Removable Floorpan Tray Concealing Access Ports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicles often have unused space in the passenger compartment due to access ports that are concealed by non-functional plastic covers when not in use, leading to underutilization of space.

Innovation Solution

A multipurpose tray that is removably connected to the vehicle's floorpan to conceal access ports, featuring compartments for personal items and optional electrical charging ports, with a reconfigurable design using movable dividers to accommodate various sizes and shapes of items.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a plastic cover is used to conceal the access port, then the access port is hidden when not in use, but the space remains unused and non-functional

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional utility of concealed spaceVSAvoidconcealment coverage of access port

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The tray cover serves multiple functions: it conceals the access port when not in use, provides storage compartments for personal effects, and maintains a clean aesthetic appearance. This multi-functional design transforms the previously wasted space into a useful storage area, resolving the contradiction between concealment and functional utility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the access port cover with a storage tray into a single integrated component. The tray is attached to the cover, combining two previously separate functions (concealment and storage) into one unified structure, thereby eliminating dead space while maintaining port access capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed compartment design is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate various sizes and shapes of personal effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of various item sizesVSAvoidcompartment configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tray is divided into multiple compartments separated by dividers. These dividers can be repositioned or removed to create different compartment configurations, allowing the tray to accommodate various sizes and shapes of personal effects while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The compartment dividers are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing users to dynamically reconfigure the internal layout of the tray based on storage needs. This dynamic adjustment capability provides versatility without significantly increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11198381B2Multipurpose tray for vehicles

Publication Date: 2021.12.14 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle is disclosed that includes: a first (e.g., front) passenger seating area having a console; a second (e.g., rear) passenger seating area that is located rearwardly of the first passenger seating area; a floorpan that extends beneath the first and second passenger seating areas; and a multipurpose tray that is configured for removable connection to the floorpan. The floorpan includes an access port extending therethrough that is located generally adjacent to the console. The multipurpose tray is configured to conceal the access port, and defines at least one compartment that is configured to receive personal effects.