Multi-section sliding floor with angle-actuated locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sliding loading floors in passenger vehicles face instability and difficulty in secure displacement due to lack of effective locking mechanisms, especially when forming a flush floor or partition, which affects user convenience and safety during loading and unloading.

Innovation Solution

A multi-part sliding loading floor with pivotally connected panels featuring a locking device that automatically adjusts based on the pivoting angle of the panels, allowing for secure locking and unlocking without user intervention, ensuring stability and easy handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the loading floor is designed as a multi-part sliding floor without automatic locking, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the stability and security of the loading floor deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device automatically locks or unlocks based on the pivoting angle of the second panel relative to the first panel, without requiring user intervention. The actuating element is adjusted as a function of the pivoting angle, enabling the system to self-regulate its locking state according to its configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The locking device transitions between locked and unlocked positions dynamically based on the pivoting angle of the panels. The system adapts its locking state automatically as the panels are moved or reconfigured, providing stability when needed and flexibility when required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a locking device with actuating element is added to automatically lock based on pivoting angle, then the stability and security improve, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is integrated with the panel connection mechanism, where the actuating element is associated with the hinge connection between panels. The locking function is merged with the existing pivoting mechanism, so that the same structural elements serve both movement and locking purposes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking device uses the pivoting angle itself as the triggering mechanism for locking or unlocking. The system self-regulates without external control, using the natural movement of the panels to automatically engage or disengage the locking mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the locking device requires manual operation, then the device complexity is lower, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional user actions required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device automatically responds to the pivoting angle of the panels, locking or unlocking without requiring any manual operation from the user. The system monitors and reacts to the panel configuration automatically, eliminating the need for separate locking actions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution provides a stable and user-friendly loading floor system that automatically locks or unlocks depending on the arrangement, preventing panel displacement and enhancing safety during vehicle movement, while allowing for easy installation and removal.

Implementation Method 1

The locking device is adjusted into the locked position by at least one elastic element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2292468B1Multi-section moveable loading floor
Publication Date: 2012.05.09 SKODA AUTO AS
  • EP2292468B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2292468B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2292468B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The multipart adjustable load ground has a plate (11) with a locking device (61). The locking device is formed between a blocked position and an unblocked position. The locking device is adjusted by an actuating element (64) as a function of rotating angle of another plate (12). The latter plate is formed opposite to the former plate.