Vehicle Transport Box Hinge Locking Against Accident Opening

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transport boxes, such as roof boxes for vehicles, lack adequate accident safety features, particularly in preventing unintentional opening and ejection of cargo during accidents, which poses a risk of accidents and injuries.

Innovation Solution

A securing device with a securing element is integrated into the joint support, locking its mobility about the joint axis, creating a mechanical connection between the base and lid shells, which prevents unintentional opening and provides additional support in the open position, thus enhancing accident safety without requiring separate security devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking device is provided to secure the lid shell in the closed position, then the transport box can be kept closed during transport, but the transport box can still open unintentionally during accidents due to acceleration forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosure reliabilityVSAvoidaccident-related cargo ejection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The articulated support is pre-configured to become locking in response to acceleration forces before cargo ejection can occur. The support features a support surface that, under acceleration, engages with a retention surface to mechanically lock the lid shell closed, preventing the harmful effect of cargo ejection during accidents

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Ease of operation

If an articulated support is used to support the lid shell in the open position, then the lid shell can be held open for loading/unloading, but the articulated support cannot prevent unintentional opening during accidents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading convenienceVSAvoidaccident safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The articulated support transitions from a static support function to a dynamic safety mechanism. Under normal conditions, it supports the lid shell in the open position for convenient loading. During accidents, acceleration forces cause the support surface to engage with the retention surface, dynamically transforming the support into a locking mechanism that prevents unintentional opening

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a separate securing device is added to prevent unintentional opening during accidents, then accident safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccident safetyVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The articulated support is designed to perform multiple functions: supporting the lid shell in the open position during normal operation, and acting as a locking mechanism during accidents. The support surface and retention surface are integrated into the existing articulated support structure, eliminating the need for separate securing devices while maintaining simplicity

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

Data Source

PatentEP3981650B1Transport box for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 ATERA
  • EP3981650B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3981650B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3981650B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A transport box comprising a base shell which, in a ready-to-use assembled state, is fixedly arranged in the vehicle, a lid shell which is pivotally mounted on the base shell about at least one pivot axis and is displaceable relative to the base shell between a closed position in which the lid shell rests on the base shell enclosing a transport volume, and an open position in which the lid shell is raised from the base shell about the pivot axis, opening the transport volume, a locking device by means of which the lid shell can be locked on the base shell in the closed position, and comprising at least one articulated support (7) by means of which the lid shell (3) is supported on the base shell (2) in the open position, and comprising at least one first articulated lever (8) which is articulatedly mounted on the base shell (2), and a second articulated lever (9),The invention is known in which the lid shell (3) is articulated, wherein the first articulated lever (8) and the second articulated lever (9) are articulated to each other at least indirectly about an articulated axis (G) and can be displaced about the articulated axis (G) by means of a displacement of the lid shell (3) between the closed and open positions relative to each other. According to the invention, a locking device with a locking element is arranged on the at least one articulated support, and the at least one locking element is provided for locking the articulated movement of the articulated support about the articulated axis. Application in a passenger car.