Rotatable Cargo Organizer Panel for Article Stability and Space Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cargo organizers in motor vehicles fail to effectively stabilize bulky articles in the rear cargo storage area, leading to movement and potential damage during transit, and do not collapse to reduce space when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible cargo organizer with a rotatable panel that transitions from a horizontal to a vertical position, forming a T-shape to support articles laterally, and includes a supporting base with gripper projections to secure articles in place, featuring a snap-fit hinge and releasable locking mechanism for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid cargo organizer structure is used to stabilize articles, then article stability is improved, but space utilization deteriorates when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo organizer employs a rotatable panel that can transition between vertical and horizontal positions, allowing the structure to dynamically adapt its configuration. When vertical, it provides stable support for articles; when horizontal, it collapses to a planar state for compact storage, resolving the contradiction between stability and space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The organizer is divided into modular components including a supporting base with floor plate, vertical panel, and rotatable panel connected by hinges. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while enabling the overall structure to collapse efficiently when not in use.
2Strength
If a rotatable panel design is used to provide vertical support, then article support capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism serves dual purposes: it connects the rotatable panel to the supporting base structure, and simultaneously functions as the rotation mechanism itself. This merging of connection and movement functions reduces overall device complexity while maintaining strong article support capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap-fit hinge mechanism automatically engages and disengages without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems. The user simply rotates the panel, and the snap-fit features self-engage to lock the panel in position, reducing mechanical complexity while providing reliable vertical support.
3Stability of the object's composition
If gripper projections are added to secure articles, then article stabilization is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper projections utilize friction and normal force parameters to stabilize articles. By adjusting the geometry and distribution of the projections, effective article stabilization is achieved through simple mechanical contact rather than complex active control systems, maintaining ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting base is designed as a separate modular component with integrated gripper projections. This segmentation allows the base to be manufactured independently with the gripper features, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while providing effective article stabilization when the panel is in the vertical position.
Data Source
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AI summary
A collapsible cargo organizer is provided, comprising: a rotatable panel; a supporting base comprising a floor plate; wherein the rotatable panel is rotatable from a horizontal position to a vertical position and vice-versa; wherein, when the rotatable panel is in the vertical position, the rotatable panel provides a vertical panel to laterally support at least one article placeable in an article containing space of the collapsible cargo organizer which overlies the floor plate of the supporting base; and wherein the floor plate of the supporting base overlied by the article containing space when the rotatable panel is in the vertical position is covered by the rotatable panel when the rotatable panel is in the horizontal position.