Frunk for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Frunk (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a base body (2) with a receiving space (3) and a lid element (4), characterized in that a storage space volume (5) is provided in the lid element (4), that an opening element (6) is rotatably arranged on the lid element (4), and that the opening element (6) forms a side surface or a top surface of the lid element (4) or that the opening element (6) is designed as an angled element to form part of the side surface and part of the top surface of the lid element (4).

Description

The invention relates to a frunk for a motor vehicle. A frunk is generally defined as a cargo area in a vehicle located at the front, i.e., in the area of ​​the front of the vehicle. The term "frunk" is a neologism and is composed of the English terms "front trunk". Vehicles typically have cargo space in the rear, in the form of a trunk. In electric vehicles, this cargo space can be limited by the batteries. Therefore, alternative solutions are being sought to create additional cargo space in other areas of the vehicle. From DE 10 2017 004 263 A1, a motor vehicle with such a cargo space is known, wherein the cargo space is located at the front of the vehicle. The cargo space has a height-adjustable load floor. This improves loading and unloading. Such a front-mounted cargo space is also referred to as a frunk. Due to the ergonomic situation at the front of the vehicle, unloading at the front differs from unloading at the rear. As described above, a height-adjustable load floor can therefore be used to facilitate unloading, since the goods to be unloaded are not located as low in the vehicle. However, a disadvantage is that the loading volume is reduced, meaning that the entire storage space cannot be used optimally. The object of the present invention is to provide a frunk for a motor vehicle that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, the storage space in the frunk is to be further optimized. According to the invention, this problem is solved by a frunk for a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are described in the dependent claims. The frunk according to the invention has a lid element with a storage compartment. The lid element is preferably located in the upper part of the frunk, thus providing a separate storage compartment from the rest of the frunk's storage space. This compartment is ergonomically accessible to a person even when the lid is attached to the vehicle. Therefore, if only a small quantity of items needs to be loaded, they can be placed in this storage compartment without having to access the lower floor in the frunk's main body. Furthermore, this design effectively provides a divided storage compartment with separate volumes, allowing for more careful storage of items.In particular, sensitive items that need protection from mechanical stress can be placed in the storage compartment of the frunk, while heavier items can be placed in the main body compartment, thus preventing them from coming into contact with the sensitive items, especially during vehicle acceleration. In other words, the lid can be considered a separate storage box. The frunk is designed for a motor vehicle. It consists of a base with a storage compartment and a cover. The cover can be attached to the base in various ways. Different fasteners may be used to secure the cover. Additionally, a further cover may be provided, positioned over the cover. This cover may be integrated into the vehicle body, making the frunk invisible from outside the vehicle. Preferably, the cover element can be designed to be removable from the base body. For example, locking elements can be provided to allow the frunk to snap onto the base body. Alternatively, rotary clamps, strong magnets, or similar devices can be used to attach the cover element to the base body. The design of these elements can be adapted to the available installation space. A removable lid offers the advantage of being usable as a transport box. For example, a person can take the lid with them when shopping to store their purchases directly in it. Afterwards, the lid can be reattached to the base, and can even be loaded before being reattached. This also significantly improves ergonomics. According to the invention, the lid element has an opening element. This allows access to the interior of the lid element, in other words, the storage volume. The opening element can be designed as a type of flap that is attached to the lid element via a pivot joint. The opening element can follow the shape of the lid element, so that a compact storage box with a continuous surface can be formed. This allows for optimal utilization of the storage volume inside. According to the invention, the opening element is rotatably arranged on the lid element. This can be implemented in particular by means of a rotary joint. The opening element can be arranged at a desired position on the lid element. According to a first embodiment of the invention, the opening element forms a side surface of the lid element. This allows, for example, an elongated storage volume to be formed into which objects can be inserted from one side of the lid element. According to a second embodiment of the invention, the opening element forms a top surface of the lid element. For example, a flap can be provided as the top surface of the lid element. By pivoting the flap, the interior of the storage volume can be accessed. This provides a large storage volume that can be accessed from the top. In this way, even large objects can be easily inserted into the lid element from above, and then the opening element can be closed.According to a third embodiment of the invention, the opening element is designed as an angled element to form part of the side surface as well as part of the top of the lid element. In an advantageous embodiment, the cover element can be mounted on the base body via a pivot joint. In such an embodiment, the cover element is preferably not removable from the base body. It can therefore be pivoted, in particular like a lid, to also access the receiving space of the base body. Another advantageous embodiment provides for a double-walled lid element, with the storage space located between the two walls. This allows for the formation of two parallel surfaces, between which the storage space is situated. Furthermore, the entire outer surface of the lid element can be U-shaped, with the two legs enclosing the storage space. The cover element can therefore have different shapes, but is primarily rectangular. In particular, it can have rounded corners on the top or beveled side edges, so that it integrates well into the vehicle structure. In an advantageous embodiment, a handle can be arranged on the lid element. This handle can, for example, be a type of hook or loop on the surface. The handle can be made of a flexible material so that it can be pressed against the surface of the lid element when the front body is closed. This eliminates the need for additional installation space for the handle. For example, the handle can be made of a leather strap, particularly shaped as a loop. The handle can be positioned centrally on the top surface, allowing for easy removal of the lid element, especially if it is detachable from the base. This allows for the creation of a storage box that is easy to carry when the lid element is not attached to the base.This can provide a particularly practical storage option for purchases. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle with a frunk according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and optionally also to a feature described above or below. The frunk comprises, in particular, a base body with a receiving space and a lid element in which a storage volume is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the base body of the frunk is permanently attached to the vehicle body, i.e., the base body cannot be freely separated from the motor vehicle, except perhaps by disassembly through the appropriate release of provided fastening points. Further advantageous embodiments of the frunk according to the invention also result from the exemplary embodiment, which is described in more detail below with reference to the figures. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a frunk according to the invention; Figure 2 shows the embodiment of the frunk according to Figure 1 in a further view; Figure 3 shows the embodiment of the frunk according to Figure 1 in a further view; and Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of the frunk according to the invention. Figure 1 shows one possible embodiment of the frunk 1. The frunk 1 comprises a base body 2 and a lid element 4. The lid element 4 closes the base body 2, thus providing a storage space 3 within the base body 2. A further storage volume 5 is provided within the lid element 4, which is arranged higher than the storage space 3. This creates an ergonomically accessible storage area. The lid element 4 is therefore shaped as a kind of receiving box and has an opening element 6. The opening element 6 is mounted on the lid element 4 via a pivot joint 10. This creates a closed storage volume 5, which can nevertheless be accessed by a person by opening the opening element 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover element 4 is arranged under a cover 9 of the vehicle, for example under a body panel in the front area of ​​the vehicle. As a result, the frunk 1 is not visible from the outside when closed. The cover element 4 is further supported on the base body 2 via a pivot joint 7, so that it can be pivoted, as shown in Fig. 2 by the direction of the arrow. Fig. 2 therefore shows the frunk 1 in its open state, with the lid element 4 pivoted upwards. This allows the receiving space 3 to be filled with goods. For example, at least one stop 11 can be provided which, when the lid element 4 is closed, holds it in a desired position relative to the base body 2. In an embodiment not shown, the lid element 3 of Figs. 1 and 2 can be detachably formed from the base body 2. This allows it to be carried along for shopping or similar purposes and loaded directly. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening element 6 is arranged on a side surface of the lid element 4. It is angled so that it can be adapted to the ergonomics of the vehicle. Figure 3 shows a state in which the storage volume 5 of the lid element 4 is being loaded. As a result, the opening element 6 is pivoted about the pivot joint 10, so that the interior of the lid element 4 can be filled with goods. Another embodiment of the frunk 1 is shown in Fig. 4. The same components are designated with the same reference numerals, so further details are unnecessary. Unlike Fig. 1, here the opening element 6 is arranged on the upper surface of the lid element 4. The opening element 6 can be designed as a flat surface that forms a flat upper surface of the lid element 4. Furthermore, a handle element 8 is provided, which can be positioned at any desired location on the lid element 4. The lid element 4 can be lifted off using the handle element 8, as indicated by the arrows. The handle element 8 can be made of a flexible or pliable material, such as a leather strap. This allows it to be pressed against the surface of the lid element 4 when the frunk 1 is located under a cover 9.Therefore, as little installation space as possible is required for the handle element 8. Naturally, the described embodiments of the device 1 in Figures 1, 2, 3 to 4 can also be combined with one another, resulting in various possibilities. For example, in the embodiment according to Figure 1, a handle element 8 can also be provided. Likewise, the opening element 6 can be arranged on the lid element 4 in a different way than shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the lid element 4 is essentially rectangular. Other geometries are also conceivable. Furthermore, the illustrated lid element is essentially double-walled, with the two parallel side surfaces forming an intermediate storage volume 5. As can be seen in the right-hand section of Figures 1-3, the lid element is essentially formed from a U-shaped element, with the storage volume 5 being formed between the legs.It is also conceivable that the side surfaces of the cover element 4 are not parallel to each other. Furthermore, the cover element can be angled as desired, as shown in an example in Fig. 4.

Claims

Frunk (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a base body (2) with a receiving space (3) and a lid element (4), characterized in that a storage space volume (5) is provided in the lid element (4), that an opening element (6) is rotatably arranged on the lid element (4), and that the opening element (6) forms a side surface or a top surface of the lid element (4) or that the opening element (6) is designed as an angled element to form part of the side surface and part of the top surface of the lid element (4). Frunk (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lid element (4) is designed to be removable from the base body (2). Frunk (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lid element (4) is mounted on the base body (2) via a pivot joint (7). Frunk (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lid element (4) is double-walled, wherein the storage space volume (5) is formed between the double wall. Frunk (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a handle element (8) is arranged on the lid element (4). Motor vehicle with a frunk (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5 .

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