Cover arrangement for a vehicle compartment

Abstract

A cover arrangement (16) for opening and closing a storage compartment of a motor vehicle is provided, comprising a cover body (20) for covering the storage compartment, an actuating element (18) for displacing the cover body (20) relative to the storage compartment along at least one sliding direction (22), wherein the actuating element (18) is movable relative to the cover body (20) along the sliding direction (24) to a limited extent, and at least one locking element (34) which can be displaced by the actuating element (18) between a closed position and an open position for retaining the cover body (20) in the closed position, wherein the actuating element (18) is coupled to the locking element (34) via a cam (36).The release and locking of the cover body (20) can be carried out more cost-effectively with fewer components and robustly against damage with the help of the cam (36), thus enabling a robust and cost-effective cover arrangement (16) for a motor vehicle.

Description

The invention relates to a lid arrangement with which a storage compartment of a motor vehicle can be opened and closed, as well as a storage device and a motor vehicle with such a lid arrangement. DE 10 2022 129 685 A1 shows a center console of a motor vehicle with a storage compartment that can be closed by a sliding cover, wherein a handle of the sliding cover is movable in a sliding direction relative to a cover body in order to be able to release latches articulated via a rotating body transversely to the sliding direction from a latch opening of the storage compartment. DE 10 2018 222 778 A1 shows a center console of a motor vehicle with a storage compartment that can be closed by a sliding cover, wherein a handle of the sliding cover is movable in a sliding direction relative to a cover body and can slide with a protruding actuating section on a curved contour of a pivotable hook in order to twist the hook out of a closed position. US 2017 / 0 050 572 A1 shows both a motor vehicle center console with a storage compartment that can be closed by a sliding lid, wherein a handle of the sliding lid is fixed to the sliding lid, and a glove compartment with a handle which, when tilted, rotates a gear to linearly displace latches connected to the gear via racks. There is a constant need to design motor vehicle components to be as robust as possible against damage, especially in the event of a crash. The object of the invention is to demonstrate measures that enable a robust cover arrangement for a motor vehicle. The problem is solved according to the invention by a lid arrangement with the features of claim 1, a storage device with the features of claim 7 and a motor vehicle with the features of claim 10. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and the following description, each of which can individually or in combination represent an aspect of the invention, the scope of protection being determined by the claims. One aspect of the invention relates to a cover arrangement for opening and closing a storage compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising a cover body for covering the storage compartment, an actuating element for moving the cover body relative to the storage compartment along at least one sliding direction, wherein the actuating element is movable relative to the cover body along the sliding direction to a limited extent, and at least one locking element movable by the actuating element between a closed position and an open position for retaining the cover body in the closed position, wherein the actuating element is coupled to the locking element via a cam, wherein the cam between the actuating element and the locking element forms at least one inclined plane for the locking element to slide on the actuating element (18).The locking element can be displaced transversely to the sliding direction and the locking element is guided linearly on the cover body transversely to the sliding direction. It was recognized that for a kinematic motion coupling between the actuating element intended for moving the cover body and the locking element intended for enabling the movement (which otherwise holds the cover body securely in place), a separate rotating element that converts the movement of the actuating element in the sliding direction into a movement perpendicular to the sliding direction for the locking element is not actually necessary. Instead, a nearly right-angled motion conversion can also be achieved by a cam mechanism.Since part of the cam profile can be formed by the actuating element itself and another part by the locking element itself, a direct kinematic coupling of the movement between the actuating element and the locking element can be achieved without the need for an additional component. This also eliminates the need for bearings and / or guides for such a component. Releasing and locking the cover body can be accomplished more cost-effectively with fewer components and, thanks to the cam profile, is robust against damage, thus enabling a robust and cost-effective cover assembly for a motor vehicle. The cam mechanism allows force to be transmitted to the locking element when a user applies force. In the closed position of the locking element, the force direction of the cam mechanism is inclined relative to the sliding direction, following the principle of an inclined plane. This allows a force applied to the actuating element in the sliding direction to act on the locking element with a component perpendicular to the sliding direction, thereby displacing the locking element perpendicular to the sliding direction. Depending on the kinematic connection, the locking element can be pushed or pulled into the closed position and / or into the open position. During this process, the locking element and the actuating element slide against each other, particularly along an inclined plane. In one embodiment of the cam, a cam block can be inserted in a groove or an elongated hole, so that both compressive and tensile forces can be transmitted via the cam, in particular to pull the locking element out of a holding opening by moving the actuating element in a first sliding direction and to push the locking element into the holding opening by moving the actuating element in a second sliding direction opposite to the first sliding direction. In a preferred embodiment of the cam, the cam is designed as sliding surfaces of the actuating element and the locking element, which are held pressed together, for example, by means of at least one spring element.Since there is no risk of the pressed surfaces lifting off in this case, and therefore no tensile forces need to be transmitted, it is not necessary to provide two contact sides of a groove or slot. Consequently, it is also unnecessary to thread a sliding block into a groove or slot during assembly, making the process simpler and less prone to errors. The lid assembly can be part of a center console. However, it is also possible in principle to use the lid assembly for a glove compartment, a storage compartment in a side door, or a storage space in the dashboard of a motor vehicle. The compartment can define a storage volume accessible to a user via an access opening that can be closed by the lid. The storage volume can generally be based on a cuboid shape, although depending on the available space and the functions to be provided, significantly different shapes are also possible. In particular, at least one cupholder for the secure storage of beverage containers can be provided inside the compartment. Preferably, the compartment includes a storage area for a mobile phone, with charging infrastructure, especially for contactless charging of the mobile phone, being provided near this storage area. The cover body can be rigid or flexible. For example, the cover body can have several movably connected lamellae, preferably with a sufficiently long lamella in the sliding direction in the area of ​​the actuating element and the locking element, so that the cover body can provide a rigid plate for the actuating element and the locking element in this area, which facilitates the kinematic coupling and connection of the actuating element and the locking element to the cover body. In particular, the cover body can be recessed in a free space in an open position to allow access. Preferably, the cover body can be held in different relative positions to the receiving compartment, especially by providing several successive closing positions for the locking element in the sliding direction. The actuating element can be operated manually. Additionally or alternatively, electromechanical actuation, for example by means of a servo motor actuated via an activation switch, can also be provided. The actuating element can be guided on and / or within the cover body in a limited manner. For example, by means of positive guidance of the actuating element on the cover body, relative movement of the actuating element relative to the cover body can be ensured only along the at least one sliding direction, thereby preventing accidental twisting or displacement transverse to the sliding direction, which could impair the kinematic coupling in the cam. Preferably, only exactly one actuating element is provided. The locking element is displaced transversely to the sliding direction. For this purpose, the locking element is guided linearly on the cover body transversely to the sliding direction. In the closed position, the locking element, which can be displaced transversely to the sliding direction, can create a positive locking and / or a frictional locking, whereby the cover body is held securely in place, particularly in the event of a crash. Specifically, in the closed position, the locking element can engage in a retaining opening formed by the receiving compartment. The engagement of the locking element in the retaining opening can be positive locking, similar to a latch.Preferably, the locking element engages in the retaining opening by friction, and in particular not in a self-locking manner, so that the locking element can independently disengage from the retaining opening when a force is applied in the sliding direction, provided that the actuating element does not block movement of the locking element transverse to the sliding direction in this situation. Preferably, several locking elements are provided, with one locking element being located on a left side of the cover body and the other on a right side. Additionally or alternatively, several locking elements can also be provided one after the other on the same side in the sliding direction, and these can preferably be actuated simultaneously by the same actuating element. The inclined plane between the actuating element and the locking element, which is perpendicular to the plane of the cover body, allows the actuating element to slide along the inclined plane of the cam against the locking element when the actuating element moves along the sliding direction. This pushes the locking element in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction, or vice versa. For example, the cover body is essentially aligned in an XY plane, with the sliding direction essentially in the X direction and the locking element being displaceable in the Y direction, so that the inclined plane is essentially perpendicular to the XY plane and is inclined to both the XZ and YZ planes.Particularly preferably, the cam between the actuating element and the locking element has a first inclined plane that is effective when the cover body is moved in a first sliding direction, and a second inclined plane that is effective when the cover body is moved in a second sliding direction opposite to the first sliding direction. The X-direction refers to a coordinate direction along a longitudinal axis of a motor vehicle when the cover assembly is installed in the vehicle. The X-direction is essentially horizontal when the vehicle is parked on a level, horizontal surface. The Y-direction refers to a coordinate direction along a transverse axis of a motor vehicle when the cover assembly is installed in the vehicle. The Y-direction is essentially horizontal when the vehicle is parked on a level, horizontal surface. The Z-direction refers to a coordinate direction along a vertical axis of a motor vehicle when the cover assembly is installed in the vehicle. The Z-direction is essentially vertical when the vehicle is parked on a level, horizontal surface.The X, Y, and Z directions are orthogonal to each other. An XY plane is defined as a plane spanned by the X and Y directions and positioned at a specific height in the Z direction. An XZ plane is defined as a plane spanned by the X and Z directions and positioned at a specific width in the Y direction. A YZ plane is defined as a plane spanned by the Y and Z directions and positioned at a specific length in the X direction. Preferably, the cam has a plateau plane adjoining the at least one inclined plane for retaining the locking element in the closed position. A surface normal of the plateau plane points, in particular, in a direction transverse to the sliding direction, for example, substantially in the Y-direction. When the locking element is in the open position and is moved into the closed position by sliding along the inclined plane of the cam, in particular by being pushed, the actuating element can move from the inclined plane onto the plateau plane in that position of the locking element in which the locking element is displaced as far as possible transversely to the sliding direction and preferably projects as far as possible into a retaining opening of the receiving compartment.When the locking element engages the actuating element in the area of ​​the plateau plane, sliding with a movement component transverse to the sliding direction is no longer possible, so that the locking element can no longer reach the open position, and in particular cannot be moved out of the retaining opening. Movement of the locking element transverse to the sliding direction is positively blocked by the actuating element. Therefore, a positive locking of the locking element in the retaining opening is not necessary to block movement of the cover body along the sliding direction. Even if the locking element is only frictionally engaged and preferably even non-self-locking in the retaining opening, sliding movement of the locking element out of the retaining opening by means of the plateau plane of the cam is positively blocked by the actuating element.This makes it possible to design the locking element not as a form-fitting latch, but instead to provide a friction-fit locking mechanism or similar, thereby opening up further kinematic possibilities for a robust design of the lid assembly. The cover body preferably has at least one stop for positively limiting the relative movement of the actuating element relative to the cover body. This stop, projecting from the cover body, particularly towards the receiving compartment, can limit the maximum relative movement of the actuating element relative to the cover body in the respective sliding direction. This simultaneously limits the maximum relative movement of the actuating element relative to the locking element. This limitation of the relative movement of the actuating element to the locking element can, in turn, limit the extent of the cam in the sliding direction. Preferably, the extent of the cam in the sliding direction is equal to or greater than the maximum relative movement of the actuating element relative to the cover body.This ensures that, even taking into account manufacturing and assembly tolerances, the actuating element always rests against and / or engages the blocking element in the area of ​​the cam, without the need to insert a cam block into a groove or slot. In particular, at least one return element, especially a spring element, is provided for moving the actuating element back to a neutral position relative to the cover body, wherein the return element is supported and / or attached to the actuating element and the stop. The return element can move the actuating element back to the neutral position when no external force is applied to the actuating element by a user. For example, at least one spring element forming the return element can be compressed and / or extended so that when the stored mechanical energy is released, the actuating element can be moved at least close to the neutral position.Simultaneously, the return element ensures that it is always pressed against the locking element within the cam profile. This allows the return element to guarantee the kinematic coupling of the locking element with the actuating element via the cam profile. Preferably, the actuating element has a handle accessible from outside the receiving compartment and provided above the lid body, and a cam body connected to the handle in a manner fixed against movement and provided below the lid body, wherein the cam body interacts with the blocking element via the cam, and in particular additionally with the stop and / or with the return element. Another aspect concerns a storage device for stowing objects in a motor vehicle, in particular a center console, comprising a housing for forming a storage compartment and a lid assembly, which can be designed and further developed as described above, for opening and closing the storage compartment. In particular, the housing for the respective locking element of the lid assembly has at least one retaining opening for receiving the locking element, wherein the design of the retaining opening and the locking element forms a non-self-locking coupling. In particular, the storage device can be designed and further developed as described above with regard to the lid assembly. The release and locking of the lid body can be achieved more cost-effectively with fewer components and, with the aid of the cam mechanism, robustly against damage, thus enabling a robust and cost-effective lid assembly for a motor vehicle. Particularly preferably, the lid body is guided translationally in a guide rail, especially a U-shaped one, along the sliding direction, wherein the retaining opening is formed by the guide rail. In particular, several retaining openings are provided along the guide rail so that the lid body can be securely held in a corresponding number of relative positions to the receiving compartment. In particular, the lid body is guided in a guide rail on both a left and a right side, wherein preferably both guide rails have retaining openings for at least one locking element provided on the respective side. In particular, the locking element is held in place by a clearance fit between the actuator and the housing in both the closed and open positions. This clearance fit minimizes any remaining relative movement of the locking element perpendicular to the sliding direction, thus preventing or at least reducing rattling. Furthermore, it prevents the locking element from lifting off the actuator within the guide, or at least minimizes the effects of any lifting. Another aspect concerns a motor vehicle with a storage device, particularly one designed as a center console, which can be designed and further developed as described above, for storing items. The release and locking of the lid can be achieved more cost-effectively with fewer components and, with the aid of the guide mechanism, made more robust against damage, thus enabling a robust and cost-effective lid arrangement for a motor vehicle. The invention is now explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings and by way of preferred embodiments, wherein the features shown below can represent an aspect of the invention, either individually or in combination, the scope of protection being defined by the claims. The figures show: Fig. 1: a schematic perspective top view of a storage device, Fig. 2: a schematic representation of a lid arrangement for the storage device from Fig. 1 in a closed position, and Fig. 3: a schematic representation of the lid arrangement from Fig. 2 in an open position. The storage device 10 shown in Fig. 1 is, in the illustrated embodiment, designed as a center console of a motor vehicle, which may, for example, include a padded armrest 12. The storage device 10 can have a housing 14 that defines the receiving volume of a receiving compartment formed by the housing 14. The receiving compartment can be opened and closed by a cover assembly 16 in order to stow items within the motor vehicle in the receiving compartment of the storage device 10. For this purpose, a user can open and / or close the cover assembly 16 by means of an actuating element 18, by applying a force to the actuating element 18 that is directed predominantly in the X-direction, in order to displace a cover body 20 of the cover assembly 16 along a corresponding sliding direction 22. As shown in Fig. 2, the actuating element 18 can have a handle 24 above the cover body 20 (shown transparently for clarity) which is connected to a cam body 26 extending below the cover body 20. The actuating element 18 is displaceable along the sliding direction 22 relative to the cover body 20 within a limited range and is guided linearly along the cover body 20. The relative movement of the actuating element 18 relative to the cover body 20 is limited by stops 28 connected to the cover body 20, against which the cam body 26 and / or the handle 24 of the actuating element 18 can abut in their relative extreme positions along the sliding direction 22. Furthermore, it is possible that the actuating element 18, in particular the cam body 26, is supported on the cover body 20 and / or the respective stop 28 by a return element 30, preferably designed as a spring. If no force acts on the actuating element 18 to move the cover body 20, the at least one return element 30 can move the actuating element 18 back to a neutral position, in which, preferably, the relative mobility in the X-direction is essentially equal to the relative mobility in the opposite X-direction. The cover body 20 can be linearly guided in a guide rail of the housing 14. Preferably, at least one retaining opening 32 is formed in the housing 14, particularly within the guide rail. Preferably, at least one retaining opening 32 is formed on each side of the cover body 20, particularly in the Y direction. A corresponding locking element 34 can engage in the respective retaining opening 32 in a closed position. The locking element 34 is kinematically coupled to the relative movement of the actuating element 18 relative to the cover body 20 via a cam 36, such that the relative movement of the actuating element 18 relative to the cover body 20 along the sliding direction 22, particularly in the X direction, results in a relative movement of the locking element 34 relative to the cover body 20 transversely to the sliding direction 22, particularly in the Y direction.For this purpose, the cam of the cam body 26 of the actuating element 18 and of the blocking element 34 has correspondingly formed surfaces of two different inclined planes 38, which are connected to each other in the sliding direction 22 via a plateau plane 40 provided at the converging tips of the inclined planes 38 by a distance defined from the plateau plane 40. In the open position shown in Fig. 3, if the actuating element 18 deviates relative to the cover body 20, the locking element 34 can slide down the inclined plane 38 of the cam 36, thereby displacing the locking element 34 transversely to the sliding direction 22. When, in the closed position shown in Fig. 2, the locking element 34, sliding down the cam 36 on the actuating element 18, reaches the plateau plane 40, the locking element 34 is displaced laterally to the maximum extent and, in particular, is immersed to the maximum extent in the retaining opening 32.In this case, it is possible to avoid a positive locking connection between the blocking element 34 and the retaining opening 32 and instead, in particular by means of a rather wedge-shaped contour, to provide a non-self-locking frictional connection, since when the blocking element 34 comes into contact with the actuating element 18 in the area of ​​the plateau plane 40, sliding with a movement component along transversely to the sliding direction 22 is prevented and it is the actuating element 18 that achieves a positive locking block against a relative movement of the blocking element 34 transversely to the sliding direction 22.Since the retaining opening 32 does not need to form a positive locking block for the locking element 34, the contour between the retaining opening 32 and the locking element 34 can be shaped in such a way that the locking element 34 can be automatically pressed into the open position by the retaining opening 32 even without an additional return element or spring element, when the actuating element 18 is moved relative to the cover body 20 for an intended displacement, thereby moving away from the plateau plane 40 and again allowing a relative movement of the locking element 34 transversely to the sliding direction 22 by sliding on the inclined plane 38.

Claims

Cover assembly (16) for opening and closing a storage compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising a cover body (20) for covering the storage compartment, an actuating element (18) for displacing the cover body (20) relative to the storage compartment along at least one sliding direction (22), wherein the actuating element (18) is movable relative to the cover body (20) along the sliding direction (22) within a limited range, at least one locking element (34) which can be displaced by the actuating element (18) between a closed position and an open position for retaining the cover body (20) in the closed position, wherein the actuating element (18) is coupled to the locking element (34) via a cam (36), wherein the cam (36) forms at least one inclined plane (38) between the actuating element (18) and the locking element (34) for the locking element (34) to slide on the actuating element (18).the locking element (34) is displaceable transversely to the sliding direction (22) and the locking element (34) is guided linearly on the cover body (20) transversely to the sliding direction (22). Lid arrangement (16) according to claim 1, wherein the cam (36) between the actuating element (18) and the locking element (34) has a first inclined plane which is effective when the lid body (20) is moved in a first sliding direction, and a second inclined plane which is effective when the lid body (20) is moved in a second sliding direction opposite to the first sliding direction. Lid arrangement (16) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cam (36) has a plateau plane (40) adjoining the at least one inclined plane (38) for retaining the locking element (34) in the closed position. Lid arrangement (16) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lid body (20) has at least one stop (28) for positive locking limitation of the relative movement of the actuating element (18) relative to the lid body (20). Cover arrangement (16) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one return element (30) is provided for the return movement of the actuating element (18) relative to the cover body (20) to a neutral position of the actuating element (18). Lid arrangement (16) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the actuating element (18) has a handle (24) accessible from outside the receiving compartment and provided above the lid body (20) and a cam body (26) connected to the handle (24) in a manner fixed to movement and provided below the lid body (20), wherein the cam body (26) interacts with the locking element (34) via the cam (36). A storage device (10) for storing objects in a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (14) for forming a receiving compartment and a lid arrangement (16) according to one of claims 1 to 6 for opening and closing the receiving compartment, wherein the housing (14) has at least one retaining opening (32) for receiving the respective locking element (34) of the lid arrangement (16), wherein the shape of the retaining opening (32) and the locking element (34) form a non-self-locking coupling. Storage device (10) according to claim 7, wherein the lid body (20) is guided translationally in a guide rail along the sliding direction (22), wherein the retaining opening (32) is formed by the guide rail. A locking device (10) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the locking element (34) is received in both the closed position and the open position with a clearance fit between the actuating element (18) and the housing (14). Motor vehicle with a storage device (10) according to one of claims 7 to 9 for storing objects.

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