Module for frunk of vehicle

Abstract

To provide more, more convenient, and practical utility options by appropriately configuring such a frunk space, where a front trunk or "frunk" is a sealed storage compartment usually located at the front of the vehicle.SOLUTION: A module for a frunk of a vehicle is expandable or deployable toward the outside of the vehicle when in use. In some embodiments, a front hood which is a module for the frunk may be configured to expand or deploy toward the front of the vehicle. The front hood may be a front hinge type front hood. The front hood may, for example, be rotated 90 degrees or more to a flat position so that an inner surface of the front hood faces upward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a module for a vehicle frunk. [Background technology]

[0002] A front trunk or "frunk" is an enclosed storage compartment, usually located at the front of a vehicle. Traditionally, vehicles with rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive (RR) designs have this frunk space. Electric vehicles (EVs) have also freed up this space, which was previously occupied by a traditional internal combustion engine in front-engine, front-wheel-drive (FF) designs.

[0003] Franklins can provide a secure, separate storage area for luggage, tools, household items, and other items. Franklins are therefore becoming an important consideration for vehicle users who frequently transport such items or require ample storage capacity. Better configuration of such frunk space provides more, more convenient, and practical utility options. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One general aspect of the present disclosure includes a module for a vehicle flank that is extendable or deployable toward the outside of the vehicle in use.

[0005] In some embodiments, the module may be the vehicle's front hood itself. In some embodiments, the module may be part of the front hood. In some embodiments, the front hood may be part of the module, or the module may include the front hood. In these senses, or when the module is formed separately from the front hood, the terms flank "module," "flank module," or simply "module" are used interchangeably with the term "front hood" in this application.

[0006] In some embodiments, the front hood may be configured to extend or unfold toward the front of the vehicle.

[0007] The front hood may be a front-hinged front hood. The front hood may be rotated, for example, 90 degrees or more to a flat position so that the inner surface of the front hood faces upward. In the "open" position, the inner surface of the front hood may be used as a tabletop or board, a table, or the like.

[0008] In some embodiments, the module can include a front grille of the vehicle in addition to a front hood, which may be rotatable or hinged to the front grille, which may be rotatable or hinged to the body of the vehicle.

[0009] In some embodiments, a container, storage member, storage box, or the like (hereinafter referred to as a "storage member") may be attached to the inner surface of the front hood. The storage member may be fixed to the inner surface of the front hood. The storage member may be removably attached to the inner surface of the front hood. The storage member may be slidably attached to the inner surface of the front hood. The storage member can be pulled to the side, forward, or to the left or right side by a user to allow the user to access the interior space of the storage member. The storage member can be completely detached from the inner surface of the front hood. For example, the storage member can be removed from the vehicle for transport by a user. The storage member can be considered a module attached to the inner surface of the vehicle. The storage member and the module together as a unit can be considered a module.

[0010] A recess for accommodating the storage member when the front hood is closed may be provided in the front space of the vehicle. The recess may be formed to match the outer shape of the storage member.

[0011] A vehicle may also include both a storage member attached to the inside surface of the front hood and a frunk space that is accessible when the front hood is opened.

[0012] In some embodiments, the modules may be configured to extend or unfold toward the sides of the vehicle. The front hood may have left and right portions configured to open to the left and right sides of the vehicle, respectively.

[0013] The module may be a left or right portion of the front hood that is pivotable or hinged to the corresponding side. The aforementioned slidable storage member may be considered a module that extends to the side of the vehicle.

[0014] In some embodiments, the module may be configured as a separate component from the front hood of the vehicle. The module may be stored in the frunk of the vehicle when not in use or during operation. When in use, the frunk may be opened and the module may be extended or deployed from the frunk.

[0015] The front hood may be a rear-hinged front hood, and the module may extend or unfold toward the front of the vehicle.

[0016] A module may be a folding table or the like, which may be constructed from multiple boards or plates connected together, and which may be fully or partially unfolded to form a table on the exterior of the vehicle, providing a substantially flat and / or continuous surface.

[0017] Each of the multiple plates of the folding table may be connected to an adjacent plate by a hinge or any rotating mechanism. The folding table may have two plates connected in a foldable and deployable manner. The folding table may have three or more plates, any two adjacent plates of which are connected in a foldable and deployable manner.

[0018] Each of the multiple plates of the folding table may be connected to an adjacent plate by a sliding mechanism, which allows each plate to slide away from the adjacent plate. Thus, the entire module can be expanded to form a table outside the vehicle, providing a substantially flat and / or continuous surface. An edge of the first plate at one end of the module or at one end of the module may be attached, positioned, or fixed to the vehicle. The module can be expanded or unfolded by pulling on the other end of the module or on another edge of the last plate at the other end of the module.

[0019] Examples of mechanisms for extending and unfolding modules are not limited to hinge mechanisms and slide mechanisms, but include other mechanisms such as link mechanisms, and combinations of multiple mechanisms.

[0020] In some embodiments, the movement of the module can be manually controlled by a user. In some embodiments, the movement of the module may be automatically controlled. In some embodiments, the module may also have a control unit for controlling the extension or deployment of the module. The control unit may have a servo motor for moving the module. Thus, the movement of the module may be controlled by the servo motor. Such automatic control may include a sequence for lifting the front hood and moving, extending, stretching, or deploying the module outside the vehicle in response to a command or input from a user to open or unlock the front hood, and a sequence for moving, retracting, shortening, or folding the module inside the vehicle and lowering the front hood in response to a command or input from a user to close the front hood.

[0021] In some embodiments, the module may have one or more legs to support the module when it is extended or unfolded outside the vehicle. Because the extended module forms a cantilever or overhanging structure, it may not be rigid enough by itself or to support some items. The legs may stand on the ground to support the underside or ground-facing surface of the module when it is extended. This allows the module to provide a user with a safe surface to use outside the vehicle.

[0022] In some embodiments, the module may have one or more legs. The legs may be rotatably or pivotally attached to the module. The legs may be stored within the module or within the front hood and deployed during use. In some embodiments, the module may have leg holders at its ends for receiving externally mounted legs.

[0023] In some embodiments, the legs may be extendable to adjust the length of the legs. The ground around the vehicle may not be flat or level. Therefore, the height of the module above the ground at the leg position may vary depending on the situation. The extendable legs can accommodate such height changes to provide a firm, safe, and flat surface for the user.

[0024] Such surfaces enable a variety of new uses, activities, and lifestyles around the vehicle. They can be used as a desk to eat on or place items on while tailgating, camping, picnicking, etc. A user can lie down or rest on them. A padded mat or accessories can be placed on them. The surface may also be used for the user's pets; for example, a dog bed or crate can be placed on them. A user can lie down under the extended module for rain protection or to sleep.

[0025] In some embodiments, the frunk module may be powered. A power source may be connected to the frunk module. The frunk module may be powered from an external power source when connected to the frunk module, such as by a retractable cable. The frunk module may incorporate or have attached electrical devices or equipment, such as speakers for playing music or a barbecue grill.

[0026] The above uses are just a few examples, and other uses are possible. Such Frank modules will likely create many more new uses and open up new lifestyles. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] Some embodiments and examples of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the following figures, which are illustrated by way of example only and should not be construed as limiting, and in which:

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle equipped with a frunk module according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a vehicle equipped with a frunk module according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a vehicle equipped with a frunk module according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a vehicle equipped with a frunk module according to an embodiment.

[0029] Example 1 1 shows a vehicle 100 with a front hood or frunk module 110 according to an embodiment. The front hood 110 is a front-hinged front hood that is rotatably connected to the vehicle 100 by a hinge 120. The front hood 110 can open and rotate in the forward direction of the vehicle 100, as shown by the arrow in FIG.

[0030] The front hood 110 has a table plate 111 on the inner surface of the front hood 110. When the front hood 110 is fully open or in the open position, the table plate 111 faces upward or vertically.

[0031] The front hood 110 can be supported by legs 150. The length of the legs 150 is extendable so that it can be adjusted to suit the height of the front hood 110 from the ground 170. This ensures that the table plate 111 is level and rigid enough for a user to place several items on the table plate 111 or use the table plate 111 for activities outside or around the vehicle 100.

[0032] Example 2 The inner surface of the front hood can have a variety of uses. Figure 2 shows a vehicle 200 with a front hood or frunk module 210 according to an embodiment. The front hood 210 is a front-hinged front hood that is rotatably connected to the vehicle 200 by a hinge 220. The front hood 210 can be opened and rotated toward the front of the vehicle. The front hood 210 includes a table plate 211. When the front hood 210 is fully open, or in the open position, the table plate 211 faces upward, or vertically.

[0033] The front hood 210 can be supported by legs 250. The length of the legs 250 is extendable so that it can be adjusted to match the height of the front hood 210 from the ground 270.

[0034] In this embodiment, a container or storage member 212 is attached to the inner surface of the table plate 211 or the front hood 210. The storage member 212 in FIG. 2 is attached to the inner surface of the table plate 211 or the front hood 210. The storage member 212 in FIG. 2 can be pulled out laterally by a slide mechanism. The storage member 212 can also be pulled out manually by a user. Alternatively, the storage member 212 can be moved by a servo motor (not shown). The storage member 212 can be pulled out when the front hood 210 is fully open. However, the storage member 212 can also be configured to be pulled out when the front hood 210 is half-open or when the inner surface of the front hood 210 is not facing upward. The storage member 212 can be stored in the flank or front space of the vehicle when the front hood 210 is closed. The front hood 210 can open and rotate in the forward direction of the vehicle 200, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2.

[0035] Example 3 3 shows a vehicle 300 equipped with a front hood 310 according to an embodiment and a front grille 330 as a flank module. The front hood 310 is a front-hinged front hood rotatably connected to the front grille 330 by a hinge 320. The front grille 330 is rotatably connected to the vehicle body by a hinge 340. The front hood 310 and the front grille 330 are rotatable and can be opened and closed in the forward direction of the vehicle. When both the front hood 310 and the front grille 330 are fully open or in the open position, the inner surfaces of the front hood 310 and the front grille 330 form a continuous table plate 311.

[0036] 3, the front hood 310 and the front grill 330 are supported by legs 351 and 352, respectively. The lengths of the legs 351 and 352 are extendable to adjust the heights of the front hood 310 and the front grill 330 from the ground 370, respectively. This allows the entire table plate 311 formed by the two mechanical parts to be horizontal, ensuring sufficient rigidity for placing several items on the wide surface of the table plate 311 and for using the table plate 311 for activities outside and around the vehicle 300. The front hood 310 and the front grill 330 can open and rotate in the forward direction of the vehicle 300, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 3.

[0037] Example 4 4 shows a vehicle 400 having a front hood 410 and a frunk module 430 according to an embodiment. The frunk module 430 may be configured as a separate member from the front hood 410 of the vehicle 400. The front hood 410 is a rear-hinged front hood that is rotatably connected to the vehicle 400 by a hinge 420.

[0038] The frunk module 430 shown in Figure 4 has a folding table configuration consisting of multiple plates 431 rotatably connected by hinges 432. When not in use, the frunk module 430 is folded and stored in the frunk space. When the front hood 410 is open, the frunk module 430 extends or unfolds outward toward the front of the vehicle, as shown by the arrow in Figure 4. When the frunk module 430 is fully open or in the open position, the upper surface of the unfolded frunk module 430 forms a continuous table plate 411.

[0039] In FIG. 4 , the flank module 430 is supported by legs 450. The length of the legs 450 is extendable to adjust the height of the flank module 410 from the ground 470. The legs 450 are foldable into the flank module 430 when not in use. The flank module 430 may include a leg holder (not shown) for holding one end of the leg 450 that supports the flank module 430 when the flank module 430 is extended or deployed toward the outside of the vehicle 40. Although not shown, each plate 431 may be supported by a corresponding leg. This ensures that the entire table plate 411, formed from multiple mechanical parts, is fixed horizontally and provides sufficient rigidity, allowing a user to place several items on the large surface of the table plate 411 and use the table plate 411 for activities outside and around the vehicle 400.

[0040] The present disclosure also provides the following embodiments. A001. A module for the frunk of a vehicle that can be extended or deployed toward the outside of the vehicle when in use. A002. A module of A001 or any other embodiment, the module being extendable or deployable towards the front of the vehicle. A003. A module of A001 or any other embodiment, the module being extendable or deployable toward the side of the vehicle. A011. The module of A001 or any other embodiment, wherein the module is configured to be part of or include the front hood of the vehicle. A012. The module of A011 or other embodiments, wherein the front hood is a front-hinged front hood. A013. The module of A012 or other embodiments, wherein the front hood is configured to open with the inner / underside of the front hood facing upwards when in use, or to use the inner / underside of the front hood as the use surface when in use. A014. The module of any one of A011 to A013, or any other embodiment, wherein the module is further configured to include a front grille of the vehicle, the front hood being rotatably connected to the front grille, and the front grille being rotatably connected to the body of the vehicle. A015. The module of A014 or any other embodiment, wherein the front grille is configured to open with the inner surface of the front grille facing upward when in use, or to use the inner surface of the front grille as the use surface when in use. A016. A module according to any one of A012 to A015 or other embodiments, comprising a container (storage box) on the inner surface of the front hood, the container being configured to extend to the side of the vehicle by a sliding mechanism. A021. The module of A001 or any other embodiment, wherein the module is configured as follows: As a separate part from the vehicle's front hood, When not in use, it is stored in the frunk of the vehicle. It extends or unfolds from the flank of the vehicle when the flank is open. A022. The module of A021 or any other embodiment, wherein the module has a folding structure that allows the module to be folded and stored in the frunk and deployed toward the outside of the vehicle. A023. The module of A021 or any other embodiment, wherein the module includes a slide mechanism that allows the module to be deployed toward the outside of the vehicle. A024. The module of A023 or other embodiments, wherein the ends of the module are placed / fixed within the flanks. A031. The module of any of A001 to A023 or other embodiments, wherein the expansion or deployment of the module is mechanically controlled using a servo motor. A041. The module of any of A001 to A031 or any other embodiment, further comprising legs that support the module when the module is extended or deployed toward the outside of the vehicle. A042. The module of A041 or any other embodiment, wherein the legs are foldable relative to the module when not in use. A043. The module of any of A001 or A031 or any other embodiment, further comprising a leg holder that holds one end of a leg that supports the module when the module is extended or deployed toward the outside of the vehicle. A045. The module of any of A041 to A043 or any other embodiment, wherein the legs are extendable and the leg length is adjustable. B001. A vehicle including a module of any of A001 to A045 or other embodiments.

[0041] Terms and phrases used in this application, and variations of terms and phrases used in particular in the appended claims, should be construed as open-ended rather than limiting, unless expressly stated otherwise. As examples of the foregoing, the term "comprising" should be understood to mean "including without limitation," "including but not limited to," etc. The term "comprising" as used herein is synonymous with "comprising," "containing," or "featuring," and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. The term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least." The term "including" should be interpreted as "including, but not limited to." The term "examples" is used to provide illustrative examples of the items under discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list.

[0042] A group of items joined by the conjunction "and" should not be construed as requiring the presence of each of those items in the group, but should be understood as "and / or" unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items joined by the conjunction "or" should not be construed as requiring mutual exclusivity within the group, but should be understood as "and / or" unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0043] With respect to the use herein of virtually any plural or singular term in English, those skilled in the art will understand the plural and singular as appropriate depending on the context and usage. For purposes of clarity, various singular and plural permutations may be expressly stated herein. The indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0044] Any of the embodiments or aspects disclosed herein can be combined, in part or in whole, independently with other embodiments described herein, e.g., one, two, or more embodiments can be combined in whole or in part. Furthermore, any of the features of any of the embodiments or aspects disclosed herein can be applicable to any of the other embodiments and aspects, or can be optional for the other embodiments or aspects.

[0045] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. It is not intended that the present invention be limited to the specific examples provided herein. While the present invention has been described with reference to the foregoing specification, the descriptions and illustrations of the embodiments and examples herein are not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Numerous variations, modifications, and substitutions may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the concept of the present invention. Furthermore, it should be understood that no aspect of the present invention is limited to the specific depictions, configurations, or relative proportions set forth herein, which depend upon a variety of conditions and variables. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the present invention described herein may be used in practicing the present invention. It should therefore be understood that the present invention encompasses all such alternatives, modifications, variations, or equivalents. The following claims define the scope of the present invention, and it is intended that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

Claims

1. A module for the flank of a vehicle, which module is extendable or deployable towards the outside of the vehicle when in use.

2. 10. The module of claim 1, wherein the module is configured to be part of or include the front hood of the vehicle, the front hood being a front-hinged front hood, and the front hood is configured to open so that an inner surface of the front hood faces upward when in use, or so that the inner surface of the front hood is used as the use surface when in use.

3. 3. The module of claim 2, further configured to include a front grille of the vehicle, wherein the front hood is rotatably connected to the front grille, the front grille is rotatably connected to a body of the vehicle, and the front grille is configured to open so that an inner surface of the front grille faces upward when in use or so that the inner surface of the front grille is used as a use surface when in use.

4. 3. The module according to claim 2, further comprising a container on the inner surface of the front hood, the container being configured to be extended to the side of the vehicle by a slide mechanism.

5. 10. The module of claim 1, wherein the module is configured as a separate member from the front hood of the vehicle, to be stored in a flank of the vehicle when not in use, and to be extended or deployed from the flank of the vehicle when the flank is open.

6. 6. The module according to claim 5, wherein the module has a folding structure that can be folded and stored within the frunk and deployed toward the outside of the vehicle.

7. 10. The module of claim 1, wherein the expansion or deployment of the module is mechanically controlled using a servo motor.

8. 10. The module of claim 1, further comprising legs that support the module when the module is extended or deployed outwardly of the vehicle.

9. 9. The module of claim 8, wherein the legs are foldable relative to the module when not in use.

10. 9. The module of claim 8, further comprising a leg holder that holds one end of the leg that supports the module when the module is extended or deployed toward the outside of the vehicle.

11. 9. The module of claim 8, wherein the legs are extendable to adjust the length of the legs.

12. A vehicle equipped with a module according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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