Rotating Vehicle Glove Box Assembly for Deep Storage Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional glove boxes in vehicles face issues with limited storage capacity and difficulty in closing due to dead spaces formed in the rear and upper portions of the dashboard, especially when accommodating large or heavy items, leading to jamming and requiring excessive force.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle glove box assembly with a rotating mechanism that utilizes a combination of rotation guides, cam parts, and elastic members to enhance storage capacity by utilizing dead spaces, allowing easy opening and closing of the housing using a rotating member and elastic forces to manage heavy loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the housing is made deeper to increase storage capacity, then the storage volume is improved, but the rear upper corner of the housing collides with the inner upper surface of the dashboard when rotated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidopening/closing operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the opening direction from horizontal rotation to vertical rotation. The housing rotates downward about a hinge shaft positioned at the lower rear side, utilizing the vertical dimension to avoid collision with the dashboard's inner upper surface while maintaining deep storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the housing is made deeper to increase storage capacity, then the storage volume is improved, but a dead space is unavoidably formed behind the housing in the dashboard

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoiddead space
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By changing from horizontal to vertical rotation, the patent allows the housing to extend deeper into the dashboard without creating rear dead space. The vertical rotation path enables the housing to utilize the full depth of the dashboard cavity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the housing is withdrawn to open the glove box, then accessibility is improved, but driving necessities or other stuffs are jammed in the entrance region of the dashboard

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidjamming
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of withdrawing the housing forward to open it, the patent inverts the opening motion to rotate the housing downward. This reversal of the opening direction eliminates the jamming problem that occurs when items are pulled forward during horizontal withdrawal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Quantity of substance

If many objects or heavy objects are accommodated in the housing, then storage capacity is improved, but excessive force must be applied by the user to close the glove box

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidclosing force
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a spring mechanism that provides elastic force to counterbalance the weight of objects in the housing. The spring is configured to assist closing the housing, reducing the effort required by the user even when heavy objects are stored inside.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 assembly significantly increases storage capacity by utilizing rear and upper dashboard spaces and facilitates easy closure even with heavy items, reducing the need for excessive force and preventing jamming.

Implementation Method 1

a rotation guide part which is coupled to the rotating member to guide a rotation direction of the rotating member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3971032B1Vehicle glove box assembly
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 HYUNDAI MOBIS CO LTD
  • EP3971032B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3971032B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3971032B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5B

AI summary

In the present invention, a rotating member (400) includes a first rotation link (410) of which one end is coupled to a lower portion of a cover (200) and the other end is coupled to an upper portion of a housing (300) and a second rotation link (420) of which one end is coupled to the lower portion of the cover and the other end is coupled to the upper portion of the housing.