Storage compartment of a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage compartment (1) of a vehicle, said storage compartment comprising: a lower storage space (2); an upper storage space (3); and a separating device (4) between the lower storage space (2) and the upper storage space (3). According to the invention, the separating device (4) has at least one separating element (6) having a first limb (12) and a second limb (13), the second limb (13) being arranged perpendicular to the first limb (12) and being fixedly connected to the first limb (12) via a joint (8). The at least one separating element (6) can be rotated about the joint (8) by means of a rotating mechanism (5) in such a way that the two limbs (12) of the separating element (6) can be positioned between a horizontal position and a vertical position. When in its horizontal position between the lower storage space (2) and the upper storage space (3), the first limb (12) of the at least one separating element (6) extends over at least half the width of the storage compartment (1).

Description

[0001] Storage compartment of a vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a storage compartment of a vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0003] Storage compartments in vehicles are designed to hold and store objects in various configurations and designs, for example as cup holders for beverage containers such as bottles or the like.

[0004] DE 102008 029259 A1 describes a receiving element for a vehicle with a housing open at the top for accommodating at least one container. The housing has at least one lateral clamping element and a rotatable support with two pivotally connected support parts that can be rotated toward each other like a toggle lever.

[0005] Furthermore, US 2006 / 0037984 A1 discloses a support structure in a vehicle for accommodating containers of different sizes. For this purpose, a partition element with a second floor is provided, which is positioned above a first floor.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of providing a storage compartment of a vehicle in which a variable accommodation of different objects is possible in a simple manner with advantageous properties.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by a storage compartment of a vehicle having the features recited in patent claim 1. Advantageous further developments of the storage compartment according to the invention are part of the further patent claims.

[0008] In the storage compartment of a vehicle according to the invention, the separating device between the lower storage space and the upper storage space is formed by at least one rotatable separating element.

[0009] The at least one separating element, which can be rotated by means of a rotating mechanism, has two legs which are arranged perpendicular (orthogonal) to one another and are firmly connected to one another via a joint.

[0010] The two legs of the at least one dividing element assume either a horizontal or a vertical position through a corresponding rotational movement of the dividing element. This means that if the first leg of the at least one dividing element is positioned in the horizontal position, the second leg of the at least one dividing element is positioned in the vertical position, and vice versa. In particular, the first leg of the at least one dividing element is positioned in its horizontal position between the lower storage space and the upper storage space of the storage compartment.

[0011] The lengths of the two legs of the at least one dividing element are selected based on the dimensions of the storage compartment. In particular, the length of the first leg of the at least one dividing element is selected such that the first leg of the at least one dividing element, in its horizontal position between the lower storage space and the upper storage space, extends in the transverse direction (y-direction) of the storage compartment over at least half the width of the storage compartment, thereby forming a support surface between the lower storage space and the upper storage space.

[0012] For example, depending on the size and dimensions of the storage compartment, up to six such rotatable dividing elements are provided as a separating device between the lower storage space and the upper storage space. These dividing elements are arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction (in the x-direction) of the storage compartment and are rotated simultaneously and in the same direction by means of the rotating mechanism. The first legs of these dividing elements extend, in their horizontal position between the lower storage space and the upper storage space, in the transverse direction (y-direction) of the storage compartment over at least half the width of the storage compartment and thereby form a compact support surface between the lower storage space and the upper storage space. The rotating movement of the at least one rotatable dividing element, which is made in particular of plastic, is preferably realized via a joint with plastic or metal axles, for example via a rotary joint or a correspondingly designed hinge.

[0013] In an advantageous development of the invention, a spring-loaded mechanism is provided as an opening mechanism and / or closing mechanism, which fixes the two legs of the rotatable separating element in the respective end position, ie in the horizontal position of the first leg of the separating element and simultaneously in the vertical position of the second leg of the separating element on the one hand and in the vertical position of the first leg of the separating element and simultaneously in the horizontal position of the second leg of the separating element on the other hand.

[0014] Likewise, the two legs of the rotating separating element can be released from their respective end positions using this spring-loaded mechanism as an opening mechanism.

[0015] To lock the two legs of the at least one rotatable separating element in the respective end position, a locking mechanism can also be provided as a fastening mechanism. For example, a locking element is designed for locking the respective leg of the at least one separating element to the side wall of the storage compartment or in a recess in the side wall of the storage compartment. This means that in the vertical position, the respective leg of the at least one separating element either rests against the side wall of the storage compartment and is locked there, or the respective leg of the at least one separating element is received by the side wall of the storage compartment and locked there.

[0016] In an advantageous development of the invention, the rotating mechanism for the at least one rotatable separating element can be activated by actuating an operating element which is arranged, for example, adjacent to the storage compartment.

[0017] This operating element can be, for example, a push-button switch, toggle switch or rotary switch, and can be actuated by an occupant of the vehicle to carry out or activate the rotary movement of the at least one rotatable separating element between the horizontal position or vertical position of the two legs of the separating element and the vertical position or horizontal position of the two legs of the separating element.In the horizontal position of the first leg of the at least one rotatable separating element, a fixed intermediate floor is thus formed as a separating device and support surface between the lower storage space and the upper storage space of the storage compartment in a first use position of the separating device; in the vertical position of the first leg of the at least one rotatable separating element, a large storage volume formed in the vertical direction (in the z-direction) of the storage compartment is provided in the storage compartment in a second use position of the separating device.

[0018] As a result, in the second use position of the separating device and thus in the vertical position of the first leg of the at least one rotatable separating element, in particular a large-format and voluminous beverage bottle can be accommodated as a beverage container in the storage compartment.

[0019] Preferably, the lower storage space of the storage compartment has a lateral access opening so that access to the contents of the lower storage space of the storage compartment by a user of the vehicle is possible even when the first leg of the at least one rotatable partition element is in a horizontal position.

[0020] The storage compartment can be arranged at any suitable location in the vehicle, where, in particular, easy and inexpensive access is possible for an operator of the vehicle.

[0021] The storage compartment is preferably arranged in the center console of the vehicle or in an armrest of the vehicle or in the door panel of the vehicle

[0022] With the storage compartment of a vehicle according to the invention presented, the storage space provided by the storage compartment can advantageously be designed in a variable manner in a simple manner and can be reconfigured between the two usage positions and thus can be easily adapted to the requirements and needs of a user.

[0023] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawing(s). The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective specified combination, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0024] Showing:

[0025] Fig. 1 A schematic representation of the storage compartment with rotatable dividing elements in a first position of the dividing elements.

[0026] Fig. 2 A schematic representation of the storage compartment in an alternative position of the separating elements.

[0027] Fig. 3 A sectional view showing a section of the storage compartment with rotating dividers.

[0028] The storage compartment 1 schematically illustrated in Figure 1 is formed, for example, in the center console 7 of a vehicle. The storage compartment 1 has, for example, a length of approximately 150 mm to 200 mm in the longitudinal direction (x-direction) and a length of approximately 75 mm in the transverse direction (y-direction).

[0029] The storage compartment 1 has a lower storage space 2 with a side access opening 11 accessible to an operator and an upper storage space 3 which is accessible to an operator from the top of the storage compartment 1.

[0030] The separating device 4 is located between the lower storage space 2 of the storage compartment 1 and the upper storage space 3 of the storage compartment 1. This separating device 4 is formed, for example, by three rotatable separating elements 6 arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction (x-direction) of the storage compartment 1. These, for example, L-shaped rotatable separating elements 6 are designed, for example, as a plastic injection-molded part and consist, for example, of thermoplastic acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). In addition, a surface coating can also be provided on the plastic material of the rotatable separating elements 6, for example a chrome-plated surface layer on the plastic material, in particular for design purposes or for advertising purposes.

[0031] The three L-shaped or angular rotatable separating elements 6 each have a first leg 12 and a second leg 13, which are arranged orthogonally to one another and are rigidly connected to one another via the rotary joint 10.

[0032] According to Figure 1, the first legs 12 of the rotatable separating elements 6 are in a first use position in a horizontal position and thereby form a stable separating layer or support surface between the lower storage space 2 of the storage compartment 1 and the upper storage space 3 of the storage compartment 1.

[0033] By means of the rotating mechanism 5, the three L-shaped rotatable partition elements 6, which are arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction (x-direction) of the storage compartment 1, can be rotated by 90°.

[0034] As a result, the first legs 12 of the rotatable partition elements 6 are rotated from the horizontal position shown in Figure 1 to a vertical position, and the second legs 13 of the rotatable partition elements 6 are rotated from the vertical position shown in Figure 1 to a horizontal position in the wall 8 of the storage compartment. This also eliminates the stable separating layer between the lower storage space 2 of the storage compartment 1 and the upper storage space 3 of the storage compartment 1, so that a uniform, enlarged storage volume is formed in the storage compartment 1 in a second use position.

[0035] If the first legs 12 of the three rotatable separating elements 6 arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction (x-direction) of the storage compartment 1 are rotated back from this vertical position by 90° and thus from the second use position into a horizontal position, a stable separating layer is again formed in the first use position between the lower storage space 2 of the storage compartment 1 and the upper storage space 3 of the storage compartment 1.

[0036] Figure 2 shows the situation of the first legs 12 of the rotatable dividing elements 6 in a vertical position in the second use position, whereby the stable separating layer between the lower storage space 2 of the storage compartment 1 and the upper storage space 3 of the storage compartment 1 has been eliminated. It can be seen from Figure 2 that the first legs 12 of the rotatable dividing elements 6 are received in the vertical position by the side wall 8 of the storage compartment 1, in which the first legs 12 of the rotatable dividing elements 6 are then locked and thus secured by means of locking elements of a fastening mechanism.

[0037] Due to the formation of the uniformly enlarged storage volume in the storage compartment 1 in the vertical position of the first legs 12 of the rotatable dividing elements 6 and thus in the second use position, it is also possible to accommodate a (voluminous) drinks bottle 9 in the storage compartment 1 without any problems. Figure 3 shows that the rotating mechanism 5 for rotating the rotatable dividing elements 6 from the first use position, with the formation of a stable separating layer between the upper storage space 3 of the storage compartment 1 and the lower storage space 2 of the storage compartment 1, into the second use position, with the formation of a large storage volume in the storage compartment 1, and vice versa, from the second use position to the first use position, via the rotating joint 10 acted upon by a rotating mechanism 5. This rotating mechanism 5 can in particular also be implemented by means of an electric motor or mechanically by means of a spring mechanism.On the left side of Figure 3, a rotatable partition element 6 is shown by way of example in the vertical and thus raised position of the first leg 12. This first leg 12 of the rotatable partition element 6, for example, in the vertical and thus raised position, rests against the side wall 8 of the storage compartment 1 and is latched and thus locked there. The second leg 13 of the rotatable partition element 6 is located in its horizontal position in the side wall 8 of the storage compartment 1 and can also be latched and thus locked there.

[0038] On the right side of Figure 3, a rotatable partition element 6 is shown by way of example in the horizontal position of the first leg 12. This first leg 12 of the rotatable partition element 6 thus forms a stable separating layer between the upper storage space 3 of the storage compartment 1 and the lower storage space 2 of the storage compartment 1. The second leg 13 of the rotatable partition element 6, in its vertical position, rests against the side wall 8 of the storage compartment 1 and can also be latched and thus locked there.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Storage compartment (1) of a vehicle, with a lower storage space (2), an upper storage space (3), and a separating device (4) between the lower storage space (2) and the upper storage space (3), characterized in that the separating device (4) has at least one separating element (6) with a first leg (12) and a second leg (13), wherein the second leg (13) is arranged perpendicular to the first leg (12) and is firmly connected to the first leg (12) via a joint (8), that the at least one separating element (6) is rotatable about the joint (8) by means of a rotating mechanism (5) such that the two legs (12, 13) of the separating element (6) can be positioned between a horizontal position and a vertical position, and that the first leg (12) of the at least one separating element (6) can be moved in its horizontal position between the lower storage space (2) and the upper storage space (3) at least over the half the width of the storage compartment (1).

2. Storage compartment (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first leg (12) of the at least one separating element (6) and the second leg (13) of the at least one separating element (6) can be locked in the respective vertical position by means of a fastening mechanism on the side wall (8) of the storage compartment (1).

3. Storage compartment (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the first leg (12) of the at least one separating element (6) and the second leg (13) of the at least one separating element (6) can be locked in the respective vertical position in a recess in the side wall (8) of the storage compartment (1) by means of a fastening mechanism.

4. Storage compartment (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one separating element (6) is made of a plastic material.

5. Storage compartment (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that an operating element is provided for actuating the rotating mechanism (5).

6. Storage compartment (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rotating mechanism (5) has a spring-loaded opening mechanism and / or closing mechanism.

7. Storage compartment (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the storage compartment (1) is designed as a beverage container (9) in the vertical position of the first leg (12) of the at least one separating element (6) for receiving at least one beverage bottle.

8. Storage compartment (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least two separating elements (6) are provided which are arranged spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction (x-direction) of the storage compartment (1).

9. Storage compartment (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the lower storage space (2) of the storage compartment (1) has a lateral access opening (11).

10. Storage compartment (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the storage compartment (1) is arranged in the center console (7) of the vehicle.

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