CARGO AREA COVER STRUCTURE

Abstract

Cargo area cover structure, featuring: a housing (100) which is mounted in an upper section of a vehicle trunk in a horizontal direction; an axis (110) which is rotatably provided in the housing (100); a cover (120) which is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the axle (110) and is wound up in the housing (100) and unwound from it; and a switch (130) which is provided in the housing (100), characterized in that the switch (130) is configured to measure a winding amount of the cover (120) around the outer circumferential surface of the axis (110) and is set to be switched on / off depending on the measured winding amount.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Area of ​​the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a cargo cover structure according to the preamble of claim 1. The present invention relates generally to a cargo cover structure, and in particular to a cargo cover structure which is able to set a switch depending on whether a cargo cover is used or not. Description of related technology

[0002] A cargo cover structure as described above is known, for example, from DE 10 2007 057 079 A1. Further designs of cargo cover structures are disclosed, for example, in US 5 148 849 A, DE 102 60 984 A1, and DE 103 35 582 A1. In general, recreational vehicles capable of carrying a large amount of cargo have become very popular. These recreational vehicles feature a cargo cover positioned between a rear seat and a rear door or tailgate to keep the cargo area tidy and to allow for opening and closing the luggage compartment or trunk (in short: trunk).

[0003] This cargo cover can be fitted with a lighting device to improve its usability. However, since the cargo cover, according to the relevant technology, serves as a cover for a trunk, it has the following problems even when fitted with the lighting device.

[0004] In the event that the cargo cover is used (in a rolled-up state), as described in the Fig. 1A and Fig. As shown in Figure 1B, the cargo cover covers the lighting device on the vehicle's headliner, thus darkening the trunk. When the cargo cover is not in use (rolled up), the lighting device on the headliner illuminates the cargo area. Therefore, the lighting device on the headliner becomes useless when the cargo cover is in use.

[0005] As an alternative to remedying this problem, an additional lighting device A can be installed on a side section of an inner trim or body panel, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 1B, the additional lighting device is already installed. However, since the cargo cover is an optional component selected according to customer requirements and can be installed and removed at any time, the additional lighting device is wasteful if the cargo cover is not present, and it is also inefficient because it is located on one side. Therefore, a lighting device is installed directly on the underside of the cargo cover to meet the requirements.

[0006] Meanwhile, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the lighting device can also be mounted on the underside of the cargo cover. If it has a separate switch, there is an advantage that a user can activate the lighting device whenever desired by simply pressing the switch. However, a problem arises in that the user would have to turn the lighting device on and off every time they use it, and there is a risk of battery drain if the user operates the vehicle with the lighting device inadvertently switched on.

[0007] Furthermore, if the area beneath the cargo cover is filled with cargo, it is difficult to reach the switch. However, if the switch is linked to the tailgate, this problem of accidentally activating the switch can be avoided. Nevertheless, even when the cargo cover is not actually in use due to the absence of cargo (i.e., when it is fully extended), the lighting device may remain unnecessarily illuminated.

[0008] The information provided in this background section is intended only to facilitate a better understanding of the general background of this invention and should not be interpreted as acknowledging or suggesting that this information represents the prior art known to those skilled in the art. BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a cargo cover structure which is able to automatically switch a lighting device on / off depending on whether a cargo cover is used or not.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, a cargo cover structure comprises a housing which is mounted in an upper section of a vehicle trunk or luggage compartment (hereinafter referred to as: vehicle trunk) in a horizontal direction, as well as an axle or shaft or physical axle (hereinafter referred to as: axle) which is rotatably provided in the housing, a cover which is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the axle and is wound into and unwound from the housing, and a switch which is provided in the housing and configured to measure a winding amount or quantity or proportion or radial winding height (hereinafter referred to as: winding amount) of the cover around the outer circumferential surface of the axle, and is set to be switched on / off depending on the measured winding amount.

[0011] For example, the switch can turn on when the winding amount of the cover falls below a predetermined radial height or a predetermined amount (in short: amount), and turn off when the winding amount of the cover rises above the predetermined amount.

[0012] For example, the switch can be pivotally connected to the housing and can be elastically pre-tensioned or preset in the direction of the axis.

[0013] For example, the switch can be pivoted around a pivot axis formed in the housing.

[0014] For example, the cargo cover structure can also have an elastic body which is provided between the switch and the pivot axis in order to elastically support or secure the switch by means of the pivot axis.

[0015] For example, the cargo cover structure can also have a light source which is electrically connected to the switch.

[0016] For example, the light source can be spatially separated from the switch.

[0017] For example, the cargo cover structure can also have a lens provided on an outside of the housing, which allows light emitted by the light source to be radiated to the outside of the housing.

[0018] The methods and devices of the present invention have other properties and advantages, which are evident from the accompanying drawings or are explained in more detail below. Together with the following detailed description, they serve to illustrate certain principles of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1A and Fig. Figure 1B shows an example of a lighting device being mounted in an upper section of a lighting structure of a cargo cover in accordance with the related technology. Fig. Figure 2 is a view showing an example in which a lighting device is mounted on a lower section of a lighting structure of a cargo cover according to the related technology. Fig. Figure 3 is a view showing a cargo cover structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the cargo cover structure according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a cargo cover structure according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily to scale and that they represent a somewhat simplified depiction of the features that illustrate the basic principles of the invention. Specific design features of the present invention, such as specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes, are also partly determined by the intended use and application environment.

[0020] In the drawings, identical reference numerals consistently denote identical or similar parts of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Detailed reference will now be made to various embodiments of the present invention. Examples are explained by the accompanying drawings and the text below. Although the invention is explained in connection with exemplary embodiments, this in no way limits the invention to these embodiments. Rather, the invention is intended to cover various alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and other embodiments beyond those cited as examples, provided they fall within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

[0022] Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. Figure 5 shows a cargo cover structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein Fig. Figure 3 shows a view of a cargo cover structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the cargo cover structure according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a cargo cover structure according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] A cargo cover structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is designed such that, as in Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. Figure 5 shows a housing 100 mounted in a vehicle trunk, as well as an axle 110 provided in the housing 100, a cover 120 provided on an outer circumferential surface of the axle 110 and a switch 130 which is set to be switched on / off depending on a winding amount corresponding to the winding and unwinding of the cover 120, whereby the switch is controlled according to an actuation of a cargo cover.

[0025] In the following, each component of the cargo cover structure according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] First, as in Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a cargo cover is provided which has the housing 100, the axle 110 and the cover 120 and is mounted in the vehicle trunk, and the switch 130 is mounted in the housing 100 of the cargo cover.

[0027] The housing 100 has a tubular shape in which it has a cavity formed within it, and is mounted in an upper section of the vehicle trunk (at the height of a rear seat) in a horizontal direction.

[0028] The housing 100 can have the form of a circular tube or a rectangular tube.

[0029] The axle 110, which is provided in the housing 100, has a tubular shape and is rotatable to allow a cover 120, which is described below, to be wound up and unwound.

[0030] The cover 120 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the axis 110 and is wound into and unwound from the housing 100.

[0031] In this case, one side of the housing 100 can be designed with an input and output hole 101, so that the cover 120 can be wound into the housing 100 and unwound from it.

[0032] When the cover 120 is wound up in this configuration, the cover 120 is wound around the outer circumferential surface of the axis 110 as it is rolled towards the inside of the housing 100, or wound up inside the housing 100, so that the amount of winding increases, and when the cover 120 is unwound, the cover 120 is unwound towards the outside of the housing 100, or unwound out of the housing, so that the amount of winding on the outer circumferential surface of the axis 110 decreases.

[0033] The switch 130 is provided in the housing 100, measures the winding amount of the cover 120, which is wound around the outer circumferential surface of the axis 110, and is set to be switched on / off depending on the winding amount of the cover 120.

[0034] The on / off setting of switch 130 depends on the amount of cover 120 wound up, in accordance with a rotation angle of switch 130. When the amount of cover 120 wound around axis 110 increases due to the winding of the cover 120, this corresponds to a situation where the cargo cover is not in use, so that (electrical) current or energy (in short: current) is switched off by switch 130. Conversely, when the amount of cover 120 wound around axis 110 decreases due to the unwinding of the cover 120, this corresponds to a situation where the cargo cover is in use, so that (electrical) current is switched on by switch 130.

[0035] In this case, the switch 130 can essentially be pivoted about a pivot axis 131 formed in the housing 100, and an elastic body can additionally be provided between the switch 130 and the pivot axis 131 to elastically support the switch 130 on the pivot axis 131.

[0036] A light source 140, which is a unit that emits light, is linked to the switch 130, so that light can be emitted and blocked by the light source 140 depending on the on / off switching of the switch 130 by the winding amount of the cover 120.

[0037] The lens 150 can be provided in the housing 100 to allow light emitted from the light source 140 to be radiated outwards.

[0038] Meanwhile, the light source 140 can be linked to the switch 130 and arranged so that it is spatially separated from the switch 130. Therefore, as in Fig.Figure 5 shows that, at the time when the switch 130 is actuated according to the winding and unwinding of the cover 120, an on / off state of the switch 130 is transmitted to the light source 140, thereby enabling light to be emitted from the light source 140 provided at a position spatially separate from the switch 130.

[0039] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which a lighting device is installed on a lower surface of the cargo cover at a suitable angle, the switch 130 has an elastic body and a pivot axis 131 formed on the housing 100. The switch 130 is pivotably connected to the pivot axis 131 and detects a change in the length of an outer diameter of the axis 110, or of the axis 110 wound by means of the cover around which the cover 120 is wound, and it is switched on / off depending on a detection result, thereby making it possible to selectively emit light through the light source 140 connected to the switch 130.

[0040] The cargo cover structure according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which is designed as described above, is designed to include the housing mounted horizontally in an upper section of the vehicle trunk, the axle rotatably provided in the housing, the cover provided on the outer circumferential surface of the axle and wound into and unwound from the housing, and the switch provided in the housing and set to be switched on / off depending on the amount wound, corresponding to the winding and unwinding of the cover, which is wound around the outer circumferential surface of the axle.Therefore, the switch is controlled depending on the operation of the cargo cover in such a way that it automatically switches the lighting device on / off, thereby making it possible to improve the user-friendliness and prevent battery discharge due to thoughtless switching on of the lighting device, thus making it possible to improve marketability.

[0041] As explained above, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the switch is controlled depending on the actuation of the cargo cover, thereby making it possible to improve user-friendliness, and the lighting device of the cargo cover is automatically switched on by means of the control of the switch in order to prevent the battery from being discharged due to the lighting device being switched on or being switched on unnecessarily, thereby making it possible to improve marketability.

[0042] To simplify the explanation and allow for a precise definition in the attached claims, the terms "higher", "lower", "inside", "outside", etc. are used to denote elements of the exemplary embodiment with reference to the positioning of these elements as shown in the drawings. Symbol of each component in the figures: 100 cases 110 axle 120 Coverage 130 switches 140 light sources 150 lens

Claims

[1] Cargo area cover structure comprising: a housing (100) which is mounted in an upper section of a vehicle trunk in a horizontal direction; an axis (110) which is rotatably provided in the housing (100); a cover (120) which is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the axle (110) and is wound up in the housing (100) and unwound from it; and a switch (130) which is provided in the housing (100), characterized by , that the switch (130) is configured to measure a winding amount of the cover (120) around the outer circumferential surface of the axis (110), and is set to be switched on / off depending on the measured winding amount. [2] Cargo cover structure according to claim 1, wherein the switch (130) turns on when the winding amount of the cover (120) falls below a predetermined amount and turns off when the winding amount of the cover (120) increases above the predetermined amount. [3] Cargo cover structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the switch (130) is pivotably connected to the housing (100) and is elastically pre-tensioned in the direction of the axis (110). [4] Cargo cover structure according to claim 3, wherein the switch (130) is pivoted about a pivot axis (131) formed in the housing (100). [5] Cargo cover structure according to claim 4, further comprising an elastic body which is provided between the switch (130) and the pivot axis (131) to elastically support the switch (130) by means of the pivot axis (131). [6] Cargo cover structure according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a light source (140) which is electrically connected to the switch (130). [7] Cargo cover structure according to claim 6, wherein the light source is spatially separated from the switch (130). [8] Cargo cover structure according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a lens (150) which is provided on an outside of the housing (100) and which allows light emitted by the light source (140) to be directed towards the outside of the housing (100).

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