Vehicle Console Unlocking Mechanism for Articulated Armrests
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional consoles with armrests do not have an automatic mechanism to open the receptacle, requiring manual operation and lacking ease of access for depositing or removing objects.
Innovation Solution
A console with articulated armrests featuring a compact unlocking mechanism, including a push button and lever arms with bolts, allowing automatic pivoting of the armrests to access the receptacle, where pressing the push button releases the bolts to open the armrests, facilitating easy access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation of armrests is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of automatic opening mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest system performs self-locking when folded down manually, and self-unlocking when the push button is pressed. The mechanism automatically engages bolts with housings during manual folding, and automatically releases them during powered opening, eliminating the need for manual locking/unlocking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of lifting and locking armrests is partially replaced by an electric motor-driven system. The motor receives signals from the push button and automatically performs the opening operation, substituting manual mechanical effort with an automated electromechanical system.
2Ease of operation
If automatic unlocking mechanism is added, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking mechanism is divided into separate functional modules: a control element with push button for user input, an electric motor for power generation, lever arms for motion transmission, and bolts with housings for locking engagement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Lever arms act as intermediary elements between the motor and the bolts. The lever arms receive rotational motion from the motor and convert it into the linear motion required to move the bolts in and out of the housings, providing a mechanical advantage and simplifying the connection between the motor and locking components.
3Ease of operation
If push button control is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The push button is positioned at a specific location on the console that is easily accessible to the user, while the motor and other mechanism components are positioned in less accessible areas. This local optimization of the control interface improves ease of operation without requiring high precision in the positioning of all mechanism components.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever arms and bolts are pre-positioned in their locked state during assembly, and the motor is pre-aligned with the lever arm connection points. This preliminary positioning reduces the precision requirements during final assembly and operation, as the components are already in their correct relative positions.
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 intuitive and automatic opening of the armrests, providing easy access to the receptacle for object deposition or removal, enhancing user convenience and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
the control element comprises a heel formed by an extension of the lever arm at right angles providing a positive stop under the force of a compression spring to place the push button in a serving position
Implementation Method 2
the unlocking element comprises a hairpin spring, one branch of which is in tension on an edge of the support and at the rear two branches come to rest on the edge of the arms of the levers now projecting bolts
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle interior console (1) comprising a container (16) and at least one arm rest (2, 3) articulated along the edge of the frame of said container (16), the arm rest (2, 3) being locked in order to close the console (1), and characterised in that it comprises a compact mechanism (6) mounted on a support (26) secured to the frame (4), comprising a control element (12) that can cooperate by direct contact with an element (13) for unlocking the arm rest (2, 3). The invention is applicable in the field of motor vehicles.