Power Slide Vehicle Compartment
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024543452
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-01-24
- Filing Date
- 2022-12-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-05
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle storage compartments require both automation and latch mechanisms, leading to increased costs, complexity, and mass due to the need for multiple parts.
A vehicle storage assembly with a compartment that can move between open and closed configurations, utilizing a control unit to automate movement and a latch mechanism that allows manual operation, combining arms and gears to convert linear movement into gear rotation, and incorporating a motor for automated operation.
Reduces complexity, mass, and cost while meeting safety standards, providing a seamless user experience with both automated and manual operation options.
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] [CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 302,336, filed Jan. 24, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] This application relates to vehicle storage compartments, and more particularly to a storage compartment assembly that automates movement of the compartment on a vehicle while also allowing a user to manually close the compartment. [Background technology]
[0003] Generally, various vehicles, such as electric vehicles, combustion engine vehicles, hybrid vehicles, etc., can be configured with one or more storage compartments. These compartments can store vehicle accessories, personal items, and other objects. For example, a vehicle includes a glove box that is typically located within the dashboard on the passenger side of the passenger compartment. The glove box can include a compartment that slides between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The glove box can have an automation mechanism and a latch mechanism. The automation mechanism can move the compartment between the open configuration and the closed configuration, and the latch mechanism locks the compartment in the closed configuration. However, the need for both the automation mechanism and the latch mechanism reduces the reliability of the system due to the increased cost, mass, number of parts, and complexity of the vehicle storage compartment. Summary of the Invention
[0004] One aspect relates to a vehicle storage assembly including a compartment housing having an opening and a compartment adjacent the opening and configured to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration. A controller is configured to receive an input signal and automate movement of the compartment between the open configuration and the closed configuration. The vehicle storage system further includes an actuation and latch mechanism coupled to the compartment and configured to allow a user to manually move the compartment to the closed configuration. Manual movement of the compartment by the user toward the closed configuration latches the compartment in a latched position when the compartment reaches the closed configuration.
[0005] In variations on the above aspect, the input signal is received from one or more of a display, a key fob, a button, and a switch.
[0006] In a variation of the above embodiment, the compartment is configured as a glove box drawer.
[0007] In a variation of the above aspect, the compartment housing is sized and shaped to receive a glove box drawer.
[0008] In a variation of the above aspect, the automated movement is linear movement of the compartment relative to the compartment housing.
[0009] In a variation of the above aspect, the manual movement is linear movement of the compartment relative to the compartment housing.
[0010] In a variation of the above aspect, the actuation and latch mechanism includes an arm and a gear, the arm coupling the compartment to the gear.
[0011] In a variation of the above aspect, the arm converts linear motion of the compartment, caused by a user manually moving the compartment toward the closed configuration, into rotational motion of the gear.
[0012] A variation of the above aspect further comprises a motor configured to cause automated movement of the compartment between the open and closed configurations.
[0013] A variation of the above aspect further includes a pinion coupled to the gear and the motor.
[0014] In a variation of the above embodiment, the latched position occurs when the arm is oriented collinear with the direction of manual movement and the compartment is in a closed configuration.
[0015] In a variation of the above aspect, when the compartment is in the latched position, the actuation and latch mechanism prevents a user from manually moving the compartment to the open configuration.
[0016] In a variation of the above aspect, when the compartment is in the latched position, the actuation and latch mechanism allows the control to automate the movement of the compartment to the open configuration.
[0017] A variation of the above aspect further includes a display configured to receive an input signal, the compartment moving between the open and closed configurations at least partially in response to the input signal.
[0018] In a variation of the above aspect, the input signal is a screen tap on the display.
[0019] In a variation of the above aspect, the display is located remotely from the actuation and latching mechanism.
[0020] In a variation of the above aspect, the compartment housing includes a door, the door being a trim panel.
[0021] In a variation of the above aspect, the compartment is disposed behind the trim panel, at least when in the closed configuration.
[0022] In a variation of the above aspect, the compartment is configured as a lid for the center console.
[0023] In a variation of the above embodiment, the compartment is configured as a trunk tub cover.
[0024] In a variation of the above aspect, the compartment is configured as a drawer in a truck bed storage box.
[0025] In a variation of the above aspect, the compartment is configured as a drawer of a cargo-carrying system configured to be mountable to a vehicle.
[0026] In a variation of the above aspect, the compartment is configured to be disposed within a passenger compartment of a vehicle.
[0027] In a variation of the above aspect, the compartment is configured to be located outside the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
[0028] One aspect relates to an actuation and latching mechanism for a vehicle that allows automated movement of a compartment between an open and a closed configuration, while also allowing manual movement of the compartment from the open configuration toward the closed configuration, and preventing manual movement of the compartment from the closed configuration toward the open configuration, where the compartment is in a latched position when it reaches the closed configuration.
[0029] In a variation of the above embodiment, the compartment is configured as a glove box drawer.
[0030] A variation of the above aspect further includes a compartment housing sized and shaped to receive a glove box drawer.
[0031] In a variation of the above embodiment, the automated movement is linear movement of the compartment.
[0032] In a variation of the above embodiment, the manual movement is a linear movement of the compartment.
[0033] A variation of the above aspect further includes an arm and a gear, the arm connecting the compartment to the gear.
[0034] In a variation of the above embodiment, the arm converts linear motion of the compartment into rotational motion of the gear.
[0035] A variation of the above aspect further comprises a motor configured to cause automated movement of the compartment between the open and closed configurations.
[0036] A variation of the above aspect further includes a pinion coupled to the gear.
[0037] In a variation of the above embodiment, the latched position occurs when the arm is oriented collinear with the direction of manual movement and the compartment is in a closed configuration.
[0038] One aspect relates to a vehicle comprising a compartment housing having an opening, a compartment adjacent the opening and configured to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration, a control configured to receive an input signal and automate movement of the compartment between the open configuration and the closed configuration, and an actuation and latching mechanism coupled to the compartment and configured to allow a user to manually move the compartment to the closed configuration, wherein manual movement of the compartment by the user toward the closed configuration latches the compartment in a latched position when the compartment reaches the closed configuration.
[0039] In a variation of the above aspect, the compartment housing includes a door, the door being a trim panel.
[0040] In a variation of the above aspect, the compartment is disposed behind the trim panel, at least when in the closed configuration.
[0041] In a variation of the above aspect, the compartment is configured as a lid for the center console.
[0042] In a variation of the above embodiment, the compartment is configured as a trunk tub cover.
[0043] In a variation of the above aspect, the compartment is configured as a drawer in a truck bed storage box.
[0044] In a variation of the above aspect, the compartment is configured as a drawer of a cargo-carrying system configured to be mountable to a vehicle.
[0045] In a variation of the above aspect, the compartment is configured to be disposed within a passenger compartment of a vehicle.
[0046] In a variation of the above aspect, the compartment is configured to be located outside the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
[0047] One aspect relates to a method of closing a compartment housing having an opening, the compartment proximate the opening and movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the method including receiving an input signal for automating movement of the compartment between the closed configuration and the open configuration, moving the compartment with the automation based on the input signal, and manually moving the compartment from the open configuration to the closed configuration and latching the compartment in the closed configuration.
[0048] In a variation of the above aspect, the compartment is configured as a glove box of the vehicle.
[0049] In a variation of the above aspect, the compartment is configured as a lid for the center console.
[0050] In a variation of the above embodiment, the compartment is configured as a trunk tub cover.
[0051] In a variation of the above aspect, the compartment is configured as a drawer in a truck bed storage box.
[0052] In a variation of the above aspect, the compartment is configured as a drawer of a cargo-carrying system configured to be mountable to a vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0053] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements and in which:
[0054] [Figure 1] 1 is an exemplary diagram of the interior of a vehicle including a vehicle storage assembly within a passenger compartment and including an actuation and latch mechanism according to one embodiment.
[0055] [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle storage assembly of FIG. 1.
[0056] [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a compartment of the vehicle storage assembly of FIG. 2A.
[0057] [Diagram 3] FIG. 2B is a plan view including the actuation and latching mechanism of FIG. 2A.
[0058] [Figure 4] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of the vehicle storage assembly of FIG. 2A providing both manual and automatic actuation of the compartment of FIG. 2B.
[0059] [Diagram 5]FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the vehicle storage system of FIG. 2A showing the actuation and latching mechanism.
[0060] [Figure 6A] FIG. 2B is a front perspective view of the vehicle storage assembly of FIG. 2A with the compartment linearly slid out of the compartment housing into an open configuration.
[0061] [Figure 6B] FIG. 2B is a side view of the vehicle storage assembly of FIG. 2A with the compartment linearly slid out of the compartment housing into an open configuration.
[0062] [Figure 7] 1 is a bottom view of the vehicle storage assembly with the arm of the actuation and latch mechanism in a first position that opens the compartment. FIG.
[0063] [Figure 8] 8 shows the arm and gear of FIG. 7 when the arm is in a first position.
[0064] [Figure 9] Similar to FIG. 7, except the arm has been moved to a second position partially closing the compartment.
[0065] [Figure 10] 10 shows the arm and gear of FIG. 9 when the arm is in a second position.
[0066] [Figure 11] 9, except that the arm has been moved to a third position with the compartment closed in a latched position.
[0067] [Figure 12] 12 shows the arm and gear of FIG. 11 with the arm in a third position that prevents the compartment from being manually opened.
[0068] [Figure 13A] 1 is a bottom view of the vehicle storage assembly with the arm of the actuation and latch mechanism in a first position that opens the compartment. FIG.
[0069] [Figure 13B] Similar to FIG. 13A, except the arm has been moved to a second position that partially closes the compartment.
[0070] [Figure 13C] Similar to FIG. 13B, except the arm has been moved to a third position with the compartment closed in a latched position.
[0071] [Figure 14] 14A is a bottom view of the vehicle storage assembly with the arm in a third position with the compartment closed in a latched position. Also shown is an isolated view of the arm and gear.
[0072] FIG. 14B is similar to FIG. 14A, except that the arm has been moved to a second position that partially opens the compartment.
[0073] FIG. 14C is similar to FIG. 14B, except that the arm of the actuation and latch mechanism has been moved to a first position that opens the compartment.
[0074] [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a plan view including the gear and pinion of FIG. 3.
[0075] [Figure 16] FIG. 13 illustrates how the moment arm for applying a force to open the compartment varies with the crank angle of the arm.
[0076] [Figure 17] 17 shows exemplary values of the force required to open the compartment as a function of the angle of the arm from FIG. 16. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0077] Generally described, one or more aspects of the present disclosure relate to an interior trim compartment that includes, for example, an actuation and latching mechanism used to automate the opening, closing, and latching of the compartment. In embodiments, the actuation and latching mechanism maximizes the user experience by decoupling the latching capabilities and providing both automatic and manual usability. The actuation and latching mechanism can be used with any vehicle sliding compartment that requires to be latched (e.g., to meet safety standards).
[0078] For ease of explanation, the compartment housing is referred to as the stationary part and the moving compartment is referred to as the moving part. In certain embodiments, the actuation and latching mechanism is dynamic and includes moving parts. For example, in certain embodiments, the actuation and latching mechanism includes at least one arm that couples a gear to the compartment, such that the arm moves the compartment between an open configuration and a closed configuration.
[0079] In certain embodiments, the glove box is automated to slide linearly with a motor powering the actuation and latching mechanism. The actuation and latching mechanism allows the user the ability to manually push the glove box closed or automate the movement of the glove box, thus maximizing the user experience. In certain embodiments, the arms of the actuation and latching mechanism are oriented to be collinear with the direction of movement of the compartment when the compartment is in the closed configuration, latching the compartment in the closed configuration. In this way, in certain embodiments, the arms inhibit or prevent the compartment from opening, meeting the safety requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 206: Door Locks and Door Retention Components and SAE J839B: Passenger Vehicle Side Door Latch Systems.
[0080] Certain embodiments may also have lower overall mass, smaller packaging volume, simpler control strategies, fewer parts count, and fewer NVH / BSR risks, all of which can contribute to a more positive user experience compared to known automation and latching mechanisms.
[0081] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram of the interior of a vehicle 10 including a vehicle storage assembly 12 within a passenger compartment 16. In certain embodiments, the vehicle storage assembly 12 includes an actuation and latch mechanism 14. Depending on the configuration, the actuation and latch mechanism 14 can move (e.g., slide, pivot, etc.) and latch a compartment 22 (e.g., a glove box, a center console lid, a trunk tub cover, a truck bed storage box, a cargo transport system). The vehicle storage compartment 16 may be mounted inside the passenger compartment 16 or may be mounted outside the passenger compartment 16. For example, an embodiment of the vehicle storage compartment 16 may be mounted in a truck bed (e.g., a truck bed storage drawer or box) or as part of a cargo transport system sized to fit within the truck bed.
[0082] FIG 2A is a perspective view of the vehicle storage assembly 12 of FIG 1. FIG 2B is a perspective view of a compartment 22 of the vehicle storage assembly 12 of FIG 2A. The vehicle storage assembly 12 may be disposed within a dashboard 18 of the vehicle 10. The dashboard 18 is generally forward of the passenger side of the passenger compartment 16. The vehicle storage assembly 12 may be embodied as a glove box that may store items within the vehicle 10.
[0083] Although a glove box is shown as the vehicle storage assembly 12, it is understood that the actuation and latch mechanism 14 may be employed in other vehicle storage assemblies 12, such as center console lids, trunk tub covers, and other compartments. In certain embodiments, the vehicle storage assembly 12 includes a stationary portion or compartment housing 20 and a movable portion or compartment 22. In certain embodiments, the movable portion 22 may include a door.
[0084] In certain embodiments, characteristics of the actuation and latch mechanism 14 can include the size and type of material, the gearing between the pinion and gear, and the characteristics (torque, size, RPM, etc.) of the motor used to automate the movement of the compartment. Certain embodiments of the actuation and latch mechanism 14 provide cost and mass reduction, bringing the passenger compartment 16 to a premium level and improving the user experience.
[0085] In certain embodiments, compartment 22 includes a receptacle 29 and an opening 31 that provides access to receptacle 29. Receptacle 29 can have walls (e.g., sides 33 and a bottom 35) that define the shape and size of receptacle 29.
[0086] In certain embodiments, the compartment housing 20 includes a door that is movable (e.g., pivots) relative to the dashboard 18 to allow the compartment 22 to slide linearly between an open configuration and a closed configuration.
[0087] 3 is a plan view including the actuation and latch mechanism 14 of FIG. 2A. In certain embodiments, the actuation and latch mechanism 14 employs an arm 19 and a gear 21. In certain embodiments, rotational movement of the gear 21 about an axis 23 rotates the compartment 22 between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The rotational force is translated into linear motion via arm 19. In certain embodiments, arm 19 includes a distal end 28 and a proximal end 30. In certain embodiments, distal end 28 is rotatably coupled to gear 21. In certain embodiments, proximal end 30 is rotatably coupled to compartment 22.
[0088] In certain embodiments, gear 21 includes one or more teeth 25 configured to engage one or more teeth 27 of pinion 24 such that rotation of pinion 24 is transferred to rotation of gear 21.
[0089] In certain embodiments, the actuation and latching mechanism 14 includes a motor 26. In certain embodiments, the motor 26 is configured to drive the rotation of a pinion 24. Depending on the direction of rotation, the pinion 24 moves the compartment 22, via the gear 21 and the arm 19, toward or away from the closed configuration.
[0090] In certain embodiments, when the motor 26 is not activated and the compartment 22 is not in the closed configuration, the gear 21 and pinion 24 rotate freely when the user moves the compartment 22 (1) toward the closed configuration or (2) away from the substantially closed configuration. In certain embodiments, when the motor 26 is activated and the compartment 22 is not in the closed configuration, the gear 21 and pinion 24 rotate freely when the user moves the compartment 22 (1) toward the closed configuration or (2) away from the substantially closed configuration. In this manner, the user can manually slide the compartment 22 regardless of whether the motor 26 is activated. In certain embodiments, the activation and latch mechanism 14 prevents the user from manually opening the compartment 22 from the closed configuration.
[0091] In certain embodiments, the arm 19 of the actuation and latch mechanism 14 is oriented to be collinear with the direction of movement of the compartment 22 when the compartment 22 is in the closed configuration, which also achieves a latched position 34 that prevents a user from manually opening the compartment 22. When the compartment 22 is in the latched position 34, it cannot be manually opened by a user (e.g., by manual actuation), but it can be opened by automatic actuation.
[0092] 4 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle storage assembly 12 of FIG. 2A providing both manual and automatic actuation of the compartment 22 of FIG. 2B. In certain embodiments, the vehicle storage assembly 12 includes a control 36. In certain embodiments, the control 36 receives various inputs including a screen tap or input to a display 40 (FIG. 1). In certain embodiments, the control 36 controls the application of current to the motor 26. For example, in certain embodiments, the vehicle storage assembly 12 includes a motor 26. The motor 26 converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. The control 36 can energize the motor 26 to rotate the pinion 24 in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. It should be understood that other devices (e.g., a key fob) can be used by the user to provide input signals to the control 36.
[0093] In certain embodiments, the control 36 determines whether the screen 40 has been tapped by a user. In certain embodiments, the control 36 applies current to the motor 26 when tapped to open or close the vehicle storage assembly 12. When the compartment 22 is in the latched position 34, it cannot be manually opened by a user (e.g., manually actuated), but it can be opened by automatic actuation.
[0094] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the vehicle storage assembly 12 of FIG. 2A showing the actuation and latch mechanism 14. In certain embodiments, the vehicle storage assembly 12 includes a stop plate 32. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the stop plate 32 is sized and shaped to abut the gear 21 when the compartment 22 is in a closed configuration. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the stop plate 32 is sized and shaped to abut the gear 21 when the compartment 22 is in an open configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the compartment 22 is in a closed configuration where the gear 21 abuts the stop plate 32.
[0095] FIG. 6A is a front perspective view of the vehicle storage assembly 12 of FIG. 2A with the compartment 22 linearly slid from the compartment housing 20 to an open configuration. FIG. 6B is a side view of the vehicle storage assembly 12 of FIG. 2A with the compartment 22 linearly slid from the compartment housing 20 to an open configuration. The compartment 22 can store vehicle accessories, personal items, and other objects. For example, the vehicle 10 typically includes a vehicle storage assembly 12 configured as a glove box. The glove box can be disposed on the passenger side dashboard 18 of the passenger compartment 16.
[0096] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the vehicle storage assembly 12 with the arm 19 of the actuation and latch mechanism 14 in a first position with the compartment 22 open. In the illustrated embodiment, the first position is an open configuration. FIG. 8 shows the arm 19 and the gear 21 of FIG. 7 when the arm 19 is in the first position. In the illustrated embodiment, the compartment 22 is slid in a linear direction away from the compartment housing 22 and the user can access the interior of the compartment 22.
[0097] Figure 9 is similar to Figure 7 except that the arm 19 has been moved to a second position that partially closes the compartment 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the second position is a position between the open and closed configurations. Figure 10 shows the arm 19 and gear 21 of Figure 9 when the arm 19 is in the second position. In the illustrated embodiment, the compartment 22 has been slid in a linear direction toward the compartment housing 22, but not all the way to the closed configuration.
[0098] FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 9, except that the arm 19 has been moved to a third position that closes the compartment 22 in a latched position 34. FIG. 12 shows the arm 19 and gear 21 of FIG. 11 with the arm 19 in a third position that prevents the compartment 22 from being manually opened. In the illustrated embodiment, the third position is a closed configuration. As shown in FIG. 11, the arm 19 of the actuation and latch mechanism 14 is oriented to be collinear with the direction of movement of the compartment 22 when the compartment 22 is in the closed configuration. Such an arrangement achieves a latched position 34 that prevents a user from manually opening the compartment 22. In this way, in certain embodiments, the arm 19 blocks or prevents the compartment 22 from being opened and meets the safety requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 206: Door Locks and Door Retention Components and SAE J839B: Passenger Vehicle Side Door Latch Systems.
[0099] Figure 13A is a bottom view of the vehicle storage assembly 12 with the arm 19 of the actuation and latch mechanism 14 in a first position that opens the compartment 22. Figure 13B is similar to Figure 13A, except that the arm 19 has been moved to a second position that partially closes the compartment 22. Figure 13C is similar to Figure 13B, except that the arm 19 has been moved to a third position that closes the compartment 22 in the latched position 34.
[0100] FIG. 14A is a bottom view of the vehicle storage assembly 12 with the arm 19 in a third position that closes the compartment 22 in the latched position 34. An isolated view of the arm 19 and gear 21 is also shown. For example, in the closed position, the vehicle storage assembly 12 is latched in a crank-slider-bin collinear arrangement. FIG. 14B is similar to FIG. 14A, except that the arm 19 has been moved to a second position that partially opens the compartment 22. For example, the vehicle storage assembly 12 is in an intermediate position. FIG. 14C is similar to FIG. 14B, except that the arm 19 of the actuation and latch mechanism 14 has been moved to a first position that opens the compartment 22. For example, in the open position, the compartment 22 is back-drivable and can be pushed closed.
[0101] Figure 15 is a plan view including gear 21 and pinion 24 of Figure 3. In certain embodiments, gear 21 includes one or more teeth 25 configured to engage one or more teeth 27 of pinion 24, thereby transmitting rotation of pinion 24 to rotation of gear 21. In certain embodiments, rotational motion of gear 21 about axis 23 is translated into linear motion of compartment 22 between open and closed configurations.
[0102] FIG. 16 illustrates how the moment arm 42 for applying force 38 to open the compartment 22 varies as a function of the crank angle 44 of the arm 19. FIG. 17 illustrates an example value of the force 38 required to open the compartment 22 as a function of the crank angle 44 of the arm 19 from FIG. 16. As shown in FIG. 17, the force 38 required to move the compartment 22 from the closed configuration to the open configuration when the crank angle 44 is 90° reaches a value of infinity that prevents the compartment 22 from opening (e.g., meets safety standards). In this manner, in certain embodiments, the actuation and latch mechanism 14 inhibits or prevents the compartment 22 from opening that meets the safety requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 206: Door Locks and Door Retention Components and SAE J839B: Passenger Vehicle Side Door Latch Systems Not Requiring Dedicated Latch Mechanisms.
[0103] The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the disclosure to the exact form or particular field of use disclosed. Thus, various alternative embodiments and / or modifications to the disclosure, whether expressly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the present disclosure. Having thus described an embodiment of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the scope of the claims.
[0104] In the above specification, the disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, the various embodiments disclosed herein can be modified or embodied in various other ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, this description should be considered as illustrative and is intended to teach those skilled in the art how to make and use the various embodiments of the disclosed actuation and latching mechanism. It should be understood that the forms of the disclosure shown and described herein should be construed as representative embodiments. Equivalent elements, materials, processes or steps may be substituted for those typically shown and described herein. Moreover, certain features of the disclosure can be utilized independently of the use of other features, as will become apparent to those skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the disclosure. As used to describe and claim the disclosure, the terms "including," "comprising," "including," "comprising," "consisting of," "having," "is," and the like are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, i.e., to allow for the presence of articles, parts, or elements not expressly described. Reference to the singular should also be construed to refer to the plural.
[0105] Furthermore, the various embodiments disclosed herein should be construed as exemplary and explanatory, and not as limiting the disclosure. All references to connections (e.g., attached, secured, coupled, connected, etc.) are used only to aid the reader in understanding the disclosure, and do not create any limitations with respect to the position, orientation, or use of the systems and / or methods disclosed herein in particular. Thus, references to connections, if any, should be construed broadly. Moreover, such references to connections do not necessarily mean that two elements are directly connected to each other. Moreover, without limitation, all numerical terms such as "first", "second", "third", "primary", "secondary", "main", or any other conventional and / or numerical terms should also be construed only as identifiers to aid the reader in understanding the various elements, embodiments, variations and / or modifications of the disclosure, and in particular do not create any limitations with respect to the order or priority of any element, embodiment, variation and / or modification relative to or over another element, embodiment, variation and / or modification.
[0106] It will also be understood that one or more of the elements shown in the drawings / figures may also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner as may be useful depending on the particular application, or may be removed or rendered inoperative in particular cases.
Claims
1. 1. A vehicle storage assembly comprising: a compartment housing having an opening; a compartment adjacent the opening and configured to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration; a controller configured to receive an input signal and automate movement of the compartment between the open configuration and the closed configuration; an actuation and latch mechanism coupled to the compartment and configured to allow a user to manually move the compartment to the closed configuration, the manual movement of the compartment by the user toward the closed configuration latching the compartment in a latched position when the compartment reaches the closed configuration; A vehicle storage assembly comprising:
2. The storage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the input signal is received from one or more of a display, a key fob, a button, and a switch.
3. The storage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the compartment is configured as a glove box drawer.
4. The storage assembly of claim 3 , wherein the compartment housing is sized and shaped to receive the drawer of the glove box.
5. The storage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the automated movement is linear movement of the compartment relative to the compartment housing.
6. The storage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the manual movement is linear movement of the compartment relative to the compartment housing.
7. The storage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the actuation and latch mechanism includes an arm and a gear, the arm coupling the compartment to the gear.
8. The storage assembly of claim 7 , wherein the arm translates linear motion of the compartment caused by the user manually moving the compartment toward the closed configuration into rotational motion of the gear.
9. The storage assembly of claim 7 , further comprising a motor configured to cause the automated movement of the compartment between the open and closed configurations.
10. The storage assembly of claim 9 further comprising a pinion coupled to said gear and said motor.
11. The storage assembly of claim 7 , wherein the latched position occurs when the arm is oriented collinear with the direction of manual movement and the compartment is in the closed configuration.
12. The storage assembly of claim 1 , wherein when the compartment is in the latched position, the actuation and latch mechanism prevents the user from manually moving the compartment to the open configuration.
13. The storage assembly of claim 12 , wherein the actuation and latching mechanism enables the control to automate movement of the compartment to the open configuration when the compartment is in the latched position.
14. 10. The storage assembly of claim 1, further comprising a display configured to receive the input signal, the compartment moving between the open and closed configurations at least in part in response to the input signal.
15. The storage assembly of claim 14 , wherein the input signal is a screen tap on the display.
16. The storage assembly of claim 14 , wherein the display is located remotely from the actuation and latching mechanism.
17. The storage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the compartment housing includes a door, the door being a trim panel.
18. 18. The storage assembly of claim 17, wherein the compartment is disposed behind the trim panel, at least when in the closed configuration.
19. The storage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the compartment is configured as a center console lid.
20. The storage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the compartment is configured as a trunk tub cover.
21. The storage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the compartment is configured as a truck bed storage box drawer.
22. The storage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the compartment is configured as a drawer of a cargo-carrying system configured to be mountable to a vehicle.
23. The storage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the compartment is configured to be disposed within a passenger compartment of a vehicle.
24. The storage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the compartment is configured to be disposed outside a passenger compartment of a vehicle.
25. 1. An actuation and latch mechanism for a vehicle, comprising: the actuation and latching mechanism allows automated movement of a compartment between an open configuration and a closed configuration while also allowing manual movement of the compartment from the open configuration towards the closed configuration and preventing manual movement of the compartment from the closed configuration towards the open configuration; An actuation and latching mechanism, wherein the compartment is in a latched position when the compartment reaches the closed configuration.
26. 26. The actuation and latch mechanism of claim 25, wherein the compartment is configured as a glove box drawer.
27. 27. The actuation and latch mechanism of claim 26, further comprising a compartment housing sized and shaped to receive the glove box drawer.
28. 26. The actuation and latching mechanism of claim 25, wherein the automated movement is a linear movement of the compartment.
29. 26. The actuation and latch mechanism of claim 25, wherein the manual movement is a linear movement of the compartment.
30. 26. The actuation and latch mechanism of claim 25, further comprising an arm and a gear, said arm coupling said compartment to said gear.
31. 31. The actuation and latching mechanism of claim 30, wherein the arm translates linear motion of the compartment into rotational motion of the gear.
32. 26. The actuation and latching mechanism of claim 25, further comprising a motor configured to cause the automated movement of the compartment between the open and closed configurations.
33. 31. The actuation and latch mechanism of claim 30, further comprising a pinion coupled to the gear.
34. 31. The actuation and latching mechanism of claim 30, wherein the latched position occurs when the arm is oriented collinear with the direction of manual movement and the compartment is in the closed configuration.
35. a compartment housing having an opening; a compartment adjacent the opening and configured to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration; a controller configured to receive an input signal and automate movement of the compartment between the open configuration and the closed configuration; an actuation and latch mechanism coupled to the compartment and configured to allow a user to manually move the compartment to the closed configuration, the manual movement of the compartment by the user toward the closed configuration latching the compartment in a latched position when the compartment reaches the closed configuration; A vehicle equipped with:
36. 36. The vehicle of claim 35, wherein the compartment housing includes a door, the door being a trim panel.
37. 37. The vehicle of claim 36, wherein the compartment is disposed behind the trim panel, at least when in the closed configuration.
38. 36. The vehicle of claim 35, wherein the compartment is configured as a center console lid.
39. 36. The vehicle of claim 35, wherein the compartment is configured as a trunk tub cover.
40. 36. The vehicle of claim 35, wherein the compartment is configured as a truck bed storage box drawer.
41. 36. The vehicle of claim 35, wherein the compartment is configured as a drawer of a cargo-carrying system configured to be attachable to the vehicle.
42. 36. The vehicle of claim 35, wherein the compartment is configured to be disposed within a passenger compartment of the vehicle.
43. 36. The vehicle of claim 35, wherein the compartment is configured to be disposed outside of a passenger compartment of the vehicle.
44. 13. A method of closing a compartment housing having an opening, the compartment being adjacent the opening and movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the method comprising: receiving an input signal to automate movement of the compartment between the closed configuration and the open configuration; moving the compartment to the open configuration with automation based on the input signal; manually moving the compartment from the open configuration to the closed configuration and latching the compartment in the closed configuration; A method comprising:
45. 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the compartment is configured as a glove box of a vehicle.
46. 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the compartment is configured as a center console lid.
47. 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the compartment is configured as a trunk tub cover.
48. 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the compartment is configured as a drawer in a truck bed storage box.
49. 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the compartment is configured as a drawer of a cargo-containment system configured to be mountable to the vehicle.