Expandable Vehicle Center Console Top With Telescoping Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional center consoles in vehicles lack flexibility and utility, as their fixed top surfaces do not adapt to varying needs for storage or table space, limiting their functionality.
Innovation Solution
An expandable center console top with a central component and movable side members connected via a telescoping mechanism, allowing the top to collapse for a narrower configuration and expand for a wider surface, enhancing its utility as a storage bin and table surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the center console top is designed with a fixed size, then the structure is simple and stable, but the adaptability and versatility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The top surface is divided into a central component and two side components that can move independently. The side components are separated from the central component and connected via telescoping mechanisms, allowing each segment to be positioned independently to create different surface configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The top surface transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The side components can slide between retracted and extended positions along the telescoping mechanisms, enabling the top surface to adapt its width dynamically based on user needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the center console top is made expandable with movable side members, then the versatility and functionality are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side components are designed to nest alongside the central component when retracted. The telescoping mechanisms allow the side components to be stored in a compact position next to the central component, similar to nested dolls, reducing the overall width when full expandability is not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Telescoping mechanisms serve as intermediary elements between the central component and side components. These mechanisms facilitate the movement and positioning of side components while maintaining a relatively simple connection structure that enables complex functionality.
3Area of stationary object
If the side components are positioned to form a wider top surface, then the table space is increased, but the compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The top surface is divided into a central component and two side components that can move independently. The side components are separated from the central component and connected via telescoping mechanisms, allowing each segment to be positioned independently to create different surface configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The top surface transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The side components can slide between retracted and extended positions along the telescoping mechanisms, enabling the top surface to adapt its width dynamically based on user needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle center console includes an expandable top disposed on a storage bin. The center console is slidably connected to a floor pan and is movable towards the second-row seats. The expandable top includes a central component having an upper side and an underside, and a telescoping mechanism attached to first and second movable side components. The telescoping mechanism includes a body connected to the underside and a pair of telescoping arms extending from opposing sides of the body and movable between at least an extended position and a collapsed position. Each of the side components are attached to one of the arms such that undersides of the side components overlap the upper side of the central component when the arms are in the collapsed position, and the upper side of the central component is substantially flush with upper sides of the side components when the arms are in the extended position.