Vehicle Trim Storage Compartment with Pivotable Trap Door
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor vehicle storage options are often insufficient and inflexible, failing to provide convenient and versatile storage solutions for rear seat occupants, as they are typically fixed and focused on the driver or front row passenger.
Innovation Solution
A trim assembly with a pivotally mounted trap door that divides a storage compartment into two chambers, featuring a latch and stop mechanism, biasing elements, and flexible retention slots with living hinges to accommodate various item sizes and types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed storage compartment is provided in the motor vehicle, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the storage versatility and adaptability to different user needs are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The storage compartment is divided into multiple chambers by a pivotally mounted trap door that can create separate storage spaces. This segmentation allows the same physical space to serve multiple storage functions simultaneously, enhancing versatility without requiring multiple separate fixed compartments
Solution Approach 2:
The trap door is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to pivot between open and closed positions. This dynamic element enables the storage compartment to reconfigure its internal layout, providing adaptability for different storage needs while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
2Ease of operation
If dedicated storage options are provided for driver and front passenger, then accessibility for front occupants is improved, but storage availability for rear seat occupants is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The storage compartment with the movable trap door serves multiple functions: it can provide separate secure storage when the trap door is closed, and combined accessible storage when open. This multi-functionality allows a single structure to address the needs of both front and rear occupants without requiring separate dedicated compartments for each group
3Adaptability or versatility
If the storage compartment is divided into multiple chambers, then storage organization and security are improved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A pivotally mounted trap door is used to divide the storage compartment into chambers, rather than creating fixed partitions. This dynamic divider can be opened or closed as needed, providing organized storage when required while maintaining a simple single-chamber configuration when flexibility is needed, thus avoiding permanent structural complexity
4Reliability
If a latch mechanism is added to secure the trap door, then the security of stored items is improved, but the device complexity and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed to automatically engage when the trap door is closed, securing the stored items without requiring manual intervention. This self-securing feature provides reliable security while minimizing the complexity of the latching system, as it eliminates the need for separate actuators or complex control mechanisms
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
Enhances storage versatility by allowing easy access and secure holding of items, including long or bulky objects, through the combination of pivotable trap doors, biasing elements, and flexible retention slots, addressing the limitations of existing motor vehicle storage solutions.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing element may comprise a torsion spring
Implementation Method 2
The front wall includes retention lips along the margin of the slot. These resilient retention lips function to hold objects such as electronic devices in the slot
Implementation Method 3
the front wall includes multiple living hinges that function with the slot, add flexibility to the front wall and expandability to the first access opening
Data Source
AI summary
A trim assembly is provided for a motor vehicle. The trim assembly includes a trim panel, a storage compartment in the trim panel and a trap door. The trap door divides the storage compartment into a first chamber and a second chamber.