Center Console Pivot Linkage for Dashboard Tolerance Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing center console systems struggle to accommodate manufacturing and assembly tolerances when linked to both the floor of the passenger compartment and the dashboard, often resulting in visual defects and incomplete mechanical linkage due to design protrusions and tolerances.
Innovation Solution
A center console system with pivoting linkage means between the anchoring piece and structural body, allowing vertical movement and rotation to absorb tolerances, combined with spring linkage for height adjustment, enabling secure contact with the dashboard without additional tools or complex assembly steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the center console is rigidly fixed to both the floor and dashboard, then mechanical stability is improved, but manufacturing and assembly tolerances cannot be accommodated, resulting in visual defects and incomplete linkage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by introducing a pivoting linkage mechanism that allows the center console to rotate relative to the dashboard. This dynamic connection enables the console to adapt to variations in dashboard positioning and manufacturing tolerances while maintaining secure mechanical linkage. The pivot joint transforms the rigid connection into a flexible one that can accommodate positional deviations without compromising stability or creating visual defects.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex fixing components are used to accommodate tolerances, then tolerance accommodation is improved, but assembly complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tolerance accommodation function with the primary mechanical linkage function by integrating the pivoting mechanism directly into the mounting structure. Rather than adding separate adjustment components or complex fixing devices, the pivot joint combines both functions into a single elegant solution. This reduces assembly complexity while effectively accommodating manufacturing tolerances between the center console and dashboard.
3Manufacturing precision
If additional tools and complex assembly steps are used, then assembly precision is improved, but productivity and assembly time decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting linkage mechanism is designed to be self-aligning and self-adjusting during assembly. The pivot joint naturally guides the center console into the correct position and orientation as it is mounted to the dashboard, eliminating the need for additional alignment tools or complex assembly procedures. This self-service characteristic maintains high assembly precision while significantly improving productivity by reducing assembly time and tool requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
Center console system comprising a first anchoring piece (30) configured to be anchored to the floor of the passenger compartment and a structural body (10) defined by a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the front portion is configured to be fixed to the dashboard ( S), and wherein the first anchoring piece (30) and the rear portion of the structural body (10) comprise respective pivotal linkage means configured to be pivotally linked to each other, which allow the structural body (10) to pivot in its sagittal plane and, according to a pivoting movement, vertically displace the front portion of the structural body (10) for linking same with the dashboard (S).