Vehicle console box

Abstract

To provide a vehicle console box that allows for easy removal of the tray portion for maintenance. [Solution] The vehicle console box 1 comprises a console box body 9 having a storage section 10 for storing items, a top plate 12 that is attached to cover the upper part of the console box body 9 and has a recessed section 13 that is recessed downwards on the opposite side from the upper part, and a tray 16 that is fitted into the recessed section 13 from above downwards and covers the top plate 12. The top plate 12 has friction fixing piece receiving holes 19 that are located in the recessed section 13, and the tray 16 has friction fixing pieces 18 that protrude downwards and are positioned so that when the tray 16 is fitted into the top plate 12, they are inserted into the friction fixing piece receiving holes 19. The console box body 9 is formed to look upwards from the storage section 10 and has an operating hole 20 provided in a position that allows the friction fixing pieces 18 to be pressed upwards by a rod-shaped body 37 inserted from the outside.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle console box.

Background Art

[0002] Vehicle console boxes that can place or store articles are provided in many vehicles.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle console box provided with a recess for small items on the upper surface side.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Small item holders, cup holders, etc. in the vehicle console box of Patent Document 1 are generally referred to as trays. A general tray is integrated with the console box body, and maintenance such as removing and cleaning or replacing the tray part cannot be performed. Also, even if the tray part is constituted by separate parts and engaged with the console box body by common engagement claws, it is not easy to release this engagement without breakage.

[0006] The technology of the present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle console box capable of performing maintenance such as easily removing, cleaning, or replacing the tray part.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A vehicle console box according to this disclosure comprises a console box body having a storage section for storing articles, a top plate attached to cover the upper part of the console box body and having a recessed section that is recessed downward opposite to the upper part, and a tray fitted into the recessed section from above toward downward to cover the top plate, wherein the top plate has friction fixing piece receiving holes disposed in the recessed section, the tray has friction fixing pieces that protrude downward and are positioned to be inserted into the friction fixing piece receiving holes when the tray is fitted into the top plate, and the console box body is formed to extend upward from the storage section and has an operating hole provided in a position that allows the friction fixing pieces to be pressed upward by a rod-shaped body inserted from the outside. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The vehicle console box described herein allows for easy removal of the tray portion for maintenance such as cleaning or replacement. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows the arrangement of the vehicle console box according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the vehicle's console box. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle console box. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the upper half of the vehicle console box, seen from the storage compartment side. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates the engagement between the tray and the top panel that make up the vehicle console box shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tray that makes up the vehicle's console box, seen from the back. [Figure 7] Figure 1 illustrates the engagement relationship between the console box body, top panel, and tray that make up the vehicle console box. [Figure 8]Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the engagement between the tray and the top panel of the vehicle console box, and the engagement between the top panel and the console box body. [Figure 9] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a vehicle console box. [Figure 10] This diagram illustrates the operation of removing the tray in the vehicle console box shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] In all drawings of this application, the front-rear direction of the vehicle is illustrated by arrows Fw (Forward) and Bw (Backward), the left-right direction in the vehicle width direction is illustrated by arrows Lw (Leftward) and Rw (Rightward), and the up-down direction of the vehicle is illustrated by arrows Uw (Upward) and Dw (Downward).

[0011] A vehicle console box according to one aspect of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In Figures 1 to 10, which are referenced below, corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0012] In the notation in Figure 1, the bidirectional arrow Fw-Bw indicates the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the bidirectional arrow Lw-Rw indicates the lateral direction of the vehicle. In Figure 1, the vehicle console box 1 is positioned in the separated region R, which is formed by the separation of the left front seat 2 and the right front seat 3 in the vehicle width direction. The left front seat 2 and the right front seat 3 are supported by slide rails 4 and can slide in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vehicle width direction.

[0013] The left front seat 2 has a configuration that is roughly symmetrical to the right front seat 3 with respect to a virtual plane that bisects the separation region R in the vehicle width direction. In the following description, the right front seat 3 will be referred to simply as the front seat 3, as appropriate, when describing the left front seat 2 and the right front seat 3.

[0014] The slide rail 4 is a concave strip extending in the front-rear direction and is fixed to the floor member 5 of this vehicle shown virtually. By engaging the slide member 6 on the front seat 3 side slidably with the slide rail 4, the front seat 3 is supported slidably by the slide rail 4.

[0015] Referring also to the external perspective view of the vehicle console box 1 in FIG. 2, the vehicle console box 1 includes a console box body 9 that defines a storage portion 10 for storing articles. The console box body 9 includes a lower lower half 7 fixed to the floor member 5 and an upper half 8 coupled on top of the lower half 7. The storage portion 10 is a space between the lower half 7 and the upper half 8. In the notation of FIG. 2, the bidirectional arrow Fw-Bw indicates the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the bidirectional arrow Lw-Rw indicates the left-right direction of the vehicle.

[0016] The vehicle console box 1 in this example is used such that articles are put in and taken out from the storage portion 10 through the article storage opening 11 formed on the side surface of the console box body 9 with the lower half 7 and the upper half 8 still coupled.

[0017] Also, the vehicle console box 1 includes a top plate 12 attached to the console box body 9 so as to cover the upper part of the console box body 9, that is, the upper part of the upper half 8. The top plate 12 has a recessed portion 13 recessed downward opposite to the upward direction. The recessed portion 13 recesses downward from the left and right side edges 14 extending in the front-rear direction spaced apart in the vehicle width direction of the top plate 12, and the central portion between the left and right side edges 14 is open, and a bottom opening 15 as shown in FIG. 3 is formed. The top plate 12 can take a form called a top surface garnish with appropriate decoration applied to the upper surface.

[0018] In addition, the vehicle console box 1 includes a tray 16 that covers the top plate 12. That is, the vehicle console box 1 includes a tray 16 that is fitted into the recessed portion 13 of the top plate 12 from above to below and covers the bottom opening 15 portion. The tray 16 is fitted into the top plate 12 and forms the bottom 17 of the recessed portion 13 in appearance. The tray 16 has a planar first tray portion 16a forming a relatively shallow recessed bottom and a planar second tray portion 16b forming a relatively deep recessed bottom, which are connected in series from the rear side to the front side in the front-rear direction. That is, the first tray portion 16a on the front side is connected to the second tray portion 16b on the rear side. The first tray portion 16a is configured, for example, to be suitable for placing a smartphone. The second tray portion 16b is configured, for example, to be suitable for storing small items.

[0019] Next, the vehicle console box 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle console box 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the upper half 8 as viewed from the storage portion 10 side. FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the connection between the tray 16 and the top plate 12, showing a cross-section taken along the line A-A' in FIG. 4 and further magnifying a part thereof. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the tray 16 as viewed from the back side, which is the lower side in FIG. 3. In the notations of FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6, the bidirectional arrow Fw-Bw indicates the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the bidirectional arrow Lw-Rw indicates the left-right direction of the vehicle.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, the tray 16 includes a plurality of friction fixing pieces 18. The plurality of friction fixing pieces 18 are discretely provided at the peripheral edge of the back surface, which is the lower surface of the tray 16 when the tray 16 is attached to the top plate 12. The plurality of friction fixing pieces 18 protrude downward in FIG. 3. The top plate 12 has a plurality of friction fixing piece receiving holes 19 corresponding to the plurality of friction fixing pieces 18 of the tray 16. The friction fixing piece receiving holes 19 are discretely provided at the peripheral edge of the bottom opening 15 of the recessed portion 13. In other words, the top plate 12 has the friction fixing piece receiving holes 19 disposed in the recessed portion 13, and when the tray 16 is fitted into the top plate 12, the friction fixing pieces 18 protrude downward and are disposed at positions where they are inserted into the friction fixing piece receiving holes 19.

[0021] The tray 16 is fixed to the top plate 12 by frictional coupling between the friction fixing piece 18 and the friction fixing piece receiving hole 19. The friction fixing piece receiving hole 19 holds the friction fixing piece 18 with a constant frictional coupling force. Therefore, the friction fixing piece receiving hole 19 is not limited to a normal hole shape, but can take various forms in which it contacts the friction fixing piece 18 by pressing an appropriate point on its outer circumference with a constant force. In short, the friction fixing piece 18 is simply inserted into the friction fixing piece receiving hole 19, and there is no need for any other kind of hook or snag between the two.

[0022] Referring to Figure 4, the upper half 8 is provided with an operating hole 20 that looks upward from the storage section 10 in Figure 3. The operating hole 20 is opened in a position that allows the friction fixing piece 18 to be pressed upward in Figure 3 by a rod-shaped body 37 (see Figure 10) inserted from the outside.

[0023] The operating hole 20 is located on the underside of the upper half 8, where it is not visible to the occupant when the console box body 9 is installed in the position shown in Figure 1. Therefore, there is no risk of the operating hole 20 being an eyesore and detracting from the design.

[0024] Figure 5 shows in detail the operation hole 20 and its vicinity, as well as the relationship between the tray 16 and the top plate 12. When the tray 16 is fitted into the top plate 12 that covers the upper half 8, the friction fixing piece 18 of the tray 16 is inserted into the friction fixing piece receiving hole 19 of the top plate 12. The operation hole 20, which is provided so as to be visible upward from the storage section 10, is provided with a guide portion 21 that extends from below upward and guides the insertion of a rod-shaped body 37 (see Figure 10). When the friction fixing piece 18 is fully fitted into the friction fixing piece receiving hole 19, the lower end 22 of the friction fixing piece 18 is located below the upper end 23 of the guide portion 21.

[0025] Figure 6 shows the aforementioned back side of the tray 16 in detail. On the back side, which is the lower surface around the tray 16, each base portion 24 that serves as the base for each friction fixing piece 18 is formed as a convex projection. A grid-like projection 25 is formed to connect the multiple rigid base portions 24 in a grid pattern. The base portions 24 are positioned at least at the corners 26 of the periphery of the tray 16. The friction fixing piece 18 is connected to the grid-like projection 25 via the base portions 24.

[0026] In Figure 6, the grid-like protrusions 25 form a square or rectangular grid when viewed from above on the back side, with multiple protrusions extending in the vehicle width direction and the front-rear direction intersecting at right angles. The form of the grid-like protrusions 25 is not limited to this; when viewed from above on the back side, multiple protrusions extending at inclined angles in the vehicle width direction and the front-rear direction intersect to form a rhombic grid.

[0027] Next, the connection between the upper half 8, the top plate 12, and the tray 16 will be explained with reference to Figure 7. In the notation of Figure 7, the bidirectional arrows Fw-Bw indicate the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the bidirectional arrows Lw-Rw indicate the lateral direction of the vehicle. The friction fixing pieces 18 are provided on the periphery of the tray 16 as explained with reference to Figure 6. That is, multiple friction fixing pieces 18 are provided spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. A first engaging portion 27 that connects the tray 16 and the top plate 12 is provided at the center position between the friction fixing pieces 18 spaced apart in the vehicle width direction.

[0028] Furthermore, a second engaging portion 28 is provided at the central position between the friction fixing pieces 18 spaced apart in the vehicle width direction, and at a position different from the first engaging portion 27 in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the vehicle width direction, connecting the top plate 12 and the upper half 8 of the console box body 9. The connection between the top plate 12 and the upper half 8 is equivalent to the connection between the top plate 12 and the console box body 9.

[0029] The first engaging portion 27 is configured in a so-called snap-fit ​​manner, where a first convex portion 30 provided on a first elastic projection 29, which is provided to protrude downward from the back surface of the tray 16, uses elasticity to hook onto a first hook portion 31 which has a hole-like portion formed at a corresponding position on the top plate 12 side.

[0030] The second engaging portion 28 is configured in a so-called snap-fit ​​manner, where a second convex portion 33 provided on a second elastic projection 32, which is provided to protrude downward from the back surface of the top plate 12, uses elasticity to hook onto a second hook portion 34 which has a hole-like portion formed at a corresponding position on the upper half 8 side.

[0031] The locking force between the second elastic projection 32 and the second hook portion 34 in the second engagement portion 28 is greater than the locking force between the first elastic projection 29 and the first hook portion 31 in the first engagement portion 27. As a result, the holding force of the upper half 8 of the console box body 9 that holds the top plate 12 is greater than the holding force of the top plate 12 that holds the tray 16. In other words, the force required to remove the tray 16 from the top plate 12 is less than the force required to remove the top plate 12 from the upper half 8. Therefore, when removing the tray 16 from the top plate 12, the top plate 12 will not be accidentally removed from the upper half 8.

[0032] Next, referring to the schematic diagram in Figure 8, the connection between the tray 16 and the top plate 12, and the connection between the top plate 12 and the upper half 8 of the console box body 9 will be described in more detail. In the notation in Figure 8, the bidirectional arrows Fw-Bw indicate the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the bidirectional arrows Uw-Dw indicate the vertical direction of the vehicle. In Figure 8, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the corresponding parts with those in Figure 7, and the explanation of the configuration of the first engaging part 27 and the second engaging part itself will be avoided. In Figure 8, the explanation will focus on why the holding force of the upper half 8 in holding the top plate 12 is greater than the holding force of the top plate 12 in holding the tray 16.

[0033] The first resilient projection 29 has a first deformation-resistant rib 35 that extends in the insertion direction on the side opposite to the first protrusion 30 and resists bending deformation. The first deformation-resistant rib 35 moderately suppresses the bending deformation of the first resilient projection 29, and moderately ensures the locking force at the first engagement portion 27.

[0034] When the engagement at the first engaging portion 27 is released, the first protrusion 30 rotates in the direction of arrow a around the portion (lower part in the figure) that is flexibly connected to the first resilient projection 29, and retracts, disengaging from the first hooking portion 31 (Figure 7). Note that the first protrusion 30 is not constrained by the first resilient projection 29 in any part other than the portion that is flexibly connected to the first resilient projection 29.

[0035] The second resilient projection 32 has a second deformation-resistant rib 36 that extends in the insertion direction on the side opposite to the second protrusion 33 and resists deformation. The second deformation-resistant rib 36 moderately suppresses the deformation of the second resilient projection 32, and a moderate locking force is ensured at the second engagement portion 28.

[0036] When the engagement at the second engaging portion 28 is released, the second protrusion 33 rotates in the direction of arrow a around the portion (lower part in the figure) that is flexibly connected to the second resilient projection 32, and retracts, disengaging from the second hooking portion 34 (Figure 7). Note that the second protrusion 33 is not constrained by the second resilient projection 32 in any part other than the portion that is flexibly connected to the second resilient projection 32.

[0037] In this example, the first flexure-resistant deformation rib 35 extends vertically from the tray 16 in Figure 8 to the side of the first elastic projection 29 opposite to the first protrusion 30, and two of them are provided in parallel in the vehicle width direction.

[0038] Similarly, the second flexure-resistant deformation rib 36 extends vertically from the bottom surface of the top plate 12 in Figure 8 to the side of the second elastic projection 32 opposite to the second protrusion 33, and is positioned in front of the first flexure-resistant deformation rib 35.

[0039] As described above, when the engagement at the first engaging portion 27 is released, the first protrusion 30 rotates and retracts as shown by arrow a (Figure 8), and disengages from the first hook portion 31.

[0040] Similarly, when the engagement at the second engaging portion 28 is released, the second protrusion 33 rotates and retracts as indicated by arrow a (Figure 8), and disengages from the second hook portion 34.

[0041] Here, the thickness dimension d2 of the second protrusion 33 is about 0.5 millimeters or more thicker than the thickness dimension d1 of the first protrusion 30.

[0042] Therefore, the force that causes the second protrusion 33 to detach from the second hook portion 34 is greater than the force that causes the first protrusion 30 to detach from the first hook portion 31.

[0043] As a result, as described above, the locking force at the second engagement portion 28 becomes greater than the locking force at the first engagement portion 27. In other words, the holding force of the upper half 8 of the console box body 9 in holding the top plate 12 becomes greater than the holding force of the top plate 12 in holding the tray 16.

[0044] Next, with reference to Figures 9 and 10, the operation of removing the tray 16 attached to the top plate 12 from the top plate 12 will be described. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the vehicle console box 1 with the tray 16 engaged with the top plate 12, cut in the vehicle width direction at an intermediate position in the front-rear direction. In the notation of Figure 9, the bidirectional arrows Fw-Bw indicate the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the bidirectional arrows Lw-Rw indicate the left-right direction of the vehicle. Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of removing the tray 16 from the top plate 12 in the state shown in Figure 9. In the notation of Figure 10, the bidirectional arrows Lw-Rw indicate the left-right direction of the vehicle.

[0045] As shown in Figure 9, when the tray 16 is fitted into the top plate 12 and the two are joined, the friction fixing pieces 18 corresponding to each of the multiple friction fixing piece receiving holes 19 on the top plate 12 side are fully inserted. This maintains the relative position of the tray 16 with respect to the top plate 12 in a normal relationship.

[0046] Furthermore, the top plate 12 and the tray 16 are connected by the first engaging portion 27, as described with reference to Figure 7. This prevents loosening of the connection between the tray 16 and the top plate 12, which can occur when the vehicle console box 1 is installed in a vehicle and vibrates, causing the friction fixing piece 18 of the tray 16 to move out of the friction fixing piece receiving hole 19 of the top plate 12.

[0047] The operating hole 20, provided on the lower surface of the upper half 8 so as to extend upward from the storage section 10, is formed such that the tip of one friction fixing piece 18 is positioned directly above the operating hole 20. When the tray 16 is fitted into the top plate 12 and the two are joined together, the tip of the friction fixing piece 18 is located at an intermediate position in the vertical direction of the guide portion 21 on the periphery of the operating hole 20.

[0048] To remove the tray 16 from the top panel 12 of the console box body 9, as shown in Figure 10, a rod-shaped body 37 is inserted upward through the operating hole 20 as indicated by the arrow V, and this rod-shaped body 37 is used to push up the friction fixing piece 18 on the tray 16 side. As the rod-shaped body 37 pushes up, the friction fixing piece 18 retracts upward and detaches from the friction fixing piece receiving hole 19 on the top panel 12 side.

[0049] As shown in Figure 10, when one friction fixing piece 18, which has been pushed up by the rod-shaped body 37, detaches from the friction fixing piece receiving hole 19, the tray 16 tilts upward from the top plate 12 on the side where the detachment occurred. To remove the tray 16 from the top plate 12, insert an operating member 38, such as an L-shaped hex wrench, into the edge of the tray 16 where the gap between the tray and the side edge 14 of the top plate 12 has increased due to this tilt, as shown in the figure, and pull it up in the direction of arrow P.

[0050] The rod-shaped object 37 may be, for example, a flathead screwdriver. As shown in Figures 5, 9, and 10, the operating hole 20 into which the rod-shaped object 37 is inserted is provided with a guide portion 21 on its periphery. This prevents the rod-shaped object 37 from being inserted in an inappropriate direction, and ensures that the friction fixing piece 18 is reliably pushed up.

[0051] Incidentally, in the initial stage when the rod-shaped body 37 is used to apply an upward force to the friction fixing piece 18, the friction fixing piece 18 does not immediately detach from the friction fixing piece receiving hole 19, and the connection between the tray 16 and the top plate 12 is still maintained by the first engaging portion 27. At this stage, the upward force applied by the rod-shaped body 37 also acts between the top plate 12 and the upper half 8, which are still integrated with the tray 16.

[0052] In the vehicle console box 1 of this disclosure, as described with reference to Figures 7 and 8, the retaining force with respect to the second engagement portion 28 that holds the top plate 12 to the upper half 8 is greater than the retaining force with respect to the first engagement portion 27 that holds the top plate 12 to the tray 16 to the upper half 8. Therefore, when the rod-shaped body 37 pushes up the friction fixing piece 18, the locking force of the second engagement portion 28 prevents the top plate 12 from separating from the upper half 8, and the connection between the two is maintained as shown in Figure 10.

[0053] On the other hand, the tray 16, which was connected to the top plate 12 by the first engaging portion 27 and the friction fixing piece 18, detaches from the top plate 12 as the rod-shaped body 37 moves upward. As a result, when the rod-shaped body 37 is inserted through the operating hole 20 and the friction fixing piece 18 is pushed up, the top plate 12 maintains its normal position attached to the upper half 8, and only the tray 16 easily detaches from the top plate 12.

[0054] Therefore, it is possible to remove the tray 16 from the console box body 9 for maintenance such as cleaning or replacement.

[0055] Furthermore, when the tray 16 is removed from the console box body 9, the upper half 8, which is formed in a hollow space, becomes open. Therefore, when routing wiring from below the instrument panel (not shown in the vehicle diagram) through the inside of the upper half 8, the wiring can be operated from this open upper section, improving work efficiency.

[0056] The configurations and their effects in each embodiment of the vehicle console box 1 of this disclosure are summarized below.

[0057] (1) The vehicle console box 1 of the present disclosure comprises a console box body 9 having a storage section 10 for storing articles, a top plate 12 that is attached to cover the upper part of the console box body 9 and has a recessed section 13 that is recessed downwards opposite to the upper part, and a tray 16 that is fitted into the recessed section 13 from above downwards and covers the top plate 12, the top plate 12 having friction fixing piece receiving holes 19 that are arranged in the recessed section 13, the tray 16 having friction fixing pieces 18 that protrude downwards and are positioned so as to be inserted into the friction fixing piece receiving holes 19 when the tray 16 is fitted into the top plate 12, and the console box body 9 is formed to look upwards from the storage section 10 and has an operating hole 20 provided in a position that allows the friction fixing piece 18 to be pressed upwards by a rod-shaped body 37 inserted from the outside.

[0058] In the vehicle console box 1 described in (1) above, the tray 16 can be easily removed from the console box body 9 by inserting the rod-shaped body 37 through the operating hole 20 and pressing the friction fixing piece 18 of the tray 16 upward. This makes it possible to perform maintenance on the tray 16, such as cleaning or replacing it.

[0059] (2) In one embodiment of the vehicle console box 1 described in (1) above, convex base portions 24 that serve as the base of the friction fixing piece 18 are formed on at least the corner portions 26 of the lower surface of the periphery of the tray 16, and grid-like protrusions 25 are formed to connect the multiple base portions 24 in a grid pattern, and the friction fixing piece 18 is connected to the grid-like protrusions 25 via the base portions 24.

[0060] In the vehicle console box 1 described in (2) above, friction fixing pieces 18 positioned at the corners of the periphery of the tray 16 engage with friction fixing piece receiving holes 19 in the top plate 12, ensuring secure attachment of the tray 16 to the top plate 12. Furthermore, since the friction fixing pieces 18 are connected to the grid-like protrusions 25 via the base portion 24, the rigidity of the tray 16 is ensured against stress exerted by the friction fixing pieces 18. Therefore, it can withstand the stress applied during removal operations. In addition, the tray 16 can be made thinner overall, resulting in a reduction in weight.

[0061] (3) In one embodiment of the vehicle console box 1 described in (1) above, a guide portion 21 is provided around the operating hole 20 that extends from below to above and guides the insertion of a rod-shaped body 37, and the guide portion 21 is formed such that when the tray 16 is fitted into the recessed portion 13, the lower end 22 of the friction fixing piece 18 is located below the upper end 23 of the guide portion 21.

[0062] In the vehicle console box 1 described in (3) above, the guide portion 21 provided around the operating hole 20 prevents the rod-shaped body 37 from being inserted in an inappropriate direction, and the rod-shaped body 37 reliably pushes up the friction fixing piece 18, allowing the tray 16 to be removed from the console box body 9.

[0063] (4) In one embodiment of the vehicle console box 1 described in (1) above, a plurality of friction fixing pieces 18 are provided spaced apart in the vehicle width direction, a first engaging portion 27 is provided between the friction fixing pieces 18 spaced apart in the vehicle width direction to connect the tray 16 and the top plate 12, a second engaging portion 28 is provided between the friction fixing pieces 18 spaced apart in the vehicle width direction to connect the top plate 12 and the console box body 9 (upper half 8) at a position different from the first engaging portion 27 in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the vehicle width direction, and the locking force of the second engaging portion 28 is greater than the locking force of the first engaging portion 27.

[0064] In the vehicle console box 1 described in (4) above, the locking force of the second engagement portion 28 is greater than the locking force of the first engagement portion 27. Therefore, when pushing up the friction fixing piece 18 with the rod-shaped body 37 from the operating hole 20, the tray 16 can be removed from the top plate 12 while the connection between the top plate 12 and the upper half 8 is maintained in the normal manner.

[0065] (5) In one embodiment of the vehicle console box 1 described in (4) above, the first engaging portion 27 is configured such that a first protrusion 30 provided on a first resilient projection 29 formed on the tray 16 side and extending outward from the surface of the tray 16 uses elasticity to hook onto a first hook portion 31 formed at a corresponding position on the top plate 12 side, and the second engaging portion 28 is configured such that a second protrusion 33 provided on a second resilient projection 32 formed on the top plate 12 side and extending outward from the surface of the top plate 12 uses elasticity to hook onto a second hook portion 34 formed on the console box body 9 side (upper half 8 side), and the second protrusion 33 is 0.5 millimeters or more thicker than the first protrusion 30.

[0066] In the vehicle console box 1 described in (5) above, the second protrusion 33 is at least 0.5 millimeters thicker than the first protrusion 30. Therefore, the force that causes the second protrusion 33 to detach from the second hook 34 is greater than the force that causes the first protrusion 30 to detach from the first hook 31. In other words, the locking force at the second engagement part 28 is greater than the locking force at the first engagement part 27. That is, the holding force of the upper half 8 of the console box body 9 in holding the top plate 12 is greater than the holding force of the top plate 12 in holding the tray 16. Consequently, when the friction fixing piece 18 is pushed up with the rod-shaped body 37 through the operating hole 20, the tray 16 can be removed from the top plate 12 while the connection between the top plate 12 and the upper half 8 is maintained in the normal position. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0067] 1...Vehicle console box 2…Left front seat 3…Right front seat 4…Slide rail 5…Flooring materials 6…Sliding member 7...Lower Half 8… Upper Half 9…Console box body 10...Storage section 11…Opening for storing items 12... Tabletop 13… recessed area 14…Side edge 15…Bottom opening 16...Tray 16a...First tray section 16b...Second tray section 17...bottom 18...Friction fixing piece 19… Friction fixing piece receiving hole 20...Operation hole 21… Guide Section 22...Lower end 23... Upper end 24... Base 25... Grid-like protrusions 26... Corner 27...First engagement part 28...Second engaging part 29…First resilient projection (tray-side engagement projection) 30...First protrusion 31...First hooking part (top plate side engaging part) 32...Second resilient projection (protrusion for engagement on the top plate side) 33...Second convex part 34...Second hooking part (engaged part on the console box body side) 35…First flexure-resistant deformation rib 36…Second flexure-resistant deformation rib 37…Rod-shaped body 38…Operating components

Claims

1. A console box body having a storage compartment for storing items, A top plate is attached to cover the upper part of the console box body and has a recessed portion that is recessed downwards, opposite to the upper part, The tray is fitted into the recess from above toward downward and covers the top plate, The top plate has friction fixing piece receiving holes arranged in the recessed portion, The tray has a friction fixing piece that protrudes downward and is positioned to be inserted into the friction fixing piece receiving hole when the tray is fitted into the top plate. The console box body is formed to extend upward from the storage compartment and has an operating hole provided in a position where the friction fixing piece can be pressed upward by a rod-shaped body inserted from the outside. Vehicle console box.

2. At least one corner of the lower surface of the tray periphery has a convex base portion that serves as the base of the friction fixing piece. Furthermore, a grid-like convex portion is formed to connect the multiple base portions in a grid pattern, and the friction fixing piece is connected to the grid-like convex portion via the base portion. The vehicle console box according to claim 1.

3. Guide portions are provided around the operating hole, extending from below to above and guiding the insertion of the rod-shaped body. The guide portion is formed such that, when the tray is fitted into the recess, the lower end of the friction fixing piece is located below the upper end of the guide portion. The vehicle console box according to claim 1.

4. Multiple friction fixing pieces are provided spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. A first engaging portion is provided between the friction fixing pieces that are spaced apart in the vehicle width direction, which connects the tray and the top plate. A second engaging portion is provided between the friction fixing pieces that are spaced apart in the vehicle width direction, and at a position different from the first engaging portion in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the vehicle width direction, for connecting the top plate and the console box body. The locking force of the second engagement portion is higher than the locking force of the first engagement portion. The vehicle console box according to claim 1.

5. The first engaging portion is configured such that a first convex portion provided on a first elastic projection formed on the tray side and extending outward from the surface of the tray uses elasticity to hook onto a first hook formed at a corresponding position on the top plate side. The second engaging portion is configured such that a second protrusion, provided on a second elastic projection formed on the top plate side and extending outward from the surface of the top plate, uses elasticity to hook onto a second hook formed on the console box body side. The second protrusion is 0.5 millimeters or more thicker than the first protrusion. The vehicle console box according to claim 4.

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