Reversible Loading Floor Height Adjustment Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing height-adjustable loading floor systems for vehicles lack the ability to provide increased functionality and adaptability, particularly in terms of easy height adjustment and versatile usage, as they often require complex mechanisms and do not allow for both sides of the loading floor to be used effectively in different orientations.

Innovation Solution

A holding device with a slotted guide system that allows the loading floor to be adjusted in height and turned by 180 degrees, featuring elongate strips that engage with support shoulders and a connecting slot for secure and rattle-free positioning, enabling the loading floor to be used with either side facing upwards and accommodating different surface designs for various applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a complex height adjustment mechanism is used to enable the loading floor to be fixed in multiple height positions, then the loading floor can be adjusted to different heights, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustment capabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The loading floor is divided into a first loading floor section and a second loading floor section that can pivot relative to each other about a second pivot axis. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of sections to achieve different height configurations without requiring a completely complex adjustment mechanism for the entire floor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The loading floor sections are designed to be pivotable about pivot axes, enabling dynamic height adjustment. The guide mechanism allows the loading floor to pivot and move along the guide from lower to upper positions, providing adaptability through controlled movement rather than fixed complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the loading floor is designed as a turning floor to enable 180-degree rotation for dual-sided usage, then the functionality and utility value are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedual-sided usage capabilityVSAvoidturning mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The loading floor is designed with different coatings on the upper side and lower side, both suitable for facing upwards into the loading space. The turning mechanism enables the loading floor to be rotated by 180 degrees, allowing either side to be used, effectively making the loading floor universal for different usage scenarios without requiring separate floors for each side.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If guide elements are designed to engage in slotted guides with support shoulders for secure positioning, then the reliability of height positioning is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning reliabilityVSAvoidguide element precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide elements are designed to engage automatically with the slotted guides and be supported on the support shoulders when the loading floor is in the adjusted height position. This self-engaging mechanism ensures reliable positioning without requiring complex external locking devices or extremely precise manufacturing tolerances, as the geometry of the guide elements and support shoulders naturally provides the positioning function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2454123B1Holding unit for a height adjustable cargo bed of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2013.04.24 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP2454123B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2454123B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2454123B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a device having a height adjustable cargo bed for a cargo compartment of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, wherein the cargo bed (5; 5') can be arranged in defined, different height positions in the cargo compartment. According to the invention, the cargo bed (5; 5') is also designed as reversible bed such that it can be arranged in the different height positions in the non-reversed and also in the reversed state. The invention further relates to an advantageous holding device, to a cargo bed, and to an arrangement of a height adjustable cargo bed in a cargo compartment of a vehicle.