Extruded Vehicle Console Door with Projections and Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle interior components, such as consoles with compartments and doors, face challenges in efficient manufacturing and design, particularly in facilitating smooth movement and access while maintaining structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle interior component comprising a base with a compartment and a door that uses a set of projections on the door to engage guides on the base, formed through extrusion or co-extrusion processes, allowing for efficient movement between closed and open positions, and featuring a substrate and cover layer configuration for enhanced structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional manufacturing methods are used for vehicle interior components, then manufacturing precision can be maintained, but manufacturing efficiency and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple manufacturing operations into a single extrusion process. The door assembly is formed by extruding a polymer material that integrates the door panel, projections, and guiding features in one continuous operation, eliminating the need for separate molding, machining, and assembly steps for these components
Solution Approach 2:
The extrusion process serves multiple functions simultaneously: it forms the structural door panel, creates the engagement projections, forms the guiding features, and produces the overall geometric configuration of the door assembly, making the manufacturing process highly versatile and efficient
2Manufacturing precision
If the door is designed with engagement projections for precise movement guidance, then movement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement projections and guiding features are integrated into the door assembly as integral components formed during the same extrusion process, rather than being separate parts that require additional assembly. This merging reduces the number of components while maintaining precise movement guidance functionality
3Ease of operation
If the door is designed to move freely for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is segmented into functional zones: the main door panel provides structural integrity, while the engagement projections and guiding features are separated as distinct elements that enable controlled movement. This segmentation allows the door to maintain strength while facilitating easy access through defined movement paths
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
The solution enables improved manufacturing efficiency, enhanced design flexibility, and user-friendly access to the compartment while maintaining structural integrity and aesthetic appeal, addressing the limitations of existing components.
Implementation Method 1
The set of projections may be formed by extruding a polymer material in a direction substantially perpendicular to a path of movement of the door relative to the base
Implementation Method 2
an interface may be provided between the base and the door configured to facilitate movement of the door relative to the base; the interface may comprise a set of projections on the door configured to engage a set of guides on the base
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle interior component is disclosed. The component may comprise a base providing a compartment with an opening, a door moveable between open and closed positions and an interface between the base and the door to facilitate movement of the door. The interface may comprise a set of projections on the door to engage a set of guides on the base. The set of projections may comprise a set of extrusions. The door may comprise a substrate and a cover layer; the substrate may be formed by extrusion. The component may comprise at least one of a vehicle trim component, a console, a center console, a floor console, a storage compartment, an arm rest. A method of making a component is also disclosed. The component may comprise a base and a door comprising a cover and a carrier. The carrier may be formed by extruding a polymer material.