Vehicle Storage Lid Bistable Spring Lever Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle storage assemblies with hooks can injure users' hands when the lid returns to its closed position under its own weight, and they may obstruct the driver's field of vision by not allowing a permanent open position.
Innovation Solution
A storage unit with a bi-stable spring that moves a lever between locking and release positions, allowing manual operation to open the lid without aggressive elements that can harm users, and a compact design to fit in shallow spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hook is used on the lid to enable automatic closing, then the lid can return to closed position under its own weight, but the hook can injure a user's hand when the lid returns to closed position
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful hook element is completely removed from the lid structure. Instead of having a hook on the lid that could injure users, the patent uses a lever mechanism with a locking member that engages with a recess in the storage body, eliminating the dangerous protruding element while maintaining automatic closing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A lever is introduced as an intermediary mechanical element between the lid and the locking mechanism. The lever translates the lid's downward motion into rotational motion that engages or disengages the locking member from the recess, providing a safe intermediate mechanism that avoids direct contact between the lid and user's hands.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the lid is equipped with a hook for automatic closing, then the lid folds back to closed position, but the hook creates aggressive elements that limit design options
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the lid carry the active locking element (hook), the invention inverts the approach by placing the locking member on the lid that passively engages with a recess in the storage body. The lever, rather than the lid itself, provides the active mechanical action, inverting which component carries which function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a lever mechanism is used instead of a hook, then hand injury risk is eliminated, but the mechanism requires more space for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The lever mechanism operates in a different spatial dimension - rotating in a horizontal plane rather than requiring vertical space. The lever pivots around an axis perpendicular to the lid's closing direction, allowing the mechanism to function within the shallow depth of the storage compartment while maintaining safety.
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 prevents hand injuries and allows for easy operation of the storage unit, ensuring the lid can fold back to its closed position without obstructing the driver's view, while maintaining a compact and lightweight design.
Implementation Method 1
a bi-stable spring of the locking device urges the lever selectively towards the locking position or towards the release position
Implementation Method 2
The lid then moves from its closed position to its open position by rotating it upwards. In this case, provision is made for the cover to fold down towards its closed position under the effect of its own weight
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The arrangement (1) has a lid (13) movable between an open position and a closed position relative to a storage body (7). A locking mechanism (15) comprises a lever (33) and a locking element (35). The lever is movable between a locking position and a release position relative to the body. The lever cooperates with the locking element for locking the lid in the locking position, and the lid is freely moved from the closed position to the open position relative to the body in the release position. A bistable spring (37) selectively urges the lever towards the locking or release position.