STORAGE ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE, VEHICLE, AND METHOD FOR CLOSING A LID OF A STORAGE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A storage assembly for a vehicle. The storage assembly includes a storage receptacle, a lid being configured for moving between a closing position in which it closes the storage receptacle and an open position, a sealing arrangement being positioned at the storage receptacle or at the lid such that in the closing position of the lid, the sealing arrangement seals the storage receptacle with respect to the lid, and a closing facilitation mechanism being configured for reducing a force for bringing the lid into the closing position from the open position. Moreover, a vehicle is presented which includes such a storage assembly. Additionally, a method for closing a lid of a storage assembly of a vehicle is presented.

Claims

1. A storage assembly for a vehicle, comprising: a storage receptacle, a lid being configured for moving between a closing position in which it closes the storage receptacle and an open position, a sealing arrangement being positioned at the storage receptacle or at the lid such that in the closing position of the lid, the sealing arrangement seals the storage receptacle with respect to the lid, and a closing facilitation mechanism being configured for reducing a force for bringing the lid into the closing position from the open position.

2. The storage assembly according to claim 1, wherein the closing facilitation mechanism comprises a deformable element forming a portion of a wall of the storage receptacle or being positioned at an inner surface of the lid, such that the deformable element delimits a storage volume.

3. The storage assembly according to claim 2, wherein the deformable element is mounted to the storage receptacle or the lid by means of a frame.

4. The storage assembly according to claim 3, wherein the frame comprises a plastics material.

5. The storage assembly according to claim 2, wherein the deformable element is configured to take a first position (P1), in which the deformable element is either flat or bulges towards the storage volume, and a second position (P2), in which the deformable element bulges away from the storage volume.

6. The storage assembly according to claim 5, wherein the deformable element is dome-shaped in the first position (P1), the dome-shape pointing towards the storage volume, and/or wherein the deformable element is dome-shaped in the second position (P2), the dome-shape pointing away from the storage volume.

7. The storage element according to claim 5, wherein the deformable element is pre-tensioned towards the first position (P1).

8. The storage element according to claim 2, wherein the deformable element comprises at least one of a plastics material, a rubber material and a fabric material.

9. The storage assembly according to claim 2, wherein the deformable element is elastically deformable.

10. The storage assembly according to claim 2, wherein the deformable element is plate-shaped.

11. The storage assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lid is formed by a portion of a hood of a vehicle or a portion of a trunk deck of the vehicle.

12. A vehicle comprising the storage assembly according to claim 1, wherein the storage assembly forms a front luggage compartment and the lid is formed by at least a portion of a hood of the vehicle or wherein the storage assembly forms a rear luggage compartment and the lid is formed by at least a portion of a trunk deck of the vehicle.

13. A method for closing a lid of a storage assembly of a vehicle, the lid being configured for moving between a closing position and an open position, wherein in the closing position the lid closes a storage receptacle via a sealing arrangement being interposed between the storage receptacle and the lid, comprising: compressing the sealing arrangement by moving the lid towards the storage receptacle, thereby reducing a storage volume of the storage assembly, and compensating the reduction of the storage volume by deforming at least a portion of a wall of the storage receptacle or by deforming at least a portion of an inner surface of the lid.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein compensating the reduction of the storage volume comprises switching the portion of the wall of the storage receptacle or the portion of the inner surface of the lid from a predefined first position (P1) into a predefined second position (P2).

15. The method according to claim 13, comprising: removing a volume of gas from the storage volume of the storage assembly, and returning the portion of the wall of the storage receptacle or the portion of the inner surface of the lid to the respective original shape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Examples of the disclosure will be described in the following with reference to the following drawings.

[0041] FIG. 1 shows relevant parts of a front portion of a vehicle according to the present disclosure including a storage assembly according to a first example of the present disclosure which can be operated by a method according to the present disclosure,

[0042] FIG. 2 shows a hood of the vehicle of FIG. 1 including a lid of the storage assembly of FIG. 1,

[0043] FIG. 3 shows relevant parts of a front portion of a vehicle according to the present disclosure including a storage assembly according to a second example of the present disclosure which can be operated by a method according to the present disclosure, and

[0044] FIG. 4 shows steps of a method for closing a lid of a storage assembly of a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0045] The figures are merely schematic representations and serve only to illustrate examples of the disclosure. Identical or equivalent elements are in principle provided with the same reference signs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a front portion of a vehicle 10 including a storage assembly 12.

[0047] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the storage assembly 12 forms a front luggage compartment 14 which can also be called a frunk. It is understood that this is just an example. The storage assembly 12 could as well form a rear luggage compartment of the vehicle 10.

[0048] The storage assembly 12 includes a storage receptacle 16 and a lid 18 being configured for moving between a closing position in which it closes the storage receptacle 16 and an open position, in which it opens the storage receptacle 16 such that it is accessible for a user.

[0049] In the example shown in the Figures, the storage receptacle 16 is cup-shaped.

[0050] Since in the present example, the storage assembly 12 forms frunk, the lid 18 is formed by a portion of a hood 20 of the vehicle 10. This means that the lid 18 forms an integral structure with the hood 20. In a case in which the storage assembly 12 forms a rear luggage compartment, the lid 18 may be formed by a portion of trunk deck of the vehicle 10.

[0051] The storage assembly is provided with a sealing arrangement 22 which is positioned at a rim 24 of the storage receptacle 16 or at the lid 18.

[0052] In any case, the sealing arrangement 22 is arranged such that in the closing position of the lid 18 which is represented in FIG. 1, the sealing arrangement 22 is compressed between the storage receptacle 16 and the lid 18.

[0053] The storage assembly 12 also includes a closing facilitation mechanism which is generally designated with reference sign 26. The storage facilitation mechanism is configured for reducing a force for bringing the lid 18 into the closing position.

[0054] The closing facilitation mechanism 26 includes a deformable element 28 which is positioned at an inner surface 18a of the lid 18.

[0055] In this position, the deformable element 28 together with the remaining portions of the lid and the receptacle 16 delimits a storage volume 30 of the storage assembly 12.

[0056] In the present example, the deformable element 28 is made from a rubber material and is elastically deformable.

[0057] Moreover, the deformable element 28 is generally dome-shaped when it assumes a first position P1. In this position, the dome-shape points towards the storage volume 30.

[0058] It is noted that a height H of the dome-shape is very small when being compared to a length L of a base surface of the deformable element 28.

[0059] Thus, the deformable element 28 is also plate-shaped.

[0060] The deformable element 28 is also configured for assuming a second position P2 in which it is also dome-shaped. However, in the second position P2, the dome-shape points away from the storage volume 30.

[0061] The deformable element 28 is pre-tensioned towards the first position P1. Thus, in the absence of external forces, the dome shape points towards the storage volume 30.

[0062] In the present example, the deformable element 28 is mounted to the lid 18 by means of a frame 32. The frame 32 is made from plastics material.

[0063] The lid 18 of the storage assembly 12 may be closed using a method for closing a lid of a storage assembly of a vehicle.

[0064] In a first step S1, the method includes compressing the sealing arrangement 22 by moving the lid 18 towards the rim 24 of the storage receptacle 16 (cf. FIG. 4). This happens if the lid 18 is moved towards its closing position.

[0065] In this situation, the lid 18 and the sealing arrangement 22 are in sealing contact such that air being located inside the storage volume 30 is not able to flow into the exterior of the storage assembly 12 and vice versa.

[0066] Thus, when further moving the lid 18 towards its closing position, the storage volume 30 of the storage assembly 12 is reduced.

[0067] In a second step S2 of the method, this reduction of the storage volume 30 is compensated.

[0068] To this end, the deformable element 28 is switched from its first position P1 to its second position P2.

[0069] Compensating the reduction of the storage volume 30 leads to a reduction of a force resulting from a compression of the air being trapped in the storage volume 30 when the lid 18 is further moved into its closing position. This force acts against the closing of the lid 18.

[0070] Consequently, the lid 18 can be closed using a comparatively low force only. The lid 18, thus, reaches its closing position.

[0071] While the lid 18 is in its closing position, a volume of gas may be removed from the storage volume 30 of the storage assembly 12. Due to leakage, this may happen without any action being necessary just by waiting.

[0072] Caused by the above-described pre-tensioning of the deformable element 28 into the first position P1, the deformable element 28 may return into its original shape, i.e. the first position P1 if a sufficient volume of gas has been removed. Then the closing facilitation mechanism 26 is ready for use again.

[0073] Alternatively, the deformable element 28 may return to its first position if the lid 18 is opened. Also in this situation, the closing facilitation mechanism 26 becomes ready for use again.

[0074] FIG. 3 shows a front portion of a vehicle 10 including a storage assembly 12 according to a second example.

[0075] In the following, only the differences between the second example and the first example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be explained. For the remaining aspects, reference is made to the above explanations.

[0076] The second example differs from the first example in that the deformable element 28 forms a portion of a wall 34 of the storage receptacle 16.

[0077] Also in this example, the deformable element 28 is mounted to the storage receptacle 16 by means of a frame 32. It is noted that this is just an example. Of course, the deformable element 28 can also be a part of the wall 34 itself or a part of a base of the storage receptacle 16.

[0078] The deformable element 28 is shaped as the deformable element 28 of the first example. It is also configured for switching between a first position P1 and a second position P2.

[0079] Thus, also the method for closing a lid 18 of a storage assembly 12 of a vehicle 10 as explained above can be applied in connection with the second example (cf. FIG. 4).

[0080] Other variations to the disclosed examples can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed disclosure, from the study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.