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

Abstract

Storage device (1), in particular for a vehicle, which has: 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).

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 stowage options in the interior that can be used to store small items such as documents, keys, mobile phones, drinks, and the like, and may also contain other functional elements such as USB or card ports. These storage devices can be integrated into the interior panels of a motor vehicle or provided in other areas of the passenger compartment.

[0003] For example, a motor vehicle dashboard generally incorporates a glove compartment or box, providing storage space that can be opened and closed from the outside, for example, via a hinged lid. Glove compartments are typically operated manually, with the driver or passenger opening and closing the glove compartment by hand. Because the glove compartment 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 compartment while driving.

[0004] In addition, problems can be associated with the manual operation of a storage device such as a glove box. Excessive or inappropriate force by the user can damage the lid, for example if the lid hits an object in the opening area of ​​the lid when closing. In addition, rattling or clattering noises can occur if the lid is slammed shut quickly or forcefully, and it is difficult to maintain a clean, even joint between the lid and the housing over the lifetime of the storage device. Sealing of the contact surfaces between the lid and the housing is generally required to both reduce the noise when the lid is manually closed and to ensure that the storage device seals tightly.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 an actuating gear to electrically move a hinged lid between the open position and the closed position. In general, however, this requires quite complex mechanically moving parts and drive and / or locking elements, which are arranged at least partially in the interior of the housing and / or on the rear 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 slammed shut 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 ability to manually close a storage device, especially a glove compartment, in addition to electrical operation may well be a desirable option. This allows for simple and intuitive operation for both the driver and the front passenger.

[0007] Based on this, it is an object of the present invention to eliminate or at least reduce the known deficiencies of 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 of the storage device. Preferably, the storage device should have a simple, cost-effective design with optimized storage space and enable safe, reliable, durable, and flexible operation.

[0008] A further object of the invention is to provide a motor vehicle with such a storage device.

[0009] These objects are achieved by a storage device having the features of independent claim 1, as well as a motor vehicle with a storage device having the features of independent claim 16. Particularly preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

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

[0011] Thus, a storage device forming a storage compartment or stowage compartment is created, the lockable lid of which can be opened and closed both purely electrically and manually by a user. The storage device, in particular the electric drive, is configured to implement an electrically operated final closing or closing function during manual closing, in which the lid is moved and closed in a controlled manner against the housing by the electric drive from the pre-closing position to the closed position.

[0012] The lid thus essentially has three defined positions: In the open position, the lid is fully open, allowing access to the housing cavity or the space between the housing and the open lid. This allows items to be easily inserted or removed from the storage space. The storage space can, for example, be formed by the housing cavity, which is loaded with items from the front (a so-called front-loader design), or the storage space can be formed on the rear side of the lid facing the housing and loaded from above (a so-called top-loader design).

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

[0014] The lid further has a defined pre-closing position, which is an intermediate position of the lid between the open position and the closed position, in which the lid is not completely closed, but is at least partially spaced from the housing. For example, in the pre-closing position, the lid can 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 lid is then electrically pulled or fully closed against the housing by means of the electric drive.

[0015] The invention therefore provides both a purely electrically operated, fully automated movement of the lid between the open position and the closed position in both directions, as well as a combination of manual closing and automated final closing or pulling of the lid. A driver can, for example, initiate automated opening or closing of the storage compartment using a suitable control element, e.g., a button or pushbutton nearby, for example, on the steering wheel or dashboard, so that driver distraction is minimized and safety and user comfort can be increased with fully automated operation. A corresponding control element, e.g., a control panel on a touch-sensitive display, can also be provided for the front passenger. On the other hand, it is also possible for a user to close the glove compartment manually. This increases flexibility of use.The lid doesn't need to be slammed shut, but rather gently pressed. The electric closing function moves and presses the lid against the housing in a uniform manner, preventing rattling noises and the like. Better, more even seals along the edge of the lid and a tight seal between the lid and the housing can be achieved by closing the lid against the housing with a controlled movement and defined, controlled force. Seals between the housing and the lid for sealing and noise reduction can be omitted if necessary.

[0016] The storage device according to the invention is suitable for use as any storage compartment or storage compartment, in particular as a glove compartment, in a motor vehicle. The storage device can be provided as a prefabricated module and quickly and easily integrated and installed into a designated receiving opening, for example, in a motor vehicle dashboard. The storage device can be simple and low-complex in design, enabling long-term operation while improving safety, quality, user comfort, 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 mounted on the horizontal pivot axis, which can be folded down to open to provide access to the storage space, or folded against the housing to close it to block 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 solely by its own weight, unless subjected to a force toward the closed position. For this purpose, the lid may be suitably shaped and suspended or mounted, and its weight may be distributed such that the lid tends to move or pivot into the open position solely by gravity, unless prevented from such an opening movement by an external force, e.g., by being held in place.

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

[0020] In advantageous embodiments of any of the aforementioned storage devices, the pivotable lid may comprise a lid plate and a lid arm rigidly connected to the lid plate, preferably formed integrally therewith. The lid arm may be operatively coupled to the power transmission mechanism of the electric drive 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 a rear side of the cover plate and protrude from it, forming a two-sided lever with the cover plate that can pivot 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 apart horizontally such that they can be arranged on the horizontally opposite sides, in particular outer sides, of the housing.

[0022] Preferably, the entire electric drive with the electric motor and the power transmission mechanism is mounted entirely on the outside of the housing, e.g., on the outside of the rear of the housing and the outer side surfaces of the housing. The cavity of the housing and the inside or rear of the lid facing the housing can then be completely free of components of the electric drive. Preferably, there are also no locking means present there for locking the lid to the housing. The lid can be completely flat, and the risk of collision with objects in the storage space when closing the lid is minimized. If the storage device is installed in a vehicle, the locking mechanism is preferably not visible at all from the outside, which improves the overall aesthetics.

[0023] The power transmission mechanism serves to convert a movement of the electric motor into a movement, in particular a pivoting movement, of the lid. For this purpose, different configurations of the power transmission mechanism are possible, including gear drives, telescopic devices, and the like. In preferred, simple, and robustly constructed embodiments of the invention, the power transmission mechanism comprises a carriage guided in a guide on the housing for linear movement essentially in a horizontal direction forwards and backwards, toward and away from the lid, and a drive means that drive-connects the carriage 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 in order to be able to apply uniform forces to the lid on both sides and move it in a controlled manner.

[0024] In an advantageous configuration of the aforementioned embodiments of the storage device, the drive means can be a flexible push-pull drive means that meshes with a threaded spindle driven by the electric motor. The flexible push-pull drive means can, in particular, be a pitch cable, which is a flexible drive cable or wire rope with an endless helix that can be subjected to both tension and compression. The pitch cable can preferably be guided in a tube and connected, on the one hand, to the threaded spindle of the electric motor and, on the other hand, to the carriage. The movement of the carriage is thus effected by force. Instead of a wire rope, a flexible shaft could also be provided as the core of the pitch cable.Although other drive means for driving the carriage are also possible, 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 in which the cover is designed as a two-sided lever with the cover arm projecting from the rear of the cover plate, the slide can preferably be detachably coupled to a free end of the cover arm in order to bring about a coupled pivoting movement of the cover arm with the electrically driven linear movement of the slide during automated closing or opening of the cover, but on the other hand to allow decoupling of the cover arm from the slide during manual closing of the cover. During automated closing of the cover, the slide can act against the free end of the cover arm during its retraction movement in order to pivot the cover towards the housing. During automated opening of the cover, the slide can relieve the free end of the cover arm during its extension movement so that the cover can pivot into the open position under its own weight.

[0026] In particularly preferred embodiments, the storage device can further comprise a locking lever which is rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis of rotation parallel to the pivot axis of the lid, which locking lever can be pivoted between a locking position and a release position and is prestressed by a prestressing means in the direction of the locking position, wherein the locking lever is formed on two sides with a first lever arm and a second lever arm, wherein the first lever arm can be engaged with the lid arm in the locking position in order to hold the lid in the pre-closing position and the closed position, and releases the lid arm in the release position. The second lever arm preferably has a free end which is intended to effectively engage with the slide.

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

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

[0029] In advantageous embodiments, the carriage can be effectively coupled to the locking lever in order to move the locking lever from the locked position to the release position as needed. For this purpose, the carriage 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 a horizontal and transition into the second guide surface, which can have a flatter angle relative to the horizontal than the first guide surface. The first guide surface is designed such that when the carriage 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 in order to release the free end of the lid arm.Subsequently, as the carriage continues to move, 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 unhindered 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 so that the lid arm can pivot along with the further linear movement of the slide until the slide reaches its front end stop and the lid is fully opened. After briefly remaining in the release position, the locking lever is returned to the locking position by its pretensioning means. To enable easy re-coupling of the locking lever with the slide when the lid is closed, it is preferably provided that the second lever arm of the locking lever is slightly flexible in the transverse direction so that it can be easily elastically bent with respect 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 to move over the inclined surface and past the first and second guide surfaces into a recess in the slide, which defines at least the first guide surface, during a movement of the slide in the direction of the locking lever. The locking lever and the slide are then again coupled in a suitable, force-locking and positive-locking manner for a subsequent opening process.

[0031] The means configured to detect manual closing of the lid to the pre-closing position may comprise any suitable sensor, including at least one of a mechanical switch, an optical, capacitive, or inductive position sensor, and / or an optical, capacitive, or inductive proximity sensor. The sensor may detect the positioning of the lid in the pre-closing position or an approach thereto and send a corresponding sensor signal to a higher-level controller or close an electrical circuit to supply the electric motor with a current pulse and pull the lid into the closed position with electric motor assistance.

[0032] In a preferred, simple, and robust embodiment, the sensor comprises an electrical microswitch configured to be actuated directly or indirectly by the lid in the pre-closing position of the lid. 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-closing position.

[0033] Preferably, a control device is provided for the automated operation of the lid. The control device can be configured to receive input signals indicating an operator's desire to automatically open and close the storage device, and input signals indicating positioning of the lid in the pre-closing position, and then to cause the electric motor to be supplied with a current pulse to cause the lid to be moved into its closed position or its 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 with a storage device is provided, wherein the storage device can be configured according to any embodiment described above and can be used in particular as a glove compartment in a dashboard of the motor vehicle. The storage device can preferably be installed as a finished module in its entirety into a corresponding receiving opening prefabricated in the dashboard. The above-mentioned and other advantages of the storage device according to the invention with regard to the improved design and use also apply to the motor vehicle equipped with the storage device and also benefit the motor vehicle as a whole.

[0035] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the claims, the following description of preferred embodiments, and from the drawings.

[0036] The drawings depict non-limiting embodiments of the subject matter of the invention. Where possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the figures to designate the same components, and unless otherwise specified, the statements apply accordingly to all figures. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a section of a motor vehicle interior with an opened glove compartment to illustrate a preferred area of ​​application 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 according to Fig. 2 with closed lid; Fig. 4 a perspective view from above and behind of the storage device according to Fig. 2, in simplified representation; Fig. 5a-5b the storage device according to Fig. 2 in a side view with closed and open lid; Fig. 6a-6d Detailed drawings of the storage device according to the invention Fig. 2 in enlarged partial side views to illustrate an automated opening of the lid of the storage device; Fig. 7 is an isolated perspective top view of the electric drive for the storage device according to Fig. 2 with an electric motor and a transmission according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 8 is an enlarged, partial detailed view of a locking lever, slide and lid arm of the storage device according to the invention, in a view from below; Fig. 9a-9c a schematic side view of the storage device according to the invention according to Fig. 2 in an opening position, a pre-closing position and a closing position of the lid, in a representation similar to the representation in the Fig. 5a-5b, illustrating a manual closing of 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 views in the Fig. 6a-6d, illustrating 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, illustrating a fully automated closing of the lid of the storage device.

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

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

[0039] The lid 6 of the glove compartment 2, which can also be referred to as a flap, serves to open or close the housing 4 with the storage space to the outside as required. For this purpose, the lid 6 is attached to the housing 4 by a Fig. 1 is pivotally mounted on a horizontal pivot axis 8, which is merely indicated. When the lid 6 is pivoted or folded into the open position, the storage space of the storage device is accessible and loadable from the front or from above. In the open position, the lid 6 and thus the cavity 7 of the housing 4 are completely 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. 1 only a partially open position of the cover 6 is shown.

[0040] The glove box 2 further comprises an electric drive 9 associated with the movable cover 6, which Fig. 1 is merely indicated by dashed lines. The electric drive 9 comprises an electric motor 11 and a power transmission mechanism, which are configured and controllable to effect an automated opening of the lid 6 into the open position and an 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 is explained in more detail.

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

[0042] By now on the Fig. 2-11, the storage device 1 or the glove compartment 2 including the electric drive 9 and the closing and opening mechanism of the storage device 1 will be described in more detail. Fig. 2 shows the glove compartment 2 with the lid 6 in the opening position in which the lid is folded down to the maximum 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 compartment 2 with the lid 6 in its closed position. Access to the cavity 6 or storage space of the glove compartment 2 is blocked.

[0043] Fig. Figure 4 shows, in a perspective top view of the top and rear of the glove compartment 2, the electric drive 9, which comprises an electric motor 14 and a power transmission mechanism 16. The electric motor 14 can be any servo motor, in particular a DC motor, which can be rotated in different directions depending on the polarity of the current supplied to the motor, in order to effect the automated opening or closing of the lid 6. By additionally referring to the Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b, it can be seen that the power transmission mechanism 16 comprises a gear 17 and a carriage 18. The carriage 18 is linearly movable to act on the cover 6 to move it into the positions shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 5a shown closed position or into the position shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 5b to allow the opening position to be pivoted.

[0044] More precisely, the slide 18 interacts with a cover arm 19, which projects essentially perpendicularly from a rear side 21 of a cover plate 22. The rear side 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, which is located at the connection point between the cover plate 22 and the cover arm 19. The cover arm 19 and the cover plate 22 are preferably formed as a single piece, for example, cast from plastic or molded from another material that is also suitable, for example, for use on 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 in such a way that the cover 6 can move or pivot into the open position solely under its own weight, without requiring any auxiliary devices, such as spring means. For this purpose, the cover plate 22 is also significantly heavier than the cover arm(s) 19 and, in the closed position, is arranged at an angle relative to the horizontal. The center of gravity of the cover 6 lies in the area of ​​the cover plate 22, spaced from a vertical plane passing through the pivot axis 8, in order to apply a torque to the cover in the direction of opening.

[0046] As can be seen in particular from the Fig. 5a, Fig. 5b and the detailed views of the Fig. 6a-6d, the cover arm 19 has a contact surface 24 at its free end 23, which is slightly concavely curved and effectively engages a slightly convexly curved contact surface 26 formed on a side of the carriage 18 facing the cover arm 19. The contact surfaces 24 and 26 of the cover arm 19 and the carriage 18 are shaped to match one another in such a way that when the carriage 18 pivots the cover arm 19 during its movement, the contact surfaces 24, 26 can also slide against one another in a vertical direction without significant frictional forces. Thus, the linear movement of the carriage 18 in the horizontal direction can be converted into a pivoting movement of the cover arm 19 about the pivot axis 8.

[0047] If directional terms such as "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "vertical" and "horizontal" are used here, these should be understood in the same sense as the glove compartment 2 is installed in the dashboard 3 and viewed by a user. In this respect, "front" or "forward" refers to the front of the glove compartment 2 visible to the user or the direction towards the front side of the housing 4 with the access opening 5, while "rear" and "rearward" refer to the rear side of the glove compartment 2, to which the electric motor 14 is attached, and the direction towards it. Accordingly, the terms "top" and "bottom" are also 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 cover 6 is in the Fig. 5b. The horizontal direction is determined by the horizontal installation position of the glove compartment 2 and can, for example, run essentially from front to back or vice versa, perpendicular to the vertical direction, which is oriented from top to bottom or vice versa. "Transverse direction" is generally understood here to mean a direction perpendicular to the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0048] As particularly 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 delimited by a three-sided wall 28 and is open to the outside at the outer upper end. A part of the wall 28 facing the rear of the housing 4 forms a locking finger 29, which can be gripped by a locking lever 31 described below to hold the cover 6 in a defined position.

[0049] Referring again to the carriage 18, the carriage 18 is guided in a guide 32 for linear movement in a horizontal direction toward and away from the cover 6. The guide 32 is in the form of a guide bar mounted on a side wall 33 of the housing 4. A closed front end 34 of the guide 32, which is arranged near the access opening 5, forms a first stop 36 for the carriage 18 when the carriage 18 reaches its most extended position. A rear end 37 of the guide 32 forms a second stop 38 for the carriage 18 when the carriage 18 reaches its most retracted position.

[0050] The carriage 18 further has various functional surfaces on its outward-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 from an underside 43 of the carriage 18 at a relatively steep angle of approximately 30-50°, in particular 40-50°, obliquely upwards and backwards and merges into the second guide surface 42, which has a shallow angle relative to the horizontal of only approximately 0-5°, e.g., 1-2°. The second guide surface 42 could also be oriented substantially horizontally.

[0051] The side surface 39 of the carriage 18 further comprises an inclined surface 44 which is inclined relative to a vertical plane defined by the guide 32 and which, via an intermediate surface 46 which runs substantially parallel to a vertical plane defined by the guide 32, merges into a recess 47 which is 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 shown in Fig. 8, which illustrates a section of the power transmission mechanism 16 with the lid arm 19 and the carriage 18 as well as the locking lever 31 in a partial plan view from below.

[0052] To move the carriage 18, the power transmission mechanism 16 has the gear 17, which converts a rotary movement of the electric motor 14 into the linear movement of the carriage 18. In the preferred embodiment, and as particularly shown in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 7, the gear 17 comprises a threaded spindle 48 driven by the electric motor 14, which can be attached or formed in particular on the output shaft of the electric motor 14, and a flexible tension-compression drive means 49, which here comprises 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 coil 52 (not shown in detail here), which meshes with the threaded spindle 48, as in Fig. 7 indicated.

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

[0054] As already mentioned, and again referring to the Fig. 5a-b, Fig. 6a-d and Fig. 8, the glove compartment 2 has the locking lever 31, which serves to hold or lock the lid arm 19 in predetermined positions of the lid 6 as needed. The locking lever 31 is mounted on a pivot pin 56 for rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation 54, which runs parallel to the pivot axis 8 of the lid 6, and is pivotable between a locking position in which the locking lever 31 engages with the lid arm 19, and a release position in which the locking lever 31 is disengaged from the lid arm 19. A biasing means 57, which here comprises a coil spring 58 wound around the pivot pin 56, biases the locking lever 31 toward the locking position. The coil spring 58 is fixed to the housing at one end, while its other end is supported and presses against the locking lever 31. A locking lever 31 is arranged on each side wall 33 of the housing 4 of the glove box 2 to cooperate 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 lid arm 19 to hold or release the lid arm 19.

[0056] The second lever arm 61 has, as particularly shown in Fig. 8, a first section or connecting section 63, a second, flexible section 64, and a free end 66. The connecting section 63 is significantly more solid than the flexible section 64 and connects the flexible section 64 to the first lever arm 59. The flexible section 61 is a thin, substantially rectangular strip of the material forming the locking lever 31, which is connected at one end to the more solid connecting section 63 at the connection point 67 and is preferably formed integrally therewith. As a result, the flexible section 64 is elastically bendable in the transverse direction around the connection point 67 in order to enable elastic deflection of the free end 66 of the second lever arm 61 when it comes into engagement 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 cylindrical in shape to ensure stable guidance of the free end 66 on the first and second guide surfaces 41, 42 of the carriage 18.

[0057] As can be seen from the figures, especially the Fig. 10a-10d, the glove compartment 2 has a sensor 68, which serves to detect a 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 spaced from the housing 4. The pre-closing position is, for example, in Fig. 9b. In the pre-closing position, the lid can be pivoted by approximately 2-3 degrees or up to 5 degrees relative to the front of the housing 4 and opened a gap. Manual closing of the lid 4 up to the pre-closing position is automatically detected by the sensor 68, which then causes the lid 6 to be electrically pulled or fully closed 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 comprises a switching element 71 protruding from a housing of the microswitch 69, which can be activated by pressure to close contacts (not shown in detail here) and thus close an electrical circuit. In this respect, the microswitch 69 is preferably designed as a normally open contact, although designs as normally closed contacts are also possible in principle. The microswitch 69 is electrically connected to the control device 11, which receives a corresponding input signal upon activation of the microswitch 69 and then appropriately controls the electric motor 14 to completely close the lid.

[0059] The microswitch 69 is attached to the side wall 33 of the housing 4 at a suitable location to be activated by the lid arm 19 when the lid 6 reaches the pre-closing position. In the present case, the microswitch 69 is activated by a projection 72 formed on a damper element 73, which presses on the switching element 71 when the lid 6 is in the pre-closing position and actuates it. The damper element 73 is connected to the lid arm 19 and serves to absorb vibrations that may arise during the movement of the lid 6, to divert them to the housing 4, and to dampen them. The damper element 73 can be provided on only one side wall 33 of the housing 4 and can also be omitted. The projection 72 or another configuration for actuating the switching element 71 can then, for example, be formed directly on the lid arm 19.

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

[0061] In the closed position, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 6a, the locking tongue 62 of the first lever arm 59 of the locking lever 31 engages the recess 27 at the free end 23 of the lid arm 19 to lock it. Manual opening of the lid 6 can thus be effectively prevented.

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

[0063] While the carriage 18 is moving, the free end 66 of the second lever arm 61 of the locking lever 31 is loaded by the inclined first guide surface 41 of the carriage 18 with a force acting partly upwards, whereby the second lever arm 61 and the locking lever 31 as a whole are moved in the direction indicated by a circular arrow in Fig. 6b. This disengages the locking lever 31 from the recess 27 and, in particular, the locking finger 29, so that movement of the free end 23 of the lid arm 19 is not impeded by the locking lever 31.

[0064] Upon further movement of the slide 18, the free end 66 of the second lever arm 61 of the locking lever 31 reaches 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 lid arm 19, increasingly relieved of the load by the slide 18, is allowed to pass the locking lever 31 when the lid 6 begins to pivot towards the open position due to its own weight. This state is shown in Fig. 6c illustrates.

[0065] The carriage 18 is then driven by the electric motor 14 and the incline cable 51, until it reaches the first stop 36 at the front end 34 of the guide 32 and the lid 6 is in the open position. The glove compartment 2 is fully opened. 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 in Fig. 6d is displayed. The opening process is fully automated.

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

[0067] As in Fig. 9a, a user can pivot the lid 6 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 reaches the Fig. 9b is reached and the cover 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 be moved away from the carriage 18 up to the Fig. 10a, in which the locking finger 29 on the free end 23 of the lid arm 19 comes into contact with the locking tongue 62 of the locking lever 31. Upon further pivoting of the lid 4, the locking finger 29 presses against the locking tongue 62, so that the locking lever 31 is rotated counterclockwise around the axis of rotation 54 away from the lid arm 19, against the action of the helical spring 58. Fig. 10a, as indicated by a circular arrow, 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 lid arm 19. The locking lever 31 is then pivoted by the coil spring 58 back into the locking position, in which the locking tongue 62 engages behind the locking finger 29 in the recess 27 of the lid arm 19 to fix the pre-closing position of the lid arm 19. This state is in Fig. 10b shown.

[0069] In the pre-closing position of the lid 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 device 11. The control device 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 lid 6 to close or fully close from the pre-closing position to the closed position. The electric motor 14 begins to run and drives the carriage 18 via the gear 17 by pulling the elevator cable 51 toward the lid 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 connection 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 state is also in Fig. 10c illustrates.

[0071] Upon further movement of the slide 18, the free end 66 of the second lever arm 61 of the locking lever 31 reaches the intermediate surface 46, as in Fig. 10d, until the free end 66 reaches beyond the intermediate surface 46 to the recess 47 of the side surface 39 of the carriage 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] At the same time, 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 side of the housing 4. The cover 6 thus reaches the Fig. 9c, in which the cover plate 22 is pressed firmly against the housing 4 with the assistance of the electric drive 9, and the cavity 7 is blocked from external access. Manual opening of the cover 4 is effectively prevented by the locking tongue 62 of the locking lever 31 acting 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, here in particular the microswitch 69, and the electric motor-driven closing process is then initiated, achieving the final closing of the lid 6 with a controlled movement and controlled forces. This largely prevents damage to the electric drive 9, the lid 6, or the housing 4, which can be caused by excessive or incorrect stress on the lid 6 when manually closing or pushing it shut, as well as the associated rattling noises. The controlled closing process also allows control over the joints 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 this reducing the noise or sealing quality.

[0074] The closing of the lid 6 can also be fully automated. When the glove compartment 2 is open and the control device 11 receives an input signal from a user control element indicating the user's desire to close the lid 6, the control device 11 controls the electric motor 14 via the power supply 12 to rotate it in the opposite direction to the opening operation, thereby closing the lid 6.

[0075] The closing process is particularly important in the Fig. 11a to 11c. In Fig. 11a, the cover 6 is fully open. The slide 18 is located at the first stop 36 of the guide 32, and the cover arm 19, due to the weight of the cover 6, presses 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 via the incline cable 51 along the guide 32 backwards, towards the second stop 38 of the guide 32 and the locking lever 31. The carriage 18 takes the cover arm 19 along with it via the contact between the contact surfaces 24, 26 and pivots it counterclockwise around the pivot axis 8 in Fig. 11b, while the contact surfaces 24, 26 slide against each other in a substantially vertical direction to support the conversion of the linear movement of the carriage 18 into the pivoting movement of the cover arm 19. As a result, the cover plate 22, which is rigidly connected to the cover arm 19, is also pivoted 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 the carriage 18 reaches the second stop 38 on the guide 32. 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 so that the locking finger 29 can overcome the locking tongue 62 and is then located in the region of the recess 27 at the free end 23 of the cover arm 19. The coil spring 58 then presses the locking lever 31 back into the locked position, in which the locking tongue 62 engages behind the locking finger 29 in the recess 27. The electric motor 14 stops running when a specified current limit for the motor is reached. The glove box 2 is then completely closed, ie the cover 6 is in contact with the housing 4 and is completely closed, as in Fig. 11c illustrates.

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

[0079] The storage device 1 according to the invention thus enables both fully automated opening and closing and 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, user comfort, 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 compartment 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 electrical closing function. The storage device 1 comprises a housing 4 defining a cavity 7 and a lid 6 pivotally mounted on the housing 4, wherein the lid 6 is pivotable between an opening position, in which the cavity 7 is completely open to the outside, and a closing position, in which the lid 6 is closed in contact with the housing 4 and the cavity 7 is completely sealed to the outside. Associated with the lid 6 is an electric drive 9 having an electric motor 14 and a power transmission mechanism 16, which is operatively inserted between the electric motor 14 and the lid 6.The electric drive 9 is configured 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 that detect manual closing of the lid 6 up to a pre-closing position defined between the opening position and the closing position and subsequently effect an automated movement of the lid 6 from the pre-closing position to the closing position, assisted by the electric drive 9. A motor vehicle with such a storage device 1 is also disclosed. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes 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) defining a cavity (7); a cover (6) which is movably arranged on the housing (4), wherein the cover (6) is movable between an opening position in which the cavity (7) is completely open to the outside, and a closing 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 cover (6) having an electric motor (14) and a power transmission mechanism (16) which is operatively inserted between the electric motor (14) and the cover (6), wherein the electric drive (9) is configured and controllable to effect automated opening of the cover (6) into the open position and automated closing of the cover (6) into the closed position, assisted by the electric drive (9); and Means (68, 69, 11) which are arranged to detect a manual closing of the lid (6) up to a pre-closing position defined between the opening position and the closing position and then to effect an automated movement of the lid (6) from the pre-closing position to the closing position, assisted by the electric drive (9). [2] Storage device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lid (6) is attached to the housing (4) so ​​as to be pivotable 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 solely by its own weight when it is not subjected to a force towards 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 therewith, wherein the lid arm (19) is operatively coupled to the force 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 the lid plate (22) on a rear side (21) thereof and forms with the lid plate (22) a two-sided lever pivotable 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 outer side of the housing (4). [7] Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the force transmission mechanism (16) comprises a carriage (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 drive-connects the carriage (18) to the electric motor (14). [8] Storage device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the drive means (49) is a flexible pull-push drive means (49), in particular a riser 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 dependent on claim 5, wherein the carriage (18) is in a detachable, 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 carriage (18) during automated closing or opening of the lid (6), but to allow a decoupling of the lid arm (19) from the carriage (18) during manual closing of the lid (6). [10] Storage device (1) according to claim 9, further comprising a locking lever (31) which is rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis of rotation (54), which can be pivoted between a locking position and a release position and is prestressed by a prestressing means (57) in the direction of the locking position, 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 in order to hold the lid (6) 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 come into effective engagement with the slide (8). [11] Storage device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the carriage (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 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 merges into the second guide surface (42) which has a flatter 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 carriage (18) further comprises an inclined surface (44) arranged to enable the free end (66) of the second lever arm (61), when the carriage (18) moves in the direction of the locking lever (31), to pass over the inclined surface (44) past the first and second guide surfaces (41, 42) into a recess (47) of the carriage (18) which defines at least the first guide surface (41). [13] Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the means (68, 69, 11) arranged to detect manual closing of the lid (6) up to the pre-closing position comprise a sensor (68) comprising 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) comprises an electrical microswitch (69) arranged to be actuated directly or indirectly by the lid (6) in the pre-closing position thereof. [15] Storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control device (11) which is arranged to receive input signals which characterise the desire of an operator for the automated opening and closing of the storage device (1) and input signals which characterise a positioning of the lid in the pre-closing position, and then to cause the electric motor (14) to be supplied with a current pulse in order to effect a transfer of the lid (6) into 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 compartment (2) in a dashboard (3) of the motor vehicle.

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