Sliding Cargo Floor Rail Design for Non-Parallel Loading Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cargo floors in vehicles do not efficiently transition between non-parallel planes to facilitate closer loading of objects into cargo spaces.
Innovation Solution
A cargo floor system with a body, guiderails, pucks, cleats, and tracks that allow the floor to move between disposed and extended positions, utilizing actuators, magnets, and spring-loaded rods for smooth transitions and secure engagement with the vehicle's interior surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cargo floor is fixed in a disposed position, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the loading accessibility to non-parallel regions is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo floor is designed to transition between a disposed position and an extended position, allowing it to dynamically adapt to different loading scenarios. This dynamic capability enables the floor to reach non-parallel regions of the cargo space when extended, while maintaining structural simplicity when in the disposed position, thus resolving the contradiction between loading accessibility and structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the cargo floor transitions to an extended position, then the loading reach is improved, but the stability during transition is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo floor system is segmented into multiple components including the floor panel, guiderails, cleats, and locking mechanisms. This segmentation allows the floor to transition through controlled stages while maintaining stability at each position. The guiderails and cleats divide the transition path into discrete, stable positions, preventing uncontrolled movement during transition.
Solution Approach 2:
Guiderails and cleats serve as intermediary elements between the cargo floor and the cargo space structure. These intermediaries guide the floor's movement along a predetermined path and provide stable engagement points, ensuring the floor remains stable during transition and at each position along the trajectory.
3Productivity
If the cargo floor is extended closer to the tailgate, then the loading efficiency is improved, but the space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo floor utilizes the third dimension (depth into the cargo space) to improve loading efficiency. By extending the floor along the depth dimension toward the tailgate, the system provides closer access to cargo areas without increasing the horizontal footprint or overall vehicle dimensions, thus maintaining compact space requirements while enhancing productivity.
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
Enables efficient loading and unloading of objects by allowing the cargo floor to extend and retract, providing a closer reach into non-parallel regions of the cargo space, enhancing loading flexibility and stability.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one puck includes a magnet that selectively and magnetically couples with the interior surface
Data Source
AI summary
A cargo floor for a vehicle, the cargo floor including a body and a guiderail coupled with an underside of the body. The cargo floor including a puck coupled with the underside of the body, wherein the at least one puck slidably engages an interior surface of a cargo space. The cargo floor including a cleat defining a lens-shaped profile, the cleat coupled with underside of the body. The cargo floor including a track coupled with the interior surface of the cargo space and aligned with the guiderail. The cleat is slidably coupled with the track, and the body is positioned between a disposed position and an extended position. The cargo floor further includes an actuator coupled with the underside of the body. The actuator locks and unlocks the guiderail and the track.