DAMPING DEVICE

Abstract

Damping device (100) for glove boxes, comprising: - an elastic element (102) which is designed to be stretched by a relative movement of two mutually movable components, thereby creating a damping effect of the relative movement of the components; and - a stop device (110) which is designed to contact the elastic element (102) during the relative movement of the two movable components and to deform it in such a way that, as soon as the contact occurs, a change in the damping effect caused by the elastic element (102) occurs, characterized in that the damping device has a lever element (104) with a first end and an opposite second end, wherein the elastic element (102) is connected to the second end of the lever element (104).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a damping device, in particular a damping device for automotive interior fittings, such as glove compartments. Furthermore, the invention relates to an automotive interior fitting with a damping device, in which the damping device is connected to a first, immovable component and a second, movable component in order to dampen the relative movement of the two components. Finally, the invention relates to glove compartments and vehicles with the aforementioned damping device.

[0002] A damping device according to the preamble of independent patent claim 1 is known, for example, from DE 10 2006 006 854 A1 or FR 2 890 680 A1.

[0003] For many years, it has been standard in vehicles, especially passenger cars, to have a glove compartment inside the vehicle for safely storing documents or other items. The glove compartment can be refrigerated or lockable and can come in many different shapes and colors. Most glove compartments have a flap that opens under gravity when a handle is used.

[0004] To limit the opening speed of glove compartment lids, damping devices are usually provided. Without such damping devices, the lid would open too quickly under gravity, meaning it would fall down, which could, in the worst case, result in injury to the user.

[0005] Damping devices for glove compartments must be designed so that the damping effect is non-linear. This is precisely because the opening forces caused by gravity depend on the opening angle of the lid and change accordingly during the opening process. It is often the case that the opening forces are relatively low at the beginning of the glove compartment lid's movement and gradually increase.

[0006] For the reasons mentioned above, damping devices based on oil dampers are known. These dampers use different oil types or opening diameters to achieve different damping effects at different times during the opening process. However, these known oil dampers are complex in design and prone to failure. Furthermore, they are very difficult to adapt to different glove compartment models and are relatively expensive to manufacture.

[0007] Based on the above-mentioned problem, the object of the present invention is to provide a damping device, in particular a damping device for glove compartments, that eliminates the disadvantages of existing solutions. In particular, the present invention is intended to provide a damping device that is easily adjustable to different types of glove compartments and has low manufacturing costs.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, the object underlying the invention is solved by the subject matter of independent patent claim 1, wherein advantageous developments of the damping device mentioned in independent patent claim 1 are specified in dependent claims 2 to 7.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the object underlying the invention is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claim 8, wherein advantageous developments of the damping device according to the second aspect of the invention are specified in the dependent claims 9 and 10.

[0010] Accordingly, the invention particularly relates to a damping device for glove compartments, comprising an elastic element designed to be stretched by a relative movement of two mutually movable components, thereby creating a damping effect of the relative movement of the components. The damping device further comprises a stop device designed to contact the elastic element during the relative movement of the two movable components and to deform it in such a way that, upon contact, a change in the damping effect caused by the elastic element occurs.

[0011] By using an elastic element, such as an elastic band, instead of an oil damper, this damping device is particularly cost-effective and easy to manufacture. The components can be, for example, the housing of a glove compartment and the flap that moves relative to it. The elastic element can be located at any point in the kinematics between the housing and the flap, with any movement of the flap relative to the housing causing the elastic element to stretch.

[0012] The stop device makes it possible to achieve two or more different damping behaviors of the elastic element with the damping device according to the invention. For this purpose, the stop device and the elastic element can move relative to one another, in particular, when the two components (e.g. the flap and the glove compartment housing) perform a relative movement. In some embodiments, the stop device is initially spaced from the elastic element, so that the latter can initially be stretched (in the longitudinal direction) without the influence of the stop device as soon as a relative movement occurs between the flap and the housing. After such an initial stretch, the elastic element and the stop device have then moved towards one another in such a way that the stop device comes into contact with the elastic element.During a further relative movement, the stop device deforms the elastic element in such a way that its damping effect is changed. In other words, the damping characteristic of the elastic element during the initial extension (e.g., longitudinal extension) is different (e.g., higher or lower) than it is after contact with the stop device.

[0013] After contact is established between the stop device and the elastic element, the elastic element can, for example, bend over the stop device or wrap around it. This bending / wrapping changes the damping effect of the elastic element. For example, this bending / wrapping can increase the damping effect per extension length, so that the flap is more strongly damped as the opening angle increases.

[0014] According to a first aspect of the invention, the damping device comprises a lever element with a first end and an opposite second end, wherein the elastic element is connected to the second end of the lever element. The lever element can control the extension behavior of the elastic element. In particular, the extension behavior of the elastic element can be determined by the direction of movement of the lever element. In some embodiments, the lever element can have a first lever length relative to the elastic element during the first extension, i.e., during the linear extension of the elastic element, while the lever length is changed, for example, reduced, after contact with the stop device.The lever element can, for example, be connected to one of the two components, in particular to the glove compartment flap, and transfer the forces generated thereby (when opening the flap) to the elastic element in different stretching phases.

[0015] According to a further embodiment, the first end of the damping device has the stop device. The lever element accordingly fulfills a dual function. On the one hand, the lever element serves to transfer the force of the components moving relative to each other to the elastic element. On the other hand, the lever element serves as a stop device to divide the extension of the elastic element into two phases: a first phase for linear extension and a second phase for curvature of the elastic element.

[0016] According to a further embodiment, the lever element is movably mounted on the first component. In other words, the lever element is connected to the first component but movable relative to it. For example, the lever element can be movable rotationally and / or translationally relative to the first component. For this purpose, the lever element can have a guide opening which is designed to receive a guide element, in particular a guide pin, of the first component, wherein the lever element is movable rotationally and / or translationally relative to the guide element. The guide opening can, for example, be designed as an elongated hole within the lever element and thus allow a translational movement of the guide pin between a first and a second end of the elongated hole. As a result, the lever element can be moved translationally relative to the first component.At the same time, the lever element can be pivoted relative to the first component (in particular relative to the guide pin) through the guide opening. Such an arrangement allows the effective lever travel to be continuously varied as the components move relative to each other, so that the forces applied to the elastic element also change during the first or second expansion, as will be explained in more detail later.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the invention, the damping device comprises a shaft and a collar, wherein the collar is movable relative to the shaft, and wherein the elastic element has a first end connected to the collar and a second end connected to the shaft. The shaft serves as a stop device. According to this embodiment, the elastic element is stretched by a relative movement between the shaft and the collar. The shaft can have a dual function. In particular, it serves as an anchor point for the elastic element. On the other hand, the shaft provides a stop device which can be used to change the stretching behavior of the elastic element.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the shaft has a guide groove which is designed to guide the relative movement of the collar with respect to the shaft, wherein the guide groove has a first linear region and a second, curved, in particular helical, region. The guide groove of the shaft defines the relative movement of the collar with respect to the shaft. The first, linear region of the guide groove accordingly serves to ensure the first, linear expansion of the elastic element. For this purpose, the collar can only be moved linearly, for example along the longitudinal axis of the shaft, which results in a linear expansion of the elastic element. As soon as the guide groove transitions into the second, curved region, a rotational movement of the collar with respect to the shaft occurs, which twists the elastic element.If the bent area is arranged in a helical manner, the elastic element in the second, bent area of ​​the shaft is simultaneously twisted and linearly stretched.

[0019] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0020] They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a damping device according to an embodiment of the present invention, during the first stretching phase; Fig. 2 which in Fig. 1 shown embodiment in a transition phase, i.e. when the stop device is just making contact with the elastic element; Fig. 3 a schematic view of the embodiment of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in a second stretching phase, i.e. during deformation of the elastic element by the stop device; Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a damping device according to an embodiment of the present invention in the first damping phase; Fig. 5 a schematic view of the embodiment according to Fig. 4 in a transition phase, i.e. at a time when the stop device comes into contact with the elastic element; Fig. 6 a schematic representation of the embodiment according to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 during a second stretching phase, i.e. while the elastic element is deformed by the stop device; Fig. 7 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the damping device according to the present invention in a first stretching phase; Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the damping device according to the present invention in a first damping phase; Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the damping device according to the present invention in a first expansion phase; and Fig. 10 a schematic representation of the embodiment according to Fig. 9 in a second stretching phase.

[0021] In the Fig. 1 to 3, a first embodiment of the present damping device 100 is shown. The damping device 100 is shown in the Fig. 1 is shown in an initial position, i.e. in relation to a glove compartment, this could correspond to a closed position in which the flap is closed, i.e. rests against the housing.

[0022] In the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 3, a support device 101 is shown, which is, for example, part of a housing (not shown here) of the damping device 100. The support device 101 can be connected to a first component of the vehicle (e.g., the housing of the glove compartment).

[0023] The damping device 100 has an elastic element 102, such as a rubber band. The elastic element 102 is connected to the support element 101 at a first end. At an opposite second end 106, the elastic element 102 is connected to a lever element 104. In particular, the elastic element 102 can be connected to a first connection opening 108a of the support device 101 via connecting elements such as pins, rivets, or the like. However, the elastic element can also be connected to a plurality of additional fastening openings 108b, 108c, 108d in order to change the stretching behavior of the elastic band 102 during the opening of the lid. Depending on the shape and weight of the glove compartment lid, the first end of the elastic element 102 can be fastened accordingly to different fastening openings 108a to 108d of the support device 101.

[0024] The lever element 104 has a first end connected to the second end of the elastic element 102. A second end of the lever element 104, opposite the first end, is designed as a stop device 110, which is configured to contact the elastic element 102 during the movement of the first component (e.g., the housing of the glove compartment) and to deform it in such a way that, upon contact, a change in the damping effect caused by the elastic element 102 occurs. For this purpose, the stop device 110 is configured to deform the elastic element 102, as will be explained in more detail later.

[0025] In the first embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 3, the stop device 110 is simultaneously designed as a pivot point around which the lever element 104 can be pivoted during the relative movement of the two components.

[0026] The lever element 104 has a guide opening 112, which in the embodiment shown here is designed as an elongated hole and extends along the longitudinal direction of the lever element 104. The elongated hole 112 serves to accommodate a corresponding guide element 114 of the support device 101. The guide element 114 is fixedly connected to the housing of the support device 101 and thus to the first component (for example, the housing of the glove compartment). The lever element 104 can be moved translationally in the direction of the guide opening 112 and rotationally relative to the guide element 114.

[0027] The damping device according to the first embodiment further comprises a tension element 116, in particular a tension rod. The tension element 116 has a first end connected to the second end of the lever element 104. In particular, the first end of the tension element 116 is pivotally connected to the second end of the lever element 102, for example, via a pivot bearing. This pivot bearing also forms the stop device 110.

[0028] At an opposite, second end 118 of the tension element 116, the tension element 116 is connected to the second component (for example, the glove compartment flap, not shown here). For this purpose, the tension element 116 can have a connection opening 120, via which the second end 118 of the tension element 116 can be connected, for example, screwed, to the second component.

[0029] The tension element 116 is guided on the support device 101. In particular, the support device 101 has a tab 122 for this purpose, which fastens the tension element 116 to the support device 101 in such a way that it is movable relative to the support device 101 only in the longitudinal direction of the tension element 116.

[0030] In the following, with reference to the Fig. 1 to 3, the operation of the damping device 100 according to the first embodiment will be explained in more detail.

[0031] As soon as the first component moves relative to the second component, for example when the flap of a glove compartment is opened, the tension element 116 connected to the first component moves upwards (cf. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2), which causes a translational and rotational movement of the lever element 104. In particular, this occurs because the tension element 116 carries the second end of the lever element 104, designed as a stop device 110, with it, upwards in the drawings shown here, i.e., in the longitudinal direction of the tension element 116. The subsequent displacement of the second end of the lever element causes the lever element to rotate around the guide element 114 and, at the same time, to displace the lever element relative to the guide element 114 along the guide opening 112 designed as an elongated hole.

[0032] The translational or rotational movement of the lever element 104 leads to a linear longitudinal extension of the elastic band 102, which counteracts the movement of the tension element 116 and thus the movement of the second component. In particular, the lever element is pivoted clockwise around the guide element 114. This leads to the extension of the elastic element, since it is released from its Fig. 1 shown starting position.

[0033] The Fig. 2 shows a point in time at which the lever element has been moved so far that the second end of the lever element, designed as a stop element 110, comes into contact with the elastic band 102. Upon further movement of the tension element 116 relative to the support device 101 (upward), the lever element 104 is pivoted further clockwise about the guide element 114, whereby the elastic element is henceforth bent over the stop device 110. In other words, as soon as the stop device 110 comes into contact with the elastic element, a second stretching phase occurs in which the elastic element 102 is not only stretched linearly. Rather, the elastic element 102 is bent over the stop device 110 in this second stretching phase, thereby changing the stretching characteristics of the elastic element.For example, the damping device 100 is designed such that the damping behavior is steeper in the second extension phase than in the first extension phase. In other words, in the second extension phase, a stronger restoring force is achieved by the elastic element 102 per length change than was the case in the first extension phase (linear extension).

[0034] In summary, the relative movement of the tension element 116 relative to the support device 101 results in a relative movement between the elastic band 102 and the second end of the lever element. The pivot point formed as a stop device 110 between the tension element 116 and the lever element 104 is a stop device 110 in the sense of the present invention. This stop device 110 contacts and deforms the elastic element 102 from then on. From this point on, the elastic element 102 exhibits a changed stretching effect. In particular, this is the case in the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 1 to 3 from the time of contact between the stop device 110 and the elastic element 102.

[0035] Upon further stretching of the elastic element, it is now bent over the pivot point (stop device 110) between the tension element 116 and the lever element 104, so that a higher damping effect is achieved. This so-called second stretching area is in the Fig. 3 is shown more clearly. The Fig. The position shown in Figure 3 is a position in which the glove compartment is completely open.

[0036] The Fig. 4 to 6 show a second embodiment of the damping device 200 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the elastic element 102 is mounted between two lever elements 204a, 204b, which are located between the two components. The damping device 200 according to the second embodiment also has a tension element 216, which is connected to the first component. For this purpose, the tension element 216 has a fastening opening 220.

[0037] A first lever element 204a has a first end configured as a stop device 206a. A first end of the elastic element 202 is attached to a second end 210a of the first lever element 204a, opposite the first end. The second lever element 204b has a stop device 206b at its first end. A second end of the elastic element 202 is attached to an opposite, second end 210b of the second lever element 204b.

[0038] The two stop devices 206a, 206b of the lever elements 204a, 204b are simultaneously designed as guide pins, which are guided in corresponding guide openings 212a, 212b of a support device 205 connected to a tension element 216. The guide openings 212a, 212b are each designed as elongated holes. The guide openings 212a, 212b extend essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tension element 216. The support device 205 is formed in one piece with the tension element 216 and accordingly always moves together with the tension element 216, as can be seen, for example, by comparing the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. In other words, the support device 205 is also movable relative to the housing 201 connected to the second component (translationally upwards or downwards).

[0039] Each of the lever elements 204a, 204b has through-openings 214a, 214b, in particular through-bores, which serve to rotatably fasten the lever elements to the housing 201. For this purpose, corresponding fastening elements (not shown), such as fastening pins, of the housing 201 are received in the through-openings 214a, 214b, about which the lever elements 204a, 204b can rotate. In other words, the through-openings 214a, 214b of the lever elements 204a, 204b represent fixed pivot bearings about which the lever elements can be pivoted. The through-openings 214a, 214b do not move relative to the housing 201.

[0040] A relative movement of the glove compartment flap relative to the housing of the glove compartment (not shown) leads to a relative movement of the pulling element 216 relative to the housing 201. Due to this relative movement between the pulling element 116 and the housing 201, a rotational movement of the two lever elements 204a, 204b occurs, as shown in the Fig. 4 to 6. In particular, when the pulling element 216 is pulled out of the housing 201, the first lever element 204 is pivoted counterclockwise around the through-opening 214. At the same time, the second lever element 204b is pivoted clockwise around the second through-opening 214b.

[0041] The rotational movement of the two lever elements 204a, 204b leads to a relative movement of the second ends 210a, 210b to each other. The relative movement of the two ends 210a, 210b is dampened by the elastic element 202. In the embodiment shown here, two expansion regions are also provided. In a first expansion region ( Fig. 4) only a longitudinal extension of the elastic element 202 occurs due to the rotation of the lever elements 204a, 204b. The transition to a second extension range is shown in Fig. 5. Here, the first ends of the lever arms 204a, 204b, designed as stop devices 206a, 206b, contact the elastic element 202 and deform the elastic element 202 in the further course, as is shown, for example, in Fig. 6 is shown.

[0042] From the Fig. At the time shown in Figure 5, the second expansion range begins, in which the elastic element 202 has a second damping characteristic caused by the deformation on the part of the stop devices 206a, 206b.

[0043] The Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 show further embodiments of the damping device 300 according to the present invention. The embodiment of the damping device 300 according to the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 corresponds in particular to the second embodiment according to the Fig. 4 to 6. Accordingly, components of the damping device 300 which correspond to components of the damping device 200 have been provided with the same reference numerals, each increased by "100".

[0044] Compared to the second embodiment according to the Fig. 4 to 6, the lever elements of the damping device 300 are no longer linear, but are bent. In particular, the first lever element has a first leg 303a, which is connected at an angle between 90 and 180° to a second leg 303c in the transition region 303b. The second lever element also has a first leg 304a, which forms an angle between 90 and 180° with a second leg 304c in the transition region 304b. Due to the modified structure of the lever elements in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 it is achieved that the first stretching area is longer than, for example, in the Fig. 4 to 6 is the case, because the first ends of the lever arms designed as stop devices 306a, 306b only come into contact with the elastic element later.

[0045] In the embodiments according to the Fig. 1 to 8, the stop devices are each designed to be movable. However, this is not absolutely necessary, as is exemplified in the embodiment according to the Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 is shown.

[0046] The Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of the damping device 500 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a shaft 506 with a collar 504 is shown. An elastic element 502 is arranged between the shaft 506 and the collar 504.

[0047] For example, the shaft may be connected to the first component (e.g., the glove compartment housing), while the collar is connected to the second component (e.g., the glove compartment flap) via a fastening opening 512.

[0048] A relative movement of the glove compartment flap (first component) to the housing of the glove compartment (second component) leads to a relative movement of the collar 504 relative to the shaft 506.

[0049] The collar is guided in the illustrated grooves or guide slots 508 of the shaft. The guide slot 506 has a linear, first region 507 and a second, curved region 508. The linear and curved regions 507, 508 are arranged, in particular, one behind the other.

[0050] With a relative movement of the collar to the right rear, in the illustration according to Fig. 9, initially a linear movement of the collar 504 relative to the shaft 506 results, since the collar 504 is guided through the linear region 507 of the shaft 506. Accordingly, the elastic element 502 is initially stretched exclusively linearly. This corresponds to a first stretching phase. As soon as the collar 504 reaches the curved, for example spiral-shaped part of the guide grooves 508 or the furrows, it is moved translationally to the rear right and, at the same time, rotationally relative to the shaft 506. Due to the rotational movement, the elastic element 502 is wound around the shaft 506, as is shown, for example, in Fig. 10. Accordingly, the shaft according to the embodiment of the Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 is a stop device which changes the stretching effect of the elastic element 502 by deforming the elastic element 502.

[0051] In the Fig. 9 and Fig.In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the stop device (the shaft 506) is a static element of the damping device 500. Thus, only the elastic element 502 moves relative to the shaft 506 of the damping device 500.

[0052] The invention is not limited to glove compartments. Rather, it can also be used for other devices where the movement of two components relative to each other needs to be damped.

Claims

[1] Damping device (100) for glove boxes, comprising: - an elastic element (102) which is designed to be stretched by a relative movement of two mutually movable components, thereby creating a damping effect of the relative movement of the components; and - a stop device (110) which is designed to contact the elastic element (102) during the relative movement of the two movable components and to deform it in such a way that, from the onset of contact, a change in the damping effect caused by the elastic element (102) occurs, characterized by that the damping device comprises a lever element (104) with a first end and an opposite second end, wherein the elastic element (102) is connected to the second end of the lever element (104). [2] Damping device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element (102) is an elastic band. [3] Damping device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the damping device (100) is designed such that the contact of the elastic element with the stop device (110) is established after a predetermined, first elongation of the elastic element. [4] Damping device (100) according to claim 3, wherein the first extension is a linear extension of the elastic element. [5] Damping device (100) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the damping device (100) is designed such that a relative movement of the components to one another leads to a relative movement of the elastic element (102) relative to the stop device (110). [6] Damping device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first end of the damping device comprises the stop device (106). [7] Damping device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lever element (104) is movably mounted on the first component and / or wherein the lever element (104) has a guide opening (112) which is designed to receive a guide element (114), in particular a guide pin, of the first component, wherein the lever element is rotatably and / or translationally movable relative to the guide element (114). [8] Damping device according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized by in that the damping device comprises a shaft (506) and a collar (504), wherein the collar is movable relative to the shaft (506), and wherein the elastic element (502) has a first end which is connected to the collar (504) and a second end which is connected to the shaft (506), and wherein the shaft (506) serves as a stop device. [9] Damping device (100) according to claim 8, wherein the elastic element (102) is an elastic band; and / or wherein the damping device (100) is designed such that the contact of the elastic element with the stop device (110) is established after a predetermined, first stretching of the elastic element, wherein the first stretching is in particular a linear stretching of the elastic element. [10] Damping device (500) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the shaft (506) has a guide groove (508) which is designed to guide the relative movement of the collar (504) with respect to the shaft (506), wherein the guide groove has a first linear region and a second, curved, in particular helical, region.

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