Vehicle Glove Box Linkage for Deeper Storage Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional glove boxes face issues such as unused space due to structural limitations, inconvenience in opening and closing, and potential for the glove box to catch on occupants' knees, leading to restricted access and storage challenges.
Innovation Solution
A glove box design featuring transfer links with different mounting angles and an elastic member that allows for a preset rotational trajectory, enabling maximized storage space utilization and improved convenience through adjustable opening angles and a locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the depth of the housing is increased to maximize storage space, then the storage capacity is improved, but the rear upper edge of the housing collides with the inner upper surface of the dashboard, creating unused space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the static housing structure into a dynamic one that can change its position and orientation. The housing is equipped with a transfer mechanism including links and shafts that enable it to rotate and move between a stored position (flush with dashboard) and an extended storage position, maximizing space utilization without collision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dimensionality change by adding rotational movement to the housing. Instead of merely increasing depth in one dimension, the housing rotates around a shaft to access additional space in multiple dimensions, transforming the storage approach from linear extension to multi-dimensional deployment.
2Volume of moving object
If the housing is extracted to utilize all inner unused space, then storage capacity is improved, but the glove box may be caught on a knee of an occupant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamics by implementing a controlled rotational movement mechanism. The housing rotates along a predetermined trajectory defined by links and shafts, ensuring it moves smoothly to an extended position without abrupt movements that could catch on occupant knees, while still accessing maximum storage space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-programming the rotation trajectory through the mechanical linkage system. The housing follows a predetermined path during opening and closing operations, ensuring safe clearance from occupant knees before any extraction occurs, eliminating the knee-catching hazard.
3Ease of operation
If the glove box is opened or closed in a fixed state, then structural simplicity is maintained, but it is inconvenient to insert or remove items into or from the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the housing to rotate and extend outward, creating a dynamic access mechanism. This allows occupants to easily insert and remove items from an extended position that provides better accessibility, while the rotation mechanism maintains overall structural integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the transfer mechanism to serve multiple purposes: it enables extended storage access for convenience, maintains a flush appearance when closed, and provides a controlled movement path for safety. The same mechanism achieves both aesthetic and functional requirements.
4Ease of operation
If the housing is rotated to maximize storage access, then ease of operation is improved, but additional transfer mechanisms and linkages are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the transfer mechanism directly into the housing structure. The links and shafts are combined with the housing walls and dashboard mounting, creating a unified assembly where the mechanism becomes part of the housing itself rather than an add-on, reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses asymmetry in the linkage configuration, with links positioned at different locations and angles on the housing. This asymmetric arrangement enables the rotation movement while maintaining structural efficiency, allowing the mechanism to achieve complex motion with relatively simple individual components.
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 design effectively utilizes previously unused space, enhances storage and retrieval convenience, and prevents the glove box from catching on occupants' knees, while providing stable and secure operation.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member that corrects rotation of the transfer link
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of transfer links each arranged between one of two outer ends of the housing and a corresponding one of two inner ends of the cover to provide a rotational trajectory of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A glove box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cover that is embedded in a dashboard of a vehicle in a state in which a front side of the cover is open, a housing that is accommodated in a state in which one open surface is covered by the cover and that selectively opens or closes the front side of the cover through a preset rotational trajectory, a plurality of transfer links that are arranged between both outer ends of the housing and both inner ends of the cover and transfer the housing along the rotational trajectory, a damper that is connected to the transfer links and corrects a rotational force of the housing, and a locking member that is connected between the cover and the housing and selectively locks the housing from the cover.