Rotating Front Panel for Flat Vehicle Loading Floor

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing loading floor arrangements in motor vehicle trunks face challenges in maintaining a flat, aesthetically pleasing, and practical surface when retractable seats are in use or stowed, due to clearance issues and dust accumulation, which affect the perceived quality and accessibility of the storage area.

Innovation Solution

The loading floor is designed with a front panel that rotates about a transverse axis, forming a tight assembly with the side trim, and a rear panel that can lift to access the underfloor space, with a film hinge articulation and recesses to ensure a flat surface regardless of seat position, minimizing clearance to 10 mm and maintaining a flat surface when seats are retracted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If sufficient clearance is provided for seat retraction kinematics, then the seats can move between positions, but a large clearance appears between the front panel and seat back when seats are in use position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseat retractionVSAvoidflat surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The front panel is made rotatable about a transverse axis, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. When seats are retracted, the front panel rotates to reduce clearance; when seats are in use, it maintains a position that minimizes the visual gap while still allowing seat movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The articulation angle of the front panel is optimized to achieve a maximum reduction of 10mm clearance between the panel and seat back in use position, while maintaining sufficient space for seat retraction movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Shape

If the front panel is fixed to maintain a flat surface, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but clearance for seat retraction movement is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflat surfaceVSAvoidseat retraction

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the rear panel is fixed in horizontal position, then the loading floor structure is simple, but access to underfloor storage space is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefloor structureVSAvoidstorage access

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rear panel is made movable relative to the front panel, allowing it to be tilted or rotated to provide access to the underfloor storage compartment. This maintains structural simplicity while enabling easy access when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Shape

If clearance between front panel and seat back is reduced to 10mm, then aesthetic appearance and dust prevention are improved, but space for seat movement is constrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflat surfaceVSAvoidseat movement space

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The front panel's rotatability allows it to adapt its position dynamically. In use position, it achieves the 10mm clearance reduction for aesthetics and dust prevention. During retraction, it rotates to provide the necessary movement volume for the seats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This design enhances the practicality and aesthetic appeal of the loading floor by maintaining a flat surface and reducing dust accumulation, while allowing easy access to the underfloor area without major modifications, improving the overall user experience.

Implementation Method 1

The articulation between the front panel and the rear panel of the floor is constituted by a film hinge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHinge: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP3197722B1Arrangement of a floor inside a luggage compartment of a motor vehicle comprising retractable seats

Publication Date: 2018.09.12 RENAULT SA

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

An arrangement of a loading floor inside a luggage compartment of a motor vehicle comprising seats that can be retracted between a use position and a stowed position in which the backrest (20) of the seats is in the extension of the floor, the luggage compartment being delimited by sidewalls, by the row of retractable seats to the front and by a luggage compartment door to the rear, the floor comprising a front panel (24), located behind the row of seats and having a transverse front edge (240) and a transverse rear edge (242), and a rear panel (26) having a transverse front edge (260) and a transverse rear edge, located in front of the luggage compartment door, characterised in that, regardless of the position of the seats, the front panel (24) is in the horizontal position, the front edge (240) of same being disposed along the backrest (20) of the seats when the seats are in the use position, and the front panel (24) bearing against a portion (204) of a rear face (200) of the backrest (20) when the seats are in the retracted position, means for supporting the ends of the front panel (24) being provided on trim elements carried by the sidewalls of the luggage compartment.