Vehicular Storage Box Locking Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicular storage solutions, such as glove boxes and console bins, lack sufficient security and storage space, and aftermarket options are often heavy and costly, impacting fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular storage box fabricated from high-strength materials like engineered plastics or polymer matrix composites, featuring a locking assembly with a central locking wheel, pawls, and a solenoid switch, which can be activated via wireless or mechanical interfaces for enhanced security and space efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional materials (metal, wood) are used for storage boxes, then strength and security are improved, but weight increases reducing fuel efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining polymer matrix (thermoplastic or thermoset) with reinforcement fibers (glass, carbon, or aramid) to create a material that provides both high strength and low weight. The composite structure achieves strength comparable to metal while maintaining the weight advantages of polymers, directly resolving the contradiction between strength and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by selecting specific polymer matrices (epoxy, polyester, vinyl ester) and reinforcement combinations to optimize the strength-to-weight ratio. By adjusting the fiber content, orientation, and type, the material properties are tuned to provide sufficient security strength while minimizing weight impact on fuel efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If simple latches are used for storage boxes, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened as they are easy to defeat
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple independent pawls (typically 3-4) that engage with corresponding slots in the box body. This segmentation provides redundancy - if one pawl is defeated, others remain engaged - thereby improving security while each individual pawl remains simple to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism uses spring-loaded pawls that can dynamically engage and disengage. The springs provide automatic engagement force and allow the pawls to flex during operation, making the system both secure (resistant to forced entry) and easy to operate (automatic engagement upon closing).
3Ease of operation
If glove boxes and console bins are used, then ease of operation is improved, but storage space and security are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the storage function from the integrated vehicle console or glove box structure and implements it as a separate, dedicated storage box. This extraction allows for optimized space utilization in the trunk or cargo area while maintaining easy access, and enables the use of superior locking mechanisms that would be impractical in integrated vehicle structures.
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 solution provides secure, lightweight storage with improved space utilization and fuel efficiency by using high-strength materials and innovative locking mechanisms, surpassing conventional storage solutions in security and weight considerations.
Implementation Method 1
The locking assembly comprises a central locking wheel connected to a linkage, a plurality of pawls for each of at least three of the sides of the compartment, and a solenoid switch. The solenoid switch is connected to the linkage to move the wheel to drive the plurality of pawls into and out of the at least three of the sides of the compartment
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular storage box that includes a compartment for holding articles, the compartment comprising four sides, a bottom and a top lid. The compartment is fabricated from an engineered plastic or a polymer matrix composite. The box further includes a locking assembly situated within the lid. The locking assembly comprises a central locking wheel connected to a linkage, a plurality of pawls for each of at least three of the sides of the compartment, and a solenoid switch. The locking wheel is movably connected to the plurality of pawls. Further, the solenoid switch is connected to the linkage to move the wheel to drive the plurality of pawls into and out of the at least three of the sides of the compartment into a respective locked position of the lid and an unlocked position of the lid.