Vehicle Console Armrest Locking Against Collision Inertia
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional console apparatuses for vehicles with frictional hinge units do not have a separate locking unit, leading to the console armrest opening due to inertial force during a traffic collision, which can result in articles being released from the console box and increased risk of passenger injuries.
Innovation Solution
A console apparatus with a locking unit that is operated by inertia during a traffic collision to lock the console armrest, preventing it from opening, while allowing smooth opening and closing due to frictional force in normal conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a frictional hinge unit is used to allow the console armrest to open and close, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates during traffic collision as the armrest may open due to inertial force
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit is designed to automatically activate in advance during a traffic collision through inertial force, locking the console armrest before harmful effects can occur. The inertia weight detects the collision condition and triggers the locking mechanism preliminarily, preventing the armrest from opening due to subsequent inertial forces.
2Reliability
If a locking unit is added to prevent opening during collision, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit operates automatically using inertial force generated during traffic collision, without requiring external control systems, sensors, or power sources. The inertia weight and linkage mechanism self-activate when subjected to collision forces, simplifying the overall system while maintaining high reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the console armrest is allowed to open freely, then ease of operation is improved, but harmful factors increase as articles may be released and passenger injuries may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit applies a counteracting locking force preliminarily during traffic collision to prevent the console armrest from opening. This preliminary anti-action counterbalances the inertial forces that would otherwise cause the armrest to open, articles to release, and potential passenger injuries to occur.
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 locking unit effectively prevents the console armrest from opening during a traffic collision, thereby preventing the release of articles from the console box and reducing the risk of passenger injuries, while maintaining convenience in use during normal conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a friction member configured to come into contact with the shaft to generate frictional force, and fixes the console armrest using the frictional force generated due to contact between the shaft and the friction member during rotation of the shaft
Implementation Method 2
a locking unit fixedly combined with a side of the console box opposite the frictional hinge unit and operated by inertia occurring at a time of a traffic collision to lock the console armrest to prevent opening of the console armrest
Data Source
AI summary
A console apparatus for vehicles, includes a locking unit is additionally provided on a console box in a structure in which a console armrest is open and closed by the frictional force of a frictional hinge unit, wherein the locking unit is not operated in a normal state in which no traffic collision occurs, and thus the console armrest is smoothly open due to the frictional force of the frictional hinge unit, and the locking unit is operated to lock the console armrest at the time of a traffic collision, and thus the console armrest remains closed even at the time of the traffic collision.