Storage unit for arrangement in a centre console of a motor vehicle

Abstract

A storage unit 2 for arrangement in a centre console of a motor vehicle (see also figure 1), comprising a storage housing 4 with a receiving space 6 for receiving an object, a manually displaceable co

Description

The present invention relates to a storage unit for arrangement in a centre console of a motor vehicle, a centre console with such a storage unit, and a motor vehicle comprising such a storage unit. Storage units for arrangement in a centre console of a motor vehicle are known in the prior art. The known storage units here often comprise a storage housing with a receiving space as well as a displaceable cover for opening and closing the receiving space. Particularly for covers that can be manually opened and closed, there is a problem with regard to the force to be applied for an opening and closing process. If the force to be applied is too great, a storage unit is inconvenient to operate, in particular cannot be easily opened and closed. If the force to be applied is too small, the storage unit can open automatically, for example if a vehicle brakes or accelerates significantly within the usual driving dynamics. Therefore, the problem addressed by the present invention is to at least partially remedy the disadvantages described above. In particular, the present invention seeks to provide a storage unit which can be manufactured in a simple and cost-efficient manner for arrangement in a centre console of a motor vehicle, which meets the necessary comfort requirements and, in particular, allows a defined force setting of a manually displaceable cover. The above problem is achieved by a storage unit having the features of claim 1, a centre console system having the features of claim 21, and a motor vehicle having the features of claim 22. Further features and details of the invention arise from the subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Technical features and details that are disclosed in connection with the storage unit according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the centre console according to the invention and the motor vehicle according to the invention, and vice versa, so that reference is or can always be mutually made with respect to the disclosure regarding the individual aspects of the invention. According to the invention, a storage unit for arrangement in a centre console of a motor vehicle is provided. In this case, the storage unit according to an aspect of the invention comprises a storage housing with a receiving space for receiving an object, a manually displaceable cover for opening and closing the receiving space 5 between a first and second end position, as well as an adjustment system for translational movement of the cover. The adjustment system comprises a first and second rack, a shaft, and two gear wheels mounted on the shaft for engaging with the first and second racks. In addition, a braking device is also arranged on the shaft for applying an adjustment resistance to the cover during a translational movement of the 10 cover. According to an aspect of the present invention, the storage unit is thus designed to provide a conveniently operable storage unit for arrangement in a centre console of a motor vehicle, which can be manufactured in a simple and cost-efficient manner, by 15 the arrangement of an adjustment system according to an aspect of the invention -LO comprising a first and second rack, a shaft, and two gear wheels mounted on the shaft - and a braking device. The functionality of the storage unit according to aspects of ¢2¾ the invention, in particular the interaction of the individual components, is explained in co greater detail below. O20 By integrating a braking device for applying an adjustment resistance to the cover during a translational movement of the cover in the present adjustment system according to an aspect of the invention, it is possible in particular to be able to precisely adjust a force to be applied for the displacement of a displaceable cover of a storage 25 unit in a simple manner. A first and a second end position can in particular be understood to mean a first or front and a second or a rear end stop. The present shaft can preferably be configured as a synchronous shaft, wherein the gear wheels can preferably be configured as 30 synchronising gear wheels. This can ensure a synchronous operation and prevent twisting in the cover, in particular tilting of the cover in the linear guide. The combination of shaft and gear wheels can then preferably establish the connection between the cover and the racks or the kinematics carrier. The adjustment system according to aspects of the invention can preferably be configured and connected to the manually displaceable cover, such that the storage unit can be locked or is locked in the end positions (front and rear). Advantageously, the gearwheels can be arranged or mounted at the end of the shaft. The braking device provided according to an aspect of the invention can in particular be used to adjust a manual force to be applied when 5 adjusting the cover. The braking device can be configured as a friction braking device or silicone braking device and move with the manually displaceable cover. With regard to a storage unit that is easy to manufacture in terms of design for the simple and convenient execution of an opening operation and a closing operation, it 10 can be advantageous if the cover is configured in multiple parts, wherein the cover preferably comprises a handle element with a handle for fixing the cover when opening and closing the receiving space, wherein the handle element is in particular clipped to the cover. 15 To prevent the manually displaceable cover from tilting when opening and closing the LO receiving space, it can further be advantageous according to an aspect of the present invention if the handle element has a locking mechanism for locking the cover in end ¢2¾ positions, wherein the locking mechanism preferably comprises a handle bar attached co to the handle, a first and second fixation arm and a deflector rotatable transversely to the displacement direction for connecting the handle bar to the first and second fixation arm, wherein the first and second fixation arm is arranged in particular in a rail system. For example, the rail system can be formed from two rails, which are preferably fixedly arranged on the sides of the storage housing. The individual elements or components of the storage unit can preferably also be releasably connected to each other via clip 25 connections. With regard to decoupled kinematics, straight fixation arms in particular can be provided. In the context of simple and stable guidance of the cover along a displacement path, it can also be advantageous if the cover has sliding elements for guiding the cover 30 along a displacement path, wherein the sliding elements are preferably arranged on the end side on the surface of the cover, wherein the sliding elements are configured in particular without compression springs. The sliding elements are preferably arranged symmetrically along the cover, e.g. fixed on the end side of the cover. The sliding elements can preferably also be guided in the rail system. According to this aspect of the invention, the braking device is configured in the form of a friction braking device. A friction brake is particularly suitable for manually displaceable systems that can be closed, since the temperature influence and the 5 influence of speed on the force to be applied to displace the cover is low and the adjustability of the force is simple. With regard to a simply and specifically adjustable adjustment resistance during a translational movement of the cover, it can be further advantageously provided 10 according to an aspect of the present invention that the braking device has a brake disc and two brake shoes mounted on the shaft for attaching to the brake disc, wherein the brake disc is preferably mounted on the cover, wherein the surface of the brake shoes and the brake disc are in particular formed from different materials. An inverted bearing with a rotating brake disc and fixed brake shoes could also be conceivable 15 and implemented. In the context of an advantageous material pairing, one of the LO Cyj surfaces can preferably be made of a thermoplastic, such as polyoxymethylene and the other formed from a metal material, for example steel. Polyoxymethylene is ¢2¾ particularly suited due to its high stiffness, hardness and strength, as well as its high co dimensional stability and abrasion resistance. In addition, it is chemically resistant to ^^20 many solvents and has a good sliding capability. It is understood that other suitable material pairings can also be used, wherein a suitable material pairing can be advantageously selected with regard to properties such as low friction, low wear, high media resistance or low noise. It is to be understood that the surfaces of the brake shoes and brake disc can advantageously be plan parallel to each other. 25 In order to generate the necessary contact pressure of the brake shoes on the brake disc to be able to set an adjustment resistance during a translational movement of the cover, it can further be advantageous if the braking device has a contact pressure unit for generating a contact pressure of the brake shoes on the brake disc, wherein the 30 contact pressure unit preferably has a spring element for applying a spring force and a spring pretensioner for pretensioning the spring element. To secure the position of the brake shoes when a contact pressure is generated by the contact pressure unit, a lock washer can further be provided that holds the brake shoes in place. The brake shoes are preferably arranged between the lock washer and the contact pressure unit. The adjustment resistance during a translational movement of the cover can preferably be precisely adjusted or the force required to displace the cover can be precisely defined via the contact pressure applied by the contact pressure unit, the coefficient of friction between the materials at the surface of the brake shoes and the brake disc 5 (material pairing) and the size of the brake disc. In order to ensure proper movement of the storage unit, the shaft can be configured with a groove at the position of the brake disc and can take everything except the groove (preferably rotating with the shaft) during a movement. The attached components can preferably be positively connected to the shaft. 10 According to aspects of the present invention, to ensure a precisely adjustable adjustment resistance of the cover during a translational movement, it can advantageously be provided that the braking device is arranged substantially centrally on the shaft. It is understood that a substantially central arrangement can also include 15 slight deviations from an absolutely central arrangement of up to 5%. LD CM In the context of a design of a kinematic carrier that is easy to manufacture for a locally ¢2¾ defined kinematic support, it can further be advantageous if the first and second racks co are permanently fixed in their position, wherein the first and second racks are preferably fixedly arranged on the storage housing, in particular on laterally opposite sides of the storage housing within the receiving space. Due to the stationary fixing of the racks or the rack tracks for connection to the shaft and the gears, a positioning for controlling a movement is already established, so that an adjustment for a movement is simplified. The racks can in particular be configured in a two-component design (2K 25 design), wherein the material of the base body of the teeth of the rack can preferably be configured from a harder material, such as iron, aluminum, steel or a hard thermoplastic and can be coated with a softer material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer. By using two such materials, the 2K gear rack can provide advantages such as improved sound insulation, higher wear resistance, and better adhesion 30 between the gear rack and gear wheel. The invention also seeks to provide a centre console for arrangement in a motor vehicle, comprising a storage unit described above. Thus, the centre console according to aspects of the invention offers the same advantages as have been described in detail above with respect to the storage unit according to the invention. The invention also seeks to provide a motor vehicle comprising a storage unit as 5 described above as well as preferably a centre console as described above. The motor vehicle according to an aspect of the invention thus has the same advantages as already extensively described with respect to the storage unit according to the invention or the centre console according to the invention. 10 Further advantages, features, and details of the invention arise from the following description, in which embodiment examples of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can be essential for the invention individually or in any combination. LD CM The following are shown schematically: Figure 1 a storage unit according to a first embodiment example of the invention for arrangement in the centre console of a motor vehicle in a spatial view 5 in a closed state, Figure 2 a portion of an at least partially uncovered storage unit according to a first embodiment example of the invention for arrangement in the centre console of a motor vehicle in a plan view in a fully opened state, 10 Figure 3 a portion of an at least partially uncovered storage unit according to a second embodiment example of the invention for arrangement in the centre console of a motor vehicle in a plan view in a fully closed state, 15 Figure 4 a portion of an adjustment system according to an embodiment of the LO CXI invention for translational movement of a cover of the storage unit according to an embodiment of the invention in a front view. co Figure 1 shows a storage unit 2 according to a first embodiment example of the f^20 invention for arrangement in the centre console of a motor vehicle in a spatial view in a closed state. As can be seen according to Figure 1, the storage unit 2 comprises a storage housing 4 as well as a manually displaceable cover 8 for opening and closing a receiving 25 space 6. A handle element 22 is attached to the cover 8. In addition to the cover 8, a cover 8a is also arranged. Figure 2 shows a portion of an at least partially uncovered (without trim strips and trim covers) storage unit 2 according to a first embodiment example of the invention for 30 arrangement in the centre console of a motor vehicle in a plan view in a fully opened state . As can be seen according to Figure 2, the storage unit 2 comprises a storage housing 4 with a receiving space 6 for receiving an object, a manually displaceable cover 8 for opening and closing the receiving space 6 between a first and second end position and an adjustment system 10 for the translational movement of the cover 8, with a first and second rack 16, a shaft 12 and two gearwheels 14 mounted on the shaft 12 for engaging with the first and second rack 16. A braking device 20 for applying an 5 adjustment resistance to the cover 8 during a translational movement of the cover 8 is also arranged on the shaft 12. The cover 8 is formed in multiple parts and comprises a handle element 22 with a handle 24 for fixing the cover 8 when the receiving space 6 is opened and closed. 10 The handle element 22 here has a locking mechanism 26 for compensating a movement transverse to the displacement direction, which has a handle bar 28 attached to the handle 24, a first and second fixation arm 30 and a deflector 18 rotatable transversely to the displacement direction for connecting the handle bar 28 15 to the first and second fixation arm 30. ► I Moreover, the cover 8 has sliding elements 34 for guiding the cover 8 along a । displacement path, which are arranged on the end side on the surface face of the ( cover 8. ¢0 Figure 3 shows an at least partially uncovered storage unit 2 according to a second embodiment example of the invention for arrangement in the centre console of a motor vehicle in a top plan view in a fully closed state. 25 In contrast to the first embodiment, the second embodiment has straight fixation arms 30a for attachment to the rotatable deflector 18. Figure 4 shows a portion of an adjustment system 10 according to an embodiment of the invention for translational movement of a cover 8 of the storage unit 2 30 according to an embodiment of the invention in a front view. As can be seen according to Figure 4, the braking device 20 has a brake disc 36 and two brake shoes 38 mounted on the shaft 12 for attaching to the brake disc 36. In addition, the braking device 20 has a contact pressure unit 40 to generate a contact pressure of the brake shoes 38 on the brake disc 36, wherein the contact pressure unit 40 has a spring element 42 for applying a spring force, a spring pretensioner 44 for pretensioning the spring element 42, and a lock washer 46. 5 The above explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention solely in the context of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, if technically meaningful, without leaving the scope of the present invention. 10 LD CM

Claims

1. A storage unit for arrangement in a centre console of a motor vehicle, comprising:- a storage housing having a receiving space for receiving an object,5 - a manually displaceable cover for opening and closing the receiving space betweena first and second end position,- an adjustment system for translational movement of the cover, having a first and second rack, a shaft, and two gear wheelsmounted on the shaft for engaging with the first and second racks,10 wherein a braking device for applying an adjustment resistance to the cover during a translational movement of the cover, is arranged on the shaft, and wherein the braking device is configured in the form of a friction braking device.

2. The storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the cover is configured in multiple 15 parts.IDCM3. The storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a handle ¢2¾ element with a handle for fixing the cover when opening and closing the receiving qq space.O204. The storage unit according to claim 2, wherein the handle element is clipped to the cover.

5. The storage unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle 25 element comprises a locking mechanism for locking the cover in end positions.

6. The storage unit according to claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a handle bar fixed to the handle, a first and second fixation arms and a deflector rotatable transversely to the displacement direction for connecting the handle bar to the first and 30 second fixation arms.

7. The storage unit according to claim 6 wherein the first and second fixation arms are arranged in a rail system.

8. The storage unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover comprises sliding elements for guiding the cover along a displacement path.

9. The storage unit according to claim 8, wherein the sliding elements are arranged 5 on the end side on the surface of the cover.

10. The storage unit according to claim 9, wherein the sliding elements are arranged on the end side on the surface of the cover without compression springs.1011 .The support unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the braking device comprises a brake disc and two brake shoes mounted on the shaft for attaching to the brake disc.12.The storage unit according to claim 11, wherein the brake disc is mounted on the cover.

13. The storage unit according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the surface of the brake shoes and the brake disc is formed from different materials.14.The storage unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the braking device comprises a contact pressure unit for generating a contact pressure of the brake shoes on the brake disc.

15. The storage unit according to claim 14, wherein the contact pressure unit comprises a spring element for applying a spring force and a spring pretensioner to pretension the spring element.30 16.The storage unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the brakingdevice is arranged substantially centrally on the shaft.17.The storage unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and the second racks are permanently fixed in their position.

18. The storage unit according to claim 17, wherein the first and the second racks are fixedly arranged on the storage housing.5 19. The storage unit according to claim 18, wherein the first and the second racks arefixedly arranged on the storage housing on laterally opposite arranged sides of the storage housing within the receiving space.

20. Centre console for arrangement in a motor vehicle, comprising a storage unit 10 according to any one of the preceding claims.

21. A motor vehicle comprising a storage unit according to one of claims 1 to 19, or a centre console according to claim 20.LDCM

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