Vehicle Panel Assembly for Cargo Space Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle seating assemblies, particularly rear seating systems, face challenges in efficiently utilizing space when transitioning between passenger and cargo modes, as existing solutions do not effectively expand the cargo area while maintaining structural integrity and support.
Innovation Solution
A panel assembly is designed with a first panel coupled to a seatback and a second panel hingedly attached, featuring a connector assembly with a housing and support, allowing the second panel to move between aligned and coplanar positions, thereby extending the cargo area when needed and providing structural support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the second panel is vertically aligned with the first panel, then the panel assembly maintains structural support, but the cargo area expansion is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The second panel is designed to be movable between a first position (vertically aligned with the first panel) and a second position (substantially coplanar with the first panel). This dynamic configuration allows the panel assembly to transition between providing structural support and expanding cargo area, resolving the contradiction between stability and volume expansion.
2Volume of stationary object
If the second panel is made coplanar with the first panel, then the cargo area is expanded, but the structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The movable second panel allows the system to dynamically adjust its configuration. When in the coplanar position, the cargo area is maximized while the connector assembly maintains sufficient structural integrity to support the extended configuration, balancing volume expansion with strength requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a connector assembly with sliding support is used, then the panel assembly provides adjustable support, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is divided into separate components: a housing and a support element that can slide within the housing. This segmentation allows for adjustable support configurations while keeping each individual component relatively simple in design, managing the trade-off between adaptability and complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A seating assembly includes a seat base operably coupled with a seatback. A panel assembly includes a first panel coupled with the seatback and a second panel hingedly coupled with the first panel. The second panel includes a connector assembly having a housing and a support slidably coupled with the housing. The second panel is movable between a first position and a second position. The second panel is vertically aligned with the first panel in the first position and is substantially coplanar with the first panel in the second position.