Vehicle Manual Bin with Compressible PET Shell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing owner's manual bins in motor vehicles lack sufficient collapsibility to absorb energy upon impact while maintaining supportability for storing manuals and other items.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle storage compartment featuring a structural skeletal frame with a compressible shell made of fibrous material, such as compressed polyethylene terephthalate (PET) batting, that envelops the frame to form an owner's manual bin with interior walls defined by exposed surfaces, enhancing energy absorption and supportability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the bin is made entirely of rigid plastic, then supportability for storing items is improved, but energy absorption upon impact deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bin is divided into two functional segments: a rigid skeletal frame structure that provides supportability for storing items, and a compressible shell material that absorbs energy upon impact. This segmentation allows each part to specialize in its intended function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The bin combines two distinct materials with complementary properties: a rigid plastic frame for structural support and a compressible shell material (such as foam or elastomer) for energy absorption. This composite construction resolves the contradiction by integrating both strength and energy absorption capabilities into a single bin structure.
2Loss of energy
If the bin is made entirely of compressible material, then energy absorption upon impact is improved, but supportability for storing items deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bin is divided into two functional segments: a rigid skeletal frame structure that provides supportability for storing items, and a compressible shell material that absorbs energy upon impact. This segmentation allows each part to specialize in its intended function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The bin combines two distinct materials with complementary properties: a rigid plastic frame for structural support and a compressible shell material (such as foam or elastomer) for energy absorption. This composite construction resolves the contradiction by integrating both strength and energy absorption capabilities into a single bin structure.
3Strength
If the bin mass is increased, then supportability and structural integrity are improved, but femur load in collision increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bin uses a composite construction with a lightweight rigid frame and a compressible shell material that provides structural integrity without significant mass increase. This reduces the inertial forces transmitted to the driver during collision while maintaining the bin's ability to support stored items.
Solution Approach 2:
The bin changes the material parameters from dense rigid plastic to a composite structure with lower density materials that provide equivalent or superior structural performance. This parameter change reduces the overall mass and consequently the femur load during collision while maintaining structural integrity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces femur load and decreases the bin's mass by 100g compared to a bin made entirely of plastic, while maintaining the ability to store items securely.
Implementation Method 1
a compressible shell supported on and in contact with back and sides of, and enveloping, the skeletal frame to form an owner's manual bin
Implementation Method 2
the bin absorbs a larger amount of energy upon impact
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle storage compartment includes a structural skeletal frame and a compressible shell supported on and in contact with back and sides of, and enveloping, the skeletal frame to form an owner's manual bin having interior rear walls partially defined by exposed surfaces of the skeletal frame.