DAMPING APPARATUS

Abstract

A damping apparatus for glove compartments, includes the following: an elastic element designed so as to be stretched by a relative movement of two components that are movable in relation to one another, whereby a damping effect of the relative movement of the components is produced; a stopping apparatus designed so as to contact the elastic element during the relative movement of the two movable components and to deform such that, from the start of the contact, there results a change in the damping effect caused by the elastic element.

Claims

1. A damping apparatus for glove compartments, comprising the following: an elastic element configured so as to be stretched by a relative movement of two components that are movable in relation to one another, whereby a damping effect of the relative movement of the components is produced; a stopping apparatus configured so as to contact the elastic element during the relative movement of the two movable components and to deform such that, from the start of the contact, there results a change in the damping effect caused by the elastic element.

2. The damping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element is an elastic band.

3. The damping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the damping apparatus is configured such that the contact of the elastic element with the stopping apparatus after a predetermined first stretching of the elastic element.

4. The damping apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first stretching is a linear stretching of the elastic element.

5. The damping apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the damping apparatus is configured such that a relative movement of the components in relation to one another leads to a relative movement of the elastic element opposite the stopping apparatus.

6. The damping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the damping apparatus comprises a lever element having a first end and an opposite second end, wherein the elastic element is connected to the second end of the lever element.

7. The damping apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first end of the damping apparatus comprises the stopping apparatus.

8. The damping apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the lever element is movably borne on the first component and/or wherein the lever element comprises a guide opening, which is configured so as to receive a guide element of the first component, wherein the lever element is rotatably and/or translationally movable opposite the guide element.

9. The damping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the damping apparatus comprises a shaft and a collar, wherein the collar is movable relative to the shaft, and wherein the elastic element comprises a first end connected to the collar and a second end connected to the shaft, and wherein the shaft serves as the stopping apparatus.

10. The damping apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the shaft comprises a guide groove configured so as to guide the relative movement of the collar opposite the shaft, wherein the guide groove comprises a first, linear region and a second, curved region.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The invention is described in further detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0017] The following are shown:

[0018] FIG. 1 a schematic view of a damping apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention during the first stretching phase;

[0019] FIG. 2 the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in a transitional phase, that is to say at the moment when the stopping apparatus contacts the elastic element;

[0020] FIG. 3 a schematic view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a second stretching phase, that is to say during deformation of the elastic element by the stopping apparatus;

[0021] FIG. 4 a schematic view of a damping apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in the first damping phase;

[0022] FIG. 5 a schematic view of the embodiment according to FIG. 4 in a transitional phase, that is to say at a moment when the stopping apparatus comes into contact with the elastic element;

[0023] FIG. 6 a schematic view of the embodiment according to FIGS. 4 and 5 during a second stretching phase, that is to say while the elastic element is deformed by the stopping apparatus;

[0024] FIG. 7 a schematic view of an embodiment of the damping apparatus according to the present invention in a first stretching phase;

[0025] FIG. 8 a schematic view of an embodiment of the damping apparatus according to the present invention in a first damping phase;

[0026] FIG. 9 a schematic view of an embodiment of the damping apparatus according to the present invention in a first stretching phase; and

[0027] FIG. 10 a schematic view of the embodiment according to FIG. 9 in a second stretching phase.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present damping apparatus 100. The damping apparatus 100 is shown in a home position in FIG. 1, i.e., with respect to a glove compartment, it could correspond to a closed position in which the flap is closed, i.e., abuts the housing.

[0029] In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3, a bearing apparatus 101 is shown, which, for example, is part of a housing of the damping apparatus 100 not shown herein. The bearing apparatus 101 can be connected to a first component of the vehicle (e.g., the housing of the glove compartment).

[0030] The damping apparatus 100 comprises an elastic element 102, such as a rubber band. The elastic element 102 is connected to the bearing element 101 at a first end. At an opposite second end 106, the elastic element 102 is connected to a lever element 104. In particular, the elastic element 102 can be connected to a first connecting opening 108a of the bearing apparatus 101 via connecting elements, such as pins, rivets, or the like. However, the elastic element can also be connected to a plurality of further fastening openings 108b, 108c, 108d in order to alter the stretching behavior of the elastic band 102 during the opening of the flap. Accordingly, depending on the shape and weight of the flap of the glove compartment, the first end of the elastic element 102 can be fastened to different fastening openings 108a to 108d of the bearing apparatus 101.

[0031] The lever element 104 has a first end connected to the second end of the elastic element 102. A second end of the lever element 104 opposite the first end is configured as a stopping apparatus 110, which is designed so as to contact the elastic element 102 during the movement of the first component (e.g., the glove compartment housing) and to deform such that, from the start of contact, there is a change in the damping effect caused by the elastic element 102. For this purpose, the stopping apparatus 110 is configured so as to deform the elastic element 102, as will be explained in further detail below.

[0032] In the first embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3, the stopping apparatus 110 is at the same time configured as a fulcrum by which the lever element 104 can be pivoted during the relative movement of the two components.

[0033] The lever element 104 comprises a guide opening 112, which, in the embodiment shown herein, is configured as an oblong hole and extends along the longitudinal direction of the lever element 104. The oblong hole 112 serves to receive a corresponding guide element 114 of the bearing apparatus 101. The guide element 114 is fixedly connected to the housing of the bearing apparatus 101 and thus to the first component (for example, the housing of the glove compartment). The lever element 104 can be moved translationally towards the guide opening 112, as well as rotationally opposite the guide element 114.

[0034] The damping apparatus according to the first embodiment further comprises a tensile element 116, in particular a pull rod. The tensile element 116 comprises a first end connected to the second end of the lever element 104. In particular, the first end of the tensile element 116 is pivotally connected to the second end of the lever element 102, for example via a rotary bearing. This rotary bearing also forms the stopping apparatus 110.

[0035] At an opposite, second end 118 of the tensile element 116, the tensile element 116 is connected to the second component (for example, the flap of the glove compartment, not shown here). For this purpose, the tensile element 116 can have a connecting opening 120 via which the second end 118 of the tensile element 116 can be connected, for example screwed, to the second component.

[0036] The tensile element 116 is guided on the bearing apparatus 101. In particular, the bearing apparatus 101 comprises a tab 122 for this purpose, which fastens the tensile element 116 to the bearing apparatus 101 such that it is only movable in the longitudinal direction of the tensile element 116 opposite the bearing apparatus 101.

[0037] In the following, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the operation of the damping apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be explained in further detail.

[0038] As soon as there is a movement of the first component opposite the second component, i.e., the opening of the flap of a glove compartment, the tensile element 116 connected to the first component moves upwards (cf. FIGS. 1 and 2), thereby inducing a translational and rotational movement of the lever element 104. In particular, this occurs in that the tensile element 116 carries the second end of the lever element 104 configured as the stopping apparatus 110 along, namely upwards in the drawings shown herein, that is to say in the longitudinal direction of the tensile element 116. The subsequent displacement of the second end of the lever element results in the rotation of the lever element about the guide element 114 as well as a simultaneous displacement of the lever element opposite the guide element 114 along the guide opening 112 configured as an oblong hole.

[0039] The translational or rotational movement of the lever element 104 results in linear longitudinal stretching of the elastic band 102, which counteracts the movement of the tensile element 116 and thus the movement of the second component. In particular, the lever element is pivoted clockwise about the guide element 114. As a result, the elastic element is stretched, because it is stretched out of its home position shown in FIG. 1.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a moment in which the lever element has been moved so far that the second end of the lever element configured as the stopping element 110 comes into contact with the elastic band 102. With a further movement of the tensile element 116 relative to the bearing apparatus 101 (upwards), the lever element 104 is further pivoted clockwise about the guide element 114, wherein the elastic element is now bent over the stopping apparatus 110. In other words, as soon as the stopping apparatus 110 contacts the elastic element, a second stretching phase occurs, in which the elastic element 102 is not only linearly stretched. Rather, in this second stretching phase, the elastic element 102 is bent over the stopping apparatus 110, thereby changing the stretching characteristic of the elastic element. For example, the damping apparatus 100 is designed such that the damping behavior is steeper in the second stretching phase than in the first stretching phase. In other words, in the second stretching phase, a stronger return force is achieved by the elastic element 102 per length change than was the case in the first stretching phase (linear stretching).

[0041] In summary, through the relative movement of the tensile element 116 opposite the bearing apparatus 101, a relative movement between the elastic band 102 and the second end of the lever element is achieved. The fulcrum formed as the stopping apparatus 110 between the tensile element 116 and the lever element 104 is a stopping apparatus 110 within the meaning of the present invention. This stopping apparatus 110 now contacts and deforms the elastic element 102. From this point on, the elastic element 102 has a changed stretching effect. In particular, in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, it is increased from the moment of contact between the stopping apparatus 110 and the elastic element 102.

[0042] Upon further stretching of the elastic element, it is now bent over the fulcrum (stopping apparatus 110) between the tensile element 116 and the lever element 104, so that a higher damping effect is achieved. This so-called second stretching region is shown again more clearly in FIG. 3. This position shown in FIG. 3 can be a position in which the glove compartment is fully opened.

[0043] FIGS. 4 to 6 show a second embodiment of the damping apparatus 200 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the elastic element 102 is fastened between two lever elements 204a, 204b that lie between the two components. The damping apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment also comprises a tensile element 216, which is connected to the first component. For this purpose, the tensile element 216 comprises a fastening opening 220.

[0044] A first lever element 204a comprises a first end configured as a stopping apparatus 206a. A first end of the elastic element 202 is fastened to a second end 210a of the first lever element 204a opposite the first end. The second lever element 204b comprises a stopping apparatus 206b at its first end. A second end of the elastic element 202 is fastened to an opposing second end 210b of the second lever element 204b.

[0045] The two stopping apparatuses 206a, 206b of the lever elements 204a, 204b are at the same time configured as guide pins, which are guided in corresponding guide openings 212a, 212b of a bearing apparatus 205 connected to a tensile element 216. The guide openings 212a, 212b are each configured as oblong holes. The guide openings 212a, 212b extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tensile element 216. The bearing apparatus 205 is configured integrally with the tensile element 216 and accordingly always moves together with the tensile element 216, as can be seen for example by a comparison of FIGS. 4 and 5. In other words, the bearing apparatus 205 is also movable opposite the housing 201 connected to the second component (translationally up and down, respectively).

[0046] Each of the lever elements 204a, 204b comprises through-openings 214a, 214b, in particular through-holes, that serve to rotatably fasten the lever elements to the housing 201. To this end, corresponding fastening elements (not shown), such as fastening pins, of the housing 201 are received in the through-openings 214a, 214b, about which fastening elements the lever elements 204a, 204b are rotatable. In other words, the through-openings 214a, 214b of the lever elements 204a, 204b constitute fixed rotary bearings about which the lever elements can be pivoted. The through-holes 214a, 214b do not move opposite the housing 201.

[0047] A relative movement of the glove compartment flap opposite the glove compartment housing (not shown) leads to a relative movement of the tensile element 216 opposite the housing 201. Due to this relative movement between the tensile element 116 and the housing 201, there is a rotational movement of the two lever elements 204a, 204b as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6. In particular, when the tensile element 216 is pulled out of the housing 201, the first lever element 204 is pivoted counterclockwise about the through-opening 214. At the same time, the second lever element 204b is pivoted clockwise about the second through-opening 214b.

[0048] The rotational movement of the two lever elements 204a, 204b leads to a relative movement of the second ends 210a, 210b with respect to one another. The relative movement of the two ends 210a, 210b is dampened by the elastic element 202. Two stretching regions are also provided in the embodiment shown here. In a first stretching region (FIG. 4), only a longitudinal stretching of the elastic element 202 occurs due to the rotation of the lever elements 204a, 204b. The transition to a second stretching region is shown in FIG. 5. Here, the first ends of the lever arms 204a, 204b embodied as the stopping apparatus 206a, 206b contact the elastic element 202 and further deform the elastic element 202, as shown for example in FIG. 6.

[0049] From the moment shown in FIG. 5, the second stretching region begins, in which the elastic element 202 has a second damping characteristic caused by the deformation on the part of the stopping apparatuses 206a, 206b.

[0050] FIGS. 7 and 8 show further embodiments of the damping apparatus 300 according to the present invention. In particular, the embodiment of the damping apparatus 300 according to FIGS. 7 and 8 corresponds to the second embodiment according to FIGS. 4 to 6. Accordingly, components of the damping apparatus 300 corresponding to components of the damping apparatus 200 have each been labeled with the same reference numerals but respectively increased by “100”.

[0051] Compared to the second embodiment according to FIGS. 4 to 6, the lever elements of the damping apparatus 300 are no longer formed linearly but rather are formed in a folded manner. In particular, the first lever element comprises a first leg 303a which is connected at an angle between 90 and 180° to a second leg 303c in the transition region 303b. The second lever element also comprises a first leg 304a, which encloses an angle between 90 and 180° with a second leg 304c in the transition region 304b. Due to the changed structure of the lever elements in FIGS. 7 and 8, it is achieved that the first stretching region is longer than is the case, for example, in FIGS. 4 to 6, because the first ends of the lever arms configured as the stopping apparatus 306a, 306b only later come into contact with the elastic element.

[0052] In the embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 8, the stopping apparatuses are each movably configured. However, this is not necessarily required, as shown by way of example in the embodiment according to FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0053] FIGS. 9 and 10 show an embodiment of the damping apparatus 500 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a shaft 506 having a collar 504 is shown. An elastic element 502 is arranged between the shaft 506 and the collar 504.

[0054] For example, the shaft can be connected to the first component (e.g., the glove compartment housing) while the collar is connected to the second component (for example, the glove compartment flap) via a fastening opening 512.

[0055] A relative movement of the glove compartment flap (first component) with respect to the glove compartment housing (second component) leads to a relative movement of the collar 504 opposite the shaft 506.

[0056] The collar is guided in the shown ridges or guide grooves 508 of the shaft. The guide groove 506 comprises a first, linear region 507 as well as a second, curved region 508. The linear and curved regions 507, 508 are arranged in succession, in particular.

[0057] Upon a relative movement of the collar rearwardly to the right, in the view according to FIG. 9, there is initially a linear movement of the collar 504 opposite the shaft 506, because the collar 504 is guided through the linear region 507 of the shaft 506. Accordingly, the elastic element 502 is initially stretched exclusively linearly. This corresponds to a first stretching phase. As soon as the collar 504 reaches the curved, for example spiral, portion of the guide grooves 508 or ridges, it is moved translationally rearwardly to the rear and, at the same time, moved rotationally opposite the shaft 506. The rotational movement causes the elastic element 502 to wrap around the shaft 506, as shown for example in FIG. 10. Accordingly, the shaft according to the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 is a stopping apparatus that changes the stretching effect of the elastic element 502 by deformation of the elastic element 502.

[0058] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the stopping apparatus (the shaft 506) is a static element of the damping apparatus 500. Thus, only the elastic element 502 moves opposite the shaft 506 of the damping apparatus 500.

[0059] The invention is not limited to use for glove compartments. Rather, it can also be used in principle for other apparatuses in which the movement of two components relative to one another is to be dampened.

[0060] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the figures, but rather results when all of the features disclosed herein are considered together.