Lid device for a vehicle and storage compartment with lid device
The lid device synchronizes lid parts using a guide element with dampers, springs, or friction elements, addressing the need for uniform motion and reducing noise and stress without manual adjustments.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GRAMMER AG
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing lid devices for vehicles require time-consuming and costly adjustments to synchronize the movement of multiple lid parts, leading to non-uniform motion profiles and potential noise or material stress.
A lid device with synchronized rods guided by a guide element, utilizing a compensating device with dampers, springs, or friction elements to ensure uniform motion and reduce vibrations, without the need for manual adjustments.
The solution achieves uniform and synchronized lid movement, reducing noise and material stress while maintaining consistent speed throughout the opening and closing process.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[0001] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a cover device for a vehicle. For the purposes of the invention, the vehicle can be a land, air, or water vehicle.
[0002] A lid device is known from prior use and comprises a first lid part and a second lid part, both of which are pivotably mounted relative to a base. Each lid part is spring-loaded into an open position. To synchronize the movement of the lid parts from a closed position to the open position, at least one of the springs could be adjusted and thus adapted to the movement of the other lid part. This adjustment is time-consuming and therefore costly.
[0003] CN 214 929 365 U discloses a synchronization device for two lids. Each lid is pivotally mounted and forms a pivot joint with a toothed rail, the toothed rails of both lids engaging with a gear that is damped by a damper. The movements of the lids are synchronized in this way.
[0004] CN 111 791 806 A relates to a console with two covers and a synchronization device. Each cover is connected to a cam in a rotationally fixed manner. Each cam is spring-loaded by a pin that presses against a surface of the cam. Both pins are provided with teeth that mesh with a gear.
[0005] According to another design, the lids are loaded by means of a rotatably mounted lever.
[0006] In the lid device with two pivoting lids according to DE 10 2024 100 654 A1, each lid is connected directly or via a gear mechanism to a lever. The lever arms of both levers are connected to each other by means of a spring. Each lever also interacts with a damper.
[0007] JP 2009 - 202 797 A relates to a locking device for a lid with two lid parts.
[0008] German patent application DE 20 2017 106 909 U1 describes a device for covering a storage compartment. The device comprises two hinge axes arranged parallel to each other on the storage compartment. Two cover halves form a hinge joint with the storage compartment. The cover halves are pivotable between an open position, in which the storage compartment is exposed, and a closed position, in which the storage compartment is closed by the cover halves.
[0009] A coupling unit connected to the lid halves allows the pivoting movement of the lid halves between the open and closed positions to be synchronized. The coupling unit comprises at least one pendulum rod, at each end of which a connecting rod is pivotally arranged, such that, at least in the closed position, the pendulum rod and the connecting rods are positioned relative to each other in such a way that an acute angle is formed between each connecting rod and the pendulum rod. A guide track is arranged on each lid half, in which a connecting rod is movably guided with its end opposite the pendulum rod.
[0010] The object of the invention was to create a lid device in which the lid movement exhibits a uniform motion profile and the lid speed is also approximately uniform over the lid's path. Furthermore, the movement of the lid components should be synchronous, and this synchronous motion should be possible without any adjustment of the load-bearing device.
[0011] The problem was solved by a lid device having the features of claim 1.
[0012] The cover device is, for example, a cover for a vehicle console. The cover device comprises a first cover unit with a first cover part and a second cover unit with a second cover part, wherein the first cover part is pivotally mounted on a base between an open position and a closed position about a first pivot axis and the second cover part about a second pivot axis. Both cover parts are directly or indirectly connected to each other by means of a load-bearing device and are biased into the open position. The load-bearing device includes, for example, at least one spring. A locking device allows the cover parts to be locked, for example, in the closed position.
[0013] The movement of each lid section into the open position is dampened by at least one lid damper. This prevents the lid sections from moving too quickly into the open position, thus preventing noise and excessive stress on the material.
[0014] A first rod is connected to the first cover section, and a second rod of a first linkage is connected to the second cover section. The movement of the first and second rods is synchronized relative to a guide element by means of a synchronizing device.
[0015] The first rod and the second rod are guided, for example, in a guide element. The guide element guides the first rod and the second rod, and allows relative movement of the rods to each other as well as relative to the guide element.
[0016] A compensating device comprises first compensating elements associated with the guide element, which interact with second compensating elements of the base. The guide element is, for example, part of the lid damper and / or the compensating device.
[0017] The movement of the rods is synchronized, for example, relative to the guide element. Synchronization is achieved, for example, by means of teeth on each rod, the teeth engaging with a gear rotatably mounted on the guide element. Due to the synchronization of the first and second rods of the first linkage, a different rotational position of the first cover part relative to the second cover part results in a movement of the guide element from a central position, which it assumes when the first and second cover parts are in the same rotational position, in a first direction or an opposite second direction. According to the invention, this movement of the guide element is dampened by means of a damping device or biased into the central position by means of a spring device.
[0018] The compensating device can influence the movement of the lid parts in such a way that it is more uniform throughout the entire movement. It can also prevent vibrations.
[0019] The guide element includes, for example, the first compensating elements of the compensating device. The guide element can be provided with the first compensating elements of a spring device, a friction device, or a viscous damping system, with the second compensating elements being formed by the base.
[0020] For example, the relative movement of the first rod and the second rod of the first linkage drives a damper unit. For instance, the first rod and the second rod are in contact with a shaft of a viscous damper and drive it, which is, for example, mounted on the guide element.
[0021] The first rod is connected to a first toothed rail, and the second rod is connected to a second toothed rail, with a gear of the synchronizing device engaging with both the first and second toothed rails. The first and second toothed rails are in contact with the same gear, thus achieving synchronous movement of the rods.
[0022] The gear engaging with the first toothed rail and the second toothed rail is, for example, connected to a damper unit and drives it.
[0023] The damper of the compensating device and / or the lid damper includes, for example, a hydraulic or pneumatic damping unit. The damping unit is, for example, a viscous damper. Such damping components are standard, commercially available design elements.
[0024] The pivoting movement of each lid section can, for example, be dampened separately relative to the base by means of a lid damper, according to one alternative design. In other words, each lid section includes at least its own damper. In this way, the damping can occur directly at the pivot axis of the respective lid section. However, with this embodiment, it is not possible to influence whether the damping is moving ahead or behind the base.
[0025] The compensating device includes, for example, a friction device, wherein the first compensating means and the second compensating means form cooperating friction elements. The first friction elements are, for example, formed on the guide element. The second friction elements are, for example, formed at the base and are in frictional contact with the first friction elements. If the cover parts rotate in an unequal position, the guide element is moved from its central position, and the friction device dampens this movement.
[0026] According to another alternative, the compensating device includes, for example, a spring assembly in which a spring plunger connected to the first and second cover parts interacts with a first spring and a second spring, which load the cover parts into a synchronous position relative to each other. If one cover part lags behind or advances, the guide element moves from its central position and is thereby loaded into the central position by the spring assembly. The lagging or advance of one cover part thus triggers the return of the spring plunger and consequently of the cover parts.
[0027] It was mentioned above that the compensating device comprises a spring device, a friction device, or a damping system with a damper, e.g., a viscous damper. According to one embodiment, at least two devices from the group consisting of a spring device, a friction device, and a damping device are combined.
[0028] A second linkage comprises a first rod connected to the first cover section and a second rod connected to the second cover section. The first and second rods of the second linkage are synchronized, for example, by means of a synchronizing device. The relative movement of the first and second rods of the second linkage, for example, drives a damper unit.
[0029] The first rod and the second rod of the second linkage are guided, for example, in a separate guide component. The damper unit, for example, can be mounted on this guide component.
[0030] The guide component and / or guide element is, for example, guided at the base so that it can be moved translationally.
[0031] The guide component and / or guide element is, for example, rotatably mounted on the base.
[0032] The first rod and the second rod of the second linkage are connected, for example, to a rotatably mounted guide component, whereby the rotational movement of the guide component is damped by means of a damping unit. The guide component and / or the guide element is, for example, rotatably mounted at the base.
[0033] At least one device from the group consisting of a load-bearing device, lid damper, or compensating device is held to each lid part, for example, by means of a gear mechanism, a lever mechanism, or a joint. For example, the first and second rods of the first linkage and / or the second linkage are held to each lid part by means of a lever mechanism, a gear mechanism, or a joint.
[0034] The load-bearing device is held to the first and second cover sections in such a way that the lever arm effective for the torque decreases between the closed and open positions. In this way, a leading cover section has a shorter lever arm with respect to the spring force than a lagging cover section. If the load-bearing device is connected to both cover sections so that the spring forces balance each other, this means that the driving torque due to the spring force is greater for a lagging cover section than for a leading cover section.
[0035] The first pivot axis of the first lid section and the second pivot axis of the second lid section are arranged opposite each other, for example, with respect to an opening in the base. The free end areas of the lid sections, facing away from the pivot joints, are adjacent to each other in the closed position.
[0036] According to a second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a storage compartment with the lid device according to the invention. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the prior art mentioned in relation to the first aspect of the invention.
[0037] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in the following description of the figures, also with reference to the drawings. For the sake of clarity, identical or comparable parts, elements, or areas are designated with the same reference numerals, sometimes with the addition of lowercase letters, even where different embodiments are concerned.
[0038] Features that are described only in relation to one embodiment can also be provided in any other embodiment of the invention within the scope of the invention.
[0039] All disclosed features are essential to the invention.
[0040] They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a first embodiment of the lid device according to the invention in the open position, Fig. 2 a top view of the lid device in the closed position, Fig. 3a a sectional view according to section line BB in Fig. 2, Fig. 3b a section view according to section line CC in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 a section view according to section line AA in Fig. 2, Fig. 5 based on the sectional view according to Fig. 3a, the lid device in an intermediate position, wherein one lid part leads, Fig. 6 a sectional view based on Fig. 4, wherein the lid parts are in the position according to Fig. 5 are, Fig. 7 the lid device in accordance with Fig. 6, with both lid parts in the open position, Fig. 8 a perspective view of a second embodiment of the lid device according to the invention, Fig. 9 a front view in the closed position of the lid parts, Fig. 10 a top view of the lid device, Fig. 11 a section view according to section line HH in Fig. 9, Fig. 12 a section view according to section line EE in Fig. 9, Fig. 13 a view according to Fig. 11, wherein the lid device is in an intermediate position, with one lid part lagging behind, Fig. 14 a view according to Fig. 13, wherein the lid device is in the open position, Fig. 15 a perspective view of a third embodiment of the lid device according to the invention, Fig. 16 a front view of the lid device in the closed position, Fig. 17 a section view according to section line HH in Fig. 16, Fig. 18 a section view according to section line EE in Fig. 16, Fig. 19 a sectional view according to Fig. 17, wherein the lid device is in an intermediate position accordingly Fig. 5 is located, and a lid part lags behind, Fig. 20 the sectional view based on Fig. 19, with the lid parts in the open position.
[0041] A lid device according to the invention is designated by reference numeral 10 in the figures.
[0042] In Fig. Figure 1 shows the lid device 10, wherein a first lid part 12a of a first lid unit 11a and a second lid part 12b of a second lid unit 11b are in an open position relative to a base 35. The base 35 can, for example, be formed by a frame that surrounds the opening of a receiving compartment which can be closed with the lid device 10.
[0043] A loading device 15, which in this example includes a spring 16, is held on both the cover part 12a and the cover part 12b. Contrary to the illustration, in which, for graphical reasons, it appears as if the spring 16 is only attached to the cover part 12a, the spring 16 is connected to both cover parts 12a and 12b, as indicated by a dashed line in Fig. 3b is shown.
[0044] A locking device 25 with bolts 43 holds the cover parts 12a and 12b in the closed position (see e.g. the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3a). So that the lid parts 12a and 12b can be made from a Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Closed position shown, not to be moved at high speed into the open position according to Fig. The lid device 10 has a lid damper 20 which dampens the opening movement of the lid parts 12a and 12b. The lid part 12a rotates in the direction u1 and u2 about the axis a1 and the lid part 12b rotates about the axis a2 in the direction p1 and p2.
[0045] The cover part 12a has a toothing 13 formed on a radius around the pivot axis a1 and engaging with a toothing 14a of a first rod 17a. Similarly, the cover part 12b has a toothing 13 formed on a radius around the pivot axis a2 and engaging with a toothing 14b of a second rod 17b. The rods 17a and 17b are part of a linkage 18. The rods 17a and 17b are guided in a guide element 19 so as to be movable in the directions y1 and y2.
[0046] A toothed section 21a of rod 17a and a toothed section 21b of rod 17b engage with a gear 22 of a damper unit 23, which in this example is designed as a viscous damper. The movement of the cover parts 12a and 12b from the closed position to the open position is therefore not abrupt, but damped. The engagement of rods 17a and 17b with the gear 22 means that rods 17a and 17b travel the same distance relative to the guide element 19 when either rod 17a or 17b moves. This forms a synchronization device that synchronizes the movement of rods 17a and 17b relative to the guide element 19.
[0047] If one lid part moves faster than the other lid part towards the open position (see Fig. 5) Due to the motion coupling at the gear 22, the guide element 19 shifts from the center relative to the base 35 in the direction y1 or y2. For example, if the cover part 12b leads the cover part 12a, the guide element 19 moves in the direction y2. This movement is dampened or counterbalanced by means of a compensating device 30. In this way, vibrations are avoided and the movement is smoothed.
[0048] In this example, the compensating device 30 has a spring assembly 45 with a first spring 24a, which is supported at one end against a stop 26a, and with a second spring 24b, which is supported at one end against a stop 26b of a base 35. The springs 24a and 24b are guided in a sleeve structure 28 of the guide element 19. The guide element 19 includes a spring plunger 27, which is arranged between the springs 24a and 24b.
[0049] When the spring plunger 27 moves in the direction of y2, the spring 24a is tensioned; the opposite movement in the direction of y1 tensions the spring 24b. Due to this preload of the guide element 19 into a central position, the cover parts 12a and 12b are also loaded into a position with the same pivot angle.
[0050] Furthermore, a second effect causes the pivot positions of the cover parts 12a and 12b to align with each other. The cover part 12a has an arm 37a (see Fig. 3b) and the cover part 12b has an arm 37b. The spring 16 of the load-bearing device 15 is attached to a free end region of each arm 37a and 37b by a fastening 36. The fastening 36 of the load-bearing device 15 is positioned such that the lever arm effective for the pivoting movement of the cover part 12a or 12b is greatest in the closed position and decreases with increasing pivot angle in the opening direction.
[0051] Due to the attachment of the spring 16 to both cover parts 12a and 12b, the spring force is balanced. However, if a cover part 12a or 12b is moving ahead, the torque for the opening movement is smaller due to the shorter lever arm. In other words, a cover part 12a or 12b moving behind is subject to a higher torque.
[0052] A second embodiment (see the Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13 to Fig. 14) corresponds – except for the design of the compensating device 30' and the guide element 19' – to the first embodiment. The stops 26a and 26b and the sleeve structure 28 are irrelevant in this example. In this example, the guide element 19' has a friction device 40 with a friction structure 33 (see Fig. 12) of the guide element 19', which is in contact with a counter-friction structure 34 of the base 35. Here, the counter-friction structure 34 is formed on an adjusting element 44, which is adjustable on the base 35 by means of an adjuster 38 and a spring 39.
[0053] If the pivot angle of both cover parts 12a and 12b is the same, the guide element 19' is arranged in a central position, as shown in the Fig. 9, Fig. 10 to Fig. 11 can be seen. With the lid parts positioned according to the Fig. 5, the guide element 19' moves in the direction of y2 into the off-center position according to Fig. 13. The movement is slowed by the friction device 40.
[0054] The return movement of the guide element 19' occurs due to the different torques described above, which act on the cover parts 12a and 12b, resulting in a compensation of the rotational angle of the cover parts 12a and 12b. According to Fig. 14 both cover parts 12a and 12b are in the open position and the guide element 19' is in the central starting position.
[0055] In Fig. Figure 12 shows that the adjuster 38, here in the form of a threaded screw, can be placed in contact with a bridge 41 of the guide element 19' with adjustable contact pressure, the bridge 41 moving in a groove 42 of the base.
[0056] A third embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the design of the compensating device 30" and the guide element 19". The lid damper 20 is designed as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the guide element 19" has a toothed section 29 which engages with a gear 31 of a damping unit 32, which here is designed as a viscous damper.
[0057] If the cover part 12b moves forward, it moves the guide element 19" from its central position in the direction of y1 or y2. In this embodiment, the same position of the cover parts 12a and 12b is maintained as in Fig. 5 of the first embodiment is assumed, wherein the guide element 19" - as in the first example - moves in the direction y2, this movement being damped by the damping unit 32.
[0058] In this third embodiment, a return movement to a uniform rotational position of the cover parts 12a and 12b occurs due to the different torques, as described above. The different torques are due to the fastenings 36 on the arms 37a and 37b, which are such that the lagging cover part is driven with a greater torque than the leading cover part.
Claims
[1] Cover device (10) for a vehicle comprising a first cover unit with a first cover part (12a) and a second cover unit with a second cover part (12b), wherein the first cover part (12a) is pivotably mounted on a base (35) between an open position and a closed position about a first pivot axis (a1) and the second cover part (12b) about a second pivot axis (a2), wherein both cover parts (12a, 12b) are directly or indirectly connected to each other by means of a loading device (15) and are loaded into the open position, wherein the movement of each cover part (12a, 12b) into the open position is damped by at least one cover damper (20), characterized by, that a first rod (17a) is connected to the first cover part (12a) and a second rod (17b) of a first linkage (18) is connected to the second cover part (12b), wherein the movement of the first rod (17a) and the second rod (17b) is synchronized with a synchronizing device relative to a central guide element (19), wherein a compensating device (30, 30', 30") comprises first compensating means associated with the guide element (19, 19', 19") which interact with second compensating means of the base (35). [2] Lid device (10) according to claim 1 characterized by , that the relative movement of the first rod (17a) and the second rod (17b) drives a damping unit (32) which forms part of the compensating device (30, 30', 30"). [3] Cover device (10) according to one of the preceding claims characterized by, that the first rod (17a) is connected to a first toothed rail (21a) and the second rod (17b) to a second toothed rail (21b) and that a gear (22) of the synchronization device is engaged with the first toothed rail (21a) and with the second toothed rail (21b). [4] Cover device (10) according to claim characterized by , that a gear (22) engaging with the first toothed rail (21a) and the second toothed rail (21b) is connected to a damper unit (23). [5] Cover device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the compensating device (30, 30', 30") comprises a hydraulic or pneumatic damping unit (32). [6] Cover device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the pivoting movement of each lid part (12a, 12b) relative to the base (35) is damped separately by means of a lid damper (20). [7] Cover device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the compensating device (30, 30', 30") comprises a friction device (40), wherein the first compensating means and the second compensating means comprise cooperating friction means (33, 34). [8] Cover device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the compensating device (30, 30', 30") comprises a spring device (45) wherein a spring plunger (27) connected to the first cover part (12a) and to the second cover part (12b) interacts with at least a first spring (24a) and a second spring (24b) which loads the cover parts (12a, 12b) into a synchronous position relative to each other. [9] Cover device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that a second linkage comprises a first rod connected to the first cover part (12a) and a second rod connected to the second cover part (12b), wherein the relative movement of the rods drives a damper unit (23). [10] Cover device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first rod and the second rod of the second linkage are guided in a guide component. [11] Cover device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the guide element (19) or the guide component is mounted on the base (35) in a translationally movable or rotatable manner. [12] Cover device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that at least one device from the group consisting of a load-bearing device (15), a lid damper (20) or a compensating device (30, 30', 30") is held on each lid part (12a, 12b) by means of a gear drive, a lever device, a positive locking connection or a joint. [13] Cover device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the load-bearing device (15) is held on the first cover part (12a) and on the second cover part (12b) in such a way that a lever arm effective for the torque is reduced between the closed position and the open position. [14] Cover device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first pivot axis (a1) of the first cover part (12a) and the second pivot axis (a2) of the second cover part (12b) are arranged opposite each other with respect to an opening of the base (35). [15] Storage compartment for a vehicle with a lid device (10) according to one of the preceding claims.