Glovebox Interlocking Downstop Resolving Disengagement Effort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glovebox assemblies face challenges in balancing ease of installation and removal for maintenance with the need to withstand customer abuse loads, as they often require high disengagement effort and may be prone to damage.
Innovation Solution
A glovebox assembly with an interlocking downstop mechanism featuring a stalk and head, where the interlock feature overlaps the stalk adjacent to the head, providing low disengagement effort during installation and maintenance while resisting abuse loads through a radiused cam and angled features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional downstop design is used, then the glovebox can withstand abuse loads, but the disengagement effort is high and installation/removal is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The downstop assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones: the stalk provides structural support, the head with retention feature engages the cam for normal operation, and the separate interlock feature engages with the support substrate to prevent excessive displacement. This segmentation allows each element to specialize in one function, reducing overall disengagement effort while maintaining abuse load resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlock feature acts as an intermediary element between the downstop stalk and the support substrate. It provides a dedicated engagement point that prevents the stalk from disengaging under abuse loads, while allowing controlled movement during normal installation and removal operations. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by mediating between the need for easy operation and robustness.
2Ease of repair
If the downstop is designed for easy removal, then maintenance is simplified, but the structure becomes weaker and more prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the downstop assembly have different mechanical properties and engagement characteristics. The stalk provides structural strength, the retention feature on the head engages the cam for normal retention, and the interlock feature provides localized engagement with the support substrate. This local differentiation of qualities allows the structure to be both easy to maintain and sufficiently strong.
Solution Approach 2:
The downstop assembly incorporates dynamic engagement characteristics. The interlock feature is designed to engage and disengage at specific displacement points, allowing easy removal under controlled conditions while providing automatic engagement under abuse loads. This dynamic behavior enables the structure to adapt its strength characteristics based on the operational state.
3Reliability
If the interlock feature is positioned to prevent disengagement, then abuse load resistance improves, but the complexity of the assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interlock feature is merged with the existing downstop stalk structure rather than being a completely separate component. It utilizes the same material and basic geometry as the stalk, extending its functionality without adding a entirely new assembly. This merging approach maintains abuse load resistance while minimizing the increase in overall assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The stalk serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the retention feature for normal operation, and incorporates the interlock feature for abuse load protection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in assembly complexity while achieving improved reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A glovebox assembly includes a support substrate, a glovebox rotationally displaceable with respect to the support substrate, a downstop carried on the support substrate and an interlock feature carried on the support substrate. The downstop includes a stalk and a head. The interlock feature overlaps the stalk adjacent the head.