Vehicle Lid Lock Compact Design via Extracted Indexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lid lock devices for motor vehicle glove boxes are oversized and have complex surface configurations due to the need for a full-open stopper wall, which complicates the housing design and increases size.
Innovation Solution
A lid lock device with a hook member and elastic biasing unit, where a raised portion on the hook member interacts with a control member to control the hook's position, preventing protrusion and allowing for compact design, featuring a translating unit to move the control member between closing and opening positions, and an elastic arm to maintain alignment with the biasing direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a full-open stopper wall is provided to control the rotational positions of the latch, then the latch can be properly indexed, but the lock device size increases and the housing surface configuration becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the indexing control function from the housing surface and relocates it to the control member. The control member includes a raised portion that interacts with recessed portions on the hook member to provide indexing control, while the housing surface remains smooth and simple. This separation of functions resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable latch indexing without complicating the housing configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The control member acts as an intermediary between the translating unit and the hook member. It receives translational motion from the translating unit and converts it into controlled rotational motion of the hook member through the interaction between the raised portion on the control member and the recessed portions on the hook member. This intermediary mechanism enables precise indexing control without requiring complex housing features.
2Reliability
If a full-open stopper wall is provided to control the rotational positions of the latch, then the latch can be properly indexed, but the lock device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the indexing control function from the housing structure and integrates it into the control member. The raised portion on the control member works with recessed portions on the hook member to provide indexing control within the existing device footprint, eliminating the need for a protruding stopper wall and reducing the overall lock device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The control member's raised portion is nested within the space defined by the hook member's recessed portions. This nested arrangement allows the indexing control mechanism to be compact and integrated within the existing device boundaries, avoiding the need for additional external space that would increase the lock device volume.
3Ease of operation
If the control member is translated to the opening corresponding position, then the hook member can be operated against biasing force, but the raised portion must enter the recessed portion precisely
Solution Approach 1:
The control member is designed to be self-aligning with the hook member through the interaction between the raised portion and recessed portions. As the control member translates, the raised portion naturally guides itself into the recessed portion through the mechanical interaction and biasing force, eliminating the need for high-precision manufacturing tolerances. The system self-corrects minor misalignments through the inherent mechanical guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs elastic biasing units that change the force parameters during operation. The biasing force increases as the control member approaches the opening position, ensuring that the raised portion enters the recessed portion with sufficient force to overcome friction and manufacturing tolerances. This dynamic parameter change enables reliable engagement without requiring extremely precise manufacturing.
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 solution reduces the size of the lock device and simplifies the housing surface configuration by eliminating unnecessary protrusions, ensuring reliable operation and easy assembly while preventing loosening of the control member.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic biasing unit for biasing the hook member in a direction in which the hook member is brought into engagement with the lock portion
Implementation Method 2
an elastic arm provided between the control member and the housing, the elastic arm pushing the control member in a same direction as a biasing direction of the hook member by the elastic biasing unit
Data Source
AI summary
A lid lock device includes: a housing fixed to either of a lid and a box; a hook member engaged with and disengaged from a lock portion; an elastic biasing unit for biasing the hook member; a control member for controlling the movement of the hook member; and a translating unit for translating the control member, wherein: the hook member includes: a hook portion which is brought into direct engagement with and disengagement from the lock portion; and an operating portion for translating the hook portion from a closing corresponding state to an opening corresponding state; a first wall and a second wall are provided on either of the hook member and the control member; a recessed portion is formed on either of the walls; and a raised portion is formed on the other of the hook member and the control member.