Fold-Out Vehicle Storage Hinge for Stable, Space-Saving Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle storage solutions are prone to objects slipping, causing noise and potential damage, and often occupy excessive installation space, limiting driver access and visibility.
Innovation Solution
A storage device featuring a guide unit with a hinge element that moves along a curved path, allowing for a rest position that can be used as a table and a storage position, with folding regions and lever elements that enable secure object placement and easy access, while minimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional storage possibilities (cup holders, pockets) are used, then objects can be stored, but objects slip during driving causing noise and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device is designed to be movable between a stored position and a use position, allowing it to adapt to different driving conditions. When the vehicle is in motion, the device remains retracted to minimize interference. When stationary or parked, it extends to provide a stable surface for objects, thus preventing slipping and damage while reducing noise during driving.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes its physical state between extended and retracted positions based on vehicle operation status. This parameter change allows the storage surface to be available when needed (preventing object instability) while being minimized during driving (reducing noise and damage risks).
2Reliability
If a drawer-style storage solution is created, then object storage stability improves, but installation space is excessively encroached
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device is designed to nest within the vehicle interior component when not in use. The hinge element and rest face are configured to fold into a compact arrangement that occupies minimal space within the existing vehicle structure, similar to how nested dolls occupy space efficiently. This allows stable object storage when deployed while maintaining compact dimensions during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions between a compact nested state during normal vehicle operation and an extended state when needed for storage. This dynamic configuration allows the storage volume to be large when required for stability but minimal when retracted, avoiding excessive encroachment on installation space.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional storage possibilities are configured for maximum storage capacity, then storage volume increases, but driver access and visibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device is segmented into a movable hinge element that can be independently positioned. This allows the storage surface to be extended only when needed for placing objects, while remaining retracted during driving to maintain driver access and visibility. The segmented design enables selective deployment of storage capacity without permanently obstructing the driver's view or access.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage device dynamically adjusts its extension state based on operational needs. During driving, it remains retracted to preserve driver access and visibility. When parked or stationary, it extends to provide adequate storage capacity. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between storage volume and driver access.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage device for a vehicle has a guide unit and a hinge element which can be guided on the guide unit and is moveably guided along the guide unit in a drawer-type manner. The hinge element has a contact surface and two lateral walls at an angle to same. The lateral walls have a plurality of fold regions, such that a first hinge part and a second hinge part are formed between the fold lines in such a way that, in a use position, the storage device forms a stable support for objects and, in the folded state, same can be used for storing the objects.