Sliding Console Lever Mechanism With Inertial Lockout

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a device that allows users to easily lock or unlock sliding consoles in vehicles, particularly to facilitate the efficient use of interior space with the development of autonomous driving technology.

Innovation Solution

A lever device for a sliding console that includes a housing fastened to the cover of the sliding console, a knob for pressing to release locking, an operation rod that slides with the knob's operation, and a power transmission unit that rotates to slide the operation rod, thereby operating the locking mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a sliding console is used to efficiently utilize interior space in autonomous driving vehicles, then space utilization is improved, but the risk of accidental unlocking during sudden stops or collisions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidlocking stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inertial stopper is pre-positioned to automatically engage when sudden acceleration or deceleration occurs, preventing the operation rod from moving and thus preventing accidental unlocking during collisions or sudden stops

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The inertial stopper acts as an intermediary safety mechanism between the operation rod and the locking mechanism, intercepting unintended movements caused by inertial forces during sudden vehicle motion changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a complex locking mechanism is used to ensure safety during sudden stops, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking stabilityVSAvoidunlocking convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The inertial stopper function is extracted as a separate, independent safety component that automatically engages/disengages based on vehicle motion, without requiring user intervention or complicating the manual unlocking operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The inertial stopper is a self-activating device that automatically responds to vehicle acceleration or deceleration forces, engaging to prevent accidental unlocking without requiring any user action, and automatically disengaging when normal conditions resume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 lever device enhances user convenience by allowing easy release of the sliding console's locking mechanism through a simple knob press, while also preventing accidental unlocking during sudden vehicle stops or collisions, thus ensuring safety.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member inserted into the guide bar to be disposed between the knob body and the housing and configured to apply an elastic force to the knob body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a pinion gear part rotatably fastened to the housing and engaged with the rack gear part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Implementation Method 3

a rack gear part protruding from the knob body and having gear teeth in a same direction as a movement direction of the knob body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRack and pinion: Rack and Pinion

Implementation Method 4

an inertial stopper provided in the housing and configured to lock the knob to prevent the knob from sliding when being rotated by an inertial force beyond a certain level

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertial force: Inertia

Data Source

PatentEP4566889A1Lever device for sliding console
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 ECO PLASTIC CORP
  • EP4566889A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4566889A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4566889A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a lever device for a sliding console provided in a sliding console slidable along a fixed rail provided in a vehicle, and configured to operate an operation lever so that locking is released from the fixed rail, and the lever device for a sliding console provided in a sliding console slidable along a fixed rail provided in a vehicle and configured to operate an operation lever to release locking of the fixed rail, includes: a housing fastened to a cover of the sliding console; a knob slidingly fastened to the housing; an operation rod configured to slide in correspondence with an operation of the knob and allowing the operation lever to be fastened to an end thereof to operate the operation lever; and a power transmission unit rotatably fastened to the housing and configured to rotate in correspondence with an operation of the knob to slide the operation rod. With this configuration, the user's convenience may be improved since locking of the sliding console may be easily released by pressing a knob provided in a cover of a sliding cover.