Vehicle Cooler with Dual Access Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle designs limit access to cold-storage containers, requiring users to stop the vehicle to retrieve items from the cargo bed, reducing passenger cabin space and fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle assembly with multiple access points to a cold-storage container, featuring a first opening in the cargo area and a second opening in the passenger cabin, allowing access from both locations, and optionally using powered refrigeration or ice for cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the cooler is placed in the cargo bed, then cargo storage capacity is improved, but access convenience deteriorates as users must stop the vehicle to retrieve items
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler is divided into two separate openings: a first opening in the cargo bed for loading/unloading and a second opening in the passenger cabin for access during travel. This segmentation allows independent access from both locations, resolving the contradiction between cargo storage and access convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooler is positioned to span across the boundary between the cargo bed and passenger cabin, utilizing the vertical and horizontal space transition zone. This dimensional positioning enables dual access points without compromising cargo storage volume.
2Ease of operation
If the cooler is placed in the passenger cabin, then access convenience is improved, but passenger cabin space deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler structure is segmented with separate openings for the cargo bed and passenger cabin, allowing the main body to reside in the cargo bed while providing a secondary access point in the passenger cabin, thus maintaining cabin space.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooler is nested at the boundary between cargo bed and passenger cabin, with portions extending into both spaces. This nesting arrangement allows the cooler to utilize cargo space while providing convenient access from the cabin without permanently occupying cabin space.
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle stops for cargo access, then access convenience is improved, but fuel efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler is pre-configured with a second opening in the passenger cabin that allows access during vehicle operation. This preliminary design enables users to retrieve items without stopping the vehicle, maintaining fuel efficiency while improving access convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The second opening in the passenger cabin acts as an intermediary access point, allowing users to reach the cooler contents without interrupting vehicle operation or requiring a stop, thus preserving fuel efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle assembly is provided that affords multiple access points to a cold-storage container. The vehicle assembly includes a vehicle having a passenger cabin and a cargo area adjacent the passenger cabin. A cold-storage container is disposed in the cargo area and includes a first opening providing access from the cargo area to an interior of the cold-storage container, and a second opening providing access from the passenger cabin into the interior. In various aspects, the vehicle may be a pickup truck, where the cold-storage container is located in a cargo bed. A header portion of the cargo bed can include an access door configured to selectively provide a passageway between the cargo bed and the interior of the passenger cabin. The passenger cabin may include an access panel that selectively provides entry to the passageway and into the cold-storage container.