Console tray for a vehicle with increased capacity

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a console tray for a vehicle that is capable of increasing the capacity of the tray itself by reducing the rotational radius of the lid of the console tray.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0073658, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on June 17, 2020. The entire contents of the patent application are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a console tray for a vehicle, and more specifically, to a console tray for a vehicle that has an increased tray capacity by reducing the rotation radius of the console tray lid. Background Technology

[0004] Typically, console trays used for storing items are mounted on the console of a vehicle.

[0005] Figures 1A to 1C This is a structural view of a console tray for a vehicle in the prior art, wherein, Figure 1A It's a 3D view of the console tray, and Figure 1B and Figure 1C This is a view that shows the status of console tray operations.

[0006] As in Figure 1A As shown, the prior art console tray 10 includes: a cover unit 30 configured to open or close the tray's entrance; and a housing 20 configured to support the cover unit 30 and define the external shape of the console.

[0007] In the prior art console tray 10, the cover unit 30 is coupled to the housing 20 by means of a hinge 40, and the cover unit 30 opens or closes the tray by rotating about the hinge 40 in the up-down direction.

[0008] That is, as in Figure 1C As shown, the state when the cover unit 30 is closed from the tray (as in...) Figure 1B When opened (as shown), the cover unit 30 lifts upward around the hinge 40, causing the tray to open.

[0009] In the existing console tray 10, the cover unit 30 rotates with a radius of approximately 88 degrees, and space is required to allow for this radius of rotation. Therefore, there is a problem of reduced capacity of the housing 20 of the console tray 10, and there are concerns about the deterioration of the utilization of the tray 10 with its small capacity. Summary of the Invention

[0010] This disclosure aims to provide a novel console tray that can increase the capacity of the tray itself by reducing the rotation radius of the lid.

[0011] An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a console tray including a housing configured to define an internal space of the tray, having a housing gear train attached to a side plate, and having a drive gear configured to engage with the housing gear train; a cover unit including a cover plate coupled to be upwardly rotatable from the housing and configured to open or close an entrance of the tray, and an arm formed on a rear surface of the cover plate and configured to rotate as the cover plate moves in an up-down direction; and a guide member having a hinge shaft inserted into a through-hole of the arm, having a gear shaft axially coupled to the drive gear, and configured to guide the arm configured to rotate as the cover plate moves in the up-down direction.

[0012] According to the console tray according to the present disclosure configured as described above, the capacity of the tray itself is increased by reducing the radius of rotation of the cover unit, thereby improving the utilization of the tray installed on the console. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Figures 1A to 1C is a structural view of a console tray for a vehicle in the related art, in which, Figure 1A is a perspective view of a console tray, and Figure 1B and Figure 1C are views showing a state in which the console tray operates.

[0014] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a console tray for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 3 is a sectional view showing a console tray for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 4 is a detail view showing a portion A in Figure 3

[0017] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a portion A in Figure 3

[0018] Figure 6a and Figure 6b are detail views showing components of a console tray for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in which, Figure 6a is a perspective view of a hinge guide, and Figure 6b is a perspective view of a slider.

[0019] Figures 7a to 7c is a detail view showing a state in which a console tray for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure operates, in which,​​Figure 7a is a view illustrating a state before the console tray operation, Figure 7b is a view illustrating a state while the console tray operation, and Figure 7c is a view illustrating a state after the console tray operation.

[0020] Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating a console tray for a vehicle according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 9 is a sectional view illustrating a console tray for a vehicle according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 10 is a detail view illustrating a C portion in Figure 9

[0023] Figures 11a to 11c is a detail view illustrating a part of a console tray for a vehicle according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein Figure 11a is a perspective view illustrating a hinge guide, Figure 11b is a perspective view illustrating a damping gear, and Figure 11c is a perspective view illustrating an edge and an O-ring located on a bottom surface of an arm base.

[0024] Figures 12a to 12c is a detail view illustrating a state of a console tray operation for a vehicle according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein Figure 12a is a view illustrating a state before the console tray operation, Figure 12b is a view illustrating a state while the console tray operation, and Figure 12c is a view illustrating a state after the console tray operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, a structure and an operation for increasing capacity of a console tray for a vehicle according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] However, the disclosed drawings are provided as examples for fully conveying the spirit of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed drawings of the accompanying drawings and can be designated as other aspects.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined, the terms used in the specification of the present disclosure have meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs, and detailed descriptions of publicly known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted to avoid unnecessary obscurity of the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0028] ​Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a console tray for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a console tray for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 4 is a perspective view showing Figure 3 is a detail view of portion A in Figure 5 is a perspective view showing Figure 3 is a perspective view of portion A in

[0029] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the console tray 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing 110 configured to define an internal space in the tray, and a cover unit 120 coupled to be upwardly rotatable from the housing 110 and configured to open or close an entrance 116 of the tray.

[0030] The cover unit 120 has a cover plate 121 having a flat plate shape, and a protruding rib 122 attached to a lower portion of the cover plate 121 such that a user's finger can grip the rib 122 when the cover plate 121 is lifted upward.

[0031] Referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , a side plate 111 is installed at one lateral side of the housing 110, and a spring 112 includes an insertion protrusion 119 formed at a lower portion of the side plate 111. One side of the spring 112 is gripped by a lower grip 118 formed at a lower side of the insertion protrusion 119, and the other side of the spring 112 is gripped by an upper grip 117 formed at an upper portion of an arm 123 of the cover unit 120.

[0032] A housing gear train 113 having a rack shape is attached to one side edge of an upper portion of the side plate 111, and a drive gear 114 is installed to be engaged with the housing gear train 113. The drive gear 114 is axially coupled to a gear shaft 132 of a guide member 130, which will be described below.

[0033] A guide groove 115 is provided in the side plate 111 and disposed at a lower side of the drive gear 114 so as to guide movement of a slider 135 of the guide member 130, which will be described below. The guide groove 115 has a shape in which a quadrilateral edge protrudes, and the slider 135 is inserted into the groove such that the guide groove 115 guides the slider 135 when the slider 135 moves in a left-right direction.

[0034] An arm 123 is provided on a rear surface of the cover plate 121 of the cover unit 120, which extends beyond the side plate 111 attached to one surface of the housing 110. Since the hinge shaft 131 of the guide member 130 is inserted into the through-hole 127 of the arm 123, the arm 123 is coupled in a hinge manner, and when the cover plate 121 is moved in the vertical direction, the arm 123 rotates in the vertical direction about the hinge shaft 131.

[0035] The arm 123 includes an arm base 124 extending upward from the rear surface of the cover plate 121, an extension protrusion 125 extending from the arm base 124 in one direction, a boss 126 extending from the arm base 124 in the other direction, and a cover gear 128 having a rack shape formed on a portion of an edge portion of the boss 126 and configured to be engaged with the drive gear 114 coupled to the side plate 111.

[0036] Figure 6a FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a hinge guide according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 6b FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a slider.

[0037] As shown, the hinge guide 130 is a member configured to guide the arm 123 rotating when the cover plate 121 of the cover unit 120 is moved in the up-and-down direction. The hinge shaft 131 protrudes from a lower portion of one surface of the base 133 having a flat plate shape, the gear shaft 132 protrudes from an upper portion of one surface of the base 133, and the flange 134 having a protruding quadrangular edge is formed on the other surface of the base 133.

[0038] Specifically, to smoothly guide the operation of the hinge guide 130, the arm 123 can have a quadrangular long hole (not shown), and the flange 134 of the hinge guide 130 can be inserted into the long hole so that the hinge guide 130 is moved in the horizontal direction.

[0039] The slider 135 has a recess 137 into which an end portion of the hinge shaft 131 of the hinge guide 130, which is exposed through the through-hole 127 of the arm 123, is inserted, and the recess 137 has a through-hole 136 for coupling a bolt (not shown) fastening the slider 135 to the end portion of the hinge shaft 131 inserted into the recess 137 to the through-hole 136.

[0040] Hereinafter, the operation of the console tray according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure configured as described above will be described.

[0041] Figures 7a to 7c FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a hinge guide according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 7a FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a slider.Figure 7b is a view illustrating a state when the console tray is operated, and Figure 7c is a view illustrating a state after the console tray is operated.

[0042] First, referring to Figure 7a , Figure 7a the top of FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a state before the console tray 100 opens the cover plate 121 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure (before operation), and Figure 7a the bottom of FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of B. The cover plate 121 of the console tray 100 is closed, and the other end of the spring 112 coupled to the side plate 111 of the housing 110 is gripped by the upper grip 117, so that the cover plate 121 does not move upward. In this state, because the drive gear 114 engaged with the cover gear 128 of the arm 123 does not rotate, the drive gear 114 is positioned in place. Accordingly, the guide member 130 having the drive gear 114 installed at an upper end thereof is also not moved.

[0043] In this state, when the user lifts the cover plate 121 of the console tray 100 upward, a state illustrated in Figure 7b is formed. Figure 7b is a view illustrating a state when the console tray is operated, in which the cover plate 121 is lifted upward by about 30 degrees. Figure 7b the top of FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a process in which the console tray 100 opens the cover plate 121 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure (during operation), and Figure 7b the bottom of FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of B.

[0044] In a state during operation, in a state in which the spring force is applied to the spring 112 as the cover plate 121 moves upward, the arm 123 rotates about the hinge shaft 131 toward the inside of the housing 110. In addition, Figure 5 the slider 135 coupled to the end of the hinge shaft 131 illustrated in FIG. 3 moves along the guide groove 115 toward the inside of the housing 110.

[0045] The drive gear 114 coupled to the gear shaft 132 of the guide member 130 also moves along the housing gear train 113 and the cover gear 128 of the arm 123 by the movement of the guide groove 115, so that the drive gear 114 moves toward the inside of the housing 110 by a first movement distance P1.

[0046] Next, when the user lifts the cover plate 121 of the console tray 100 upward and completely opens the cover plate 121, a state illustrated in Figure 7c is formed.

[0047] Figure 7cis a side view showing a state in which the cover 121 of the console tray 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is fully opened at about 57 degrees (after operation). Figure 7c is a magnified view of the B portion. In a state in which the elastic force is applied to the spring 112 as the cover 121 moves upward, the arm 123 further rotates toward the inside of the housing 110 around the hinge shaft 131. Also, the slider 135 coupled to the end portion of the hinge shaft 131 moves toward the inside of the housing 110 along the guide groove 115. Also, the drive gear 114 coupled to the gear shaft 132 of the guide member 130 moves along the housing gear train 113 and the cover gear 128 of the arm 123 by the movement of the guide groove 115, such that the drive gear 114 also moves a second movement distance P2 from the starting position toward the inside of the housing 110, and thus, the cover 121 of the console tray 100 is fully opened.

[0048] Accordingly, the cover 121 of the console tray 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure fully opens the tray at a rotation amount of about 57 degrees, and a small rotation amount allows the console tray 100 to occupy a small space that permits a rotation radius. Accordingly, it is possible to solve the problem in the related art that the lid of the console tray requires a space that permits a rotation radius of about 88 degrees, which results in a decrease in the capacity of the housing of the console tray. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the capacity of the tray and improve the utilization of the tray.

[0049] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a console tray for a vehicle according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a console tray for a vehicle according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 10 is a perspective view showing Figure 9 is a detail view of the C portion in Figures 11a to 11c is a detail view showing components of a console tray for a vehicle according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 11a is a perspective view showing a hinge guide, Figure 11b is a perspective view showing a damping gear, and Figure 11c is a perspective view showing an edge and an O-ring located on a bottom surface of an arm base.

[0050] Referring to Figure 8 and Figure 9 , a console tray 200 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing 210 configured to define an internal space in a tray, and a cover unit 220 coupled to be upwardly rotatable from the housing 110 and configured to open or close an entrance of the tray.

[0051] The cover unit 220 has a cover plate 221 having a flat plate shape, and a protruding rib 222 attached to a lower portion of the cover plate 221 so that the rib 222 can be gripped by a user's finger when the cover plate 221 is lifted upward.

[0052] Referring to Figure 10 , the base 214 is mounted on the side plate 211 of the housing 210, and the through-hole 231 of the hinge guide 230 is fitted with and coupled to the insertion protrusion 215 formed on the base 214. As shown in Figure 11a , the ring spring 212 is fitted with a through-hole extension protrusion 234 protruding from a rear surface of the hinge guide 230 along a circumference of the through-hole 231 of the hinge guide 230. One side of the spring 212 is gripped by the spring fixing portion 213 formed on the base 214, and the other side of the spring 212 is gripped by a latch 235 provided on a lower portion of the hinge guide 230.

[0053] The arm 223 extends upward from a rear surface of the cover plate 221 of the cover unit 220. The arm 223 includes an arm base 224 of the cover plate 221, a cover gear 225 formed on a portion of an edge portion of the arm base 224 and configured to be engaged with the housing gear train 216 formed on the base 214, and a guide fixing pin 226 formed on the arm base 224 and configured to be gripped by an end portion of the extension plate 232 of the hinge guide 230. Since the guide fixing pin 226 is configured to be gripped by the end portion of the hinge guide 230, the hinge guide 230 rotates as the arm 223 rotates.

[0054] A damping gear 240 engaged with the guide gear train 233 of the hinge guide 230 is mounted on the base 214. The damping gear 240 smoothly guides the rotation of the hinge guide 230.

[0055] Accordingly, the tray according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure configured as described above, when the cover plate 221 is moved upward, the arm 223 rotates counterclockwise to rotate the hinge guide 230, and detailed operations will be described below.

[0056] Referring to Figure 11a , Figure 11b and Figure 11cThe hinge guide 230 is a member having a flat plate shape, a through-hole 231 is formed in a lower portion of the hinge guide 230, an insertion protrusion 215 formed on the base 214 is inserted into the through-hole, and an upper portion of the hinge guide 230 has an extension plate 232 having a triangular shape in which a width is narrowed toward an end of the hinge guide 230. A guide gear system 233 having a rack shape is provided on a portion of an edge of a peripheral body of the through-hole 231 of the hinge guide 230. A through-hole extension protrusion 234 protrudes from a rear surface along a circumference of the through-hole 231. Further, a catch 235, which is gripped by the other side of the spring 212, is provided on the lower portion of the hinge guide 230.

[0057] The damping gear 240 includes a bracket 242 coupled to the base 214, and a gear body 241 rotatably coupled to the bracket 242.

[0058] Meanwhile, as shown in Figure 11c , according to the present disclosure, a groove-shaped edge 217 protruding in a quadrangular shape is formed on the base 214, an O-ring 218 is inserted into the edge 217, and the O-ring 218 functions to prevent vibration of the arm 223 when the arm 223 is rotated.

[0059] Hereinafter, the operation of the console tray according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure configured as described above will be described.

[0060] Figures 12a to 12c is a detailed view showing a state of the console tray operation for a vehicle according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in which, Figure 12a is a view showing a state before the console tray operation, Figure 12b is a view showing a state at the time of the console tray operation, and Figure 12c is a view showing a state after the console tray operation.

[0061] First, reference is made to Figure 12a , Figure 12a the top of FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state before the cover plate 221 of the console tray 200 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is opened (before operation), and Figure 12a the bottom of FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of D portion. When the cover plate 221 of the console tray 200 is closed, the arm 223 is not rotated so that the hinge guide 230 gripped by the guide fixing pin 226 of the arm 223 is not moved.

[0062] In this state, when a user lifts up the cover plate 221 of the console tray 200 upward, a state as shown in Figure 12b in the operation in which the cover plate 121 is lifted up by about 25 degrees is formed. Figure 12bthe top thereof is a side view illustrating a process (during operation) in which the lid plate 221 of the console tray 200 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is opened, and Figure 12b the bottom thereof is an enlarged view of the D portion.

[0063] In this operation state, when the lid plate 221 is moved upward, the lid gear 225 of the arm 223 is engaged with the housing gear train 216, the arm 223 is rotated counterclockwise, and the lid plate 221 is withdrawn backward toward the inside of the housing 210.

[0064] Then, according to the rotation of the arm 223, the hinge guide 230, which is gripped by the arm 223 through the guide fixed pin 226, is moved counterclockwise. In this case, one side of the spring 212, to which the through-hole extension protrusion 234 protruding from the rear surface of the hinge guide 230 is fitted, is gripped by the spring fixing portion 213, and the other side of the spring 212 is gripped by the catch 234 provided on the lower portion of the hinge guide 230, so that the elastic force is applied to the hinge guide 230. Also, since the guide gear train 233 of the hinge guide 230 is engaged with the damping gear 240, the hinge guide 230 is smoothly rotated by the damping gear 240.

[0065] Next, when the user lifts the lid plate 221 of the console tray 200 upward and completely opens the lid plate 221, a state shown in FIG. 10 is formed. Figure 12c

[0066] Figure 12c the top thereof is a side view illustrating a state (after operation) in which the lid plate 221 of the console tray 200 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is completely opened at about 50 degrees, and Figure 12c the bottom thereof is an enlarged view of the D portion. As the lid plate 221 is moved upward, the arm 223 is further rotated counterclockwise toward the inside of the housing 210. According to the rotation of the arm 223, the hinge guide 230, which is gripped by the arm 223 through the guide fixed pin 226, is further rotated counterclockwise, so that the lid plate 221 of the console tray 200 is completely opened.

[0067] Accordingly, the lid plate 221 of the console tray 200 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure completely opens the tray at a rotation amount of about 50 degrees, and a small rotation amount allows the console tray 100 to occupy a small space of a permitted rotation radius. Accordingly, like the console tray 100 according to the above-described exemplary embodiment, it is possible to solve a problem of a reduction in capacity of the housing of the console tray. Accordingly, an effect of improving the utilization of the tray by increasing the capacity of the tray can be obtained.

[0068] ​While a number of example aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof, and as such are possible. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims introduced hereafter be interpreted as including all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A console tray for a vehicle, the console tray comprising: a housing having an internal space; a cover unit including: a cover plate coupled to be upwardly rotatable from the housing and configured to open or close an entrance of the console tray; and an arm provided on a rear surface of the cover plate and configured to rotate as the cover plate moves in an up-and-down direction; and a guide member having a hinge shaft coupled to the arm; wherein the guide member moves the hinge shaft toward an inner side of the internal space of the console tray through a gear meshing structure between a side portion of the housing, the arm, and the guide member, wherein a housing gear train is attached to a side plate of the housing, and a drive gear is installed to mesh with the housing gear train, wherein a guide groove is provided in the side plate and disposed at a lower side of the drive gear, and a slider is movably installed in the guide groove, the slider having a recess into which an end of the hinge shaft of the guide member is inserted.

2. The console tray of claim 1, wherein, The guide member has a gear shaft that is axially coupled to the drive gear, and the hinge shaft is inserted into a via hole formed in the arm.

3. The console tray of claim 1, wherein, An insertion protrusion is formed on a side plate of the housing, one side of a spring is caught by a lower catch portion formed at a lower side of the insertion protrusion, and the other side of the spring is caught by an upper catch portion formed on an upper portion of the arm of the cover unit.

4. The console tray of claim 1, wherein, The arm includes: an arm base extending upward from a rear surface of the cover plate; an extension protrusion extending from the arm base in one direction; a boss extending from the arm base in another direction and having a via hole; and a cover gear formed on a portion of an edge portion of the boss and configured to mesh with the drive gear.

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