STORAGE COMPARTMENT FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a storage compartment for a motor vehicle. The storage compartment has an improved mechanism for opening and closing a lid. The storage compartment is particularly suitable for a passenger compartment, such as a storage compartment in an armrest of a center console or as a glove compartment.

Claims

1. A storage compartment for a motor vehicle, comprising: a receiving chamber with an access opening for reaching into the receiving chamber, a first lid and a second lid, each arranged to be pivotable with respect to the receiving chamber between a first, open position and a second, closed position, a first rotation element and a second rotation element, wherein the first rotation element is rotatable about a first rotation axis and the second rotation element is rotatably connected to the first rotation element about a second rotation axis and to the first lid about a third rotation axis, a third rotation member and a fourth rotation member, wherein the third rotation member is rotatable about a fourth rotation axis and the fourth rotation member is rotatably connected to the third rotation member about a fifth rotation axis and to the second lid about a sixth rotation axis, a connecting element rotatably connected to the first rotational element about a seventh rotational axis and rotatably connected to the third rotation member about an eighth rotational axis, wherein the seventh rotation axis is arranged between the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis and the fourth rotation axis is arranged between the eighth rotation axis and the fifth rotation axis.

2. The storage compartment according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first rotation axis and the fourth rotation axis are fixed with respect to the receiving chamber.

3. The storage compartment according to claim 1, characterized in that wherein at least one of (1) the first rotation axis, the second rotation axis and the third rotation axis are arranged parallel to one another, (2) the fourth rotation axis, the fifth rotation axis and the sixth rotation axis are arranged parallel to one another, and (3) the first rotation axis to the eighth rotation axis are arranged parallel to one another.

4. The storage compartment according to claim 1, wherein at least one of (1) when the first lid is in the closed position, a first minimal angle between a first plane and a further first plane is at most 15°, the first rotation axis and the third rotation axis being situated in the first plane, and the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis being situated in the further first plane, and (2) when the second lid is in the closed position, a second minimal angle between a second plane and a further second plane is at most 15°, the fourth rotation axis and the sixth rotation axis being situated in the second plane, and the fourth rotation axis and the fifth rotation axis being situated in the further second plane.

5. The storage compartment according to claim 1, wherein at least one of (1) the first rotation axis, the second rotation axis and the third rotation axis are situated in a first plane when the first lid is in the closed position, and (2) the fourth rotation axis, the fifth rotation axis and the sixth rotation axis are situated in a second plane when the second lid is in the closed position.

6. The storage compartment according to claim 4, wherein the first minimal angle and the second minimal angle are equal in size when the first lid and the second lids are in the closed position.

7. The storage compartment according to claim 5, wherein the first plane and the second planes are parallel to one another when the first lid and the second lid are in the closed position.

8. The storage compartment according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of: (1) a rail for guiding the connecting element; and (2) a pivoting arm for guiding the connecting element, the pivoting arm being rotatably connected to the connecting element and rotatably connected to the receiving chamber.

9. The storage compartment according to claim 1, further comprising a motor connected to at least one of the first rotation element and to the third rotation element, for driving at least one of the first rotation element about the first rotation axis and the third rotation element about the fourth rotation axis so that the first lid and the second lid at least one of opened and closed.

10. A storage compartment for a motor vehicle, comprising: a receiving chamber with an access opening for reaching into the receiving chamber, a first lid, which is arranged pivotably with respect to the receiving chamber between a first, open position and a second, closed position, for at least regionally opening and closing the access opening, a first rotation element and a second rotation element, the first rotation element being rotatable about a first rotation axis, and the second rotation element being rotatably connected to the first rotation element about a second rotation axis and to the first lid about a third rotation axis, wherein when the first lid is in the closed position, a minimal angle between a first plane and a further first plane is at most 15°, the first rotation axis and the third rotation axis being situated in the first plane, and the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis being situated in the further first plane.

11. The storage compartment according to claim 4, wherein the first minimal angle is at most 10°.

12. The storage compartment according to claim 11, wherein the first minimal angle is at most 5°.

13. The storage compartment according to claim 4, wherein the second minimal angle is at most 10°.

14. The storage compartment according to claim 13, wherein the second minimal angle is at most 5°.

15. The storage compartment according to claim 8, wherein the rail comprises a shape of a circular arc.

16. The storage compartment according to claim 9, wherein the motor drives the at least one of the first rotation element about the first rotation axis and the third rotation element about the fourth rotation axis so that the first lid and the second lid are at least one of synchronously opened and synchronously closed.

17. The storage compartment according to claim 10, wherein the minimal angle is at most 5°.

18. The storage compartment according to claim 17, wherein the minimal angle is 0°.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Exemplary embodiments are described in connection with the following figures.

[0050] FIG. 1 shows a storage compartment comprising a first lid;

[0051] FIG. 2 shows a storage compartment according to FIG. 1, furthermore comprising a second lid;

[0052] FIG. 3 shows a storage compartment according to FIG. 2, comprising a rail instead of a pivoting arm;

[0053] FIG. 4 shows a storage compartment according to FIG. 2, furthermore comprising an elastic element;

[0054] FIG. 5 shows a storage compartment according to FIG. 4, the lids being shown in a closed position;

[0055] FIG. 6 shows a storage compartment according to FIG. 4 during a closing process, just prior to the lids being closed; and

[0056] FIG. 7 shows a storage compartment for a center console of a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] Recurring features are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0058] FIG. 1 shows a storage compartment in a sectional side view as a schematic sketch. The storage compartment comprises a receiving chamber 1. The receiving chamber is formed by side walls and a bottom. The receiving chamber 1 is open toward the top and includes an opening 2. A lid 3 is rotatably arranged, for example by means of a hinge, at the receiving chamber 1. The lid 3 is shown in an open position. The lid can be pivoted in the direction of the arrow 4 into a closed position. The storage compartment comprises a mechanism for pivoting the lid 3 in an automated manner. The mechanism comprises a first rotation element 100. The rotation element 100 can be rotated about a first rotation axis I. The first rotation axis I is stationary with respect to the receiving chamber. For example, a pivot bearing, which enables the first rotation element 100 to rotate about the first rotation axis I, is directly or indirectly connected to the receiving chamber 1. The mechanism furthermore comprises a second rotation element 200, which is rotatably connected to the first rotation element 100. The first rotation element and the second rotation element have a rod-shaped design. At a first end, the second rotation element 200 is rotatably connected to the first rotation element 100 about a second rotation axis II. At a second end, the second rotation element 200 is rotatably connected to the lid 3 about a third rotation axis III. The first rotation element 100 can be driven in the direction of the arrow 5 to close the lid. For this purpose, an electric motor (not shown) is coupled to the first rotation element 100 in such a way that the rotation of an output shaft of the electric motor is transmitted to the first rotation element 100, so that this rotation element rotates about the first rotation axis I. For example, the output shaft can be located in the first rotation axis I. It is also possible for an upstream gear to be provided for adapting the motor speed.

[0059] As a result of the rotation of the first rotation element 100 in the direction of the arrow 5 for closing the lid, the first end of the second rotation element and the second rotation axis rotate clockwise about the first rotation axis I. The motor torque is thus transmitted via the first rotation element 100 and the second rotation element 200 to the lid 3, so that the lid moves into a second, closed position (shown with a dotted line). In the closed position (shown with a dotted line), the first, second and third rotation axes I, II, III are situated in one plane. The first, second and third rotation axes I, II, III extend parallel to one another.

[0060] FIG. 2 shows a storage compartment according to FIG. 1, wherein the storage compartment comprises a second lid 6, which is pivotably mounted at the receiving chamber 1. The opening 2 is covered when the first lid 3 and the second lid 6 are in the closed state.

[0061] In FIG. 2, the lids 3 and 6 are each shown in the open position. The storage compartment comprises a third rotation element 300, which can be rotated about a fourth rotation axis IV. The third rotation element 300 is rotatably coupled about a fifth rotation axis V to a first end of a fourth rotation element 400. At a second end, this fourth rotation element is rotatably connected to the second lid 6 about a sixth rotation axis VI. The fourth, fifth and sixth rotation axes IV, V, VI extend parallel to one another and are likewise parallel to the rotation axes I, II and III. The lid is pivoted counterclockwise, as is shown by arrow 7, for moving the second lid 6 from the open position into the closed position. In this way, the direction of rotation of the lid 6, when moving the second lid 6 from the open to the closed position, is opposite the direction of rotation of the first lid 3 when moving the first lid 3 from the open to the closed position. So as to close the second lid 6, the third rotation element 300 is rotated counterclockwise, shown by arrow 8, about the fourth rotation axis IV. The first end of the fourth rotation element 400, and thus also the fifth rotation axis V, thus move about the fourth rotation axis IV during a closing process.

[0062] The first rotation element 100 and the third rotation element 300 are coupled via a connecting element 9. The connecting element 9 has a rod-shaped design. At a first end, the connecting element 9 is rotatably connected about a seventh rotation axis VII to the first rotation element 100. At a second end, the connecting element 9 is rotatably connected about an eighth rotation axis VIII to the third rotation element 300. The seventh rotation axis VII and the eighth rotation axis VIII extend parallel to the further rotation axes I to VI. In another embodiment, the rotation axes IV, VII and the lid 3, 6 are not parallel, and the connecting element 9 comprises a ball and socket joint at the connection to one or both of the rotation elements 100, 300.

[0063] The attachment point of the connecting element 9 at the first rotation element 100, and thus also the seventh rotation axis VII extending through this point, are arranged between the second and first rotation axes. A minimum distance between the first rotation axis I and the second rotation axis II is thus greater than a minimum distance between the seventh rotation axis VII and the first rotation axis I. The first, second and seventh rotation axis I, II, VII are situated in one plane. In this embodiment, the distance between the first rotation axis I and the second rotation axis II is smaller than the distance between the second rotation axis II and the third rotation axis. For example, the distance between the first rotation axis I and the second rotation axis II is 17 mm, and the distance between the second rotation axis II and the third rotation axis is 25 mm.

[0064] The attachment point of the connecting element 9 to the third rotation element 300, and thus also the eighth rotation axis VIII, is arranged in such a way that a minimum distance between the eighth rotation axis VIII and the fifth rotation axis V is greater than a minimum distance between the fourth rotation axis IV and the fifth rotation axis V. In this embodiment, the distance between the fourth rotation axis IV and the fifth rotation axis V is smaller than the distance between the fifth rotation axis V and the sixth rotation axis VI. For example, the distance between the fourth rotation axis IV and the fifth rotation axis V is 17 mm, and the distance between the fifth rotation axis V and the sixth rotation axis is 25 mm.

[0065] Driving the first rotation element 100 in the direction of the arrow 5 thus causes a rotation of the first rotation element 100 as well as a rotation of the third rotation element 300 in the direction of the arrow 8. As described above, this causes the lids 3 and 6 to be closed. Synchronous closing of the lids 3 and 6 can thus be achieved by driving the first rotation element 100. When the first rotation element is driven in the direction opposite that of the arrow 5, and when the lids 3 and 6 are in the closed position, the third rotation element 300 is also driven in the direction opposite that of the arrow 8, so that the lid is opened.

[0066] Similarly, the third rotation element can be driven, instead of the first rotation element 100, for synchronously opening or closing the lids 3, 6. The storage compartment of FIG. 2 furthermore comprises a pivoting arm 10, which at a first end is coupled to the receiving chamber 1 and at a second end is rotatably hinged to the connecting element 9. The pivoting arm is used to guide and stabilize the opening/closing mechanism.

[0067] The pivoting arm 10 preferably has a length a between the first end, which is hinged to the receiving chamber 1, and the second end connected to the connecting element. A minimum distance between the seventh and eighth rotation axes VII, VIII is preferably 2 a.

[0068] A distance 13 between the first rotation axis I and the seventh rotation axis VII is preferably identical to the distance 14 between the fourth rotation axis IV and the eighth rotation axis VIII. This distance is particularly preferably 0.136 a. The distance between the second rotation axis II and the third rotation axis III preferably corresponds to the distance between the fifth rotation axis V and the sixth rotation axis VI.

[0069] As an alternative or in addition to the pivoting arm 10, the storage compartment can comprise a rail for guiding the connecting element 9. A storage compartment comprising a rail instead of the pivoting arm 10 is shown in FIG. 3, for example. The rail has a circular arc-shaped design. A pin 12 is arranged at the connecting element 9, which protrudes into the rail and is guided therein. A movement of the first rotation element 100 in the direction of the arrow 5 for moving the lid from the open position (shown in FIG. 3) into the closed position initially causes the pin 12 to be displaced to the right within the rail 11. A rotation of the first rotation element 100 counter to the direction of the arrow 5 for moving the lid 3 or 4 from the closed position into the open position causes the pin 12 to be displaced to the left.

[0070] FIG. 4 shows a storage compartment according to FIG. 2, furthermore comprising an elastic element 15. The figure shows the elastic element 15 in connection with an embodiment of the storage compartment comprising a pivoting arm 10. All features described with respect to FIG. 4 can be applied to a storage compartment comprising a rail 11 according to FIG. 3 or to a storage compartment comprising a rail 11 and a pivoting arm 10.

[0071] The elastic element is arranged on an upper side of the receiving chamber 1. In particular, it is arranged in a region of the receiving chamber 1 that comes in contact with the lid 3 when the lid 3 is being closed. FIG. 4 shows only one elastic element. The exemplary embodiment, however, can comprise multiple elastic elements. These can preferably be arranged in a region of the receiving chamber 1 that comes in contact with the lid 3 when the lid 3 is being closed, or comes in contact with the lid 6 when the lid 6 is being closed. One or more elastic elements 15, however, can also be arranged at the lid 3 and/or 6, in particular in a region of the lid 3 and/or of the lid 6 that comes in contact with the receiving chamber 1 when the lid 3 and/or 6 is being closed.

[0072] FIG. 4 shows the lids 3 and 6 in an almost closed position. The lid 3 makes contact with the elastic element 15. During the further course of the closing process, the lid 3 pushes on the elastic element 15, compressing it. This closed state is shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the lid 3 compresses the elastic element 15. The first, second, third and seventh rotation axes I, II, III and VII are situated in a plane that extends orthogonally to the image plane through the straight line 16 indicated by a dotted line. The fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth rotation axes IV, V, VI and VIII are situated in a plane that extends orthogonally to the image plane through the straight line 17 indicated by a dotted line.

[0073] This arrangement has the advantage that a vertical force F.sub.v transmitted from the motor to the lid via the first and second rotation elements for closing the lid is increased just prior to closing. The force for closing is composed of a torque M of the motor and a horizontal distance h. FIG. 6(a) corresponds to FIG. 4, wherein a circle D is plotted, which determines a section that is shown as a detailed section in FIG. 6(b). FIG. 6(a), and thus also FIG. (b), shows the closing process at a point in time just prior to the lids 3 and 6 being closed. The distance h is thus smaller compared to the distance h at a point in time immediately prior to the shown point in time. When the torque of the motor remains the same, the force component F.sub.v is comparatively larger than at a point in time immediately prior to the shown point in time. In this way, a relatively high closing force can be generated, and the elastic element 15 can be compressed.

[0074] FIG. 7 shows a storage compartment for a motor vehicle, in particular for a center console. The storage compartment comprises a first lid 3 and a second lid 6. For illustration purposes, the lid 3 is shown to be closed, and the lid 6 is shown to be open. However, the lids 3 and 6 can in particular be opened or closed synchronously. This means that the lids 3 and 6 are preferably both either closed or both open. It shall be noted that it is also possible to open or close the lids independently of one another. In this case, each of the lids could, for example, be provided with a mechanism according to FIG. 1. Each of the mechanisms could comprise a motor. It would also be conceivable to provide a motor that can be coupled to the first or the second mechanism by way of an adjustable coupling.

[0075] The storage compartment, however, preferably comprises a mechanism for synchronously opening and closing the lids 3 and 6, as described above in FIGS. 2 to 6. This mechanism can be arranged, as is shown with dotted lines in FIG. 7, in a box 18.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0076] 1 receiving chamber [0077] 2 opening [0078] 3 first lid [0079] 4 direction of rotation of the first lid during closing [0080] 5 direction of rotation of the first rotation element during closing [0081] 6 second lid [0082] 7 direction of rotation of the second lid during closing [0083] 8 direction of rotation of the third rotation element during closing [0084] 9 connecting element [0085] 10 pivoting arm [0086] 11 guide rail [0087] 12 pin [0088] 13 distance between the first and seventh rotation axes [0089] 14 distance between the third and eighth rotation axes [0090] 15 elastic element [0091] 16 straight line for defining the first plane [0092] 17 straight line for defining the second plane [0093] 18 box [0094] 100 first rotation element [0095] 200 second rotation element [0096] 300 third rotation element [0097] 400 fourth rotation element [0098] I first rotation axis [0099] II second rotation axis [0100] III third rotation axis [0101] IV fourth rotation axis [0102] V fifth rotation axis [0103] VI sixth rotation axis [0104] VII seventh rotation axis [0105] VIII eighth rotation axis [0106] D detail section [0107] F.sub.v vertical component of the closing force [0108] h horizontal distance [0109] M motor torque