Vehicle Compartment Retainer With Self-Returning Bag Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Shopping bags in motorized vehicles often tilt, tip over, or overturn during transportation due to uneven loads and external forces, leading to product damage, distraction for drivers, and potential accidents, and existing solutions like elastic nets require factory modifications and skilled installation.

Innovation Solution

A retaining device with a rotatable retaining element and elastic/weight return mechanism that securely holds items in a predefined position within a motorized vehicle compartment, ensuring stability and accessibility without requiring factory design modifications or user expertise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If elastic nets are used to retain shopping bags, then the stability of items is improved, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase due to requiring factory-designed eyelets or hooks and skilled installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of shopping bagsVSAvoidcomplexity of retaining system
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining system is divided into separate functional components: a base element that attaches to the vehicle compartment, and a retaining element that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying overall installation and adjustment by the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining element is made movable relative to the base element, allowing it to be adjusted to different positions and orientations. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to various item sizes and shapes while maintaining stability, and simplifies installation by allowing users to position components intuitively without specialized skills.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If elastic nets are used to retain shopping bags, then the stability of items is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to time-consuming fixing and tensioning operations requiring user skill

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of shopping bagsVSAvoidease of installation and adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The base element is pre-configured with attachment features designed to receive the retaining element in an intuitive manner. The geometry of the components is designed so that proper assembly is achieved through simple insertion or connection actions, eliminating the need for skilled tensioning or complex fixing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining system is designed to be self-adjusting and self-retaining. Once the retaining element is positioned, its movable nature allows it to automatically maintain appropriate tension and positioning without requiring user intervention for tensioning adjustments, making the system easy to operate for users of any skill level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Stability of the object's composition

If products are arranged to stabilize shopping bags, then the stability is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates since suitable products are not always available

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of shopping bagsVSAvoidadaptability to different products
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining device is designed as a universal solution that can accommodate various types of items regardless of their shape, size, or weight characteristics. The movable retaining element can be positioned to suit different item configurations, making the system adaptable to groceries, shopping bags, or other items without requiring specific product characteristics for stabilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 device effectively prevents items from tilting or falling, reducing inconvenience and damage, while being easy to install and use, and can adapt to various item sizes and shapes, maintaining stability during vehicle movements.

Implementation Method 1

means for returning the retaining element from the second position towards the first position by means of an elastic force and/or weight force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

means for returning the retaining element from the second position towards the first position by means of an elastic force and/or weight force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWeight force: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4339031A1Device for retaining one or more items in a compartment of a motorized vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 HÖIN JOSEF
  • EP4339031A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4339031A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4339031A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Retaining device (1) comprising: (a) a device base (2) comprising a first surface (4) and a second surface (6), said first surface (4) and said second surface (6) being separated through a thickness (8) of said device base (2); (b) a retaining element (10), fixed to the device base (2) movably between a first position in which the retaining element (10) is in the proximity of, or in contact with, the second surface (6), and at least one second position in which the retaining element (10) is at least partly spaced from the device base (2); wherein the retaining element (1) delimits with the device base (2) a space (12) for receiving one or more items and - in the second position - delimits with the device base (2) an opening (14) for placing said one or more items on the second surface (6); (c) means for returning the retaining element (10) from the second position towards the first position by means of an elastic force and/or weight force.