Locking device for closing a storage compartment of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle

Abstract

A locking device for closing a storage compartment (20) of a motor vehicle (10), comprising a support element (32), a cover element (34) which is movably mounted on the support element (32) such that the cover element (34) is adjustable between an open position and a closed position, and an adjusting device (60) for adjusting the cover element (34) between the open position and the closed position, wherein the adjusting device (60) has a cable pulley (62) which is spring-biased in the rotational direction by a spring element (66) and is operatively connected to a damping unit (68), wherein the cable pulley (62) is either rotatably mounted on the support element (32), wherein a cable (64) which can be wound up and unwound on the cable pulley (62) is fastened at one end to the cover element (34), or the cable pulley (62) is rotatably mounted on the cover element (34).wherein the end of the rope (64) which can be wound up and unwound on the rope pulley (62) is fastened to the support element (32).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a locking device for closing a storage compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising a carrier element, a cover element which is movably mounted on the carrier element in such a way that the cover element can be adjusted between an open position and a closed position, and an adjusting device for adjusting the cover element between the open position and the closed position, wherein the adjusting device has a spring element and a damping unit, wherein the spring element is designed to load the cover element in such a way that the cover element is adjusted between the open position and the closed position by the spring force of the spring element, and wherein the damping unit is designed to dampen the movement of the cover element between the open position and the closed position.

[0002] Such a locking device is generally known from the prior art and serves to close a storage compartment provided in a vehicle interior. Such a locking device is known, for example, from EP 3 439 922 B1. EP 3 439 922 B1 discloses a motor vehicle with a storage compartment provided in the vehicle interior for depositing objects, wherein the storage compartment can be closed by a cover element. The cover element is designed as a sliding cover and can be adjusted between a closed and an open position by an adjusting device. The adjusting device has a shaft rotatably mounted on the cover element, which shaft can be preloaded in the direction of rotation by a spring element. A gearwheel is fixedly arranged at each end of the shaft, which gearwheel interacts with a respective rack arranged on a support element. A damping unit is also arranged on the shaft.When the cover element is moved into the closed position, the gears and the shaft are translated relative to the racks, causing the gears to rotate due to the meshing with the racks. This also causes the shaft to rotate and the spring element to be preloaded. In the closed position, the cover element is held in the closed position by a locking device. When the locking device is actuated and the lock of the cover element is released, the shaft and with it the gears rotate due to the spring force of the spring element, whereby the meshing of the gears with the racks causes the cover element to move from the closed position to the open position. The damping units dampen or delay the rotation of the shaft and the gears so that the cover element does not move suddenly into the open position.

[0003] The disadvantage of this design is that the gear-rack combinations of the adjustment device must be precisely coordinated. If the gears do not mesh optimally with the racks, undesirable noises arise between the gears and the racks when adjusting the cover element between the open and closed positions.

[0004] From DE 10 2017 103 796 A1, it is known that a closure device comprises a support element and a cover element, wherein the cover element is displaceably mounted on the support element. The closure device further comprises an adjustment device with a spring-loaded cable pulley rotatably mounted on the support element, wherein a cable wound on the cable pulley is connected to the cover element. The adjustment device further comprises a rotation damper unit designed to dampen the rotation of the cable pulley and thus the adjustment of the cover element. A similar closure device is further disclosed in DE 10 2006 033 128 A1.

[0005] From DE 10 2017 127 683 A1 a rotary damper for a flap of a motor vehicle is known, which can have a freewheel.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a locking device for a storage compartment of a motor vehicle, by means of which an undesirable and disturbing noise development during the adjustment of a cover element can be reliably avoided in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0007] The problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0008] According to the invention, the adjusting device has a cable pulley which is spring-biased in the direction of rotation by the spring element and is operatively connected to the damping unit, wherein the cable pulley is rotatably mounted on the cover element, wherein the end of the cable which can be wound up and unwound on the cable pulley is fastened to the support element.

[0009] Because the adjustment device is formed by the spring element, the damping unit, the cable pulley, and the cable, unwanted noises during adjustment of the cover element can be reliably avoided. There are no rigid, mechanically rolling components; instead, there is only a flexible cable that winds up onto or off the cable pulley. Furthermore, this type of adjustment device design reduces assembly effort and the installation space required for the adjustment device. Overall, the adjustment device is particularly simple and cost-effective, requiring only a cable pulley with a cable, a spring element, and a damping unit, which can be mounted, in particular, as a compact assembly on the cover element or on the support element.

[0010] The spring element and the cable pulley are preferably designed in such a way that the cover element is moved from the closed position into the open position by the spring force of the spring element. When the cover element is adjusted from the open position to the closed position, the cable rolls off the cable pulley, causing the cable pulley to rotate about a rotation axis and pre-tensioning the spring element. In the closed position, the cover element is fixed by a corresponding means so that the pre-tension of the spring element is present. When the fixation of the cover element is released again by actuating the means, the cover element is moved from the closed position into the open position by the spring force, which is present due to the pre-tension of the spring element. In order to avoid jerky and relatively rapid movement of the cover element, the rotation of the cable pulley is dampened or delayed by the damping unit.

[0011] The adjustment device preferably has a freewheel, which is arranged in particular between the cable pulley and the damping unit and is designed such that the rotation of the cable pulley is damped exclusively in one direction of rotation. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the freewheel is designed such that the movement of the cover element caused by the spring element, starting from the open position into the closed position, is damped by the damping unit. As a result, the movement of the cover element or the cable pulley is damped exclusively during the adjustment of the cover element from the closed position into the open position.The adjustment of the lid element from the open position to the closed position, which is carried out by the user and counter to the spring force of the spring element, is not dampened by the damping element, which means that the force required by the user to adjust the lid element can be reduced.

[0012] The freewheel is, for example, a sprag freewheel. A sprag freewheel typically has an inner part, an outer ring, and sprags arranged between the inner and outer rings. The sprags are lightly loaded by springs and are arranged between the inner part, which rotates together with the sprags, and the outer ring. When torque is transmitted, radial forces are generated, causing the sprags to wedge into their receiving spaces. If the direction of rotation is reversed, or if the external speed is greater than the internal speed, the rollers roll in the direction of the spring, thus releasing the clamping. Alternatively, the clamping can be caused by a special design of the sprags, whereby clamping occurs by slightly twisting the sprags. The freewheel can also be another design of freewheel known from the prior art. The freewheel is preferably integrated into the damping unit.

[0013] The damping unit preferably has two damper elements that can be rotated relative to one another, one of the damper elements being connected to the cable pulley and the other damper element being fixedly connected to the cover element or the support element, a damping fluid being arranged in a fluidically sealed cavity between the damper elements. The damping fluid is in particular a silicone oil. When the cover element is adjusted between the open position and the closed position, the damping element connected to the cable pulley is rotated relative to the rigidly arranged damping element, the damping fluid causing resistance to the movement of the moving damping element during the relative movement between the two damping elements. This resistance, also referred to as viscous friction, depends in particular on the viscosity of the damping fluid.This provides a damping unit that is designed to save installation space and reliably provides the damping function over the entire service life of the vehicle.

[0014] Preferably, the spring element is a spiral spring, which is connected at a first end to the cable pulley and at a second end to the cover element or the support element. The spiral spring is arranged, in particular, in an annular recess in the support element or the cover element.

[0015] Preferably, a locking device is provided which is designed to lock the cover element in the open position or in the closed position. The locking device preferably has at least one displaceable locking element which is movably mounted on the cover element and is preferably spring-loaded, wherein the locking element engages in an opening of the support element in a locking position and is moved out of the opening in the release position. When the cover element is adjusted to the closed position, the locking element automatically engages in the opening, whereby the cover element is fixed in the locking position. By actuating an actuating element which is operatively connected to the locking element, the locking element is displaced out of the opening against the spring force, whereby the locking position is released.The cover element then moves into the open position due to the spring force of the spring element.

[0016] The cover element is preferably designed as a sliding cover, wherein the sliding cover is translationally movable between the open position and the closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the cover element is guided on the support element via a guide device, wherein the guide device has a guide groove and a guide projection engaging in the guide groove, wherein the guide groove is provided on the support element and the guide projection is provided on the cover element. Alternatively, the guide groove is provided on the cover element and the guide projection is provided on the support element. The guide device enables the cover element designed as a sliding cover to be displaced in a predefined manner between the closed position and the open position.

[0017] The object is further achieved by a motor vehicle with a storage compartment and a locking device according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the storage compartment is closed when the cover element is in the closed position and accessible when the cover element is in the open position. For the advantages, reference is made to the preceding paragraphs. The storage compartment and the locking device are preferably provided on a center console.

[0018] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Fig. 1 shows schematically a motor vehicle in a plan view, Fig. 2 shows a center console of the motor vehicle from Fig. 1 in perspective view, Fig. 3 show one on the center console Fig. 2 arranged locking device in perspective view, and Fig. 4 shows an adjustment device of the locking device from Fig. 3.

[0019] Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle 10 having a vehicle interior 12. Among other things, two vehicle seats 14 and a steering wheel 16 are arranged in the vehicle interior 12. A center console 18 is arranged between the two vehicle seats 14, wherein the center console 18 has a storage compartment 20 that can be closed by a locking device 30.

[0020] Fig. 2 shows the center console 18 from Fig. 1. The center console 18 comprises a base body 21 to which various components are attached. For example, the center console 18 comprises two air vents for the rear area and an armrest element 22, which is mounted in particular displaceably on the base body 21. As already mentioned, a storage compartment 20 is also provided on the center console 18, in which objects, for example a smartphone, can be stored. The storage compartment 20 can be closed by the locking device 30, wherein the locking device 30 comprises a carrier element 32, a cover element 34 and a Fig. 2 has an adjustment device not shown. The cover element 34 is designed as a sliding cover and can thus be translationally displaced between the open position and the closed position, wherein the storage compartment 20 is accessible in the open position and the storage compartment 20 is closed and thus not accessible in the closed position. The support element 32 can be designed separately or be formed by the base body 21 of the center console 18.

[0021] Fig. 3 shows the closure device 30 with the carrier element 32, the cover element 34, a guide device 40, a locking device 50 and an adjusting device 60. The cover element 34 is composed of a basic structure 341 and a covering element 342, wherein in the Fig. 3 the covering element 342 has been omitted in order to illustrate the adjusting device 60 and the locking device 50, which are arranged substantially within the cover element 34.

[0022] The guide device 40 serves to guide the cover element 34 on the support element 32 during adjustment between the open position and the closed position. For this purpose, the guide device 40 comprises two guide grooves 42 formed on the support element 32, and a plurality of guide projections 44 provided on the cover element 34 and engaging in the guide grooves 42. The support element 32 is designed such that the cover element 34 is arranged between two projections 321, 322, wherein the cover element 34 can be moved translationally along the projections 321, 322. On the side of the projections 321, 322 facing the cover element 34, a guide groove 42 is formed in each case, wherein two guide projections 44 arranged on the cover element 34 and spaced from one another in the adjustment direction VR each engage in a guide groove 42.The guide projections 44 are designed as separate elements and are each inserted into a specially designed opening in the cover element 34, so that the elements are firmly connected to the cover element 34. When the cover element 34 is adjusted between the open and closed positions, the guide projections 44 slide in the corresponding guide groove 42.

[0023] The locking device 50 serves to lock the cover element 34 in the closed position, wherein Fig. 3 the closed position is shown. The locking device 50 comprises two locking elements 52 mounted on the cover element 34 so as to be movable transversely to the adjustment direction VR, an actuating element 54, a rocker element 56 and a spring element 58. The rocker element 56 is mounted on the cover element 34, i.e. on the base structure 341, so as to be rotatable about a pivot axis SA, wherein the rocker element 56 is pretensioned in the direction of rotation about the pivot axis by the spring element 58 and is operatively connected to the locking elements 52 and to the actuating element 54. The actuating element 54 is pivotable about an actuating axis BA and is operatively connected to the rocker element 56 in such a way that upon a pivoting movement of the actuating element 54 caused by a person, the rocker element 56 is pivoted about the pivot axis SA against the spring force of the spring element 58.The rocker element 56 acts on the locking elements 52 in such a way that they are displaced inwardly in a translational manner. The locking elements 52 are each removed from an opening formed on the support element 32, which is located in the . Fig. 3 are not shown, such that the locking device 50 is moved from a locking position to a release position. The cover element 34 is only translationally displaceable in the release position.

[0024] The adjustment device 60 is in Fig. 3 and in Fig.4 and serves for the independent adjustment of the cover element 34, i.e., without the application of force by a person, from the closed position to the open position when the locking device 50 has been adjusted to the release position. The adjustment device 60 comprises a cable pulley 62 and a cable 64, wherein the cable 64 is attached at one end to the cable pulley 62 and at a second end to the support element 32. The adjustment device 60 further comprises a spring element 66, a damping unit 68, and a freewheel 70.

[0025] The cable pulley 62 is mounted on the cover element 34 for rotation about a rotation axis DA, wherein the cable pulley 62 is additionally connected to the cover element 34 via the spring element 66, which is designed as a spiral spring. In the closed position of the cover element 34, the cable pulley 62 is preloaded in the rotation direction about the rotation axis DA by the spring element 66, so that the preload of the spring element 66 allows the cover element 34 to be displaced from the closed position into the open position.

[0026] The rotatable mounting of the cable pulley 62 on the cover element 34 is achieved via the damping unit 68 and the freewheel 70, with the freewheel 70 being integrated into the damping unit 68. The damping unit 68 comprises two damper elements 681, 682 that can be rotated relative to one another, with a first damper element 681 being connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the cable pulley 62 and a second damper element 682 being connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the cover element 34. A cavity 684 between the two damper elements 681, 682, which is sealed in a fluid-tight manner by the second damper element 682 and a cover element 683, is filled with a damping fluid. During a relative movement of the first damper element 681 relative to the second damper element 682, the damping fluid, which has a relatively high viscosity, brakes the rotational movement and thus dampens it.The freewheel 70 is integrated into the first damper element 681, whereby the freewheel 70 divides the first damper element 681 into several components. The freewheel 70 comprises a first freewheel element 701, a second freewheel element 702, and several clamping bodies 703. The freewheel is thus designed as a so-called clamping body freewheel and is constructed in a known manner. For example, the clamping bodies 703 are lightly loaded by springs (not shown) and arranged between the first freewheel element 701, which rotates together with the clamping bodies 703, and the second freewheel element 702. When torque is transmitted, radial forces arise, so that the clamping bodies 703 become wedged in their receiving spaces. If the direction of rotation is reversed, the clamping bodies 703 roll in the direction of the spring, thus releasing the clamping.

[0027] In the present case, the damping unit 68 and the freewheel 70 are designed such that the translational movement of the cover element 34, starting from the open position into the closed position, which movement occurs when a person pulls on the actuating element 54 and by which the spring element 66 is preloaded, is not dampened, wherein the clamping bodies 703 of the freewheel 70 are not clamped between the freewheel elements 701, 702 and thus the second freewheel element 702, which in turn forms the part of the first damper element 681 that interacts with the damping fluid, does not rotate with the cable pulley 62 about the axis of rotation DA. When the cover element 34 is adjusted from the open position into the closed position, the cable 64 rolls off the cable pulley 62 and the cable pulley 62 rotates in a first direction of rotation.

[0028] When the cover element 34 is translationally displaced from the closed position of the cover element 34 into the open position by the spring force of the spring element 66, the cable pulley 62 and thus the first freewheel element 701 rotate in a second direction of rotation, whereby the clamping bodies 704 clamp between the two freewheel elements 701, 702. As a result, the second freewheel element 702 rotates with the first freewheel element 701, whereby the rotational movement of the second freewheel element 702 and thus of the first damper element 681 is dampened by the damping fluid. Thus, only the adjustment of the cover element 34 caused by the spring force of the spring element 66 is dampened by the damping unit 68.

Claims

[1] Locking device for closing a storage compartment (20) of a motor vehicle (10), with a carrier element (32), a cover element (34) which is movably mounted on the support element (32) such that the cover element (34) is adjustable between an open position and a closed position, and an adjusting device (60) for adjusting the cover element (34) between the open position and the closed position, wherein the adjusting device (60) has a spring element (66) and a damping unit (68), wherein the spring element (66) is designed to load the cover element (34) such that the cover element (34) is adjusted between the open position and the closed position by the spring force of the spring element (66), and wherein the damping unit (68) is designed to dampen the movement of the cover element (34) between the open position and the closed position, wherein the adjusting device (60) has a cable pulley (62) which is spring-biased in the direction of rotation by the spring element (66) and is operatively connected to the damping unit (68), characterized by , that the cable pulley (62) is rotatably mounted on the cover element (34), wherein the end of the cable (64) which can be wound up and unwound on the cable pulley (62) is fastened to the support element (32). [2] Closure device according to claim 1, characterized by that the spring element (66) and the cable pulley (62) are designed such that the cover element (34) is displaced from the closed position into the open position by the spring force of the spring element (66). [3] Closure device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the adjusting device (60) has a freewheel (70) which is designed such that the rotation of the cable pulley (62) is damped exclusively in one direction of rotation. [4] Closure device according to claims 2 and 3, characterized bythat the freewheel (70) is designed such that the movement of the cover element (34) caused by the spring element (66) from the open position to the closed position is damped by the damping unit (68). [5] Closure device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that the freewheel (70) is integrated into the damping unit (68). [6] Closure device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the damping unit (68) has two damper elements (681, 682) which can be rotated relative to one another, one of the damper elements (681, 682) being connected to the cable pulley (62) and the other damper element (681, 682) being fixedly connected to the cover element (34) or to the carrier element (32), a damping fluid being arranged in a fluidically sealed cavity (684) between the damper elements (681, 682). [7] Closure device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the spring element (66) is a spiral spring which is connected with a first end to the cable pulley (62) and with a second end to the cover element (34) or to the support element (32). [8] Closure device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a locking device (50) is provided which is designed to lock the cover element (34) in the open position or in the closed position. [9] Closure device according to claim 8, characterized by in that the locking device (50) has at least one displaceable locking element (52) which is movably mounted on the cover element (34), wherein the locking element (52) engages in an opening of the carrier element (32) in a locking position and is moved out of the opening in the release position. [10] Closure device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the cover element (34) is designed as a sliding cover, wherein the cover element (34) is translationally movable between the open position and the closed position. [11] Closure device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the cover element (34) is guided on the carrier element (32) via a guide device (40), wherein the guide device (40) has a guide groove (42) and a guide projection (44) engaging in the guide groove (42), wherein the guide groove (42) is provided on the carrier element (32) and the guide projection (44) is provided on the cover element (34) or the guide groove (42) is provided on the cover element (34) and the guide projection (44) is provided on the carrier element (32). [12] Motor vehicle, with a storage compartment (20), and a closure device (30) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the storage compartment (20) is closed in the closed position of the cover element (34) and is accessible in the open position of the cover element (34). [13] Motor vehicle according to claim 12, characterized by that the storage compartment (20) and the locking device (30) are provided on a center console (18).

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