Vehicle Cavity Access via Foldable Side Mirror

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle designs for transporting objects, such as pizza deliveries, often require individuals to exit the vehicle to access compartments from the interior, which is cumbersome, especially in SUVs or estate cars, and can be obstructed by luggage.

Innovation Solution

A compartment with a cavity in a vehicle that is accessible from both inside and outside, featuring a foldable or hinged side mirror design with an opening member that can be actuated from the inside and secured for external access, allowing loading and unloading without exiting the vehicle, while ensuring safety by blocking interior access when the compartment is opened from the outside.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cavity is made accessible from inside the vehicle, then loading and unloading becomes easier, but security may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveInternal loading and unloadingVSAvoidSecurity of cavity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The opening member is designed to be dynamically controllable through an actuator system that responds to authentication signals. The opening member can be selectively actuated based on detected authentication data, providing secure controlled access from inside the vehicle while maintaining security when authentication is not provided.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the side mirror is made foldable for cavity accessibility, then internal access is improved, but the mirror's structural stability may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccess to cavity from interiorVSAvoidStructural stability of side mirror
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The side mirror assembly incorporates a foldable mechanism with hinge connections that allow controlled movement between fixed and folded positions. The mirror can be folded back to provide access to the cavity while maintaining structural integrity through the hinge design and connection to the door structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3686060B1Apparatus for receiving objects in a cavity in a vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 AUDI AG
  • EP3686060B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3686060B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP3686060B1 patent drawingFigure 8~10

AI summary

The invention relates to an apparatus for receiving objects in a cavity (3) in a vehicle, the cavity (3) being accessible from the outside. The cavity (3) is accessible from the interior of the vehicle and can be closed by an opening member (4,6) and is accessible to the outside via an opening (8).