Removable Vehicle Storage with Pivotable Lid and Contour Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing external storage boxes for vehicles are not easily accessible from outside the cargo bed, are not removable, and reduce the cargo carrying area, limiting the use of the vehicle's cargo bed.
Innovation Solution
A cargo management system featuring a receptacle and removable storage devices with a pivotable upper portion, a lower portion, and a latch mechanism, allowing external access and secure mounting to the vehicle, with contours matching the vehicle's exterior panel for seamless integration and easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external storage boxes are mounted within the cargo bed adjacent to the cab, then storage functionality is provided, but accessibility from outside the cargo bed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The storage box is divided into a first portion and a second portion that can be selectively positioned. The first portion can be placed in a first receptacle accessible from outside the cargo bed, while the second portion can be placed in a second receptacle accessible from inside the cargo bed, allowing external access while maintaining storage functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage box utilizes the vertical dimension by extending above the cargo bed when positioned in the first receptacle. This allows the storage box to be accessible from outside the cargo bed at a higher elevation, resolving the accessibility issue without interfering with cargo bed usage.
2Reliability
If external storage boxes are fastened to the vehicle, then secure mounting is achieved, but removability and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system transitions from static permanent mounting to dynamic selective mounting. The storage box can be selectively positioned and secured in either the first receptacle or the second receptacle based on user needs, providing both security when mounted and ease of removal when not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage box is designed to be universally mountable in multiple locations - either in the first receptacle accessible from outside or in the second receptacle accessible from inside the cargo bed. This multi-position capability provides both secure mounting and removability.
3Quantity of substance
If external storage boxes are mounted in the cargo bed, then storage capacity is increased, but cargo carrying area deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The storage box utilizes the vertical space above the cargo bed by extending upward when positioned in the first receptacle. This three-dimensional utilization of space provides additional storage capacity without occupying horizontal cargo carrying area within the cargo bed.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system is segmented into two portions that can be independently positioned. When the storage box is not needed in the cargo bed, it can be removed and placed in the first receptacle, fully restoring the cargo carrying area while maintaining storage functionality elsewhere.
Data Source
AI summary
A cargo management system can include a receptacle and a removable storage device. The receptacle can be formed relative to an exterior panel of the vehicle and can have a rear wall spaced apart from an outer surface of the exterior panel. The outer surface can have a first contour. The removable storage device can be removably received in the receptacle and selectively secured to the vehicle. The storage device can include an upper portion, a lower portion and a latch mechanism. The upper portion can be pivotable relative to the lower portion to provide access to an interior of the storage device. The latch mechanism can selectively secure the storage device to the vehicle when in a stored position in the receptacle. An outer surface of the upper portion and the lower portion can include a second contour, where the second contour can substantially match the first contour.