Storage compartment comprising a foldable retaining element

Abstract

Storage compartment (1) for a vehicle, comprising a storage volume (2) bounded by at least a first wall (4) and a second wall (6) extending opposite the first wall (4), wherein the first wall (4) has a recess (12) opening towards the storage volume (2), wherein the storage compartment (1) comprises a retaining element (26) with a frame (28) defining an opening (30) for receiving an object (32) to be held by the retaining element (26), and a locking element (44), wherein the retaining element (26) is pivotally attached to the first wall (4), characterized in that the retaining element (26) can be moved between a retracted position, in which the frame (28) extends into the recess (12) of the first wall (4) and does not extend into the storage volume (2), and an extended position.in which the frame (28) extends into the storage volume (2) and the locking element (44) cooperates with a locking surface (24) of the second wall (6), so that the opening (30) of the retaining element (26) extends over the storage volume (2) and is rotatable.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage compartment for a vehicle of this type, comprising a storage volume which is bounded by at least a first wall and a second wall which extends opposite the first wall, wherein the first wall comprises a recess which opens towards the storage volume, wherein the storage compartment comprises a retaining element with a frame which defines an opening for receiving an object which is to be held by the retaining element, and a locking element, wherein the retaining element is pivotally attached to the first wall.

[0002] It is known that the interior of a vehicle is equipped with one or more holding elements, such as cup holders, to allow the vehicle's users to safely place their drinks without the risk of spilling liquid inside the vehicle.

[0003] Such retaining elements are preferably retractable so that they do not take up space in the vehicle's cabin when not in use. However, even in the retracted position, part of the retaining element remains visible to the users, e.g., a front cap or other actuating element that must be accessible to move the retaining element into its extended position. Such a visible part can be detrimental to the appearance of the vehicle's interior.

[0004] Furthermore, retaining elements generally occupy a considerable amount of space in the retracted position. For example, retaining elements that can be moved between the retracted and extended positions like drawers require a large amount of space to store them in the retracted position. This space is then lost for other interior elements of the vehicle.

[0005] JP 2003-011728 A discloses a two-tiered console box with an upper lid for opening and closing an upper lid compartment. JP H08-142761 A and WO2011 / 155167 A1 disclose a beverage cup holder. DE 10 2011 078162 A1 discloses a device for holding beverage containers and storing objects.

[0006] One of the aims of the invention is to solve the problems mentioned above by proposing a storage compartment that can accommodate a retaining element which is almost invisible to the users of a vehicle and which does not take up a considerable amount of space when arranged in a retracted position.

[0007] For this purpose, the invention relates to a storage compartment of the type mentioned above, in which the retaining element can be moved in rotation between a retracted position, in which the frame extends into the recess of the first wall and does not extend into the storage volume, and an extended position, in which the frame extends into the storage volume and the locking element cooperates with a locking surface of the second wall, so that the opening of the retaining element extends over the storage volume.

[0008] The retaining element is concealed in the recess of the first wall when retracted, meaning that it extends into a part of the vehicle that is almost invisible to the vehicle's occupants when in this retracted position. Furthermore, when retracted, the retaining element occupies a small amount of space along and beside the storage compartment, space that is not typically used to store other vehicle components.

[0009] According to other features of the storage compartment of the invention - the locking element works together with a locking surface of the recess, so that the retaining element is held in the recess in the retracted position, - the frame comprises a first part and a second part, wherein the first part and the second part together define the opening, wherein the first part is hingedly attached to the first wall and the second part carries the locking element, wherein the first part and the second part can be moved with respect to each other between a locked position, in which the locking element cooperates with a locking surface of the first wall or the second wall, and an unlocked position, in which the locking element can be released from the locking surface of the first wall or the second wall, so that the retaining element can move between its retracted position and its extended position, - at least one first elastic element extends between the first part and the second part, wherein the first elastic element is arranged to push the second part towards the locked position, - at least one actuating surface, wherein the actuating surface can be actuated to move the second part towards the unlocked position against the force of the first elastic element, - at least one second elastic element is arranged around the axis of rotation of the retaining element to push the retaining element towards its extended position, - the retaining element further comprises a support part, comprising a support surface, wherein the support part can be moved with respect to the frame of the retaining element between a retracted position, in which at least part of the support surface is attached to the frame when the retaining element is in the retracted position, and an extended position, wherein the support surface extends away from the opening so that the support surface is substantially parallel to the opening when the retaining element is in the extended position, - at least one flexible membrane is attached to the frame, so that the flexible membrane surrounds part of the opening to locally reduce the diameter of the opening, - in the extended position, the opening extends on a plane that is essentially perpendicular to the axis of the storage volume, - the locking element is formed by at least one tab that protrudes from the frame, - the storage compartment forms part of a vehicle's center console.

[0010] Further aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following description, which is given as an example and is accompanied by the drawings, wherein: - Fig. 1 a sectional view of a storage compartment according to the invention, wherein the retaining element is in an extended position, - Fig. 2 a sectional view of the storage compartment of Fig. 1 is, where the retaining element is in a retracted position, - Fig. 3 a perspective view of the holding element of the storage element according to the invention, and - Fig. 4 is a top view of the storage compartment of the invention, wherein the retaining element is in an extended position.

[0011] According to Fig. 1 describes a storage compartment 1 for a vehicle, e.g., a motor vehicle. Such a storage compartment 1 forms, for example, part of a vehicle's center console, door panel, dashboard, seat back, or other part of the vehicle's interior.

[0012] The storage compartment 1 comprises a storage volume 2, which is dimensioned to hold small items such as coins, keys, mobile phones, cards, or other small objects. The storage volume is bounded at least by a first wall 4 and a second wall 6 extending opposite the first wall 4. The storage volume 2 may be further bounded by a bottom wall 8 and by side walls (not shown) connecting the first wall 4 and the second wall 6. The storage volume 2 includes a top opening 10 extending between the upper ends of the first wall 4 and the second wall 6 opposite the bottom wall 8, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown. The upper opening 10 provides access to the storage volume 2 in order to arrange and remove items from the storage volume 2.

[0013] The storage volume generally extends along axis A of the upper opening, i.e., a central axis perpendicular to the plane on which the upper opening 10 extends. Axis A is, for example, a vertical axis if the storage compartment is installed in a vehicle.

[0014] The first wall 4 comprises a recess 12. The recess 12 extends alongside the storage volume 2 and opens towards the storage volume 2 by means of an opening 14, which extends in a plane substantially parallel to axis A, i.e., in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the upper opening 10. The recess 12 comprises an upper wall 16, which extends substantially parallel to and near the upper opening 10, and a lower wall 18, which extends opposite the upper wall 16 near the bottom wall 8. A locking surface 20 extends between the opening 14 and the lower wall 18. The locking surface 20 is substantially parallel to the opening 14 and perpendicular to the lower wall 18 and, like the entire recess, extends outside the storage volume 2.

[0015] The second wall 6 comprises a housing 22 that extends alongside and communicates with the storage volume 2. The housing 22 extends opposite the upper wall 16 of the recess 12. In particular, the housing 22 includes a locking surface 24, which forms one of the walls of the housing 22 and extends opposite the upper part 16 of the recess 12. This means that the locking surface 24 is substantially parallel to the upper opening 10 and extends close to the upper opening 10.

[0016] The storage compartment 1 includes a retaining element 26, e.g. a cup holder according to the embodiment shown in the figures.

[0017] The retaining element 26 comprises a frame 28 that defines an opening 30, which is particularly in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 can be seen, to pick up an object, such as a cup 32, as in Fig. 1 shown. For this purpose, the opening 30, for example, has a round shape. The frame 28 is, for example, dimensioned such that the opening 30 has a diameter that is essentially equal to the distance between the first wall 4 and the second wall 6 near the upper opening 10, as shown in Fig. 3 shown.

[0018] The frame 28 is formed from a first part 34 and a second part 36, which are joined together. The first part 34 and the second part 36 together define the opening 30, meaning that each of the first part 34 and the second part 36 defines a portion of the edge of the opening 30, and that when the first part 34 and the second part 36 are joined, the opening 30 extends between the parts, its edge being formed by the joining of the first part 34 and the second part 36. For this purpose, for example, the first part 34 and the second part 36 each have the shape of a fork with two arms 38 separated by a semicircular space, the ends of the arms 38 of the first and second parts being joined to one another, so that the two semicircular spaces together form the opening 30, as best shown in Fig. Figure 3 shows that the ends of the arms 38 of one of the first and second parts are shaped, for example, to receive the ends of the arms 38 of the other part, so that the connection between the first part 34 and the second part 38 is achieved by inserting the ends of the arms 38 of one of the first and second parts into the ends of the arms 38 of the other part. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the ends of the arms 38 of the second part 36 are inserted into the ends of the arms 38 of the first part 34.

[0019] The first part 34 and the second part 36 are related to each other between a locked position, shown in the figures, in which the opening 30 has its maximum dimension, and an unlocked position, which is indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows that the opening 30 has a reduced dimension and is movable, meaning that the frame 28 is retracted in the unlocked position. According to the embodiments shown in the figures, the movement of the frame 28 into the unlocked position is carried out by sliding the ends of the arms 38 of the second part 34 within the ends of the arms 38 of the first part 32.

[0020] A first elastic element 40, schematically in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the first elastic element 40 is provided between the first part 32 and the second part 34 and is arranged to push the frame 28 towards the locked position. This means that the frame 28 is in the locked position without any stress, and that the movement of the frame 28 into the unlocked position is carried out against the force applied by the first elastic element 40. The first elastic element 40 is formed, for example, by one or two springs attached between the ends of the arms 38 of the first and second parts. To manually actuate the movement of the frame 28 between the locked and unlocked positions, the second part 36 includes at least one actuating surface 42. The actuating surface 42 is formed, for example, by a recess in the second part 36 of the frame 28, the recess having, for example, the shape of the end of a user's finger.According to the embodiments shown in the figures, the second part 36 comprises two actuating surfaces 42 arranged on each arm 38 of the second part 36, as shown in . Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shown.

[0021] The frame 28 further comprises a locking element 44, which is arranged to cooperate with the locking surfaces 20 and 24 of the first and second walls, as described below. The locking element 44 is formed, for example, by a tab that projects from the second part 36 of the frame 28 in a direction extending in the plane of the opening 30. The tab extends on a wall of the second part 36 opposite the wall that defines the edge of the opening 30, as shown in Fig. 4 shown. According to the embodiment shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the locking element 44 comprises two tabs spaced apart along the second part 36. The locking element 44 forms a stop surface that is essentially complementary to the locking surfaces 20 and 24 of the first and second walls, as described below.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the frame 28 comprises a flexible membrane 46 that at least partially surrounds the opening 30 in order to locally reduce the diameter of the opening 30, as is best shown in Fig. Figure 3 shows that the flexible membrane 46 forms an elastic element that can be used to maintain a force against the object to be held by the holding element. Furthermore, the flexible membrane 46 allows the holding element 26 to hold objects of different sizes, since the size of the opening 30 can be varied by acting on the flexible membrane 46, which can be compressed to increase the size of the opening. According to the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the flexible membrane 46 is a flexible element that can be used to hold objects of different sizes. Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, two flexible membranes 46 are provided and each is attached to the first part 34 and the second part 36.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the retaining element 26 further comprises a support part 48, which is pivotally attached to the frame 28. The support part 48 comprises a support surface 50, which is arranged to receive the base of an object that is to be held by the retaining element 26, as shown in Fig. 1 shown. The support surface 50 is attached to the frame 28, for example, by two arms 52 that extend on both sides of the support surface 50 and are articulated to the first part 34 of the frame 28. The articulated connection of the support part 48 to the frame 28 allows the support part 48 to move between a retracted position ( Fig. 1), in which the support surface 50 is at least partially attached to the frame 28, and a retracted position ( Fig. 2 and Fig. 4) can be moved, the support surface 50 extending away from the opening 30 so that the support surface 50 is substantially parallel to the opening 30 and can support the bottom of an object extending through the opening 30, as in Fig. 2 shown. Consequently, as in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, in the retracted position the retaining element 26 is compact and occupies a reduced space, while in the extended position the retaining element 26 is able to receive and hold an object 32 such as a cup, a bottle, a can or other types of objects.

[0024] The retaining element 26 is attached to the first wall 4 in a hinged manner in order to be able to move between a retracted position with respect to the first wall 4 ( Fig. 2), in which the retaining element 26 is located in the recess 12 and does not extend into the storage volume 2, and an extended position ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 3) can be moved, wherein the retaining element 26 extends into the storage volume 2 and is able to hold an object. In particular, the first part 34 is pivotally connected to a lateral wall of the recess 12 about a rotation axis 54, which is located near the upper wall 16 of the recess 12, so that the second part 36 extends towards the lower wall 18 of the recess 12 in the retracted position of the retaining element 26 and towards the second wall 6 in the extended position of the retaining element 26.

[0025] In the retracted position, the retaining element 26 is completely received in the recess 12, which means that no part of the storage volume 2 is occupied by the retaining element 26.

[0026] The volume of the recess 12 is arranged to fully accommodate the retaining element 26 in the retracted position, knowing that the support part 48 is also in the retracted position, which means that the volume of the recess 12 can be reduced.

[0027] Furthermore, when the retaining element 26 is in the retracted position, the frame 28 is pressed towards the locked position, so that the locking element 44 is positioned against the locking surface 20 of the recess 12. Consequently, the retaining element 26 is locked in the retracted position as long as the frame 28 is not moved towards the unlocked position. The recess 12 and its locking surface are dimensioned such that when the retaining element 26 is moved in its unlocked position, the locking element 44 can be released from the locking surface 20 of the recess 12, allowing the retaining element 26 to move towards its extended position.

[0028] A second elastic element 56 is preferably arranged around the axis of rotation 54 of the retaining element 26 to push the retaining element 26 towards the extended position. This means that after a user has actuated the frame 28 in the unlocked position to unlock the locking element 44 from the locking surface 20 by pulling on the second part 36 towards the first part 34, the retaining element 26 can automatically move into the extended position.

[0029] When the retaining element 26 reaches the extended position, the locking element 44 is automatically engaged in the housing 22 by means of the first elastic element 40, so that the frame 28 reaches its locked position. During the movement of the retaining element 26, the support part 48 moves into its extended position under the influence of gravity.

[0030] In the extended position, the locking element 44 interacts with the locking surface 24 of the housing 22 and is prevented from moving towards the retracted position without user action, thus preventing the frame 28 from moving towards its unlocked position. In particular, the tab forming the locking element 44 has a shape that is essentially complementary to the shape of the housing 22. If multiple tabs are provided, the second wall 6, for example, comprises as many housings 22 or a single housing arranged to accommodate all the tabs in the extended position.

[0031] The housing 22 is mounted on the second wall 6 such that, in the extended position, the opening 30 of the frame 28 opens into a plane that is essentially perpendicular to the axis A of the storage compartment 1, meaning that the opening 30 is essentially parallel to the upper opening 10. Consequently, if the axis A is vertical, the opening 30 and the support surface 50 extend essentially horizontally, as shown in Fig. 1 shown.

[0032] In the extended position, the opening 30 of the frame 28 extends over the storage volume 2 and is adjacent to or spaced apart from the upper opening 10. If the opening 30 of the frame 28 is spaced apart from the upper opening 10, the portions of the first and second walls extending between the opening 30 of the frame 28 and the upper opening 10 can be used to hold the object 32, which is arranged in the retaining element 26, in an upright position.

[0033] To move the retaining element 26 back into its retracted position, the user moves the frame towards the unlocked position using the actuating surface(s) 42 and pushes on the frame 28 so that the frame 28 rotates about the axis of rotation 54 towards the recess 12 with respect to the first wall 4. Once the retaining element 26 has reached the recess 12, the support 48 is moved towards its retracted position through the bottom wall of the recess. After the retaining element 26 is in place in the recess 12, the user releases the frame 28, which moves into the locked position, with the locking element 44 engaging the locking surface 20.

[0034] The storage compartment 1 described above, comprising a foldable retaining element, allows the retaining element 26 to be completely concealed within the recess 12. The retaining element 26 does not restrict the capacity of the storage compartment 1 and is practically invisible from outside the storage volume 2, as it does not extend into the storage volume 2. Furthermore, in the extended position, the retaining element 26 is flush with the storage volume 2, meaning that the opening 30 extends across the entire portion of the storage volume, as shown in [reference]. Fig.Figure 3 shows that this increases the robustness of the retaining element 26 in the extended position, since the frame 28 is supported in the extended position by both the first and the second wall. Such support is advantageous compared to prior art retaining elements, which often hang from part of the vehicle's interior without being supported on two sides of the opening. Furthermore, the appearance of the retaining element 26 is satisfactory.

Claims

[1] Storage compartment (1) for a vehicle, comprising a storage volume (2) bounded by at least a first wall (4) and a second wall (6) extending opposite the first wall (4), the first wall (4) having a recess (12) opening towards the storage volume (2), the storage compartment (1) comprising a retaining element (26) with a frame (28) defining an opening (30) for receiving an object (32) to be held by the retaining element (26), and a locking element (44), the retaining element (26) being pivotally attached to the first wall (4), characterized by, that the retaining element (26) is rotatable between a retracted position in which the frame (28) extends into the recess (12) of the first wall (4) and does not extend into the storage volume (2), and an extended position in which the frame (28) extends into the storage volume (2) and the locking element (44) cooperates with a locking surface (24) of the second wall (6) so that the opening (30) of the retaining element (26) extends over the storage volume (2). [2] Storage compartment (1) according to claim 1, wherein the locking element (44) cooperates with a locking surface (20) of the recess (12) such that the retaining element (26) is held in the recess (12) in the retracted position. [3] Storage compartment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame (28) comprises a first part (34) and a second part (36), wherein the first part (34) and the second part (36) together define the opening (30), wherein the first part (34) is pivotally attached to the first wall (4) and the second part (36) carries the locking element (44), wherein the first part (34) and the second part (36) can be moved with respect to each other between a locked position, in which the locking element (44) cooperates with a locking surface of the first wall (4) or the second wall (6), and an unlocked position, in which the locking element (44) can be released from the locking surface of the first wall (4) or the second wall (6), so that the retaining element (26) can move between its retracted position and its extended position. [4] Storage compartment according to claim 3, wherein at least one first elastic element (40) extends between the first part (34) and the second part (36), wherein the first elastic element (40) is arranged to push the second part (36) towards the locked position. [5] Storage compartment according to claim 4, wherein the frame (28) comprises at least one actuating surface (42), wherein the actuating surface (42) can be actuated to move the second part (36) towards the unlocked position against the force of the first elastic element (40). [6] Storage compartment according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one second elastic element (56) is arranged around the axis of rotation (54) of the retaining element (26) to push the retaining element (26) towards its extended position. [7] Storage compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the retaining element (26) further comprises a support part (48) comprising a support surface (50), wherein the support part (48) can be moved with respect to the frame (28) of the retaining element (26) between a retracted position, in which at least a part of the support surface (50) is attached against the frame (28) when the retaining element (26) is in the retracted position, and an extended position, wherein the support surface (50) extends away from the opening (30) so that the support surface (50) is substantially parallel to the opening (30) when the retaining element (26) is in the extended position. [8] Storage compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one flexible membrane (46) is attached to the frame (28) such that the flexible membrane (46) surrounds part of the opening (30) to locally reduce the diameter of the opening (30). [9] Storage compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein in the unfolded position the opening (30) extends in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the axis (A) of the storage volume (2). [10] Storage compartment according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the locking element (44) is formed by at least one tab that protrudes from the frame (28). [11] Storage compartment according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the storage compartment (1) forms part of a center console of a vehicle.

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