Vehicle Storage Push-Button Lever Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage device mechanisms with push-button actuation tend to jam due to the lug of the locking means having difficulty sliding along the button, and they can produce parasitic noises from intermittent contacts during vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
A storage device with a push-button actuation mechanism featuring a lever pivotally mounted on the leaf, where pressing the button causes the lever to pivot via a beveled surface, allowing smooth unlocking without jamming and minimizing noise through a designed separation between the finger and lever ends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a push-button mechanism with a groove is used to actuate the locking means, then the perceived quality is improved, but the mechanism tends to jam because the locking lug has difficulty sliding along the groove
Solution Approach 1:
A lever is introduced as an intermediary element between the push button and the locking means. When the button is pressed, it pivots the lever which then acts on the locking lug to release the locking bolt. This mediator transforms the linear button pressure into rotational lever motion, eliminating the jamming issue of direct linear sliding while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If the free end of the finger and the beveled surface of the lever are in contact, then the actuation is transmitted effectively, but parasitic noises occur due to intermittent contacts during vehicle vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The design pre-establishes a separation distance between the finger's free end and the lever's beveled surface when the locking means are in the locked position. This preliminary spacing prevents unwanted contact and noise generation during vehicle vibrations, while still allowing effective actuation transmission when the button is intentionally pressed.
3Device complexity
If a simple push-button design is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the locking mechanism may block or jam during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The lever is designed to pivot dynamically when the button is pressed, transforming the static push-button structure into a dynamic system. This pivoting motion converts linear force into rotational motion, enabling reliable actuation of the locking means without increasing overall device complexity, as the lever serves multiple functional roles.
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 mechanism ensures reliable and jam-free operation of the locking means, reducing the risk of mechanical issues and noise from vibrations, while maintaining a simple design with minimal components.
Implementation Method 1
a lever pivotally mounted on said opening along an axis perpendicular to the axis of translation of said push button and capable of being pivoted when said push button is pressed into the retracted position
Implementation Method 2
said push button includes a finger having a free end arranged to bear, when said button is pressed into the retracted position, against a beveled surface of said lever so as to cause it to pivot
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a storage device comprising an opening panel (20) which is mounted on a body (10) such that it moves between an open position providing access to a storage compartment and a closed position, said opening panel comprising: locking means (41, 42) that can be moved between a locked position in which they can cooperate with complementary means (12) arranged on the body in order to hold the opening panel in the closed position, and an unlocked position in which they allow the opening panel to move from the closed position to the open position; and an actuating mechanism (50) allowing the locking means to be driven into the locked position and comprising a push-button (60) that can move between a projecting position and a retracted position, said mechanism (50) comprising a lever (51) which is pivotably mounted on the opening panel and can be driven when the button is pressed such as to cause the locking means to move into the unlocked position.