Pivotable Truck Bed Side Panel Workbench
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pickup trucks often lack a workbench feature, making it difficult for tradespeople to have a dedicated space for tools and tasks at job sites without overcrowding the truck bed.
Innovation Solution
An integral workbench assembly is pivotably connected to the exterior side of the truck bed, allowing it to move between a latched and operable position, with a wheel gap for accommodating the wheel and a wheel gap plate to fill the void, optionally featuring lighting devices in the panel cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a workbench is added to the truck bed, then work functionality is improved, but the truck bed capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The workbench is moved from the horizontal plane of the truck bed to the vertical exterior side panel, utilizing the third dimension (height/vertical space) rather than consuming horizontal bed space. This allows the workbench to be positioned outside the truck bed while remaining accessible, thereby maintaining full truck bed capacity for tools and materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The side panel acts as an intermediary structure that supports the workbench externally. Instead of placing the workbench directly in the truck bed, it is mounted on the side panel which serves as a mediator between the truck body and the workbench, allowing the work surface to extend outward without occupying bed space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an external workbench is added to the side panel, then work functionality is improved, but the device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The workbench is integrated with the side panel as a unified assembly rather than being a separate accessory. The workbench forms part of the side panel structure itself, combining the support function of the side panel with the work surface function into a single merged component, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The side panel serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the truck, acts as a mounting surface for the workbench, and forms part of the workbench structure itself. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, simplifying the overall device while maintaining work functionality.
3Ease of operation
If the workbench is positioned to clear the wheel, then work accessibility is improved, but the wheel gap space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The workbench is designed to be movable between a retracted position (nested in the side panel) and an extended operable position. This dynamic positioning allows the workbench to clear the wheel when needed for accessibility while not permanently occupying wheel gap space, as it can be retracted when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The side panel is segmented to include a cavity that receives the workbench when retracted. This segmentation allows the workbench to be stored within the side panel structure itself, clearing the wheel gap space when not in use while maintaining accessibility when extended to the operable position.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle workbench assembly for the exterior side of a truck bed is provided. The vehicle workbench assembly includes an integral workbench pivotably connected to the exterior side of the truck bed so as to move between a latched position nested in a sidewall cavity of the exterior side of the truck bed and an operable position perpendicularly extending therefrom. The integral workbench provides a wheel gap for accommodating the trucks wheel or wheel well in the latched position. A wheel gap plate is provided to fill the void of the wheel gap in the operable position.