Sliding Center Console Lid Latch for Intuitive Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lid devices require visual confirmation and are cumbersome to operate, particularly in vehicles, making it difficult to open the lid device while driving.

Innovation Solution

A lid device with a lower lid and an upper lid that slides and moves orthogonally, featuring a latch body, biasing means, and a switching member to intuitively open and close the lid device, allowing for easy operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a button part is provided on the side part of the lid main unit for opening, then the lid device can be opened, but it requires visual confirmation and is difficult to operate while driving or from rear seat

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of operationVSAvoidDevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The button part is extracted from the lid main unit and replaced with a sliding operation of the upper lid itself. The upper lid's movement directly activates the switching member, eliminating the need for a separate button component and simplifying the operation to an intuitive sliding motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The upper lid serves dual functions: it acts as both the cover and the operating mechanism. By sliding the upper lid, the user directly actuates the switching member through the linking member, making the lid itself self-operating without requiring separate controls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a button part is provided on the side part of the lid main unit for opening, then the lid device can be opened, but it is not easy to operate from a rear seat side

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of operationVSAvoidProductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The opening operation is moved from a lateral button press (side dimension) to a longitudinal sliding motion along the length of the upper lid. This dimensional change allows users to operate the lid from various positions, including the rear seat, by sliding the upper lid toward the front.

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

3Ease of operation

If the upper lid is made to slide and move orthogonally to open the lid, then opening becomes intuitive, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of operationVSAvoidDevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding motion of the upper lid and the actuation of the switching member are merged into a single motion. The linking member directly transmits the sliding motion to the switching member, combining the opening action with the latch release action in one unified movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The upper lid serves multiple functions: it acts as the cover, the operating handle, and the actuator for the switching member. The linking member also serves dual purposes by connecting both the upper lid and the switching member while transmitting force and motion between them.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 lid device can be easily and intuitively opened and closed, providing a high-quality appearance and enhancing usability.

Implementation Method 1

a biasing means that biases so that a latch end of the latch body is always in a position to engage the latch receiver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4101699B1Lid device and center console box
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 NIFCO INC
  • EP4101699B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4101699B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4101699B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The lid device includes a latch body for a latch receiver provided in an opening forming body, an urging device that urges the latch body to always be in a position of being engaged with the latch receiver, and a switching member that is movably provided on a lid lower and that disengages the latch body and the latch receiver in a forward portion. A lid upper is combined with the lid lower so as to be able to slidably move in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the rotation center axis of the lid cover. Also provided is a linking member that links the lid upper and the lid lower so that the switching member is moved to the forward position when the lid upper is movably operated toward the rotation center axis of the lid lower.