Rotatable Vehicle Connector Hub for Multi-Location Port Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive interior console assemblies often conceal electronic ports in compartments, making them inaccessible from multiple locations within the vehicle, which is aesthetically unpleasing and limits user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable electronic connector hub is mounted to a vehicle interior panel, allowing ports to be accessible from within a compartment in one position and from outside in another, with optional intermediate positions for simultaneous access from multiple sides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If electronic ports are concealed within compartments inside the vehicle cabin, then aesthetics are improved, but accessibility to the ports is limited to specific locations
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic connector hub is designed to rotate between a retracted position (concealed within the compartment for aesthetics) and an extended position (accessible from outside the compartment). This dynamic movement allows the same structure to serve both aesthetic and accessibility functions at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector hub extends in a direction perpendicular to the compartment wall, moving from a two-dimensional concealed state to a three-dimensional extended state. This dimensional change allows the ports to be accessible from multiple locations including outside the compartment.
2Shape
If electronic ports are concealed within compartments, then a more stylish console assembly is achieved, but user convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable connector hub transitions between concealed and accessible positions, allowing the design to maintain stylish appearance when not in use while providing convenient access when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector hub serves multiple functions: it maintains aesthetic appearance when retracted, provides access from outside the compartment when extended, and can be accessed from both inside and outside simultaneously at intermediate positions.
3Ease of operation
If the connector hub is rotatable between multiple positions, then accessibility from multiple locations is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A simple rotatable mechanism allows the connector hub to move between retracted, extended, and intermediate positions, providing multi-location accessibility without requiring complex mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector hub is designed as a separate rotatable component that can independently move relative to the compartment, allowing the accessibility function to be added without complicating the overall console assembly structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A console assembly includes a console housing with a storage compartment having a member in a wall that is rotatable between a plurality of positions. The member includes an electronic port for connecting an electronic device that is accessible from within the compartment when the member is rotated to a first position and accessible from outside the compartment when the member is rotated to a second position. A second port may be added to the member such that the member can rotate to an intermediate position where one port is accessible from within the compartment while the second port on the member is simultaneously accessible from the outside of the compartment.