Electrically operated storage device, in particular for a vehicle, and motor vehicle with such a storage device

Abstract

An electrically operated storage device (1), in particular a glove box (2) for a motor vehicle, is disclosed, which enables both fully automated opening and closing of a lid (6) of the storage device (1) and manual closing of the lid (6) in combination with an electric closing function. The storage device (1) comprises a housing (4) defining a cavity (7) and a lid (6) pivotably mounted on the housing (4), wherein the lid (6) is pivotable between an open position in which the cavity (7) is completely open to the outside and a closed position in which the lid (6) is closed against the housing (4) and the cavity (7) is completely closed to the outside.The lid (6) is associated with an electric drive (9) comprising an electric motor (14) and a power transmission mechanism (16), which is effectively inserted between the electric motor (14) and the lid (6). The electric drive (9) is designed and controllable to assist the fully automated opening and closing of the lid (6). The storage device (1) further comprises sensor and control means (68, 69, 11) that detect manual placement of the lid (6) up to a pre-closing position defined between the open position and the closed position, and then initiate an automated movement of the lid (6) from the pre-closing position to the closed position, assisted by the electric drive (9). A motor vehicle with such a storage device (1) is also disclosed.

Description

[0001] The present application relates to a storage device, in particular for a vehicle, with an electrically operated lid and a motor vehicle with such a storage device.

[0002] Motor vehicles include a variety of storage devices, compartments, and trays within the vehicle interior that can be used to stow small items such as documents, keys, mobile phones, drinks, and the like. These devices may also include additional functional elements such as USB or card slots. The storage devices can be integrated into the interior trim of a vehicle or located in other areas of the passenger compartment.

[0003] For example, a glove compartment or box is generally integrated into the dashboard of a motor vehicle. This provides storage space that can be opened and closed outwards via a lid, such as a hinged one. Glove boxes are usually operated manually, with the driver or front passenger opening and closing them by hand. Because the glove box is generally integrated into the dashboard on the passenger side, it is more difficult for the driver to reach. Therefore, the driver may be distracted while operating the glove box while driving.

[0004] Furthermore, problems can arise from manually operating a storage device, such as a glove box. Excessive or inappropriate force applied by the user can damage the lid, for example, if the lid strikes an object in the opening area while closing. Additionally, slamming the lid quickly or forcefully can produce rattling or clattering noises, and maintaining a clean, consistent seal between the lid and the housing over the device's lifespan can be difficult. Generally, sealing the contact surfaces between the lid and the housing is necessary to both reduce noise when manually closing the lid and ensure a tight seal.Overall, safety, quality and user comfort can be compromised with manually operated storage devices.

[0005] Electrically operated glove boxes are also known, e.g., from DE 20 2018 103 920 U1, which use a DC motor and a gearbox to electrically move a hinged lid between the open and closed positions. However, these generally require quite complex mechanically moving parts and drive and / or locking elements, which are at least partially located inside the housing and / or on the back of the lid. This reduces the storage space and increases the risk of collision with objects in the storage space when the lid is closed. If a collision is detected during electrical closing, the DC motor can be switched off. However, if the lid is closed manually, components of the housing, lid, or drive could be damaged by excessive force if the lid encounters obstacles in the storage space.

[0006] However, the option of being able to close a storage compartment, especially a glove box, manually in addition to electrically can certainly be desirable. This allows for simple and intuitive operation for both the driver and the passenger.

[0007] Based on this, it is an object of the present invention to eliminate or at least reduce the shortcomings known from conventional storage devices, particularly in vehicles, and to create a storage device that improves the safety, quality, ease of use, and / or flexibility of use. Preferably, the storage device should have a simple, cost-effective design with optimized storage space and enable safe, reliable, durable, and flexible operation.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to create a motor vehicle with such a storage device.

[0009] These problems are solved by a storage device having the features of independent claim 1 and a motor vehicle with a storage device having the features of dependent claim 16. Particularly preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the invention, a storage device, particularly for a vehicle, is provided, comprising a housing defining a cavity, a lid movably arranged on the housing, and an electric drive associated with the movable lid. The lid is movable between an open position, in which the cavity is completely open to the outside, and a closed position, in which the lid is closed against the housing and the cavity is completely closed to the outside. The electric drive comprises an electric motor and a power transmission mechanism effectively inserted between the electric motor and the lid, and is configured and controllable to effect automated opening of the lid to the open position and automated closing of the lid to the closed position, assisted by the electric drive.Furthermore, the storage device has means that are set up to detect a manual closing of the lid to a pre-closing position defined between the opening position and the closing position, and then to effect an electrically operated, electrically assisted automated movement of the lid from the pre-closing position to the closed position.

[0011] Thus, a storage device, forming a storage compartment or cubby, is created whose lockable lid can be opened and closed both electrically and manually by a user. In manual closing, the storage device, and in particular the electric drive, is designed to implement an electrically operated closing or self-closing function, in which the lid is moved from the pre-closing position to the closed position against the housing and locked by the electric drive.

[0012] The lid thus has essentially three defined positions: In the open position, the lid is fully open, and the cavity of the housing or the space between the housing and the open lid is accessible. This allows items to be easily placed in or removed from the storage space. The storage space can, for example, be formed by the cavity of the housing, which is loaded with items from the front (so-called front-loading design), or the storage space can be located on the back of the lid facing the housing and be loaded from the top (so-called top-loading design).

[0013] In the closed position, the lid is completely closed, blocking access to the storage compartment. For example, in the application of a glove box, the lid sits flush with the contour of a motor vehicle's dashboard. The closed position is preferably locked so that the lid cannot be opened, or only with excessive force.

[0014] The lid also features a defined pre-closing position, which is an intermediate position between the open and closed positions. In this position, the lid is not fully closed but is at least partially separated from the housing. For example, in the pre-closing position, the lid may be pivoted or opened by approximately 2-3 degrees or up to 5 degrees relative to the front of the housing. Manual placement of the lid in the pre-closing position is automatically detected, and the electric drive then closes or fully closes the lid against the housing.

[0015] The invention therefore provides for both a purely electrically operated, fully automated movement of the lid between the open and closed positions in both directions, and a combination of manual closing and automated final closing or pulling of the lid shut. A driver can, for example, initiate automated opening or closing of the storage compartment by means of a suitable control element, such as a button or push button located nearby, for example on the steering wheel or dashboard, thus minimizing driver distraction and increasing safety and ease of use through fully automated operation. A corresponding control element, such as a control panel on a touch-sensitive display, can also be provided for the passenger. Alternatively, it is also possible for a user to close the glove compartment manually. This increases flexibility of use.The lid no longer needs to be slammed shut, but only gently closed. The electric closing mechanism moves and presses the lid against the housing in a uniform manner, preventing rattling noises and ensuring better, more consistent gaps along the lid's edge and a tight seal. This is achieved by pulling the lid against the housing with a controlled movement and defined, controlled force. Seals between the housing and the lid, used for sealing and noise reduction, can be omitted if desired.

[0016] The storage device according to the invention is suitable as any storage compartment or compartment, in particular as a glove box, for use in a motor vehicle. The storage device can be provided as a prefabricated module and quickly and easily integrated and installed in a designated opening, for example in the dashboard of a motor vehicle. The storage device can be of a simple, low-complexity design and enable long-lasting operation, while improving safety, quality, ease of use, and flexibility of use.

[0017] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the lid can be pivotally mounted on the housing about a horizontal pivot axis. The lid is then a flap or hinged door pivotally attached to the horizontal pivot axis, which is folded down to open, providing access to the storage space, or folded down against the housing to close the storage space. The horizontal pivot axis is preferably located near the front lower edge of the housing.

[0018] It is advantageous if the lid is designed and arranged such that it can be moved into the open position by its own weight alone, unless subjected to a force in the direction of the closed position. For this purpose, the lid can be suitably shaped and suspended or supported, and its weight can be distributed such that the lid tends to move or pivot into the open position by gravity alone, unless prevented from such an opening movement by an external force, e.g., held in place.

[0019] In principle, designs are possible in which the complete opening of the lid is assisted by a preloading device, e.g., a spring. However, designs without preloading devices are preferred, as they not only offer a simpler and more cost-effective construction but also allow the lid to be closed more easily with less force.

[0020] In advantageous embodiments of any of the aforementioned storage devices, the pivoting lid can have a lid plate and a lid arm that is rigidly connected to the lid plate, preferably formed integrally with it. The lid arm can be effectively coupled to the power transmission mechanism of the electric drive in order to convert a controlled movement of the electric motor into a pivoting movement of the lid.

[0021] In a simple design, the cover arm can be arranged on the rear side of the cover plate and project away from it, forming a two-sided lever with the cover plate that pivots about the pivot axis. A first lever arm of the two-sided lever is formed by the cover plate, while the second lever arm is formed by the cover arm. Preferably, two cover arms are attached to both sides of the cover plate and spaced horizontally apart from each other such that they can be positioned on horizontally opposite sides, particularly the outer sides, of the housing.

[0022] Preferably, the entire electric drive, including the electric motor and power transmission mechanism, is mounted entirely on the outside of the housing, for example, on the outer rear and side surfaces. The housing cavity and the inner or rear surface of the lid facing the housing can then be completely free of any electric drive components. Preferably, there are also no locking mechanisms for securing the lid to the housing. The lid can be completely flat, minimizing the risk of collision with objects in the storage compartment when closing the lid. If the storage device is installed in a vehicle, the locking mechanism is preferably not visible from the outside, improving the overall aesthetics.

[0023] The power transmission mechanism serves to convert the movement of the electric motor into a movement, in particular a pivoting movement of the lid. Various configurations of the power transmission mechanism are possible for this purpose, including gear drives, telescopic devices, and the like. In preferred, simple, and robust embodiments of the invention, the power transmission mechanism comprises a slide that is guided in a guide on the housing, allowing linear movement essentially horizontally forwards and backwards, toward and away from the lid, and a drive element that connects the slide to the electric motor. Preferably, such a power transmission mechanism is provided on both lateral outer sides of the housing and driven by a single electric motor to apply uniform forces to the lid on both sides and to enable controlled movement.

[0024] In an advantageous configuration of the aforementioned embodiments of the storage device, the drive element can be a flexible push-pull drive element that meshes with a threaded spindle driven by the electric motor. The flexible push-pull drive element can, in particular, be a gradient cable, which is a flexible drive cable or wire rope with an endless helix that can be subjected to both tension and compression. The gradient cable can preferably be guided in a tube and connected at one end to the threaded spindle of the electric motor and at the other end to the carriage. The movement of the carriage is thus effected by frictional engagement. Instead of a wire rope, a flexible shaft could also be provided as the core of the gradient cable.Although other drive means are possible for powering the carriage, the use of incline cables offers the advantages of a relatively simple, space-saving, cost-effective and reliable drive device that enables a linear transmission of compressive and tensile forces to the carriage(s).

[0025] In advantageous embodiments, where the lid is designed as a two-sided lever with the lid arm projecting from the rear of the lid plate, the slide can preferably be in a detachable, effective coupling connection with a free end of the lid arm. This allows for a coupled pivoting movement of the lid arm with the electrically driven linear movement of the slide during automated closing or opening of the lid, while simultaneously allowing decoupling of the lid arm from the slide during manual closing. During automated lid closing, the slide can act against the free end of the lid arm during its retraction movement to pivot the lid towards the housing. During automated lid opening, the slide can relieve the free end of the lid arm during its extension movement, allowing the lid to pivot into the open position under its own weight.

[0026] In particularly preferred embodiments, the storage device can further comprise a locking lever rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis of rotation parallel to the pivot axis of the lid. This locking lever is pivotable between a locking position and a release position and is biased towards the locking position by a biasing means. The locking lever is formed on both sides with a first lever arm and a second lever arm. In the locking position, the first lever arm can be engaged with the lid arm to hold the lid in the partially closed and closed positions, and in the release position, it releases the lid arm. The second lever arm preferably has a free end designed to effectively engage with the slide.

[0027] In the locked position, the locking lever can hold the free end of the lid arm in place, for example, to fix the lid in the pre-closing position so that it does not swing back into the open position due to its own weight before the lid is closed by the electric motor, or to lock the lid in the closed position so that it cannot be opened improperly by an external force. In the release position, the locking lever disengages from the free end of the lid arm, so that the lid can be moved freely in both directions, towards the open or closed position, by the locking lever.

[0028] The lid can be locked in the closed position by means of the locking lever(s) located on the outside of the housing. Advantageously, no locking mechanisms are provided in the cavity of the housing or on the back of the lid plate, as are common in conventional glove box designs.

[0029] In advantageous embodiments, the slide can be effectively coupled to the locking lever to move the locking lever from the locked position to the release position as needed. For this purpose, the slide can have a first guide surface and a second guide surface, which are designed and arranged to guide the free end of the second lever arm of the locking lever. The first guide surface can have a steep angle relative to the horizontal and transition into the second guide surface, which can have a shallower angle relative to the horizontal compared to the first guide surface. The first guide surface is designed such that, when the slide moves away from the locking lever to open the lid, the free end of the second lever arm can slide along the first guide surface and pivot the locking lever relatively quickly to release the free end of the lid arm.Subsequently, with further movement of the slide, the free end of the second lever arm can slide along the second guide surface, allowing the free end of the lid arm to leave the area of ​​the locking lever and the lid to pivot freely into the open position. The second guide surface could also be essentially horizontal.

[0030] When the lid is opened, the locking lever is effectively decoupled from both the lid arm and the slide, allowing the lid arm to pivot in conjunction with the slide's linear movement until the slide reaches its front end stop and the lid is fully open. After a brief period in the release position, the locking lever is returned to the locked position by its preloading mechanism. To facilitate easy re-coupling of the locking lever with the slide when closing the lid, the second lever arm of the locking lever is preferably designed to be slightly flexible in the transverse direction, allowing it to bend elastically relative to a connection point with the first lever arm.Furthermore, the slide preferably has an inclined surface arranged to allow the free end of the second lever arm, when the slide moves towards the locking lever, to pass over the inclined surface and the first and second guide surfaces into a recess in the slide that defines at least the first guide surface. The locking lever and the slide are then again effectively coupled by force and form for a subsequent opening operation.

[0031] The means provided to detect manual closing of the lid to the pre-closing position may include any suitable sensor, comprising at least one mechanical switch, an optical, capacitive, or inductive position sensor, and / or an optical, capacitive, or inductive proximity sensor. The sensor may detect the lid's position in or approach to the pre-closing position and send a corresponding sensor signal to a higher-level control system, or close an electrical circuit to supply the electric motor with a current pulse and electrically pull the lid into the closed position.

[0032] In a preferred, simple, and robust embodiment, the sensor includes an electrical microswitch configured to be actuated directly or indirectly by the lid when it is in the pre-closed position. For example, the microswitch can be actuated by the lid arm. In an advantageous embodiment, the microswitch is actuated by a damper element connected to the lid arm. The activated microswitch can close an electrical circuit and / or signal to a higher-level control device that the lid is in the pre-closed position.

[0033] Preferably, a control device for the automated operation of the lid is provided. The control device can be configured to receive input signals indicating an operator's wish to automatically open and close the storage device, and input signals indicating that the lid is positioned in the pre-closing position. It can then cause the electric motor to be supplied with a current pulse to move the lid into its closed or open position. Thus, the control device also monitors or controls the closing function for the lid. The current pulse for the electric motor can have a limited duration suitable for the respective function. Preferably, the electric motor is switched off via current limits when the carriage reaches one of its end stops.The latter is also advantageous in the event of a collision between the lid and objects in the storage space, in order to avoid damage to the power transmission mechanism, the electric motor, the housing and / or the lid.

[0034] According to a further aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle is provided with a storage device, wherein the storage device can be configured according to any embodiment described above and can, in particular, be used as a glove compartment in the dashboard of the motor vehicle. The storage device is preferably a complete, ready-made module that can be installed in a corresponding opening pre-fabricated in the dashboard. The aforementioned and other advantages of the storage device according to the invention with regard to its improved design and use also apply to the motor vehicle equipped with the storage device and benefit the motor vehicle as a whole.

[0035] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the patent claims, the following description of preferred embodiments, and the drawings.

[0036] The drawing does not depict any limiting embodiments of the subject matter of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals are used in all figures to denote the same parts or components, and unless otherwise specified, the descriptions apply accordingly to all figures. The figures show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a section of a motor vehicle interior with an open glove box to illustrate a preferred application area of ​​a storage device according to the invention, in a highly schematic representation; Fig. 2 a perspective view from the front of the storage device according to an embodiment of the invention with the lid open; Fig. 3 a perspective view from the front of the storage device after Fig. 2 with closed lids; Fig. 4 a perspective view from above and behind of the storage device according to Fig. 2, in simplified form; Fig. 5a-5b the storage device according to Fig. 2 in a side view with the lid closed and open; Fig. 6a-6d Detailed drawings of the storage device according to the invention Fig. 2 enlarged partial side views to illustrate an automated opening of the lid of the storage device; Fig. 7 an isolated perspective top view of the electric drive for the storage device according to Fig. 2 with an electric motor and a gearbox according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 8 an enlarged partial detail view of a locking lever, slide and lid arm of the storage device according to the invention, in a view from below; Fig. Figures 9a-9c show a schematic side view of the storage device according to the invention. Fig. 2 in an open position, a pre-closing position and a closed position of the lid, in a representation similar to the representation in the Fig. 5a-5b, to illustrate how to manually close the lid of the storage device; Fig. 10a-10d Detailed views of the force transmission mechanism of the storage device according to the invention in partial side views similar to the illustrations in the Fig. 6a-6d, to illustrate the manual closing process; and Fig. 11a-11c Side views of the storage device according to the invention in simplified representations similar to the representations in the Fig. 9a-9c, to illustrate a fully automated closing of the lid of the storage device.

[0037] Fig. Figure 1 shows a highly schematic representation of a storage device 1 in the form of a glove box 2, arranged in the dashboard 3 of a motor vehicle, to illustrate an environment in which the invention can be applied. Although the glove box 2 is referred to here as the preferred embodiment of the storage device 1 according to the invention, it is readily apparent that the storage device 1 according to the invention can also form other storage compartments or compartments that differ from a glove box. Furthermore, the storage device 1 need not necessarily be used in a motor vehicle or other vehicle, but can also be used as a storage compartment or compartment in other areas.

[0038] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, the glove box 2 has a box-shaped housing 4 and a lid 6, which together form a component or module separate from the dashboard 3. This component can be prefabricated and inserted into the dashboard 3. The housing 4 defines an internal cavity 7, accessible via an access opening 5 on the front end of the housing 4. In the illustrated embodiment, this cavity serves as storage space for items such as documents, wallets, keys, mobile phones, or the like. In the illustrated front-loading design, items can be loaded into the cavity 6 from the front through the access opening 5 when the lid 6 is open. In an alternative top-loading design, the storage space is usually formed by a separate compartment at the rear of the lid 6, and items can be loaded into the storage space from above.The invention can be applied to storage devices of both front-loading and top-loading designs.

[0039] The lid 6 of the glove box 2, which can also be called a flap, serves to open or close the housing 4 with the storage compartment as needed. For this purpose, the lid 6 is attached to the housing 4 by a Fig. 1. A merely indicated horizontal pivot axis 8 is pivotably mounted. When the lid 6 is pivoted into the open position or folded down, the storage compartment of the storage device is accessible and can be loaded from the front or from above. In the open position, the lid 6 and thus the cavity 7 of the housing 4 are fully open, while in the closed position, the lid 6 is closed against the housing 4 and the cavity 6 is completely sealed to the outside. Fig. Figure 1 shows only a partially open position of the lid 6.

[0040] The glove box 2 also has an electric drive 9 associated with the movable lid 6, which is located in Fig. 1 is only indicated by dashed lines. The electric drive 9 comprises an electric motor 11 and a power transmission mechanism, which are configured and controllable to accomplish automated opening of the lid 6 into the open position and automated closing of the lid 6 into the closed position, assisted by the electric drive 9. The electric drive 9 and further mechanics of the storage device 1 according to the invention are described below in connection with the Fig. 2-11 explained in more detail.

[0041] Referring again to Fig. A control unit 11 is assigned to the storage device 1, which controls the operation of the storage device 1, including the electric drive 9. The control unit 11 can be a hardware-based electronic control or a processor-based control that executes a software or firmware program. It can be part of a vehicle control system or a controller that manages certain functions of the vehicle. The control unit 11 is connected to a power supply 12, which can be coupled to or integrated into the vehicle's power supply and is electrically connected to the electric drive 9 via a connecting line 13 to supply it with power.

[0042] By now focusing on the Fig. Reference is made to 2-11, the storage device 1 or the glove box 2 including the electric drive 9 and the locking and opening mechanism of the storage device 1 shall be described in more detail. Fig. Figure 2 shows the glove box 2 with the lid 6 in the open position, in which the lid is folded down to its maximum extent and access to the cavity 6 is provided via the front access opening 5 of the housing 4. Fig. Figure 3 shows the closed glove box 2 with the lid 6 in its closed position. Access to the cavity 6 or storage space of the glove box 2 is blocked.

[0043] Fig. Figure 4 shows a perspective top view of the upper and rear of the glove box 2, illustrating the electric drive 9, which comprises an electric motor 14 and a power transmission mechanism 16. The electric motor 14 can be any type of actuator, in particular a DC motor, which can be rotated in different directions depending on the polarity of the current supplied to the motor, thus effecting the automated opening or closing of the lid 6. By additionally focusing on the Fig. 5a and Fig. As referenced in section 5b, it is evident that the power transmission mechanism 16 comprises a gear 17 and a slide 18. The slide 18 is linearly movable to act on the cover 6 in order to move it into the Fig. 3 and Fig. 5a to pivot into the closed position shown or into the position shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. to swivel to the opening position shown in 5b.

[0044] More precisely, the slide 18 interacts with a cover arm 19, which projects essentially perpendicularly from a rear surface 21 of a cover plate 22. The rear surface 21 is the inner side of the cover plate 22, which, in the closed position of the cover 6, faces the cavity 7 of the housing 4. The cover plate 22 is essentially flat. The cover arm 19 and the cover plate 22 form two lever arms of a two-sided lever, which is pivotally mounted about the pivot axis 8 located at the junction between the cover plate 22 and the cover arm 19. The cover arm 19 and the cover plate 22 are preferably formed in one piece, for example, cast from plastic or molded from another material suitable, for instance, for use in a dashboard. The cover arm 19 could also be manufactured as a separate component and attached to the cover plate 22.

[0045] The cover plate 22 and the cover arm 19 are designed and mounted such that the cover 6 can move or pivot into the open position solely by its own weight, without requiring any auxiliary devices such as springs. For this purpose, the cover plate 22 is also significantly heavier than the cover arm(s) 19 and is inclined relative to the horizontal in the closed position. The center of gravity of the cover 6 is located in the area of ​​the cover plate 22, spaced from a vertical plane passing through the pivot axis 8, in order to exert a torque on the cover in the direction of opening.

[0046] As can be seen particularly from the Fig. 5a, Fig. 5b and the detailed views of the Fig. As can be seen in Figures 6a-6d, the lid arm 19 has a contact surface 24 at its free end 23, which is slightly concave and effectively engages with a slightly convex contact surface 26 formed on the side of the slide 18 facing the lid arm 19. The contact surfaces 24 and 26 of the lid arm 19 and the slide 18 are shaped to fit each other such that when the slide 18 pivots the lid arm 19 during its movement, the contact surfaces 24 and 26 can slide against each other in the vertical direction without significant frictional forces. Thus, the linear movement of the slide 18 in the horizontal direction can be converted into a pivoting movement of the lid arm 19 about the pivot axis 8.

[0047] Where directional terms such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "vertical," and "horizontal" are used, they should be understood in the corresponding sense as the glove box 2 is installed in the dashboard 3 and viewed by a user. Thus, "front" or "forward" refers to the front of the glove box 2 visible to the user, or the direction towards the front of the housing 4 with the access opening 5, while "back" and "backward" refer to the rear of the glove box 2, to which the electric motor 14 is attached, and the direction towards it. Similarly, the terms "top" and "bottom" are to be understood as vertical directional terms, so that, for example, the pivot axis 8 is located on the lower side of the housing 4 and the lid 6 is located in the Fig. The opening position shown in 5b pivots downwards. The horizontal direction is determined by the horizontal installation position of glove box 2 and can, for example, essentially run from front to back or vice versa, perpendicular to the vertical direction, which is oriented from top to bottom or vice versa. Here, "transverse direction" is generally understood to mean a direction perpendicular to the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0048] As especially in the Fig. 6c and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 6d, the upper free end 23 of the cover arm 19 has a recess 27 which is surrounded or bounded by a three-sided wall 28 and is open to the outside at its outer upper end. A portion of the wall 28 facing the rear of the housing 4 forms a locking finger 29 which can be engaged by a locking lever 31 described below to hold the cover 6 in a defined position.

[0049] Referring again to the slide 18, the slide 18 is guided in a guide 32 so as to be linearly movable in a horizontal direction towards and away from the cover 6. The guide 32 is designed in the form of a guide rail, which is mounted on a side wall 33 of the housing 4. A closed front end 34 of the guide 32, which is located near the access opening 5, forms a first stop 36 for the slide 18 when the slide 18 reaches its fully extended position. A rear end 37 of the guide 32 forms a second stop 38 for the slide 18 when the slide 18 reaches its fully retracted position.

[0050] The slide 18 further has various functional surfaces on its outwardly facing side surface 39, which faces away from the guide 32 and is oriented substantially vertically. In particular, the side surface 39 has a first guide surface 41 and a second guide surface 42 for the locking lever 31. The first guide surface extends obliquely upwards and backwards from a lower surface 43 of the slide 18 at a relatively steep angle of approximately 30–50°, in particular 40–50°, and transitions into the second guide surface 42, which has a shallow angle relative to the horizontal of only about 0–5°, e.g., 1–2°. The second guide surface 42 could also be oriented substantially horizontally.

[0051] The side surface 39 of the slide 18 further comprises an inclined surface 44, which is inclined towards a vertical plane defined by the guide 32, and which transitions via an intermediate surface 46, which is substantially parallel to a vertical plane defined by the guide 32, into a recess 47 formed in the side surface 39 and which defines the first and second guide surfaces 41, 42. The inclined surface 44 and the intermediate surface 46 are also in Fig. Figure 8 illustrates a section of the power transmission mechanism 16 with the cover arm 19 and the slide 18 as well as the locking lever 31 in a partial top view from below.

[0052] For the movement of the carriage 18, the power transmission mechanism 16 includes the gearbox 17, which converts a rotary motion of the electric motor 14 into the linear motion of the carriage 18. In the preferred embodiment, and as particularly described in the Fig. 4 and Fig. As illustrated in Figure 7, the gearbox 17 comprises a threaded spindle 48 driven by the electric motor 14, which may be attached to or formed on the output shaft of the electric motor 14, and a flexible tensile-compressive drive element 49, which here includes a pitch cable 51. The pitch cable 51 is a wire rope or cable that can be subjected to both tension and compression, for which purpose it is formed with an endless helix 52 (not shown in detail here) that meshes with the threaded spindle 48, as shown in Figure 7. Fig. 7 indicated.

[0053] The incline cable 51 is guided in a tube 53, which extends essentially from the electric motor 14 located here at the rear of the glove box 2, around the corner of the housing 4, to the guide 32. As can be seen in particular from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, the elements of the power transmission mechanism 16, including the guide 32, the slide 18 and the cover arm 19, are provided on both side walls 33 of the housing 4, so that the flexible pull-push drive means 49 has two incline cables 51 which drive the respective slide 18 to the common electric motor 14 in order to move both slides 18 linearly forward or backward in the same direction.

[0054] As already mentioned, and referring again to the Fig. 5a-b, Fig. 6a-d and Fig. In section 8, the glove box 2 has a locking lever 31, which serves to hold or lock the lid arm 19 in predetermined positions of the lid 6 as required. The locking lever 31 is rotatably mounted on a pivot pin 56 about a horizontal axis of rotation 54, which runs parallel to the pivot axis 8 of the lid 6, and is pivotable between a locked position, in which the locking lever 31 engages the lid arm 19, and a released position, in which the locking lever 31 disengages from the lid arm 19. A preloading device 57, which here comprises a coil spring 58 wound around the pivot pin 56, preloads the locking lever 31 towards the locked position. The coil spring 58 is fixed to the housing at one end, while its other end is supported against the locking lever 31 and exerts pressure. A locking lever 31 is arranged on each side wall 33 of the housing 4 of the glove box 2 to interact with a respective lid arm 19.

[0055] The locking lever 31 is designed as a two-sided lever with a first lever arm 59 and a second lever arm 61. The first lever arm 59 has a curved locking tongue 62 at its free end, which engages and disengages with the locking finger 29 at the free end 23 of the cover arm 19 in order to hold or release the cover arm 19.

[0056] The second lever arm 61 shows, as also in particular in Fig. Figure 8 illustrates a first section or connecting section 63, a second, flexible section 64, and a free end 66. The connecting section 63 is significantly more robust than the flexible section 64 and connects the flexible section 64 to the first lever arm 59. The flexible section 61 is a thin, essentially rectangular strip of the material forming the locking lever 31, which is connected at one end at the connection point 67 to the more robust connecting section 63 and is preferably integral with it. This allows the flexible section 64 to be elastically bendable about the connection point 67 in the transverse direction, enabling elastic deflection of the free end 66 of the second lever arm 61 when it engages with functional surfaces, in particular the inclined surface 44 and the intermediate surface 46 of the slide 18.The free end 66 of the second lever arm 61 is slightly thickened and cylindrically shaped to ensure stable guidance of the free end 66 on the first and second guide surfaces 41, 42 of the slide 18.

[0057] As can be seen from the characters, especially the Fig. As shown in Figures 10a-10d, the glove box 2 has a sensor 68 which serves to detect the positioning of the lid 6 in a defined pre-closing position. The pre-closing position is an intermediate position of the lid 6 between the open position and the closed position, in which the lid 6 is not completely closed, but is at least partially separated from the housing 4. The pre-closing position is, for example, Fig. Figure 9b illustrates this. In the pre-closing position, the cover can be pivoted approximately 2-3 degrees or up to 5 degrees relative to the front face of the housing 4 and be slightly ajar. Manual closing of the cover 4 to the pre-closing position is automatically detected by the sensor 68, which then triggers an electrically operated closing or final closing of the cover 6 against the housing 4 by means of the electric drive 9.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor 68 is formed by an electrical microswitch 69, which includes a switching element 71 projecting from a housing of the microswitch 69. This switching element can be activated by pressure to close contacts (not shown in detail here) and consequently an electrical circuit. The microswitch 69 is preferably configured as a normally open contact, although normally closed designs are also possible in principle. The microswitch 69 is electrically connected to the control unit 11, which receives a corresponding input signal when the microswitch 69 is activated and then appropriately controls the electric motor 14 to fully close the cover.

[0059] The microswitch 69 is attached to the side wall 33 of the housing 4 at a suitable location so that it can be activated by the cover arm 19 when the cover 6 reaches the partially closed position. In this case, the microswitch 69 is activated by a projection 72 formed on a damper element 73, which, in the partially closed position of the cover 6, presses against and actuates the switching element 71. The damper element 73 is connected to the cover arm 19 and serves to absorb, dissipate, and dampen vibrations that may occur during the movement of the cover 6 against the housing 4. The damper element 73 can be provided on only one side wall 33 of the housing 4 or can be omitted. The projection 72, or any other configuration for actuating the switching element 71, can then, for example, be formed directly on the cover arm 19.

[0060] The functioning of the glove box 2 or storage device 1 described so far according to the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the figures. First, by referring to the Fig. 5a-b and Fig. Reference is made to sections 6a-d, which first describe the fully automated opening of the glove box 2. For example, a user, e.g., a driver of the motor vehicle, can instruct the control unit 11 to open the lid 6 from the glove box by operating a control element. Fig. 5a shown closing position, in which access to the storage space inside glove box 2 is blocked, to which in Fig. to move to the opening position shown in 5b in order to fully open the glove box 2 and provide access to the storage compartment. The control element can be a button or push button on the dashboard, an input field on a touch-sensitive screen, or an audible or motion-controlled input unit that allows an operator to transmit the wish to actuate the lid 6, both to open and to close it, to the control device 11.

[0061] In the closed position, as it is also in Fig. As shown in Figure 6a, the locking tongue 62 of the first lever arm 59 of the locking lever 31 engages in the recess 27 at the free end 23 of the cover arm 19 to lock it. This effectively prevents manual opening of the cover 6.

[0062] As soon as the control unit 11 receives an input signal indicating the operator's wish to open the cover 6, the control unit 11 appropriately controls the electric motor to initiate the opening process. For this purpose, the control unit 11 can instruct the power supply 12 to supply the electric motor 14 with a current pulse of suitable polarity and duration. The electric motor 14 then begins to rotate in the appropriate direction and, via the threaded spindle 48, pushes against the pitch cable 51 to move the carriage 18 forward along the guide 32, towards the cover 6. The movement of the carriage 18 is in Fig. 6b is indicated by a linear arrow.

[0063] As the slide 18 moves, the free end 66 of the second lever arm 61 of the locking lever 31 is subjected to a partially upward force by the inclined first guide surface 41 of the slide 18, causing the second lever arm 61 and the locking lever 31 together to move in the direction indicated by a circular arrow. Fig. The locking lever 31 is pivoted in the direction shown in 6b counterclockwise. This disengages the locking lever 31 with the recess 27 and, in particular, the locking finger 29, so that movement of the free end 23 of the cover arm 19 by the locking lever 31 is not obstructed.

[0064] As the slide 18 moves further, the free end 66 of the second lever arm 61 of the locking lever 31 enters the area of ​​the second guide surface 42, and the locking lever 31 is thereby pivoted slightly further counterclockwise or held in its last position. In any case, the cover arm 19, which is increasingly relieved of pressure from the slide 18, is allowed to pass the locking lever 31 when the cover 6 begins to pivot towards the open position due to its own weight. This condition is in Fig. 6c illustrates.

[0065] The carriage 18 is then driven by the electric motor 14 and the incline cable 51 and moved further until it reaches the first stop 36 at the front end 34 of the guide 32 and the cover 6 is in the open position. The glove box 2 is now fully open. As soon as the free end 66 of the second lever arm 61 leaves the second guide surface 42 of the carriage 18 and disengages from the carriage 18, the locking lever 31 is returned to its locked position by the locking spring 58, as indicated by a circular arrow. Fig. 6d is displayed. The opening process is fully automated.

[0066] The storage device 1 or glove box 2 according to the invention can be closed either manually with electric closing or fully automatically. First, the manual closing of the glove box 2 will be described using the following: Fig. 9a-c and Fig. 10a-d will be explained in more detail. This will show Fig. 9a and Fig. 9c the glove box 2 according to the invention with the lid 6 in the opening position, i.e. fully open, or in the closing position, i.e. fully closed against the housing 4, while Fig. 9b shows the lid 6 in the pre-closing position, in which the lid 6 is not yet completely closed, but is at least partially separated from the front face of the housing 4 by a gap.

[0067] As in Fig. As indicated in 9a, a user can, by applying slight pressure to the front of the cover plate 22, cause the cover 6 to pivot around the pivot axis 8 in the closing direction, counterclockwise in Fig. 9a, as indicated by a circular arrow. The user pivots the cover plate 22 by hand until the cover 6 is in Fig. 9b is reached as the pre-closing position shown and the lid arm 19, which is rigidly connected to the cover plate 22, snaps into the pre-closing position.

[0068] More precisely, when the carriage 18 is stationary, since there is no fixed connection between the cover arm 19 and the carriage 18, the cover arm 19 can move away from the carriage 18 up to the point in Fig. The cover 4 is pivoted to the position shown in Figure 10a, in which the locking finger 29 at the free end 23 of the cover arm 19 comes into contact with the locking tongue 62 of the locking lever 31. With further pivoting of the cover 4, the locking finger 29 presses against the locking tongue 62, so that the locking lever 31, against the action of the coil spring 58, rotates counterclockwise away from the cover arm 19 about the axis of rotation 54. Fig. 10a, as indicated by a circular arrow, is pivoted until the locking finger 29 overcomes the tip of the locking tongue 62 and the locking tongue 62 is located in the area of ​​the recess 27 of the cover arm 19. The locking lever 31 is then pivoted back into the locked position by the coil spring 58, in which the locking tongue 62 engages behind the locking finger 29 in the recess 27 of the cover arm 19 to fix the pre-closed position of the cover arm 19. This state is in Fig. 10b shown.

[0069] In the pre-closing position of the cover 6, the projection 72 of the damper element 73 also comes into contact with the switching element 71 of the microswitch 69 and presses the switching element 71 into the housing of the microswitch 69 to activate the microswitch 69. For example, the activation of the microswitch 69 closes an electrical circuit, which is detected by the control unit 11. The control unit 11 can then cause the power supply 12 to supply the electric motor 14 with a current pulse of suitable polarity and duration to cause the cover 6 to pull or fully close from the pre-closing position to the closed position. The electric motor 14 starts to run and drives the carriage 18 via the gearbox 17, by pulling the drive cable 51 towards the cover arm 19 and the locking lever 31, as shown in Fig. 10c is indicated by a linear arrow.

[0070] As soon as the second lever arm 61 of the locking lever 61 comes into contact with the slide 18, the second, flexible section 64 of the second lever arm 61 is elastically bent around the connection point 67 with the connecting section 63 and deflected transversely away from the side surface 39 of the slide 18 until the free end 66 of the second lever arm 61 slides over the inclined surface 44 of the side surface 39 of the slide 18. This condition is also described in Fig. 10c illustrates.

[0071] As the slide 18 moves further, the free end 66 of the second lever arm 61 of the locking lever 31 reaches the intermediate surface 46, as shown in Fig. 10d shown, until the free end 66 extends beyond the intermediate surface 46 to the recess 47 of the side surface 39 of the slide 18 and is pressed into the recess 47 due to the inherent elasticity of the flexible section 64 of the second lever arm 61.

[0072] Simultaneously, the slide 18 presses against the free end 23 of the cover arm 19 via the contact surfaces 24, 26, in order to pivot the cover 6 and pull it against the front face of the housing 4. This allows the cover 6 to reach the position specified in Fig. Figure 9c shows the closed position in which the cover plate 22 is pressed firmly against the housing 4 by the electric drive 9, and the cavity 7 is blocked against external access. Manual opening of the cover 4 is effectively prevented by the locking tongue 62 of the locking lever 31, which acts against the locking finger 29 of the cover arm 19.

[0073] Advantageously, the positioning of the lid in the pre-closing position is detected by the sensor 68, in particular by the microswitch 69, and the electrically driven closing process is then initiated, achieving a final closure of the lid 6 with controlled movement and force. This largely prevents damage to the electric drive 9, the lid 6, or the housing 4 that can be caused by excessive or incorrect stress on the lid 6 when closing it manually, as well as the associated rattling noises. The controlled closing process also allows for monitoring of the gaps that are maintained. The lid 6 can be pressed evenly and tightly against the housing 4. Seals between the lid 6 and the housing 4 can be omitted without compromising noise reduction or sealing performance.

[0074] The closing of the lid 6 can also be fully automated. When the glove box 2 is open, and the control unit 11 receives an input signal from a user control indicating the user's wish to close the lid 6, the control unit 11 uses the power supply 12 to activate the electric motor 14, rotating it in the opposite direction to the opening process to close the lid 6.

[0075] The closing process is particularly important in the Fig. Illustrated in sections 11a to 11c. Fig. 11a The lid 6 is fully open. The slide 18 is at the first stop 36 of the guide 32, and the lid arm 19, due to the weight of the lid 6, presses with its contact surface 24 against the contact surface 26 of the slide 18.

[0076] As soon as the electric motor 14 starts to rotate, it pulls the carriage 18 backward along the guide 32 via the pitch cable 51, toward the second stop 38 of the guide 32 and the locking lever 31. The carriage 18 engages the cover arm 19 via the contact between the contact surfaces 24 and 26 and pivots it counterclockwise around the pivot axis 8. Fig. 11b, while the contact surfaces 24, 26 slide against each other in a substantially vertical direction to assist in converting the linear motion of the slide 18 into the pivoting motion of the cover arm 19. This also causes the cover plate 22, which is rigidly connected to the cover arm 19, to pivot about the pivot axis 8, as shown in Fig. 11b is shown.

[0077] The carriage 18 is pulled by the electric motor 14 via the incline cable 51 until it reaches the second stop 38 on the guide 32. At this point, the free end 23 of the cover arm 19 engages with the locking tongue 62 of the first lever arm 59 of the locking lever 31 and pivots the locking lever 31 counterclockwise, allowing the locking finger 29 to overcome the locking tongue 62 and then position itself in the recess 27 at the free end 23 of the cover arm 19. The coil spring 58 then pushes the locking lever 31 back into the locked position, where the locking tongue 62 engages behind the locking finger 29 in the recess 27. The electric motor 14 stops running when a predetermined current limit for the motor is reached. The glove box 2 is then completely closed, i.e., the lid 6 is in alignment with the housing 4 and is completely closed, as shown in Fig. 11c illustrates.

[0078] The locking lever 31 is re-coupled to the slide 18 in the same way as before in connection with manual closing using the Fig. Described in sections 10a-10d.

[0079] The storage device 1 according to the invention thus enables both fully automated opening and closing as well as manual closing of the lid 6 in combination with an electrically operated, controlled closing function for the final closure of the lid 6. The storage device 1 is designed to improve safety, quality, ease of use and flexibility of use. It has a relatively simple, space-saving and cost-effective design and enables safe and reliable operation with a long service life.

[0080] An electrically operated storage device 1, in particular a glove box 2 for a motor vehicle, is disclosed, which enables both fully automated opening and closing of a lid 6 of the storage device 1 and manual closing of the lid 6 in combination with an electric closing function. The storage device 1 comprises a housing 4, which defines a cavity 7, and a lid 6, which is pivotably arranged on the housing 4. The lid 6 is pivotable between an open position, in which the cavity 7 is completely open to the outside, and a closed position, in which the lid 6 is closed against the housing 4 and the cavity 7 is completely closed to the outside. An electric drive 9 with an electric motor 14 and a power transmission mechanism 16 is associated with the lid 6. The power transmission mechanism 16 is effectively inserted between the electric motor 14 and the lid 6.The electric drive 9 is designed and controllable to support the fully automated opening and closing of the lid 6. The storage device 1 further comprises sensor and control means 68, 69, 11, which detect manual closing of the lid 6 up to a pre-closing position defined between the open position and the closed position and then effect an automated movement of the lid 6 from the pre-closing position to the closed position, supported by the electric drive 9. A motor vehicle with such a storage device 1 is also disclosed. 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 20 2018 103 920 U1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Storage device (1), in particular for a vehicle, comprising: a housing (4) that defines a cavity (7); a cover (6) which is movably arranged on the housing (4), wherein the cover (6) is movable between an open position in which the cavity (7) is completely open to the outside and a closed position in which the cover (6) is closed in contact with the housing (4) and the cavity (7) is completely closed to the outside; an electric drive (9) associated with the movable lid (6) comprising an electric motor (14) and a power transmission mechanism (16) effectively inserted between the electric motor (14) and the lid (6), wherein the electric drive (9) is configured and controllable to effect automated opening of the lid (6) into the open position and automated closing of the lid (6) into the closed position, assisted by the electric drive (9); and Means (68, 69, 11) which are set up to detect a manual closing of the lid (6) to a pre-closing position defined between the opening position and the closing position and then effect an automated movement of the lid (6) from the pre-closing position to the closing position, supported by the electric drive (9). [2] Storage device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lid (6) is pivotably attached to the housing (4) about a horizontal pivot axis (8). [3] Storage device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the lid (6) is designed and arranged to move into the open position by its own weight alone when it is not subjected to a force in the direction of the closed position. [4] Storage device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the lid (6) has a lid plate (22) and a lid arm (19) which is rigidly connected to the lid plate (22), preferably formed integrally with it, wherein the lid arm (19) can be effectively coupled to the power transmission mechanism (16) in order to convert a controlled movement of the electric motor (14) into a pivoting movement of the lid (6). [5] Storage device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the lid arm (19) projects away from a rear side (21) of the lid plate (22) and forms a two-sided lever with the lid plate (22) that can be pivoted about the pivot axis (8). [6] Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electric motor (14) and the power transmission mechanism (16) are arranged entirely on an outside of the housing (4). [7] Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the power transmission mechanism (16) comprises a slide (18) which is guided in a guide (32) on the housing (4) in a substantially horizontal direction towards and away from the lid (6), and a drive means (49) which connects the slide (18) to the electric motor (14) in a drive manner. [8] Storage device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the drive means (49) is a flexible tensile-compressive drive means (49), in particular a gradient cable (51) which meshes with a threaded spindle (48) driven by the electric motor (14). [9] Storage device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, if referred back to claim 5, wherein the slide (18) is in a releasable effective coupling connection with a free end (23) of the lid arm (19) in order to effect a coupled pivoting movement of the lid arm (19) with the electrically driven linear movement of the slide (18) when the lid (6) is automatically closed or opened, but to allow the lid arm (19) to be decoupled from the slide (18) when the lid (6) is manually closed. [10] Storage device (1) according to claim 9, which further comprises a locking lever (31) rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis of rotation (54), which is pivotable between a locking position and a release position and is biased towards the locking position by a biasing means (57), wherein the locking lever (31) is formed on two sides with a first lever arm (59) and a second lever arm (61), wherein the first lever arm (59) can be brought into engagement with the lid arm (19) in the locking position to hold the lid (6) in place, and releases the lid arm (19) in the release position, and wherein the second lever arm (61) has a free end (66) which is intended to effectively engage with the slide (8). [11] Storage device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the slide (18) has a first guide surface (41) and a second guide surface (42) for guiding the free end (66) of the second lever arm (61) for a movement of the locking lever (31) from the locking position to the release position, wherein the first guide surface (41) has a steep angle relative to a horizontal and transitions into the second guide surface (42), which has a shallower angle relative to the horizontal than the first guide surface (41). [12] Storage device (1) according to claim 11, wherein the second lever arm (61) of the locking lever (31) is slightly flexible in the transverse direction and the slide (18) further comprises an inclined surface (44) arranged to allow the free end (66) of the second lever arm (61) to pass over the inclined surface (44) past the first and second guide surfaces (41, 42) into a recess (47) of the slide (18) which defines at least the first guide surface (41) when the slide (18) is moved in the direction of the locking lever (31). [13] Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the means (68, 69, 11) which are arranged to detect a manual closing of the lid (6) to the pre-closing position have a sensor (68) which has at least one of a mechanical switch, an optical, capacitive or inductive position sensor and / or an optical, capacitive or inductive proximity sensor. [14] Storage device (1) according to claim 13, wherein the sensor (68) has an electrical microswitch (69) arranged to be actuated directly or indirectly by the lid (6) in the pre-closing position. [15] Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control device (11) which is configured to receive input signals indicating an operator's wish to automatically open and close the storage device (1) and input signals indicating a positioning of the lid in the pre-closing position and to cause the electric motor (14) to be supplied with a current pulse to effect the transfer of the lid (6) to the closed position or the open position. [16] Motor vehicle with a storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage device (1) can be used as a glove box (2) in a dashboard (3) of the motor vehicle.

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