Vehicle Interior Storage Cover Tab Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle interior storage compartments often generate noise and rattle due to vibrations, and they can move excessively when closed, which is undesirable for user experience.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle interior component featuring a housing with a tab and a cover that is pivotally coupled, where the tab exerts a force against the cover in the closed position to secure it and prevent disengagement, using a leaf spring or spring wire biasing member to maintain the cover in place and reduce noise and rattling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cover is pivotally coupled to the housing for movement between closed and open positions, then accessibility is improved, but the cover generates noise and rattle due to vehicle vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary cushioning by incorporating a biasing member (spring) that pre-complies with vehicle vibrations. The spring is configured to absorb vibrational energy before it can cause the cover to rattle against the housing, thereby cushioning the system in advance against harmful vibrations while preserving the pivotal movement functionality
2Ease of operation
If the storage compartment is designed to be movable for access, then usability is improved, but the compartment moves excessively when closed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the cover-housing system by introducing a biasing member that applies a controlled force. This force parameter keeps the cover biased toward the closed position, limiting excessive movement while still allowing intentional opening. The spring constant and pre-load force are selected to provide just enough restraint to prevent excessive movement without interfering with normal operation
3Stability of the object's composition
If a latch is added to secure the cover in the closed position, then stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex latch mechanism and replaces it with a simpler biasing member (spring) that provides sufficient securing force through elastic restoration. Instead of a multi-component latch system, the spring alone provides the necessary force to keep the cover securely closed while allowing easy opening when needed, thereby reducing overall device complexity
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 effectively prevents the storage compartment from moving excessively and reduces noise and rattling during vehicle vibrations, providing a secure and quiet storage solution.
Implementation Method 1
The tab may comprise a leaf spring. The component may comprise at least one of (a) a storage assembly, (b) a sunglass bin, (c) a console.
Implementation Method 2
The component may comprise a latch configured to secure the cover to the housing in the closed position. The tab may be configured to at least partially prevent disengagement of the latch.
Data Source
AI summary
A component for a vehicle interior is disclosed. The component may comprise a housing comprising a tab and a cover coupled to the housing for movement between a closed position and an open position. The tab may exert a force against the cover when closed. The tab may be integrally formed with the housing. The tab may comprise a first portion coupled to the housing and a second portion comprising an arcuate protrusion to exert the force against the cover. The component may comprise a latch to secure the cover to the housing when closed. The tab may prevent latch disengagement. The tab may comprise a leaf spring. The component may comprise a biasing member coupled to the housing to exert a force against the cover through the tab when the cover is closed. The component may comprise a storage assembly, a sunglass bin or a console.