Vehicle storage kit including rod and rod retaining system
The vehicle storage assembly with a deployable rod and holding system addresses the issue of unexpectedly opening storage compartment covers during impacts, ensuring safety by keeping the compartment closed and accessible only when needed.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2021004832
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-05-07
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-27
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-05-07
AI Technical Summary
In vehicles, storage compartment covers can unexpectedly open during impacts, posing a safety risk to occupants as they may become projectiles or obstruct the compartment.
A vehicle storage assembly featuring a rod and a rod holding system, where the rod is movable between retracted and deployed positions, and the holding system ensures the rod remains retracted under normal conditions but deploys under impact, preventing the cover from opening.
The solution effectively keeps the storage compartment closed during impacts, preventing objects from being ejected into the passenger compartment, while allowing the compartment to be accessed normally without risking the cover becoming stuck.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Vehicle storage assembly comprising a rod and a rod holding system
[0001] The present invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a vehicle storage assembly comprising of the type comprising:
[0002] - at least one first support surface of the vehicle,
[0003] - a storage compartment at least partially defining a volume of storage and an opening, and comprising a cover movable in rotation relative to the opening and to the support surface along an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction between at least one closed position in which the cover closes the opening and an open position in which the cover is away from the opening.
[0004] The invention also relates, according to a second aspect, to a vehicle comprising such an assembly.
[0005] This type of storage compartment is for example integrated into a vehicle trim element such as a dashboard, a door panel, a central console, etc.
[0006] The storage compartment is for example a glove box, an ashtray, a storage compartment or any other compartment in which a user can place an object.
[0007] In the event of an impact on the vehicle, the compartment cover may move unexpectedly into the open position. The cover then protrudes towards the interior of the passenger compartment and becomes dangerous for the occupants of the vehicle. In addition, objects present in the storage volume, or even the compartment cover itself, may be ejected into the passenger compartment and become projectiles capable of injuring the occupants of the vehicle.
[0008] An object of the invention is to provide a vehicle assembly in which the lid of the storage compartment cannot open unexpectedly in the event of an impact on the vehicle, thus ensuring the safety of the vehicle occupants.
[0009] For this purpose, the invention relates to a vehicle assembly of the aforementioned type in which the assembly further comprises a cover locking device mounted on said cover, the locking device comprising:
[0010] - at least one rod movable in translation relative to the support surface according to the longitudinal direction between at least a first deployed position in which the rod extends partly opposite the first bearing surface and a retracted position in which the rod extends away from the first bearing surface, and
[0011] - a rod holding system configured to exert a restoring force on the rod in a first direction so as to maintain said rod in the retracted position, and to allow movement of the rod from the retracted position to the first deployed position when a force exerted on the rod, in a second direction, substantially opposite to the first direction, is greater than the restoring force.
[0012] Thus, in the event of an impact on the vehicle, under the effect of inertia, the rod moves from the retracted position to the first deployed position facing the first bearing surface, thus preventing rotation of the compartment cover. The storage compartment therefore remains closed and the objects present inside the storage volume cannot be ejected into the passenger compartment. In addition, after the impact, the holding system allows the rod to move back to the retracted position, making it possible to open the storage compartment again. The holding system also ensures that, under normal vehicle traffic conditions or when the vehicle is stopped, the compartment remains accessible to the vehicle occupants since the rod is held in the retracted position. Any risk of the cover becoming blocked is limited.
[0013] According to different or complementary embodiments, the assembly further comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in all possible combinations:
[0014] - the support surface comprises at least one part substantially parallel to the direction longitudinal;
[0015] - the rod is in contact with the first bearing surface in the first position deployed;
[0016] - the rod extends projecting from a front surface of the cover towards the first surface support in the first deployed position;
[0017] - the cover defines a first through hole receiving the rod;
[0018] - the holding system comprises at least a first helical spring receiving the stem ;
[0019] - the rod comprises a stop member, the first helical spring being mounted in support between the stop member and a rear peripheral surface of the first through hole arranged facing the stop member;
[0020] - the cover comprises an internal support element defining a second hole through facing the first through hole, the second through hole receiving the rod; and
[0021] - the stop member bears against a front peripheral surface of the second through hole in the retracted position of the rod.
[0022] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising an assembly as described above.
[0023] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the appended figures, among which:
[0024] - [fig.l] [fig.l] is a schematic representation in section of a set of vehicle according to a first embodiment of the invention in which the rod is in the retracted position,
[0025] - [fig.2] [fig.2] is a schematic representation of the whole of [fig.l] in which the rod is in the first deployed position, and
[0026] - [fig.3] [fig.3] is a schematic representation in section of a set of vehicle according to a second embodiment of the invention in which the rod is in the retracted position.
[0027] In the following description, the orientations used are the usual orientations of a vehicle. Thus, the longitudinal direction L is the normal direction of travel of the vehicle. The transverse direction T is a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The terms “front” and “rear” relate to the second direction, which will be explained in more detail in the remainder of the description. In the embodiments described here, the second direction is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L which is considered to be the normal direction of travel of the vehicle.
[0028] [fig.l] is a schematic representation in section along the longitudinal direction L of a storage assembly 10 according to the invention.
[0029] The assembly 10 comprises a first support surface 12 of the vehicle, a storage compartment 14 and a locking device 16 comprising a rod 18 and a holding system 20 for the rod 18.
[0030] The first bearing surface 12 is for example a trim panel element or a structural element of the vehicle. The first bearing surface 12 is preferably fixed relative to the structure of the vehicle.
[0031] In the example of [fig.l], the first bearing surface 12 extends in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L.
[0032] The storage compartment 14 is preferably integrated into a trim element extending in the vicinity of the first bearing surface 12. For example, the storage compartment 14 is integrated into a central console located between the front seats or between the rear seats. Alternatively, the storage compartment 14 is integrated into a dashboard.
[0033] The storage compartment 14 at least partially defines a storage volume 22 and an opening 24. The storage volume 22 is for example intended to receive objects of the occupants of the vehicle, such as documents, glasses, electronic devices, debris, etc., accessible through the opening 24.
[0034] The storage compartment 14 further comprises a cover 26 movable relative to the opening 24 and to the first bearing surface 12 along an axis of rotation R substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, that is to say a direction substantially parallel to the transverse direction T.
[0035] The cover 26 is movable between at least one closed position in which the cover 26 closes the opening 24 and an open position in which the cover 26 is away from the opening 24.
[0036] Preferably, the cover 26 defines a first through hole 28 receiving the rod 18.
[0037] In the example of figures 1 and 2, the cover 26 comprises an internal support element 30 fixed on an interior surface 32 of the cover 26, that is to say oriented towards the storage volume 22. The internal support element 30 extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L.
[0038] The inner surface 32 defines a second through hole 34 receiving the rod 18.
[0039] The first through hole 28 and the second through hole 34 are arranged sen possibly opposite each other along a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L.
[0040] The diameter of the first through hole 28 and the diameter of the second through hole 34 are substantially identical and allow the rod 18 to slide inside said holes 28, 34.
[0041] The rod 18 is movable in translation relative to the first bearing surface 12 in the longitudinal direction L between a first deployed position ([fig.2]) in which the rod 18 extends partly facing the first bearing surface 12, and a retracted position ([fig.l]) in which the rod 18 extends away from the first bearing surface 12, and vice versa.
[0042] Preferably, in the first deployed position, the rod 18 bears on at least a portion of the first bearing surface 12, thus preventing the rotational movement of the cover 26 from the closed position to the open position when the cover is in the closed position. The rod 18 extends more particularly in projection from a front surface 36 of the cover 26 towards the first bearing surface 12.
[0043] The rod 18 is for example substantially cylindrical. The rod 18 has for example a substantially circular cross-section. This facilitates the assembly of the rod 18 on the cover 26. Alternatively, the cross-section of the rod 18 is square or of any other shape.
[0044] Preferably, the rod 18 is substantially rectilinear and extends, for example, mainly in the longitudinal direction L. As a variant, the rod 18 comprises a rectilinear portion extending in the longitudinal direction L and at least one bent portion connected to the rectilinear portion.
[0045] The rod 18 is slidably mounted on the cover 26 in the longitudinal direction L.
[0046] Preferably, the rod 18 comprises a stop member 37 extending radially from a periphery of the rod 18.
[0047] In the example of Figures 1 and 2, the stop member is a collar 38 extending over at least a portion of the periphery of the rod 18. In the retracted position ([fig.l]), a rear surface 40 of the stop member 37 bears on a front peripheral surface 42 of the second through hole 34. The position of the stop member 37 on the rod 18 is chosen so that, in the retracted position and in the first deployed position of the rod 18, the rod 18 is always received by the first through hole 28 and the second through hole 34. Thus, the rod 18 cannot come out of the first through hole 28 and the second through hole 34 in any position of the rod 18.
[0048] Alternatively, the stop member 37 comprises at least one lug fixed to the periphery of the rod 18 and extending in projection from an outer surface of the rod 18, preferably a plurality of lugs distributed around the rod 18.
[0049] Preferably, the holding system 20 of the rod 18 is configured to exert a return force on the rod 18 in a first direction so as to maintain said rod 18 in the retracted position, and to allow a movement of the rod 18 from the retracted position to the first deployed position when a force exerted on the rod, in the second direction, substantially opposite to the first direction, is greater than the return force.
[0050] The first direction and the second direction are preferably substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L. The first direction is oriented in the opposite direction to that of the longitudinal direction L, i.e. from front to rear. The second direction is then oriented from rear to front.
[0051] Thus, in the event of an impact on the vehicle, the rod 18 moves by inertia into the first deployed position and prevents the cover 26 from pivoting about the axis of rotation R when the latter is in the closed position. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the rod 18 moves by inertia into the first deployed position in the event of a front impact or an impact comprising a longitudinal component coming from the front of the vehicle. Alternatively, the locking device 16 is arranged in an inverted configuration along the longitudinal direction L. In such a configuration, the rod 18 moves by inertia into the first deployed position in the event of a rear impact on the vehicle. As a further alternative, the locking device 18 is arranged in a transverse direction. The rod 18 then moves in the event of a side impact.
[0052] Preferably, the holding system 20 comprises at least one first helical spring 44. For example, the first helical spring receives the rod 18. This allows to have a compact locking device 16. In this configuration, the first spring 44 extends in the longitudinal direction L in the same direction as the rod 18. The first spring 44 is well guided, in particular in the case where the rod 18 is cylindrical.
[0053] The first helical spring 44 is for example mounted to bear between the stop member 37 and a rear peripheral surface 46 of the first through hole 28 arranged opposite the stop member 37. Thus, the first helical spring 44 extends between the stop member 37 and the rear peripheral surface 46 of the first through hole 28. In the first deployed position of the rod 18, the first helical spring 44 has a first dimension in the longitudinal direction L. In the retracted position of the rod 18, the first helical spring 44 has a second dimension in the longitudinal direction L. The first dimension is less than the second dimension. In other words, when moving from the retracted position to the first deployed position, the first helical spring 44 compresses between the stop member and the rear peripheral surface 46 of the first through hole 28.
[0054] Advantageously, the rod 18 has a mass adapted to cause the displacement of said rod 18 during an impact of a force greater than a predetermined value. The stiffness of the first spring 44 is adapted so that the first spring 44 does not compress during normal use of the vehicle and to compress during an impact exceeding a predetermined force.
[0055] The mass of the rod 18 and the stiffness of the first spring 44 are determined in particular as a function of the mass of the cover 26.
[0056] Thus, the assembly according to the invention is particularly effective in the event of an impact on the vehicle. Indeed, under the effect of inertia, the rod 18 moves from the retracted position to the first deployed position facing the first bearing surface 12 preventing the rotation of the cover 26 of the compartment 14. The storage compartment 14 therefore remains closed and the objects present inside the storage volume 22 cannot be ejected into the passenger compartment. In addition, after the impact, the holding system 20 allows the rod 18 to move back to the retracted position making it possible to open the storage compartment 14 again. The holding system 20 also makes it possible to ensure that, under normal vehicle traffic conditions or when the vehicle is stopped, the compartment 14 remains accessible to the occupants of the vehicle since the rod 18 is held in the retracted position. Any risk of the cover 26 becoming blocked is limited.In addition, the holding system 20 is preferably invisible from inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Thus, the aesthetic appearance of the storage compartment 14 is not degraded. The locking device 16 according to the invention also has the advantage of being independent of the possible lock configured to lock the cover 26 in the . closed position. Thus, in the event of an impact, the forces exerted on the lock are limited and the locking function of the lock is not degraded.
[0057] [fig.3] shows a second embodiment of a storage assembly 10 according to the invention.
[0058] This embodiment will be described by differences from the first embodiment.
[0059] In this embodiment, the assembly 10 comprises a first bearing surface 12 and a second bearing surface 48 cooperating respectively with each of the ends 50, 52 of the rod 18.
[0060] The rod 18 is movable in translation relative to the bearing surfaces 12, 48 in the longitudinal direction L between the first deployed position in which the rod 18 extends partly facing the first bearing surface 12, a second deployed position in which the rod 18 extends partly facing the second bearing surface 48 and a retracted position in which the rod 18 extends away from the first bearing surface 12 and the second bearing surface 48.
[0061] The holding system 20 of the rod 18 is configured to exert a return force on the rod 18 in the first direction or the second direction so as to maintain the rod 18 in the retracted position, and to allow a movement of the rod 18 from the retracted position to the first deployed position or the second deployed position when a force exerted on the rod 18, in a second direction or the second direction, is greater than the return force.
[0062] In particular, in this embodiment, the holding system 20 comprises a second helical spring 54, preferably receiving the rod 18.
[0063] The second helical spring 54 is for example mounted to bear between the stop member 37 and a front peripheral surface 42 of the second through hole 34 arranged opposite the stop member 37. Thus, the helical spring 54 extends between the stop member 37 and the front peripheral surface 42 of the second through hole 34. In the second deployed position of the rod 18, the second helical spring 54 has a first dimension in the longitudinal direction L. In the retracted position of the rod 18, the second helical spring 44 has a second dimension in the longitudinal direction L. The first dimension is less than the second dimension. In other words, when moving from the retracted position to the second deployed position, the second helical spring 54 is compressed between the stop member and the front peripheral surface 42 of the second through hole 34.
[0064] In the retracted position, the stop member 37 is separated from the rear peripheral surface 46 of the first through hole 28 and from the front peripheral surface 42 of the second through hole 34 by the first spring 44 and the second spring 54 respectively.
[0065] This embodiment thus makes it possible to prevent the storage compartment 14 from opening both in the event of an impact in the first direction and in the second direction.
[0066] Alternatively, for all of the embodiments presented, the first spring 44 and / or the second spring 54 extend parallel to the rod 18 and not around the rod 18.
[0067] As a further variant, the first spring 44 and / or the second spring 54 extend perpendicular to the rod 18.
Claims
Claims
1. Storage assembly (10) for a vehicle comprising: - at least a first bearing surface (12) of the vehicle, - a storage compartment (14) at least partially defining a storage volume (22) and an opening (24), and comprising a cover (26) movable in rotation relative to the opening (24) and to the first bearing surface (12) along an axis of rotation (R) substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction (L) between at least one closed position in which the cover (26) closes the opening (24) and an open position in which the cover (26) is away from the opening (24), characterized in that the assembly (10) further comprises a locking device (16) for the cover (26) mounted on said cover (26),the locking device (16) comprising: - at least one rod (18) movable in translation relative to the first bearing surface (12) in the longitudinal direction (L) between at least a first deployed position in which the rod (18) extends partly facing the first bearing surface (12) and a retracted position in which the rod (18) extends away from the first bearing surface (12), and - a holding system (20) of the rod (18) configured to exert a restoring force on the rod (18) in a first direction so as to maintain said rod (18) in the retracted position, and to allow movement of the rod (18) from the retracted position to the first deployed position when a force exerted on the rod (18), in a second direction, substantially opposite to the first direction, is greater than the restoring force.
2. Storage assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first support surface (12) comprises at least one portion substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (L).
3. A storage assembly (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rod (18) is in contact with the first bearing surface (12) in the first deployed position.
4. A storage assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rod (18) projects from a front surface (36) of the cover (26) towards the first bearing surface (12) in the first deployed position.
5. A storage assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cover (26) defines a first through hole (28) receiving the rod (18).
6. Storage assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the holding system (20) comprises at least one first helical spring (44) receiving the rod (18).
7. Storage assembly (10) according to claims 5 and 6, in which the rod (18) comprises a stop member (37), the first helical spring (44) being mounted in abutment between the stop member (37) and a rear peripheral surface (46) of the first through hole (28) arranged opposite the stop member (37).
8. A storage assembly (10) according to claim 7, wherein the cover (26) comprises an internal support member (30) defining a second through hole (34) opposite the first through hole (28), the second through hole (34) receiving the rod (18).
9. A storage assembly (10) according to claim 8, wherein the stop member (37) bears against a front peripheral surface (42) of the second through hole (34) in the retracted position of the rod (18).
10. A vehicle comprising a storage assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.