Center Console Cover Braking for Defined Opening Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Storage units in motor vehicle center consoles face challenges in providing a comfortable and cost-efficient mechanism for manually opening or closing the cover, as existing designs often require excessive force or may open inadvertently during vehicle acceleration or deceleration due to insufficient force.
Innovation Solution
A storage unit with a manually displaceable cover featuring an adjustment system comprising racks, gear wheels, and a braking device, which allows for precise adjustment of the force required to open or close the cover, ensuring it can be locked in end positions and preventing tilting or twisting, using a friction braking system with a brake disc and brake shoes for stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a storage unit cover is designed to be easily opened, then ease of operation is improved, but the cover may open accidentally during vehicle acceleration or deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The braking device allows continuous adjustment of the braking force parameter to achieve the optimal balance between ease of opening and prevention of accidental opening. The friction coefficient and normal force can be tuned to provide a defined opening force that is sufficient to prevent accidental opening but still allows convenient manual operation.
2Reliability
If a storage unit cover requires significant force to stay closed, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The braking device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the cover and the closing force. It provides a controlled resistance that can be adjusted to achieve the desired balance, mediating between the need for secure closure and ease of opening without requiring excessive force in either direction.
3Device complexity
If a simple cover mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide defined opening force is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The braking device replaces complex mechanical spring mechanisms or hydraulic systems with a simpler friction-based braking system. This substitution achieves the defined opening force requirement through friction control rather than complex mechanical linkages, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining precision.
4Ease of operation
If manual force adjustment is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is localized to the braking device components (brake shoes, brake disc, spring element) rather than requiring system-wide adjustment mechanisms. This local implementation allows force adjustment without significantly increasing overall device complexity, as the adjustment functionality is concentrated in a small, self-contained subsystem.
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 solution provides a cost-efficient and convenient storage unit that ensures a defined force for opening and closing the cover, preventing accidental opening during vehicle motion, while maintaining stability and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
A braking device 20 is arranged on the shaft 12 for applying an adjustment resistance to the cover (8) during a translational movement of the cover (8)... The braking device can be a friction braking device or silicone braking device
Data Source
AI summary
A storage unit (2) for arrangement in a center console of a motor vehicle has a storage housing (4) with a receiving space (6) for receiving an object. A manually displaceable cover (8) is provided for opening and closing the receiving space (6) between first and second end positions. An adjustment system (10) is provided for translational movement of the cover (8) and has first and second racks (16), a shaft (12) and two gear wheels (14) mounted on the shaft (12) for engaging with the first and second racks (16). A braking device (20) is arranged on the shaft (12) for applying an adjustment resistance to the cover (8) during a translational movement of the cover (8).