Vehicle Console Latch Mechanism for Smooth Door Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle interior floor consoles with storage compartments lack an efficient and user-friendly mechanism for transitioning the door between closed and open positions, requiring excessive force and complexity in operation.
Innovation Solution
A latch mechanism comprising a button, pins, and links that allows the door to move from a locked to an unlocked position with reduced force, utilizing a spring to bias the button and a linkage system to disengage the pins from the side rails, enabling smooth transition between positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional latch mechanism is used to lock the door to the base, then the door can be securely locked, but excessive force is required to unlock and move the door
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic unlocking process through a multi-position pin movement system. The pin moves through engaged, partially released, and released positions, creating a progressive unlocking action that reduces the force needed to operate the door while maintaining secure locking when engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The unlocking action is segmented into distinct phases through the multi-position pin mechanism. The pin first moves to a partially released position to begin disengagement, then to a fully released position to complete unlocking. This segmentation allows the locking force to be applied progressively rather than all at once, reducing operational force requirements.
2Ease of operation
If a simple latch mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but the door cannot move smoothly between closed and open positions
Solution Approach 1:
The link acts as an intermediary element that couples the pin to the button actuator. It translates the button's linear movement into the pin's complex multi-position trajectory, enabling smooth door movement without requiring the user to directly manipulate the pin or understand the mechanism's internal complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin movement is extended into a temporal dimension with three distinct positions (engaged, partially released, released) rather than a simple binary locked/unlocked state. This creates a progressive unlocking sequence that smooths the door's movement from closed to open positions while adding controlled complexity to the mechanism.
3Reliability
If the pin is directly connected to the button, then the mechanism is simple, but the pin cannot move through multiple positions to properly unlock the door
Solution Approach 1:
The link serves as a mechanical intermediary that couples the button's simple linear motion to the pin's complex multi-position movement. This intermediary element translates and transforms the actuator's motion into the precise sequence of pin positions required for reliable disengagement from the side rail, ensuring proper unlocking while isolating the user from mechanism complexity.
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
Facilitates easy and efficient movement of the door between closed and open positions with reduced operational force, enhancing user experience and console functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The latch may comprise a button, at least one pin and at least one link wherein the link couples the at least one pin to the button and wherein the link moves the pin in response to movement of the button to unlock the door from the base.
Data Source
AI summary
A component for a vehicle interior is disclosed. The component may comprise a base comprising a bin, a cover configured to cover the bin, an interface for the cover and a mechanism configured to retain the cover to the base. The mechanism may comprise at least one pin configured to rotate in response to translation at the interface to release the cover from the base. The interface may comprise a button configured to move in the opening direction from a forward position to a rearward position to unlock the cover from the base. The cover may be configured to move in the opening direction as the button moves from the forward position toward the rearward position. The mechanism may comprise a link to rotate in response to translation of the button to rotate the pin to unlock the cover from the base.