Vehicle door storage unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current storage solutions for detachable vehicle doors are not portable, often bulky, and can damage or dirty the doors when stored, as they are designed for single locations and may obstruct rear storage access.
Innovation Solution
A storage device comprising a door storage frame with rotatable lower support members and adjustable hinge mounts that can be easily deployed and stowed, featuring a carry handle and rubber feet for stability and protection, allowing for secure and convenient storage of vehicle doors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If door storage devices are designed to attach to the back of the vehicle or trailer hitch, then storage capacity is improved, but access to rear storage is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device is divided into separate functional components: a frame structure for door support, removable door support members, and a carry handle system. This segmentation allows the device to be disassembled or reconfigured to provide access to rear storage while maintaining door storage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a fixed ground-based storage solution to a portable, movable unit that can be positioned in multiple locations. The carry handle enables vertical lifting and relocation, adding mobility as a new dimension of operation that resolves the conflict between storage capacity and access.
2Stability of the object's composition
If door storage devices are made bulky to provide stable support, then support stability is improved, but portability and ease of handling deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The door support members are designed to be rotatable and adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the device to adapt its configuration for stability during door storage while maintaining a compact form for portability. The dynamic adjustment capability enables the same structure to serve both stability and portability requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Stability features such as rubber feet and adjustable support members are applied locally at specific contact points with the ground and door, rather than requiring the entire device to be bulky. This localized approach provides necessary stability while keeping the overall device compact and portable.
3Ease of operation
If doors are leaned against a wall or laid on the ground for storage, then storage simplicity is improved, but door damage and dirt accumulation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The device introduces intermediate protective elements including rubber feet that contact the ground instead of the door, and padded or structured support surfaces that cradle the door. These intermediaries prevent direct contact between the door and potentially damaging surfaces while maintaining storage simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates protective features in advance, such as rubber feet and structured support members, that prevent damage and dirt accumulation before they can occur. This proactive protection allows simple storage without the harmful effects of improper door placement.
4Device complexity
If door support members are fixed in position, then structural simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different door configurations worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The door support members are designed with rotational joints and adjustment mechanisms that allow them to change position and orientation. This dynamic capability enables the same simple structure to adapt to different door sizes, weights, and configurations without requiring complex custom designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members are designed to perform multiple functions: supporting doors in various orientations, accommodating different door weights, and providing stable ground contact. This multi-functionality allows a relatively simple structure to handle diverse door configurations effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle door storage unit has a door storage frame, at least one lower door support member rotatably connected to a lower end of the door storage frame, and at least one hinge mount adjustably mounted along the door storage frame between the lower end and an upper end of the door storage frame. The hinge mounts may be adjustably mounted to the door storage frame through a tightening mechanism. Each hinge mount has one or more pin receptacles configured to receive a hinge pin of a vehicle door that has been uninstalled from a vehicle. The hinge mounts secure the vehicle door to the door storage frame, while the lower door support members support the mounted doors from below. The lower door support members can rotate between a deployed position for storing a vehicle door on the present invention and a stored position, folded against the door storage frame.