Vehicle Console Assembly Strap Retention for Crash Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing console assemblies in vehicles are prone to cracking and separation during crashes due to brittle materials, leading to potential damage and safety hazards from flying components.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, cost-effective console assembly design featuring a first and second box configuration with a strap system that engages with brackets to secure the components together, using flexible plastic or textile fabric straps with loop ends to prevent separation during impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If brittle materials are used for injection molding of console assembly, then manufacturing cost and ease of manufacture are improved, but strength and reliability deteriorate during crash events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining brittle injection-molded plastic boxes with flexible straps made of textile or elastic material. This composite structure allows the boxes to maintain their manufacturing advantages while the flexible straps provide the necessary tensile strength and crash resistance, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and strength.
2Device complexity
If simple bracket coupling is used to connect boxes, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability and resistance to crash forces deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic elements by using flexible straps that can stretch and absorb impact forces during crashes, rather than rigid fixed connections. The straps are routed through guides and can dynamically respond to crash forces, maintaining reliability while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible straps act as intermediaries between the injection-molded boxes and the bracket coupling mechanism. They provide the necessary strength and flexibility connection, allowing the simple bracket structure to achieve high reliability through the mediating strap system.
3Weight of moving object
If lightweight materials are used for console assembly, then weight is reduced, but strength and crash resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure where lightweight injection-molded plastic boxes are combined with high-strength flexible straps. The boxes remain lightweight for overall weight reduction, while the straps provide the necessary tensile strength and crash resistance, resolving the contradiction between weight and strength.
4Ease of operation
If existing console assembly structure is maintained, then ease of operation and accessibility are preserved, but safety and crash resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the console assembly into distinct components (injection-molded boxes, flexible straps, bracket coupling, guide mechanisms) that can independently perform their functions. This segmentation allows the structural elements to be optimized for safety while maintaining the operational characteristics of the original design.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible straps and guide mechanisms act as intermediaries that enhance safety without interfering with the user's ability to access and operate the console assembly. The straps provide crash resistance while remaining unobtrusive during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A console assembly for a vehicle interior. The console assembly includes a first box arranged on/in a carrier of the vehicle interior and a second box arranged on/in the first box. The console assembly further includes a first bracket arranged on/in the carrier and/or the first box, and a second bracket adapted to attach the second box and the first box. Further included is a strap adapted to engage with the first bracket and the second bracket. The engaged strap is configured to secure and/or restrict the separation of the second box from the first box, and/or the first box from the carrier.