Storage compartment device for a vehicle

Abstract

Storage compartment device for a vehicle, comprising: a storage compartment (100) provided in the vehicle and having a lid (110) that can be opened, a locking module (120) provided on the lid (110) for locking and unlocking the lid (110), and a touchpad (130) provided on an outer side of the lid (110) and communicating with the locking module (120) to unlock the lid (110) by touch operation, wherein an unlocking module (140) is provided on an outer side of the storage compartment (100) and cooperates with the locking module (120) to forcibly open the lid (110) by actuating a key (141), wherein the locking module (120) comprises: a first rod (121) mounted to be movable in a horizontal direction and having a first end inserted into a first end of an inside of the storage compartment (100), a second rod (122) mounted to be movable in the horizontal direction and having a first end inserted into a second end of the inside of the storage compartment (100), a first gear (121G) rotatably disposed at a second end of the first rod (121), a second gear (122G) rotatably disposed at a second end of the second rod (122), a coupling rod (123) which is provided with teeth on both sides thereof and is coupled to the first gear (121G) and the second gear (122G) respectively and is moved in a vertical direction according to rotational movements of the first gear (121G) and the second gear (122G) to move the first rod (121) and the second rod (122), a connecting rod (124) arranged on at least one of the first rod (121) and the second rod (122) to move the first rod (121) and / or the second rod (122), and an actuating device (125) connected to the connecting rod (124) and communicating with the touchpad (130) to move the connecting rod (124) during an unlocking operation, and wherein the unlocking module (140) comprises: a rotating part (142) into which the key (141) can be inserted, which is rotatable and which has a stop projection (143) projecting from one end thereof, and a locking rod (144) having a first end arranged to abut the stop projection (143) of the rotating member (142) and a second end arranged at least one of the ends of the first rod (121) and the second rod (122) of the locking module (120) and moving at least one of the first rod (121) and the second rod (122) toward the inside of the storage compartment (100) when the rotating member (142) rotates.

Description

Background of the inventionField of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage compartment device for a vehicle (e.g., an automobile), and more particularly, to a storage compartment device for a vehicle having a function of locking and unlocking a storage compartment provided inside a vehicle to enhance safety and user convenience. Description of related technology

[0002] In general, a storage compartment in a vehicle, such as a conventional storage compartment device provided in a vehicle, is a storage space for keeping belongings or valuables of occupants.

[0003] In a storage compartment, a lid is installed in / at an opening so that it can be opened and closed, and an opening button connected to the storage compartment is mounted on a front side of the lid so that the lid can be opened by operating (the opening button). A conventional type of storage compartment does not have a separate locking device and is therefore easily susceptible to burglary. Therefore, a technique of adding a locking device using a key for a storage compartment to prevent theft has been employed. However, this technique brings with it the additional problem of decreasing user convenience because locking and unlocking operations cannot be performed without or until the driver inserts a key into the storage compartment lock.

[0004] The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section is provided merely to facilitate understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be construed as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this information constitutes prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

[0005] US 9 216 697 B1 discloses a vehicle safe assembly.

[0006] KR 10 2011 0 022 247 A discloses a vehicle glove compartment and a cargo space locking device.

[0007] KR 10 2006 0 058 543 A discloses a bidirectional opening / closing device for a console cover of a console box. Explanation of the invention

[0008] The present invention has for its object to provide a storage compartment device for a vehicle which has a function of locking and unlocking a storage compartment provided in a vehicle in order to increase safety and user convenience.

[0009] To this end, the present invention provides a storage compartment device for a vehicle, comprising: a storage compartment provided in the vehicle with a lid (e.g., a cover) that can be opened, a locking module provided on (e.g., in) the lid for locking and unlocking the lid, and a touchpad provided on (e.g., on) an outer side of the lid and communicating (e.g., interacting) with the locking module (e.g., electrically) to unlock (or be able to unlock and, e.g., lock / lock) the lid by touch operation, wherein an unlocking module is provided on (e.g., on) an outer side of the storage compartment and cooperates (e.g., mechanically) with the locking module to forcibly open (e.g.,to unlock), wherein the locking module comprises: a first rod which is movably mounted in a horizontal direction and has a first end which is inserted into a first end of an inside of the storage compartment, a second rod which is movably mounted in the horizontal direction and has a first end which is inserted into a second end of the inside of the storage compartment, a first gear which is rotatably arranged at a second end of the first rod, a second gear which is rotatably arranged at a second end of the second rod, a coupling rod which is provided with a toothing (e.g. longitudinal toothing) on ​​both sides (e.g. ends) thereof and is respectively coupled to the first gear and the second gear and is moved in a vertical direction (e.g. longitudinally) according to rotational movements of the first gear and the second gear in order to move the first rod and the second rod, a connecting rod which is attached to (e.g.in) at least one of the first rod and the second rod is arranged to move the first rod and / or the second rod, and an actuating device (e.g., an actuator) connected to the connecting rod and communicating with the touchpad to move the connecting rod during an unlocking operation, wherein the unlocking module comprises: a rotating part into which the key is insertable, which is rotatable, and which has a stop projection protruding from one end thereof, and a locking rod having a first end arranged to abut (e.g., rest) against the stop projection of the rotating part and a second end arranged at / at least one of the ends of the first rod and the second rod of the locking module and moving at least one of the first rod and the second rod towards the inside of the storage compartment when the rotating part rotates.

[0010] The key can, for example, be combined with (e.g. be formed by) a smart key or a key card for the vehicle.

[0011] The touch operation of the touchpad may include touching at least one of a card or a password. (For example, the touch operation may include at least one of: touching / approaching a card (to the touchpad) or typing a password (using the touchpad).)

[0012] The card may, for example, be combined with (e.g. be formed by) a smart key or a key card for the vehicle.

[0013] For example, the lid may have an upper lid (e.g., a top cover) and a lower lid (e.g., a bottom cover), and the touchpad may be provided either on (e.g., on) the upper lid or on (e.g., on) the bottom lid.

[0014] A radio frequency (RF) receiver that communicates with the card may be provided in the touchpad and may include an infrared sensor.

[0015] A password registration / login button that communicates with the touchpad may be provided on the locking module.

[0016] The locking module can be attached to each of the top lid and the bottom lid in order to open (e.g. unlock) the top lid and the bottom lid simultaneously when unlocking the touchpad (e.g. using the touchpad).

[0017] The touchpad and the actuating device can be configured to be connected to a power source of the vehicle (e.g., the vehicle battery) in order to be able to be operated thereby.

[0018] It is understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicular" or other similar terms, as used herein, includes motor vehicles in general, such as passenger cars including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft, and the like, and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuel derived from feedstocks other than petroleum). Herein, a hybrid vehicle refers to a vehicle that has two or more power sources, for example, vehicles that run on both gasoline and electricity.

[0019] The methods and apparatus of the present invention have other features and advantages which will be apparent or more particularly pointed out by reference to the accompanying drawings incorporated herein and the following detailed description, which together serve to explain certain basic principles of the present invention. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a view illustrating a storage compartment device for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a view illustrating a touch pad of the storage compartment device for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a view illustrating a lock module of the storage compartment device for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a view showing a lock module provided on (e.g., in) an upper lid and a lower lid of the storage compartment device for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a process of unlocking a lid by the lock module in the storage compartment device for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a view illustrating states before and after the lid is unlocked by the lock module in the storage compartment device for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a view illustrating an unlocking module in the storage compartment device for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a view illustrating a state where a key is inserted into the unlocking module in the storage compartment device for a vehicle according to the various embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a view illustrating an unlocking operation by the unlocking module in the storage compartment device for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a view illustrating an operating state of a rotating member and a locking rod of the unlocking module in the storage compartment device for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a view illustrating an operating state of the rotating part and a locking rod of an unlocking module and a rod of the locking module in the storage compartment device for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a view illustrating a key insertable into a key card in the storage compartment device for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 13 is a view illustrating a key insertable into a smart key in the storage compartment device for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0020] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily to scale and present a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrating the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention as disclosed herein, including, for example, particular dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular application and usage environment. Detailed description

[0021] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. Although the invention will be described in connection with the exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the present description is not intended to limit the invention to these exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, changes, modifications, and other embodiments that are within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0022] As in Fig. 1 to 3, a storage compartment device for a vehicle according to various embodiments of the present invention includes: a storage compartment 100 having a lid 110, a locking module provided on (e.g., in) the lid 110, and a touchpad 130 provided on (e.g., on) the lid 110 and communicating (e.g., electrically) with the locking module.

[0023] The storage compartment 100, which is a storage space provided in a rear seat of a vehicle, has a case format and has the lid 110 provided at a front side, the lid being openable and closeable.

[0024] The locking module 120 is provided on an inner side of the lid 110 to lock or unlock the lid 110.

[0025] The touchpad 130 may be provided on an outer side of the lid 110 to enable touch operation, and communicates with the locking module 120 to unlock the lid 110 by touch operation (of the touchpad).

[0026] As in Fig. 7 and Fig. As shown in Figure 8, an unlocking module 140 is provided on an exterior side of the storage compartment device 100 and interacts (e.g., mechanically) with the locking module 120 to forcibly open (unlock) the lid 110. If the touchpad 130 is damaged, the lid 110 can be (mechanically) opened (unlocked) using the unlocking module 140.

[0027] The unlocking module 140 can open the lid 110 by operating a key 141.

[0028] As in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13, the key 141 may be combined with (e.g., stored in) a smart key 1 or a key card 2 for a vehicle, so that no one other than the driver who owns / holds the smart key 1 or the key card 2 can forcibly open the lid 110.

[0029] A touch operation of a touchpad 130 includes touching a card or touching (or typing) a password.

[0030] Here, touching a password means typing a previously registered password on the touchpad 130, and touching a card means bringing a card into contact with the touchpad 130 (e.g., placing it on the touchpad) to open (or unlock) the lid 110 when it is not convenient to enter a password.

[0031] The card can be combined with the smart key 1 or the key card 2 for a vehicle, so that no one other than the driver who owns / holds the smart key 1 or the key card 2 can necessarily open (or unlock) the lid 110.

[0032] As in Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, an RF receiver 131 may be provided in touchpad 130 and communicates (e.g., wirelessly) with a card. If a card is inserted, unlocking of lid 110 may be permitted by RF receiver 131. RF receiver 131 may have an infrared sensor 132, and infrared sensor 132 is only activated when a user is near it, thereby minimizing quiescent current.

[0033] As in Fig. 3, a password registration / login button B, which communicates (e.g., electrically) with the touchpad 130, is provided in the lock module 120 to enable registration / login using a card and / or password. The registration button B does not function until (or unless) the lid 110 is opened, making it impossible for anyone other than the (legitimate) user to register / login a card or password, thereby increasing security.

[0034] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4, in various embodiments of the present invention, the cover 110 includes an upper cover 111 and a lower cover 112, and the touchpad 130 may be provided in either the upper cover 111 or the lower cover 112. In the following descriptions and drawings, the touchpad 130 is shown as being provided in the lower cover 112, however, this is for illustrative purposes only, and the installation of the touchpad 130 is not limited to the lower cover 112.

[0035] The locking module 120 may be provided on each of the upper lid 111 and the lower lid 112 to open (or unlock) the upper lid 111 and the lower lid 112 simultaneously when an unlocking operation is performed by an operation of the touch pad 130.

[0036] As in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, a locking module 120 that releases the lock to open the lid 110 when a password is entered on the touch pad 130 includes: a first rod 121 and a second rod 122 provided at both ends (of the storage compartment), a first gear 121G and a second gear 122G respectively associated with the first rod 121 and connected to the second rod 122, a coupling rod 123 connecting the first gear 121G and the second gear 122G, a connecting rod 124 moving the first rod 121 or the second rod 122, and an actuator (e.g., electric) 125 moving the connecting rod 124.

[0037] The first rod 121 is arranged on the left side of the locking module 120 and is movable in a horizontal direction, and one end of the first rod 121 is inserted into one end of an inside of the storage compartment 100 to keep the lid 110 closed on the left.

[0038] The second rod 122 is arranged on the right side of the locking module 120 and is movable in a horizontal direction, and one end of the second rod 122 is inserted into the other (e.g., opposite) end of the inside of the storage compartment 100 to keep the lid 110 closed on the right.

[0039] The first gear 121G is rotatably provided at the other end of the first rod 121.

[0040] The second gear 122G is rotatably provided at the other end of the second rod 122.

[0041] The coupling rod 123 may have gear teeth formed on both sides thereof and may be coupled to the first gear 121G and the second gear 122G. If the first gear 121G and the second gear 122 rotate, the coupling rod 123 is moved in a vertical direction to move the first rod 121 and the second rod 122 (e.g., toggle-like).

[0042] The connecting rod 124 is arranged on the first rod 121 or the second rod 122 to move the first rod 121 or the second rod 122.

[0043] The actuator 125 is connected to the connecting rod 124, and when an unlocking operation is performed, the actuator 125 (which is, for example, an electric motor) can communicate with the touchpad 130 (e.g., electrically) to move the connecting rod 124.

[0044] If a card or password is found to match by a touch pad 130, the touch pad 130 transmits the corresponding signal to the actuator 125 of the lock module (lock unit) 120. The actuator 125 then pushes the connecting rod 124, the connecting rod 124 pushes the second rod 122, one end of the second rod 122 is released from the other end of the inside of the storage compartment 100, and at this time, the second gear 122G provided at the other end of the second rod rotates to move the coupling rod 123 upward. At this time, when the coupling rod 123 moves upward, the first gear 121G also rotates and the first rod moves to the right accordingly, and therefore, one end of the first rod 121 is released from one end of an inside of the storage compartment 100 and the lid 110 of the storage compartment 100 is opened.

[0045] For example, the actuator 125 pushes the lid 110 (e.g., the connecting rod 124) with a certain stroke necessary to open (or be able to open) the lid 110. After the lid 110 is opened, the actuator 125 is reset so that it is ready for another operation. After the lid 110 is opened, the lid 110 can be forcibly closed by a user (e.g., by pressing), and after the lid 110 is closed, the lid 110 can be (re)opened by repeating the process described above.

[0046] In various embodiments of the present invention, the touchpad 130 and the actuator 125 can be powered jointly by a vehicle's power source (e.g., the vehicle's battery). However, in a case where a problem occurs with the power source or the touchpad 130 or the actuator 125 is broken, since the lid 110 cannot be opened with the touchpad 130, the lid 110 can be forcibly opened by the unlocking module 140.

[0047] As in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the unlocking module 140 comprises: a rotating part 142 into which a key 141 is inserted, and a locking rod 144 which is connected to the rotating part 142 and moves the first rod 121 and the second rod 122 of the locking module 120.

[0048] The rotating member 142 is provided so that the key 141 is inserted therein and rotates, and a stop projection 143 projects from one end of the rotating member 142.

[0049] As in Fig. 9 to 11, the locking rod 144 connects the rotating member 142 and a rod of the lock module 120. One end of the locking rod 144 is arranged to be adjacent to the stop projection 143, and the other end thereof is arranged at one end of the first rod 121 or the second rod 122 of the lock module 120, so that when the rotating member 142 is rotated by an operation of the key 141, the locking rod 144 moves the first rod 121 or the second rod 122 provided on the upper lid 111 and the lower lid 112 toward an inside of the storage compartment 100.

[0050] That is, when the rotating member 142 is rotated by an operation of the key 141, the stop projection 143 of the rotating member 142 pushes the locking rod 144 according to the rotation of the rotating member 142, and, as the locking rod 144 is pushed, one end of the first rod 121 or the second rod 122 of the unlocking module 120 arranged at the other end of the locking rod 144 is automatically pushed, and, when one end of the first rod 121 or the second rod 122 is pushed, the other end thereof is also pushed according to the characteristics of the locking module 120, thereby opening the lid 110.

[0051] Without a signal or power supply, the rotating member 142 is in a reset state and therefore, in an emergency situation as described above, this does not interfere with rod actuation and therefore no problem occurs in executing the unlocking module 140.

[0052] In this way, the storage compartment device for a vehicle according to the various embodiments of the present invention includes: the storage compartment 100 provided in a vehicle and having a lid 110 that can be opened, the lock module 120 provided on the lid 110 to lock or unlock the lid 110, the touch pad 130 provided on an outer side of the lid 110 and communicating with the lock module 120 to unlock the lid 110 by a touch operation (of the touch pad), and the unlock module 140 provided on an outer side of the storage compartment 100 and cooperating with the lock module 120 to forcibly open the lid 110.Since the touch pad 130 is installed in the storage compartment 100 for a vehicle and the storage compartment 100 can be locked or unlocked by means of the touch pad 130, user convenience can be increased and personal protection requirements can be met, and when the touch pad 130 malfunctions, the storage compartment 100 can be forcibly opened by operating the key 141, thereby increasing marketability.

[0053] As described above, according to the various embodiments of the present invention, the touch pad is installed in the storage compartment for a vehicle, and the storage compartment can be locked or unlocked by means of the touch pad, whereby user convenience can be increased and human safety requirements can be satisfied, and when the touch pad fails, the storage compartment can be forcibly opened by the operation of the key, thereby increasing marketability.

[0054] For ease of explanation and for precise definition, the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "inside" and "outside" and etc. are used in the appended claims to describe features of the embodiments with reference to the positions of these features as shown in the figures. Reference symbols for each of the elements in the drawings 100 storage compartment 110 lids 120 locking module 130 Touchpad 140 unlocking module 141 keys

Claims

[1] Storage compartment device for a vehicle, comprising: a storage compartment (100) provided in the vehicle and having a lid (110) that can be opened, a locking module (120) provided on the lid (110) for locking and unlocking the lid (110), and a touchpad (130) provided on an outer side of the lid (110) and communicating with the locking module (120) to unlock the lid (110) by touch operation, wherein an unlocking module (140) is provided on an outer side of the storage compartment (100) and cooperates with the locking module (120) to forcibly open the lid (110) by actuating a key (141), wherein the locking module (120) comprises: a first rod (121) mounted to be movable in a horizontal direction and having a first end inserted into a first end of an inside of the storage compartment (100), a second rod (122) mounted to be movable in the horizontal direction and having a first end inserted into a second end of the inside of the storage compartment (100), a first gear (121G) rotatably mounted on a second end of the first rod (121), a second gear (122G) rotatably disposed at a second end of the second rod (122), a coupling rod (123) which is provided with teeth on both sides thereof and is coupled to the first gear (121G) and the second gear (122G) respectively and is moved in a vertical direction according to rotational movements of the first gear (121G) and the second gear (122G) to move the first rod (121) and the second rod (122), a connecting rod (124) arranged on at least one of the first rod (121) and the second rod (122) for moving the first rod (121) and / or the second rod (122), and an actuating device (125) connected to the connecting rod (124) and communicating with the touchpad (130) to move the connecting rod (124) during an unlocking operation, and wherein the unlocking module (140) comprises: a rotating part (142) into which the key (141) can be inserted, which is rotatable and which has a stop projection (143) projecting from one end thereof, and a locking rod (144) having a first end arranged to abut the stop projection (143) of the rotating member (142) and a second end arranged at least one of the ends of the first rod (121) and the second rod (122) of the locking module (120) and moving at least one of the first rod (121) and the second rod (122) toward the inside of the storage compartment (100) when the rotating member (142) rotates. [2] A storage compartment device according to claim 1, wherein the key (141) is combined with a smart key (1) or a key card (2) for the vehicle. [3] The tray device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the touch operation of the touch pad (130) comprises: touching at least one of a card or a password. [4] A storage compartment device according to claim 3, wherein the card is combined with a smart key (1) or a key card (2) for the vehicle. [5] A storage compartment device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (110) comprises an upper lid (111) and a lower lid (112), and wherein the touch pad (130) is provided on the upper lid (111) or on the lower lid (112). [6] A tray device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a radio frequency (RF) receiver (131) communicating with the card is provided on the touch pad (130) and includes an infrared sensor (132). [7] A filing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a password registration button (B) communicating with the touch pad (130) is provided on the lock module (120). [8] A storage compartment device according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 5, wherein the locking module (120) is attached to each of the upper lid (111) and the lower lid (112) to open the upper lid (111) and the lower lid (112) simultaneously when unlocking the touch pad (130). [9] Storage compartment device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the touchpad (130) and the actuating device (125) are arranged to be connected to a power source of the vehicle in order to be able to be operated thereby.

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