Arrangement for picking up and / or charging devices in the vehicle

Abstract

Disclosed is an arrangement (10) comprising a receiving space (11) and a cover (12), wherein the receiving space (11) is configured to be at least partially concealed by the cover (12), and comprising at least one control element (15) which is configured to actuate the cover (12), wherein the at least one control element (15) is positioned in a fixed position relative to the receiving space (11). Furthermore, a vehicle (100) with at least one arrangement (10) is disclosed.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a receiving chamber and a cover. The invention further relates to a vehicle with such an arrangement.

[0002] Many vehicles are equipped with areas for inductively charging smartphones. These charging areas are typically located in the center console and are designed as recesses. However, a smartphone placed on such a charging area is visible to the driver and can distract them from the road.

[0003] Furthermore, charging areas are sometimes located beneath armrests. However, a problem with this type of charging area for smartphones is the insufficient visibility of the smartphone, making it easier to forget it in the vehicle.

[0004] DE 10 2022 130 590 A1 describes a storage device for a motor vehicle. A smartphone can be stored in the device. The storage device has a locking element that connects a storage compartment to a vent when the compartment is closed with a lid.

[0005] US 11,904,811 B2 discloses a storage compartment with a roller blind as a closure, which can be moved in the direction of travel or against the direction of travel.

[0006] German patent DE 10 2012 024 667 B4 describes a storage compartment with a roller blind as a closure. The roller blind incorporates lighting for the storage compartment.

[0007] DE 10 2009 041 521 B4 discloses a motor-adjustable armrest in a vehicle interior.

[0008] DE 10 2018 219 007 A1 describes a storage tray for a smartphone, which is, for example, arranged at an angle in a center console. The tray consists of a support element and a lid element.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement and a vehicle that enable a smartphone to be safely placed down during a journey.

[0010] According to the invention, this problem is solved by an arrangement having the features of claim 1 and by a vehicle having the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are described in the dependent claims.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, an arrangement is provided comprising a receiving space and a cover. The receiving space is designed to be at least partially concealed by the cover. Furthermore, the arrangement has at least one control element configured to actuate the cover. The at least one control element is positioned in a fixed location relative to the receiving space. This ensures that the position of the control element and the receiving space does not change, for example, within a vehicle interior.

[0012] According to a further aspect of the invention, a vehicle is provided which has at least one arrangement according to the invention. The arrangement can preferably be located in a vehicle interior and may, for example, be designed for the temporary storage of portable devices.

[0013] A portable device could be, for example, a smartphone, smartwatch, tablet, and the like. The device can be positioned in the storage compartment of the arrangement for safekeeping in the vehicle during travel.

[0014] Depending on the configuration, the device can be powered and charged within the recording space. This process can be inductive or via a connected charging cable.

[0015] The control element is designed to open and close the cover. Its position remains constant, ensuring easy access for operating the cover at all times. This eliminates the need for manually sliding or opening the cover, which would involve operating a moving component with a changing position. This minimizes driver distraction from the road.

[0016] In one embodiment, the at least one control element is designed as a switch, a button, a tab, a touch-sensitive surface, and / or a proximity sensor. This allows for a particularly versatile implementation of the control element. The control element can generate an electrical signal directly or indirectly to enable control of the cover. A signal or control signal generated by the control element can be received by a control unit and used to control a motor or actuator. Alternatively or additionally, the electrical signal can be provided in the form of electrical power for direct control of an electric motor or actuator by the control element.

[0017] For example, a control element designed as a tab can indirectly actuate a microswitch when the tab is pulled, which can be registered by a control unit or directly activate or deactivate an electric motor.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the at least one control element is configured to electrically and / or mechanically actuate the cover. The control element can move the cover element via a lever or other mechanical linkage. Alternatively, the control element can directly or indirectly generate an electrical signal that controls an electric drive to move the cover. The electric drive can be in the form of an electric motor, an electrically driven linear actuator, a geared motor, or the like.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, the cover can be moved into an open position, a closed position, or a partially closed position by actuating the at least one control element. This allows the control element to be used for precise control of the cover's opening degree. A user, such as a driver, can thus determine which part of the device is concealed by the cover. For example, the screen of a device positioned in the vehicle's interior can be covered or at least partially exposed by the cover. In particular, the cover can partially conceal the device in such a way that it remains visible and is not forgotten when exiting the vehicle.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the cover can be moved to the open or closed position by a single actuation of the control element. This measure enables particularly simple and intuitive operation of the device.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, repeatedly pressing the control element allows the cover to be stopped in a partially closed or partially open position. Pressing the control element again while the cover is opening or closing stops the movement. This allows the user to precisely control how much of the stored device is concealed by the cover. Pressing the control element again reverses the direction of the cover's movement.

[0022] In another embodiment, the receiving space is formed by a receiving plate spaced vertically from the cover. Alternatively or additionally, the receiving space is formed by a receiving recess that can be closed off, at least partially, by the cover. These measures enable a particularly simple manufacturing process for the arrangement.

[0023] According to another embodiment, the cover is opaque, semi-transparent, or adjustable in transparency. This allows the device's visibility to be adjusted independently of the cover's degree of opening. The cover can consist at least partially of electrochromic glass or a switchable film to adjust the transparency. This allows the cover to be set transparent, for example, before or after a journey to prevent the device from being left in the vehicle. During the journey, the cover can be set opaque to avoid potential distractions from the road. This measure can be implemented automatically by the control unit.

[0024] In a further embodiment, the cover is movable by an electric drive, which can be controlled by at least one operating element and / or by a control unit for moving the cover. The control unit can detect the actuation of the operating element, thus enabling indirect control of the cover. The cover can therefore be opened or closed by the control unit based on the actuation of the operating element. For example, when starting a journey, the cover can be moved to the closed position to ensure minimal distraction for the driver. When the journey is stopped or ended, for example by deactivating the vehicle, the control unit can automatically open the cover to remind the driver of the device placed in the storage compartment.Alternatively or additionally, the control unit can control the cover in such a way that it is changed from an opaque to a transparent state.

[0025] According to another embodiment, the receiving space is designed to accommodate and / or electrically charge at least one portable device. The portable device could be, for example, a smartwatch, a smartphone, a tablet, headphones, or the like. For instance, the receiving space could have a wired charging port or allow inductive charging of the device placed within it.

[0026] The invention is schematically illustrated with reference to embodiments in the drawings and is further described with reference to the drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 a perspective view of an arrangement in a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 a perspective view to illustrate the construction of an arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0027] Elements and components with identical or similar constructive or functional characteristics are provided with the same reference symbols across all figures.

[0028] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an arrangement 10 in a vehicle 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The arrangement 10 is positioned in a vehicle interior 110 of the vehicle 100, for example in a center console. In the illustrated embodiment, the arrangement 10 serves for the temporary storage of portable devices 20.

[0029] A portable device 10 can be, for example, a smartphone, a smartwatch, a tablet, and the like. A portable device 20 in the form of a smartphone is shown as an example. The device 20 is positioned in a storage compartment 11 of the arrangement 10 to store and electrically charge it during travel in the vehicle 100. A battery of the device 20 (not shown) is electrically charged, for example, by inductive charging, which is available within the storage compartment 11.

[0030] In addition to the receiving chamber 11, the arrangement 10 has a cover 12. The receiving chamber 11 is designed to be at least partially concealed by the cover 12. The receiving chamber 11 is trough-shaped or is bounded at the bottom by a trough-shaped base 13, on which the device 20 can be placed. Depending on the design, the base 13 of the receiving chamber 11 can have any shape and dimensions.

[0031] The cover 12 is movable parallel to and spaced from the base 13. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the receiving space 11 is formed between the cover 12 and the base 13. The arrows P illustrate the possible direction of movement of the cover 12, which is parallel to the course of the base 13. The cover 12 is guided on lateral rails 14.

[0032] Furthermore, the arrangement 10 includes a control element 15, which is configured to control the cover 12. The at least one control element 15 is positioned in a fixed location relative to the receiving space. This ensures that the position of the control element and the receiving space does not change, for example, in a vehicle interior.

[0033] The control element 15 is designed to open and close the cover 12. The position of the control element 15 remains constant and is therefore always optimally accessible to the driver 120 for operating the cover 12. This minimizes the driver's distraction from the traffic situation.

[0034] The control element 15 is shaped like a tab. In the illustrated embodiment, the control element can indirectly generate an electrical signal to move the cover 12.

[0035] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view illustrating the construction of an arrangement 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. The control element 15 shown, in the form of a tab, can be pulled by the driver 120 to indirectly actuate a microswitch 16. An actuation of the microswitch 16 is either registered by a control unit 30, which, upon registration of the actuation of the microswitch 16, activates or deactivates an electric drive 17, and / or an actuation of the microswitch 16 directly activates or deactivates the electric drive 17. In the case of indirect actuation, the control unit 30 can detect the actuated microswitch 16 based on a received electrical signal and subsequently actuate the electric drive 17 by applying current and voltage. Depending on previous actuations of the microswitch 16, the control unit 30 can also actuate the electric drive 17 with a reversed direction of rotation or stop the electric drive 17.

[0036] The electric drive 17 is exemplified in the form of an electric motor which can move the cover 12 linearly in the direction of arrow P using a gear transmission.

[0037] In the Fig. Figure 2 shows cover 12 in an open position. Fig. Figure 1 illustrates the cover 12 in a partially open position, in which the device 20 is partially covered by the cover 12. REFERENCE MARK LIST: 100 vehicles 110 Vehicle interior 120 drivers / users 10 Arrangement 11 Recording Room 12 Cover 13 Floor of the recording room 14 Guide the cover 15 Control element 16 microswitches 17 electric drive 20 portable devices 30 Control unit QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2022 130 590 A1

[0004] US 11,904,811 B2

[0005] DE 10 2012 024 667 B4

[0006] DE 10 2009 041 521 B4

[0007] DE 10 2018 219 007 A1

[0008]

Claims

[1] Arrangement (10) comprising a receiving space (11) and a cover (12), wherein the receiving space (11) is designed to be at least partially concealed by the cover (12), and comprising at least one control element (15) which is configured to control the cover (12), wherein the at least one control element (15) is positioned in a fixed location. [2] Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one control element (15) is designed as a switch, a button, a tab, a touch-sensitive surface and / or as a proximity sensor. [3] Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one control element (15) is configured to control the cover (12) electrically and / or mechanically. [4] Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cover (12) can be moved into an open position, a closed position or a partially closed position by actuating the cover (12) by the at least one control element (15). [5] Arrangement according to claim 4, wherein by a single actuation of the control element (15) the cover (12) can be moved into the open position or into the closed position, wherein by a multiple actuation of the control element (15) an initiated movement of the cover (12) can be stopped in a partially closed position or partially open position. [6] Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the receiving space (11) is formed by a receiving plate (13) spaced apart from the cover (12) in the vertical direction and / or wherein the receiving space is formed by a receiving recess which can be closed off at least partially by the cover (12). [7] Arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cover (12) is opaque or semi-transparent or is designed to be adjustable in transparency. [8] Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cover (12) is movable by an electric drive (17), wherein the electric drive (17) can be controlled by the at least one operating element (15) and / or by a control unit (30) to move the cover (12). [9] Arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the receiving space (11) is configured to receive and / or electrically charge at least one portable device (20). [10] Vehicle (100) comprising at least one arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

Images