Vehicle Storage Compartment Linkage for Drawer Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle storage compartments, such as glove compartments, often lack an efficient mechanism for the drawer to transition between stored and deployed positions, resulting in limited access and potential issues with door operation.
Innovation Solution
A linkage system is introduced that connects the door and drawer, allowing the door's pivot motion to cause sliding movement of the drawer between stored and deployed positions, utilizing link members, guide tracks, and rails to facilitate this transition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a linkage system is introduced to connect the door and drawer, then the drawer can transition smoothly between stored and deployed positions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A linkage system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the door and drawer, comprising link members with drawer posts that engage guide track recesses in the drawer sidewalls. This intermediary structure translates door pivot motion into controlled drawer sliding motion, enabling smooth transitions while maintaining mechanical advantage and preventing reverse operation.
2Ease of operation
If the drawer is allowed to translate outside the interior, then access to stored articles is improved, but the risk of back-driving the linkage system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide track recesses are pre-configured in the drawer sidewalls with specific geometric profiles that engage the drawer posts of the link members. This preliminary design ensures that as the drawer translates outward for access, the engagement geometry inherently prevents reverse motion that could back-drive the linkage, maintaining reliability while enabling full drawer deployment.
3Device complexity
If the drawer is fully integrated within the interior, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the usability and access to stored items is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer is designed to be dynamically positioned rather than fixed, capable of translating between a stored position within the interior and a deployed position where at least a portion extends outside. The linkage system enables this dynamic reconfiguration, allowing the drawer to adapt between integrated and extended states based on access requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle storage compartment includes a frame, a drawer within the frame, a pivoting door, and a linkage system interconnecting the frame, the drawer and the door such that pivot of the door causes sliding of the drawer. The linkage system can include a link having a door post and a drawer post respectively engageable with the door and a guide track on the drawer. The linkage system can also include a projection on the drawer engaging a rail. The door post of the link can be disengaged from the door for movement of the door to a fully-lowered position defined by a stop. The drawer post can be disengaged from the drawer for separation of the drawer from the frame. The link can pivot on a hinge pin and can be translated on the pin for engagement and disengagement of the door and drawer posts.