Vehicle interior component
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle interior components lack a convenient and efficient mechanism for transitioning between retracted and extended positions, such as trays, armrests, and covers, which limits their functionality and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle interior component featuring a base with a protrusion that can extend through an opening, formed by a first layer and a second layer, which can move from a retracted to an extended position, utilizing a track system and interlocking knobs for guided movement, allowing the component to serve as a cantilevered structure like a tray, armrest, or cover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a component is designed to be fixed and stationary, then structural stability is improved, but functionality and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a protrusion that can dynamically transition between retracted and extended positions relative to the base. This dynamic mechanism allows the component to change its configuration based on functional requirements, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and adaptability by maintaining stability in the base while enabling functional variation through the movable protrusion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a component is designed to be extendable and movable, then functionality and adaptability are improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The component is segmented into distinct functional parts: a base and a protrusion that can move relative to the base. This segmentation allows the movable portion to be independently controlled and simplified, reducing overall mechanism complexity while maintaining extendable functionality. The protrusion can be actuated separately from the base, enabling simple motion control.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion is designed to be nestable within or relative to the base when in the retracted position. This nesting arrangement allows the movable component to be compactly stored within the main body when not in use, simplifying the overall device structure while preserving the extendable functionality when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a component transitions between retracted and extended positions, then adaptability and user experience are improved, but loss of time for transition deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical transition mechanisms with a simplified system where the protrusion can be directly actuated relative to the base. This substitution reduces the number of mechanical intermediaries and simplifies the transition process, thereby reducing the time required to move between retracted and extended positions while maintaining user experience benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle interior component is disclosed. The component may comprise a base comprising an opening and first and second layers extending through the opening. The first and second layers may form a structure extending through the opening to an extended position. The first layer may engage the second layer to form the structure. The first layer may separate from the second layer when retracted into the base. The structure may comprise a protrusion formed by the first layer with the second layer to move from a retracted position to the extended position. The protrusion may extend beyond the base by a first distance when the protrusion is retracted and by a second distance greater than the first when the protrusion is extended. The second layer may comprise a bottom; the first layer may comprise a top to couple to the bottom to form the structure as the structure extends.