Accommodation device

Abstract

To provide an accommodation device that can easily accommodate, in the accommodation part thereof, an accommodation target object in any of various shapes and that can tightly hold the accommodation target object.SOLUTION: An accommodation device 1 is provided with: accommodation part 5 for accommodating an accommodation target object 2; holding members 10 that each have a turnable shaft part 12 and an arm part 13 turnable with respect to the shaft part 12, and that serve for holding the accommodation target object 2 accommodated in the accommodation part 5; and energizing members that each energize the arm part 13 in a turning direction. The holding member 10 is configured to: move to a holding position when the shaft part 12 is turned in a first direction; and move to a stand-by position of being retreated from the holding position when the shaft part 12 is turned in a second direction that is a direction opposite to the first direction. When contacting the accommodation target object 2, the arm part 13 turns in the second direction with respect to the shaft part 12 resisting energization by the energizing member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage device having a holding member for holding an item stored in a storage section. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as a storage device used in a vehicle such as an automobile, there has been known a cup holder that includes a cup holding section for holding a cup as a stored object, and a plurality of holding members provided in the cup holding section, and that can hold various cups of different sizes by operating an operating member connected to the holding members to advance the holding members toward the center of the cup holding section. In this configuration, the position of the holding members is maintained by using the friction resistance of the operating member, a detent mechanism consisting of a groove and a ball, or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 2-143231 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above configuration, the holding member does not exert a pressing force on the cup, so the cup is held without any load being applied by the holding member. As a result, the cup cannot be held firmly, and there is a concern that the holding member may easily open if the cup is touched or subjected to vibrations.

[0005] Another possible configuration is to advance the holding member into the cup holding portion while it is biased toward the center of the cup holding portion, and then insert the cup into the cup holding portion to push the holding member apart, thereby holding the cup using the biasing force of the holding member.However, in this case, the opening between the holding members is narrow when the cup is not being held, making it difficult to insert the cup into the cup holding portion.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a storage device that can easily store items of various shapes in the storage section and can firmly hold the items. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A storage device according to one aspect of the present invention has a storage section for storing stored items, a rotatable first part, and a second part rotatable relative to the first part, and is equipped with a holding member for holding the stored item stored in the storage section, and a biasing member for biasing the second part in a rotational direction, wherein the holding member is set to a holding position by rotating the first part in a first direction, and is set to a standby position retreated from the holding position by rotating the first part in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the second part rotates in the second direction relative to the first part against the bias of the biasing member upon contact with the stored item. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily store objects of various shapes in the storage section and to firmly hold the objects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a holding member and a biasing member of the same storage device. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. [Figure 5] 1A is a perspective view showing a state in which the holding member of the storage device is in a standby position, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a state in which the holding member of the storage device is in a holding position. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are plan views showing the state in which the storage device is holding an object by the holding member, where (a) shows the case in which a cylindrical object with a small diameter is held, (b) shows the case in which a cylindrical object with a large diameter is held, and (c) shows the case in which a rectangular pillar-shaped object is held. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] In FIG. 1, 1 indicates a storage device. In this embodiment, the storage device 1 is exemplified by a cup holder that stores and holds stored items 2 such as cups and beverage containers. For example, the storage device 1 of this embodiment is a vehicle storage device that is placed in an arrangement portion such as the center console of a vehicle such as an automobile. Note that, hereinafter, the up-down direction (directions of arrows U and D), left-right direction (directions of arrows L and R), and front-rear direction (directions of arrows FR and RR) are based on the directions as seen by the vehicle occupants. However, the left-right direction and front-rear direction are merely examples, and may be set arbitrarily depending on the arrangement of the storage device 1.

[0012] The storage device 1 includes a storage section 5 for storing an object 2 to be stored. The storage section 5 has an opening 6 into which the object 2 is inserted. In this embodiment, the storage section 5 is formed in a concave shape, for example, a bottomed cylindrical shape, with the opening 6 at one end and the other end closed. In the example shown, the storage section 5 is a bottomed cylindrical shape with the opening 6 at its upper end, and the outer and inner surfaces are each formed into a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the upper end side of the storage section 5 is covered around the opening 6 with a covering member 7 such as a decorative panel, so that essentially only the opening 6 is exposed to the user. Note that the figure shows an example in which storage sections 5 for the left seat and the right seat are arranged side by side. Since these sections have substantially the same configuration, only the storage section 5 for the left seat is shown in the figure, and details of the storage section 5 for the right seat are omitted.

[0013] A holding member 10 is movably arranged in the storage section 5. The holding member 10 is for holding the stored item 2 stored in the storage section 5. Preferably, a plurality of holding members 10 are provided. In this embodiment, three holding members 10 are arranged around the axis of the storage section 5 at positions spaced apart at equal or approximately equal angles.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the holding member 10 has a shaft portion 12 which is a first portion, and an arm portion 13 which is a second portion.

[0015] The shaft portion 12 is a movable shaft that can rotate about a rotation axis in the vertical direction. The shaft portion 12 includes a first shaft portion 15, which is one first portion, and a second shaft portion 16, which is the other first portion. In this embodiment, the first shaft portion 15 and the second shaft portion 16 are formed separately and are integrally connected.

[0016] The first shaft portion 15 is an external force transmission portion to which an external force is applied to operate the holding member 10. The first shaft portion 15 has a first shaft portion main body 17 formed, for example, in the shape of a long cylinder. The first shaft portion main body 17 is formed with a transmitted portion 18 to which the external force is transmitted. The transmitted portion 18 is, for example, a gear tooth portion in the shape of a spur gear. The transmitted portion 18 is formed coaxially with the first shaft portion main body 17 near the lower end of the first shaft portion main body 17. The first shaft portion main body 17 also has a connecting portion 19 formed thereon that connects to the second shaft portion 16. The connecting portion 19 is formed at the upper end of the first shaft portion main body 17. The connecting portion 19 connects the second shaft portion 16 to the first shaft portion 15 in a rotation-preventing manner. In other words, the first shaft portion 15 and the second shaft portion 16 are connected to each other so as to rotate together in the same direction. The connecting portion 19 may have any shape, but for example, when viewed in the axial direction of the first shaft main body portion 17, it is formed in a shape having portions that are at different distances from the central axis of the first shaft main body portion 17, i.e., a non-circular shape, and in this embodiment, an elliptical shape.

[0017] The second shank 16 is a connecting portion that connects the shank 12 and the arm 13. The second shank 16 has a second shank main body 21 formed in a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the second shank main body 21 is cylindrical and thinner than the first shank main body 17. The second shank main body 21 has a connected portion 22 that connects to the connecting portion 19 of the first shank 15. The connected portion 22 is formed at the lower end of the second shank main body 21. The connected portion 22 is cylindrical and has a recess formed at the bottom into which the connecting portion 19 is fitted. The second shank main body 21 also has a receiving portion 23 that receives the lower part of the arm 13. The receiving portion 23 is formed above the connected portion 22 near the lower end of the second shank main body 21. The receiving portion 23 is formed, for example, in a fan shape that is coaxial with the second shank main body 21.

[0018] 1, shaft 12 is disposed outside storage section 5 along the axial direction of storage section 5. The upper end of shaft 12, i.e., the upper end of second shaft main body 21 (FIG. 2), is axially supported by bearing 25 protruding outward from opening 6 of storage section 5, and the lower end of shaft 12, i.e., the lower end of first shaft main body 17, is axially supported by bearing 26 protruding outward from the lower end of storage section 5.

[0019] A transmission part 28 that transmits an external force to the transmitted part 18 is disposed in the bearing part 26. The transmission part 28 is, for example, an annular gear, i.e., a ring gear, and is rotatably disposed around the lower end of the storage part 5 coaxially with the storage part 5, and is meshed with the transmitted part 18. Therefore, in response to the rotation of the transmission part 28, the multiple shaft parts 12 rotate in the same circumferential direction in conjunction with each other via the transmitted part 18.

[0020] Although the user may manually rotate the transmission unit 28 using a separate operating unit or the like, in this embodiment, the transmission unit 28 is rotated by the power source 30. That is, in this embodiment, the shaft 12 of the holding member 10 is rotated by the power source 30. The power source 30 is an actuator, for example, a motor. The power source 30 is electrically connected to a power supply unit and a control unit. In the illustrated example, the power source 30 is attached to the lower part of the bearing unit 26. The rotation of the output shaft of the power source 30 is transmitted to the transmission unit 28 via one or more transmission members, such as gears 31.

[0021] Preferably, power source 30 operates in conjunction with, for example, sensor 32 that detects object 2. For example, sensor 32 that detects whether object 2 is present in storage section 5 may be disposed in storage section 5, and power source 30 may operate depending on whether sensor 32 detects object 2. Preferably, sensor 32 is disposed at or near the bottom of storage section 5 and detects contact or proximity of object 2 with the bottom of storage section 5. When object 2 is inserted into storage section 5 through opening 6, power source 30, i.e., holding member 10, is operated with a delay relative to the insertion timing. When object 2 is removed from storage section 5, power source 30, i.e., holding member 10, is operated immediately relative to the removal timing. Sensor 32 may be any sensor, such as a beam sensor, pressure sensor, weight sensor, or camera (image sensor), as long as it can confirm the presence or absence of object 2 in storage section 5.

[0022] The arm portion 13, also called a tab, is a portion that contacts and holds the stored item 2 stored in the storage section 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the arm portion 13 is rotatably attached to the shaft portion 12. In this embodiment, the arm portion 13 is attached so that its rotation axis is coaxial with the shaft portion 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the arm portion 13 is arranged in the arrangement portion 33. The arrangement portion 33 is formed at the upper end of the storage section 5 and protrudes radially from the storage section 5. The arrangement portion 33 communicates with the interior of the storage section 5 via a notch 34. The notch 34 is formed by cutting out the edge of the opening 6 of the storage section 5. The arm portion 13 located in the arrangement portion 33 is in a position facing the interior of the storage section 5 through the notch 34.

[0023] 2 and 3, arm 13 integrally includes a base 35 connected to shaft 12 and an extension 36 extending radially from base 35. Second shaft body 21 of shaft 12 is coaxially inserted into base 35, and the upper end of second shaft body 21 protruding from the upper end of base 35 is axially supported by bearing 25 (FIG. 1). A biasing member 38 is disposed between base 35 and shaft 12.

[0024] For example, a coil spring or a torsion spring is used as the biasing member 38. The biasing member 38 is inserted into the second shaft main body 21 of the shaft 12, and its lower end is held by a holding portion 40 formed in the receiving portion 23 of the shaft 12, for example, and its upper end is led out of the base 35 through a groove 41 formed in the base 35 so as to contact a position on the opposite side of the extension 36 from the side facing the stored article 2. In other words, the biasing member 38 has one end fixed to the shaft 12 side and the other end fixed to the arm 13 side, and biases the arm 13 in the rotational direction relative to the shaft 12.

[0025] Preferably, the rotation angle of arm portion 13 relative to shaft portion 12 is restricted by restricting portion 42 shown in Figures 3 and 4. In this embodiment, restricting portion 42 has shaft portion-side restricting portion 42a, which is a first portion-side restricting portion formed on receiving portion 23 of shaft portion 12, and arm portion-side restricting portion 42b, which is a second portion-side restricting portion formed on base 35 of arm portion 13, and is configured so that the rotation angle of arm portion 13 relative to shaft portion 12 is restricted by these restricting portions 42a, 42b coming into contact with each other at a predetermined rotation position. These restricting portions 42a, 42b may have any shape, but for example, one is concave and the other is convex. In the illustrated example, the shaft-side restricting portion 42a is an arc-shaped hole or recess formed coaxially in the upper part of the receiving portion 23, and the arm-side restricting portion 42b is a convex portion that protrudes from the lower part of the base 35 and is inserted into the shaft-side restricting portion 42a, and the angular range in which the arm 13 can rotate with respect to the shaft 12, i.e., the clearance angle A, is set depending on the difference between the circumferential length of the shaft-side restricting portion 42a, i.e., the angular range A1, and the circumferential length of the arm-side restricting portion 42b, i.e., the angular range A2. The clearance angle A and the biasing force of the biasing member 38 are, for example, proportional to each other, and are set so that the biasing force increases as the clearance angle A increases.

[0026] The extension portion 36 is a portion that moves forward and backward from the notch portion 34 into the storage section 5 as the arm portion 13 rotates. In this embodiment, the extension portion 36 is curved in an arc shape when viewed from the axial direction. In the example shown, the side of the extension portion 36 facing the stored item 2 (FIG. 1) is curved in an arc shape with the same diameter or approximately the same diameter as the inner circumferential surface of the storage section 5 (FIG. 1).

[0027] The holding member 10 is rotatable between a holding position where it advances into the storage section 5 to hold the object 2, as shown in FIG. 5(a), and a standby position where it retreats from the holding position, as shown in FIG. 5(b). The holding member 10 reaches the holding position by rotating the shaft 12 from the standby position in a first direction (the direction of arrow D1), which in this embodiment is a counterclockwise direction. The holding member 10 reaches the standby position by rotating the shaft 12 from the holding position in a second direction (the direction of arrow D2), which is opposite to the first direction, which in this embodiment is a clockwise direction. In the illustrated example, in the holding position, the holding member 10 is configured such that substantially the entire extension 36 of the arm 13 protrudes from the placement section 33 through the notch 34 into the storage section 5, and in the standby position, the entire arm 13 is positioned within the placement section 33. Alternatively, the holding member 10 may have a portion of the arm 13 protruding from the placement section 33 through the notch 34 into the storage section 5.

[0028] Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described.

[0029] When no object 2 is stored in the storage section 5 of the storage device 1, the holding member 10 is in the standby position and the opening 6 is wide open.

[0030] From this state, when the object to be stored 2 is inserted into the storage section 5 through the opening 6 and the sensor 32 detects that the object to be stored 2 has come into contact with or approached the bottom of the storage section 5, a signal is sent to the power source 30, and upon receiving the signal, the power source 30 rotates, causing the gear 31 to rotate, which in turn rotates the transmission section 28 that meshes with the gear 31, causing the shaft section 12 of the holding member 10, whose transmitted section 18 meshes with the transmission section 28, to rotate in the first direction together with the arm section 13. Then, the arm section 13 advances from the positioning section 33 through the cutout section 34 into the interior of the storage section 5. In this embodiment, the multiple arm sections 13 advance in conjunction with each other into the interior of the storage section 5 to the holding position.

[0031] Arm 13, which has advanced into storage section 5, comes into contact with the outer side of object 2 inserted into storage section 5, while shaft 12 continues to rotate at a predetermined angle, for example, up to 35° from the standby position. Therefore, arm 13 is pressed against the outer side of object 2 beyond the biasing force of biasing member 38, and as a result, arm 13's rotation is restricted by contact with object 2 and stopped at a position where it stops. Arm 13 then rotates independently of shaft 12 in the second direction within the clearance angle A set by restricting member 42 while resisting the biasing force of biasing member 38, i.e., it rotates freely relative to shaft 12, and the biasing force of biasing member 38 acts as a holding force (pressing force) on object 2. Furthermore, object 2 is held in the center or approximately the center of storage section 5 due to the balance of the biasing forces of biasing members 38 acting via each arm 13.

[0032] For example, as shown in Figure 6(a), in the case of a cylindrical storage object 2a such as a can with a small diameter, the difference between the rotation angle of the shaft portion 12 in the first direction and the rotation angle of the arm portion 13 in the first direction is small, and the rotation angle for each arm portion 13 is the same or approximately the same.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6(b), in the case of a cylindrical storage object 2b such as a can with a large diameter, the difference between the rotation angle of the shaft portion 12 in the first direction and the rotation angle of the arm portion 13 in the first direction is large, and the rotation angles of each arm portion 13 are the same or approximately the same.

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6(c), in the case of a rectangular columnar stored item 2c such as a paper-packaged beverage, the difference between the rotation angle of the shaft portion 12 in the first direction and the rotation angle of the arm portion 13 in the first direction varies depending on the contact position between the outer part of the stored item 2c and the arm portion 13.

[0035] Therefore, depending on the cross-sectional shape of the stored item 2, each arm portion 13 is pressed against the outer side of the stored item 2 with the holding force of the spring member 38 acting on it, and stops at the same rotational angle or at different rotational angles, thereby securely holding the stored item 2.

[0036] Furthermore, when the stored object 2 is removed from the storage section 5 of the storage device 1, if the sensor 32 detects that the stored object 2 has been lifted and moved away from the bottom of the storage section 5, a signal is sent to the power source 30, and the power source 30, upon receiving the signal, rotates, causing the gear 31 to rotate, which in turn rotates the transmission section 28 meshing with the gear 31, causing the shaft section 12 of the holding member 10, with the transmitted part 18 meshing with the transmission section 28, to rotate in the second direction, and at a position where the clearance angle A of the arm section 13 with respect to the shaft section 12 is 0, the arm section 13 further rotates in the second direction integrally with the shaft section 12, and the holding member 10 retreats to the placement section 33 via the notch 34 to assume a standby position. Therefore, the opening 6 is wide opened, and the stored object 2 can be easily removed from the storage section 5 without the arm section 13 getting caught on the stored object 2.

[0037] In this way, in holding member 10, which is set to the holding position by rotating shaft 12 in the first direction and is set to a standby position retracted from the holding position by rotating shaft 12 in the second direction, arm 13 is configured to rotate in the second direction relative to shaft 12 against the biasing force of biasing member 38 upon contact with item 2, so that when inserting item 2 into storage section 5, holding member 10 is less likely to interfere with the insertion of item 2 by keeping holding member 10 in the standby position, and arm 13 of holding member 10, which moves from the standby position to the holding position, can maintain a state in which it is pressed against items 2 of different sizes and shapes by the biasing force of biasing member 38 independently of the rotation of shaft 12 in the first direction. In other words, upon contact with item 2, rotation of arm 13 in the first direction is restricted and arm 13 rotates in the second direction, so that the rotation angle in the first direction relative to shaft 12 is reduced and the biasing force of biasing member 38 acts on item 2. Therefore, various shapes of stored items 2 can be easily stored in the storage section 5, and the stored items 2 can be firmly held, and the holding member 10 is not easily opened even when the stored items 2 are accidentally touched or vibrations are applied to the stored items 2.

[0038] For example, when pulling out a stored item 2 having a narrowed portion held by arm portion 13 in a holding position, in the conventional configuration in which the position of the arm portion is held by frictional resistance or a positioning mechanism, not only is it difficult to open arm portion 13, making it difficult to pull out the stored item 2, but a large load may be placed on arm portion 13 due to it getting caught on the stored item 2. In contrast, in the case of this embodiment, arm portion 13 can move in the second direction against the force of biasing member 38, so arm portion 13 is pushed open in accordance with the shape of the outer part of stored item 2, making it easier to pull out the stored item 2.

[0039] The rotation of the arm portion 13 in the first direction associated with the rotation of the shaft portion 12 in the first direction is restricted by contact with the stored item 2, and the rotation of the arm portion 13 in the second direction relative to the shaft portion 12 is restricted by the restricting portion 42, so the angle at which the arm portion 13 can rotate in the second direction relative to the shaft portion 12 can be easily set by the restricting portion 42.

[0040] The arm portions 13 of the multiple holding members 10 rotate relative to the shaft portion 12 in a direction intersecting the direction in which the item 2 is stored in the storage section 5, so that the item 2 can be clamped by the arm portions 13 and firmly held in the storage section 5.

[0041] Since the shaft 12 of the holding member 10 is rotated by the power source 30, the user does not need to operate the holding member 10 himself / herself, which makes it easy to use.

[0042] Furthermore, a sensor 32 is also used to detect the insertion and removal of the stored item 2 into and from the storage section 5, and the detection by the sensor 32 is linked to the operation of the power source 30, so that the holding member 10 can be automated to automatically move between the holding position and the standby position depending on the insertion and removal of the stored item 2 into and from the storage section 5, eliminating the hassle of the user having to operate the holding member 10 when inserting or removing the stored item 2.

[0043] By placing sensor 32 at or near the bottom of storage section 5 and detecting contact or approach of stored item 2 with the bottom of storage section 5, when stored item 2 is inserted into storage section 5 from opening 6, power source 30, i.e., holding member 10, is operated at a timing delayed from the timing of insertion, so that arm section 13 does not hinder the insertion of stored item 2 into storage section 5, making insertion easier, and when stored item 2 is removed from storage section 5, power source 30, i.e., holding member 10 is operated immediately at the timing of removal, so that the biasing force of biasing member 38 acting on stored item 2 via arm section 13 is less likely to hinder the removal of stored item 2, making removal easier.

[0044] Furthermore, when the holding member 10 is in the standby position, the arm portion 13 is located within the arrangement portion 33 and does not extend into the interior of the storage portion 5, so the opening area of ​​the opening 6 can be maximized, making it easy to put the stored item 2 in and take it out of the storage portion 5. Furthermore, when the stored item 2 is removed, the arm portion 13 of the holding member 10 does not get caught on anything, so damage to the arm portion 13 due to such catching can be prevented.

[0045] In one embodiment, when the shaft portion 12 of the holding member 10 is rotated manually, the transmission portion 28 may be disposed on the upper end side of the storage portion 5 or the like.

[0046] The axis of rotation of the arm portion 13 relative to the shaft portion 12 does not need to coincide with the axis of rotation of the shaft portion 12; for example, even if the axis of rotation relative to the shaft portion 12 is set at the tip end of the arm portion 13, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be achieved.

[0047] Furthermore, the arm portion 13 is not limited to one that rotates in a direction that intersects with the insertion direction of the stored item 2 into the storage section 5, but may also rotate along the insertion direction of the stored item 2 into the storage section 5, for example, along the vertical direction.

[0048] The storage device 1 is not limited to being used as a cup holder, but can also be used as a storage container or the like that can store and hold various objects 2 of different sizes and shapes. [Industrial Applicability]

[0049] The present invention is suitably used as a cup holder for a vehicle such as an automobile. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Storage device 2 Items to be stored 5 Storage area 10. Retaining member 12 First part, shaft 13 Second part: arm 30 Power source 38 biasing member 42 Regulatory Department

Claims

1. a storage section for storing items to be stored; a holding member having a rotatable first portion and a second portion rotatable relative to the first portion, for holding the object stored in the storage section; a biasing member that biases the second portion in a rotational direction, The holding member is set to a holding position by rotating the first portion in a first direction, and is set to a standby position retreated from the holding position by rotating the first portion in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the second portion rotates in the second direction relative to the first portion against the biasing force of the biasing member by contacting the stored item. A storage device characterized by:

2. The holding member has a restricting portion, The second part is restricted in its rotation in the first direction by contact with the stored object when the first part is rotated in the first direction, and its rotation in the second direction relative to the first part is restricted by the restricting portion.

2. The storage device according to claim 1.

3. A plurality of holding members are set, The second part is an arm part that rotates relative to the first part in a direction intersecting the direction in which the object is stored in the storage part.

3. The storage device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A power source is provided to rotate the first portion of the holding member.

3. The storage device according to claim 1 or 2.

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