Vehicle Storage Lid Support Structure Without Hinges or Props

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle storage receptacle designs often face challenges due to size and shape constraints, where hinges and other attachment features cannot fit, necessitating an alternative method to maintain the lid in an open or raised condition.

Innovation Solution

A storage receptacle assembly featuring a lid support structure with a base, wall, and slot, along with a projection engagement structure including a floor, shoulder, and ramp, allows the lid to rotate from a closed to an open orientation without hinges, with the projection contacting the ramp, sliding down, and resting on the floor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hinges and attachment features are used to maintain the lid in an open orientation, then the lid can be securely held open, but the device complexity increases and the design cannot accommodate size and shape constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid open position maintenanceVSAvoidhinge and attachment hardware

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the traditional hinge and attachment hardware from the system, replacing them with a self-contained projection engagement mechanism. The projection on the lid engages with the ramp and shoulder formed directly in the receptacle, eliminating the need for separate hinge components and attachment features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The lid support function is merged into the receptacle structure itself through the formation of the ramp and shoulder directly in the receptacle body. The projection engagement structure combines the support, guidance, and positioning functions that would otherwise require separate hinge and attachment components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If traditional hinge mechanisms are used, then the lid can be maintained open, but the design cannot fit size and shape constraints of the lid and receptacle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid open position maintenanceVSAvoidfit to size and shape constraints

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The lid support function is segmented into distinct geometric features (ramp and shoulder) that can be independently formed in the receptacle. This segmentation allows each feature to be optimized for its specific function while adapting to the overall size and shape constraints of the lid and receptacle assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local geometric modifications to the receptacle interior, creating the ramp and shoulder only where needed for lid engagement. This localized approach allows the overall receptacle shape to remain optimized for its primary function while adding specific features only where required for lid support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If hinges and attachment hardware are used, then the lid can be held open, but manufacturing complexity and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid open position maintenanceVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the lid support function from separate manufactured components (hinges and attachments) and integrates it directly into the receptacle molding. This eliminates the need for additional manufacturing steps for separate hinge components and their assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The lid support features (ramp and shoulder) are merged into the receptacle molding process itself, allowing both the receptacle and its support features to be manufactured as a single integrated component. This reduces manufacturing complexity by eliminating separate parts and assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250136001A1Support structure for a lid of a vehicle storage receptacle

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 TOYOTA MOTOR ENG & MFG NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

A storage receptacle assembly for a vehicle includes a lid support structure having a base, a wall extending from the base, and a slot having a first edge formed in the base and a second edge formed in the wall. A projection engagement structure is positioned below the slot and includes a floor, a shoulder extending upwardly from the floor, and a ramp extending upwardly from the shoulder. A lid includes a projection structured to extend into the slot and to reside above the ramp when the lid is positioned in a closed orientation. The projection is structured to contact the ramp, slide down the ramp to the shoulder, and slide off the shoulder into contact with the floor during rotation of the lid from the closed orientation to an open orientation. The lid may be maintained in any of multiple open orientations without lid props or similar devices.