Automated Glove Box Actuation via Pin-Arm Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle glove box operation mechanisms are primarily mechanical and lack full automation, making it desirable to develop an automated actuation system for seamlessly opening and closing the glove box door.
Innovation Solution
An automated actuation system comprising a prime mover, pin, and biasing mechanism, where the prime mover moves the pin to engage or disengage with the door's arms, allowing the door to transition between open and closed positions, with optional manual operation in case of prime mover failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a mechanical device is used for glove box operation, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the automation capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional purely mechanical operation system with an automated actuation system that uses a prime mover (motor) to drive the door open and closed. This substitution of mechanical manual operation with an electromechanical system directly addresses the contradiction by improving automation capability while managing system complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation system is designed to perform multiple functions: automatic opening, automatic closing, and manual override capability. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high automation while maintaining simplicity through a unified mechanism that handles both automated and manual operations.
2Ease of operation
If an automated actuation system is implemented, then the operation convenience is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation system operates automatically without requiring user intervention for normal opening and closing operations. The prime mover self-actuates the door through the linkage mechanism, and the biasing mechanism automatically returns components to their initial positions, providing self-service operation that improves convenience while keeping the control system simple.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex multi-stage actuation mechanism, the patent employs a simple reversal approach: the prime mover drives the door in one direction for opening, and the biasing mechanism automatically reverses the motion for closing. This inverted approach simplifies the actuation system while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If the prime mover is made non-self-locking, then the manual operation capability is improved, but the positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a biasing mechanism as an intermediary between the prime mover and the door. This biasing mechanism maintains precise positioning during automated operation by providing continuous force, while simultaneously enabling manual override by allowing users to overcome the biasing force when needed. The intermediary resolves the contradiction between positioning precision and manual operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static self-locking mechanism to a dynamic non-self-locking mechanism with active biasing. The biasing force dynamically adjusts to maintain positioning precision during automated operation, while allowing flexible manual intervention when required. This dynamic approach balances positioning precision with manual operation capability.
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 fully automated operation of the glove box door, ensuring easy access and secure closure, while maintaining functionality even if the prime mover fails, through a reliable and user-friendly mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing mechanism is coupled to the pin to bias the pin into engagement with the arm
Data Source
AI summary
A compartment assembly includes a housing, a door movable relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position, an arm extending from the door having a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface, and an actuation system. The actuation system includes a prime mover and a pin connected to the housing and operably coupled to the door. The pin is movable by the prime mover. A biasing mechanism is coupled to the pin to bias the pin into engagement with the arm. When the door is in the closed position, engagement between the first engagement surface and the pin restricts movement of the door. Engagement between the second engagement surface and the pin opposes the biasing force of the biasing mechanism to allow movement of the door.