Storage box with movable internal adjustment plate

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage box (2) comprising side walls (201, 203, 204) and a bottom wall (202), a closure adjustment plate (3) being arranged between an opening (22) and said bottom wall (202) and being arranged rotatably movable between a closed position and an open position, said closure adjustment plate being coupled in said side walls (201) facing each other by a pivoting connection, characterized in that said storage box (2) comprises two rotation recesses (26) on the two side walls (201) facing each other, and in that said adjustment plate (3) comprises two protruding rotation elements (31) arranged on two opposite edges of said adjustment plate (3) and each inserted in one of said rotation recesses (26) in order to guide the rotation of said adjustment plate (3) around an axis of rotation passing through these two rotation elements (31).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention claims priority to French application 2007740, filed on July 23, 2020, the contents of which (text, drawings and claims) are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a storage device installed in a vehicle (especially in the center console between the passengers) and a vehicle equipped with such a device. Background Technology

[0003] It is known to incorporate cavities in the passenger compartment of a vehicle to create storage boxes. Such storage boxes are typically housed in the center console, a passenger compartment feature located between the front seats of the vehicle and extending longitudinally from the dashboard positioned in front of the front passengers toward the rear of the vehicle. Document EP1284216 describes such a storage box mounted on the center console of a vehicle, comprising an opening providing access to its own internal volume, the opening being closable by a cover pivoting about an axis of rotation. A closure adjustment plate is disposed within the internal volume and pivots between a closed and open position about the same axis of rotation as the cover. The axis of rotation is disposed at the edge of the opening, and the connection between the adjustment plate and the cover and the axis of rotation is non-removable. The adjustment plate has a concave form such that when in the closed position, the adjustment plate locks access to the internal volume disposed between the bottom of the box and the adjustment plate, and leaves a usable volume between the adjustment plate and the cover. The adjustment plate and the cover pivot about the same axis, and the adjustment plate locks onto the cover. The control allows the cover to be opened or closed by selecting whether to drive or not drive the adjustment plate, thereby allowing or disallowing access to the volume arranged below the adjustment plate.

[0004] The disadvantages of this solution are that the assembly of the adjustment plate onto the box is complex, and the adjustment plate is not removable. Furthermore, since the axis of rotation is arranged at the edge of the box's opening, the adjustment plate needs to have a well-defined concave shape to provide sufficient storage volume between the box's opening and the adjustment plate in its closed position. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome these disadvantages. In particular, one of the objectives of the present invention is to implement a storage box with an adjustment plate that divides the internal volume of the storage box into two parts, the storage box being simple to implement and assemble, and the adjustment plate of the storage box being detachable.

[0006] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved by a storage box (2) comprising side walls (201, 203, 204) and a bottom wall (202) defining an internal volume (21) accessible from an opening (22). A closing adjustment plate (3) is disposed within the internal volume (20) and between the opening (22) and the bottom wall (202), and is arranged to be rotatably movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the adjustment plate (3) locks access to a lower volume (211) located between the bottom wall and the adjustment plate (3). In the open position, the lower volume... The storage box (211) is accessible from the outside of the storage box. The adjustment plate is pivotally connected to two opposing sides of the sidewalls (201). The storage box (2) includes two rotating recesses (26) on the two opposing sidewalls (201), and the adjustment plate (3) includes two protruding rotating elements (31) arranged on two opposite edges of the adjustment plate (3). Each of the two protruding rotating elements is inserted into one of the rotating recesses (26) to guide the adjustment plate (3) to rotate about a rotation axis through which the two rotating elements (31) pass.

[0007] The adjusting plate is thus connected to the box by fitting the rotating element into the rotating recess. Advantageously, especially by providing flexibility to the wall or the adjusting plate, the connection between the adjusting plate and the side wall is easily detachable. Furthermore, the box is simple to implement and requires no complex assembly. The number of parts required to implement a storage box with a pivotable adjusting plate is also advantageously reduced. Since the protruding rotating element is located on the adjusting plate, this facilitates the assembly of the adjusting plate in the box and the insertion of these rotating elements into the recess. Another advantage is that the axis of rotation can be easily located at the center of the side wall of the box.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the storage box includes locking components (23, 32) for locking the adjustment plate (3) in the open position.

[0009] Advantageously, the adjustment plate can be kept in the open position without requiring manual maintenance.

[0010] In another embodiment of the invention, the locking components (23, 32) include: a locking recess (23) in one of the sidewalls (201) for locking in an open position, and a locking element (32) protruding from the adjustment plate (3) and guided toward the sidewall (201), the locking recess (23) and the locking element (32) being arranged such that when the adjustment plate (3) is in the open position, the locking element (32) is inserted into the locking recess (23) to lock the adjustment plate (3) in the open position.

[0011] Advantageously, the locking mechanism is simple to implement and requires no complex assembly. The number of parts required to implement a storage box with a pivotable adjustment plate that can be locked in the open position is reduced. Furthermore, unlocking is easily implemented by actuating the adjustment plate to apply a force greater than the locking force exerted by engaging the locking element in the locking recess.

[0012] In another embodiment of the invention, the storage box includes: a locking member (24, 32) for locking in a closed position, located in one of the sidewalls (201) and formed by a locking recess (24) for locking in a closed position; and a locking element (32) protruding from the adjustment plate (3) and guided toward the sidewall (201), the locking recess (24) for locking in a closed position and the protruding locking element (32) being arranged such that when the adjustment plate (3) is in a closed position, the protruding locking element (32) is inserted into the locking recess (24) for locking in a closed position, so as to lock the adjustment plate (3) in the closed position.

[0013] Advantageously, the locking component for locking in the closed position is simple to implement and does not require complex assembly. The number of parts required to implement a storage box with a pivotable adjustment plate and lockable in the closed position is reduced. Furthermore, unlocking is easily implemented by actuating the adjustment plate to apply a force greater than the force from the engagement of the locking element in the locking recess.

[0014] In another embodiment of the invention, the storage box (2) includes a locking element (32) arranged on the adjustment plate (3) and two locking recesses on one of the side walls (201), namely a first locking recess (23) for locking in the closed position and a second locking recess (24) for locking in the open position. The locking element (32) is inserted into the first locking recess (23) to lock the adjustment plate (3) in the open position and into the second locking recess (24) to lock the adjustment plate (3) in the closed position. Preferably, the portion of the side wall (201) including the two locking recesses (23, 24) is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the adjustment plate (3).

[0015] Advantageously, only a single protruding locking element and only two recesses are needed to implement the locking member for locking in the open position and the locking member for locking in the closed position.

[0016] In another embodiment of the invention, the storage box includes a groove (25) on a sidewall (201) including the two locking recesses (23, 24), the groove connecting the first locking recess (23) and the second locking recess (24) along an arc centered on the axis of rotation of the adjustment plate (3), such that the locking element (32) moves in the groove (25) when the adjustment plate (3) moves between the closed position and the open position, the groove (25) having a depth less than the depth of the locking recesses (23, 24).

[0017] Advantageously, the friction between the locking element and the sidewall is reduced as the adjusting plate moves between the open and closed positions, preventing rapid wear of the sidewall and / or the surface of the locking element due to friction. The depth of the groove is less than the depth of the two locking recesses, ensuring that the adjusting plate remains in both the open and closed positions.

[0018] In another embodiment of the invention, the adjustment plate (3) includes a flat wall (30) having two parallel side edges, and two tabs (33) extending perpendicularly from the side edges of the adjustment plate (3) to the flat wall (30) and perpendicularly to the rotation axis of the adjustment plate (3), each of the tabs (33) including a rotating element (31) and / or a locking element (32).

[0019] Advantageously, the tab allows the axis of rotation or the locking element to be offset from the flat wall of the adjusting plate. Furthermore, by arranging the locking element on the tab, the tab provides flexibility, reducing the force required to unlock the adjusting plate from its closed or open position, and the force required to move the adjusting plate between these two positions.

[0020] In another embodiment of the invention, one or more recesses (23, 24, 26) have a hemispherical form, and one or more protruding elements (31, 32) have a hemispherical form that is complementary to the hemispherical form of the corresponding one or more recesses (23, 24, 26).

[0021] Advantageously, the hemispherical shape allows for a good, gapless locking of the adjustment plate and facilitates unlocking the adjustment plate as it moves from the closed position or from the open position toward another of these positions.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a vehicle that includes, in its own passenger compartment, preferably in the center console or dashboard, a storage box (2) as described above. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The invention will be better understood by reading the detailed description and accompanying drawings given below by way of example only, in which:

[0024] - Figure 1 The image shows the environment of a vehicle with a dashboard featuring a central console equipped with a storage box according to the invention.

[0025] - Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A sectional view of the storage box taken along the longitudinal vertical mid-plane of the vehicle, with the adjustment plate in the closed position.

[0026] - Figure 3 Is with Figure 2 A similar view, where the adjustment panel is in the open position.

[0027] - Figure 4 This is an exploded view of a storage box having an adjustment plate detached from the storage box. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The accompanying drawings are schematic diagrams to facilitate understanding of the invention. Components are not necessarily shown to scale. In different drawings, the same reference numerals correspond to the same components.

[0029] Figure 1The vehicle's dashboard 1 is shown, which has a center console 10 extending between the front passengers. Storage boxes 2 are arranged within the center console 10. Figure 1 In the example, the storage box 2 is arranged in the center console 10 and connected to the instrument panel 1. In a variant, the storage box 2 may be arranged in other locations in the vehicle (e.g., in the rear portion of the center console 10 or in the instrument panel 1). The storage box 2 defines an internal volume 20 accessible from the opening 22. The internal volume 20 is bounded by side walls 201, front walls 204 and rear walls 203, a bottom wall 202, and the opening 22.

[0030] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the closing adjustment plate 3 is arranged inside the storage box 2 (that is, arranged in the internal volume 20 and between the opening 22 and the bottom wall 202). This closing adjustment plate is rotatable about a rotation axis between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the closing adjustment plate locks access to the lower volume 211 located between the bottom wall 202 and the adjustment plate 3. In the open position, the lower volume 211 is accessible from the outside of the storage box 2. The closing adjustment plate is pivotally connected to two opposing sides of the side walls 201 to define the rotation axis of the adjustment plate 3. In the closed position, the adjustment plate 3 divides the internal volume 20 into two parts: a lower volume 211 and an upper volume 210 located between the adjustment plate 3 and the opening 22.

[0031] like Figure 4 As shown, the pivot connection is formed by two rotating recesses 26 and two protruding rotating elements. Each of the two rotating recesses is arranged on each of the two opposing sidewalls 201 of the storage box, and each of the two protruding rotating elements is arranged on two opposite edges of the adjustment plate 3. Each of the rotating elements 31 is inserted into one of the rotating recesses 26 to guide the adjustment plate 3 to rotate about a rotation axis traversed by the two rotating elements 26. The recesses 26 and / or the protruding rotating elements 31 may be cylindrical in shape, for example, with a circular cross-section to allow this rotation, or hemispherical in shape.

[0032] In order to keep the adjustment plate 3 in the open position, such as Figure 3 As shown, the box 2 also includes locking recesses 23 on each of the sidewalls 201, including the rotating recesses 26, for locking the adjustment plate 3 in the open position. The adjustment plate 3 includes two protruding locking elements 32 oriented toward the sidewalls 201. When the adjustment plate 3 is in the open position, each of the locking elements 32 is inserted into one of the locking recesses 26.

[0033] In the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, in order to keep the adjustment plate 3 in the closed position, the housing 2 also includes a locking recess 24 for locking in the closed position on each of the sidewalls 201 including the rotation recess 26. These locking recesses 26 are arranged such that when the adjustment plate 3 is in the closed position, the locking element 32 is inserted into one of the locking recesses 24 for locking in the closed position.

[0034] On each of these portions of the sidewall 201, including locking recesses 23 and 24, a groove 25 connects the two locking recesses 23 and 24 along an arc centered on the axis of rotation of the adjusting plate 3. The locking element 32 moves within the groove 25 as the adjusting plate 3 pivots about the axis of rotation between the closed and open positions. The depth of the groove 25 is less than the depth of the locking recesses 23 and 24 to protect the locking function of the recesses 23 and 24.

[0035] exist Figures 2 to 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment plate 3 is formed of a flat wall 30 having two parallel side edges. Two tabs 33 extend along a plane perpendicular to the flat wall 30, each of the two tabs extending along a portion of one of the side edges of the adjustment plate 3. Each of the tabs 33 includes a rotating element 31 and a locking element 32. The tabs 33 are substantially perpendicular to a straight line passed by each of the rotating elements 31, which corresponds to the axis of rotation. In order to be able to be inserted into the locking recesses 23 and 24 and respectively into the rotating recess 26, the locking element 32 and the respective rotating element 31 extend from the surface of the respective tab 33 facing one of the side walls 201. On the surfaces of the tabs 33 oriented to opposite sides (that is, oriented in the space between the two tabs 33), each of the tabs 33 includes a rigid rib.

[0036] like Figure 4 As shown, recesses 23, 24, and 26 have a concave hemispherical shape, and locking element 32 and rotating element 31 have a protruding hemispherical shape that complements the hemispherical shape of their respective recesses 23, 24, and 26. For example, to simplify the design, recesses 23, 24, and 26 have substantially the same shape, and locking element 32 and rotating element 31 also have the same shape.

[0037] Similarly, to simplify the design, the tabs 33 are symmetrical to each other along a plane perpendicular to the straight line passed by each of the rotating elements 31.

[0038] The portion of the sidewall 201 including recesses 23, 24, 26 and grooves 25 is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the adjustment plate 3.

[0039] At least one of the walls 201, 203, and 204 of the box 2 includes a stop 27 against which the adjusting plate 3, in the closed position, abuts to prevent the adjusting plate 3 from pivoting further toward the bottom wall 202. Even when an object is placed on the adjusting plate 3, the stop 27 better maintains the adjusting plate in the closed position. The stop 7 is, for example, located on the wall 203 or 204 of the housing that does not include the recess, and the adjusting plate 3 abuts the stop 3 by its surface oriented toward the bottom wall 202.

[0040] exist Figures 2 to 4 In the example shown, the storage box includes two side walls 201 (with recesses 23, 24, and 26 arranged thereon, the side walls 201 facing each other), a rear wall 203, and a front wall 204 connecting the side walls 201. A bottom wall 202 connects the two side walls 201, the front wall 203, and the rear wall 204 to a closed housing 2. A rotating recess 31 is arranged near the front wall 203. The adjustment plate 3 thus pivots about an axis located near the front wall 203. A stop 27 is provided by a shoulder in the rear wall 203, the shoulder forming a step, which the adjustment plate 3 abuts against when the adjustment plate is in the closed position, via its surface oriented towards the bottom wall 202.

[0041] To allow the adjusting plate to be inserted into the housing 2 until the rotating element 31 is inserted into its respective rotating recess 26 and the locking element 32 is inserted into its locking recess for locking in the closed position 23 or the open position 24, the tab 33 is slightly flexible. In a variant, the sidewall 201 is also slightly flexible.

[0042] This flexibility also allows the adjusting plate 3 to move between its closed and open positions, with the locking element 32 disengaging from the recess via slight deformation of the tab 33 and / or sidewall 201. The elasticity of the sidewall 201 and / or tab 33 ensures that the adjusting plate remains in the open or closed position after moving between these two positions, with the elastic recovery pressing the locking element 32 into the recess 23 or 24.

[0043] like Figure 4As shown, the rotating element 31 protruding from the tab 33 is closer to the wall 30 of the adjusting plate 3 than the locking element 32. In this way, the portion of the tab 33 including the locking element 32 is more flexible than the portion including the rotating element 31 because it is further away from the connection point between the tab 33 and the wall 30. This arrangement ensures good maintenance and precise guidance of the adjusting plate 3 when it rotates between the closed and open positions, and limits the risk of the adjusting plate 3 disengaging from its respective rotating recess 26 via the rotating element 31, while allowing easy unlocking from either the open or closed position. This is due to the greater flexibility of the tab 33 at the locking element 32 position, allowing the tab to disengage from the locking recesses 23 and 24 with an acceptable force (i.e., without requiring a large force).

[0044] In the variant, one or both of the protruding elements 31 and 32 are located on the side of the adjustment plate 3 and on the side edge of the adjustment plate 3 facing the side wall 201 (that is, in the thickness of the adjustment plate 3).

Claims

1. A storage box (2) comprising side walls (201, 203, 204) and a bottom wall (202) defining an internal volume (20) accessible from an opening (22), a closure adjustment plate (3) disposed in the internal volume (20) and between the opening (22) and the bottom wall (202), and arranged to be rotatably movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the closure adjustment plate (3) locks access to a lower volume (211) located between the bottom wall and the closure adjustment plate (3), and in the open position the lower volume (211) is accessible from outside the storage box, the closure adjustment plate being pivotally connected to two opposing sides of the side walls (201), characterized in that, The storage box (2) includes two rotating recesses (26) on two opposing sidewalls (201), and the closing adjustment plate (3) includes two protruding rotating elements (31) arranged on two opposite edges of the closing adjustment plate (3), each of the two protruding rotating elements being inserted into one of the rotating recesses (26) to guide the closing adjustment plate (3) to rotate about a rotation axis traversed by the two rotating elements (31), and the storage box includes a locking member for locking the closing adjustment plate (3) in the open position. (23, 32) The locking components (23, 32) of the storage box include: a locking recess (23) in one of the side walls (201) for locking in the open position, and a locking element (32) protruding from the closing adjustment plate (3) and guided toward the side wall (201), the locking recess (23) and the locking element (32) being arranged such that when the closing adjustment plate (3) is in the open position, the locking element (32) is inserted into the locking recess (23) so as to lock the closing adjustment plate (3) in the open position.

2. The storage box (2) according to claim 1, wherein the storage box comprises: A locking member (24, 32) for locking in a closed position is located in one of the sidewalls (201) and is formed by a locking recess (24) for locking in a closed position, and a locking element (32) protruding from the closing adjustment plate (3) and guided toward the sidewall (201). The locking recess (24) for locking in a closed position and the protruding locking element (32) are arranged such that when the closing adjustment plate (3) is in the closed position, the protruding locking element (32) is inserted into the locking recess (24) for locking in a closed position so as to lock the closing adjustment plate (3) in the closed position.

3. The storage box (2) according to claim 2, wherein the storage box includes a locking element (32) arranged on the closing adjustment plate (3) and two locking recesses on one of the side walls (201), namely a first locking recess (23) for locking in the closed position and a second locking recess (24) for locking in the open position, the locking element (32) being inserted in the first locking recess (23) to lock the closing adjustment plate (3) in the open position and inserted in the second locking recess (24), the second locking recess being arranged to lock the closing adjustment plate (3) in the closed position.

4. The storage box according to claim 3, wherein the portion of the side wall (201) including the two locking recesses (23, 24) is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the closing adjustment plate (3).

5. The storage box according to claim 3, wherein the storage box includes a groove (25) on a side wall (201) including the two locking recesses (23, 24), the groove connecting the first locking recess (23) and the second locking recess (24) along an arc centered on the rotation axis of the closing adjustment plate (3), such that the locking element (32) moves in the groove (25) when the closing adjustment plate (3) moves between the closed position and the open position, the groove (25) having a depth less than the depth of the locking recesses (23, 24).

6. The storage box (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjustment plate (3) of the storage box includes a flat wall (30) having two parallel side edges, and two tabs (33) extending perpendicularly from the side edges of the closing adjustment plate (3) to the flat wall (30) and to the axis of rotation of the closing adjustment plate (3), each of the tabs (33) including a rotating element (31) and / or a locking element (32).

7. The storage box (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein one or more recesses (23, 24, 26) of the storage box have a hemispherical shape, and one or more protruding elements (31, 32) have a hemispherical shape that is complementary to the hemispherical shape of the corresponding one or more recesses (23, 24, 26).

8. A vehicle comprising, in its own passenger compartment, a storage box (2) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. The vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the storage box (2) is in the center console (10) or instrument panel (1) of the passenger compartment.

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