Under-seat luggage storage with locking mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing solutions for managing luggage in vehicles often compromise foot space and safety, as luggage occupies the footrest or inter-seat space, potentially leading to accidents during sudden vehicle movements.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle design that integrates a seat frame with a luggage-space beneath the seat, utilizing primary and secondary positioning elements and a locking mechanism to securely hold the luggage in place, ensuring it does not move during jerks, while allowing easy access and retrieval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If luggage is placed in foot rest space or inter seat space, then luggage storage is achieved, but foot space is reduced and safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveluggage storage capacityVSAvoidfoot rest space

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves luggage storage from the horizontal plane (foot rest space, inter seat space) to the vertical dimension by creating a storage compartment beneath the vehicle seat. This allows luggage to be stored in the vertical space under the seat without encroaching on the horizontal foot rest area, resolving the spatial conflict between luggage storage and foot space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If luggage is placed on neighboring vehicle seat, then luggage storage is achieved, but safety is compromised during jerk events

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveluggage storage capacityVSAvoidluggage security during vehicle movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by equipping the storage compartment with a locking mechanism that proactively secures luggage before vehicle movement occurs. The locking mechanism prevents luggage from becoming a projectile during jerk events, sudden braking, or acceleration, thereby addressing safety concerns before they can manifest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If luggage is secured in luggage-space with locking mechanism, then luggage security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveluggage security during vehicle movementVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is designed to be automatically activated when luggage is placed in the storage compartment, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The system serves itself by detecting the presence of luggage and engaging the lock automatically, thereby maintaining high security while minimizing operational complexity and user burden.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3670268B1Vehicle comprising vehicle seat and luggage-space

Publication Date: 2021.04.21 AUDI AG

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AI summary

The invention is concerned with a vehicle (10) comprising a vehicle seat (12) and a luggage-space (19) between a lower side (20) of the vehicle seat (12) and a vehicle floor (17), wherein the luggage-space (19) is designed to receive a luggage-case (21). The vehicle (10) comprises at least one primary positioning element (22, 22') in the luggage-space (19), which is designed to position the luggage-case (21). The luggage-case (21) comprises at least one secondary positioning element (25, 25') and at least one locking element (34), wherein the secondary positioning element (25, 25') is designed to pair with the respective primary positioning element (22, 22'). The luggage-case (21) comprises a case-handle (27) which is designed to adjust the locking element (34) between a locking state (S1) and a de-locking state (S2).