Lid for a storage compartment for use in a vehicle interior

Abstract

The application relates to a cover (2) for a storage compartment (1) for use in a vehicle interior. The proposed cover (2) comprises an outer shell (8) on a visible side (9) and a locking element (11) which is designed to lock a storage compartment (1) by means of the cover (2). The outer shell (8) is elastically deformable at least in certain regions. Furthermore, the outer shell (8) and the locking element (11) are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the locking element (11) is movable by an inwardly directed force (19) which deforms the outer shell (8).

Description

[0001] The application relates to a lid for a storage compartment for use in a vehicle interior according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Lids for storage compartments, in particular glove compartments, are known from the prior art. For example, the document FR 3 014 383 A1 discloses a glove compartment with a storage box and a lid for closing the storage box. The storage box and the lid are pivotally connected to one another in a lower region via a hinge. The lid has a plastic shell on a side visible from a vehicle interior. In addition, the lid comprises, at an upper end, an S-shaped, lever-like handle which is pivotally connected to the plastic shell. The front region of the handle is accessible to a vehicle occupant and the rear region of which is concealed by the plastic shell. The rear region of the handle is designed to engage in a recess in the storage box. The lid is locked when the handle engages in the recess.To open the lid, the vehicle occupant operates the handle so that the lid is released.

[0003] The described lid is suitable for reliably locking and unlocking the glove compartment. However, the visibility of the handle may be considered a disadvantage from an aesthetic point of view. Furthermore, dirt can penetrate the storage compartment through an opening located in the area where the handle passes through the plastic shell. Furthermore, cleaning the lid in the area of the handle may be difficult under certain circumstances. Further related prior art is described in the document DE 10 2005 037 685 A1.

[0004] The object of the present application is to propose a lid which allows a reliable opening and closing of a storage compartment, wherein the lid has an aesthetically pleasing appearance for the vehicle occupant and is suitable for minimizing the ingress of dirt onto the lid and for enabling easy cleaning of a surface of the storage compartment.

[0005] This problem is solved by a cover having the features of the main claim. Advantageous further developments arise from the features of the dependent claims and the embodiments.

[0006] The proposed lid for a storage compartment is suitable for use in a vehicle interior. The lid comprises an outer shell on a visible side and a locking element configured to lock a storage compartment through the lid. The outer shell is elastically deformable, at least in some areas. Furthermore, the outer shell and the locking element are arranged relative to one another such that the locking element is movable by an inwardly directed force that deforms the outer shell.

[0007] The locking element can, for example, be designed to lock the lid for engagement in a recess of the storage compartment, wherein the recess can, for example, be rigidly connected to a storage box of the storage compartment or be designed as part of the storage box. Because the locking element is movable due to the action of force, the vehicle occupant can release the engagement of the locking element in the recess of the storage compartment by pressing on the outer shell and thus deforming it. As a result of the deformation of the outer shell, this presses, for example, on the locking element, causing it to move. In this way, the locking element is pushed out of the recess and thus released. This unlocks the lid and allows it to be opened, making the storage box of the storage compartment accessible.

[0008] For example, it is also possible for the storage compartment to have a raised portion and / or an edge rigidly connected to the storage compartment instead of a recess or in addition to the recess. In this case, the locking element for locking the lid is configured to engage around or behind the raised portion or edge.

[0009] Because the lid can be unlocked by pressing the outer shell, a lid without visible mechanical elements can be provided, in contrast to the prior art described above. This creates a high-quality and aesthetically pleasing impression for vehicle occupants. Furthermore, the proposed lid does not require any recesses in the outer shell, allowing the lid to be manufactured to be dirt-tight.

[0010] Typically, the outer shell forms the visible side of the lid. Typically, the outer shell completely covers the visible side of the lid. At least 50%, preferably at least 75%, and particularly preferably at least 90%, of the visible side of the lid can be provided. The outer shell can, for example, have a foam layer on the visible side and / or be covered with a decorative skin.

[0011] The elastically deformable region of the outer shell can, for example, be arranged at an edge of the outer shell. Alternatively, the elastically deformable region can also be formed in a central region of the outer shell. It can also be provided that the outer shell is completely elastically deformable.

[0012] Typically, the outer shell of a storage box is elastically deformable in such a way that a section of an outer side of the elastically deformable region of the outer shell is displaced inwards relative to the storage box by at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1 mm, and / or at most 50 mm, preferably at most 10 mm, when an inwardly directed force of at least 10 N and at most 20 N, for example 15 N, is applied to this section.

[0013] The lid has an inner shell connected to the outer shell. The inner shell is arranged on a side of the lid facing away from the visible side and toward the storage compartment. For example, the inner shell may completely or largely cover the storage compartment. The inner shell may, for example, be configured to rest against an edge of the storage compartment when the lid is closed.

[0014] The inner shell and the outer shell can, for example, be connected at least in some areas via an elastically compressible element. The elastically compressible element can be arranged between the outer shell and the inner shell. It can be provided that the elastically compressible element is compressible by the force acting on the outer shell, so that a distance between the outer shell and the inner shell is reduced by the force acting on it.

[0015] It can also be provided that the outer shell and the inner shell are connected to one another in regions of an inner side of the outer shell by a connecting element, which can be rigid, for example, and that in other regions, for example, an air gap is provided between the outer and the inner shell.

[0016] The inner tray can be made of a rigid material so that it is not deformed, or only slightly deformed, by the application of force. This protects objects located in the storage compartment from the force.

[0017] The locking element is attached to the inner shell. For example, the locking element can be rotatably mounted on the inner shell. The locking element can thus be rotated by the force acting on the outer shell. For example, it can be provided that the outer shell presses one end of the locking element inwards due to the force acting, whereby the locking element rotates as a result of which another end of the locking element is pushed out of a recess in the storage compartment, for example, so that the lid is released. In other embodiments, it is also possible for the locking element to be translationally movable due to the force acting. For example, it can be provided that the locking element comprises a linearly guided locking rod.

[0018] Furthermore, the lid can have a hinge designed to pivotally connect the lid to the storage compartment. The hinge can be connected, for example, to the outer or inner shell. The hinge allows the lid to be opened or closed by a pivoting movement. The hinge can be located, for example, at a lower end of the storage compartment.

[0019] The hinge typically has a spring. The spring can, for example, be rigidly connected to the lid on the one hand and to the storage compartment on the other. When the lid is used as intended, the spring can be preloaded such that the lid opens automatically if the lid is not locked, for example, if the locking element does not engage a recess in the storage compartment. In this case, the spring is typically sufficiently preloaded so that the lid opens automatically when a vehicle occupant presses on the outer shell to unlock the lid by deforming the outer shell.

[0020] The lid can also have a return element connected to the locking element. In particular, the locking element can be connected to the inner shell via the return element. The return element can, for example, act on the locking element in such a way that it is capable of automatically locking the lid when the vehicle occupant no longer presses on the outer shell when the lid is closed.

[0021] In one embodiment, the locking element comprises a hook. In this case, the hook is designed to engage a recess in the storage compartment.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the locking element comprises an elastically deformable latch. In this case, the latch is configured to be deformed by the force. For this purpose, for example, a pin connected to the outer shell is provided, which is adapted to press on the latch when the outer shell deforms. One end of the latch can, for example, be configured to engage a recess in the storage compartment.

[0023] Furthermore, the application relates to a storage compartment, in particular a glove compartment or a compartment of a center console, with a storage box and a lid of the type described.

[0024] It can also be provided that the locking element is beveled in an area intended for engagement with a recess of the storage compartment, such that the locking element is capable of automatically engaging the recess when the lid is closed. Engagement can occur, for example, by deforming the locking element or by deforming any return element present.

[0025] Examples of implementation are described below with reference to the figures. Fig. 1 a schematic view of a locked storage compartment, Fig. 2 a schematic view of an embodiment of the locking element, Fig. 3 a schematic view of another closed storage compartment, Fig. 4 a view of the storage compartment and Fig. 5 a schematic view of another embodiment of the locking element.

[0026] In Fig. 1 shows a storage compartment 1. The storage compartment 1 is, for example, a glove compartment and is suitable for use in a vehicle interior. The storage compartment 1 comprises a lid 2 and a storage box 3. The storage box 3 is designed as an injection-molded plastic part and as part of a carrier of a vehicle interior trim part. The storage box 3 has a recess 4 in the form of a recess and an access opening 5, which is covered by the lid 2 in the closed state shown. The storage box 3 and the lid 2 delimit a cavity 33 of the storage compartment 1.

[0027] The lid 2 is pivotally connected to the storage box 3 via a hinge 6 and has an inner shell 7 connected to the hinge 6, which covers the access opening 5. In addition, the lid 2 comprises an outer shell 8 connected to the inner shell 7 and arranged on a visible side 9 of the lid 2. The outer shell 8 completely covers the visible side 9 of the lid 2. The inner shell 7 and the outer shell 8 are connected to one another via a rigid, non-deformable connecting element 10. To connect the inner shell 7 and the outer shell 8 and the connecting element 10, these parts can be clamped, glued, screwed, or welded, for example.

[0028] The cover 2 also has a locking element 11, which is rotatably connected to the inner shell 7 in the region of an axis 12 via a return element (not shown) in the form of a helical spring. In the region of the axis 12, an air gap 13 is formed between the inner shell 7 and the outer shell 8. In other embodiments, it can also be provided that, instead of the air gap 13, an elastically compressible element is provided, by which the inner shell 7 and the outer shell 8 are connected to one another in the region of the axis 12. The elastically compressible element can be, for example, a foam layer.

[0029] The locking element 11 protrudes through a recess 14 in the inner shell 7 and has an inner end in the shape of a hook. The locking element is designed to engage with the hook-shaped end into the recess 4 when the lid 2 is closed. A lever 15 is rigidly connected to the locking element 11 and is also rotatably connected to the inner shell 7 in the region of the axis 12. One end 16 of the lever 15 is arranged near an inner side 17 of the outer shell 8.

[0030] The outer shell 8 is elastically deformable, while the inner shell 7 is essentially rigid in the example shown. To open the lid 2, a vehicle occupant presses from the visible side 9 onto an edge region 18 of the outer shell 8, as indicated by the arrow with the reference number 19. The force exerted by the vehicle occupant on the outer shell 8 leads to a deformation of the outer shell 8 in the region of the air gap 13, as indicated by dashed lines. As a result of the deformation of the outer shell 8, its inner side 17 presses onto the end 16 of the lever 15, causing the lever 15 to rotate clockwise around the axis 12. Because the lever 15 is rigidly connected to the locking element 11, the locking element 11 also performs a rotational movement about the axis 12, so that the locking element 11 slides out of the recess 4. This releases the locking of the lid 2.

[0031] The return element in the area of the axis 12 acts on the locking element 11 and the lever 15 in such a way that they move back into the positions shown by the solid lines as soon as the vehicle occupant no longer presses on the outer shell 8.

[0032] The hinge 6 comprises a spring which is pretensioned such that the lid 2 opens automatically when the lock is released, by the lid 2 pivoting counterclockwise around the hinge 6. It is possible for the spring to be pretensioned such that the lid 2 opens completely automatically. In this way, the access opening 5 of the storage compartment 3 becomes accessible to the vehicle occupant. In other embodiments, it is possible for the spring to be configured to bring about an automatic partial opening of the lid 2. In this case, after the lock of the lid 2 is released, the lid 2 performs an independent pivoting movement through a comparatively small angle of, for example, a maximum of 20 degrees or a maximum of 10 degrees. After the lid 2 has been pivoted independently in this way, the vehicle occupant can pivot the lid 2 further to open the storage compartment 1.

[0033] Typically, the outer shell 8, the inner shell 7, the locking element 11, and the lever 15 are designed as injection-molded plastic parts. The outer shell 8, the inner shell 7, the locking element 11, and / or the lever 15 may comprise, for example, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polypropylene, or polyethylene. In possible embodiments, the outer shell 8 may be covered on its outer side by a decorative plastic skin, wherein the decorative skin forms the visible side 9 of the storage compartment 1. Additionally, a foam layer may be provided between the outer shell 8 and the decorative skin.

[0034] Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows another example of a locking mechanism. Here, the locking element 11' is designed as an elastically deformable latch, which is essentially cuboid-shaped in a non-deformed state. For better clarity, the outer shell is not shown in the figure. To lock a storage compartment, the latch engages with two opposite ends 20, 21 in two opposite recesses 4', 4". As a result of, for example, a central force 19' on the locking element 11', the locking element 11' deforms. The deformed locking element 11' is in Fig. 2 is indicated by dashed lines. By deforming, the two ends 20, 21 can be pushed out of the recesses 4', 4", so that the storage compartment is unlocked.

[0035] Fig. 3 shows a storage compartment 1' according to an embodiment, the locking of which is on the one described with reference to Fig. 2. The storage compartment 1' can, for example, be a compartment in a center console. Recurring features are provided with the same reference numerals in this and the following figure. In the example shown, the locking element 11' is rigidly connected to the outer shell 8 via a pin 22. In addition, the cover 2' comprises two support posts 23, 24 which are rigidly connected to the inner shell 7 and project through the access opening 5. The support posts 23, 24 each have a projection 25, 26. The outer shell 8 is connected to the inner shell 7 in its edge regions via non-compressible connecting elements 10', 10". An elastically compressible element 27 is arranged between the non-compressible connecting elements 10', 10".

[0036] When a force 19' is applied to a central region of the outer shell 8, the outer shell 8 deforms such that the compressible element 27 is compressed. Because the locking element 11' is rigidly connected to the outer shell 8 via the pin 22, the locking element 11' is pressed downward as a result of the force 19', as indicated by the dashed lines. With increased force 19', regions of the locking element 11' press against the projections 25, 26, which form an example of an abutment, so that the locking element 11' is deformed due to the pressing pin 22. As a result of the deformation of the locking element 11', the ends 20, 21 of the locking element 11' slide out of the recesses 4', 4", thereby releasing the locking of the lid 2' and allowing the lid 2' to open.

[0037] In Fig. 4 shows a schematic plan view of the storage compartment 1'. The visible side 9 is formed by the lid 2'. The lid 2' and the storage compartment 3' are laterally surrounded by a frame 28. In Fig. 4, the position of the locking element 11', which is not visible to the vehicle occupant in the illustrated closed state of the storage compartment 1', is also indicated. Additionally, the position of a hinge axis 29 is indicated by a dashed line, which is defined by a hinge connected to the lid 2' and the storage compartment 3'. The hinge has a pre-tensioned spring, so that the lid 2' pivots upwards automatically when the locking element 11' is unlocked, thereby opening the storage compartment 1'. Fig. 4, an area 30 of the lid 2' is indicated, which is not visible to the vehicle occupant. The storage compartment 1' can be opened as described above by the vehicle occupant pressing on the lid 2' in the area 30.

[0038] In Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic illustration of another example of a locking mechanism. This example differs from the one shown in Fig. 1 in that the storage box 3" has an extension 31 instead of a recess and that the locking element 11" has a stop 32. The locking element 11" is designed to hold the extension 32 in the locked state as in Fig.5 with the stop 32. To open the lid 2", the locking element 11" is pivoted by pressing the outer shell similarly to the above description, so that the lid 2" is unlocked. The outer shell 8 as well as the locking element 11" and the lever 15 are indicated in an unlocked position by dashed lines.

[0039] Only features of the various embodiments disclosed in the exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another and claimed individually.

Claims

[1] Lid (2) for a storage compartment (1) for use in a vehicle interior, comprising an outer shell (8) on a visible side (9) and a locking element (11) which is designed to lock the storage compartment (1) by the lid (2), wherein the outer shell (8) is elastically deformable at least in some regions, wherein the outer shell (8) and the locking element (11) are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the locking element (11) is movable by an inwardly directed force (19) deforming the outer shell (8), characterized by an inner shell (7) connected to the outer shell (8) to which the locking element (11) is attached. [2] Lid (2) according to claim 1, characterized by that the locking element (11) is rotatably mounted on the inner shell (7). [3] Lid (2) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized bythat the inner shell (7) and the outer shell (8) are connected at least in regions via an elastically compressible element (27). [4] Lid (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the outer shell (8) covers at least 50%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 90%, of the visible side (9) of the lid (2). [5] Lid (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by a hinge (6) which is designed to pivotally connect the lid (2) to the storage compartment (1). [6] Lid (2) according to claim 5, characterized by that the hinge (6) has a spring. [7] Lid (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by a return element connected to the locking element (11). [8] Lid (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the locking element (11) comprises a hook. [9] Lid (2) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the locking element (11) comprises an elastically deformable bolt. [10] Storage compartment (1), in particular glove compartment, with a storage box (3) and a lid (2) according to one of the preceding claims.

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