Reversible Trunk Liner Tray with Hinged Flange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trunk protection solutions for motor vehicles are inadequate as they either fail to provide sufficient protection against shocks and liquids or are not easily reversible, leading to increased costs and reduced trunk space due to the need for multiple configurations.
Innovation Solution
A reversible tray with a polygonal bottom wall and flange system, hinged for two stable positions, made from a flexible plastic material with integrated carpet and recessed grooves for easy configuration change, allowing for shock-absorbing and waterproof protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple protective trays (carpet type and tray type) are acquired to cover different protection needs, then protection coverage is improved, but cost increases and trunk space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is designed to be movable between two stable positions (first position against the side wall for liquid protection, second position away from the side wall for shock absorption protection), allowing a single tray to dynamically adapt to different protection needs without requiring multiple separate trays
Solution Approach 2:
The single tray structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it can provide liquid protection by positioning the flange against the side wall, and shock absorption protection by positioning the flange away from the side wall, making one tray universal for both protection scenarios
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple protective trays are positioned in the trunk to maintain constant availability, then protection availability is improved, but trunk useful volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The movable flange allows the tray to switch between protection modes in place, eliminating the need to store multiple trays or reposition them, thereby maintaining protection availability while preserving trunk useful volume
Solution Approach 2:
The tray is segmented into functional zones (bottom wall for shock absorption, flange for liquid protection when positioned against the side wall), allowing a single integrated structure to provide multiple protection functions without requiring separate trays
3Adaptability or versatility
If a reversible tray design is implemented, then configuration flexibility is improved, but sealing effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is made of flexible plastic material that can bend and move between positions while maintaining its structural integrity and sealing capability, allowing reversible configuration changes without compromising sealing effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic positioning system with two stable positions allows the flange to achieve reliable sealing in both configurations (against the side wall for liquid protection, away for shock absorption), maintaining sealing effectiveness across different states
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The tray effectively protects the trunk and objects from shocks and liquids while maximizing trunk space by allowing easy conversion between configurations, enhancing user convenience and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a tray for the trunk of a motor vehicle or the like, which largely overcomes the drawbacks mentioned above of the protective trays known to date... effectively protects the trunk and objects from shocks and liquids
Implementation Method 2
protect the walls of the trunk against aggressive, dirty, greasy or similar liquids
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
Liners (Ba) for the boot of a motor vehicle, comprising a bottom 10 of polygonal shape, an upstand 20 and means 30 for mounting this upstand 20 to collaborate with the edge 12 of the bottom 10, these means 30 consisting of hinge means 31 connecting the edge of the bottom 10 and an edge of the upstand 20, these hinge means also being designed so that the upstand 20 is able, by pivoting, to adopt two defined stable positions one on each side of the plane of the bottom 10 and so that the plane of the upstand 20 makes two respective non-zero angles with the plane of the bottom 10. Application to motor vehicle boot liners one face of which is carpet and the other face of which is a waterproof plastic.