Storage Console Synchronous Opening Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle storage consoles with pivotable closure members often obstruct rear passengers' access to storage chambers when open, limiting convenience and usability.
Innovation Solution
A storage console design featuring two closure members that rotate mirror-symmetrically along opposite edges, with a latch mechanism and actuator allowing synchronous opening and independent closing, reducing obstruction and enhancing accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If closure members are pivotable along rear edges to enable storage chamber access, then storage chamber accessibility is improved, but obstruction to rear passengers occurs when closure members are open
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into multiple closure members (first closure member and second closure member) that can open in different directions. The first closure member pivots along the rear edge while the second closure member pivots along the front edge, segmenting the closure function to eliminate obstruction to rear passengers while maintaining accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure members are designed with asymmetric pivot locations - one pivoting along the rear edge and another along the front edge. This asymmetric arrangement allows the closure members to open in opposite directions, preventing obstruction to rear passengers while maintaining ease of access to the storage chamber.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If two closure members are used to open in opposite directions, then obstruction to rear passengers is minimized, but device complexity increases due to additional latch mechanism components
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism combines multiple functions into integrated components. The synchronizer couples the first latch member and second latch member to move simultaneously, while the actuator controls both latch members through a single operation. This merging of functions reduces the number of independent control mechanisms needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator serves multiple functions: it can independently actuate the first latch member to lock or unlock the first closure member, independently actuate the second latch member to lock or unlock the second closure member, or simultaneously actuate both latch members through the synchronizer. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate actuators for each closure member.
3Ease of operation
If synchronous opening of both closure members is enabled, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to synchronizer mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronizer acts as an intermediary mechanism between the actuator and the two latch members. When the actuator moves, it transfers motion through the synchronizer to simultaneously move both latch members, enabling synchronous opening without requiring complex coordinated control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage console includes a housing with a storage chamber, two closure members connected to the housing, an actuator movably arranged in the housing and a latch mechanism rotatably connected to the housing. The two closure members can be rotated to open or close the storage chamber. The latch mechanism includes two latch members and a synchronizer connected between the two latch members. The movement of the actuator actuates the two latch members to rotate to a lock position in which the two latch members engage with the two closure members or a release position in which the two latch members are separated from the two closure members. The two closure members of the storage console can be opened synchronously by use of the actuator and closed independently of each other.