Inertial Lock for Push-Push Vehicle Drawer Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Push-push latched vehicle drawers can unintentionally open during collisions or high g-forces, posing a safety risk as they are unlatched by pushing in a specific direction, which is undesirable in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
An inertia lock system comprising a shaft with an inertia member and a confining member mounted on the drawer housing, which activates to restrict the movement of the rotating latch when high g-forces are applied, ensuring the drawer remains closed by encasing the latch and preventing it from unlatching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a push-push latch mechanism is used for vehicle drawers, then the drawer can be easily opened and closed by user operation, but the drawer may unintentionally open during collisions or high g-force events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an inertial lock mechanism as an intermediary component between the drawer and the push-push latch. This inertial lock includes a confining member that can move between unlocked and locked positions, acting as a mediator that allows normal latch operation while preventing unintended opening during high g-force events. The confining member selectively restricts the rotation of the rotating latch only when inertial forces indicate a collision scenario.
2Reliability
If an inertial lock mechanism is added to prevent drawer opening during collision, then the drawer closure stability during collision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the inertial lock mechanism with the existing push-push latch assembly by integrating the confining member to work in conjunction with the rotating latch. The confining member is positioned to interact with the rotating latch's movement path, and both components are mounted on the same drawer housing structure. This merging approach allows the inertial protection function to be added without requiring a completely separate locking system, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Device complexity
If traditional latch mechanisms are used without inertial protection, then the device complexity is low, but the safety risk during emergency situations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inertial lock mechanism operates autonomously based on inertial forces generated during collision or high g-force events. The confining member automatically moves to the locked position when inertial forces act on the inertia member, without requiring external sensors, actuators, or control systems. This self-service approach provides safety protection while maintaining relatively simple device complexity, as the mechanism relies on passive inertial principles rather than active control 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 inertia lock system effectively maintains the drawer in a closed position during high g-force events, such as collisions, without the need for additional springs or counterforces, enhancing safety by preventing unintended opening.
Implementation Method 1
an inertia member mounted on the shaft; and a confining member mounted on the shaft and disposed opposite to the inertia member. The confining member is configured to move to a position to restrict movement of a rotating latch of the drawer when a g-forced applied to the drawer exceeds a predetermined level.
Data Source
AI summary
Inertial lock systems for push-push latch style vehicle drawers or storage bins including an inertia lock to maintain a drawer in a closed position under a g-force. A shaft is rotatably mounted on a drawer housing; an inertia member is mounted on the shaft; and a confining member is mounted on the shaft and disposed opposite to the inertia member. The confining member is configured to move to a position to restrict movement of a rotating latch of the drawer when a g-forced applied to the drawer exceeds a predetermined level.