Vehicle console box

Abstract

To reduce the number of parts while improving functionality and aesthetic appearance in a vehicle console box with a double-hinged lid.SOLUTION: A vehicle console box 1 includes a console box main body 2 and a lid 3 attached to the console box main body 2 to open in both right and left directions. Right and left knobs 51 are configured independently such that pressing one knob 51 does not affect the other knob 51. When the lid 3 closes an opening 20 of the console box main body 2, right and left locking mechanisms 10, 11 are configured such that when one locking mechanism 10 is unlocked, the unlocking of the other locking mechanism 11 is restricted. When the lid 3 opens the opening 20 of the console box main body 2, a restricting member 55 maintains the unlocked state of the locking mechanism 10 on the open side of the right and left locking mechanisms 10, 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a console box for a vehicle, and more particularly to a console box for a vehicle that includes a console box body having an opening, and a lid that is attached to the console box body via left and right hinge shafts so as to be able to open and close the opening of the console box body. [Background technology]

[0002] Various types of vehicle console boxes have been known. Patent Document 1 below discloses a vehicle console box in which a lid is attached to the console box body via left and right hinge shafts so as to be able to open and close an opening of the console box body. This is a so-called vehicle console box with a lid that can be opened from both sides. In this vehicle console box, the lid includes left and right locking mechanisms that lock the lid so that it opens from both sides relative to the console box body via the left and right hinge shafts, and left and right side knobs that unlock the left and right locking mechanisms, respectively.

[0003] As a result, for example, when an occupant in the front left seat (e.g., the passenger seat) unlocks the left locking mechanism by operating the left knob, the lid can be rotated around the axis of the right hinge to open the lid to the left. This allows the occupant in the front left seat to use the vehicle console box. Similarly, when an occupant in the front right seat (e.g., the driver's seat) unlocks the right locking mechanism by operating the right knob, the lid can be rotated around the axis of the left hinge to open the lid to the right. This allows the occupant in the front right seat to use the vehicle console box. In this way, the left and right locking mechanisms can be unlocked with good operability (good access) from either occupant in the front seat (front left seat or front right seat) to open the occupant's side of the lid. This improves the convenience of the occupant when using the vehicle console box.

[0004] Furthermore, the above-described vehicle console box has the following first to third effects to improve functionality and design. The first effect is that when one locking mechanism is unlocked while the lid is closing the opening of the console box body, the unlocking of the other locking mechanism is restricted. The second effect is that when the lid is opening the opening of the console box body, the locking mechanism on the side that is opened can be kept unlocked. The third effect is that because the left and right knobs are independent, pressing one knob does not affect the other knob, preventing the uncomfortable feeling of the knob not being operated moving. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-317310 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 described above requires components such as the moving body 22, the compression coil spring 7, and the check lever 8. This poses a problem of requiring a large number of components.

[0007] The present invention is intended to solve such problems, and its purpose is to reduce the number of parts in a vehicle console box with a double-hinged lid while improving functionality and design. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a console box for a vehicle includes a console box main body having an opening and a lid. The lid is attached to the console box main body via a left hinge shaft and a right hinge shaft so as to be able to open and close the opening of the console box main body in both directions. The lid includes a left locking mechanism that locks the lid against the left-hand opening relative to the console box main body using the right hinge shaft, and a right locking mechanism that locks the lid against the right-hand opening relative to the console box main body using the left hinge shaft. The lid also includes a left knob that unlocks the left locking mechanism when pressed, and a right knob that unlocks the right locking mechanism when pressed. The lid also includes a restricting member that moves to a position that allows the left and right knobs to move mutually between a non-pressed position and a pressed position when the lid closes the opening of the console box main body, and that moves to a position that restricts the mutual movement when the lid opens the opening of the console box main body. The left and right knobs are configured independently so that pressing one knob does not affect the other. When the lid closes the opening of the console box body, the left and right locking mechanisms are configured so that when one locking mechanism is unlocked, the unlocking of the other locking mechanism is restricted. When the lid opens the opening of the console box body, the restricting member maintains the unlocked state of the locking mechanism on the open side of the left and right locking mechanisms.

[0009] This eliminates the need for parts such as the moving body, compression coil spring, and check lever described in the background art, and therefore reduces the number of parts required for a vehicle console box with a double-hinged lid while improving functionality and design.

[0010] According to another feature of the present disclosure, the lid includes an inner member that closes the opening of the console box body and an outer member that forms a design member of the inner member. One of the inner member and the outer member includes a pair of bearing pieces. A restricting member is attached to the pair of bearing pieces so as to bridge the pair. The other of the inner member and the outer member includes an auxiliary member that sandwiches the pair of bearing pieces with the restricting member attached thereto.

[0011] Therefore, by elastically deforming (deflecting) the pair of bearing pieces, the restricting member can be easily assembled, and the auxiliary member can prevent the pair of bearing pieces from elastically deforming after the restricting member is assembled. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall perspective view of a vehicle console box according to an embodiment, seen from above; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a perspective view of the lid of FIG. 1, showing the outer member from below with the inner member seen through. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 shows the state in which the left knob is operated. [Figure 9] FIG. 5 shows the state in which the left knob is operated. [Figure 10] FIG. 6 shows the state in which the left knob has been operated to open the lid slightly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 10. In the following description, up / down, front / rear, left / right refer to the up / down, front / rear, left / right directions when the vehicle console box 1 is mounted on a vehicle (for example, an automobile, truck, bus, etc., not shown).

[0014] A console box 1 for a vehicle is mainly composed of a console box body 2 and a lid 3 (see FIG. 1). The console box body 2 and the lid 3 will be described below individually.

[0015] First, the console box body 2 will be described (see FIG. 2). The console box body 2 has an opening 20 that allows items (not shown) to be placed in and removed from an interior 21. The left and right ends of the front wall 23 of the console box body 2 are formed with insertion holes 24 that allow the lock pins 53a of the left and right front rods 53 to be inserted and removed.

[0016] A hinge base 30 having a vertically split structure made up of a lower hinge cover 31 and an upper hinge cover 32 for concealing the interior of the lower hinge cover 31 is attached to the rear part 25 of the console box body 2. An insertion hole 31a is formed in the left end of the lower hinge cover 31, and a lock pin 54a of the left rear rod 54 can be inserted and removed therethrough.

[0017] A spring mounting portion 31b is formed at the right end portion of the lower hinge cover 31. A right torsion spring 37 is mounted to the spring mounting portion 31b. Also, a bearing portion 31c that serves as a bearing for the hinge shaft 35d of the link arm 35 is formed at the right end portion of the lower hinge cover 31 so as to be adjacent to the spring mounting portion 31b.

[0018] A cylindrical spring mounting portion 35a is formed at the left end of the link arm 35 so as to protrude forward. A left torsion spring 36 is inserted into and mounted in the spring mounting portion 35a. In addition, a through-hole 35b, which can pass through the lock pin 54a of the left rear rod 54, is formed at the left end of the link arm 35 on the same axis as the spring mounting portion 35a.

[0019] Furthermore, a spring hook groove 35c is formed at the left end of the link arm 35, into which one end 36a of the left torsion spring 36 can be hooked (see FIG. 3). One end 36a of the left torsion spring 36 is hooked in the spring hook groove 35c. The other end 36b of the left torsion spring 36 is hooked to the inner member 40 of the lid 3. A hinge shaft 35d is formed at the right end of the link arm 35 so as to protrude rearward (see FIG. 2).

[0020] A spring hook groove 35e is formed at the right end of the link arm 35, into which one end 37a of the right torsion spring 37 can be hooked. One end 37a of the right torsion spring 37 is hooked in the spring hook groove 35e. The other end 37b of the right torsion spring 37 is hooked to the lower hinge cover 31. An insertion hole 35f is formed in the link arm 35, into which the lock pin 54a of the right rear rod 54 can be inserted and removed. The console box body 2 is configured as described above.

[0021] Next, the lid 3 will be described (see FIG. 2). The lid 3 includes an inner member 40 in the shape of a substantially rectangular panel, and an outer member 60 which is a design member (design panel) assembled to the inner member 40. Below, the inner member 40 and the outer member 60 will be described individually.

[0022] First, the inner member 40 will be described. The inner member 40 is integrally formed from a rigid synthetic resin. Left and right ends of the front wall 41 of the inner member 40 are formed with through holes 41a into which the lock pins 53a of the left and right front rods 53 can be inserted. Furthermore, a through hole 41b is formed in the center of the left and right sides of the front wall 41 of the inner member 40, allowing the pressing portion 55a of the regulating member 55 to advance and retreat.

[0023] A left retainer assembly portion 42 is formed on the left front portion of the inner member 40, to which the left retainer 50 is assembled so that it can slide left and right. The left retainer 50 is assembled to the left retainer assembly portion 42, allowing the assembled left retainer 50 to slide left and right. A left knob 51 serving as an operating portion is assembled integrally with the left retainer 50.

[0024] The left retainer 50 is formed with a front elongated hole 50a and a rear elongated hole 50b that penetrate the thickness of the retainer. The front elongated hole 50a and the rear elongated hole 50b are formed to form a generally V-shape in plan view (see FIG. 4). The left retainer 50 is also formed with a hook piece 50c that protrudes downward. The left retainer 50 is also formed with a spring contact portion 50d that protrudes downward (see FIG. 3).

[0025] Furthermore, a left front rod assembly portion 43 is formed on the left front portion of the inner member 40, to which a left front rod 53 is assembled so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The left front rod 53 is assembled to the left front rod assembly portion 43. This allows the assembled left front rod 53 to slide in the front-rear direction. A lock pin 53a that protrudes forward is formed on the front end portion of the left front rod 53.

[0026] The lock pin 53a, when inserted into the left through-hole 41a of the inner member 40, can be inserted into and removed from the left insertion hole 24 of the console box body 2. A connecting pin 53b that protrudes upward is formed at the rear end of the left front rod 53. The connecting pin 53b is movably inserted into the front elongated hole 50a of the left retainer 50 (see FIG. 4).

[0027] Furthermore, a left rear rod assembly portion 44 is formed on the left rear portion of the inner member 40, to which a left rear rod 54 is assembled so that the left rear rod 54 can slide in the front-to-rear direction. The left rear rod 54 is assembled to the left rear rod assembly portion 44. This allows the assembled left rear rod 54 to slide in the front-to-rear direction. A lock pin 54a is formed on the rear end portion of the left rear rod 54. The lock pin 54a can be inserted into and removed from the insertion hole 31a of the hinge base 30 while inserted into the spring mounting portion 35a and through-hole 35b of the link arm 35.

[0028] At this time, the left torsion spring 36 is inserted into the spring mounting portion 35a of the link arm 35. The inserted left torsion spring 36 is mounted to the spring mounting portion 46 of the inner member 40. A bearing portion 45 is formed on the left rear portion of the inner member 40. The bearing portion 45 receives the spring mounting portion 35a of the link arm 35.

[0029] One end 36a of the left torsion spring 36 is hooked in a spring hook groove 35c of the link arm 35. The other end 36b of the left torsion spring 36 is hooked to the inner member 40. A connecting pin 54b that protrudes upward is formed at the front end of the left rear rod 54. The connecting pin 54b is movably inserted into a rear elongated hole 50b of the left retainer 50.

[0030] A right retainer assembly portion 42 is formed on the right front portion of the inner member 40, to which the right retainer 50 is assembled so that it can slide left and right. The right retainer 50 is assembled to the right retainer assembly portion 42, allowing the assembled right retainer 50 to slide left and right. A right knob 51 serving as an operating portion is assembled integrally with the right retainer 50.

[0031] 2 and 4, the left and right knobs 51 (retainers 50) are configured independently so that pressing one knob 51 (retainer 50) does not affect the other knob 51 (retainer 50). This corresponds to the third effect described in the background art.

[0032] The right retainer 50 is formed with a front elongated hole 50a and a rear elongated hole 50b that penetrate the thickness of the right retainer 50. The front elongated hole 50a and the rear elongated hole 50b are formed to form a substantially T-shape in plan view (see FIG. 4). That is, when comparing the front elongated hole 50a and the rear elongated hole 50b of the left retainer 50 with the front elongated hole 50a and the rear elongated hole 50b of the right retainer 50, the rear elongated hole 50b of the right retainer 50 is shifted to the left. The right retainer 50 is also formed with a hook piece 50c that protrudes downward (see FIG. 3). The right retainer 50 is also formed with a spring contact portion 50d that protrudes downward.

[0033] Furthermore, a right front rod assembly portion 43 is formed on the right front portion of the inner member 40, to which a right front rod 53 is assembled so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The right front rod 53 is assembled to the right front rod assembly portion 43. This allows the assembled right front rod 53 to slide in the front-rear direction. A lock pin 53a that protrudes forward is formed on the front end portion of the right front rod 53.

[0034] The lock pin 53a, when inserted into the right through-hole 41a of the inner member 40, can be inserted into and removed from the right insertion hole 24 of the console box body 2. A connecting pin 53b that protrudes upward is formed at the rear end of the right front rod 53. The connecting pin 53b is inserted movably into the front elongated hole 50a of the right retainer 50.

[0035] Furthermore, a right rear rod assembly portion 44 is formed on the right rear portion of the inner member 40, to which the right rear rod 54 is assembled so that it can slide in the front-to-rear direction. The right rear rod 54 is assembled to the right rear rod assembly portion 44. This allows the assembled right rear rod 54 to slide in the front-to-rear direction. A lock pin 54a is formed on the rear end portion of the right rear rod 54. The lock pin 54a is insertable into and removable from the insertion hole 35f of the link arm 35.

[0036] A right torsion spring 37 is attached to the spring attachment portion 31b of the lower hinge cover 31 of the hinge base 30. At this time, the hinge shaft 35d of the link arm 35 is received in the bearing portion 31c of the lower hinge cover 31. One end 37a of the right torsion spring 37 is hooked into the spring hook groove 35e of the link arm 35. The other end 37b of the right torsion spring 37 is hooked to the lower hinge cover 31. A connecting pin 54b that protrudes upward is formed at the front end of the left rear rod 54. The connecting pin 54b is movably inserted into the rear elongated hole 50b of the left retainer 50.

[0037] The left insertion hole 24 of the console box body 2, the insertion hole 31a of the hinge base 30, the lock pin 53a of the left front rod 53, and the lock pin 54a of the left rear rod 54 correspond to the left locking mechanism 10. The left locking mechanism 10 is locked when the lock pin 53a of the left front rod 53 is inserted into the left insertion hole 24 of the console box body 2 and the lock pin 54a of the left rear rod 54 is inserted into the insertion hole 31a of the hinge base 30.

[0038] Similarly, the right insertion hole 24 of the console box body 2, the insertion hole 35f of the link arm 35, the lock pin 53a of the right front rod 53, and the lock pin 54a of the right rear rod 54 correspond to the right lock mechanism 11. The state in which the lock pin 53a of the right front rod 53 is inserted into the right insertion hole 24 of the console box body 2 and the state in which the lock pin 54a of the right rear rod 54 is inserted into the insertion hole 35f of the link arm 35 is the state in which the right lock mechanism 11 is locked.

[0039] A pair of left and right bearing pieces 47 each having a bearing hole 47a are formed in the front portion of the inner member 40 (see FIG. 2). A rotation shaft 55c of the regulating member 55 is assembled in the bearing holes 47a of the pair of left and right bearing pieces 47 so as to be rotatable about an axis whose axial direction is in the left-right direction. During this assembly, the rotation shaft 55c of the regulating member 55 is inserted into the bearing holes 47a of the pair of left and right bearing pieces 47 while the pair of left and right bearing pieces 47 are bent (elastically deformed) in directions away from each other.

[0040] The restricting member 55 rotates (moves) to a position that allows the left and right knobs 51 to move mutually between the non-pressed position and the pressed position when the lid 3 closes the opening 20 of the console box body 2. Furthermore, the restricting member 55 rotates (moves) to a position that restricts the above-mentioned mutual movement when the lid 3 opens the opening 20 of the console box body 2. The non-pressed positions of the left and right knobs 51 are the positions shown in FIG. 4, which are the positions of the left and right knobs 51 when not pressed. The pressed positions of the left and right knobs 51 are the positions shown in FIG. 8, which are the positions of the left knob 51 when pressed. The same applies to the right knob 51, although not shown.

[0041] A pressing portion 55a is formed at the front end of the regulating member 55, and a pair of left and right hook portions 55b are formed at the rear end of the regulating member 55. A torsion spring 56 is interposed between the pair of left and right bearing pieces 47 and the regulating member 55. Therefore, the pressing portion 55a of the regulating member 55 is in a state of protruding from the through-hole 41b of the inner member 40 (see FIG. 10).

[0042] A spring mounting portion 46 is formed at the front of the inner member 40 (see FIG. 2). A compression spring 52 is mounted in the spring mounting portion 46 along the left-right direction. The compression spring 52 is mounted in the spring mounting portion 46 before the left and right retainers 50 are assembled. The compression spring 52 is mounted in a slightly deflected state due to pressure from the spring contact portions 50d of the assembled left and right retainers 50. The inner member 40 is configured in this manner.

[0043] Next, the outer member 60 will be described. The outer member 60 comprises a substrate 61 that forms its base, and a skin (not shown) that covers the surface of the substrate 61 (see FIG. 3). This skin can enhance the design of the outer member 60. The inner surface of the substrate 61 is provided with a generally inverted U-shaped auxiliary member 61a that protrudes downward.

[0044] When the outer member 60 is assembled to the inner member 40 (forming the lid 3), the auxiliary member 61a sandwiches the pair of left and right bearing pieces 47 of the inner member 40 in the substantially inverted U-shaped interior 61b (see Figures 3 and 7). This prevents the pair of bearing pieces 47 from bending in directions away from each other. The outer member 60 is constructed in this manner. The outer member 60 constructed in this manner is assembled to the inner member 40 to form the lid 3.

[0045] The completed lid 3 is then attached to the console box body 2 so as to close the opening 20 of the console box body 2, thereby completing the vehicle console box 1 (see FIG. 1). With the lid 3 attached to the console box body 2 in this manner, the lock pin 53a of the left front rod 53 of the lid 3 is inserted into the left insertion hole 24 of the console box body 2 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). Similarly, the lock pin 54a of the left rear rod 54 of the lid 3 is inserted into the insertion hole 31a of the hinge base 30 of the console box body 2. As a result, the left lock mechanism 10 is locked. In other words, the left-side opening of the lid 3 is locked (restricted).

[0046] Furthermore, when the lid 3 is assembled, the lock pin 53a of the right front rod 53 of the lid 3 is inserted into the right insertion hole 24 of the console box body 2 (see FIG. 4). Similarly, the lock pin 54a of the right rear rod 54 of the lid 3 is inserted into the insertion hole 35f of the link arm 35 of the console box body 2. As a result, the right lock mechanism 11 is locked. In other words, the right-side opening of the lid 3 is locked (restricted).

[0047] Furthermore, when the lid 3 is in the assembled state, the pressing portion 55a of the restricting member 55 of the lid 3 is pressed against the front wall 23 of the console box body 2. Therefore, the restricting member 55 rotates from the state shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 6 to the state shown by the solid line against the biasing force of the torsion spring 56. Furthermore, in this assembled state, both the left torsion spring 36 and the right torsion spring 37 are in a deflected state. For ease of explanation, the assembled state of the lid 3 will be referred to below as the "initial state of the lid 3."

[0048] Next, the operation of the above-described vehicle console box 1 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6 and 8 to 10. In this description, the cases where the vehicle console box 1 is used by an occupant in the front left seat (e.g., the passenger seat) and the front right seat (e.g., the driver's seat) will be described separately. In both of these descriptions, the description will start from the initial state of the lid 3 (a state in which the lid 3 closes the opening 20 of the console box body 2) (see Figures 3 to 5). In this initial state of the lid 3, the lid 3 is locked by the left and right locking mechanisms 10 as described above.

[0049] First, the case where the occupant in the front left seat uses the console will be described. First, from the state shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the occupant in the front left seat pushes in the left knob 51 (pressing operation). This causes the spring contact portion 50d of the left retainer 50 to slide rightward while deforming the compression spring 52. This causes the left front rod 53 to slide rearward via the connecting pin 53b of the left front rod 53 inserted into the front elongated hole 50a of the left retainer 50. As a result, the lock pin 53a of the left front rod 53 retracts (drops off) from the left insertion hole 24 of the console box main body 2 (see FIGS. 8 and 9).

[0050] At the same time, the left rear rod 54 slides forward via the connecting pin 54b of the left rear rod 54 inserted into the rear elongated hole 50b of the left retainer 50. As a result, the lock pin 54a of the left rear rod 54 retracts (drops off) from the insertion hole 31a of the lower hinge cover 31 of the console box body 2. This unlocks the left locking mechanism 10. As a result, the lid 3 can be opened to the left around the axis of the right hinge, which is the lock pin 53a of the right front rod 53 and the hinge shaft 35d of the link arm 35. This allows items to be placed in and removed from the interior 21 of the vehicle console box 1.

[0051] When the lid 3 is opened to the left, the pressing portion 55a of the restricting member 55 of the lid 3 against the front wall 23 of the console box body 2 is released (see FIG. 10). Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the restricting member 55 rotates in a direction in which the pair of left and right hook portions 55b rise (counterclockwise in FIG. 10) due to the biasing force of the torsion spring 56. As a result, the left hook portion 55b of the pair of raised left and right hook portions 55b reaches the same height position as the hook piece 50c of the left retainer 50.

[0052] Therefore, when the pushing operation of the left knob 51 is released and the left retainer 50 is returned by the biasing force of the compression spring 52, the hook piece 50c of the returned left retainer 50 interferes with the left hook portion 55b, which has reached the same height position. Therefore, the restricting member 55 restricts the return of the left retainer 50 by the biasing force of the compression spring 52. As a result, the left locking mechanism 10, which is the open side, is maintained in an unlocked state. This corresponds to the second effect described in the background art.

[0053] Furthermore, when the lid 3 is opened to the left, the link arm 35 moves around the hinge shaft 35d as the lid 3 opens to the left, and the biasing force of the right torsion spring 37 acts between the link arm 35 and the hinge base 30. This biasing force acts as an assist force for opening the lid 3 to the left. This allows the lid 3 to be opened to the left with a light operating load.

[0054] Furthermore, as described above, when the pair of left and right hook portions 55b of the restricting member 55 rotates in the direction of rising, the right hook portion 55b of the pair of raised left and right hook portions 55b reaches the same height as the hook piece 50c of the right retainer 50. Therefore, when the right knob 51 is pushed in in this state (a state in which the left locking mechanism 10 is unlocked), the hook piece 50c of the right retainer 50 interferes with the right hook portion 55b of the restricting member 55. Therefore, the operation of pushing in the right knob 51 is restricted. In other words, the unlocking of the right locking mechanism 11 is restricted.

[0055] This restriction is also implemented at the tip portions 50e of the left and right retainers 50. For example, when the left knob 51 is pushed in, the tip portion 50e of the left retainer 50, which slides to the right, approaches the tip portion 50e of the right retainer 50 (see FIG. 8). Therefore, when the right knob 51 is pushed in in this state (when the left locking mechanism 10 is unlocked), the tip portion 50e of the right retainer 50 interferes with the tip portion 50e of the left retainer 50. Therefore, the operation of pushing in the right knob 51 is restricted. In other words, the unlocking of the right locking mechanism 11 is restricted.

[0056] Furthermore, the restriction performed by the tip ends 50e of the left and right retainers 50 remains effective even when the lid 3 closes the opening 20 of the console box body 2. This corresponds to the first effect described in the background art.

[0057] Meanwhile, when the left-opened lid 3 is being closed, the pressing portion 55a of the restricting member 55 of the lid 3 interferes with the front wall 23 of the console box body 2. Then, the restricting member 55 rotates in a direction in which the pair of left and right hook portions 55b collapse against the biasing force of the torsion spring 56 (see FIG. 6). This eliminates the interference of the hook piece 50c of the left retainer 50 with the left hook portion 55b of the restricting member 55 described above.

[0058] Therefore, the biasing force of the compression spring 52 returns the left retainer 50 to the state before it slid. Therefore, the left front rod 53 slides forward via the connecting pin 53b of the left front rod 53 inserted into the front elongated hole 50a of the left retainer 50. Therefore, the lock pin 53a of the left front rod 53 enters the left insertion hole 24 of the console box main body 2 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0059] At the same time, the left rear rod 54 slides rearward via the connecting pin 54b of the left rear rod 54 inserted into the rear elongated hole 50b of the left retainer 50. Therefore, the lock pin 54a of the left rear rod 54 enters the insertion hole 31a of the lower hinge cover 31 of the console box body 2. Therefore, the left locking mechanism 10 is returned to the locked state.

[0060] Next, the case where the passenger in the front right seat uses the console will be described. First, from the state shown in Figures 4 and 6, the passenger in the front right seat pushes in the right knob 51 (pressing operation). This causes the spring contact portion 50d of the right retainer 50 to slide leftward while deflecting the compression spring 52. This causes the right front rod 53 to slide rearward via the connecting pin 53b of the right front rod 53 inserted into the front elongated hole 50a of the right retainer 50. As a result, the lock pin 53a of the right front rod 53 retracts (drops off) from the right insertion hole 24 of the console box main body 2 (see Figure 8).

[0061] At the same time, the right rear rod 54 slides forward via the connecting pin 54b of the right rear rod 54 inserted into the rear elongated hole 50b of the right retainer 50. As a result, the lock pin 54a of the right rear rod 54 retracts (drops off) from the insertion hole 35f of the link arm 35 of the console box body 2. This unlocks the right locking mechanism 11. Therefore, the lid 3 can be opened to the right around the axis that uses the lock pin 53a of the left front rod 53 and the lock pin 54a of the left rear rod 54 as the axis of the left hinge. This allows items to be placed in and removed from the interior 21 of the vehicle console box 1.

[0062] Furthermore, when the lid 3 is opened to the right, the pressing of the pressing portion 55a of the restricting member 55 of the lid 3 against the front wall 23 of the console box body 2 is released, as in the case of opening the lid 3 to the left (see FIG. 10 ). Then, as shown in FIG. 10 , the restricting member 55 rotates in a direction in which the pair of left and right hook portions 55b rises (counterclockwise in FIG. 10 ) due to the biasing force of the torsion spring 56. As a result, the right hook portion 55b of the pair of raised left and right hook portions 55b reaches the same height position as the hook piece 50c of the right retainer 50.

[0063] Therefore, when the right knob 51 is released and the right retainer 50 is returned by the biasing force of the compression spring 52, the hook piece 50c of the returned right retainer 50 interferes with the right hook portion 55b, which has reached the same height position. Therefore, the restricting member 55 restricts the return of the right retainer 50 by the biasing force of the compression spring 52. As a result, the right locking mechanism 10, which is the open side, remains unlocked. This corresponds to the second effect described in the background art.

[0064] Furthermore, when the lid 3 is opened to the right, the biasing force of the left torsion spring 36 acts between the inner member 40 of the lid 3 and the link arm 35. Therefore, this biasing force acts as an assisting force for opening the lid 3 to the right. Therefore, the lid 3 can be opened to the right with a light operating load.

[0065] Furthermore, as described above, when the pair of left and right hook portions 55b of the restricting member 55 rotates in the direction of rising, the left hook portion 55b of the pair of raised left and right hook portions 55b reaches the same height position as the hook piece 50c of the left retainer 50. Therefore, when the left knob 51 is pushed in in this state (a state in which the right locking mechanism 10 is unlocked), the hook piece 50c of the left retainer 50 interferes with the left hook portion 55b of the restricting member 55. Therefore, the operation of pushing in the left knob 51 is restricted. In other words, the unlocking of the right locking mechanism 11 is restricted.

[0066] This restriction is also implemented at the tip portions 50e of the left and right retainers 50. For example, when the right knob 51 is pushed in, the tip portion 50e of the right retainer 50, which slides leftward, approaches the tip portion 50e of the left retainer 50. Therefore, when the left knob 51 is pushed in in this state (when the right locking mechanism 10 is unlocked), the tip portion 50e of the left retainer 50 interferes with the tip portion 50e of the right retainer 50. Therefore, the operation of pushing in the left knob 51 is restricted. In other words, the unlocking of the left locking mechanism 11 is restricted.

[0067] Furthermore, the restriction performed by the tip ends 50e of the left and right retainers 50 remains effective even when the lid 3 closes the opening 20 of the console box body 2. This corresponds to the first effect described in the background art.

[0068] On the other hand, when the right-opening lid 3 is being closed, the pressing portion 55a of the restricting member 55 of the lid 3 interferes with the front wall 23 of the console box body 2, just as when the left-opening lid 3 is being closed. Then, the restricting member 55 rotates in a direction in which the pair of left and right hook portions 55b collapse against the biasing force of the torsion spring 56 (see FIG. 6). This eliminates the interference of the hook piece 50c of the right retainer 50 with the right hook portion 55b of the restricting member 55 described above.

[0069] Therefore, the right retainer 50 is returned to its pre-sliding state by the biasing force of the compression spring 52. Therefore, the right front rod 53 slides forward via the connecting pin 53b of the right front rod 53 inserted into the front elongated hole 50a of the right retainer 50. Therefore, the lock pin 53a of the right front rod 53 enters the right insertion hole 24 of the console box main body 2 (see FIG. 4).

[0070] At the same time, the right rear rod 54 slides rearward via the connecting pin 54b of the right rear rod 54 inserted into the rear elongated hole 50b of the right retainer 50. As a result, the lock pin 54a of the right rear rod 54 enters the insertion hole 35f of the link arm 35 of the console box body 2. As a result, the right locking mechanism 11 is returned to the locked state.

[0071] The vehicle console box 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above. This configuration provides the following three effects (first to third effects) for improving the functionality and design of the vehicle console box 1. When the lid 3 closes the opening 20 of the console box body 2, the left and right locking mechanisms 10, 11 restrict the right locking mechanism 11 from being unlocked while the left locking mechanism 10 is unlocked (first effect). In other words, an effect equivalent to the first effect of the background art is achieved. This also applies to the right locking mechanism 11. When the lid 3 opens to the left, the pressing portion 55a of the restricting member 55 of the lid 3 against the front wall 23 of the console box body 2 is released (see FIG. 10 ). Then, as shown in FIG. 10 , the biasing force of the torsion spring 56 causes the pair of left and right hook portions 55b of the restricting member 55 to rotate in a direction in which they rise (counterclockwise in FIG. 10 ). As a result, the left hook portion 55b of the pair of raised left and right hook portions 55b reaches the same height as the hook piece 50c of the left retainer 50. Therefore, when the pushing operation of the left knob 51 is released, the left retainer 50 is returned by the biasing force of the compression spring 52. Therefore, the hook piece 50c of the returned left retainer 50 interferes with the left hook portion 55b that has reached the same height. Therefore, the restricting member 55 restricts the return of the left retainer 50 due to the biasing force of the compression spring 52. As a result, the left locking mechanism 10 on the opened side remains unlocked (second effect). In other words, an effect equivalent to the second effect of the background art is achieved. This also applies when the lid 3 is opened to the right. Furthermore, the left and right knobs 51 (retainers 50) are configured independently so that pressing one knob 51 (retainer 50) does not affect the other knob 51 (retainer 50) (third effect). In other words, an effect equivalent to the third effect of the background art is achieved. Furthermore, parts such as the moving body 22, compression coil spring 7, and check lever 8 described in the background art are not required. Therefore, in a console box 1 for a vehicle with a lid 3 that opens both ways, the number of parts can be reduced while improving functionality and design.

[0072] Furthermore, according to this configuration, the inner surface of the base material 61 of the outer member 60 is provided with a generally inverted U-shaped auxiliary member 61a that protrudes downward. When the outer member 60 is assembled to the inner member 40 (when the lid 3 is formed), the auxiliary member 61a sandwiches the pair of left and right bearing pieces 47 of the inner member 40 within the generally inverted U-shaped interior 61b. Therefore, by elastically deforming (deflecting) the pair of left and right bearing pieces 47, it becomes easier to assemble the restricting member 55, and the auxiliary member 61a can prevent the pair of left and right bearing pieces 47 from elastically deforming after the restricting member 55 is assembled.

[0073] Although the embodiment has been described above, it is not limited to this embodiment and can be embodied in various other forms. In the embodiment, the pair of left and right bearing pieces 47 are formed on the inner member 40, and the auxiliary member 61a is formed on the outer member 60 (base material 61). However, it is not limited to this, and it is also possible for the pair of left and right bearing pieces 47 to be formed on the outer member 60 (base material 61) and the auxiliary member 61a to be formed on the inner member 40. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1 Vehicle console box 2 Console box body 3 Lid 10 Left locking mechanism 11 Right locking mechanism 20 aperture 35d Hinge axis (right hinge axis) 50 retainer 51 Knob 53a Lock pin (left hinge axis, right hinge axis) 54a Lock pin (left hinge axis) 55 Regulatory components

Claims

1. A console box for a vehicle, comprising: a console box body having an opening; and a lid attached to the console box body via a left hinge shaft and a right hinge shaft so as to be able to open and close the opening of the console box body, The lid is a left locking mechanism that locks the lid against the console box body by the shaft of the right hinge to prevent the lid from opening to the left; a right locking mechanism that locks the lid against right-side opening relative to the console box body by the shaft of the left hinge; a left knob that unlocks the left locking mechanism by being pressed; a right knob that unlocks the right locking mechanism by being pressed; the lid moves to a position that allows the left and right knobs to move mutually between a non-pressed position and a pressed position when the lid closes the opening of the console box body; a restricting member that moves to a position that restricts the relative movement when the lid opens the opening of the console box body, The left and right knobs are configured independently so that pressing one knob does not affect the other knob. When the lid closes the opening of the console box body, the left and right locking mechanisms are configured such that when one of the locking mechanisms is unlocked, unlocking of the other locking mechanism is restricted, A console box for a vehicle, wherein when the lid opens the opening of the console box body, the restricting member maintains the unlocked state of the lock mechanism on the opened side of the left and right lock mechanisms.

2. 2. The console box for a vehicle according to claim 1, The lid includes an inner member that closes the opening of the console box body, and an outer member that forms a design member of the inner member, one of the inner member and the outer member includes a pair of bearing pieces; The restricting member is assembled to the pair of bearing pieces so as to bridge the pair of bearing pieces, The other of the inner member and the outer member is provided with an auxiliary member that holds the pair of bearing pieces, to which the restricting member is attached, therein.

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