Storage compartment with cable outlet for use as part of the interior fittings of a motor vehicle as well as motor vehicles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a storage compartment (10) for use as part of the interior fittings of a motor vehicle and to a motor vehicle with such a storage compartment (10). The storage compartment (10) has a storage space (12) bounded by a housing (11) for receiving objects, wherein the housing (12) has an access opening (13) through which the storage space (12) is accessible to the user, wherein the storage compartment (10) has at least one connection device (14) for connecting a connecting cable (30), wherein the at least one connection device (20) is formed within the storage space (12), and wherein the storage compartment (10) has a cover (15) that can be moved relative to the access opening (13) for covering the access opening (13) of the storage compartment (10) in a closed position and for at least partially releasing the access opening (13) in an open position.wherein the cover (15) has at least one recess (16), wherein the recess (16) is designed such that in the closed position a cable outlet is formed by the at least one recess (16), such that a connecting cable (30) connected to the at least one connection device (20) can be led out of the storage space (12) via the at least one recess (16) when the cover (15) is in the closed position.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage compartment for use as part of the interior fittings of a motor vehicle and to a motor vehicle with such a storage compartment.

[0002] Motor vehicles typically have storage compartments, such as a storage compartment in the center armrest or center console, or a passenger-side glove box. These compartments are often equipped with electrical or electronic connections, for example, a USB port. Devices can be connected to these connections via a cable. This device could be, for example, a smartphone, which is connected to the USB port for charging or to establish a communication link between the smartphone and the vehicle. Alternatively, the device could be a dashcam, which is connected to the port for power.

[0003] These types of storage compartments often have a cover that, when closed, conceals the connection point. If a user wants to connect the connection point to a device via a cable, the cable must be routed out of the compartment if the device is not also to be stored there. However, it is often necessary to close the cover, especially if the compartment is part of a center armrest and thus also serves as an armrest for the driver and / or front passenger. When the cover is closed, there is a risk that the cable will be obstructed or pinched, potentially leading to a jammed cover, damage to the cover, and / or damage to the cable.

[0004] Various concepts for avoiding the aforementioned problem are known from the prior art. For example, JP 6 333 123 B2 describes a box with slots on the underside for routing cables. EP 3 708 431 B1, CN 1 01 200 173 B, JP 5 151 793 B2, US 7 413 229 B2, DE 11 2013 001 577 B4, US 9 016 752 B2, EP 3 177 486 B1, DE 10 2013 217 846 B4, DE 10 2018 215 110 A1, DE 10 2017 111 025 A1 and US 2023 / 0 144 981 A1 disclose further prior art.

[0005] US 2011 / 0084511A1 discloses a storage compartment that has the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to further develop a storage compartment that allows a connecting cable to pass through when the cover is closed and has the features of the preamble of claim 1, in such a way as to prevent damage to the connecting cable. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a motor vehicle with such a storage compartment.

[0007] These tasks are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims concern advantageous further training.

[0008] The present invention relates to a storage compartment for use as part of the interior fittings of a motor vehicle. The storage compartment can, for example, be part of a center console, a center armrest, or a glove compartment. The storage compartment has a storage space bounded by a housing for receiving objects, the housing having an access opening through which the storage space is accessible to the user, the storage compartment having at least one connection device for connecting a connecting cable, the at least one connection device being formed within the storage space, the storage compartment having a cover that is movable relative to the access opening, for example, sliding or hinged, for covering the access opening of the storage compartment in a closed position and for at least partially releasing the access opening in an open position.wherein the cover has at least one recess, wherein the recess is designed such that in the closed position a cable outlet is formed by the at least one recess, such that a connecting cable connected to the at least one connection device can be led out of the storage space via the at least one recess when the cover is in the closed position.

[0009] Because the recess is formed in the area of ​​the cover, it is easily accessible for the user, for example the driver of the motor vehicle.

[0010] Preferably, the at least one connection device is a socket and / or a plug.

[0011] It is considered particularly advantageous if the recess is a breakout.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the recess is formed in a dividing plane between the housing and the cover, so that the connecting cable does not have to be routed through a circumferentially enclosed recess, for example in the form of a through-hole. A design in which the recess is formed in the dividing plane between the housing and the cover is particularly advantageous because the connecting cable can be conveniently routed with the cover open.

[0013] It is considered particularly advantageous if the recess, when the cover is in the closed position, is positioned in such a way that the connecting cable does not require excessively tight bending radii when exiting the storage compartment. This prevents damage to the connecting cable.

[0014] Furthermore, it is considered advantageous if the recess is positioned in such a way that a connecting cable routed through the recess does not cover switches, buttons or displays positioned adjacent to the storage compartment.

[0015] It is quite conceivable that the storage compartment offers an adjustment option, for example, if the storage compartment is located in the area of ​​a center armrest that is longitudinally adjustable. In such a case, the recess should preferably be positioned so that the connecting cable cannot be pinched or trapped when the storage compartment is adjusted longitudinally, for example, when adjusting the section of the storage compartment containing the cover.

[0016] It is considered particularly advantageous if the cover is a roller blind or a venetian blind or a sliding cover that can be moved within the housing.

[0017] In an advantageous further development, it is provided that the roller blind or the Venetian blind or the sliding cover has a front edge, wherein the front edge in the closed position rests against a contact surface of the housing in the direction of movement, wherein at least one recess is formed in the area of ​​the front edge, wherein the at least one recess is open in the direction of movement.

[0018] This design has the advantage that the connecting cable does not hinder the movement of the roller blind, blind, or sliding cover when opening and closing it.

[0019] It is considered particularly advantageous if the roller blind has a large number of slats. In this case, the recess is preferably formed on the foremost slat, especially on a free leading edge of the foremost slat.

[0020] In an embodiment as a blind, it is considered advantageous if the blind has a material component, wherein the blind has a stiffening element at its end, for example in the form of a plastic strip. In this case, the cutout is preferably formed at the free leading edge of the plastic strip.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the cover has a first cover flap and a second cover flap, wherein the first cover flap is pivotally hinged to a first side of the housing about a first pivot axis, and wherein the second cover flap is pivotally hinged to a second side of the housing about a second pivot axis, the first side being opposite the second side, wherein the first cover flap has a first outer edge facing away from the first pivot axis, and wherein the second cover flap has a second outer edge facing away from the second pivot axis, wherein the first outer edge and the second outer edge are adjacent to each other in the closed position, and wherein the first outer edge has a first recess, the first recess forming at least a partial area of ​​the at least one recess in the closed position.

[0022] In such an embodiment, the recess is preferably formed in the area of ​​a joint present in the closed position between the outer edges of the cover flaps.

[0023] It is considered advantageous if the second outer edge has a second recess, wherein the second recess forms a further part of the at least one recess in the closed position.

[0024] It is considered particularly advantageous if the first recess and / or the second recess is located in the area of ​​the separation plane between the first cover flap and the second cover flap.

[0025] It is considered advantageous if the first recess and / or the second recess are each formed in a corner area of ​​the respective cover flap.

[0026] In this design, the cutout is located in an edge area of ​​the cover, which is considered aesthetically advantageous. Furthermore, this design is also advantageous because the connecting cable can be routed through the cutout in the cover over an edge of the housing, thus preventing the cable from being correctly positioned and damaged. This is particularly advantageous when the cover flaps are quite thin, as such a design generally carries the risk of the connecting cable being cut into by the flaps. With this design, the edge of the housing can have a rounded edge, preventing the connecting cable from being cut into the cover.

[0027] It is provided that the housing, in particular within the storage space, has a cable holder for fixing the position of the connecting cable, wherein the cable holder is positioned such that, with a connecting cable connected to the at least one connection device and led out of the access opening, the connecting cable is aligned when the cover is in the open position, such that when the cover is moved into the closed position, the recess receives the connecting cable.

[0028] It is considered advantageous if at least one of the connection devices is a USB port.

[0029] At least one of the connection devices can be a power connection, for example a 12-volt connection.

[0030] At least one of the connection devices can be a vehicle electrical socket.

[0031] It is quite conceivable that the storage compartment has several connection devices, with each connection device being located within the storage space.

[0032] The motor vehicle according to the invention has a storage compartment according to the invention. Accordingly, the descriptions of the storage compartment according to the invention, its advantages and its advantageous further developments apply accordingly to the motor vehicle and vice versa.

[0033] It is considered advantageous if the storage compartment is part of the center console of the motor vehicle.

[0034] The following figures explain the invention in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments, without being limited to these. They show: Fig. 1. A perspective view of the interior of a motor vehicle with a storage compartment. Fig. 2. A schematic representation of the storage compartment of the motor vehicle in a semi-transparent representation. Fig. 3 an embodiment of the storage compartment in a top view, Fig. 4 Another embodiment of the storage compartment in a top view.

[0035] The Fig. Figure 1 shows the interior of a motor vehicle in a perspective view. The interior of the motor vehicle has a center console 80 in an area between a driver's seat and a passenger seat. A storage compartment 10 is formed in this center console 80. The storage compartment 10 itself is shown in the Fig. 2 schematically represented.

[0036] The storage compartment 10 has a storage space 12 bounded by a housing 11. This storage space 12 serves to hold objects. The housing 11 has an access opening 13, through which the storage space 12 is accessible to the user, for example, to place objects in the storage space 12. The storage compartment 10 has a cover 15 that can be moved relative to the access opening 13 to cover the access opening 13 of the storage compartment 10 in a closed position and to at least partially uncover the access opening 13 when the cover 15 is open. The cover 15 can, for example, be designed as a roller blind 55. Such an embodiment of the storage compartment 10 is shown in the Fig. 3 shown. Alternatively, the cover 15 can also be designed in the form of a portal flap. Such a design is shown in the Fig. 4 shown.

[0037] Regardless of the design of the cover 15, the cover 15 has a recess 16. The recess 16 is designed such that, in the closed position of the cover 15, at least one recess 16 forms a cable outlet. This cable outlet can be used to route a connecting cable 30 out of the storage compartment 12 via the at least one recess 16 when the cover 15 is in the closed position. The routed connecting cable 30 can, for example, be used to connect a device 40, such as a smartphone, to a connection device 14 located within the storage compartment 12. In this case, the connection device 14 is a USB port or USB connector.

[0038] To ensure the correct positioning of the connecting cable 30 even when the cover 15 is open, so that when the cover 15 is closed (i.e., when it is moved from the open to the closed position), the connecting cable 30 is correctly positioned relative to the recess 16 to prevent the connecting cable 30 from being pinched during the closing process, the storage compartment 10 has a cable holder 70 for securing the connecting cable 30. The cable holder 70 is located within the storage space 12.

[0039] The Fig. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the storage compartment 10 in which the cover 15 is designed as a roller blind 55 slidably guided in the housing 11. The roller blind 55 has a leading edge 56 that extends forward in the direction of movement X from the open position to the closed position, with the leading edge 56 resting against a contact surface 114 of the housing 11 in the closed position of the roller blind 55. The recess 16 is formed in the area of ​​the leading edge 56, and the recess 16 is open in the direction of movement X. In this respect, the recess 16 is designed as a cutout in the dividing plane between the leading edge 56 and the contact surface 114.

[0040] The Fig.Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the storage compartment 10, in which the cover 15 has a first cover flap 61 and a second cover flap 62. The first cover flap 61 is pivotally hinged to a first side 111 of the housing 11 about a first pivot axis S1. The second cover flap 62 is pivotally hinged to a second side 112 of the housing 11, opposite the first side 111, about a second pivot axis S2. The first pivot axis S1 and the second pivot axis S2 are parallel to each other.

[0041] The first cover flap 61 has a first outer edge 611 facing away from the first pivot axis S1. The second cover flap 62 has a second outer edge 621 facing away from the second pivot axis S2. In the closed position, the first outer edge 611 and the second outer edge 621 abut each other, such that a narrow gap is formed between the outer edges 611 and 621. The first outer edge 611 has a first recess 161 that is open in the direction of the second outer edge 621. The second outer edge 621 has a second recess 162 that is open in the direction of the first outer edge 611. In the closed position, the first recess 161 and the second recess 162 together form the recess 16. The recesses 161, 162 are formed in a corner area of ​​the respective cover flap 61, 62. Reference symbol list 10 storage compartments 11 cases 12 storage space 13 Access opening 14 Connection device 15 Cover 16 recess 30 connecting cables 40 devices 55 Roller blind 56 Leading edge 61 first cover flap 62 second cover flap 70 cable holder 80 Center console 111 first page 112 second page 114 m² of installation area 161 first exception 162 second exclusion 611 first outer edge 621 second outer edge S1 first pivot axis S2 second pivot axis X Direction of movement

Claims

[1] Storage compartment (10) for use as part of the interior fittings of a motor vehicle, wherein the storage compartment (10) has a storage space (12) bounded by a housing (11) for receiving objects, wherein the housing (11) has an access opening (13), wherein the storage space (12) is accessible to the user via the access opening (13), wherein the storage compartment (10) has at least one connection device (14) for connecting a connecting cable (30), wherein the at least one connection device (14) is formed within the storage space (12), wherein the storage compartment (10) has a cover (15) that can be moved relative to the access opening (13) for covering the access opening (13) of the storage compartment (10) in a closed position and for at least partially releasing the access opening (13) in an open position, wherein the cover (15) has at least one recess (16), wherein the recess (16) is designed such that is,that in the closed position, a cable outlet is formed by the at least one recess (16), such that a connecting cable (30) connected to the at least one connection device (20) can be led out of the storage space (12) via the at least one recess (16) when the cover (15) is in the closed position, characterized by , that the housing (11) has a cable holder (70) for fixing the position of the connecting cable (30), wherein the cable holder (70) is positioned such that, when a connecting cable (30) is connected to the at least one connection device (14) and led out of the access opening (13), the connecting cable (30) is aligned when the cover (15) is in the open position, such that when the cover (15) is moved into the closed position, the recess (16) receives the connecting cable (30). [2] Storage compartment (10) according to claim 1, wherein the cover (15) is a roller blind (55) slidably guided in the housing (11) or a venetian blind slidably guided in the housing (11) or a sliding cover slidably guided in the housing (11). [3] Storage compartment (10) according to claim 2, wherein the roller blind (55) or the venetian blind or the sliding cover has a front edge (56), wherein the front edge (56) in the closed position in the direction of movement (X) rests against a contact surface (114) of the housing (11), wherein the at least one recess (16) is formed in the area of ​​the front edge (56), wherein the at least one recess (16) is open in the direction of movement (X). [4] Storage compartment (10) according to claim 1, wherein the cover (15) has a first cover flap (61) and a second cover flap (62), wherein the first cover flap (61) is pivotally hinged to a first side (111) of the housing (11) about a first pivot axis (S1) and wherein the second cover flap (62) is pivotally hinged to a second side (112) of the housing (11) about a second pivot axis (S2), wherein the first side (111) is opposite the second side (112), wherein the first cover flap (61) has a first outer edge (611) facing away from the first pivot axis (S1), wherein the second cover flap (62) has a second outer edge (621) facing away from the second pivot axis (S2), wherein the first outer edge (611) and the second outer edge (621) are adjacent to each other in the closed position, wherein the first outer edge (611) has a first recess (161),wherein the first recess (161) in the closed position forms at least a part of the at least one recess (16). [5] Storage compartment (10) according to claim 4, wherein the second outer edge (621) has a second recess (162), wherein the second recess (162) in the closed position forms a further part of the at least one recess (16). [6] Storage compartment (10) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first recess (161) and / or the second recess (162) are formed in a corner area of ​​the respective cover flap. [7] Storage compartment (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cable holder (70) is formed within the storage space (12). [8] Storage compartment (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one connection device (14) is a USB port. [9] Motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle has a storage compartment (10) according to any of the preceding claims. [10] Motor vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the storage compartment (10) is part of a center console (80) of the motor vehicle.

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