Interlocking Latch Striker Design for Vehicle Glove Box
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glove box assemblies for vehicles lack a secure mechanism to prevent rotation of the striker when outward forces are applied by latch pawls, leading to potential disengagement and instability of the glove compartment door.
Innovation Solution
A striker assembly with an interlocking projection and barbed connectors is integrated into the glove box surround structure, which engages a first interlock structure to prevent rotation and secure the striker in place, utilizing a flange and snap connectors for retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a striker is mounted in the striker opening without an interlocking mechanism, then the assembly is simpler, but the striker can rotate under outward forces from latch pawls
Solution Approach 1:
The interlocking mechanism is divided into separate components: an interlocking projection on the striker and a corresponding interlocking structure in the surround. This segmentation allows the striker to be retained without requiring a completely different design approach, while still preventing rotation through the engaged projection-structure interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking projection acts as an intermediary element between the striker and the surround structure. This intermediate feature transfers and distributes the forces from the latch pawl, preventing direct rotational movement of the striker while maintaining a relatively simple overall assembly.
2Reliability
If conventional fasteners are used to secure the striker, then the retention is more reliable, but the assembly process requires additional fastening steps
Solution Approach 1:
The striker includes self-retaining features such as barbed connectors that automatically engage with corresponding structures in the surround during assembly. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate fastening operations while ensuring reliable retention, thereby improving assembly efficiency without sacrificing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention function is merged into the striker body itself through integrated features like barbed connectors and interlocking projections. By combining the retention mechanism with the striker component, the design eliminates separate fasteners and simplifies the assembly process while maintaining secure attachment.
3Strength
If the striker is secured with multiple barbed connectors, then the retention strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The striker appears to be manufactured as an integrated composite component combining multiple functional features (barbed connectors, interlocking projection, flange) into a single molded or formed part. This composite approach allows multiple retention features to be incorporated simultaneously during manufacturing, reducing assembly steps while maintaining the required retention strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A glove box assembly includes a surround structure having a central opening and a striker opening in the surround structure. The surround structure includes an interlock structure that is spaced inwardly from the striker opening and aligned with the striker opening. A striker is mounted in the striker opening of the surround structure adjacent the central opening. The striker includes an interlocking extension engaging the interlock structure. A glove compartment door is received in the central opening of the surround structure. The glove compartment door includes at least one latch pawl that is configured to releasably engage the striker.