Storage box cover plate structure capable of being automatically opened in sliding mode and method
By using a flexible structure with a pin and locking mechanism and a rack and pinion reduction gear design, the automatic sliding opening of the car's passenger dashboard storage box cover is achieved. This solves the problems of inconvenient manual operation and high cost of motor drive, reducing costs and improving user experience and safety.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511162918.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-02
AI Technical Summary
The existing glove box cover for the passenger side dashboard of automobiles requires manual operation, which is inconvenient and poses safety hazards. In addition, the motor-driven structure is expensive, and the cover is prone to automatically popping open when the vehicle is bumpy, causing items to leak out and abnormal noise.
The upper cover is automatically slid when the locking element is unlocked by a flexible element that uses a pin and a locking mechanism. The flexible element pulls the upper cover along the storage box cover bracket to achieve automatic opening. The combination of rack and pinion and reduction gear ensures uniform speed and buffering during the sliding process, eliminating the need for a motor structure.
It enables automatic cover opening without a motor, reducing costs, ensuring a smooth and quiet sliding process, and improving user experience and safety.
Smart Images
Figure CN121044167A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of storage box lid technology, and in particular to a storage box lid structure and method that can automatically slide open. Background Technology
[0002] The passenger side dashboard storage box in a car not only needs to provide space for people to put their items, but also needs to provide a structure that can be covered as much as possible to provide a storage space with a certain degree of privacy. With the development of automotive electronics and intelligence, the existing passenger side dashboard storage box has gradually evolved from a single storage function into a "cockpit interaction island" that integrates multiple modules such as wireless charging, USB interface, fragrance system, and refrigeration air duct.
[0003] However, for the storage compartment covers themselves, OEMs have long used traditional "flip-top" or "sliding-top" structures, leading to the following common problems: Most storage compartment covers require manual lifting / sliding / rotation by passengers to open, and cannot open automatically. This is inconvenient and poses a safety hazard when the driver has both hands on the steering wheel or the front passenger is holding a beverage. Some glove compartments are equipped with motor-driven structures to achieve automatic opening, but this is costly. Furthermore, some storage compartment covers do not lock properly when closed, and are prone to popping open automatically when the vehicle is bumpy, leading to items leaking out, unusual noises, and privacy breaches. Summary of the Invention
[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the purpose of this invention is to provide a storage box cover structure and method that can automatically slide open. When the pin and locking element are unlocked, the elastic element pulls the upper cover to slide along the storage box cover bracket, which can realize the automatic opening of the upper cover. No motor structure is required, the overall structure is simple and the cost is low.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solution: In a first aspect, a storage box lid structure that can automatically slide open includes a storage box lid support, an upper lid, and an elastic element. The upper lid is slidably fitted onto the storage box lid support, and a pin is provided at the front end of the upper lid for engaging with a locking element provided at the front end of the storage box lid support to lock the upper lid when closed. One end of the elastic element is connected to the storage box lid support, and the other end is connected to the bottom of the upper lid. When the pin and the locking element are unlocked, the elastic element pulls the upper lid to slide along the storage box lid support, thereby automatically opening the upper lid.
[0006] As a further implementation, the locking element is a push lock mechanism, which is located at the middle of the front end of the storage box cover bracket and is on the same straight line as the latch.
[0007] As a further implementation, sliding track grooves are provided on both sides of the storage box cover bracket, and the two sides of the upper cover plate cooperate with the sliding track grooves.
[0008] As a further implementation, the storage box cover bracket is also provided with a buffer pin at the front end, which is used to buffer the upper cover when it is closed.
[0009] As a further implementation, the buffer pins are located on both sides of the locking member.
[0010] As a further implementation, a support frame is provided at the middle position of the storage box cover bracket, one end of the elastic element is fixed on the support frame, and the other end is fixed at the bottom front end of the upper cover.
[0011] As a further implementation, the bottom surface of the upper cover plate is provided with a rack along the length direction; a reduction gear is installed on the support frame, and the reduction gear cooperates with the rack so that the upper cover plate slides at a uniform speed when it is opened.
[0012] As a further implementation, the elastic element is a tension spring, which is located on both sides of the reduction gear.
[0013] As a further implementation, the support frame is located at the middle position along the length of the storage box cover bracket, and the support frame is located below the upper cover plate.
[0014] Secondly, a method for operating a storage box lid structure, employing any of the above-described automatically sliding opening storage box lid structures, includes the following steps: When the top cover is opened, the locking mechanism and the latch are unlocked, and the top cover is pulled open by the elastic element, allowing the top cover to slide open automatically on the storage box cover bracket. When the top cover needs to be closed, push the top cover to close it, the elastic element is pulled, and the latch and locking mechanism work together to lock the top cover. The buffer pin at the front end of the storage box cover bracket is used to buffer the top cover when it is closed.
[0015] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: 1. In this invention, one end of the elastic element is connected to the storage box cover bracket, and the other end is connected to the bottom of the upper cover. When the pin and the locking element are unlocked, the elastic element pulls the upper cover to slide along the storage box cover bracket, which can realize the automatic opening of the upper cover. No motor structure is required, the overall structure is simple and the cost is low.
[0016] 2. The upper cover plate and the support frame of the present invention are respectively provided with rack and reduction gear. The rack and reduction gear cooperate to make the sliding process of the upper cover plate more gentle when it is opened and closed, and the upper cover plate can slide at a uniform speed when it is opened. Attached Figure Description
[0017] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the invention.
[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the storage box cover assembly (storage box cover open state) in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the storage box cover assembly (storage box cover closed state) in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the sliding track groove of the storage box cover assembly in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the storage box cover bracket in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the upper cover plate in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] The diagram exaggerates the spacing or dimensions between parts to show their positions; the diagram is for illustrative purposes only.
[0020] The components are: 1. Storage box cover bracket; 2. Top cover; 3. Sliding track groove; 4. Buffer pin; 5. Push lock mechanism; 6. Tension spring; 7. Reduction gear; 8. First fixing point; 9. Second fixing point; 10. Rack; 11. Support frame; 21. Pin. Detailed Implementation
[0021] It should be noted that the following detailed description is illustrative and intended to provide further explanation of the invention. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used in this invention have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.
[0022] Example 1 In a typical embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to Figure 1 As shown, an automatically sliding and opening storage box lid structure includes a storage box lid support 1, an upper cover 2, and an elastic element. The upper cover 2 is slidably fitted onto the storage box lid support 1. The front end of the upper cover 2 is provided with a pin, which is used to cooperate with a locking element provided at the front end of the storage box lid support 1 to lock the upper cover when it is closed. One end of the elastic element is connected to the storage box lid support 1, and the other end is connected to the bottom of the upper cover 2. When the pin 21 is unlocked from the locking element, the elastic element pulls the upper cover to slide along the storage box lid support 1, thereby automatically opening the upper cover.
[0023] like Figure 4As shown, the storage box cover bracket 1 is a long frame structure with a hollow front end, forming an opening for the storage space. A support frame 11 is also provided on the storage box cover bracket, positioned at the midpoint of its length. The support frame 11 is a rectangular plate structure, perpendicular to the length of the storage box cover bracket 1.
[0024] like Figure 3 As shown, the inner sides of the long sides of the storage box cover bracket 1 are integrally formed with sliding track grooves 3, and the upper cover 2 is provided with boss structures on both sides so as to cooperate with the sliding track grooves 3, so that the upper cover 2 can slide on the storage box cover bracket 1 to perform the opening and closing actions of the upper cover 2.
[0025] The locking element is located at the middle of the front end of the storage box cover bracket 1 and faces the upper cover. The locking element at the front end of the storage box cover bracket 1 is also provided with buffer pins 4 on both sides for buffering the upper cover when it is closed.
[0026] like Figure 5 As shown, a pin 21 is fixed at the middle position of the bottom front end of the upper cover plate. The pin 21 extends out of the front end of the upper cover plate. The locking element and the pin are arranged on the same straight line. When the upper cover plate is pushed to slide forward on the sliding track groove 3 to close the upper cover plate, the pin can cooperate with the locking element to lock the upper cover plate, so that the upper cover plate cannot be opened accidentally. It can be understood that the locking element in this embodiment is the PUSH lock mechanism 5.
[0027] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, two first fixing points 8 are provided on the support frame 11, and a reduction gear 7 is provided in the middle of the support frame 11. The two first fixing points are located on both sides of the reduction gear 7. Two second fixing points 9 are provided at the bottom front end of the upper cover plate 2. The second fixing points 9 are located on both sides of the pin. The elastic element is a tension spring 6, and there are two tension springs 6. The two tension springs are located on both sides of the reduction gear 7. One end of each tension spring is connected to the first fixing point 8, and the other end is connected to the second fixing point 9.
[0028] A rack 10 is provided on the bottom surface of the upper cover plate along the length direction; after the upper cover plate 2 is installed on the sliding track groove 3, the support frame is set below the upper cover plate, and the reduction gear cooperates with the rack so that the upper cover plate slides at a uniform speed when it is opened.
[0029] Understandably, the top of the front end of the cover plate has a protrusion to facilitate sliding the cover plate.
[0030] Preferably, in this embodiment, the storage box cover bracket 1 is secured to the main body by four self-tapping screws, and sliding track grooves 3 with a length of 220mm and a height of 5mm are milled on both sides of the bracket.
[0031] Preferably, the upper cover plate 2 is a PC-ABS two-color injection molded part (textured surface + high-gloss black trim), with T-shaped slide rails integrally extruded on both sides, and a gap of 0.15 mm between it and the sliding track groove 3. The surface is sprayed with a silicone oil dry film to achieve a dynamic friction coefficient of 0.25.
[0032] Preferably, a Ø4 mm stainless steel pin 21 is hot-melted welded to the center of the front end of the upper cover plate 2, which is coaxial with the PUSH locking mechanism 5 on the front crossbeam of the bracket, with a stroke of 6 mm. Pressing it once unlocks it and pressing it again locks it.
[0033] Preferably, two Ø6mm polyurethane buffer pins 4 are arranged 18mm to the left and right of the PUSH locking mechanism 5, with the pin ends extending 0.5mm above the bracket, providing 3N reverse damping within the 10mm stroke at the end of the closing mechanism to eliminate the "click" noise.
[0034] Preferably, a 1mm thick steel support frame 11 is welded to the center of the support along its length. A Ø12 mm reduction gear 7 (module 0.5, reduction ratio 1:5) is riveted to the support frame 11 and is lubricated with oil. A 220mm long rack 10 with a module of 0.5 is coaxially attached to the bottom surface of the upper cover plate. The two mesh to ensure uniform sliding.
[0035] Preferably, two tension springs 6 (SWP-B, wire diameter 0.8mm, outer diameter 8mm, free length 80mm, working length 120mm, tension 8N) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the reduction gear 7, with one end hooked to the first fixing point 9 of the support frame 11 and the other end hooked to the tension spring seat on the bottom surface of the front end of the upper cover plate.
[0036] The storage box lid structure requires no motor to open and close, has a total of 14 parts, and reduces BOM cost by 68% compared to traditional motor solutions.
[0037] Specific work process: When closed, the pin 21 at the front end of the top cover 2 is inserted into the PUSH locking mechanism 5, and the tension spring 6 is stretched to 120 mm to store energy; the reduction gear 7 meshes with the rack 10 to lock itself, ensuring that the cover will not slide open automatically under bumpy road conditions.
[0038] When the top cover is opened: the driver or passenger presses the center of the cover with any finger (force ≈ 6 N), the PUSH locking mechanism 5 releases the pin 21; the tension spring 10 contracts, generating an initial tension of 8 N, driving the top cover 2 to slide backward along the sliding track groove 3; the reduction gear 7 cooperates with the rack 10 to limit the sliding speed to 0.25 m / s, the entire 220 mm stroke takes 0.9 s, and it is smooth and without impact; when the rear edge of the top cover 2 is in place, it hits the rubber pad at the end of the bracket to absorb residual kinetic energy, with a maximum noise of 45 dB(A).
[0039] When the top cover is closed: the user pushes the front protrusion of the top cover with one hand to overcome the tension of the tension spring 10 and the damping of the reduction gear. At the end of the stroke, the pin 21 re-enters the PUSH locking mechanism 5 to complete the locking. The buffer pin 4 provides incremental damping within 10mm at the end to avoid a "bang" sound. The closing force is 12 N, which is ergonomic (≤15 N).
[0040] This embodiment achieves a sub-dashboard storage box cover solution that can be automatically opened with a light touch with one hand, reliably locked on bumpy roads, slides smoothly and quietly at a constant speed, and costs less than 3 USD, without adding a motor. It can be directly used for upgrades to mass-produced models, or it can be adapted to different storage box sizes by adjusting the rack length.
[0041] Example 2 A method for operating a storage box lid structure, employing the automatically sliding and opening storage box lid structure as described in Embodiment 1, includes the following steps: When it is necessary to close the storage box cover 2, the cover 1 is pushed forward by the protrusion to slide. Figure 1 Position becomes Figure 2 Position; the tension spring 6 is stretched, providing a reverse force to the upper cover plate; the reduction gear 7 and the rack mechanism 10 work together to make the sliding process of the upper cover plate smoother; the pin 21 and the PUSH lock mechanism 5 work together to provide a locking function, keeping the upper cover plate closed; the buffer pin 4 provides a buffering effect for the upper cover plate 1, preventing the upper cover plate 1 from hitting the storage box cover bracket 2 and making abnormal noise.
[0042] When it is necessary to open the top cover of the storage box, the top cover 1 is... Figure 2 Position becomes Figure 1 Location; The upper cover plate 1 is pushed axially towards the PUSH locking mechanism 5, causing the pin 21 to separate from the PUSH locking mechanism 5; the tension spring 6 provides a reverse force to automatically pull the upper cover plate to... Figure 1 The opening position; during the opening process, the reduction gear 7 and the rack mechanism 10 work together to provide a deceleration effect, making the sliding process of the upper cover plate more gentle. Under the action of the three structures of reduction gear 7, rack 10 and tension spring 6, after the PUSH lock mechanism 5 and the pin 21 are unlocked, the upper cover plate can automatically slide backward to open, without the need for personnel to slide the upper cover plate to open throughout the process, making the operation convenient.
[0043] The storage box cover of this embodiment, which can be automatically slid open, has a simple structure, improves the user's driving experience, is more technologically advanced, and has a lower cost.
[0044] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.
Claims
1. A storage box lid structure that can automatically slide open, characterized in that, The device includes a storage box cover bracket, an upper cover, and an elastic element. The upper cover is slidably fitted onto the storage box cover bracket. A pin is provided at the front end of the upper cover for engaging with a locking element at the front end of the storage box cover bracket to lock the upper cover when closed. One end of the elastic element is connected to the storage box cover bracket, and the other end is connected to the bottom of the upper cover. When the pin and the locking element are unlocked, the elastic element pulls the upper cover to slide along the storage box cover bracket, thus automatically opening the upper cover.
2. The storage box lid structure that can automatically slide open according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking component is a push lock mechanism, which is located at the middle of the front end of the storage box cover bracket and is on the same straight line as the latch.
3. The storage box lid structure that can automatically slide open according to claim 1, characterized in that, The storage box cover bracket has sliding track grooves on both sides, and the upper cover plate has both sides that cooperate with the sliding track grooves.
4. The storage box lid structure that can automatically slide open according to claim 2, characterized in that, The storage box cover bracket is also equipped with a buffer pin at the front end, which is used to buffer the upper cover when it is closed.
5. The storage box lid structure that can automatically slide open according to claim 4, characterized in that, The buffer pins are located on both sides of the locking element.
6. The storage box lid structure that can automatically slide open according to claim 1, characterized in that, A support frame is provided in the middle of the storage box cover bracket. One end of the elastic element is fixed on the support frame, and the other end is fixed at the bottom front end of the upper cover.
7. The storage box lid structure that can automatically slide open according to claim 6, characterized in that, The bottom surface of the upper cover plate is provided with a rack along its length; a reduction gear is installed on the support frame, and the reduction gear cooperates with the rack so that the upper cover plate slides at a uniform speed when it is opened.
8. The storage box lid structure that can automatically slide open according to claim 7, characterized in that, The elastic element is a tension spring, which is located on both sides of the reduction gear.
9. The storage box lid structure that can automatically slide open according to claim 7, characterized in that, The support frame is located at the middle of the length of the storage box cover bracket, and is located below the upper cover.
10. A method for operating a storage box cover structure, characterized in that, The storage box lid structure that can be automatically slid open as described in any one of claims 1-9 includes the following steps: When the top cover is opened, the locking mechanism and the latch are unlocked, and the top cover is pulled open by the elastic element, allowing the top cover to slide open automatically on the storage box cover bracket. When the top cover needs to be closed, push the top cover to close it, the elastic element is pulled, and the latch and locking mechanism work together to lock the top cover. The buffer pin at the front end of the storage box cover bracket is used to buffer the top cover when it is closed.