GLOVE COMPARTMENT ARRANGEMENT FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

A glove compartment assembly for a vehicle comprises a glove compartment pivotally mounted within a recess in an instrument panel. A pair of laterally spaced snap-locks is mounted above the recess on a frame of the instrument panel, each snap-lock having a hook end and a chamfered end face. A sliding mechanism is mounted on the glove compartment, capable of engaging the pair of snap-locks. The sliding mechanism comprises a fixed inner rail mounted on an interior portion of the glove compartment and a movable outer rail slidably mounted on the fixed inner rail. The fixed inner rail and the movable outer rail each comprise a pair of slots, each receiving a corresponding snap-lock.

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The information provided in this section serves the purpose of providing a general overview of the context of the disclosure. Neither the work of the inventors currently named, to the extent described in this section, nor those aspects of the description that could not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are expressly or implicitly recognized as prior art against the present disclosure.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a sliding mechanism for a vehicle glove compartment.

[0003] Glove box locking mechanisms typically occupy a significant amount of space within the glove box, limiting its usable capacity. Furthermore, known glove box locking mechanisms have a relatively complex design.

[0004] DE 103 51 980 A1 discloses a locking device for a glove compartment with an operating handle by means of which, by means of springs and cam elements, a pivoting movement of the handle results in a lateral linear movement of sliding pins for locking with engagement holes.

[0005] Further state of the art is described in US 2007 / 0 018 474 A1.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a glove compartment sliding mechanism that is simple in design and takes up less space inside the glove compartment.

[0007] The problem is solved by the subject matter of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims. SUMMARY

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a glove compartment arrangement for a vehicle comprises a glove compartment that is pivotably mounted within a recess of an instrument panel. Above the recess, at least one snap-lock mechanism is mounted on a frame of the instrument panel. A sliding mechanism is mounted on the glove compartment and can engage with the snap-lock mechanism.

[0009] According to another aspect, at least one locking mechanism contains a pair of locking mechanisms spaced laterally apart along the frame.

[0010] According to another aspect, both locking mechanisms each have a hook end.

[0011] According to another aspect, both locking mechanisms have a chamfered end face.

[0012] According to another aspect, the sliding mechanism includes a fixed inner rail mounted on an interior area of ​​the glove compartment and a movable outer rail that slides on the fixed inner rail.

[0013] According to another aspect, the fixed inner rail and the movable outer rail each contain a slot that accommodates at least one snap-in locking mechanism.

[0014] According to another aspect, a sliding button is connected to the movable outer rail and extends through an opening in the front of the glove compartment.

[0015] According to another aspect, a spring is provided to preload the movable outer rail into a locking position.

[0016] According to another aspect, the fixed inner rail is mounted on a glove compartment interior lining.

[0017] According to another aspect, the glove compartment arrangement for a vehicle includes a glove compartment that is pivotally mounted within a recess in the dashboard. A pair of laterally spaced locking latches is mounted above the recess on a frame of the dashboard. Each of the two locking latches has a hook end and a chamfered end face. A sliding mechanism is mounted on the glove compartment and can engage with the two locking latches.

[0018] According to another aspect, the sliding mechanism includes a fixed inner rail mounted on an interior area of ​​the glove compartment and a movable outer rail that slides on the fixed inner rail.

[0019] According to another aspect, the fixed inner rail and the movable outer rail each contain a slot that accommodates at least one snap-in locking mechanism.

[0020] According to another aspect, a sliding button is connected to the movable outer rail and extends through an opening in the front of the glove compartment.

[0021] According to another aspect, a spring preloads the movable outer rail into a locking position.

[0022] According to another aspect, the fixed inner rail is mounted on a glove compartment interior lining.

[0023] According to another aspect, a glove compartment arrangement for a vehicle comprises a glove compartment pivotally mounted within a recess in an instrument panel. A pair of laterally spaced detent latches is mounted above the recess on a frame of the instrument panel, each detent having a hook end and a chamfered end face. A sliding mechanism is mounted on the glove compartment, capable of engaging the two detent latches. The sliding mechanism comprises a fixed inner rail mounted on an interior portion of the glove compartment and a movable outer rail slidably mounted on the fixed inner rail. The fixed inner rail and the movable outer rail each comprise a pair of slots, each accommodating a corresponding detent latch.

[0024] Further applications of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, the claims, and the drawings. The detailed description and the specific examples serve only for illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The present revelation is more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings; they show: Fig. 1 a top view of a glove compartment in a vehicle dashboard according to the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the glove compartment sliding mechanism according to the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 2A a detailed perspective view of the glove compartment sliding mechanism engaging with the locking element of the present disclosure; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of the glove compartment sliding mechanism according to the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 a schematic representation of the glove compartment sliding mechanism according to the principles of the present disclosure, shown in a locked position; Fig. 5 a schematic representation of the glove compartment sliding mechanism according to the principles of the present disclosure, shown in an unlocked position; Fig. 6 a schematic representation of the glove compartment sliding mechanism according to the principles of the present disclosure, shown in an open position; and Fig. 7 a perspective view of a glove compartment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

[0026] Reference symbols can be used multiple times in the drawings to identify similar and / or identical elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a section of a dashboard 10 of a vehicle 12, which includes a glove compartment assembly 14. The glove compartment assembly 14 includes a glove compartment 16 (best in Fig. 7), which is pivotably mounted in a recess of the vehicle's dashboard 10. The glove compartment 16 contains a sliding knob 18 on a front 16a of the glove compartment 16. The sliding knob 18 is connected to a sliding mechanism 20 (see Fig. 7) connected, which is mounted on an interior area of ​​the front 16a of the glove compartment 16.

[0028] In the Fig. 4-6 The sliding mechanism 20 engages one or more latching catches 22 (two are shown) mounted on a frame 24 of a door compartment, which is mounted on or forms part of the dashboard 10. The sliding mechanism 20 includes a fixed inner rail 26 that is mounted to a glove compartment inner liner 28 by threaded fasteners 30. The glove compartment inner liner 28 has a pair of slots 32 that receive the latching catches 22 through them. The fixed inner rail 26 also has a pair of slots 34 that are aligned with the pair of slots 32 in the glove compartment inner liner 28 and that also receive the latching catches 22 through them.

[0029] A movable outer rail 36 is slidably mounted on the fixed inner rail 26. The movable outer rail 36 also has a pair of slots 38 corresponding to slots 32 and 34. A spring 40 is arranged against the movable outer rail 36 and biases the movable outer rail 36 into a locked position, into which an edge of the slots 38 engages with a hook end 22a of the locking mechanisms 22 to secure the glove compartment 16 in a closed position, as shown in Fig. Figure 4 shows that the spring 40 can be positioned against a fixed structure 41 between the front panel 16a and the glove compartment lining 28. The sliding knob 18 is attached to the movable outer rail 36 through an opening 42 in the front panel 16a of the glove compartment 16.

[0030] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the sliding button 18 can be operated by a user to move the movable outer rail 36 against the preload force of the spring 40 in order to separate it from the hook end 22a of the latching locks 22.

[0031] Fig. Figure 6 shows the glove compartment, which has been moved away from the locking latches 22 into an open position. The movable outer rail 36 is shown when it has returned to its locking position by the spring force of the spring 40.

[0032] The end of the locking mechanisms 22 has a chamfered surface 22b. When the glove compartment 16 is moved into a closed position, the locking mechanisms are engaged by the slots 32 and 34 in the glove compartment lining 28 and the fixed inner rail 26. Subsequently, the chamfered surface 22b of the locking mechanisms 22 engages in the side edge of the slots 38 in the movable outer rail 36 and presses, as shown in the Fig. As shown in Figures 4-6, the movable outer rail 36 moves against the force of the spring 40 in a leftward direction, such that the hook end 22a of the locking mechanism is received in the slots 38 and engages in the glove compartment 16 in a closed position.

[0033] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the sliding mechanism 20, which engages with a snap-lock 22. Fig.Figure 3 shows the locking mechanism 22, which protrudes from the frame 24 of the door compartment. The locking mechanism 22 extends through the openings in the glove compartment lining 28 and the fixed inner rail 26. The locking mechanism 22 can be made of metal or plastic. The fixed inner rail 26 can be a flat plate made of metal or plastic. The fixed inner rail 26 is slidably mounted in the movable outer rail 36, which has a C-shaped cross-section and can be made of metal or plastic.

[0034] The sliding knob 18 is attached to the movable outer rail 36 and can be formed integrally with it or connected to the outer movable rail 36 in another way. The sliding knob 18 extends from the movable outer rail through the slot 42 in the front 16a of the glove compartment 16.

[0035] The glove compartment of the present disclosure consists of a sliding mechanism 20. It provides simple operation for opening and closing the glove compartment. The sliding mechanism 20 also eliminates the space occupied by known locking mechanisms. The sliding mechanism 20 is very simple in design and consists of fewer parts compared to known latching lever-pull arrangements. The sliding mechanism 20 is controlled by the spring 40 and differs completely from the known latching lever-based glove compartment mechanism.

[0036] This mechanism includes the outer rail 36, which slides on the fixed inner rail 26 during operation. The inner rail 26 is attached to the inner door of the glove compartment by screws / bolts. Both rails have slots that assist in locking and unlocking the fixed detent elements, which are attached to the door frame and the glove compartment mounting, respectively. The sliding knob 18 has a distinctly simple design, which facilitates easy operation compared to known latching lever-pull arrangements.

[0037] For the user, the reduced size of the sliding mechanism 20 increases the storage space or storage volume of the glove compartment 16 by 15-20%, and the weight of the sliding mechanism is also reduced.

[0038] The preceding description is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. The comprehensive teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in various forms. While this disclosure contains specific examples, the true scope of protection of the disclosure should therefore not be so limited as to reveal other modifications upon study of the drawings, the description, and the following claims. It is to be understood that one or more steps within a process may be carried out in a different order (or overlapping in time) without altering the principles of the present disclosure.Although each of the embodiments described above has been described with specific features, one or more of these features described with respect to any embodiment of the disclosure may also be implemented in any of the further embodiments and / or combined with its features, even if this combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and permutations of one or more embodiments with each other remain within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0039] Spatial and functional relationships between elements (e.g., between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers, etc.) are described using various terms, such as "connected," "interlocking," "coupled," "adjacent," "next to," "on top of," "above," "below," and "arranged." Unless explicitly described as "direct," when a relationship between a first and a second element is described in the disclosure above, this relationship can be a direct relationship in which no further intervening elements exist between the first and the second element, or it can be an indirect relationship in which one or more intervening elements (either spatial or functional) exist between the first and the second element.As the expression "at least one of A, B and C" is used here, it should be interpreted as meaning a logical (A OR B OR C) using a non-exclusive logical OR, and should not be interpreted as meaning "at least one of A, at least one of B and at least one of C".

Claims

[1] Glove compartment arrangement (14) for a vehicle (12) comprising: a glove compartment (16) which is pivotably mounted within a recess of a dashboard (10); at least one locking mechanism (22) which is mounted on a frame (24) of the dashboard (10) above the recess; and a sliding mechanism (20) which is mounted on the glove compartment and can engage in the locking mechanism, wherein the sliding mechanism (20) comprises a fixed inner rail (26) which is mounted on an inner area of ​​the glove compartment (16) and a movable outer rail (36) which is slidably mounted on the fixed inner rail (26). [2] Glove compartment arrangement (14) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one locking mechanism (22) comprises a pair of locking mechanisms (22) spaced apart laterally along the frame (24). [3] Glove compartment arrangement (14) according to claim 2, wherein the two locking mechanisms (22) each have a hook end (22a). [4] Glove compartment arrangement (14) according to claim 3, wherein the two locking mechanisms (22) each have a chamfered end face (22b). [5] Glove compartment arrangement (14) according to claim 1, wherein the fixed inner rail (26) and the movable outer rail (36) each have a slot (38) which each accommodates the at least one snap-in locking mechanism (22). [6] Glove compartment arrangement (14) according to claim 5, which further comprises a sliding button (18) which is connected to the movable outer rail (36) and extends through an opening in a front (16a) of the glove compartment (16). [7] Glove compartment arrangement (14) according to claim 6, which further comprises a spring (40) for preloading the movable outer rail (36) into a locking position. [8] Glove compartment arrangement (14) according to claim 1, wherein the fixed inner rail (26) is mounted on a glove compartment inner lining (28).

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