Bidirectional Console Lid Locking for Front and Rear Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle consoles are limited to opening and closing in one direction, primarily from the front, making it difficult for passengers in the second row to access the storage space, and complex bidirectional designs pose manufacturing challenges and compromise aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional opening console with a center lid part that can be opened from both the front and rear sides, featuring a button unit, rod unit, and locking cam unit to stabilize and control the opening and closing of side lid parts, ensuring safe and aesthetic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the console is configured to be opened only from the front side, then the structure is simple and reliable, but passengers in the second row cannot access the storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The console lid is divided into two independent operable sides (front and rear), each capable of being opened separately. This segmentation allows different passengers to access the storage space from their respective positions without requiring a complex multi-directional hinge mechanism, thus improving accessibility while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having a single front-opening lid, the invention inverts the conventional design by enabling opening from both front and rear sides. This inversion allows second-row passengers to access the console from behind, transforming a unidirectional access limitation into a bidirectional access solution without significantly increasing mechanical complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the console is configured to be simultaneously opened from both front and rear sides, then all passengers can access the storage space, but this may cause injury to passengers and creates a complicated structure
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism prevents simultaneous opening of both front and rear lid portions by maintaining a locked state that must be deliberately released. This preliminary anti-action ensures that even though the structure allows bidirectional opening capability, it actively prevents the dangerous condition of simultaneous opening that could injure passengers, thus maintaining safety while enabling versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The console lid transitions from a static single-sided opening design to a dynamic bidirectional opening system where the front and rear portions can be opened independently in different sequences. This dynamic capability allows flexible access for different passengers while the locking mechanism ensures safe operation by preventing contradictory movements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a complicated structure is used to enable bidirectional opening, then the console can be opened from both sides, but manufacturing becomes difficult and exterior design is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is segmented into front and rear portions that can be independently operated, allowing bidirectional opening without requiring a complex multi-axis hinge system. This segmentation enables selective opening from either side while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process and clean exterior design, as each segment can be produced using standard techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The console lid structure is designed with universal functionality to open from both front and rear sides using a unified locking mechanism. This multi-functionality is achieved through a straightforward mechanical design where the same locking system serves both opening directions, simplifying manufacturing compared to having separate mechanisms for each direction while still providing selective bidirectional access.
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
Enables all passengers to access the console storage from either side, maintaining structural stability and improving the console's exterior design with a simple, component-efficient configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member located around an outer circumferential surface of the first rod lock and configured to impart elasticity to the first rod lock
Data Source
AI summary
A bidirectional opening console including side lid parts located on opposite sides of the console, a center lid part located between the side lid parts, button units located at front and rear ends of the center lid part, a rod unit moved in a longitudinal direction of the side lid parts in response to an input applied to the button units, a lock member unit located at the center lid part and configured to release coupling with the side lid parts in response to movement of the rod unit, and a locking cam unit rotated by the movement of the rod unit, wherein the lock member unit at the other end of the center lid part maintains a coupled state thereof by rotation of the locking cam unit, wherein the other end is located away from the button unit having the input applied thereto.