Container accommodation device for a vehicle interior

Abstract

The invention relates to a container holder for a vehicle interior, of the type known per se, having a carrier structure which can be fitted in a stationary manner at the vehicle, and a container holder frame which is vertically displaceable relative to the carrier structure, which surrounds at least one container holder and is linearly displaceable in the vertical direction by means of a linear guide device, and a cover which is pivotably mounted on the carrier structure between a closed position, in which the container holder frame is covered, and an open position, in which the container holder frame is released for linear displacement in the vertical direction. According to the invention, for linear displacement of the container holder frame in the vertical direction between a rest position and a functional position, a mechanical force control device is provided which acts in a rotational manner. Application in passenger cars.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container housing device for a vehicle interior space, comprising: a carrier structure capable of being mounted in a manner fixed to the vehicle; a container housing frame vertically displaceable relative to the carrier structure, the container housing frame surrounding at least one container housing portion and being linearly displaceable in the vertical direction (or height direction, i.e., Hochrichtung) by means of a linear guiding device; and a cover pivotally supported between a closed position covering the container housing portion and an open position releasing the container housing portion for linear displacement in the vertical direction. Background Technology

[0002] Such a container housing device is known from DE 102012208278 A1. The container housing device has a carrier structure arranged in the vehicle interior space in a ready-to-assemble state, fixed to the vehicle. The container housing device further has a container housing frame that is movably supported (or movable in terms of travel, i.e., hubbeweglich) in the vertical direction of the vehicle relative to the carrier structure by means of a linear guide. The container housing frame moves upward in the vertical direction by a lifting drive in the form of a lifting elastic component. The container housing device is further equipped with a lid that is pivotally supported at the carrier structure and has a control profile that works in conjunction with a complementary control profile at the container housing frame to cause the container housing frame to resist the elastic force of the lifting drive and press downward in its rest position (or standby position, i.e., Ruhestellung) when the lid moves from an open position to its closed position. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The objective of this invention is to create a container holding device of the type described above, which is designed to be simple to operate and functionally reliable.

[0004] The task is thus solved by providing a mechanically controlled, rotationally operated device to linearly displace the container housing frame between a rest position and a functional position in the vertical direction. This device undertakes the linear displacement of the container housing frame not only upwards but also downwards in the vertical direction, thereby providing a permanent connection between the device and the housing frame. This ensures controlled vertical displacement of the container housing frame, both upwards and downwards. The rotationally operated device can operate about a vertically oriented axis of rotation or about an axis of rotation rotatable in the lateral or longitudinal direction of the vehicle coordinate system. The device is thus defined such that at least one control element is rotationally movable to cause linear vertical displacement of the container housing frame.

[0005] In the design of this invention, the forced control device has a threaded guide portion coaxial with the central vertical axis of the container housing frame and a circumferential toothed portion coaxial with the central vertical axis. This circumferential toothed portion engages with complementary teeth of an actuating element tangentially movable to the circumferential toothed portion. Here, the actuating element itself is designed to be rotatably or linearly movable. Rotational motion is applied to the circumferential toothed portion via the actuating element, which in turn causes the threaded guide portion to rotate, thereby producing an upward or downward twisting of the container housing frame. The container housing frame itself is only linearly movable relative to the carrier structure in the vertical direction. However, the container housing frame is forcibly connected to the actuating element via the threaded guide portion and the circumferential toothed portion. The rotation of the circumferential toothed portion and the threaded guide portion, which is rotatably fixed to the circumferential toothed portion, coaxial with the central vertical axis of the container housing portion, results in the introduction of a lifting motion within the container housing frame. In the case of two or more container housing portions, the teeth of the actuating element may also cooperate with the actuating teeth of the threaded guide portion, which are functionally separate from the circumferential toothed portion.

[0006] In another embodiment of the invention, the container housing frame has a columnar wall surrounding the container housing portion, and the forced control device has a columnar sleeve coaxially surrounding the wall, with a threaded guide and a circumferential toothed portion disposed at the columnar sleeve, and the columnar sleeve is rotatably supported on the carrier structure about a central vertical axis. Thus, the corresponding control elements of the forced control device are arranged around the container housing portion in a space-saving manner.

[0007] In another embodiment of the invention, the threaded guide has a helical groove disposed at the cylindrical sleeve and a grooved pin extending radially from the container housing frame, the grooved pin engaging in the helical groove. At least one helical groove and at least one grooved pin constitute the threaded guide in the sense of the invention. The helical groove forms a groove path extending in the circumferential direction and additionally rising or falling in the vertical direction. The helical groove can have a constant slope (or slope, pitch, etc., i.e., Steigung) or a varying slope. The grooved pin is linearly movable and guided in the helical groove. Since the helical groove rotates coaxially with the central vertical axis of the container housing, the rotation of the helical groove forces a vertical displacement of the grooved pin, causing the container housing to move upward or downward in the vertical direction. The threaded guide can have a plurality of helical grooves distributed on the circumference of the cylindrical sleeve and a corresponding number of grooved pins.

[0008] In another embodiment of the invention, the lid and the actuating element are mechanically connected such that the container housing frame is vertically upward to a functional position during pivoting motion of the lid to the open position, and vertically downward to a rest position during pivoting motion of the lid to the closed position. Thus, additionally, the lid and the actuating element are permanently connected to each other. Therefore, if the operator performs a pivoting motion of the lid (depending on its position) to the closed or open position, a complementary upward or downward lifting motion of the container housing frame is forced. Manual grasping of the lid results in a corresponding introduction of pivoting motion of the lid. The lid is preferably pivotally movably supported at the carrier structure. No additional lifting drive, especially lifting elastic components as known in the prior art, is required in the container housing device according to the invention.

[0009] In another embodiment of the invention, the container housing frame has two container housing portions arranged side by side, each container housing portion being surrounded by a columnar wall of the container housing frame, and each container housing portion is provided with a columnar sleeve having a threaded guide portion and circumferential teeth. The two columnar sleeves circumferentially surround the columnar wall of the corresponding container housing portion and are rotatably arranged coaxially with the corresponding central vertical axis of the corresponding container housing portion. The two columnar walls of the two container housing portions are fixedly arranged relative to other sections of the container housing frame.

[0010] In another embodiment of the invention, the threaded guides of the two cylindrical sleeves are designed in opposite directions, and the circumferential teeth of the two cylindrical sleeves mesh with each other or with the teeth of the actuating element. The threaded guides have the same slope for the corresponding helical grooves.

[0011] In another embodiment of the invention, the actuating element is tangentially engaged at at least one of the two cylindrical sleeves, and particularly meshes with the actuating teeth of the cylindrical sleeves. Thus, in linear displacement, the single actuating element, as a particularly one-piece component, forces the circumferential teeth of the two cylindrical sleeves to rotate in opposite directions, thereby applying the desired lifting motion to the container housing portion of the container housing frame.

[0012] In another embodiment of the invention, the actuating element is linearly and movably supported at the carrier structure and connected to the cover via a mechanical coupling element, particularly a slide guide. The corresponding linear movability of the actuating element is achieved during the pivoting movement of the cover through a permanent connection between the cover and the actuating element via the mechanical coupling element.

[0013] In another embodiment of the invention, the spiral groove has a spirally ascending ramp section and two end sections connected to the ramp section at the top and bottom, the end sections being oriented without a ramp in the circumferential direction. Thus, locking is achieved at both end positions of the container housing frame via threaded guides, because the corresponding groove pins can be orthogonally positioned within the end sections extending only in the circumferential direction, allowing for the lifting mobility of the container housing frame. Therefore, no vertical displacement of the container housing frame occurs in these end sections. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the claims and from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0015] Figure 1 A perspective view shows one embodiment of the container housing device according to the invention without the carrier structure.

[0016] Figure 2 The data is shown from a downward-sloping perspective. Figure 1 Container holding device,

[0017] Figure 3 The following is shown in the static position without the cover. Figure 2 The container holding device, and

[0018] Figure 4 This shows the basis from another perspective. Figure 2 A container holding device. Detailed Implementation

[0019] In a manner not shown in detail, according to Figures 1 to 4The container housing device 1 has a carrier structure, which is arranged in the interior space of a motor vehicle, particularly a passenger car, in a state of being fixed to a vehicle. The carrier structure has a bottom with a rectangular base surface. Four guide profiles extending upwards in the vertical direction are provided at the four corner regions of the rectangular base surface at the bottom of the carrier structure. A one-piece, plastic container housing frame 2 is linearly and movably placed on the guide profiles in the vertical direction. For this purpose, the container housing frame 2, also having a rectangular base surface, has four guide sleeves 9 at its corner regions, which are slidably inserted into the guide profiles (not shown) of the carrier structure. The guide profiles of the carrier structure and the complementary guide sleeves 9 of the container housing frame 2 constitute a linear guiding device in the sense of the present invention.

[0020] The container housing frame 2 comprises two columnar container housing sections 3, which are arranged side-by-side within the container housing frame 2. Each container housing section 3 is surrounded by columnar walls, which are integral components of the container housing frame 2. The two columnar walls of the two container housing sections 3 each define a central vertical axis M, which are oriented parallel to each other in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The terms "vertical direction" and "vehicle vertical direction" should be understood as equivalent and refer to the installation state of the container housing device 1 within the vehicle's interior space.

[0021] in accordance with Figure 2 As can be seen, a drinking container B can be inserted into each container housing 3, and the drinking container is supported on the bottom surface of the carrier structure on the bottom side when inserted.

[0022] A cover 3 is hinged to the rear longitudinal side of the container housing frame 2. This cover is pivotally and movably supported on the container housing frame 2 about a pivot axis S extending in either the lateral or longitudinal direction of the vehicle (depending on the orientation of the container housing 1 within the vehicle's interior space). Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 The diagram shows the open position of cover D, in which cover 2 is oriented vertically in the vehicle. In the closed position, cover D covers the two container housings 3 of the container housing frame 2. In the closed position, cover D is oriented in the horizontal plane such that cover D completes a pivoting path of at least 90° between the closed and open positions.

[0023] To enable the container housing frame 2 to move linearly and movably in the vertical direction of the vehicle, a forced control device is provided, which will be described in more detail below. The forced control device operates in a rotational manner and has a threaded guide for each container housing 3, wherein two threaded guides are synchronously movable. Each threaded guide has a cylindrical sleeve 4, which surrounds the cylindrical wall of the corresponding container housing 3 on its outer side, coaxial with the central vertical axis M. The inner diameter of the cylindrical sleeve 4 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical wall of the corresponding container housing 3, such that the corresponding cylindrical sleeve 4 surrounds the container housing 3 on its outer side with a small radial clearance. Each of the two cylindrical sleeves has two helical grooves 10 distributed on the circumference of the cylindrical sleeve 4, and groove pins 11 fixed at the container housing frame 2 extend into the helical grooves. The corresponding sliding pins 11 extend radially inward toward the central vertical axis M from the corresponding guide sleeves 9 in the corner regions of the container housing frame 2, such that the corresponding two sliding pins 11 in the two corner regions of the container housing frame 2 engage in the two helical grooves 10 in the corresponding cylindrical sleeve 4. Each helical groove 10 is implemented as a groove in the corresponding cylindrical sleeve 4, wherein each helical groove has a ramp section 10b extending in the circumferential direction and rising or falling in the vertical direction, and two end sections 10a and 10c connecting above and below the corresponding ramp section 10b. The two end sections 10a and 10c extend only in the circumferential direction of the corresponding cylindrical sleeve 4 and are therefore horizontal.

[0024] Each of the two cylindrical sleeves 4 has a circumferential tooth 7 at its lower, radially outward-pointing edge region on a portion of its circumference. The two circumferential teeth 7 of the two adjacent cylindrical sleeves 4 mesh with each other, as shown in... Figures 2 to 4 As can be readily known from the text. Therefore, the rotation of one cylindrical sleeve 4 about the central vertical axis M forces the adjacent cylindrical sleeve 4 to rotate in the opposite direction. Consequently, the helical grooves 10 of the adjacent cylindrical sleeve 4 are provided with ramp sections and end sections respectively, in a complementary and opposite manner to the reverse rotation of the cylindrical sleeve 4, such that during the synchronous, opposite rotation of the two cylindrical sleeves 4, the container housing frame 2 undergoes parallel vertical displacement upwards or downwards (depending on the rotation direction of the cylindrical sleeve 4). The upper and lower horizontal end sections 10a, 10c of the two cylindrical sleeves 4 are used to lock the container housing frame 3 in its lower rest position or its upper functional position, wherein the lower end section 10a defines the lower rest position, and the upper end section 10c defines the upper functional position.

[0025] Two cylindrical sleeves 4 are rotatably supported in the bottom region of the carrier structure about their respective central vertical axes M. For this purpose, guide tabs 5, offset in the circumferential direction relative to the corresponding circumferential teeth 7, are provided at the lower, outer edge region of each cylindrical sleeve 4. These guide tabs extend radially outward from the respective cylindrical sleeves 4 in a single piece. In the bottom region of the carrier structure, complementary guide profiles are provided, which bridge the guide tabs 5 such that the respective cylindrical sleeves 4 are rotatably supported in the carrier structure and are vertically and form-fittingly fixed at the bottom of the carrier structure.

[0026] To introduce rotational motion into the meshing cylindrical sleeves 4, an actuating element 6 is linearly movably supported in the bottom region of the carrier structure. This actuating element has a rack section that is tangentially linearly movable between the two cylindrical sleeves 4. The rack section has teeth facing one of the two cylindrical sleeves 4. The corresponding cylindrical sleeve 4 has additional actuating teeth that complement the teeth of the rack section, which are adjusted according to... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The diagram shows that in the engagement area of ​​the rack section of the operating element 6, a circumferential tooth 7 is formed, extending vertically, which also extends circumferentially. The section of the circumferential tooth 7 that extends upward in the vertical direction forms the operating tooth of the cylindrical sleeve 4, which meshes with the rack section of the operating element 6.

[0027] The extension of each tooth of the circumferential tooth 7 of one of the cylindrical sleeves 4 in the vertical direction outside the cylindrical sleeve 4 avoids the construction of a completely independent operating tooth, and the rack section of the operating element 6 meshes with the operating tooth.

[0028] The actuating element 6 is additionally and permanently connected to the cover D via a mechanical coupling element, currently in the form of a slide guide (not shown), in the region furthest from the rack section, such that the pivoting movement of the cover D also forces a linear displacement movement of the actuating element 6. Here, the connection between the cover D and the actuating element 6 is designed such that during the pivoting movement of the cover D from the closed position in the direction of the open position, the container housing frame 2 is forcibly and in parallel upward displacement, and when the cover D moves from the open position back to the closed position, the container housing frame 2 is forcibly and in parallel downward displacement back to its rest position.

Claims

1. A container housing device (1) for a vehicle interior space, comprising: a carrier structure capable of being fixed to a vehicle; and a container housing frame (2) capable of vertical displacement relative to the carrier structure, the container housing frame surrounding at least one container housing portion (3) and guided linearly in the vertical direction by means of a linear guiding device; and a cover (D) pivotally supported between a closed position covering the container housing frame (2) and an open position releasing the container housing frame (2) for linear displacement in the vertical direction, characterized in that, To enable the container housing frame (2) to linearly shift between a rest position and a functional position in the vertical direction, a mechanically driven control device that operates in a rotational manner is provided. This device has a threaded guide portion coaxial with the central vertical axis (M) of the container housing (3) and a circumferential toothed portion (7) coaxial with the central vertical axis (M). The circumferential toothed portion engages with complementary teeth of an actuating element (6) tangential to the circumferential toothed portion (7). The container housing frame (2) has a structure surrounding the container housing. The columnar wall of the housing (3) and the forced control device has a columnar sleeve (4) coaxially surrounding the wall, the threaded guide and the circumferential tooth (7) are provided at the columnar sleeve, and the columnar sleeve (4) is rotatably supported at the carrier structure about the central vertical axis (M), wherein the threaded guide has a helical groove (10) provided at the columnar sleeve (4) and a groove pin (11) extending radially from the container housing frame (2), the groove pin engaging in the helical groove (10).

2. The container holding device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cover (D) is mechanically connected to the actuating element (6) such that the container housing frame (2) is vertically upward in the functional position during the pivoting motion of the cover (D) to the open position, and vertically downward in the stationary position during the pivoting motion of the cover (D) to the closed position.

3. The container holding device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The container housing frame (2) has two container housing parts (3) arranged side by side, each container housing part being surrounded by a columnar wall of the container housing frame (2), and each container housing part (3) is provided with a columnar sleeve (4) having a threaded guide and a circumferential tooth (7).

4. The container holding device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The threaded guides of the two cylindrical sleeves (4) are designed in opposite directions to each other, and the circumferential teeth (7) of the two cylindrical sleeves (4) mesh with each other or with the teeth of the operating element (6).

5. The container holding device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The actuating element (6) is tangentially engaged at at least one of the two cylindrical sleeves (4).

6. The container holding device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The actuating element (6) engages with the actuating teeth of the cylindrical sleeve (4).

7. The container holding device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The actuating element (6) is linearly and movably supported at the carrier structure and connected to the cover (D) via a mechanical coupling element.

8. The container holding device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The operating element (6) is connected to the cover (D) via a slide guide.

9. The container holding device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The spiral chute (10) has a spirally rising ramp section (10b) and two end sections (10a, 10c) connected to the ramp section (10b) above and below, the end sections being oriented without a ramp in the circumferential direction.

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