Sliding Cabin Storage Box for Driver and Passenger Egress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage devices in vehicle cabins, such as those in trucks, lack sufficient storage volume without compromising passenger and driver mobility.

Innovation Solution

A movable storage device comprising a box mounted on a supporting member, such as rails, that translates between two positions to optimize storage space without obstructing driver or passenger egress, equipped with handles for easy manipulation and a locking mechanism for secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If a fixed storage device is provided with recesses at both ends, then driver and passenger mobility is maintained, but storage volume is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage volumeVSAvoidmobility accommodation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The storage box is made movable along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle cabin, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position between driver and passenger seats. This dynamic positioning enables the storage device to accommodate different mobility needs while maximizing storage volume, resolving the contradiction between fixed storage capacity and adaptive mobility requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The storage device serves multiple functions: it provides storage capacity, allows driver egress when positioned towards the passenger seat, and allows passenger egress when positioned towards the driver seat. This multi-functionality enables a single device to address both storage volume requirements and mobility accommodation needs.

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

2Volume of stationary object

If storage volume is increased, then more objects can be stored, but space for driver and passenger egress may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage volumeVSAvoidegress accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The movable storage box can be repositioned along the longitudinal axis to create clear egress paths. When the box is moved towards the passenger seat, the driver has unobstructed access to exit the vehicle, and vice versa. This dynamic repositioning capability allows maximum storage volume while preserving ease of egress operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a movable storage device is implemented, then storage flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage flexibilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage device is segmented into a box portion and a supporting member portion that can move relative to each other along the longitudinal axis. This segmentation allows independent movement of the storage box while maintaining structural simplicity, achieving storage flexibility without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A supporting member acts as an intermediary between the storage box and the vehicle floor, providing a guided movement path along the longitudinal axis. This intermediary component simplifies the movement mechanism by constraining motion to a single degree of freedom, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining storage flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4368453B1Device for storage in a cabin of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4368453B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4368453B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4368453B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A device (1) for storage in a cabin (10) of a vehicle, comprising a box (2) and a supporting member (3), the supporting member (3) being configured to be fixed on a floor (4) of the cabin (10), the box (2) being configured to be movably mounted on the supporting member (3), the box (3) being movable between a driver's seat (5) and a passenger's seat (6).