Storage unit with retractable compartments for vehicles

Abstract

Storage device with retractable compartments for vehicles. The present invention relates to a storage device (1) for vehicles comprising: - a receptacle (2) having a base (28) and side walls (20, 24), at least two of the side walls (20, 24) each having at least one sliding means (23, 23a), - at least one partition (3) having two sides opposite each other and each capable of sliding against one of the two side walls (20, 24), each of the two opposite sides having a complementary sliding element (32, 36) by means of sliding the side wall (20, 24), the storage device (1) being characterized in that it includes means for retaining the partition (3), in the position of the partition (3) at the end of its insertion into the receptacle (2), the retaining means comprising magnetic elements (71, 72, 73, 74). (Figure 2)

Description

Title of the invention: Storage device with retractable compartments for vehicles

[0001] The present invention relates to the fields of mechanics and the automotive industry, and more specifically concerns a storage device for a motor vehicle passenger compartment.

[0002] The passenger compartments of motor vehicles are equipped with various storage devices, such as cup holders, storage pockets, or glove boxes. These storage devices are containers of fixed dimensions for each type of vehicle, not adaptable to the variability of the objects a user might wish to place in them. For example, cup holders are not adaptable to the different possible diameters of commercially available bottles or cans.

[0003] The inventors intend to compartmentalize a receptacle in a storage device with removable partitions so as to adapt the size of the compartments thus created to the objects intended to be held in them. However, the user experience of such a device may be negative because the burden of moving the removable partitions falls on the user, without any certainty of correctly positioning the partitions as intended. Indeed, it is important for the ergonomics of such a device that its use be intuitive for the user. In general, a good perceived quality for storage devices is difficult to achieve.

[0004] There is therefore a need for a vehicle storage device, whose internal dimensions can be adapted by the user, and which has good ergonomics and a good perceived quality.

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy at least in part the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a storage device comprising a receptacle and at least one removable partition, and which allows the perceived quality of the user to increase, in particular when the user moves the removable partition into the receptacle of the storage device.

[0006] To this end, the invention proposes a vehicle storage device comprising: - a receptacle equipped with a base and side walls, at least two of the side walls each having at least one sliding means, - at least one partition wall having two sides opposite each other and each capable of sliding against one of the two side walls, each of the two opposite sides comprising a complementary sliding element by means of sliding the side wall, the storage device being characterized in that it includes means for retaining the partition, in the final position of insertion of the partition into the receptacle, the retaining means comprising magnetic elements.

[0007] The sliding means is, for example, a slide and the sliding member a slide, or vice versa. The slide is, for example, a guide or a groove, and the slide a complementary part of the slide or groove, respectively, for example, a rib. Each of the opposite sides of the partition wall may have identical or different sliding members; for example, one side may comprise a groove and the other side a rib. The opposite sides may cooperate with sliding means of the same side wall or of two separate side walls.

[0008] The sliding means and sliding elements are guiding means for the partition within the receptacle, distinct from the retaining means, which allow the partition to be held at the level of the bottom of the receptacle, orthogonally to it. It should be noted that, depending on the configuration of the sliding means and elements, the partition is not necessarily in contact with the bottom of the receptacle in the fully inserted position.

[0009] Thanks to the invention, when the user inserts the partition into the receptacle using the sliding means and sliding elements, they feel the attractive force of the magnetic elements, which create a suction effect between the partition and the receptacle. This attractive force, felt at the end of the partition's insertion into the receptacle, completes the insertion and holds the partition in place, perpendicular to the bottom of the receptacle. The sensation of this attractive force thus produces a feeling of semi-automation in the insertion of the partition and further confirms to the user that they have correctly installed the partition. The invention therefore improves the ergonomics and perceived quality of storage devices with removable partitions compared to the prior art.

[0010] The magnetic elements include, for example, at least a first magnetic element housed in one of the sliding means, and a second magnetic element capable of cooperating with the first magnetic element, the second magnetic element being housed in the sliding member complementary to the sliding means comprising the first magnetic element.

[0011] The first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are, for example, both magnets, or one of the first or second magnetic elements is a magnet and the other of the first or second magnetic elements is an element metallic. The choice of magnetic elements depends of course on the desired strength of magnetic attraction.

[0012] The first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are for example capable of exerting an attractive force between the sliding means comprising the first magnetic element and the complementary sliding member of said sliding means, of between 1 and 20 N (Newton).

[0013] A single pair of magnetic elements cooperating together is sufficient to produce a suction effect when the partition is inserted into the receptacle.

[0014] However, in order for this effect to be homogeneous or symmetrical on both opposite sides of the partition, preferably the sliding means is a first sliding means, and the magnetic elements further comprise a third magnetic element housed in a second sliding means distinct from the first sliding means, and a fourth magnetic element capable of cooperating with the third magnetic element, the fourth magnetic element being housed in the sliding member complementary to the second sliding means. The third magnetic element and the fourth magnetic element are, for example, both magnets, or one of the third or fourth magnetic elements is a magnet and the other of the third or fourth magnetic elements is a metallic element.The third magnetic element and the fourth magnetic element are, for example, capable of exerting an attractive force between the second sliding means comprising the third magnetic element and the sliding member complementary to the second sliding means, of between 1 and 20 N.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are located respectively at a first distance and a second distance from the bottom of the receptacle, the second distance being strictly greater than the first distance, when the partition is in its fully inserted position. This feature limits the amplitude of the suction effect so that it is not perceived negatively, in particular so that the user does not have to exert significant effort when removing the partition from the receptacle.

[0016] In this embodiment of the invention, the difference between the second distance and the first distance is, for example, strictly greater than one dimension of the first magnetic element extending in a direction orthogonal to the bottom of the receptacle, when the partition is in its final insertion position. Thus, at the end of the partition's insertion, the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element do not overlap in the direction orthogonal to the bottom of the receptacle, which further reduces the amplitude of the suction effect by relative to the position of the first magnetic element with respect to the second magnetic element. The difference between the second distance and the first distance is, for example, between 1 and 20 mm (millimeters), when the partition is in the final insertion position.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are located at the same distance from the bottom of the receptacle when the partition is in the fully inserted position. In this case, the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element are, for example, made of low-intensity magnets.

[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, the side walls having an upper portion located at least two-thirds of the height measured from the bottom of the receptacle to the bottom of the receptacle, the first magnetic element is situated in the upper portion of the side walls. Alternatively, the first magnetic element is situated in an upper portion of the side walls located at least three-quarters of the height measured from the bottom of the receptacle to the bottom of the receptacle.

[0019] This feature prevents the partition wall from tipping into the receptacle when it is inserted into the receptacle, particularly when the slides have a slightly loose guide.

[0020] According to an optional feature of the storage device according to the invention, the receptacle includes storage means for attaching the partition walls to another of the side walls, separate from the two side walls. These storage means are, for example, part of the sliding means. They allow the space within the receptacle to be freed up without obstructing the user with the partition wall.

[0021] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a storage device according to the invention.

[0022] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0023] [Fig. 1] represents in perspective a storage device according to the invention, in one embodiment of the invention, and

[0024] [Fig.2] represents the storage device of [Fig.1] in a cross-sectional plane transverse.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the invention shown in [Fig. 1], a storage device 1 according to the invention comprises a receptacle 2, for example made of synthetic polymer material extending longitudinally in a longitudinal direction Y, transversely along a transverse direction X orthogonal to the longitudinal direction Y, and vertically along a vertical direction Z orthogonal to the longitudinal direction Y and the transverse direction X. For illustrative purposes, in this embodiment of the invention, the receptacle has a length between 20 and 30 cm and a width between 10 and 20 cm. It is intended to be integrated into the center console of a vehicle's interior. Of course, other materials and dimensions are possible for manufacturing the receptacle 2.

[0026] The receptacle 2 comprises a base 28 (referenced in [Fig. 2]) extending along the transverse X and longitudinal Y directions, and four lateral walls 20, 22, 24, 26 rising from the base 28 of the receptacle 2 along the vertical Z direction. The receptacle 2 is rectangular in this embodiment of the invention, but alternatively it may be of any shape, the number of lateral walls of the receptacle then being adapted to this other shape. A lid may be provided to close the receptacle 2.

[0027] The side walls 20, 22, 24, 26 rising vertically from the bottom 28 of the receptacle 2, each have a free end and an end connected to the bottom 28 of the receptacle 2. The side walls 20, 22, 24, 26 each have a height h measured vertically between their free end and the bottom 28 of the receptacle 2.

[0028] The two side walls 20, 24 are opposite each other and each has four grooves. In particular, the side wall 24 has four grooves 21, 23, 25, 27, and the side wall 20 has four grooves 21a, 23a, 25a, 27a, symmetrical to the four grooves 21, 23, 25, 27 with respect to a longitudinal plane of symmetry cutting the receptacle 2 in its middle.

[0029] All of these grooves serve to position removable partitions 3, 4, here made of synthetic polymer material. They extend vertically along the entire height h of the side walls. In this embodiment of the invention, the partitions 3, 4 are U-shaped in a longitudinal and transverse cross-section, but alternatively they are, for example, flat. In this alternative, the grooves in the side walls then have a shape complementary to the ends of these flat partitions.

[0030] The partition 3 comprises two opposing sides 32, 36 forming the arms of the corresponding U and connected by a central portion 34 of the partition 3. In this embodiment of the invention, the two opposing sides 32, 36 and the central portion 34 are flat; in other words, the U formed by the partition 3 consists of plates connected to one another. Here, the two opposing sides 32, 36 form obtuse angles with the central portion 34 so as to widen the opening of the U, but other embodiments are possible.

[0031] The ends of the opposite sides 32, 36 of the partition 3 are each able to slide into the groove 23, 23a of the side walls 24, 20 respectively. The grooves 23, 23a therefore each constitute a means of sliding the respective side wall 24, 20, and the ends of the opposite sides 32, 36 of the partition wall 3 each constitute a complementary sliding element to the respective sliding means 23, 23a.

[0032] Similarly, the partition 4 has two opposite sides 42, 46 forming the arms of the corresponding U and connected by a central part 44 of the partition 4. The ends of the opposite sides 42, 46 of the partition 4 are each able to slide in the groove 25 of the side wall 24 and respectively in the groove 25a of the side wall 20.

[0033] The partitions 3, 4 are thus each capable of being inserted along their entire height h by a user, to compartmentalize the space between the side walls 20, 22, 24, 26 of the receptacle 2, and are also capable of being removed from the receptacle 2 to decompartmentalize this space. The solid arrows illustrate the vertical movement of the partitions 3, 4, necessary for this insertion or removal.

[0034] It should be noted that in this embodiment of the invention, the partition walls 3, 4 are interchangeable.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in [Fig. 1], the grooves 23, 25 in the side wall 24 and their symmetrical grooves 23a, 25a in the side wall 20 are sliding means for dividing the space between the side walls 20, 22, 24, 26 of the receptacle 2 into two or three compartments. The other grooves 21, 27, 21a, 27a in the side walls 24 and 20 are sliding means that also serve as storage means, allowing the partitions 3, 4 to be stored in the receptacle 2 without dividing it into compartments.

[0036] Indeed, in a configuration of the storage device 1, the partition 3 is inserted into the receptacle 2 by sliding the ends of its opposite sides 32, 36 into the respective grooves 21, 21a, arranged in the side walls 24, 20, the partition 3 being thus pressed against the side wall 22. More precisely the central part 34 is pressed against the side wall 22 and the opposite sides 32, 36 are pressed against the respective side walls 24, 20. For this, it is of course necessary to rotate the partition 3 by 180° around a vertical axis with respect to the position of the latter illustrated in [Fig. 1].

[0037] It should be noted that by inserting the partition 3 into the grooves 21,21a without vertically turning the partition 3 back from its position illustrated [Fig.1], a tighter compartment is obtained between the side wall 22 and the partition 3 than that illustrated [Fig.1].

[0038] Similarly, in a configuration of the storage device 1, the partition 4 is inserted into the receptacle 2 by sliding the ends of its opposite sides 42, 46 in the respective grooves 27, 27a, arranged in the side walls 24, 20, the partition 4 is thus pressed against the side wall 26. More precisely the central part 44 is pressed against the side wall 26 and the opposite sides 42, 46 are pressed against the respective side walls 24, 20. For this, it is of course necessary to rotate the partition 4 by 180° around a vertical axis with respect to its position as illustrated in [Fig. 1].

[0039] In order to allow for qualitative positioning of the partition walls 3, 4 in the grooves of the side walls 20, 22, 24, 26 of the receptacle 2, the storage device 1 is provided with retaining means comprising magnetic elements 71, 72, 73 and 74 shown [Fig. 2]. This represents the storage device 1 according to the cutting plane P parallel to the transverse direction X and vertical direction Z, shown [Fig. 1], this cutting plane P intersecting the ends of the sides 32, 34 of the partition wall 3, inserted into the grooves 23, 23a.

[0040] In this embodiment of the invention, the magnetic elements 71, 72, 73, 74 are neodymium magnets, but other types of magnets can be used.

[0041] A first magnetic element 71 is housed in the side wall 24 at the groove 23, at a first distance d1 from the bottom 28 of the receptacle. A second magnetic element 72 is housed in the side 32 of the partition 3, at a second distance d2 from the bottom 28 of the receptacle. A third magnetic element 73 is housed in the side wall 20 at the groove 23a, at a third distance d3 from the bottom 28 of the receptacle. A fourth magnetic element 74 is housed in the side 36 of the partition 3, at a fourth distance d4 from the bottom 28 of the receptacle. The first, second, third, and fourth distances d1, d2, d3, and d4 are measured between the bottom 28 of the receptacle 2 and the lower surface of the magnetic element 71, 72, 73, or 74 in question.

[0042] In this embodiment of the invention, when the partition 3 is in the final insertion position, the second distance d2 is strictly greater than the first distance dl, the difference ôZl between the second distance d2 and the first distance dl being between 1 mm and 20 mm. This difference ôZl between the second distance d2 and the first distance dl is also strictly greater than the dimension of the first magnetic element 71 in the vertical direction Z.

[0043] Similarly, when the partition 3 is in the final insertion position, the fourth distance d4 is strictly greater than the third distance d3, the difference ÔZ2 between the fourth distance d4 and the third distance d3 being between 1 mm and 20 mm. This difference ÔZ2 between the fourth distance d4 and the third distance d3 is strictly greater than the dimension of the third magnetic element 73 along the vertical direction Z.

[0044] Thus, when the partition 3 is inserted into the grooves 23, 23a, the magnetic attraction between the second magnetic element 72 and the first magnetic element 71 on the one hand, and between the fourth magnetic element 74 and the third magnetic element 73 on the other hand, creates a slight suction effect and not a strong suction effect which would take place if the second magnetic element 72 were placed at the same distance as the first magnetic element 71 when the partition 3 is in the final insertion position in the grooves 23, 23a, or if the fourth magnetic element 74 were placed at the same distance as the third magnetic element 73 when the partition 3 is in the final insertion position in the grooves 23, 23a.

[0045] By way of example, the magnetic attraction force between the second magnetic element 72 and the first magnetic element 71 is between 1 and 20 N, and the magnetic attraction force between the fourth magnetic element 74 and the third magnetic element 73 is also between 1 and 20 N. The relative positioning of the magnetic elements with respect to each other and their magnetic force are of course adjusted to the desired amplitude of the suction effect.

[0046] It is therefore understood that the first magnetic element 71 and the second magnetic element 72 cooperate to retain the partition 3 in the grooves 23, 23a vertically against the bottom 28 of the receptacle 2, and that the third magnetic element 73 cooperates with the fourth magnetic element 74 also to retain the partition 3 in the grooves 23, 23a vertically against the bottom 28 of the receptacle 2. These magnetic elements 71, 72, 73, 74 thus constitute retaining means against the bottom 28 of the receptacle 2 in the vertical direction, capable of preventing the removal of the partition 3 without a slight vertical effort from the user. They allow the user to qualitatively perceive the insertion or removal of the partition 3 in the grooves 23, 23a, giving a sense of partial automation of this insertion or removal.

[0047] It should also be noted that in this embodiment of the invention, the first magnetic element 71 and the third magnetic element 73 are located in an upper portion 29 (referenced [Fig. 1]) of the side walls 20, 22, 24, 26. This upper portion 29 is located at a distance from the bottom 28 of the receptacle 2 equal to two-thirds of the height h of the side walls 20, 22, 24, 26. Alternatively, the first magnetic element 71 and the third magnetic element 73 are located even higher relative to the bottom 28 of the receptacle 2, for example, in an upper portion of the side walls located at a distance from the bottom 28 of the receptacle 2 equal to three-quarters of the height h of the side walls 20, 22, 24, 26. Positioning the first magnetic element 71 and the third magnetic element 73 higher by The ratio to the bottom 28 of receptacle 2 allows the partition 3 to avoid to tilt vertically when inserted into grooves 23, 23a, due to the particular shape of this partition wall 3.

[0048] Furthermore, as can be seen [Fig.2], the bottom 28 of the receptacle 2 is provided with a mat 6, for example made of polyester fabric, allowing the noise of contact between the partition 3 and the bottom 28 of the receptacle 2 to be muffled when the partition 3 is inserted into the grooves 23, 23a.

[0049] Figure 2 also shows a pad 5 present in each groove 23, 23a. This pad 5 is a hard, slippery plastic coating, for example made of polyoxymethylene or Teflon. It facilitates the insertion of the partition 3, in particular by preventing it from flexing during insertion.

[0050] To enhance the quality of the storage device 1, the magnetic elements 71, 72, 73, 74 are arranged in the side panels 20, 24 or in the partitions 3, 4 without protruding from the surface of these side panels 20, 24 or partitions 3, 4, so as not to be visible to the user. For example, they are molded into the side panels 20, 24 or into the partitions 3, 4.

[0051] Finally, in this embodiment of the invention, each of the other grooves 21, 21a, 25, 25a, 27, 27a is also provided with a magnetic element, capable of cooperating with the second and fourth magnetic elements 72, 74 of the partition 3, the magnetic elements of these other grooves being arranged similarly to the first and third magnetic elements 71, 73 of the grooves 23, 23a. The partition 4 also has a magnetic element on each of its opposite sides 42, 46, arranged similarly to the second and fourth magnetic elements 72, 74 of the partition 3. Thus, the partition 4 also produces a slight suction effect at the end of its positioning in a pair of grooves in the side walls 20, 24.

[0052] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described, and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the features of the different embodiments mentioned in this application can be combined to carry out the invention, provided that these embodiments are not incompatible with each other.

Claims

Demands

1. A storage device (1) for a vehicle comprising: - a receptacle (2) having a base (28) and side walls (20, 22, 24, 26), at least two of the side walls (20, 24) each having at least one sliding means (21, 23, 25, 27, 21a, 23a, 25a, 27a), - at least one partition (3, 4) having two sides opposite each other and each capable of sliding against one of the two side walls (20, 24), each of the two opposite sides having a complementary sliding element (32, 36, 42, 46) by means of sliding the side wall (20, 24), the storage device (1) being characterized in that it comprises means for retaining the partition (3, 4) in the end position insertion of the partition (3, 4) into the receptacle (2), the retention means comprising magnetic elements (71, 72, 73, 74).

2. Storage device (1) for vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic elements (71, 72, 73, 74) comprise at least a first magnetic element (71) housed in one of the sliding means (23), and a second magnetic element (72) capable of cooperating with the first magnetic element (71), the second magnetic element (72) being housed in the sliding member (32) complementary to the sliding means (23) comprising the first magnetic element (71).

3. Vehicle storage device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the sliding means (23) is a first sliding means, and wherein the magnetic elements (71, 72, 73, 74) further comprise a third magnetic element (73) housed in a second sliding means (23a) separate from the first sliding means, and a fourth magnetic element (74) capable of cooperating with the third magnetic element (73), the fourth magnetic element (74) being housed in the sliding member (36) complementary to the second sliding means (23a).

4. A storage device (1) for a vehicle according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first magnetic element (71) and the second magnetic element (72) are capable of exerting an attractive force between the sliding means (23) comprising the first magnetic element (71) and the sliding member (32) complementary to said sliding means (23), between 1 and 20 N.

5. Storage device (1) for vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first magnetic element (71) and the second magnetic element (72) are located respectively at a first distance (dl) and a second distance (d2) from the bottom (28) of the receptacle (2), the second distance (d2) being strictly greater than the first distance (dl), when the partition (3, 4) is in the end-insertion position.

6. Storage device (1) for vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the difference (ôZl) between the second distance (d2) and the first distance (dl) is strictly greater than one dimension of the first magnetic element (71) extending in a direction orthogonal (Z) to the bottom (28) of the receptacle (2), when the partition (3, 4) is in the end-insertion position.

7. Storage device (1) for vehicle according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the difference between the second distance (d2) and the first distance (dl) is between 1 and 20 mm, when the partition (3, 4) is in the end insertion position.

8. Storage device (1) for vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the side walls (20, 22, 24, 26) have an upper part (29) distant from the bottom (28) of the receptacle (2) by at least two-thirds of a height (h) measured between the free ends of the side walls and the bottom (28) of the receptacle (2), the first magnetic element (71) is located in the upper part (29) of the side walls (20, 22, 24, 26).

9. Storage device (1) for vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the receptacle (2) comprises storage means (21, 21a, 27, 27a) intended to press the partition walls (3, 4) against another of the side walls (22, 26), separate from the two side walls (20, 24).

10. Vehicle comprising a storage device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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