Vehicle Console Cover Assembly With Multi-Path Sliding and Rotation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle console designs lack flexibility and functionality, particularly in providing customizable storage solutions that adapt to different user needs and vehicle conditions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle console assembly with a support bar and cover assembly that translates along multiple movement paths, including rails and a track, allowing for rotation and adjustment to various positions, including armrest and tray configurations, while integrating with vehicle systems for enhanced user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed console design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability and versatility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cover assembly is designed with multiple degrees of freedom, allowing it to translate along rails and rotate about a vertical axis. This dynamic configuration enables the cover to adapt between covering the storage cavity and providing an armrest or tray surface, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by using controlled mechanical movement rather than multiple fixed components
Solution Approach 2:
The cover assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as a cover for the storage cavity, provides an armrest surface when positioned laterally, and can function as a tray surface when deployed. This multi-functionality achieves high adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity, as a single component performs multiple roles
2Adaptability or versatility
If a movable cover assembly with multiple movement paths is implemented, then versatility and user customization are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly merges multiple functions into a single component: it attaches the cover assembly to the support bar, guides translation along the track, and enables rotation about the vertical axis. This consolidation achieves versatility while controlling complexity by combining guide, connector, and actuation functions into one integrated assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The support bar acts as an intermediary element between the fixed body and the movable cover assembly. It provides the track for translation and the rotation axis, mediating the complex movements and allowing the cover to achieve multiple positions without direct complex linkages to the body structure
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle console system includes a body having first and second sidewalls. Each of the first and second sidewalls defines a rail along an inner surface thereof. A support bar slidably engages the rails. The support bar defines a track. A cover assembly is operably coupled to the support bar. The cover assembly includes a base panel coupled to the support bar via a connector assembly and a deployable panel rotatably coupled to the base panel. The cover assembly is configured to translate along a first movement path with the support bar along the rails and a second movement path along the track of the support bar. The cover assembly is configured to rotate along a third movement path between a first side position and a second side position.