Pivoting Glove Box Activity Surface for Passenger Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glove box designs in motor vehicles do not provide sufficient flexibility or functionality for passenger use, limiting the comfort and enjoyment of passengers by not offering additional activity surfaces without compromising storage space.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting element integrated with the glove box that can move between idle and active positions, providing an activity surface while maintaining storage functionality, and optionally including a flexible outer cover to conceal joint structures and enhance aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional glove box design is used, then storage functionality is provided, but passenger comfort and flexibility are insufficient due to lack of additional activity surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The glove box arrangement integrates multiple functions into a single structure: the glove box serves both as a storage compartment and as a support surface for passengers. The pivoting element can be positioned to provide an activity surface for passengers while the glove box maintains its storage capability, allowing the same structure to fulfill multiple purposes throughout the day.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting element enables dynamic reconfiguration of the glove box assembly. It can rotate between a first position where it supports the glove box for storage and a second position where it provides an activity surface for passengers. This dynamic movement allows the structure to adapt to different usage scenarios, enhancing both versatility and passenger comfort.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a pivoting element is added to provide activity surfaces, then passenger versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting element is integrally molded on the glove box in a smooth and seamless fashion, merging two functional components into what appears to be a single unit. This integration reduces the perceived complexity while maintaining the dynamic functionality, as the pivoting mechanism is incorporated within the overall glove box structure rather than being an separate add-on component.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible outer cover surrounds the joint structure, providing a pliable masking layer that conceals the mechanical complexity of the pivoting mechanism. This flexible cover maintains the aesthetic appearance of a simple, clean design while allowing the complex pivoting joint to function underneath, effectively hiding the device complexity from view.
3Ease of manufacture
If the joint structure is exposed, then mechanical functionality is accessible, but safety is reduced due to pinching or injury risks
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible outer cover completely surrounds the joint structure, creating a protective envelope that prevents passenger contact with the mechanical components. This flexible shell moves with the pivoting element, maintaining coverage throughout the range of motion, and eliminates pinching or injury risks while allowing the joint mechanism to function freely underneath.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible outer cover acts as an intermediary barrier between the passenger and the joint structure. It transmits the motion of the pivoting element while simultaneously protecting passengers from direct contact with the mechanical joint, thus mediating between the need for mechanical functionality and the requirement for passenger safety.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the glove box and pivoting element are visually separated, then functional independence is achieved, but aesthetic appearance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting element is integrally molded on the glove box with smooth transitions and seamless joints, merging the visual appearance of two functionally independent components. This integration creates the perception of a single, cohesive unit while the internal mechanisms maintain functional independence, allowing each component to operate autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer surfaces of the glove box and pivoting element share consistent material properties, coloring, and surface textures, creating visual homogeneity. This uniform appearance across both components enhances aesthetic coherence while the underlying structures maintain their functional independence through the pivoting connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A glove box arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a glove box and a pivoting element. The pivoting element can be moved between an idle position and an active position and includes an activity surface that is covered toward an exterior space in the idle position and accessible from the exterior space in the active position. In a dashboard arrangement, a crossbeam extends horizontally and transverse to a driving direction and includes a dashboard. A clearance area of the crossbeam extends in an exterior space that surrounds the dashboard and a glove box arrangement is mounted on the crossbeam in the clearance area. In a passenger compartment arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a front passenger seat and a glove box arrangement or with a dashboard arrangement. The glove box arrangement is arranged in the region of the front passenger seat.