A glove box hidden four-bar linkage small table plate mechanism and automobile
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202611104554.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-07-23
- Publication Date
- 2026-11-03
AI Technical Summary
The existing co-pilot tray table mechanism occupies a large space, has poor stability when deployed, and has high production costs.
It adopts a glove box hidden four-bar linkage small table mechanism, using the box plate as a fixed base, and the table can be stably opened and closed through the four-bar linkage mechanism. The locking device completes the storage and locking, and the whole is integrated into the glove box area.
The tabletop can be hidden and unfolded smoothly, avoiding taking up space in the back row, reducing production costs, and improving user experience and safety.
Smart Images

Figure CN123025701A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application belongs to the field of automotive interior parts technology, and specifically relates to a glove box concealed four-bar linkage small table mechanism and an automobile. Background Technology
[0002] With the upgrading of automobile consumption, users are increasingly demanding more multifunctional interior space, and the need for temporary office work or placing items in the front passenger seat is becoming more and more common.
[0003] Existing passenger seat tray table mechanisms are mainly divided into two types: seat back folding type and dashboard fixed type. Seat back folding tray tables occupy rear space and affect the comfort of rear passengers; dashboard fixed tray tables protrude from the surface after being stored, which disrupts the overall interior design and occupies dashboard storage space; some glove box hidden tray tables use a guide rail sliding structure, which achieves hidden storage, but the load-bearing capacity of the guide rail structure is limited, and the tray table is prone to wobbling after being unfolded. In addition, the assembly precision requirements of the guide rail are high, resulting in higher production costs. Summary of the Invention
[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides a glove box concealed four-link small table mechanism and an automobile, which solves the problems of space occupation and poor stability when unfolding existing tables, and realizes the functions of concealed storage, stable unfolding, and reliable load-bearing of the table, and is also compatible with the modification and upgrading of glove boxes in existing vehicle models.
[0005] A glove box concealed four-bar linkage small table mechanism includes a glove box body, a box panel, a table, a four-bar linkage mechanism, and a locking device. The box panel is the outer side wall of the glove box body facing the inside of the vehicle. The table is mounted on the box panel through the four-bar linkage mechanism and fixed to the box panel by the locking device.
[0006] Preferably, the four-bar linkage includes an upper linkage and a lower linkage; one end of the upper linkage is hinged to the inner wall of the tabletop, and the other end is hinged to the inner wall of the box panel; one end of the lower linkage is hinged to the inner wall of the tabletop, and the other end is hinged to the inner wall of the box panel; the four-bar linkage is arranged symmetrically in two layers along the left and right sides of the box panel.
[0007] Preferably, the inner side of the box panel is welded with reinforcing ribs.
[0008] Preferably, one end of the upper connecting rod is hinged to the inner wall of the tabletop via a bearing, and the other end is hinged to the reinforcing rib of the inner wall of the box panel via a bearing; one end is hinged to the inner wall of the tabletop via a bearing, and the other end is hinged to the reinforcing rib of the inner wall of the box panel via a bearing.
[0009] Preferably, the locking device includes a push-button latch and a locking tongue; the push-button latch is fixed to the reinforcing rib on the inner side of the box panel by bolts; the locking tongue is welded to the inner side wall of the table panel.
[0010] Preferably, the latch is engaged and fixed with the push-button latch.
[0011] Preferably, the box panel and the glove box body are connected by snap fasteners.
[0012] Preferably, the outer edge of the tabletop is integrally formed with anti-slip protrusions.
[0013] Preferably, the inner wall of the tabletop is provided with a weight-reducing groove.
[0014] A car that uses the above-mentioned glove box hidden four-link small table mechanism, which is suitable for the modification and assembly of the passenger glove box of A / B class sedans and SUVs with a glove box body depth ≥200mm and a width ≥400mm.
[0015] Compared with the prior art, this application has the following advantages: This mechanism uses the outer panel of the glove box as a fixed base, and relies on a double-sided symmetrical parallel four-bar linkage mechanism to achieve stable and horizontal unfolding of the table. It is equipped with a push-type locking device to complete the storage and locking, and the whole is integrated into the glove box area to achieve complete concealment.
[0016] The glove box panel, serving as the outer wall of the glove box facing the passenger, uniformly supports the table, four-bar linkage, and locking device. This eliminates the need for a separate mounting bracket on the dashboard, avoiding the drawbacks of traditional fixed table panels that occupy dashboard storage space and disrupt the overall interior aesthetic. The table panel's movement is achieved through the four-bar linkage, while the locking device secures it in its folded state. These two structures have clearly defined roles: one provides support during movement, and the other provides static positioning. This addresses the shortcomings of rail-mounted table panels, which rely solely on sliding support, lack reliable folding limits, and wobbly during rides. Integrated into the glove box area, the table panel fits perfectly against the glove box surface when folded, with no protruding structures, maintaining the integrity and aesthetics of the dashboard interior and not encroaching on rear legroom. This differs from the issue of fold-down seatback table panels that infringe on rear passenger space. The overall basic layout is simple, with components concentrated in a local area of the glove box, reducing the cost of modifying the vehicle's interior. The assembly process is centralized, and there is no need to disassemble the dashboard extensively for later maintenance and disassembly. It is compatible with standardized assembly of mass-produced models, while also meeting the extended use needs of the passenger seat for temporarily placing items such as computers and water cups, combining the original storage function with the expanded office function.
[0017] Other features and advantages of this application will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the application. The objectives and other advantages of this application may be realized and obtained by means of the structures pointed out in the description, claims and drawings. Attached Figure Description
[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0019] Figure 1 This diagram shows the overall structure of the tabletop in the retracted state of the present invention. Figure 2 This diagram shows the overall structure of the tabletop of the present invention in its unfolded state. Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a four-bar linkage of the present invention is shown; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of the second four-bar linkage of the present invention is shown; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the locking device of the present invention is shown; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the inner structure of the tabletop of the present invention is shown.
[0020] Legend: 1. Glove box body; 2. Box panel; 3. Table; 4. Four-bar linkage; 4.1. Upper linkage; 4.2. Lower linkage; 5. Locking device; 5.1. Push-button latch; 5.2. Locking tongue; 6. Reinforcing rib; 7. Anti-slip protrusion; 8. Weight reduction groove; 9. Bearing. Detailed Implementation
[0021] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0022] like Figure 1-2 As shown, a glove box concealed four-bar linkage small table mechanism includes a glove box body 1, a box panel 2, a table 3, a four-bar linkage mechanism 4, and a locking device 5. The box panel 2 is the outer side wall of the glove box body 1 facing the vehicle interior. The table 3 is installed on the box panel 2 through the four-bar linkage mechanism 4 and is fixed to the box panel 2 by the locking device 5. like Figure 3-4As shown, the glove box panel 2 serves as the outer wall of the glove box body 1 facing the passenger side, uniformly supporting the table panel 3, the four-bar linkage 4, and the locking device 5. This eliminates the need for an additional independent mounting bracket on the dashboard, avoiding the drawbacks of traditional fixed table panels 3 that occupy dashboard storage space and disrupt the overall interior design. The table panel 3 achieves its movement assembly via the four-bar linkage 4 and is secured in its retracted state by the locking device 5. These two structures have clearly defined roles, providing movement support and static positioning respectively, thus addressing the shortcomings of rail-mounted table panels 3 that rely solely on sliding support, lack reliable positioning during retraction, and sway during driving. Integrated into the glove box area, the table panel 3 completely conforms to the surface of the glove box panel 2 when retracted, with no protruding structures, maintaining the integrity and aesthetics of the dashboard interior and not encroaching on rear legroom. This differs from the issue of seatback folding table panels 3 encroaching on rear passenger space. The overall basic layout is simple, with components concentrated in a local area of the glove box, reducing the cost of modifying the vehicle's interior. The assembly process is centralized, and there is no need to disassemble the dashboard extensively for later maintenance and disassembly. It is compatible with standardized assembly of mass-produced models, while also meeting the extended use needs of the passenger seat for temporarily placing items such as computers and water cups, combining the original storage function with the expanded office function.
[0023] like Figure 3-4 As shown in Figure 6, the four-bar linkage 4 includes an upper linkage 4.1 and a lower linkage 4.2; one end of the upper linkage 4.1 is hinged to the inner wall of the tabletop 3, and the other end is hinged to the inner wall of the box panel 2; one end of the lower linkage 4.2 is hinged to the inner wall of the tabletop 3, and the other end is hinged to the inner wall of the box panel 2; the four-bar linkage 4 is arranged symmetrically in two layers along the left and right sides of the box panel 2. The four-bar linkage 4 is the core transmission and support structure. The hinge points at both ends of the upper linkage 4.1 and lower linkage 4.2 are determined, and a symmetrical arrangement on both sides is adopted. This is the key structure for ensuring the tabletop 3 remains horizontal and operates smoothly throughout its entire movement. The upper linkage 4.1 and lower linkage 4.2 on each side respectively hinge the tabletop 3 to the box panel 2, forming a parallelogram motion structure. The tabletop 3 maintains a horizontal posture throughout its unfolding and retraction process, preventing items from tilting or slipping. Compared to single-arm and single-rail structures, its motion trajectory is stable and without deviation. The symmetrical arrangement on both sides ensures even force distribution on both sides of the tabletop 3, preventing unilateral sinking or tilting under load, significantly improving overall support rigidity and solving the defects of traditional single-sided supported tabletops 3, such as insufficient load-bearing capacity and significant swaying. The upper connecting rod 4.1 and the lower connecting rod 4.2 are independently hinged, distributing the vertical load of the tabletop 3, dispersing the stress at a single hinge point, extending the service life of the connecting rods and hinged parts, and reducing the probability of loosening and abnormal noise after long-term use. The symmetrical layout ensures balanced force distribution. When the vehicle bumps, accelerates rapidly, or brakes suddenly, the connecting rods on both sides are synchronously limited, preventing the tabletop 3 from swaying left and right, improving driving safety, and preventing water cups and electronic devices from slipping and hitting the interior. This hinged layout eliminates the need for additional guide rails, reduces the number of precision injection molded guide rail parts, lowers the requirements for mold development and production assembly precision, simplifies the assembly process, reduces the number of parts, and controls production costs. At the same time, all connecting rods are hidden inside the box panel 2, with no exposed moving parts on the outside, eliminating the safety hazard of pinching fingers.
[0024] The inner side of the box plate 2 is welded with reinforcing ribs 6; one end of the upper connecting rod 4.1 is hinged to the inner wall of the table plate 3 through bearing 9, and the other end is hinged to the reinforcing rib 6 of the inner wall of the box plate 2 through bearing 9; one end is hinged to the inner wall of the table plate 3 through bearing 9, and the other end is hinged to the reinforcing rib 6 of the inner wall of the box plate 2 through bearing 9. The mounting base and hinged rotating structure of the box plate 2 are reinforced at the mounting points by reinforcing ribs 6, and low-friction hinges are achieved with bearings 9, simultaneously improving structural strength and smoothness of movement. Box plate 2 is a thin-walled plastic component; direct assembly with upper connecting rods 4.1 and 4.2 could easily lead to deformation and cracking under stress. The inner side welded reinforcing ribs 6 significantly improve the local rigidity of the hinge area, distributing the load transmitted by upper connecting rods 4.1 and 4.2, preventing box plate 2 from denting or breaking under long-term stress, and extending the service life of the entire mechanism. Upper connecting rods 4.1 and 4.2... All hinges are located in the area of reinforcing rib 6, with the load directly transferred to the reinforcing rib 6 instead of being dispersed on the thin-walled plane of the box plate 2. This significantly increases the overall rated load capacity, allowing stable support of objects up to 15kg, meeting the needs of placing heavy items such as laptops and storage bags. Bearings 9 are added to all hinge points, replacing the traditional direct pin friction structure. This greatly reduces the rotational resistance of the connecting rods, making the unfolding and retraction operations smooth and effortless, without any jamming or dry noise. The bearings 9 have excellent wear resistance, and long-term reciprocating rotation will not cause the hinge gap to increase or the table plate 3 to become loose and wobble. The hinge reference at both ends of the upper connecting rod 4.1 and the lower connecting rod 4.2 is uniformly locked to the reinforcing rib 6, ensuring a unified assembly positioning reference. During assembly on the production line, there is no need to repeatedly calibrate the hinge height, improving assembly consistency and reducing the assembly defect rate. The centralized arrangement of the reinforcing ribs 6 also facilitates the synchronous installation of bolts and buckles, resulting in higher component integration, simplifying the assembly process, and adapting to mass production on assembly lines.
[0025] The upper connecting rod 4.1 and the lower connecting rod 4.2 are made of stainless steel profiles or 6061-T6 aluminum profiles; Stainless steel profiles possess exceptional rust and corrosion resistance, preventing rust and oxidation from condensation from air conditioning systems, spilled beverages, and humid environments. The hinge bearings (9) are resistant to rust and jamming, ensuring stable motion performance over long-term use. They also boast high mechanical strength, resistance to bending and impact, and are resistant to deformation from vehicle bumps and heavy loads. 6061-T6 aluminum alloy profiles offer significant lightweight advantages, with a density far lower than stainless steel. This drastically reduces the overall weight of the table panel (3) mechanism, decreasing the load on the glove box (2) and preventing deformation under long-term loads. Aluminum is easy to form and process, offering high precision in bending and drilling, lower production costs, and good plasticity, making it less prone to breakage. Both materials can be flexibly selected based on vehicle positioning. Lower-end models use aluminum to control costs, while higher-end models use stainless steel to enhance durability, catering to the needs of passenger vehicles at different price points. Both types of profiles have excellent fatigue resistance. After tens of thousands of folding cycles, no metal fatigue bending will occur, ensuring the stability of the entire vehicle throughout its life cycle. The rigidity of the metal profiles is far superior to that of the plastic connecting rods, eliminating the problems of high-temperature softening, low-temperature brittleness, and load-bearing bending deformation of the plastic connecting rods. This completely solves the defects of insufficient load-bearing capacity and easy damage of traditional plastic support structures, reducing the frequency of after-sales maintenance and replacement.
[0026] like Figure 5As shown, the locking device 5 includes a push-button latch 5.1 and a latch 5.2; the push-button latch 5.1 is fixed to the reinforcing rib 6 on the inner side of the box plate 2 by bolts; the latch 5.2 is welded to the inner side wall of the table plate 3; the latch 5.2 is engaged and fixed with the push-button latch 5.1. The push-button latch 5.1 is fixed to the reinforcing rib 6 area by bolts, ensuring sufficient rigidity of the mounting base. When subjected to force, the push-button latch 5.1 will not cause deformation of the box panel 2, and the locking limit accuracy is stable, preventing latch misalignment or engagement failure. The latch tongue 5.2 is welded and fixed to the inside of the table panel 3, providing a secure connection that will not detach or loosen even after repeated locking and unlocking over a long period. The latch tongue 5.2 and the push-button latch 5.1 precisely match and engage, ensuring the table panel 3 fits perfectly against the box panel 2 after storage, without any gaps, shaking, or abnormal noise. The push-button trigger structure eliminates the need for additional handles or levers; simply pressing the outside of the table panel 3 unlocks and locks the device, making operation simple and convenient. Unlocking and retracting can be completed with one hand, enhancing the user experience. The locking device 5 is completely hidden inside the box panel 2 and the table panel 3, with no protruding locking parts on the outside, ensuring a smooth and uniform interior surface and not compromising the overall aesthetics of the vehicle interior. The snap-fit locking method provides reliable limit control, and the locking tongue 5.2 will not accidentally disengage when the vehicle vibrates or goes over speed bumps, preventing the table panel 3 from popping out and hitting the occupants or interior. The push-button latch 5.1 is assembled with bolts for easy removal, and the welded structure of the locking tongue 5.2 facilitates the replacement of the table panel 3 separately. If the push-button latch 5.1 is damaged, there is no need to replace the entire table panel 3 assembly, resulting in lower maintenance and replacement costs, convenient disassembly and assembly, and compatibility with rapid after-sales repair. At the same time, the locking is noiseless with no metal impact, and the operation is quiet, improving the cabin quietness.
[0027] The box panel 2 and the glove box body 1 are connected by snap fasteners; The snap-fit detachable connection structure between the glove box panel 2 and the glove box body 1 significantly simplifies assembly and maintenance processes, improving the versatility and adaptability of the entire mechanism. Traditional glove boxes are often integrally injection molded, requiring complete disassembly of the glove box after damage to the linkage or table 3, a cumbersome process. The snap-fit connection allows for independent disassembly and assembly of the glove box panel 2, eliminating the need to disassemble the internal storage compartment. Only the panel 2 needs to be removed for inspection and replacement of the four-bar linkage 4, locking device 5, and table 3, significantly reducing maintenance time and after-sales costs. The snap-fit connection has no exposed screws, resulting in a smooth and intact outer surface of the panel 2. After storing the table 3, the interior exterior remains flat, with no fasteners compromising the interior's texture. The snap-fit assembly requires no additional screws. The assembly process, including screwing and gluing, is simplified, improving the efficiency of vehicle interior assembly and adapting to mass production on assembly lines. The detachable structure allows for direct adaptation to existing mass-produced glove box modifications without the need for a completely new glove box body 1. Simply replacing the snap-on panel 2 with reinforcing ribs 6 allows for the installation of a hidden table 3, significantly reducing vehicle modification costs and development cycles. The snap-on mechanism provides some elasticity and cushioning, absorbing vibrations during vehicle operation and reducing impact noise between the panel 2 and the glove box body 1. The snap-on mechanism is precisely positioned, ensuring no loosening or displacement of the panel 2 after assembly. This guarantees a stable hinge reference position for the connecting rods and prevents the table 3 from becoming stuck or failing to lock due to panel 2 displacement.
[0028] like Figure 5 As shown, the outer edge of the tabletop 3 is integrally formed with anti-slip protrusions 7; The edge of the tabletop 3 features an integrated anti-slip protrusion 7, structurally addressing the safety issues of items sliding and falling. The integrated molding process simultaneously optimizes production and performance. The anti-slip protrusion 7 is integrally injection molded with the tabletop 3, eliminating the need for later application of anti-slip strips and preventing issues such as strip detachment, aging, and yellowing. The anti-slip effect remains stable over long-term use and is resistant to high and low temperatures inside the vehicle, remaining effective even under direct sunlight and low temperatures. The anti-slip protrusion 7 is arranged along the outer edge of the tabletop 3, forming a protective structure. When placing water cups, mobile phones, or laptops, it prevents items from sliding laterally due to vehicle acceleration, deceleration, or bumps, preventing electronic devices and drinks from falling and injuring passengers or soiling the interior, thus improving driving safety. The unibody structure eliminates the need for additional anti-slip accessories, reducing the number of parts, simplifying the injection molding process, lowering unit production costs, and ensuring higher consistency in mass production. It also eliminates assembly deviations caused by manual pasting. The anti-slip protrusion 7 has a moderate height, does not occupy the effective load-bearing area of the tabletop 3, and does not affect the flat placement of large items. The rounded transition of the anti-slip protrusion 7 without sharp edges prevents passengers from bumping and scratching themselves, improving cabin comfort. This structure eliminates the need for an additional anti-slip coating, avoiding the problems of coating wear and powder pollution inside the vehicle. It maintains a clean appearance over long-term use, while the anti-slip protrusion 7 gently cushions impacts from items hitting the tabletop 3, reducing noise from bumps during driving and improving cabin quietness.
[0029] like Figure 6As shown, the inner sidewall of the tabletop 3 is provided with a weight-reducing groove 8; By utilizing the weight-reducing groove 8 on the inner side of the table panel 3, lightweighting is achieved while ensuring structural rigidity, simultaneously optimizing the injection molding process and the overall vehicle load-bearing capacity. The weight-reducing groove 8 is located in the non-load-bearing visible area on the inner side of the table panel 3, while the outer load-bearing surface remains intact and flat, without affecting the placement of items. At the same time, it removes excess plastic wall thickness, significantly reducing the overall weight of the table panel 3, alleviating the overall load-bearing pressure on the four-link linkage and the box panel 2, reducing the risk of long-term load deformation of the upper link 4.1 and lower link 4.2, and denting and cracking of the box panel 2, thus extending the service life of the entire mechanism. The weight-reducing groove 8 also optimizes the uniformity of the wall thickness of the injection molded parts, avoiding shrinkage marks, bubbles, and warping deformation in thick-walled areas, improving the yield rate of the table panel 3, reducing the production scrap rate, and controlling production costs. Uniform wall thickness can shorten injection molding cooling time, increase production line cycle time, and improve mass production efficiency; the inner side of the weight-reducing groove 8 can simultaneously avoid the assembly space of the connecting rod and locking tongue 5.2, eliminating the need for additional thinning of the table plate 3 edge, ensuring the structural strength of the table plate 3 edge, and preventing edge breakage; the weight-reducing groove 8 forms an internal reinforcing mesh, dispersing the load-bearing pressure on the surface of the table plate 3 laterally and longitudinally, increasing the bending strength of the table plate 3 under the same weight, and preventing the center from concave deformation when heavy objects are placed; the lightweight table plate 3 reduces the rotational load of the connecting rod, making the unfolding and retraction operations easier and less labor-intensive, and reducing the wear rate of the hinge bearing 9; at the same time, it reduces the use of plastic raw materials, reduces material costs, and the lightweight design also reduces the overall weight of the vehicle interior, helping to achieve the goal of lightweight design of the whole vehicle.
[0030] The tabletop 3 is integrally injection molded using PP + glass fiber reinforced material; The tabletop is made of PP+glass fiber reinforced material injection molding, balancing toughness, rigidity, temperature resistance, and molding cost-effectiveness, making it suitable for the complex environment of automotive cabins. The polypropylene substrate has excellent toughness, making it less prone to breakage under impact and compression. The glass fiber significantly improves the material's bending strength and compressive strength, ensuring that the tabletop will not bend or deform under heavy loads. Compared to ordinary pure PP plastic tabletops, its load-bearing capacity is more than double, meeting the 15kg rated load requirement. The material has excellent high and low temperature resistance, and will not soften, deform, or crack under the high temperatures of summer exposure to the car interior or the low temperatures of winter. It maintains dimensional stability over long-term use and will not cause linkage hinge jamming or locking misalignment due to thermal expansion and contraction. It is also anti-aging and UV resistant, and will not yellow or become brittle under long-term exposure to light, maintaining the texture of the interior appearance. The one-piece injection molding process completes the main body of the tabletop, the anti-slip protrusions 7, and the weight-reducing grooves 8 in one step, eliminating the need for secondary bonding and assembly. This reduces production steps, increases assembly precision, and enhances the strength of the integrated structure of the parts, eliminating the risk of breakage due to splicing gaps. Modified PP raw materials are inexpensive, significantly reducing the production cost per unit of the tabletop compared to high-end plastics like ABS and PC, making it suitable for the large-scale supply needs of passenger vehicles. The material exhibits good injection molding flow, allowing for the complete molding of complex grooves and protrusions, resulting in low mold wear and extended mold life. The material itself also provides some cushioning and noise reduction, minimizing impact noise when items are placed on it. Furthermore, it is recyclable after disposal, meeting the standards for lightweight and environmentally friendly materials used in automotive interiors.
[0031] A car that adopts the above-mentioned glove box hidden four-link small table mechanism, which is suitable for the modification and assembly of the passenger glove box of A / B class sedans and SUVs with a glove box body 1 depth ≥200mm and width ≥400mm.
[0032] The glove box is limited to a depth of at least 200mm and a width of at least 400mm. This size range covers the vast majority of A / B-class family sedans, compact SUVs, and mid-size SUVs on the market. There's no need to readjust the dimensions of the table panel 3 and connecting rods for different models; a single structure can be used for multiple models, reducing investment in developing multiple molds, significantly shortening the development cycle for new car components, and lowering the overall cost of interior modification. The universal design supports upgrades to existing models without replacing the entire dashboard assembly; only the matching box panel 2 needs to be replaced to add the hidden table panel 3. Future model updates and interior upgrades do not require significant adjustments to the glove box structure, demonstrating strong reusability. It covers the mainstream family passenger car market, adapting to most family, commuting, and business travel scenarios, meeting the needs of users who need temporary office work or storage of personal items in the passenger seat, and enhancing the differentiated competitiveness of the vehicle's interior. Clearly defined size thresholds facilitate early-stage styling verification by OEMs, allowing for quick assessment of glove box installation suitability during the design phase and reducing rework due to later styling modifications. Standardized parameters and parts production facilitate bulk inventory preparation by the supply chain, reducing component procurement costs. Furthermore, size limitations prevent interference with linkage movement and insufficient space for table 3 to unfold after assembly in a small glove box, ensuring smooth unfolding and retraction of all compatible models without any movement jamming or interference defects.
[0033] Working principle: This mechanism uses the outer panel 2 of the glove box body 1 as a fixed base, and relies on the double-sided symmetrical parallel four-bar linkage 4 to realize the stable horizontal opening and closing of the table 3. It is equipped with a push-type locking device 5 to complete the storage and locking, and the whole is integrated into the glove box area to achieve complete concealment.
[0034] The box panel 2 is detachably assembled onto the glove box body 1 via snap fasteners. The inner side of the box panel 2 is welded with reinforcing ribs 6 as a load-bearing base. Both ends of the upper connecting rod 4.1 and the lower connecting rod 4.2 are equipped with stainless steel bearings 9, which are respectively hinged to the inner side of the table panel 3 and the reinforcing ribs 6. The upper connecting rods 4.1 and the lower connecting rods 4.2 on both sides form a parallelogram structure. The upper connecting rods 4.1 and the lower connecting rods 4.2 are made of stainless steel or 6061-T6 aluminum profiles to ensure strength and lightweight. The table panel 3 is a PP fiberglass integrated injection molded part. The outer side has an integrally molded anti-slip protrusion 7 to prevent items from slipping, and the inner side has a weight-reducing groove 8 to reduce weight without reducing structural rigidity. The push-type latch 5.1 is bolted to the reinforcing rib 6, and the latch 5.2 is welded to the inner side of the table panel 3. The two work together to achieve storage and locking.
[0035] Pressing the outer side of the tabletop 3, which is attached to the box panel 2, disengages the locking tongue 5.2 from the push-button lock 5.1. Pulling the tabletop 3 outward causes the upper connecting rods 4.1 and lower connecting rods 4.2 on both sides to rotate synchronously around the hinge point of the bearing 9. The four-bar linkage 4 keeps the tabletop 3 horizontal. When fully unfolded, the four-bar linkage 4 forms a self-locking structure, which can stably bear a weight of not less than 15kg, and the placed items will not tilt or slide. Pressing the unfolded tabletop 3 releases the self-locking limit of the four-bar linkage 4. Pushing the tabletop 3 inward causes the upper connecting rods 4.1 and lower connecting rods 4.2 to fold inward synchronously until the tabletop 3 is completely attached to the outer wall of the box panel 2. At this time, the locking tongue 5.2 on the inner side of the tabletop 3 is locked again with the push-button lock on the box panel 2. The tabletop 3 is hidden without any outward protrusion, and will not shake or pop out during driving.
[0036] Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.
Claims
1. A glove box concealed four-bar linkage small table mechanism, characterized in that: It includes a glove box body (1), a box panel (2), a table panel (3), a four-bar linkage (4), and a locking device (5). The box panel (2) is the outer side wall of the glove box body (1) facing the inside of the vehicle. The table panel (3) is installed on the box panel (2) through the four-bar linkage (4) and fixed on the box panel (2) by the locking device (5).
2. The glove box concealed four-bar linkage small table mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The four-bar linkage (4) includes an upper linkage (4.1) and a lower linkage (4.2); one end of the upper linkage (4.1) is hinged to the inner wall of the tabletop (3), and the other end is hinged to the inner wall of the box panel (2); one end of the lower linkage (4.2) is hinged to the inner wall of the tabletop (3), and the other end is hinged to the inner wall of the box panel (2); the four-bar linkage (4) is arranged symmetrically in two layers along the left and right sides of the box panel (2).
3. The glove box concealed four-bar linkage small table mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inner side of the box plate (2) is welded with reinforcing ribs (6).
4. The glove box concealed four-bar linkage small table mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: One end of the upper connecting rod (4.1) is hinged to the inner wall of the tabletop (3) via a bearing (9), and the other end is hinged to the reinforcing rib (6) of the inner wall of the box plate (2) via a bearing (9); 5. The glove box concealed four-bar linkage small table mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The locking device (5) includes a push-button latch (5.1) and a latch (5.2); the push-button latch (5.1) is fixed to the reinforcing rib (6) on the inner side of the box plate (2) by bolts; the latch (5.2) is welded to the inner wall of the table plate (3).
6. The glove box concealed four-bar linkage small table mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that: The latch (5.2) is engaged and fixed with the push-button latch (5.1).
7. The glove box concealed four-bar linkage small table mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The box panel (2) is connected to the glove box body (1) by a snap fastener.
8. The glove box concealed four-bar linkage small table mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer edge of the tabletop (3) is integrally formed with anti-slip protrusions (7).
9. The glove box concealed four-bar linkage small table mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the tabletop (3) is provided with a weight-reducing groove (8).
10. A car that employs a glove box concealed four-bar linkage small table mechanism as described in any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that: This mechanism is suitable for the modification and assembly of the passenger glove box of A / B class sedans and SUVs with a depth of ≥200mm and a width of ≥400mm.
