from the trunk to the seat housing. This intermediary structure simplifies the removal operation by providing a predefined path, reducing the complexity of manual handling while maintaining easy accessibility.
3Ease of operation
If the tray is pivoted around a transverse axis to allow tailgate opening, then the tailgate accessibility is improved, but the tray obstructs light from the rear ceiling light, worsening the illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The tray's position is made dynamic, switching between a horizontal concealing position and a vertical stored position. When the tailgate needs to be opened, the tray can be positioned vertically to clear the light path, resolving the contradiction between maintaining concealment function and allowing illumination during tailgate operation.
4Volume of moving object
If a retractable tray design is used to increase storage space, then the storage capacity is improved, but the tray becomes difficult to place in the storage position, worsening the ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The guide path serves as an intermediary mechanism that guides the tray into the correct storage position within the seat housing. This guided approach simplifies the placement operation, making it easier to position the retractable tray correctly while maximizing the storage space benefit.
Data Source
AI summary
A rear vehicle assembly having: two side trims intended to laterally bound a trunk, and a tray, movable relative to the side trims between a concealing position and a storage position. The tray includes at least one first panel, and one second panel linked to the first panel, defining two side edges of the tray. Each side trim defines a guide path for the tray. The tray includes at least one hinge articulating the first panel to the second panel, such that the side edge of the tray is adapted to cooperate with a respective guide path. And the rear vehicle assembly includes a driving mechanism adapted to drive the tray from the concealing position to the storage position.