Trunk Floor Arrangement With Pivoting Hinges and Sliding Guide Grooves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing loading floor arrangements in motor vehicles require significant installation space for storage and guidance systems due to the integration of swiveling and sliding functions, which complicates design and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A loading floor arrangement featuring two hinges positioned transversely for pivoting and lateral guide grooves for sliding, where each hinge consists of a first part fixed to the floor and a second part slidably mounted in the grooves, allowing for localized separation of pivoting and sliding functions, thus minimizing necessary installation space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the loading floor integrates both swiveling and sliding functions in a unified structure, then the functionality is comprehensive, but the installation space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswiveling and sliding functionalityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The loading floor is divided into a first loading floor part and a second loading floor part that can move independently. The first part remains stationary while the second part performs both swiveling and sliding movements. This segmentation allows the movable part to be optimized for dual functionality without requiring excessive space, as the stationary part provides structural support and anchoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the movement mechanism by allowing the second loading floor part to swivel about a horizontal axis while simultaneously sliding along longitudinal guide grooves. This multi-dimensional movement approach enables comprehensive functionality within a compact footprint, as the vertical swiveling motion complements the horizontal sliding motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the loading floor uses a complex guidance system to achieve both swiveling and sliding, then the movement capability is enhanced, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement capabilityVSAvoidguidance system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide grooves are designed to serve multiple functions: they guide the sliding movement of the second loading floor part along the longitudinal axis, provide structural support during swiveling motion, and constrain the movement to predetermined paths. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate guidance mechanisms for each movement type, thereby simplifying the overall structure.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the swiveling and sliding guidance functions into a unified mechanism where the second loading floor part is connected to the first part through a hinge assembly that integrates both rotational and translational capabilities. This merging of functions into a single integrated structure reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the guidance system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If the loading floor uses separate mechanisms for swiveling and sliding, then the movement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement precisionVSAvoidmechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The loading floor mechanism transitions from static separate mechanisms to a dynamic integrated system where the second loading floor part can sequentially perform sliding and swiveling movements. The guide grooves and hinge assembly work together in a coordinated manner, with the sliding motion preparing the position for subsequent swiveling, thereby achieving precise movement through dynamic coordination rather than static separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3102462B1Loading floor arrangement and motor vehicle with such a loading floor arrangement
Publication Date: 2017.12.13 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3102462B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3102462B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3102462B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates, inter alia, to a trunk floor arrangement comprising a trunk floor (3) that is mounted by means of two hinges (7) so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (9) extending in the transverse vehicle direction (Y-direction) and, so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal vehicle direction (X-direction), in lateral guide grooves (10) of a motor vehicle (1) interior panelling (11). Viewed in the transverse vehicle direction (Y-direction), a hinge (7) is arranged on either side at the front end of said trunk floor (3), each hinge (7) being formed from a first and a second hinge part (7a, 7b) and these parts being connected such that they can pivot relative to one another, the first hinge parts (7a) both being rigidly connected to the trunk floor (3) and the second hinge parts (7b) each being mounted, so as to be displaceable in one of the guide grooves (10) in each case, by means of a pin (13) which points towards the vehicle exterior when viewed in the transverse vehicle direction (Y-direction), said pins (13) being arranged coaxially to one another and having, in respect of the pivot axis (9), both an X-level that differs from pivot axis (9) and a Z-level that differs from pivot axis (9).