Vehicle Center Console Insert Securing for Quiet Modular Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle center consoles lack user-configurable storage space and stability during vehicle motion, leading to noise and potential detachment of storage inserts.
Innovation Solution
A center console design featuring a pivotable armrest, an upwardly open storage chamber, and a securing unit with clamping and resilient elements to stabilize storage inserts, ensuring they remain secure and silent during motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a storage insert is inserted into the storage chamber, then user-configurable storage space is provided, but the storage insert may rattle and produce noise during vehicle motion
Solution Approach 1:
The center console is divided into a fixed storage chamber and a removable storage insert, allowing the storage insert to be segmented and removed for flexibility while maintaining secure positioning when installed. The securing unit further segments the attachment mechanism into separate engagement components.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing unit is pre-installed on the storage chamber with securing receptacles positioned to automatically engage with securing projections on the storage insert during insertion, preventing rattling before vehicle motion begins.
Solution Approach 3:
The resiliently elastic preload element is pre-installed in the securing unit to provide beforehand cushioning that compensates for manufacturing tolerances and prevents rattling by maintaining constant contact pressure between the storage insert and storage chamber during vehicle motion.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a securing unit is added to secure the storage insert, then rattling and noise are prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The securing unit merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: the securing receptacle engages the storage insert, the preload element compensates for tolerances, and the clamping element secures the armrest, all within one compact structure attached to the storage chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing unit serves multiple purposes: it secures the storage insert vertically, compensates for manufacturing tolerances through the resilient preload element, and provides a clamping function for the armrest, making it a multi-functional component that addresses several requirements simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If the armrest is made pivotable between horizontal and vertical positions, then ease of operation is improved, but the stability of the storage insert may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is designed as a dynamic component that can pivot between horizontal and vertical positions through a pivot axis, allowing it to adapt to different user needs while maintaining stability when in the horizontal position through the clamping element.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping element acts as an intermediary between the armrest and storage insert, providing a stable connection when the armrest is in the horizontal position. This intermediary component ensures that the armrest's mobility does not compromise the storage insert's stability, as the clamping element maintains constant contact and positioning.
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
Provides a user-configurable storage solution that remains stable and silent during vehicle operation, compensating for manufacturing tolerances and preventing insert detachment.
Implementation Method 1
a resiliently elastic preload element arranged between a rearward side wall projection of the storage chamber and an outer wall of the storage insert and which, when the storage insert has been inserted into the storage chamber, is braced between the relevant side wall projection of the storage chamber and the relevant outer wall of the storage insert
Data Source
AI summary
A center console for a vehicle has an armrest in a rearward region which is pivotable at a rearward end about a pivot axis, extending between a horizontal armrest position and a vertical opening position, an upwardly open storage chamber arranged to be partially forwardly offset in relation to the armrest situated in the horizontal armrest position, a storage insert configured to be at least partially inserted, from above, into the storage chamber, and a securing unit for securing the storage insert within the storage chamber in a vertical direction of the center console. The securing unit has a securing receptacle and a securing projection that engages into the securing receptacle. A forward end portion of the armrest situated in the horizontal armrest position lies on a rearward end portion of the storage insert that has been inserted into the storage chamber.