A console apparatus for an automobile includes: a console main body (11), disposed between a left seat and a right seat of the automobile; arm rests (15a, 15b), supported at the console main body (11) in a manner of being capable of sliding in the front-rear direction of the automobile; a locking unit, locking the forward slide of the arm rests (15a, 15b) when the arm rests (15a, 15b) are located at a moving rear end position (P2); an unlocking unit, unlocking the arm rests (15a, 15b) locked by the locking unit at the moving rear end position (P2) according to an unlocking operation; and a force applying unit, applying a forward force to the arm rests (15a, 15b) when the arm rests (15a, 15b) are located at the moving rear end position (P2).

A console apparatus for an automobile includes: a console main body (11), disposed between a left seat and a right seat of the automobile; arm rests (15a, 15b), supported at the console main body (11) in a manner of being capable of sliding in the front-rear direction of the automobile; a locking unit, locking the forward slide of the arm rests (15a, 15b) when the arm rests (15a, 15b) are located at a moving rear end position (P2); an unlocking unit, unlocking the arm rests (15a, 15b) locked by the locking unit at the moving rear end position (P2) according to an unlocking operation; and a force applying unit, applying a forward force to the arm rests (15a, 15b) when the arm rests (15a, 15b) are located at the moving rear end position (P2).

A double opening storage device includes: a box body; a lid member; an open/close mechanism for opening/closing the lid member around a first or second rotation shaft; and an actuation device provided at the lid member and receiving power from the box body side via a wiring member. The open/close mechanism has a hinge member having one end supported swingably around the first rotation shaft by the lid member and another end supported swingably around the second rotation shaft by the box body. In opening/closing the lid member around the first rotation shaft, the hinge member stays at the box body without following the lid member, and in opening/closing the lid member around the second rotation shaft, the hinge member swings from the box body, following the lid member. The wiring member has a hinge wiring portion extending and wired along the hinge member between the one and other ends.

Method and apparatus are provided for a multidirectional opening storage cover. The apparatus includes a storage cover having a right side, a left side, a front side, and a rear side, a first latch on the left side of the storage cover, a second latch on the front side of the storage cover, a third latch on the right side of the storage cover, a fourth latch on the rear side of the storage cover, a first switch on the left side of the storage cover operative to disengage the first latch, second latch and fourth latch in response to an activation of the first switch by a user, and a second switch on the right side of the storage cover operative to disengage the second latch, the third latch and the fourth latch in response to an activation of the second switch by the user.

Method and apparatus are provided for a multidirectional opening storage cover. The apparatus includes a storage cover having a right side, a left side, a front side, and a rear side, a first latch on the left side of the storage cover, a second latch on the front side of the storage cover, a third latch on the right side of the storage cover, a fourth latch on the rear side of the storage cover, a first switch on the left side of the storage cover operative to disengage the first latch, second latch and fourth latch in response to an activation of the first switch by a user, and a second switch on the right side of the storage cover operative to disengage the second latch, the third latch and the fourth latch in response to an activation of the second switch by the user.

A latch assembly for a vehicle, in applications such as an armrest console or a glove box, includes a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator. The SMA actuator includes an actuator housing, an SMA wire, and an actuator lever arm. The actuator lever arm is configured to pivotably rotate or linearly translate with respect to the actuator housing upon activation of the SMA wire. A connecting link is coupled to the actuator lever arm. The connecting link is configured to translate linearly along a connecting link axis when the actuator lever arm pivotably rotates or linearly translates. A striker is coupled to the connecting link and configured to rotate about a striker axis to engage a closing surface.

A latch assembly for a vehicle, in applications such as an armrest console or a glove box, includes a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator. The SMA actuator includes an actuator housing, an SMA wire, and an actuator lever arm. The actuator lever arm is configured to pivotably rotate or linearly translate with respect to the actuator housing upon activation of the SMA wire. A connecting link is coupled to the actuator lever arm. The connecting link is configured to translate linearly along a connecting link axis when the actuator lever arm pivotably rotates or linearly translates. A striker is coupled to the connecting link and configured to rotate about a striker axis to engage a closing surface.

A door latch for a motor vehicle compartment includes a latch pawl having a locked position and an unlocked position, the locked position preventing access to the compartment, the unlocked position providing access to the compartment, and an actuator that rotates about a first pivot point. The actuator selectively engages with the latch pawl to move the latch pawl from the locked position to the unlocked position.

A magnetic latch for a lid and the bin of a container in a vehicle comprises at least one overmolded magnet detachably connected to a lid. A metal portion is magnetically attracted with the overmolded magnet. At least one overmolded magnet is connected to a bin having a magnetic attraction with the lid overmolded magnet to magnetically open and close the lid and the bin of the container. The overmold on the magnet encloses the magnet with vibration dampening material such as rubber. The metal portion may be a second at least one overmolded magnet second. The container may be a center console, glove box, ash tray, trunk, sun roof shade, cover. Spears, clips, prongs other suitable fasteners may be formed on one side of the overmold to allow insertion and attachment to a corresponding hole on the lid.

A magnetic latch for a lid and the bin of a container in a vehicle comprises at least one overmolded magnet detachably connected to a lid. A metal portion is magnetically attracted with the overmolded magnet. At least one overmolded magnet is connected to a bin having a magnetic attraction with the lid overmolded magnet to magnetically open and close the lid and the bin of the container. The overmold on the magnet encloses the magnet with vibration dampening material such as rubber. The metal portion may be a second at least one overmolded magnet second. The container may be a center console, glove box, ash tray, trunk, sun roof shade, cover. Spears, clips, prongs other suitable fasteners may be formed on one side of the overmold to allow insertion and attachment to a corresponding hole on the lid.