Removable Under-Floor Vehicle Cooler for Power-Free Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle coolers require continuous vehicle power to maintain cooling and are not easily removable or watertight, often obstructing the main cargo area and passenger compartment.

Innovation Solution

A cooler designed for removable storage beneath the vehicle floor panel, featuring a base with front, rear, and sidewalls, a pivotable lid, and a drain, which is watertight and does not require vehicle power for cooling, allowing easy access and storage without obstructing the main cargo area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional vehicle coolers are stored in the main cargo area or passenger compartment, then they are easily accessible, but they obstruct the cargo area and reduce storage space

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidcargo area space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooler is moved from the horizontal plane (main cargo area) to a vertical/sub-floor dimension, storing underneath the floor panel. This dimensional transition allows the cooler to be kept accessible when needed while eliminating obstruction of the main cargo area when stowed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If conventional vehicle coolers require continuous vehicle power, then they can maintain cooling effectively, but they increase energy consumption and cannot function when vehicle power is unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidvehicle power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooler is designed to function independently without vehicle power. It uses passive cooling mechanisms (ice packs, insulated walls) that do not require external energy input, allowing it to maintain cooling effectiveness while consuming zero vehicle power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional vehicle coolers are not watertight, then they are simpler in construction, but they allow water ingress and damage contents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstruction simplicityVSAvoidprotection from water ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cooler incorporates a watertight seal system using gaskets and sealing films between the lid and base. These thin film barriers provide effective water protection while adding minimal structural complexity to the overall design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS12503027B2Cooler for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 NISSAN NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

A vehicle includes a vehicle storage area and a cooler. The vehicle storage area has a floor panel. The cooler is removably stowed in the storage area at a position underneath the floor panel. The cooler has a base defined by a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of sidewalls. The front wall has a vehicle forward facing surface. The rear wall has a vehicle rearward facing surface. The pair of sidewalls connect the front and rear walls. The cooler further has a lid that is pivotable with respect to the base at a location that is rearward of the vehicle forward facing surface.