Power-Slide Vehicle Compartment Latching With Fewer Mechanisms

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle storage compartments require both automation mechanisms and latch mechanisms, leading to increased cost, complexity, and reduced reliability.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle storage assembly that includes a compartment housing with a controller for automated movement between open and closed configurations, and an activation and latch mechanism allowing manual closure, which latches the compartment in a closed position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If both automation mechanism and latch mechanism are used, then the compartment can be automatically moved and secured, but cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated compartment movementVSAvoidnumber of mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the latch mechanism and automation mechanism into a single integrated system. The latch mechanism serves dual purposes: it manually secures the compartment when closed and also works in conjunction with the automation mechanism for powered operation. This merging eliminates the need for separate, redundant mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining automated functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The latch mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be manually operated to secure the compartment, and it also interfaces with the automation mechanism for powered closing and opening operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated components for each operation mode, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Extent of automation

If both automation mechanism and latch mechanism are used, then the compartment can be automatically moved and secured, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated compartment movementVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the latch mechanism and automation mechanism into a single integrated system. The latch mechanism serves dual purposes: it manually secures the compartment when closed and also works in conjunction with the automation mechanism for powered operation. This merging eliminates the need for separate, redundant mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining automated functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Extent of automation

If both automation mechanism and latch mechanism are used, then the compartment can be automatically moved and secured, but system reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated compartment movementVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the latch mechanism and automation mechanism into a single integrated system. The latch mechanism serves dual purposes: it manually secures the compartment when closed and also works in conjunction with the automation mechanism for powered operation. This merging eliminates the need for separate, redundant mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining automated functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250115190A1Power-slide vehicle compartments

Publication Date: 2025.04.10 TESLA INC

AI summary

A vehicle storage assembly (12) is provided that includes a compartment housing (20) having an opening and a compartment (22) proximate to the opening and configured to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration. A controller (36) can receive an input signal and automate movement of the compartment (22) between the open configuration and the closed configuration. An activation and latch mechanism (14) allows a user to manually move the compartment to the closed configuration. The manual movement of the compartment by the user towards the closed configuration latches the compartment (22) in a latch position when the compartment (22) reaches the closed configuration.