Glove Compartment Damping with Elastic Stop-Controlled Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing damping apparatuses for glove compartments are complex, prone to failure, difficult to adapt to different models, and costly to manufacture, failing to provide a non-linear damping effect effectively.
Innovation Solution
A damping apparatus utilizing an elastic element, such as an elastic band, with a stopping apparatus that contacts and deforms the elastic element, changing its damping effect, allowing for easy adaptation to different glove compartment models and low manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oil dampers are used to achieve non-linear damping effect, then the damping performance is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex oil dampers with inexpensive elastic elements (such as rubber bands or springs) that can be easily replaced. These elastic elements provide the necessary damping force through their elastic properties, eliminating the need for complex hydraulic or pneumatic systems while maintaining reliable damping performance throughout the glove compartment's operational life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the complex mechanical oil damper system with a simpler elastic element-based system. The elastic elements store and release mechanical energy to provide damping, replacing the need for oil-based hydraulic mechanisms, pistons, and seals, thereby significantly reducing construction complexity while maintaining damping effectiveness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If oil dampers with adjustable oil types and opening diameters are used, then the adaptability to different damping requirements is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs elastic elements that can serve multiple damping requirements across different glove compartment models. By varying the elastic element's material properties, dimensions, or configuration, the same basic design can adapt to different damping needs without requiring model-specific complex damper assemblies, thus achieving universality while keeping construction simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves adaptability to different damping requirements by changing parameters of the elastic elements, such as material composition, cross-sectional area, length, or pre-tension, rather than changing the fundamental damper structure. This allows the same elastic element design to be adapted to various damping needs by simple parameter adjustment, maintaining low complexity while ensuring versatility.
3Speed
If oil dampers are used to control opening speed, then the damping effect is improved, but the ease of manufacture and adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive elastic elements that are easy to manufacture and replace, controlling the opening speed of the glove compartment flap through their elastic recoil force. These elements can be produced using simple molding or fabrication processes, unlike precision-manufactured oil dampers, thereby significantly improving ease of manufacture while maintaining effective speed control.
4Manufacturing precision
If complex oil damper systems are used, then the damping precision is improved, but the reliability decreases due to proneness to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical oil damper system with a simpler elastic element system that has fewer moving parts, seals, and potential failure points. The elastic elements provide sufficient damping precision through their inherent elastic properties without requiring precision-manufactured components, thereby improving reliability by eliminating common failure modes associated with complex mechanical systems.
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 proposed damping apparatus achieves a non-linear damping effect, effectively controlling the opening speed of glove compartment flaps while being inexpensive, easy to manufacture, and adaptable to various models.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element (102) which is designed so as to be stretched by a relative movement of two components (101, 103) that are movable in relation to one another, wherein a damping effect of the relative movement of the components is produced
Implementation Method 2
a stopping apparatus (110) which is designed so as to contact the elastic element (102) during the relative movement of the two movable components (101, 103) and to deform such that, from the start of the contact, there results a change in the damping effect caused by the elastic element (102)
Data Source
AI summary
A damping apparatus for glove compartments, includes the following: an elastic element designed so as to be stretched by a relative movement of two components that are movable in relation to one another, whereby a damping effect of the relative movement of the components is produced; a stopping apparatus designed so as to contact the elastic element during the relative movement of the two movable components and to deform such that, from the start of the contact, there results a change in the damping effect caused by the elastic element.