Single Point Rotary Latching Solutions for Glove Boxes

For automotive manufacturers, designing glove box applications into new vehicles means finding a high quality solution with low tooling costs that will help get the finished vehicle to the market faster. In order to make the most economical decision, a validated, efficient solution must be adopted that not only meets the standards of the application, but also acts as a foundation product, offering flexibility and allowing for easy integration into other interior application areas as well.

When designing for a glove box latching application, automotive manufacturers must often accommodate a wide variety of mounting and actuation options to meet changing interior styling. For design engineers, it is essential to specify new hardware into glove box latching applications that keeps the cost of materials and production down, while still providing a reliable, proven solution that meets industry performance requirements and expectations.

The Need for Validated, Economical Solutions

The position and feel of the vehicle’s interior “touch points,” such as the glove box latch, must be functional in their operation and demonstrate a quality experience to the end user. As new car designs and upgrades continue to roll out each year, it is essential that latching mechanisms used in glove box applications are validated in their design, testing and documentation to prevent the need for retooling.

Glove box latching solutions must be well-balanced, meeting not only end user preferences for usability, but automotive safety standards and requirements as well. Because issues with the latch may also lead to costly repairs, such as the replacement of the entire glove box door, parts must be fully serviceable within the glove box assembly. Mechanisms must be compatible with a wide range of paddle styles, such as rotational pull paddles and push button options to support future vehicle design refreshes. Most importantly, glove box latching solutions must be economical and readily available to match the demand from automotive OEMs.

The Single Point Rotary Latch: Southco’s Foundation Glove Box Solution

Southco’s Single Point Rotary Latch is the foundation product for secure, single point latching and provides an economical option for glove box latching applications. The Single Point Rotary Latch is suitable for OEM glove box applications and meets the basic requirements of flexibility in changing paddle design and geometry. Additionally, the Single Point Rotary Latch acts a complementary mechanism to applications that have more demanding requirements as well.

The opening efforts of the rotating pawl design are less sensitive to door bumper loading, making this an ideal candidate for applications where materials or build processes may make it difficult to control bumper loading conditions. Closing efforts are predictable, as the total effort is a factor of compressing the bumper or gasket and the additional minimal force to rotate the pawl.

With the Single Point Rotary Latch, there is no need to reinvent a new glove box latching solution for each application, saving design, development, tooling and validation costs. The mechanism in Southco’s Single Point Rotary Latch acts as foundation platform, enabling automotive manufacturers to easily adapt to design changes and trends in the industry. With its simple mounting and panel preparation, this versatile product can also be used in center console and storage panel latching applications within the vehicle as well.

Southco’s Offset Single Point Rotary Latch

Southco’s Offset Single Point Rotary Latch is the ideal choice for glove box latching applications where the actuator is placed in a different position than the standard, centered location. With a secure, single point latching mechanism, the Offset Single Point Rotary Latch maintains centered  door latching strength and its alignment and can be easily installed to accommodate bias of both right and left handed actuation. Additionally, the Offset Single Point Rotary Latch acts a complementary mechanism to applications that have more demanding requirements, such as those specifying different latch points and alternate actuation.

Operating efforts are easier to control with the Offset Single Point Rotary Latch, which features a pull-out paddle design that allows effortless release and opening ability when actuated. Upon actuation, the paddle’s compression spring triggers the pawl torsion spring, releasing the pawl from its housing and allowing glove box door to be opened. Closing the door is just as simple, with effortless, push-to-close operation.

Key Product Features and Benefits

Southco’s Single Point Rotary Latch is designed with best-in-class features that aid in the assembly process, reduce labor time and eliminate tooling investment, making it a low risk, economical option for integration into the glove box design.

The Single Point Rotary Latch offers the following features and benefits:

• Insensitive to striker variation in all directions with complete capture of striker within latch
• Ergonomic paddle size and finger clearance, which is also available with a locking functionality Movement and force of striker on pawl during vehicle use does not cause latch to squeak or rattle, eliminating noise, vibration and hardness (NVH) concerns
• The paddle will not rotate or open from inertial loads (per FMVSS 30 g impact calculation)
• System tolerant and more adaptable to build tolerances of striker and system set-up

or change

• Consistent positive latching; not possible to partially latch
• Constant low opening efforts that are independent of bumper or box load
• Reduced possibility of striker bounce back when the glove box door is slammed
• Location and screw bosses on latch for simple attachment
• Minimized packaging space with drop-in cassette assembly that is not sandwiched within the glove box door
• Low tooling cost for major styling flexibility and low cost assembly and replacement impact
• A-Surface styling featuring simple “snap-on” paddle design to mechanism
• Paddle can be customized to suit the vehicle design and color requirements
• Also available in a drop-in pawl version

Conclusion

For vehicle manufacturers, glove box latching solutions must be cost-effective and validated in order to meet the safety requirements of the automotive industry. Additionally, it is essential that the latching solution offers flexibility in its design and functionality, accommodating different mounting and actuation styles and allowing for easy integration.

By selecting Southco’s Single Point Rotary Latch, automotive manufacturers will ensure best-in-class safety, as well as reduced labor and production costs with a foundation solution that is suitable for a wide variety of glove box latching applications. Southco’s Single Point and Offset Single Point Rotary Latches enable automotive manufacturers to easily adapt to design changes and trends in the industry. With simple mounting and panel preparation, these validated, versatile products are suitable for upper or lower glove box door bins and feature locking and non-locking options.