Vehicle Storage Device with Dynamic Lateral Opening Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage devices for loose objects in vehicles and aircraft, such as beverage holders, often compromise on aesthetics and user mobility due to their design, with adjustable mechanisms requiring significant space and not being fully hidden, leading to optical impairments and restricted mobility.

Innovation Solution

A storage device with a recording unit that can transition between a stand-up and stand-by state, featuring lateral opening elements that can move to enlarge or reduce the admission area, allowing for compact integration and hidden storage, utilizing a housing element to stow the recording unit in the idle state and a preload element to maintain the stand-by state automatically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an adjustable storage device is used to improve user mobility and aesthetics, then the freedom of movement and optical appearance are improved, but the device complexity and installation space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser mobilityVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage device employs a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the recording unit to transition between extended and retracted positions. The lateral opening elements can move relative to each other to enlarge or reduce the admission area, providing adaptability while maintaining a compact form when not in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The recording unit is designed to be nestable within the housing element when not in use. The opening elements and recording unit can be concealed within the housing, creating a compact integrated appearance that improves aesthetics while maintaining functionality when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If the recording unit is made compact to reduce installation space, then the installation flexibility is improved, but the admission area size is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace requirements in idle stateVSAvoidadmission area size
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device features a dynamic structure where the lateral opening elements can move relative to each other. In the idle state, the elements are positioned to minimize the overall volume and conceal the recording unit within the housing. When needed, the elements move apart to enlarge the admission area, providing both compactness and adequate storage space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The opening elements utilize lateral movement in addition to vertical adjustment. This multi-dimensional movement capability allows the device to achieve a compact form factor in the idle state while expanding the admission area when the opening elements are moved laterally apart, effectively using spatial dimensions to resolve the size conflict.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables simple operation and improved user freedom of movement by reducing space requirements in the idle state while maintaining functionality in the stand-by state, allowing integration into narrow components like armrests without optical impairment.

Implementation Method 1

a preload element to maintain the stand-by state automatically

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3782853B1Storage device for holding loose objects
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 DDS DIGITAL DESIGN SOLUTIONS GMBH
  • EP3782853B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3782853B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4d
  • EP3782853B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a storage device (10) for receiving loose objects (4), in particular for a means of transport (1), comprising a receiving unit (20) that can be brought into at least a rest state (I) and a ready state (II), wherein the receiving of the loose object (2) in a receiving area (21) of the receiving unit (20) is prevented in the rest state (I) and is enabled in the ready state (II). The invention further relates to a means of transport (1) and a method for operating a storage device (10).