Vehicle Console Lid Inertia Closure for Rear-Collision Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicle storage compartments, the lid can unintentionally open during a rear collision due to the movement of the housing relative to the lid, which compromises safety and consumer satisfaction.

Innovation Solution

A storage compartment design incorporating a closure mechanism that inhibits the lid from moving from a closed to an opened position by using protrusions and shaped grooves, which engage to prevent movement when the locking mechanism is displaced from the locked to the unlocked position due to housing movement during a collision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking mechanism is used to secure the lid in the closed position, then the lid can be reliably locked during normal operation, but the lid may unintentionally open during a rear collision due to housing movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid locking reliabilityVSAvoidcollision-induced lid opening

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The closure system is divided into two independent functional components: a locking mechanism for normal operation and a closure mechanism for collision protection. The locking mechanism includes a locking member that engages with a locking feature, while the closure mechanism includes a closure member with an inertia force responsive element that engages with a closure feature. This segmentation allows each mechanism to specialize in its specific function without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure mechanism is pre-configured to automatically activate when the locking mechanism becomes disengaged during a collision. The inertia force responsive element is positioned and dimensioned to remain engaged with the closure feature under normal conditions, but automatically moves to engage the closure feature when the locking mechanism disengages due to sudden housing movement, preventing lid opening before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the locking mechanism is made robust to prevent accidental disengagement, then normal operation reliability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking mechanism stabilityVSAvoidclosure system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure mechanism operates automatically using the inertia force generated during a collision to trigger the closure member engagement. The inertia force responsive element is biased by a spring to remain disengaged from the closure feature during normal operation, but automatically engages the closure feature when the locking mechanism disengages due to sudden housing movement, eliminating the need for external sensors or control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the closure mechanism is added to prevent lid opening during collision, then safety improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision-induced lid openingVSAvoidclosure mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure mechanism components are strategically positioned to engage only when needed. The closure member includes an inertia force responsive element that is localized near the locking mechanism and is positioned to engage with the closure feature on the housing. This localized engagement approach minimizes the complexity of the overall system while providing effective collision protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 closure mechanism effectively prevents the lid from opening during a rear collision, enhancing safety and user satisfaction by maintaining the compartment's closed state.

Implementation Method 1

inhibit movement of the lid from the closed position towards the opened position upon movement of the locking mechanism to the unlocked position due to movement of the housing in the first direction with respect to the lid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInertia: Inertia

Data Source

PatentUS11891018B2Storage compartments having inertia force closure mechanisms, console assemblies, and vehicles incorporating the same

Publication Date: 2024.02.06 TOYODA GOSEI CO LTD

AI summary

A storage compartment includes a housing, a lid, a locking mechanism, and a closure mechanism. The lid is pivotally coupled to the housing about a pivot axis for movement between a closed position and an opened position. The locking mechanism is displaceable in a first direction to move between an unlocked position and a locked position, the first direction extending generally normal to the pivot axis. The closure mechanism is configured to inhibit movement of the lid from the closed position towards the opened position upon movement of the locking mechanism to the unlocked position due to movement of the housing in the first direction with respect to the lid.