Vehicle Interior Dual-Door Linkage for Coupled or Independent Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle interior components lack a mechanism to efficiently couple and decouple the movement of multiple doors between open and closed positions, leading to inefficient access to compartments.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle interior component with a base, a cover, and a mechanism that includes a first and second door, where the mechanism allows for an engaged state to couple and a disengaged state to decouple the movement of the doors, utilizing a linkage with flexible members and a detent mechanism to facilitate various door positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanism is added to couple and decouple door movement, then door operation flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage mechanism incorporates a movable connection between the first and second doors, allowing the system to dynamically transition between coupled and decoupled states. The connection can be engaged or disengaged based on operational requirements, enabling flexible door operation modes without permanent structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The door system is segmented into independently operable first and second doors, with the linkage providing optional coupling. This segmentation allows each door to function independently when needed, while still enabling coordinated operation when the linkage is engaged, thus improving flexibility without requiring a completely integrated complex mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the linkage effective length is changed to allow independent door movement, then door operation versatility is improved, but linkage structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage structure incorporates adjustable or variable effective length capability, allowing it to adapt between different operational configurations. This dynamic length adjustment enables the linkage to accommodate both coupled door operation (shorter effective length) and independent door operation (longer effective length) without requiring multiple fixed-length linkages.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage design allows for parameter changes in its effective length, enabling the same linkage structure to function in different operational modes. By varying the effective length parameter, the system can transition between providing rigid coupling for simultaneous door movement and allowing independent door movement, thus improving versatility without adding substantial structural complexity.
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 flexible and efficient movement of doors between open and closed positions, allowing for independent or simultaneous operation, enhancing access to compartments and improving user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the first member and the second member may be configured to flex relative to the other of the first member and the second member
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle interior component is disclosed. The vehicle interior component may comprise a base providing a compartment, a cover movable relative to the base comprising a first door and a second door movable between closed and open positions, and a mechanism to couple the doors. The mechanism may provide an engaged state coupling movement of the doors and a disengaged state decoupling movement of the doors. The mechanism may comprise a first member and a second member that may extend and/or retract relative to the first member. At least one of the members may flex relative to the other. The mechanism may comprise a linkage. An effective length of the linkage may comprise a default length to couple movement of the doors and a non-default length to allow independent movement of one door. The component may comprise at least one of a console, a center console, a floor console.