Cover arrangement for a vehicle compartment

Abstract

A cover arrangement (10) for opening and closing a storage compartment (14) of a motor vehicle is provided, comprising the storage compartment (14) for receiving items to be stowed, a cover body (20) for covering an access opening of the storage compartment (14), an actuating element (18) for moving the cover body (20) relative to the storage compartment (14) along at least one sliding direction, wherein the actuating element (18) is movable relative to the cover body (20) along the sliding direction within a limited range, and at least one locking element (34) movable 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 locking element (34) is inserted into a retaining opening (32) of the storage compartment (14) in the closed position and is positioned out of the retaining opening (32) in the open position.wherein the locking element (34) is movable within the retaining opening (32) in the sliding direction between the closed position and a locking position to block the cover body (20) in the event of a crash relative to the receiving compartment (14). The automatic movement of the locking element (34) from the closed position to the locking position enables a smooth-running and robust cover assembly (10) 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 discloses a center console of a motor vehicle with a storage compartment that can be closed by a sliding cover. A handle of the sliding cover is movable in a sliding direction relative to the cover body in order to release latches, articulated via a rotary element, transversely to the sliding direction from a latch opening of a positive locking connection of the storage compartment. A spring force of a retaining spring that presses the latch into the closed position is dimensioned to such an extent that the retaining spring counteracts the mass acceleration of the sliding cover in the event of a crash, in order to prevent the center console from opening in the event of a crash. DE 10 2009 012 710 A1 shows a receiving compartment of a motor vehicle which can be closed by a sliding cover, wherein the sliding cover has latches which can be moved transversely to a sliding direction and which are coupled to each other in movement and which can be locked in a closed position. DE 10 2017 116 999 A1 shows a receiving compartment of a motor vehicle which can be closed by a sliding cover, wherein the sliding cover is guided in lateral guides and can be detachably clamped in a closed position on a ramp in the guide. JP 2014 - 148 276 A shows a receiving compartment of a motor vehicle which can be closed by a sliding cover, wherein the sliding cover has a downwardly projecting bolt which is threaded into a locking contour and held in place when closing. 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, but at the same time easy to handle. The object of the invention is to demonstrate measures that enable a smooth-running and robust lid arrangement for a motor vehicle. The problem is solved according to the invention by a lid arrangement having the features of claim 1 and a motor vehicle having 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, wherein the scope of protection is determined by the claims. One aspect of the invention relates to a lid arrangement for opening and closing a storage compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising the storage compartment for receiving items to be stowed, a lid body for covering an access opening of the storage compartment, an actuating element for moving the lid body relative to the storage compartment along at least one sliding direction, wherein the actuating element is movable relative to the lid 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 lid body in the closed position, wherein the locking element is inserted into a retaining opening of the storage compartment in the closed position and is positioned out of the retaining opening in the open position.wherein the locking element within the retaining opening is movable in the sliding direction between the closed position and a locking position to block the lid body in a crash relative to the receiving compartment. In particular, the movement of the locking element from the closed position to the locking position occurs as a result of inertial forces acting on the lid body and on the actuating element in a crash. To ensure the lid assembly opens and closes smoothly, the minimum actuation force required is desirable. This force should allow the actuating element to be moved relative to the lid body while simultaneously shifting the locking element between the open and closed positions. In a vehicle crash, the locking element, when in the closed position, can strike the edge of the retaining opening due to the crash-induced inertial forces acting on the lid body, thus achieving a positive locking action. However, it has been recognized that in a crash, such high inertial forces can act on the actuating element that it could be displaced relative to the lid body.This would result in the locking element being unintentionally shifted from the closed to the open position due to the displacement of the actuating element relative to the lid body. Despite the positive locking mechanism intended to engage the lid body in the closed position, the lid body would unintentionally open the access opening of the storage compartment. This could cause items stored in the compartment to be ejected, endangering vehicle occupants. Any friction that would exist between the locking element and the edge of the retaining opening in the closed position during a crash can be overcome by the inertial forces acting on the actuating element, not least because the actuating force is kept to a minimum. Because the locking element can assume at least two different positions within the retaining opening, it is possible to provide different kinematics for the closed and locked positions. In the closed position, the locking element can be easily moved transversely to the sliding direction, while in the locked position, movement of the locking element transversely to the sliding direction can be blocked even in the event of a crash. It is possible to utilize the inertial forces acting in a crash to displace the locking element between the closed and locked positions. For example, in a frontal or rear-end collision, the resulting inertial forces initially act simultaneously on the cover body and the actuating element, causing the combined assembly of cover body and actuating element to accelerate relative to the receiving compartment along the sliding direction, whether in the direction of travel or against it.Due to the play of the locking element in the retaining opening in the sliding direction, the entire assembly, consisting of the cover body and the actuating element, can be moved from the closed position to the locked position in this situation. Any frictional and / or braking forces that may be acting on it can be immediately overcome by the comparatively high inertial forces in the event of a crash, so that no significant relative movement of the actuating element to the cover body occurs until the locking position is reached. Once the locking position is reached, the locking element, and therefore also the cover body, can no longer move in the sliding direction relative to the retaining opening and the receiving compartment.Since movement of the locking element out of the retaining opening is reliably blocked in the locked position, relative movement of the actuating element relative to the cover body is also blocked, thus reliably preventing unintentional opening of the storage compartment due to the inertial forces acting in a crash. The automatic displacement of the locking element from the closed position to the locked position due to the inertial forces occurring in a crash enables smooth operation in the closed position and crash-proof locking in the locked position, thus enabling a smooth-running and robust cover assembly for a motor vehicle. 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 lid body can be held in different relative positions relative to the receiving compartment, in particular by providing several successive closing positions for the blocking element in the sliding direction, which are preferably defined by a corresponding number of holding openings distributed 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 with the locking element. Preferably, only exactly one actuating element is provided. The locking element can be displaced transversely to the sliding direction. For this purpose, the locking element can be guided linearly on the cover body transversely to the sliding direction. The locking element, which can be displaced transversely to the sliding direction, can create a positive locking and / or a frictional locking effect in the closed position and / or in the locked position, whereby the cover body is held securely in place, particularly in the event of a crash. The engagement of the locking element in the retaining opening can be positive locking, similar to a latch. 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 behind the other on the same side in the sliding direction, and these can preferably be actuated simultaneously by the same actuating element. In particular, the locking position for the locking element is essentially only achievable from the insertion position. Specifically, the locking position can only be reached by a relative movement of the locking element to the receiving opening along the sliding direction, but not perpendicular to the sliding direction. This reliably prevents accidental displacement of the locking element into the locking position, which could impair the smooth movement of the cover body. Furthermore, this ensures that the locking position of the locking element can only be reached by inertial forces acting in the event of a crash, and not by actuation of the actuating element. Preferably, the locking element is held in the locked position on the receiving compartment by a self-reinforcing and / or self-locking ramp. The ramp can provide a centering function when the locking element moves from the closed position to the locked position, ensuring that the locking element can reliably reach the locked position even in the event of a crash angled relative to the longitudinal (X-direction) of the vehicle. To prevent the locking element from sliding off the ramp when the actuating element attempts to move relative to the cover body due to the acting inertial forces, the ramp's angle of inclination is selected, taking into account the expected coefficients of friction between the locking element and the edge of the retaining opening, such that self-locking and / or self-reinforcing of the locking action is achieved when the inertial forces act along the sliding direction. Additionally or alternatively, the locking element is held in the locked position by a positive-locking connection, in particular a tongue-and-groove connection, to the receiving compartment. For example, in the locked position, a cuboid projection can engage in a corresponding, in particular rectangular, recess, thereby reliably blocking any relative movement in the locked position, with the exception of a return movement to the closed position. For example, different locking concepts can be implemented with two or more different locking elements. A holding brake is particularly preferred for capturing the lid body relative to the receiving compartment, wherein the actuating force required to move the locking element between the open and closed positions using the actuating element, which is movable relative to the lid body, is less than the braking force exerted by the holding brake. The holding brake can prevent relative movement and rattling of the lid body when the locking element is inserted with some play in the holding opening in the closed position. The holding brake can also hold the lid body in place to allow movement of the actuating element, enabling the actuating element to be moved relative to the lid body for opening and closing the lid assembly. In particular, a rotary element articulated to the lid body is provided for converting a relative movement of the actuating element, which can be displaced in the sliding direction relative to the lid body, into a relative movement of the locking element relative to the lid body between the open and closed positions, directed transversely to the sliding direction. This allows for a space-saving kinematic coupling of the actuating element with the at least one locking element, whereby a movement imposed in the sliding direction can be converted into a movement directed transversely to the sliding direction. The kinematic coupling using the rotary element can be designed and further developed, in particular, as described in DE 10 2022 129 685 A1. Preferably, the cover body has at least one stop for positively limiting the relative movement of the actuating element relative to the cover body. The stop, which projects 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 locking element. When the actuating element abuts the cover body, further relative movement in the sliding direction is prevented, thus ending any movement of the locking element in the defined open position. The actuating element then moves the cover body in the sliding direction, optionally against a frictional and / or braking force, to open or close the receiving compartment. Particularly preferably, at least one return element, in particular 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. In particular, 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 retaining openings for at least one locking element provided on the respective side are formed in both guide rails. Preferably, the actuating element has a handle accessible from outside the receiving compartment and provided above the lid body, and an actuating body connected to the handle in a movement-resistant manner and provided below the lid body, wherein the actuating body is kinematically coupled to the blocking element, and in particular additionally interacts with the stop and / or with the return element. Another aspect concerns a motor vehicle with a lid assembly, particularly one designed as a center console, which can be designed and further developed as described above, for storing items. The automatic movement of the locking element from the closed position to the locked position due to the inertial forces occurring in a crash enables smooth operation in the closed position and crash-proof locking in the locked position, thus providing a smooth-running and robust lid assembly for a motor vehicle. The invention is now explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings and 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 lid arrangement, Fig. 2: a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the lid arrangement from Fig. 1 in a closed position, Fig. 3: a schematic representation of the lid arrangement from Fig. 2 in an open position, Fig. 4: a schematic representation of the lid arrangement from Fig. 2 in a locked position, and Fig. 5: a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the lid arrangement from Fig. 1 in a closed position. The cover assembly 10 shown in Fig. 1 is, in the illustrated embodiment, designed as a center console 16 of a motor vehicle, which may, for example, have a padded armrest 12. The cover assembly 10 may have a receiving compartment 14 that defines a receiving volume for holding objects. A user can open and / or close an access opening of the receiving compartment 14 by means of an actuating element 18, by applying an actuating force 22, directed predominantly in the X-direction, to the actuating element 18 in order to displace a cover body 20 of the cover assembly 10 along a corresponding sliding direction. 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 an actuating element 26 extending below the cover body 20. The actuating element 18 is displaceable along the sliding direction relative to the cover body 20 against a braking force 28 applied by a holding brake and is guided linearly on the cover body 20. The cover body 20 can be guided linearly in a guide rail of the receiving compartment 14. Preferably, at least one retaining opening 32 is formed in the receiving compartment 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. An associated locking element 34 can engage in the respective retaining opening 32 in a closed position with play in the X direction.The locking element 34 is kinematically coupled to the relative movement of the actuating element 18 relative to the cover body 20 via a rotary element 36, so that the relative movement of the actuating element 18 relative to the cover body 20 along the sliding direction, in particular in the X direction, leads to a relative movement of the locking element 34 relative to the cover body 20 transverse to the sliding direction, in particular in the Y direction. As shown in Fig. 3, after a relative movement of the actuating element 18 in the direction of the actuating force 22, which is ensured by holding the cover body 20 in place by means of the braking force 28, the respective locking element 34 can be moved along an opening direction 30 into the open position shown. In the open position, the respective locking element 34 is pulled out of the retaining opening 32, so that with a further movement of the actuating element 18 in the direction of the actuating force 22, the cover body 20 can be carried along and moved by the actuating element 18. As shown in Fig. 4, in a crash, when the respective locking element 34 is in the closed position, such high inertial forces 38 can act on the cover body 20 and the actuating element 18 that the cover body 20 and the actuating element 18 are displaced together slightly in the X-direction into the shown locking position relative to the receiving compartment 14, without significant relative movement to each other. This causes an edge of the retaining opening 32 and the locking element 34 to interact in the locking position via a self-locking and / or self-reinforcing ramp 40. The ramps 40 allow threading and / or centering even in an oblique crash, while slippage under load is prevented by frictional engagement.This safely prevents a relative movement of the actuating element 18 relative to the cover body 20 that would accidentally move the locking element 34 into the open position due to the inertial forces 38 overcoming the braking force 28. As shown in Fig. 5, the mating of the ramps 40 can be replaced at at least one point by a positive locking mechanism, for example a tongue-and-groove connection 42. This ensures a crash-proof locking mechanism even under unfavorable friction conditions between the locking element 34 and the edge of the retaining opening 32.

Claims

Cover arrangement (10) for opening and closing a storage compartment (14) of a motor vehicle, comprising the storage compartment (14) for receiving items to be stowed, a cover body (20) for covering an access opening of the storage compartment (14), an actuating element (18) for moving the cover body (20) relative to the storage compartment (14) along at least one sliding direction, wherein the actuating element (18) is movable relative to the cover body (20) along the sliding direction to a limited extent, and at least one locking element (34) movable 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 locking element (34) is inserted into a retaining opening (32) of the storage compartment (14) in the closed position and is positioned out of the retaining opening (32) in the open position, characterized in thatthat the blocking element (34) within the retaining opening (32) is movable in the sliding direction between the closed position and a blocking position to block the lid body (20) in a crash relative to the receiving compartment (14). Cover arrangement (10) according to claim 1, wherein the blocking position for the blocking element (34) is essentially only achievable from the insertion position. Lid arrangement (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking element (34) is held in the locking position by a self-reinforcing and / or self-locking ramp (40) on the receiving compartment (14). Lid arrangement (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking element (34) is held in the locking position by a positive locking connection, in particular a tongue and groove connection (42), on the receiving compartment (14). Lid arrangement (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a holding brake is provided for overcoming the holding of the lid body (20) relative to the receiving compartment (14), wherein an actuating force (22) for displacing the locking element (34) between the open position and the closed position with the aid of the actuating element (18) which can be displaced relative to the lid body (20) is less than a braking force (28) imposed by the holding brake. Lid arrangement (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a rotary element (36) articulated to the lid body (20) is provided for converting a relative movement of the actuating element (18) which can be displaced in the sliding direction relative to the lid body (20) into a relative movement of the locking element (34) relative to the lid body (20) in a direction transverse to the sliding direction between the open position and the closed position. Cover arrangement (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cover body (20) has at least one stop for positive locking limitation of the relative movement of the actuating element (18) relative to the cover body (20). Lid arrangement (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one return element is provided for the return movement of the actuating element (18) relative to the lid body (20) to a neutral position of the actuating element (18). Lid arrangement (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the lid body (20) is guided translationally in a guide rail along the sliding direction, wherein the retaining opening (32) is formed by the guide rail. Motor vehicle with a lid arrangement (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9 for storing objects.

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