Vehicle Storage Part With External Actuator Locking to Preserve Volume

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage parts in vehicles suffer from reduced volume due to the inclusion of actuators that control the locking state, compromising user convenience and storage capacity.

Innovation Solution

A storage part design that includes a separate actuator system, utilizing a transmission member to connect the actuator to the locking part, allowing the actuator to be positioned outside the storage part, thus maintaining volume and enhancing user convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an actuator is provided inside the storage part to control the locking state, then user convenience is improved, but the storage volume is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking control convenienceVSAvoidstorage part volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two separate components: the storage part (40) and the actuator (80). The actuator is provided separately from the storage part, allowing the storage part to maintain its full volume while the locking control function is still achieved through the separate actuator that operates on the locking part (70).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator (80) is extracted from the storage part (40) and positioned separately. This extraction eliminates the volume occupation within the storage part while preserving the locking control functionality through the transmission member (85) that connects the separate actuator to the locking part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If an actuator is integrated into the storage part, then locking control is achieved, but the storage part appearance and portability are compromised due to protrusions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking control functionalityVSAvoidstorage part appearance and portability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the actuator from the storage part, the actuator can be positioned in locations that do not compromise the storage part's appearance or portability, while still achieving the locking control function through the transmission mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator is taken out from the storage part structure, eliminating any protrusions or shape modifications needed to accommodate the actuator within the storage part, thereby preserving the storage part's original appearance and portability characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Volume of moving object

If the actuator is positioned outside the storage part, then storage volume is maintained, but the connection between actuator and locking part becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage part volumeVSAvoidtransmission mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A transmission member (85) is introduced as an intermediary element to connect the separately positioned actuator (80) to the locking part (70). This transmission member enables the transfer of motion and force from the actuator to the locking mechanism while allowing flexible positioning of the actuator outside the storage part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4596378A1Storage part
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4596378A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4596378A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4596378A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A storage part (40) includes a storage part main body (42) having an opening, an opening/closing part (50) configured to releasably close the opening of the storage part main body (42), a buckle (55) configured to open and close the storage part (40), and a locking part (70) which is configured to maintain the opening/closing part (50) in a closed state and which is unlocked by a driving of an actuator (80) provided separately from the storage part (40). The locking part (70) has a locked part provided on the buckle (55), and a lever which is driven by the actuator (80) and which has a locking claw locked to the locked part.