Vehicle Trunk Mat with Anti-Slip Receptacle for Tire Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The removal and replacement of a spare tire from a vehicle trunk is cumbersome due to the weight and bulkiness of the tire, and the surface characteristics adjacent to the tire mount location often hinder the process, making it difficult for users to efficiently change a failed tire.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle trunk mat with a first side for debris minimization and a second side featuring a receptacle, anti-slip and soft surfaces, a foldable portion with a reflector, and instructional indicia, designed to assist users in replacing a failed tire by providing a comfortable and secure surface and orientation for the reflector, as well as a means to hold wheel nuts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the spare tire is stored in the vehicle trunk, then the tire is readily available for replacement, but the weight and bulkiness of the tire make it difficult to remove and mount
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a trunk mat as an intermediary device between the user and the spare tire. The mat provides a stable, anti-slip working surface that facilitates tire removal and mounting operations, reducing the difficulty caused by the tire's weight and bulkiness without requiring the user to directly manipulate the heavy tire
2Ease of operation
If the surface adjacent to the tire mount location is used for tire replacement, then no additional equipment is needed, but the surface characteristics increase difficulty for the user
Solution Approach 1:
The trunk mat serves as an intermediary surface that replaces the undesirable original surface. It provides anti-slip characteristics, soft cushioning, and stability for tire replacement operations, eliminating the harmful surface characteristics while requiring no modification to the vehicle itself
Solution Approach 2:
The mat introduces localized quality improvements at the tire replacement location with anti-slip surfaces and soft cushioning areas, enhancing the specific working zone without affecting the entire vehicle trunk
3Ease of operation
If wheel nuts are placed on the trunk surface during tire replacement, then no additional storage is needed, but the nuts may roll away or be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The mat acts as an intermediary platform that provides designated receptacles for wheel nuts during the tire replacement process. These receptacles prevent the nuts from rolling away or being lost, ensuring they remain organized and secure throughout the operation
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
The mat facilitates easier tire replacement by providing a comfortable, secure, and illuminated surface for users to work on, with anti-slip features and instructions, reducing the effort required to remove and replace the tire while keeping the area clean and organized.
Implementation Method 1
The first side may be a super-hydrophobic surface including a non-silica coating
Implementation Method 2
The at least two surfaces may include an anti-slip surface
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle trunk mat may include a first side and a second side. The second side is opposite the first side and includes a first surface having anti-slip characteristics. The vehicle trunk mat is shaped to cover a portion of a trunk cavity lower surface with the first side facing upward and sized for location upon a surface adjacent a vehicle tire mount location to assist in replacing a failed tire. The second side may further include indicia having tire change instructions thereupon. The second side may further include a reflector. The vehicle trunk mat may further include a foldable portion in which an upright configuration positions the reflector upright relative to an underlying surface. The second side may further include a second surface having soft characteristics to support a user thereupon. The second side may further include a receptacle sized to receive one or more wheel nuts.