Split Wing Armrest Dual Pawl Latch Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle armrest latch mechanisms often require complex arrangements and are not efficiently designed to allow independent actuation of dual armrests, making it difficult to access storage compartments without obstructing the console's flush panel.
Innovation Solution
A dual pawl latch mechanism assembly featuring a pair of pawls on opposite sides of a coupler, with paddles that rotate to cause inward translation of both pawls, allowing independent actuation and disengagement from the console, facilitating access to storage compartments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional latch mechanism is used for dual armrests, then the armrests can be secured to the console, but the mechanism becomes complex and difficult to operate independently
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is segmented into two independent pawls (first pawl and second pawl) that can be actuated separately. Each pawl has its own actuator (first actuator and second actuator) located on opposite sides of the console, allowing independent operation of each armrest latch without requiring a complex integrated mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The first pawl and second pawl are coupled together through a coupler that connects them at a common location. This merging allows the two independent pawls to share a common mounting structure and coordination mechanism, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining independent actuation capability
2Ease of operation
If the armrests are made pivotable for access to storage, then user convenience is improved, but the console panel becomes obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The latch release function is extracted and placed inside the armrest assemblies themselves, with actuators positioned within the armrest structure. This allows the release mechanism to be hidden from view, maintaining the flush panel appearance while enabling easy access to storage compartments through internal actuation
Data Source
AI summary
A latch assembly for a vehicle armrest may include a pair of pawls fixed on opposite sides of a coupler, each pawl including a projection on each end thereof, and a pair of paddles each engaging one of each pawls and configured to cause inward translation of at least one of the pawls in response to an actuation at one of the paddles, wherein an inward translation of one pawl causes, via the coupler, an inward translation of the other pawl to disengage the projections from a console.