Tailgate Storage Container With Retractable Slide Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle storage systems for pick-up trucks face challenges such as excessive cost, weight, and space consumption, while also failing to provide efficient storage and accessibility for tools and equipment, especially when subjected to vehicular movement and vibration, and often complicate tailgate construction with additional features.
Innovation Solution
A closable storage container is slidably and removably mounted in the tailgate, featuring reconfigurable dividing walls and a double draw slide mechanism for full extension, allowing it to serve as a work surface and providing increased storage and accessibility without interfering with existing vehicle features, and can be easily retrofitted onto existing vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If tailgates include additional features such as locking mechanisms, back-up cameras, and loading ramps, then vehicle functionality is enhanced, but tailgate construction becomes complicated and space within the tailgate body is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the tailgate into separate functional segments: the tailgate body itself and independently mounted storage containers. This segmentation allows the tailgate to maintain simple construction while adding functionality through separate, attachable storage units that do not complicate the core tailgate structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage functionality is extracted from the tailgate body and implemented as separate, removable containers. This extraction prevents the tailgate construction from becoming complicated while still providing enhanced vehicle functionality through the added storage capacity.
2Ease of operation
If portable toolboxes are designed to be easily accessible and removable, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to maintain contents in discrete locations during vehicular movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The storage containers are designed with dynamic characteristics - they can be easily removed and repositioned when needed (improving accessibility), yet when installed, they provide stable, secure storage that prevents contents from shifting during vehicular movement (maintaining reliability).
Solution Approach 2:
The interior of each storage container is designed with specific local qualities including dividers, compartments, and securement features that maintain contents in discrete locations during movement, while the exterior mounting system allows for easy removal and accessibility when needed.
3Reliability
If storage systems are designed to provide secure storage against unauthorized removal, then security is improved, but cost and weight of the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The storage containers incorporate self-service security features such as integrated locking mechanisms that are simple, lightweight, and effective. These self-contained security systems provide protection against unauthorized removal without requiring heavy, complex external locking systems, thereby maintaining security while minimizing weight increase.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle storage system is provided having closable storage container which is slidably and removably mounted in a vehicle tailgate, the cover portion of which can serve as a work surface extension of the tailgate, and the interior of which contains reconfigurable dividing walls for separation of contents into discrete locations during both use and storage. One or more of these containers can be mounted, stacked or side by side, within an interior cavity of the tailgate or of a tailgate segment, that tailgate being lockable and removable from the vehicle. Full extension of the storage container from the tailgate interior can be achieved by a double draw slide mechanism. The tailgate end cover is enlarged for both aesthetic and supplemental support surface purposes.