Center Console Lid Latch Linkage for Intuitive Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing lid device for center console boxes in vehicles requires visual confirmation and is difficult to operate from a rear seat, lacking intuitive and easy opening mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A lid device with two interconnected lid forming bodies, featuring a latch system, biasing means, and a switching member that allows sliding and moving to disengage the latch, enabling intuitive opening and closing operations without a separate button, and an upper lid that can be moved orthogonal to the lower lid's axis to facilitate opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a button part is provided on the lid main unit for opening, then the lid can be opened with a simple pressing action, but the button part requires visual confirmation and is difficult to operate from a rear seat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the button part from the lid main unit and relocates it to the interior of the storage compartment. This allows the button to be pressed from inside the compartment (e.g., by a rear seat passenger) without requiring visual confirmation of the button's location on the lid exterior, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and detectability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a link member as an intermediary mechanical element that transmits the pressing force from the button (located inside the compartment) to the latch mechanism on the lid. This mediator enables the button to be positioned away from its traditional location while still effectively controlling the lid opening
2Ease of operation
If the button is positioned on the lid main unit for easy access, then opening is simple, but it becomes difficult to operate intuitively while driving or from rear seat
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the button from the lid main unit and placing it inside the storage compartment, the patent enables operation from multiple seating positions (driver, passenger, rear seats) without requiring the user to reach for or visually locate a button on the lid exterior, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The button is positioned inside the storage compartment where it can be naturally accessed by anyone opening the compartment from any seat, making the system self-adaptable to different users and positions without requiring specialized controls for each seating arrangement
3Reliability
If a latch mechanism with button release is used, then the lid can be securely closed, but the release mechanism requires visual confirmation and precise pressing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the release button from the lid exterior and relocates it to the interior, transforming the opening operation into an intuitive action (pressing inside the compartment) while maintaining the reliability of the latch mechanism for secure closing
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the user to locate and press a button on the outside of the lid, the patent inverts the control logic by placing the button inside the compartment, making the opening action as intuitive as accessing the compartment contents itself
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 easy and intuitive operation of the lid device, providing a high-quality appearance and allowing the lid to be opened and closed with either side as the center of rotation, enhancing usability from various seating positions.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing means that biases so that a latch end of the latch body is always in a position to engage the latch receiver
Data Source
AI summary
The lid device includes a latch body for a latch receiver provided in an opening forming body, an urging device that urges the latch body to always be in a position of being engaged with the latch receiver, and a switching member that is movably provided on a lid lower and that disengages the latch body and the latch receiver in a forward portion. A lid upper is combined with the lid lower so as to be able to slidably move in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the rotation center axis of the lid cover. Also provided is a linking member that links the lid upper and the lid lower so that the switching member is moved to the forward position when the lid upper is movably operated toward the rotation center axis of the lid lower.