A storage device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a storage device comprising a housing having an annular sidewall providing a storage space; a base configured to move between a lower position and a raised position relative to the sidewall; and a partition configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the base. When in the extended position, the partition divides the storage space into two subspaces to provide a cup holder configuration. When in the retracted position, the partition, together with the base, forms a bottom plane of the storage space to provide a storage box configuration. The storage device according to the present invention can freely switch between the storage box configuration and the cup holder configuration by moving the base and the partition, thereby satisfying all the advantages of placing items in a single environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle, and more particularly to a storage device. Background Art

[0002] Nowadays, in the field of automotive interior research and development, people are increasingly concerned about the convenience of interior storage, such as cup holders and storage boxes. However, the models on the market have not provided a perfect solution for the convenient interchangeability of storage boxes and cup holders. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In order to solve the problem in the prior art that the functions of a storage box and a cup holder cannot be smoothly interchanged, the present invention provides a storage device.

[0004] According to the storage device of the present invention, it includes: a shell, which is configured to have an annular side wall providing a storage space; a base, which is configured to move between a low position and a high position relative to the side wall; and a partition, which is configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the base, wherein the partition divides the storage space into two subspaces when in the extended position to provide a cup holder state, and when in the retracted position, the partition and the base together constitute the bottom plane of the storage space to provide a storage box state.

[0005] Preferably, when the partition is in the extended position, the base is in the low position; when the partition is in the retracted position, the base is in the high position.

[0006] Preferably, the partition moves from the retracted position to the extended position in response to movement of the base from the raised position to the lowered position.

[0007] Preferably, the storage device further comprises a gear set for linking the base and the partition, the gear set comprising a first gear and a second gear arranged coaxially, the first gear meshing with the rack of the base, and the second gear meshing with the rack of the partition.

[0008] Preferably, the storage device further comprises a claw provided on the side wall and extending or retracting relative to the side wall.

[0009] Preferably, when the base is in the low position, the claws extend from the side wall; when the base is in the high position, the claws retract into the side wall.

[0010] Preferably, the jaws move in response to movement of the base.

[0011] Preferably, the base comprises a blocking piece, and when the base is in the high position, the blocking piece prevents the claw from extending from the side wall.

[0012] Preferably, the storage device further comprises an unlocking lever, and the base moves from the low position to the high position in response to pressing of the unlocking lever.

[0013] Preferably, the storage device further comprises a locking hook, wherein the locking hook cooperates with a locking hole on the partition to restrict the partition to the extended position.

[0014] Preferably, the unlocking lever acts on the locking hook to switch the cup holder state to the storage box state.

[0015] Preferably, the storage device further comprises a coil spring, and the coil spring acts on the base to drive the base to move from the low position to the high position, thereby realizing switching from the cup holder state to the storage box state.

[0016] Preferably, when the partition is in the retracted position, the partition is flush with the top surface of the base.

[0017] Preferably, the storage device further comprises a motor, and the motor acts on the base and the partition to achieve switching between the cup holder state and the storage box state.

[0018] According to the storage device of the present invention, the free switching between the storage box state and the cup holder state can be achieved by moving the base and the partition, and all the advantages of placing items in a single environment are met. Specifically, the storage device of the present invention can meet the needs of placing items in the storage box state and the cup holder state, integrating the two and meeting the needs of a single environment. It has versatility and comfort, and can meet the needs of users in different scenarios. When it is necessary to place items such as water cups, the base is raised and lowered to expose the claws to clamp the water cups; when it is necessary to place items other than water cups, the claws are hidden by the unlocking button, making it easier to take and place other items. The storage device of the present invention can be switched between the storage box state and the cup holder state. The design of the dual cup holders lifting and lowering in a linked manner has a variety of shapes while reducing the cost of the lifting mechanism layout. It can meet the diversified design needs of square, figure 8 or circular shapes. The storage device of the present invention perfectly combines simplicity and practicality, has the practicality of a simple interior, and can also add a motor layout to achieve automatic switching, thereby realizing an intelligent cockpit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1A is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle equipped with a storage device according to the present invention;

[0020] Figure 1B It shows the installation environment of the storage device according to the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2AIt shows the state of the storage box of the storage device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2B Shown Figure 2A A first switching state of the storage device;

[0023] Figure 2C Shown Figure 2A The cup holder status of the storage device;

[0024] Figure 2D Shown Figure 2A a second switching state of the storage device;

[0025] Figure 3 yes Figure 2A A schematic diagram of the overall structure of the storage device;

[0026] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Exploded view of the storage device;

[0027] Figure 5 Shown Figure 3 Assembly of the upper shell assembly and the lower shell assembly of the storage device;

[0028] Figure 6 corresponds to Figure 2A A partial enlarged view of

[0029] Figure 7 corresponds to Figure 2A Overall cross-sectional view;

[0030] Figure 8 corresponds to Figure 2C A partial enlarged view of

[0031] Figure 9 corresponds to Figure 2C Overall cross-sectional view;

[0032] Figure 10 yes Figure 3 A top view of the storage device;

[0033] Figure 11 It is along Figure 10 A sectional view taken along line KK;

[0034] Figure 12 Shown Figure 3 The mounting structure of the base and the shell of the storage device;

[0035] Figure 13 Shown Figure 3 The limiting tongue of the storage device and the installation structure of the housing;

[0036] Figure 14corresponds to Figure 2C A partial enlarged view of

[0037] Figure 15 corresponds to Figure 2D A partial enlarged view of

[0038] Figure 16 corresponds to Figure 2A and Figure 2B A partial enlarged view of

[0039] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a storage device according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 18 yes Figure 17 A top view of the storage device;

[0041] Figure 19 It is along Figure 18 A cross-sectional view taken along line LL;

[0042] Figure 20 yes Figure 17 An overall cross-sectional view of the storage device in the storage box state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are given below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and described in detail.

[0044] like Figure 1A-1B As shown, a storage device A according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is installed on a central console box of a vehicle V.

[0045] The storage device A according to this embodiment has a storage box state (such as Figure 2A as shown) and cup holder status (as shown) Figure 2C shown).

[0046] like Figure 2A-2D As shown, the storage device A according to this embodiment includes a shell, a base 200 and a partition 210, wherein the shell is a fixed part on the vehicle and provides a storage space through an annular side wall, and the base 200 and the partition 210 are respectively movable parts and are movable in the storage space. Figure 2A The storage box is shown in a state where the base 200 is in a high position and the partition 210 is in a retracted position. Figure 2B It is shown that a passenger holds a water cup and applies a downward force to the base 200, causing the base 200 to drop from a high position. The partition 210 rises from the retracted position in response to the drop of the base 200 until it is locked in the cup holder state. Figure 2CThe cup holder state is shown, where the base 200 is in a low position and the partition 210 is locked in an extended position, thereby dividing the storage space into two sub-spaces through the partition 210 so that two cups can be placed as needed. Figure 2D The figure shows that the passenger takes away the cup and then unlocks the door, causing the base 200 to rise from the low position and the partition 210 to fall from the extended position in response to the rise of the base 200 until it returns to the low position. Figure 2A In this embodiment, the high position of the base 200 and the retracted position of the partition 210 are on the same horizontal plane to provide the bottom plane of the storage box. It should be understood that the bottom plane of the storage box does not necessarily have to be on the same horizontal plane.

[0047] like Figure 3-Figure 4 As shown, the housing includes an upper shell 100 and a lower shell 110 that are fixedly connected, two bases 200 are symmetrically and movably mounted on the lower shell 110 , and a partition 210 is movably mounted on the lower shell 110 between the two bases 200 .

[0048] like Figure 4 As shown, the storage device A according to this embodiment further includes a claw assembly 300, which includes six claws 301 respectively installed by claw springs 302. In this way, three retractable claws 301 are formed corresponding to each subspace to hold each cup placed in the cup holder state. Figure 5 The four claws 301 are symmetrically mounted on the upper shell 100 through the claw springs 302, and the two claws 301 are symmetrically mounted on the partition 210 through the claw springs 302. Figure 4 Each base 200 includes a base plate 201 and two baffles 202 extending vertically from the base plate 201. Figure 2A In the storage box state shown, the base 200 is in a high position, and the claw 301 mounted on the upper shell 100 is blocked by the blocking piece 202 so that it is not visible and prevented from extending from the side wall. Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the partition 210 is in the retracted position, and the claw 301 installed on the partition 210 is located below the storage space and is also invisible. In the process of switching to the cup holder state, the base 200 (i.e., the blocking piece 202) descends, and the claw 301 installed on the upper shell 100 rotates around the rotation axis from the side wall under the action of the claw spring 302 until it is fully displayed in the cup holder state, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, as the partition 210 rises, the claws 301 installed on the partition 210 rise synchronously to the storage space and are also fully shown. In this embodiment, the six claws 301 in the cup holder state are located at the same horizontal plane to evenly clamp the cups placed therein.

[0049] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the storage device A according to this embodiment further includes a connection mechanism 400 between the fixed part (shell, i.e., upper shell 100 and lower shell 110) and the movable part (base 200 and partition 210), and the connection mechanism 400 includes an unlocking lever 401 mounted on the shell via a return spring 402. Back Figure 2D , an external force acts on the unlocking lever 401 to unlock it and realize the switching from the cup holder state to the storage box state.

[0050] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the connection mechanism 400 also includes a linkage mechanism between the base 200 and the partition 210 - a resistor 403, a gear set 404 and a gear shaft 405, wherein the resistor 403 and the gear set 404 are mounted on the lower housing 110 via the gear shaft 405, and the gear set 404 includes two coaxially arranged gears, one of which is engaged with a rack on the base 200, and the other is engaged with a rack on the partition 210, as shown in FIG. Figure 10 and Figure 11 In particular, Figure 12 As shown, each base 200 has three guide ribs 203, and the lower shell 110 correspondingly has three guide grooves 111. The guide ribs 203 cooperate with the guide grooves 111 and have a gap of 0.1 mm, thereby generating a limiting effect to prevent the base 200 from shaking during the lifting process.

[0051] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the connecting mechanism 400 further includes a coil spring 406 connected between the base 200 and the lower shell 110 to drive the base 200 after unlocking, driving the base 200 to move from a low position to a high position to achieve switching from the cup holder state to the storage box state.

[0052] like Figure 4 As shown, the connecting mechanism 400 further includes a limiting tongue 408, which is mounted on the lower housing 110 via a limiting tongue spring 407 and a limiting tongue shaft 409. Figure 13 As shown. Figure 14 In the cup holder state, the limiting tongue 408 is inserted into the lock hole 211 of the partition 210 and locked. Figure 15 The cup holder state is shown as being switched to the initial stage of the storage box state. External force acts on the top of the unlocking lever 401 to rotate it, driving the limiting tongue 408 to rotate and disengage from the lock hole 211 to achieve the unlocking function and complete the switch. Figure 16 In the storage box state shown or when the storage box is switched to the cup holder state, the limiting tongue 408 is always in contact with the outer surface of the partition 210 under the action of the limiting tongue spring 407 .

[0053] Thus, according to the storage device of this embodiment, in the storage box state, a downward force is applied to the base 200, which drives the partition 210 upward via the gear set 404, automatically displaying the claws 301, thereby realizing the cup holder state. In the cup holder state, by pressing the release lever 401, the force of the coil spring 406 drives the base 200 upward, driving the partition 210 downward via the gear set 404, and the base 200 acts on the claws 301 to hide them, thus realizing the storage box state.

[0054] According to another embodiment of the present invention, an electric storage device is provided. Compared with the manual storage device of the previous embodiment, the electric motor 410 is added and the unlocking lever 401, the return spring 402, the resistor 403, the coil spring 406, the limiting tongue spring 407, the limiting tongue 408 and the limiting tongue rotating shaft 409 are eliminated. Figures 17-20 As shown, the motor 410 is connected to the gear set 404 via a rotating shaft, thereby driving the storage device to switch between the storage box state and the cup holder state. It should be understood that the activation of the motor 410 can be achieved by a physical switch, screen touch or proximity sensing.

[0055] It should be noted that the present invention (e.g., the inventive concept, etc.) has been described in the specification of this patent document and / or illustrated in the drawings based on exemplary embodiments; the embodiments of the present invention are presented only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The structure and / or arrangement of the elements of the inventive concept embodied in the present invention as described in the specification and / or illustrated in the drawings is merely illustrative. Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail in this patent document, it is readily understood by those skilled in the art that equivalents, modifications, variations, etc. of the subject matter of the exemplary embodiments and alternative embodiments are possible and are considered to be within the scope of the present invention; all such subject matters (e.g., modifications, variations, embodiments, combinations, equivalents, etc.) are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. It should also be noted that various / other modifications, changes, substitutions, equivalents, changes, omissions, etc. may be made in the configuration and / or arrangement of the exemplary embodiments (e.g., in terms of concept, design, structure, device, form, assembly, construction, means, function, system, process / method, step, order of process / method steps, operation, operating conditions, performance, material, composition, combination, etc.) without departing from the scope of the present invention; all such subjects (e.g., modifications, changes, embodiments, combinations, equivalents, etc.) are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited to the subject matter described in the description and / or drawings of this patent document (e.g., details, structure, function, material, behavior, step, order, system, result, etc.). Considering that the claims of this patent document will be appropriately interpreted to cover the full scope of the subject matter of the present invention (e.g., including any and all such modifications, changes, embodiments, combinations, equivalents, etc.); it should be understood that the terminology used in this patent document is intended to provide a description of the subject matter of the exemplary embodiments and is not intended to be used as a limitation on the scope of the present invention.

[0056] It should also be noted that, depending on the exemplary embodiments, the present invention may include conventional technologies (such as those implemented and / or integrated in the exemplary embodiments, modifications, variations, combinations, equivalents), or may include any other applicable technologies (present and / or future) that have the ability to perform the functions and processes / operations described in the specification and / or illustrated in the figures. All of these technologies (such as those implemented in embodiments, modifications, variations, combinations, equivalents, etc.) are considered to be within the scope of the present invention of this patent document.

Claims

1. A storage device, characterized in that: The storage device includes: a housing configured to have an annular sidewall providing a storage space; a base configured to move relative to the sidewall between a lowered position and a raised position; a partition configured to move relative to the base between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the partition divides the storage space into two subspaces in the extended position to provide a cup holder state, and the partition, together with the base, constitutes a bottom plane of the storage space in the retracted position to provide a storage box state, and the partition moves from the retracted position to the extended position in response to movement of the base from the high position to the low position.

2. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the partition is in the extended position, the base is in the low position; when the partition is in the retracted position, the base is in the high position.

3. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The storage device also includes a gear set for linking the base and the partition, the gear set includes a first gear and a second gear arranged coaxially, the first gear is engaged with the rack of the base, and the second gear is engaged with the rack of the partition.

4. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The storage device further includes a claw that is arranged on the side wall and extends or retracts relative to the side wall.

5. The storage device according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the base is in the low position, the claws extend from the side wall; when the base is in the high position, the claws retract into the side wall.

6. The storage device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The jaws move in response to movement of the base.

7. The storage device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The base includes a blocking piece, which prevents the claw from extending from the side wall when the base is in the high position.

8. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The storage device further includes an unlocking lever, and the base moves from the low position to the high position in response to pressing of the unlocking lever.

9. The storage device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The storage device further comprises a locking hook, which cooperates with a locking hole on the partition to restrict the partition to the extended position.

10. The storage device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The unlocking lever acts on the locking hook to switch the cup holder state to the storage box state.

11. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The storage device further includes a coil spring, which acts on the base to drive the base to move from the low position to the high position, thereby achieving switching from the cup holder state to the storage box state.

12. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the partition is in the retracted position, the partition is flush with the top surface of the base.

13. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The storage device further includes a motor, which acts on the base and the partition to achieve switching between the cup holder state and the storage box state.

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