Container holder for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a container holder (10) for a vehicle, comprising a housing (15) open at least on one side and two opposing receiving elements (12), each of which is pivotably mounted about a horizontal axis of rotation (DA1, DA2) between a closed position and a receiving position, wherein the two receiving elements (12) in the closed position at least partially interlock and cover an opening in the housing (15) and form a flat surface, wherein the two receiving elements (12) in the receiving position form at least one receiving contour (14.1, 14.2) and / or at least one support contour (14.3, 14.4) for at least one inserted container (7) and are designed to adapt to inserted containers (7) with different dimensions, and a container holder arrangement (1) for a vehicle, comprising at least one such container holder (10).

Description

The invention relates to a container holder for a vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a container holder arrangement for a vehicle, having at least one such container holder.Container holders and container holder assemblies for vehicles are known in numerous variations. Container holders, preferably for beverage containers, are known from the prior art, in particular in the region of the central console. These are usually provided for holding two containers and are designed in a wide variety of ways. When designing the container holders, it is usually ensured that there is a certain variability with respect to the containers to be accommodated. Depending on the market of sales, considerable spreading must be taken into account, from a narrow can with a holding volume of one quarter litre to large fast food cups with a holding volume of one litre or more. Depending on the design and installation position, the known container holders require installation space which is generally deficient in the interior of the vehicle and is occupied by a wide variety of components to be accommodated.DE 195 19 602 C1 discloses an armrest for a vehicle seat, having a drinking vessel holder arranged at the front end with a placement surface for a drinking vessel and a retaining bracket for clamping the drinking vessel. For the purpose of simple production with a short assembly time from a manufacturing standpoint, an insert preferably made of plastic is embedded in the armrest contour for realizing the drinking vessel holder, which insert has a base forming the placement surface for the drinking vessel and an arcuate rear wall running approximately at right angles thereto. The holding bracket is mounted pivotably about a pivot axis which is fixed at the front end of the base remote from the rear wall and is aligned transversely to the armrest axis and is designed such that it folds onto the rear wall with a bracket portion remote from the pivot axis under spring prestress in the absence of a drinking vessel.From GB 2511170 A a cup holder for a vehicle is known, which comprises a base element configured to support a cup container in an operating position of the cup holder. Two arms stabilize the beverage container in the working position of the beverage holder. The two arms each consist of at least two segments. A first segment is pivotally disposed about a first axis of rotation on a second segment. Each arm is foldable into a storage position of the cupholder. The base member may include a lever connected to the second segment by a connecting member. The base member may rotate about a second axis of rotation that is parallel to the first axis of rotation. At least one of the arms may be mounted on a slide member, which may comprise a rack. The slider is movable by rotation of a shaft comprising a pinion engaged with the rack. The shaft may be rotated by rotating the base member via a pair of intermeshing bevel gears.DE 10 2021 109 771 A1 discloses a vehicle component having at least one receiving device which is displaceable or pivotable in a drawer-like manner from a retracted position, in which it is arranged within the vehicle component, into an extended position, in which it protrudes at least partially into the region outside the vehicle component, and vice versa. The receiving device preferably comprises a storage area for storing a beverage container. The storage area can have a depression, which is preferably circular or cylindrical. This depression makes it possible to place beverage cans, coffee cups or the like on the extended receiving device or to set them in the depression, whereby lateral slipping and dropping of the beverage can be prevented. Furthermore, a fastening means, by means of which the beverage container can be fastened, in particular clampingly, to the receiving device, and / or an anti-slip coating of the storage area can be provided.The invention is based on the object of providing a container holder for a vehicle and a container holder arrangement for a vehicle having at least one such container holder, which is of simple and space-saving construction.This object is achieved by a container holder for a vehicle having the features of claim 1 and by a container holder arrangement for a vehicle having the features of claim 9. Advantageous embodiments with expedient developments of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims.In order to provide a container holder for a vehicle which is constructed in a simple and space-saving manner, the container holder has a housing which is open at least on one side and two receiving elements which are arranged opposite one another and are each mounted pivotably about a horizontal axis of rotation between a closed position and a receiving position. The two receiving elements engage at least partially into one another in the closed position and cover an opening in the housing and form a planar surface. In the receiving position, the two receiving elements form at least one receiving contour and / or at least one supporting contour for at least one set container and are designed to adapt to set containers having different dimensions.In addition, a container holder arrangement for a vehicle is proposed, having at least one vehicle component which is arranged in the interior of the vehicle and has at least one bearing surface, and at least one such container holder which is integrated into the at least one vehicle component in such a way that the planar surface formed by the two receiving elements in the closed position is arranged in alignment with the at least one bearing surface of the vehicle component.Embodiments of the invention provide a flat-build container holder for installation on surfaces with a narrow range of depth space. When the container holder is not used, a planar surface without disruptive elevations or contours can be formed by the two oppositely disposed receiving elements in the closed position. When using the container holder, the two opposing receiving elements can receive and hold different beverage containers in the receiving position. As a result of the two receiving elements engaging one another in the closed position, they can have a sufficient length in the receiving position in order to hold or support an adjusted container at a suitable height.Embodiments of the invention have a high variability with respect to the beverage containers to be accommodated and good holding properties. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention allow intuitive actuation directly at the receiving elements. Due to the very low overall height and a good "package compatibility" associated therewith, a high interior variability results in the localization of the container holder in the vehicle interior.The vehicle component can be designed, for example, as a central armrest of a seat arrangement or as a central console or as a door cladding. This means that the at least one container holder can be arranged in the center console between the seats of a first row of seats or preferably in the central armrest of a second or third row of seats of a vehicle.A center armrest which can be folded out of a so-called fifth seat in the center of a rear seat arrangement has a loading function in which a loading opening for long items to be transported is released in the transition to the trunk, an armrest function in which a forearm of an occupant can be placed comfortably on the center armrest, and a container holder function in which up to two beverage containers can be held. In addition, a table element can be integrated into the central armrest. With or without a table, the task is above all to provide the customer with a beverage holder which fully fulfills his expectation when in use, but also does not adversely affect comfort features when not in use, i.e. in the specific case forms a planar, pleasant surface for the support of the forearm and, in the folded-up state of the middle armrest, allows comfortable cushioning of the same in its function as a backrest without painlessly perceptible hard contours. Embodiments of the container holder are designed to be flat with a low height in the closed position and therefore meet these requirements in an advantageous manner, with simultaneous simplicity and robustness.In an advantageous embodiment of the container holder, the two receiving elements can be movable independently of one another. In a particularly simple embodiment, the two receiving elements can each be movable manually from the closed position into the receiving position and / or from the receiving position into the closed position. This means that the two receiving elements can be set up or deposited independently of one another in any desired sequence. In addition, friction elements can be provided which hold the receiving elements free of rattle in the closed position and in the receiving position. Alternatively, the two receiving elements can each be locked in the closed position and, after releasing the locking, can be automatically moved from the closed position into the receiving position in a spring-assisted manner. In this case, the depositing of the two receiving elements can be effected manually independently of one another. In addition, friction elements can be provided which hold the receiving elements free of rattle in the closed position and in the receiving position.In a further advantageous embodiment of the container holder, the two receiving elements can each have at least one recess and at least one holding element. In this case, a geometric shape of the at least one holding element of a first receiving element and a geometric shape of the at least one cutout of a second receiving element can be matched to one another. In addition, a geometric shape of the at least one holding element of the second receiving element and a geometric shape of the at least one recess of the first receiving element can be adapted to one another. As a result, the partial engagement of the two receiving elements in the closed position in the manner of a puzzle and the formation of the planar surface can be implemented easily.In a further advantageous embodiment of the container holder, the two receiving elements can be designed to receive at least two containers simultaneously.In a further advantageous embodiment of the container holder, the first receiving element can be mounted fixedly in its receiving position, and the opposite second receiving element can be moved flexibly from a first receiving position into a maximum receiving position counter to a force of at least one spring element. This means that the first receiving element is completely set up in the receiving position independently of the dimension of the container to be set and preferably forms a fixed counter bearing in the direction of travel. The constant spring prestress enables the compensation of different container diameters between the first receiving position and the maximum receiving position. In addition, the first receiving position of the second receiving element can be adapted to the dimensions of a smallest adjustable container. In addition, the maximum receiving position of the second receiving element can be adapted to the dimensions of a largest adjustable container. By means of the above-mentioned friction elements and by means of the constant prestress of the at least one spring element, the receiving elements can be held free of rattle in all positions.The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description and the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, embodiments are also to be considered included and disclosed by the invention, which are not explicitly shown or explained in the figures, but which emerge from the explained embodiments and can be generated by separate combinations of features.Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate components or elements that perform like or analogous functions. Here, shows / show: FIG. 1 shows a schematic and sectional plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a container holder arrangement according to the invention for a vehicle with an exemplary embodiment of a container holder according to the invention for a vehicle in a receiving position with two containers set; FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view of the container holder according to the invention for a vehicle from FIG. 1 in a closed position; FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of the container holder according to the invention for a vehicle from FIG. 2 in the closed position; FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional illustration along a second axis of rotation in FIG. 2 ; FIG. 5 shows a schematic top view of the container holder according to the invention for a vehicle from FIG. 2 in the receiving position without the container set; and FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of the container holder according to the invention for a vehicle from FIG. 5 in the receiving position.As can be seen from FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 to 6, the illustrated exemplary embodiment of a container holder 10 for a vehicle comprises a housing 15 open at least on one side and two receiving elements 12 arranged opposite one another, which are each mounted pivotably about a horizontal axis of rotation DA 1, DA 2 between a closed position illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 to 4 and a receiving position illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6. In this case, the two receiving elements 12 engage at least partially in one another in the closed position and cover an opening in the housing 15 and form a planar surface. In the receiving position, the two receiving elements 12 form at least one receiving contour 14.1, 14.2 and / or at least one supporting contour 14.3, 14.4 for at least one set container 7 and are designed to adapt to set containers 7 having different dimensions.As can further be seen from FIG. 1, the illustrated exemplary embodiment of a container holder arrangement 1 according to the invention for a vehicle comprises at least one vehicle component 3 which is arranged in the interior 7 of the vehicle and has at least one bearing surface 5, and at least one container holder 10 according to the invention which is integrated into the at least one vehicle component 3 in such a way that the planar surface formed by the two receiving elements 12 in the closed position is arranged in alignment with the at least one bearing surface 5 of the vehicle component 3.In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the container holder arrangement 1, the vehicle component 3 is designed as a central armrest 3A of a seat arrangement. As can be further seen from FIG. 1, a container holder 10 is integrated into the central armrest 3A and is designed for simultaneously receiving two containers 7.In alternative embodiments of the container holder arrangement 1, which are not shown, the vehicle component 3 is designed as a central console or as a door cladding.As can be further seen from FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 to 6, the housing 15 of the container holder 10 in the exemplary embodiment shown is designed as a receiving trough 15A with a circumferential collar 15.1 and a trough base 15.2, on which a set container 7 stands. The two receiving elements 12 are each movable independently of one another about the corresponding axis of rotation DA 1, DA 2. In the exemplary embodiment shown, a first receiving element 12A is movable manually about a first axis of rotation DA 1 from the closed position into the receiving position and from the receiving position into the closed position. In addition, a second receiving element 12B can be moved manually about a second axis of rotation DA 2, which runs parallel to the first axis of rotation DA 1, from the closed position into the receiving position and from the receiving position into the closed position.As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the first receiving element 12A is mounted fixedly in its raised receiving position. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first receiving element 12A has an angle of inclination of 90° in its raised receiving position. The opposite second receiving element 12B has an angle of rise of approximately 60° in its raised first receiving position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and is movable flexibly from the first receiving position into a maximum receiving position, not shown in more detail, counter to a force of at least one spring element 18 shown in FIG. 4. The two receiving elements 12 can be set up or placed independently of one another in any desired sequence. In addition, friction elements, which are designed as stop and friction cams 18 in each case, are arranged at ends of the two axes of rotation DA 1, DA 2 and, in combination with stop and friction contours 17 formed on the housing 15, hold the receiving elements 12 free of rattle in the closed position and in the receiving position.As can be further seen from FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, a first stop and friction cam 18A is arranged at the end of the first rotational axis DA 1 and a second stop and friction cam 18B is arranged at the end of the second rotational axis DA 2. By means of the first stop and friction cam 18A, the first receiving element 12A is held in the closed position in combination with a first stop and friction contour 17A by a frictional engagement which is overcome during the manual placement, so that the first receiving element 12A can be placed in the receiving position until the first stop and friction cam 18A stops. The first receiving element 12A is held in the receiving position by a frictional engagement. By means of the second stop and friction cam 18B, the second receiving element 12B is held in the closed position analogously to the first receiving element 12A in combination with a second stop and friction contour 17B by a frictional engagement which is overcome during the manual placement, such that the second receiving element 12A can be placed in the first receiving position until the second stop cam 18B stops. Against the force of the spring element 18, the second receiving element 12A is flexibly movable from the first receiving position into the maximum receiving position.In an alternative exemplary embodiment of the container holder 10, which is not shown, the two receiving elements 12 are each locked in the closed position and, after releasing the locking, are automatically moved from the closed position into the corresponding receiving position in a spring-assisted manner. Analogously to the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the second receiving element 12B can be moved from its raised first receiving position flexibly from the first receiving position into the maximum receiving position counter to the force of at least one spring element 18.As can be further seen from FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6, the two receiving elements 12 each have at least one recess 13 and at least one holding element 14. In this case, a geometric shape of the at least one holding element 14 of the first receiving element 12A and a geometric shape of the at least one cutout 13 of the second receiving element 12B are matched to one another. Analogously, a geometric shape of the at least one holding element 14 of the second receiving element 12B and a geometric shape of the at least one recess 13 of the first receiving element 12A are adapted to one another.In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the container holder 10, the first receiving element 12A has a centrally arranged T-shaped first cutout 13A and two uniform mirror-symmetrical second cutouts 13B arranged on the edge, which each have the geometric shape of half a trapezoid. This produces two uniform mirror-symmetrical first holding elements 14A. The second receiving element 12B has two third recesses 13C, which are designed such that a centrally arranged T-shaped second holding element 14B and two uniform mirror-symmetrical third holding elements 14C arranged on the edge are produced, which each have the geometric shape of half a trapezoid. By adapting the geometric shapes of the two first holding elements 14A of the first receiving element 12A to the geometric shape of the two third recesses 13C of the second receiving element 12B and the geometric shapes of the second holding element 14B and of the two third holding elements 14C of the second receiving element 12B to the geometric shapes of the first recess 13A and of the two second recesses 13B of the first receiving element, the two receiving elements 12 partially engage one another in the closed position in the manner of a puzzle and form the planar surface which is arranged flush with the bearing surface 5 of the vehicle component 3.In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the container holder 10, the two receiving elements 12A are designed to receive at least two containers 7 simultaneously.As can be seen in particular from FIG. 5, the first receiving position of the second receiving element 12B is adapted to the dimensions of a smallest adjustable container 7. This smallest adjustable container 7 can be set into a first receiving contour 14.1, which is formed centrally on the first receiving element 12A, and held by a first supporting contour 14.3, which is formed on the second holding element 14B of the second receiving element 12B. The maximum receiving position of the second receiving element 12B is adapted to the dimensions of a largest adjustable container 7. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the container holder 10, the maximum receiving position corresponds to an angle of inclination of 90°.As can also be seen from FIG. 1, two containers 7 designed as beverage cans 7A are placed in the container holder 10. The two beverage cans 7A have an average size and are each set into a second receiving contour 14.2, which is formed on the two first holding elements 14A of the first receiving element 12A, and are each held by the first supporting contour 14.3, which is formed on the second holding element 14B of the second receiving element 12B, and by a second supporting contour 14.4, which are each formed on the third holding elements 14C of the second receiving element 12B.LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS1 Container holder arrangement 3 Vehicle component 3A Central arm rest 5 Support surface 7 Container 7A Can 9 Interior 10 Container holder 12 Receiving element 12A Fixed receiving element 12B Flexible receiving element 13, 13A, 13B, 13C Cutout 14, 14A, 14B, 14C Holding element 14.1, 14.2 Receiving contour 14.3, 14.4 Support contour 15 Housing 15A Receiving trough 15.1 around running collar 15.2 Trough base 16, 16A, 16B Stop and friction cams 17, 17A, 17B Stop and friction contour 18 Spring element DA 1, DA 2 Horizontal axis of rotationReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 195 19 602 C1

[0003] GB 2511170 A

[0004] DE 10 2021 109 771 A1

[0005]

Claims

Container holder (10) for a vehicle, having a housing (15) which is open at least on one side and two receiving elements (12) which are arranged opposite one another and are each mounted pivotably about a horizontal axis of rotation (DA1, DA2) between a closed position and a receiving position, wherein the two receiving elements (12) at least partially engage one another in the closed position and cover an opening in the housing (15) and form a planar surface, wherein the two receiving elements (12), in the receiving position, form at least one receiving contour (14.1, 14.2) and / or at least one supporting contour (14.3, 14.4) for at least one set container (7) and are designed to adapt to set containers (7) having different dimensions.Container holder (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the two receiving elements (12) are movable independently of one another.Container holder (10) according to claim 2, characterised in that the two receiving elements (12) can each be moved manually from the closed position into the receiving position and / or from the receiving position into the closed position.Container holder (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the two receiving elements (12) are each locked in the closed position and, after releasing the locking, are automatically movable from the closed position into the receiving position in a spring-assisted manner.Container holder (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the two receiving elements (12) each have at least one recess (13) and at least one holding element (14), wherein a geometric shape of the at least one holding element (14) of a first receiving element (12A) and a geometric shape of the at least one recess (13) of a second receiving element (12B) are adapted to one another, and a geometric shape of the at least one holding element (14) of the second receiving element (12B) and a geometric shape of the at least one recess (13) of the first receiving element (12A) are adapted to one another.Container holder (10) according to claim 5, characterised in that the two receiving elements (12A) are designed to receive at least two containers (7) simultaneously.Container holder (10) according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the first receiving element (12A) is mounted fixedly in its receiving position, and the opposite second receiving element (12B) is movable flexibly from a first receiving position into a maximum receiving position counter to a force of at least one spring element (18).Container holder (10) according to claim 7, characterised in that the first receiving position of the second receiving element (12B) is adapted to the dimensions of a smallest adjustable container (7) and the maximum receiving position of the second receiving element (12B) is adapted to the dimensions of a largest adjustable container (7).Container holder arrangement (1) for a vehicle, having at least one vehicle component (3) which is arranged in the interior (7) of the vehicle and has at least one bearing surface (5), and at least one container holder (10) which is designed according to one of Claims 1 to 8 and is integrated into the at least vehicle component (3) in such a way that the planar surface formed by the two receiving elements (12) in the closed position is arranged in alignment with the at least one bearing surface (5) of the vehicle component (3).Container holder arrangement (1) according to Claim 9, characterized in that the vehicle component (3) is designed as a central armrest (3A) of a seat arrangement or as a central console or as a door cladding.

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