Storage device

Abstract

To provide a storage device with improved assembling workability.SOLUTION: A storage device 10 includes: a support shaft 40 which supports a lid 30 in an openable / closable manner in a container 20; a torsion coil spring 140 which biases the lid 30 in an opening direction R1; and a cylindrical cover 70 which surrounds an outer circumference surface 141c of a coil 141 of the torsion coil spring 140. The coil spring 140 includes a first arm 142 and a second arm 143. The second arm 143 can be attached to the container 20 in such a state that the container 20, the lid 30, and the support shaft 40 are assembled, and in such a state that the first arm 142 is attached to the lid 30. The cover 70 has an escape part 72 through which the second arm 143 can pass without interference.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved technology for a storage device having a lid for opening and closing an opening of a container. [Background technology]

[0002] Among storage devices, there is one in which a lid that opens and closes the opening of a container is biased in a closing or opening direction by a torsion coil spring. For example, a console box for a vehicle is known as this type of storage device. A conventional technology for a console box for a vehicle is disclosed in Patent Document 1 (see Figs. 1 and 2).

[0003] The vehicle console box (storage device) shown in Patent Document 1 includes an armrest portion (corresponding to a lid) that opens and closes the opening of a box body (corresponding to a container), a shaft support portion (corresponding to a support shaft) that supports the armrest portion so that it can be opened and closed relative to the box body, and a "torsion coil spring" that biases the armrest portion in the opening direction. The outer peripheral surface of the coil of the torsion coil spring is surrounded by a cylindrical body holding portion (corresponding to a cover) that is formed integrally with the box body.

[0004] The torsion coil spring has an end portion (corresponding to a first arm) that extends from one winding end of the coil to the armrest portion and can be hooked thereon, and an end portion (corresponding to a second arm) that extends from the other winding end of the coil to the box body and can be hooked inside the spring holding portion.

[0005] The tip of the other end (corresponding to the first arm) of the torsion coil spring is configured as a first folded part that is folded back into a U-shape. The armrest part can be hooked to the first folded part by fitting the hook groove of the armrest part into the first folded part.

[0006] The tip of one end of the torsion coil spring (corresponding to the second arm) is configured as a second folded portion that is folded back into an L-shape. This second folded portion can be hooked by fitting it into a hole in the box body.

[0007] When assembling the console box, first, the second folded portion of the torsion coil spring is hooked onto the hole in the box body, and the coil is fitted inside the body holder. The first folded portion of the torsion coil spring is located axially outward of the spring holder. In this state, no load (the biasing force of the torsion coil spring) is applied to one end and the other end of the torsion coil spring.

[0008] Next, while aligning the axial centers of the box body and the armrest, the latch groove of the armrest is fitted into the first folded portion of the torsion coil spring. At this time, a load (the biasing force of the torsion coil spring) is applied to one end and the other end of the torsion coil spring.

[0009] Finally, while resisting this biasing force, the shaft centers of the box body and the armrest are aligned, and the shaft support is attached to the box body and the armrest. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-216009 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] However, in the storage device shown in Patent Document 1, the shaft support part is attached by aligning the shaft centers of the box body and the armrest part while receiving the biasing force of the torsion coil spring, so alignment is difficult. In other words, since the assembly work is performed while being influenced by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring, there is room for improvement in the ease of assembly work.

[0012] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a storage device with improved assembly workability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] According to the present invention, first, A container; a lid for opening and closing the opening of the container; a support shaft that supports the lid so as to be openable and closable relative to the container; a torsion coil spring including a coil located on the axis of the support shaft, a first arm extending from one winding end of the coil to the lid and capable of being hooked thereon, and a second arm extending from the other winding end of the coil to the container and capable of being hooked to the container when the container, the lid, and the support shaft are assembled together and the first arm is hooked to the lid, the torsion coil spring biasing the lid in a direction to close or open it; a cylindrical cover that surrounds an outer circumferential surface of the coil and is integrally formed with the container; the second arm extends radially outward beyond the cover and has a hook portion at an end portion thereof that is radially outward and that can be hooked to a hook portion of the container; A storage device is provided, wherein the cover has a recess through which the second arm can pass without interference.

[0014] Secondly, preferably, in the storage device described in the first aspect, the second arm has a protrusion at a tip, and the container has a recess into which the protrusion can be fitted, and this recess is located on the rotation trajectory (including an approximate rotation trajectory) of the protrusion in a direction in which the spring force from the hanging portion is received by the hook retaining portion.

[0015] Thirdly, in the storage device according to the second aspect, preferably, the protrusion has an annular configuration in a direction along the axis of the support shaft.

[0016] Fourth, preferably, in the storage device described in the second or third aspect, the opening of the recess faces in a direction in which the spring force from the hanging portion is received by the hook portion, and the protrusion protrudes toward the opening of the recess.

[0017] Fifth, preferably, in the storage device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the storage device further comprises an alignment portion between the container and the lid for aligning the axis of the support shaft. Effect of the Invention

[0018] The present invention can provide a storage device with improved assembly workability. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage device according to the first embodiment, seen from the left rear side. [Diagram 2] 2 is an enlarged view of the support structure on the left side of the lid for the container shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the left support structure shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the left support structure shown in Fig. 2, seen from the left front side;Fig. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the bracket shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the bracket, the leg, the support shaft, and the torsion coil spring and their surroundings shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the cover and alignment portion shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 5 is a side view of a configuration in which only the second arm of the torsion coil spring is hooked onto the bracket shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 10] 11 is a cross-sectional view of a latch release prevention portion of a storage device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 13 is a cross-sectional view of the second latch portion, the second hook portion, the latch loss prevention portion, and the surrounding area of ​​the storage device according to the third embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0021] <Example 1> A storage device 10 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0022] 1 shows the overall structure of a storage device 10. The storage device 10 comprises a container 20 and a lid 30 that opens and closes an opening 21 at the top end of the container 20 in the vertical direction. One end of the lid 30 is supported by a support shaft 40 on the container 20 so as to be openable and closable. The storage device 10 is used, for example, as a center console box for a vehicle. The center console box for a vehicle is disposed between the driver's seat and the passenger seat of the vehicle.

[0023] In the description, front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom refer to the left, front, rear, right, top, and bottom, respectively, when the storage device 10 is viewed from the base end side in the opening / closing direction of the lid 30. In the drawings, Fr indicates front, Rr indicates rear, Le indicates left, Ri indicates right, Up indicates top, and Dn indicates bottom.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the container 20 (box body 20) is a resin molded product in the shape of a rectangular box that is long from front to back in plan view, with the entire upper end being configured as an opening 21. The container 20 is provided with left and right brackets 22, 22 at its upper rear end. These brackets 22, 22 extend upward from the upper rear end of the container 20 and face each other. Furthermore, the brackets 22, 22 are formed integrally with an extension plate 24 (see FIG. 4) that extends rearward and upward from the upper end of a rear wall 23 (see FIG. 4) of the container 20. This extension plate 24 extends rearward and upward as if it were the entire rear wall 23.

[0025] The lid 30 is configured to be able to entirely close the opening 21 of the container 20, and is provided with left and right legs 31, 31 in the form of vertical plates extending rearward and downward from the rear end. The plate surfaces of these legs 31, 31 face each other. Each leg 31, 31 is supported by left and right brackets 22, 22 via support shafts 40. Therefore, the rear end of the lid 30 is supported by the container 20 so as to be able to be opened and closed. The lid 30 can be latched in a closed state relative to the container 20 by a clamp portion 32 provided at the front end.

[0026] Next, a detailed description will be given of the left and right support structures of the lid 30 with respect to the container 20. Note that since the right support structure is the same as the left support structure, only the left support structure will be described.

[0027] 2 and 3, the left bracket 22 has an upper bracket portion 51 at the upper rear end, and a lower bracket portion 52 continuing downward from the lower end of the upper bracket portion 51. An outer surface 52a of the lower bracket portion 52 protrudes outward in the width direction (Le-Rr direction) of the container 20 further than the outer surface 51a of the upper bracket portion 51. For this reason, the boundary between the upper bracket portion 51 and the lower bracket portion 52 is configured as a step surface 53.

[0028] See also Figures 2 to 6. The upper bracket part 51 includes a cylindrical coil support part 60 that protrudes outward in the width direction of the container 20 from the upper end part of the outer surface 51a, and a cover 70 that surrounds the periphery of this coil support part 60. The coil support part 60 and the cover 70 extend from the outer surface 51a of the upper bracket part 51 outward in the direction of the axis CL of the support shaft 40, that is, outward in the width direction (Le-Rr direction) of the container 20.

[0029] A shaft support hole 80 into which the support shaft 40 can be fitted is formed at the center of the coil support part 60. This shaft support hole 80 penetrates the bracket 22 and the coil support part 60 in the left-right direction (the width direction of the container 20).

[0030] The lower bracket portion 52 is provided with a latch portion 90 and a latch-release prevention portion 100 which protrude outward from the outer surface 52a in the direction of the axis CL of the support shaft 40. The latch portion 90 is located, for example, directly below the coil support portion 60 and the cover 70. The latch-release prevention portion 100 is located on the opposite side of the coil support portion 60 with respect to the latch portion 90, for example, below the latch portion 90, and is formed integrally with the latch portion 90 or is separated therefrom.

[0031] Thus, the left bracket 22 includes a coil support portion 60, a cover 70, a shaft support hole 80, a latch portion 90, and an anti-latch prevention portion 100, which are integrally formed on the upper end portion of the left side surface.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, the end face 61 of the coil support part 60 and the end face 71 of the cover 70 are located outside the outer surface 52a of the lower bracket part 52 in the direction of the axis CL of the shaft support hole 80 (the direction of the axis CL of the support shaft 40).

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, an inner surface 31a of the left leg 31 of the lid 30 contacts an end face 61 of the coil support portion 60 and an end face 71 of the cover 70 in the axis line CL direction of the support shaft 40.

[0034] 7 and 8, the storage device 10 has an alignment portion 33 that aligns the axis CL of the support shaft 40 between the container 20 and the lid 30. This alignment portion 33 is a member that is removably fitted to the outer circumferential surface 73 of the cylindrical cover 70 in a direction Rf perpendicular to the axis CL of the support shaft 40, and protrudes from the inner surface 31a of the leg portion 31 (see FIG. 6) toward the cover 70 in the direction of the axis CL of the support shaft 40.

[0035] 7, the inner peripheral surface 33a of the alignment portion 33 is formed in an arc shape that can be fitted into the outer peripheral surface 73 of the cover 70 when viewed from the direction along the axis CL of the support shaft 40. A contact range θ (fitting range θ) between the outer peripheral surface 73 of the cover 70 and the inner peripheral surface 33a of the alignment portion 33 is set to a range not exceeding 180°.

[0036] 8, the positioning part 33 is detachable from the cover 70 in a direction Rf perpendicular to the axis CL of the support shaft 40. This detachable direction Rf is a direction in which the positioning part 33 can be detached from the cover 70 while the lid 30 is fully open from the container 20, as shown in FIG. 1, for example. Moreover, when the positioning part 33 is fitted into the cover 70, the center CL (axis CL) of the shaft support hole 80 in the bracket 22 coincides with the center CL (axis CL) of the shaft support hole 110 in the leg part 31.

[0037] From the viewpoint of the positioning ability and positioning accuracy of the center of shaft support hole 110 relative to shaft support hole 80, the contact range θ shown in FIG.

[0038] As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, a shaft support portion 120 having a shaft support hole 110 and a latch portion 130 located near the shaft support portion 120 are formed at the base 31b (rear end portion 31b) of the leg portion 31. The shaft support hole 110 penetrates the leg portion 31 in the left-right direction (width direction of the lid 30) so that the support shaft 40 can be fitted therein. The support shaft 40 is fitted into the shaft support hole 110 of the leg portion 31 and the shaft support hole 80 of the bracket 22, whereby the lid 30 is supported so as to be able to be opened and closed relative to the container 20. The latch portion 130 is positioned offset from the axis CL of the support shaft 40.

[0039] The shaft support hole 110 in the leg portion 31 of the lid 30 may be referred to as the "first shaft support hole 110," and the shaft support hole 80 in the bracket 22 of the container 20 may be referred to as the "second shaft support hole 80." Additionally, the hook portion 130 in the leg portion 31 of the lid 30 may be referred to as the "first hook portion 130," and the hook portion 90 in the bracket 22 of the container 20 may be referred to as the "second hook portion 90."

[0040] 1, the storage device 10 further includes torsion coil springs 140, 140 that bias the lid 30 in a direction R1 for opening the lid 30 or in a direction R2 for closing the lid 30. In this embodiment, the torsion coil springs 140, 140 bias the lid 30 in the direction R1 for opening the lid 30.

[0041] 6, the torsion coil spring 140 includes a coil 141 located on the axis CL of the support shaft 40, a first arm 142 provided at one winding end 141a of the coil 141, and a second arm 143 provided at the other winding end 141b of the coil 141. An outer peripheral surface 141c of the coil 141 is surrounded by a cylindrical cover 70.

[0042] One winding end 141a may be referred to as the "first winding end 141a," and the other winding end 141b may be referred to as the "second winding end 141b."

[0043] 3 and 6, the movement of the coil 141 in the direction of the axis CL of the support shaft 40 is restricted by the outer surface of the bracket 22 (the outer surface 51a of the upper bracket portion 51) and the inner surface 31a of the leg portion 31. A first winding end 141a of the coil 141 is located on the leg portion 31 side in the direction of the axis CL of the support shaft 40. A second winding end 141b of the coil 141 is located on the outer surface of the bracket 22 (the outer surface 51a of the upper bracket portion 51) side in the direction of the axis CL.

[0044] The first arm 142 extends from the first winding end 141a of the coil 141 to the lid 30 in the tangential direction of the coil 141. In other words, the first arm 142 extends from the first winding end 141a toward the first hook portion 130 of the leg portion 31. The tip of the first arm 142 has an L-shaped first hook portion 142a (hook 142a) that can be hooked to the first hook portion 130.

[0045] The second arm 143 extends from the second winding end 141b of the coil 141 to the container 20. In other words, the second arm 143 extends from the second winding end 141b toward the second latch portion 90 of the bracket 22.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 9, when torsion coil spring 140 is in a free state with no external load applied, when viewed from the center direction of coil 141 (the direction of axis CL of support shaft 40), first arm 142 and second arm 143 face in the same direction.

[0047] The second arm 143 extends radially outward beyond the cover 70. More specifically, the second arm 143 includes a first arm portion 143a continuing from the second winding end 141b of the coil 141, a second arm portion 143b continuing from the tip of the first arm portion 143a, a third arm portion 143c continuing from the tip of the second arm portion 143b, a fourth arm portion 143d continuing from the tip of the third arm portion 143c, and a protrusion 143e formed at the tip of the fourth arm portion 143d. These arm portions 143a to 143d and the protrusion 143e are integrally formed with the coil 141.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first arm portion 143a extends downward from the second winding end 141b of the coil 141 along the outer surface 51a of the upper bracket portion 51 to the stepped surface 53.

[0049] The second arm portion 143 b extends laterally from the tip of the first arm portion 143 a along the step surface 53 to the outer surface 52 a of the lower bracket portion 52 .

[0050] The third arm portion 143c extends from the tip of the second arm portion 143b along the step surface 53 toward the front and downward, to the second latch portion 90.

[0051] The fourth arm portion 143d extends downward from the tip of the third arm portion 143c along the second hook portion 90. This fourth arm portion 143d can be hooked to the second hook portion 90, and can therefore be referred to as a hook portion 143d (second hook portion 143d). In other words, the radially outer end of the second arm 143 has the second hook portion 143d that can be hooked to the second hook portion 90. Furthermore, the third arm portion 143c has a protrusion 143e at its tip.

[0052] The torsion coil spring 140 generates a biasing force (spring force) in a direction R1 to open the lid 30 by hooking the first hook portion 142a of the first arm 142 on the first hook portion 130 and hooking the second hook portion 143d (third arm portion 143c) of the second arm 143 on the second hook portion 90.

[0053] 9, the second hook portion 90 has a hook surface 91 on which the second hook portion 90 can be hooked. This hook surface 91 faces a direction R3 in which the first hook portion 142a is hooked on the first hook portion 130 (see FIG. 2) and receives a biasing force from the second hook portion 143d. This hook surface 91 is offset forward from the axis CL of the support shaft 40.

[0054] 4 and 9, the latch loss prevention part 100 has a recess 101 into which the protrusion 143e of the second hook part 143d can be fitted. The recess 101 is formed by a wall 102 of the latch loss prevention part 100.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 9, the recess 101 is located on the turning locus TL (including the approximate turning locus) of the protruding portion 143e in the direction R3 in which the biasing force from the second hook portion 143d is received by the second hook portion 90. The recess 101 is formed, for example, by a through hole penetrating the latch loss prevention portion 100 along the turning locus TL (including the approximate turning locus) of the protruding portion 143e. The recess 101 may be appropriately referred to as a "through hole 101". The through hole 101 is formed in an arc shape along the turning locus TL (including the approximate turning locus) or in a straight line that is a tangent to the arc shape. The through hole 101 (recess 101) has an opening 101a on the side where the protruding portion 143e is fitted. The opening 101a faces the direction R3 in which the biasing force from the second hook portion 143d is received by the second hook portion 90.

[0056] The protruding portion 143e protrudes from the second hook portion 143d toward the opening 101a of the recess 101. For example, the protruding portion 143e can be formed by bending the tip of the second hook portion 143d. With the second hook portion 143d hooked to the second hook portion 90, the protruding portion 143e is fitted into the recess 101 from the opening 101a. Therefore, the protruding portion 143e does not come off from the recess 101 in the direction of the axis CL of the support shaft 40. It is possible to prevent the second hook portion 143d hooked to the second hook portion 90 from coming off.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 9, the protruding portion 143e is further configured to be annular in the direction along the axis CL of the support shaft 40. That is, the protruding portion 143e is configured to be annular when viewed from the direction along the axis CL of the support shaft 40. For this reason, the width W1 of the protruding portion 143e (size W1 in the axis CL direction of the support shaft 40) is only required to be equivalent to the diameter of the wire material constituting the torsion coil spring 140, and can be made as small as possible. The width W2 of the recess 101 can be made small accordingly. The protruding amount Pa of the latch release prevention portion 100 protruding outward (outward in the axis CL direction of the support shaft 40) from the outer surface 52a of the lower bracket portion 52 can be set to be the sum of the width W2 of the recess 101 and the thickness W3 of the wall 102, which can be set to be extremely small. The annular shape is arbitrary, and is preferably a circular ring.

[0058] The cover 70 provided on the bracket 22 has a clearance portion 72 through which the second arm 143 can pass without interference. Referring also to Fig. 3, the clearance portion 72 is configured as a notched groove cut out from the end surface 71 of the cover 70 to the outer surface 52a of the lower bracket portion 52. As shown in Fig. 3, the clearance portion 72 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the radial direction of the coil 141.

[0059] Here, as shown in FIG. 2, a free state in which the first hook 142a is hooked on the first hook portion 130 and the second hook portion 143d is not hooked on the second hook portion 90 is referred to as a "first state." The position of the second hook portion 143d in this first state is referred to as a "free position Pf." A state in which the second hook portion 143d in this free position Pf is tilted to the opposite side relative to the second hook portion 90 in order to hook it on the second hook portion 90 is referred to as a "second state." A state in which the second hook portion 143d in this second state is hooked on the second hook portion 90 is referred to as a "third state."

[0060] The size of the clearance 72 is set within a range in which the second arm 143 does not come into contact with the cover 70 while the second hook portion 143d is displaced from the first state, through the second state, to the third state.

[0061] 2, the storage device 10 further includes a speed reduction device 150 that reduces the opening and closing speed of the lid 30 caused by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 140. The speed reduction device 150 includes an oil damper device 151 provided on the leg 31 of the lid 30, a pinion 152 rotatably provided on the oil damper device 151, and an arc-shaped sector gear 153 provided on the bracket 22 of the container 20 so as to mesh with the pinion 152.

[0062] Next, a procedure for assembling the support structure for the lid 30 to the container 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0063] First, the coil 141 of the torsion coil spring 140 is fitted into the coil support portion 60 of the bracket 22 (coil fitting step).

[0064] Next, the center CL (axis CL) of the first shaft support hole 110 and the center CL (axis CL) of the second shaft support hole 80 are aligned (hole alignment step). Specifically, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the inner peripheral surface 33a of the alignment portion 33 is fitted into (covered by) the outer peripheral surface 73 of the cover 70. As a result, the center CL of the shaft support hole 110 of the leg portion 31 reliably aligns with the center CL of the shaft support hole 80, and the aligned state is maintained by the alignment portion 33.

[0065] Next, the support shaft 40 is assembled, and the first arm 142 of the torsion coil spring 140 is hooked. Here, the order of the assembly of the support shaft 40 and the hooking of the first arm 142 can be selected arbitrarily.

[0066] For example, if priority is given to the assembling work of the support shaft 40, first, the support shaft 40 is fitted into each of the shaft support holes 80, 110 with their centers CL aligned (shaft assembling process). The support shaft 40 is then assembled into each of the shaft support holes 80, 110 (see also FIG. 6), and the lid 30 is assembled to the container 20 so as to be able to open and close. In other words, the container 20, the lid 30, and the support shaft 40 are in an assembled state.

[0067] Next, the first arm 142 is hooked (first arm hooking step). Specifically, the first hook 142a of the first arm 142 of the torsion coil spring 140 is hooked to the first hook portion 130 of the leg 31. That is, the first arm 142 is hooked to the lid 30. During this hooking operation, the second hook 143d of the second arm 143 is not hooked to the second hook portion 90. This second arm 143 is located at a free position Pf shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 2. In this state, no load (the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 140) is applied to the torsion coil spring 140, so that the second arm 142 is in a so-called free state. Therefore, when the first arm 142 is hooked to the first hook portion 130, it is not affected by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 140, and therefore the hooking operation is easy.

[0068] Finally, the second hook 143d of the second arm 143 is hooked to the second hook portion 90 of the bracket 22 (second arm hooking step). Specifically, the second arm 143 located at the free position Pf shown in FIG. 2 is tilted outward in the axis line CL direction of the support shaft 40, thereby moving the second arm 143 to the hook surface 91 against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 140 while bypassing the second hook portion 90 and the latch loss prevention portion 100. Then, the second hook 143d of the second arm 143 is hooked to the latch surface 91 of the second hook portion 90. Thus, the second arm 143 is hooked to the container 20. At the same time, the protrusion 143e of the second hook 143d is fitted into the recess 101 of the latch loss prevention portion 100. This completes the assembly work.

[0069] On the other hand, if the first arm 142 is to be hung with priority, the first arm hanging step is performed first to hang the first hook 142a of the first arm 142 of the torsion coil spring 140 on the first hook 130 of the leg 31. Next, the second arm hanging step is performed to hang the second hook 143d of the second arm 143 on the second hook 90 of the bracket 22. Finally, the shaft assembly step is performed to fit the support shaft 40 into the shaft support holes 80, 110 with their centers CL aligned. This completes the assembly work. In this case, the shaft assembly step may be performed after the first arm hanging step, and then the second arm hanging step may be performed last.

[0070] As is clear from the above description, with the container 20, the lid 30, and the support shaft 40 assembled together and with the first arm 142 hooked to the lid 30, the second arm 143 can be hooked to the container 20.

[0071] The above description of the first embodiment can be summarized as follows.

[0072] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the storage device 10 includes: A container 20; A lid 30 for opening and closing the opening 21 of the container 20; A support shaft 40 that supports the lid 30 so as to be openable and closable relative to the container 20; a torsion coil spring 140 including a coil 141 located on an axis CL of the support shaft 40, a first arm 142 extending from one winding end 141a (first winding end 141a) of the coil 141 to the lid 30 and capable of being hooked thereon, and a second arm 143 extending from the other winding end 141b (second winding end 141b) of the coil 141 to the container 20 and capable of being hooked to the container 20 when the container 20, the lid 30, and the support shaft 40 are assembled together and the first arm 142 is hooked to the lid 30; and The coil 141 is surrounded by an outer circumferential surface 141c, and is provided with a cylindrical cover 70 which is formed integrally with the container 20.

[0073] The second arm 143 extends radially outward beyond the cover 70, and has at its radially outer end a hook portion 143d (second hook portion 143d) that can be hooked onto a hook portion 90 (second hook portion 90) of the container 20. The cover 70 has a clearance portion 72 through which the second arm 143 can pass without interference.

[0074] When assembling the container 20, the lid 30, and the support shaft 40, or when hooking the first arm 142 of the torsion coil spring 140 to the lid 30, the second arm 143 of the torsion coil spring 140 is not hooked to the container 20. In this state, no load (the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 140) is applied to one winding end 141a (first winding end 141a) and the other winding end 141b (second winding end 141b) of the torsion coil spring 140. Therefore, when assembling the container 20, the lid 30, and the support shaft 40, or when hooking the first arm 142 of the torsion coil spring 140 to the lid 30, there is no influence of the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 140, and it is easy to position the center CL (axis CL) of the support shaft 40 with respect to each shaft support hole 80, 110.

[0075] Moreover, the hook portion 143d (second hook portion 143d) of the second arm 143 is located radially outward from the cover 70. Therefore, the distance from the coil 141 to the second hook portion 143d is long. Therefore, only a small force is required to hook the hook portion 143d to the hook portion 90 (second hook portion 90). This makes it easy to hook the second arm 143.

[0076] In this case, since the distance from the coil 141 to the second hook portion 143d is long, care must be taken to avoid interference with the cover 70. If the second arm 143 is swung so as not to interfere with the cover 70 during the latching operation, the workability is poor. To solve this problem, it is possible to greatly incline the second arm 143 toward the axis CL of the support shaft 40 with respect to the cylindrical cover 70 during the latching operation. However, this results in a large amount of inclination toward the axis CL from the base end of the second arm 143 (corresponding to the second winding end 141b of the coil 141) to the tip end (second hook portion 143d). There is room for improvement in order to ensure a smooth biasing operation of the second arm 143.

[0077] In contrast, in the present invention, the cover 70 has a clearance portion 72 through which the second arm 143 can pass without interference. Therefore, the long second arm 143 extending radially outward from the cover 70 can be easily hooked to the hook portion 90 of the container 20 without interfering with the cover 70. Moreover, the amount of inclination of the second arm 143 toward the axis CL can be minimized.

[0078] In this way, the ease of assembling the storage device 10 can be improved, while ensuring a smooth biasing action of the torsion coil spring 140.

[0079] Furthermore, the second arm 143 has a protrusion 143e at its tip. The container 20 has a recess 101 into which the protrusion 143e can be fitted. The recess 101 is located on a rotation path TL (including an approximate rotation path) of the protrusion 143e in a direction R3 in which the biasing force from the second hanging portion 143d is received by the latch portion 90.

[0080] In other words, the storage device 10 includes a container 20, a lid 30 for opening and closing the opening 21 of the container 20, a support shaft 40 for supporting the lid 30 so as to be openable and closable with respect to the container 20, and a torsion coil spring 140 for biasing the lid 30 in a closing direction R2 or an opening direction R1. The torsion coil spring 140 includes a coil 141 located on the axis CL of the support shaft 40, a first arm 142 extending from one winding end 141a (first winding end 141a) of the coil 141 to the lid 30 and capable of being hooked, and a second arm 143 extending from the other winding end 141b (second winding end 141b) of the coil 141 to the container 20 and capable of being hooked to the container 20. The second arm 143 has a protruding portion 143e. The container 20 includes a recess 101 into which the protruding portion 143e can be fitted. The recess 101 is located on a rotation path TL (including an approximate rotation path) of the protrusion 143e in a direction R3 in which the biasing force from the second arm 143 is received by the container 20.

[0081] Therefore, the protruding portion 143e of the second arm 143 fits into the recessed portion 101 of the container 20, so that the second hanging portion 143d does not come off the latch portion 90 (second hanging portion 90). Moreover, the storage device 10 can be made smaller than when the tip of the second arm is hooked onto a rod-shaped bar extending from the container 20.

[0082] Furthermore, the protruding portion 143e has an annular configuration in a direction along the axis CL of the support shaft 40. Since the annular protruding portion 143e faces in a direction along the axis CL, the width of the recess 101 into which the protruding portion 143e is fitted can be reduced. This allows the storage device 10 to be made more compact.

[0083] Furthermore, the opening 101a of the recess 101 faces the direction R3 in which the urging force from the hook 143d (second hook 143d) is received by the latch 143c. The protrusion 143e protrudes toward the opening 101a of the recess 101. In this way, the fitting direction of the protrusion 143e with respect to the recess 101 can be made the same as the urging direction R3 of the second arm 143. Therefore, the second hook 143d of the second arm 143 can be stably maintained in a hooked state with respect to the latch 143c of the container 20.

[0084] Furthermore, the storage device 10 has an alignment portion 33 that aligns the axis CL of the support shaft 40 between the container 20 and the lid 30. Therefore, the alignment portion 33 can reliably and easily align the center CL of the shaft support hole 110 of the leg portion 31 with the center CL of the shaft support hole 80, and the aligned state can be easily maintained by the alignment portion 33. Therefore, even if the second hook portion 143d of the second arm 143 is hooked on the second hook portion 90 before the support shaft 40 is fitted into the shaft support holes 80, 110, the alignment portion 33 can suppress misalignment of the centers CL of the shaft support holes 80, 110.

[0085] <Example 2> A storage device 200 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 corresponds to Fig. 9 described above.

[0086] The storage device 200 of the second embodiment is characterized in that the latch loss prevention unit 100 of the storage device 10 of the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 9 is changed to a latch loss prevention unit 210 shown in Fig. 10. The other basic configuration is common to the storage device 10 of the first embodiment. The same reference numerals are used for the parts common to the storage device 10 of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0087] More specifically, the latch loss prevention part 210 of the second embodiment is characterized in that the recess 101 of the latch loss prevention part 100 of the first embodiment has a bottomed structure in which a portion opposite to the opening 101a is closed by a bottom 211. Therefore, the protrusion 143e is surrounded not only by the wall 102 of the latch loss prevention part 100 but also by the bottom 211. The protrusion 143e fitted in the recess 101 can be prevented from being pushed out from the opposite side to the opening 101a.

[0088] The storage equipment 200 of the second embodiment can achieve the same effects as the storage equipment 10 of the first embodiment, in addition to the effects of the second embodiment.

[0089] <Example 3> A storage device 300 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 corresponds to Fig. 10 described above.

[0090] The storage device 300 of the third embodiment is characterized in that the latch release prevention unit 210 of the storage device 200 of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 10 is changed to a latch release prevention unit 310 shown in Fig. 11. The other basic configurations are common to the storage device 200 of the second embodiment. The same reference numerals are used for the parts common to the storage device 200 of the second embodiment, and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0091] 10 is eliminated, and a bottom portion 211 of a latch loss prevention portion 310 (corresponding to the bottom portion 211 of the latch loss prevention portion 210 of the second embodiment) serves as the second latch portion 90 of the second embodiment. In other words, the bottom portion 211 of the third embodiment has the function of the second latch portion 90.

[0092] When the protruding portion 143e of the second arm 143 abuts against the bottom portion 211, the second arm 143 is hooked onto the container 20. In this case, the protruding portion 143e functions as a hook for the second arm 143. Hereinafter, the protruding portion 143e may be referred to as the "second hook portion 143e."

[0093] In this manner, in the third embodiment, the bottom 211 and the protruding portion 143e (second hook portion 143d) perform the hooking function, and the wall 102 (see FIG. 4) forming the recess 101 and the protruding portion 143e perform the prevention of removal of the hook. The hook removal prevention portion 310 is sometimes referred to as the "second hook portion 310." Since the second hook portion 90 of the second embodiment can be eliminated, the configuration can be simplified.

[0094] The storage equipment 300 of the third embodiment can achieve the same effects as the storage equipment 10 of the first embodiment and the storage equipment 200 of the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the third embodiment.

[0095] As long as the functions and effects of the present invention are achieved, the present invention is not limited to the examples. The protruding portion 143e is not limited to a ring-shaped configuration as long as it protrudes toward the opening 101a of the recess 101. For example, the protruding portion 143e may be in a rod-like configuration protruding toward the opening 101a of the recess 101. In addition, the recess 101 may be formed so as to penetrate the thickness of the bracket 22, and the protruding portion 143e may be formed in a key shape to be engaged. [Industrial Applicability]

[0096] The storage devices 10, 200, 300 of the present invention are suitable for use as center console boxes for vehicles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 10 Storage device 20 containers 21 Top opening 22 Bracket 30 Lid 31 Legs 33 Alignment section 33a Inner surface of alignment portion 40 Support shaft 60 Coil support 70 Cover 71 Cover end face 72 Relief 73 Outer surface of cover 80 Shaft support hole (2nd shaft support hole) 90 Hook stopper (second hook stopper) 100 Latch release prevention part 101 Recess 101a aperture 110 Shaft support hole (1st shaft support hole) 120 Shaft support part 130 Hook-up portion (first hook-up portion) 140 Torsion coil spring 141 Coil 141a One end of the coil (first end) 141b The other winding end of the coil (second winding end) 141c Coil outer surface 142 First Arm 142a First Hanging Part 143 Second Arm 143d Hanging part (second hanging part) 143e Protrusion 200 Storage device 210 Hook release prevention part 300 Storage device 310 Hook release prevention portion (second hook portion) CL Axis of the support shaft R1 Lid opening direction R2 Lid closing direction R3 Direction of reception by the second latch Rf Attachment / detachment direction TL Protrusion turning trajectory θ Contact range (fitting range)

Claims

1. A container; a lid for opening and closing the opening of the container; a support shaft that supports the lid so as to be openable and closable relative to the container; a torsion coil spring comprising: a coil located on the axis of the support shaft; a first arm extending from one winding end of the coil to a first latch portion of the lid so as to be latchable thereon; and a second arm extending from the other winding end of the coil to the container and capable of being latched to a second latch portion of the container when the container, the lid, and the support shaft are assembled together and the first arm is latched to the first latch portion of the lid; and a cylindrical cover that surrounds an outer circumferential surface of the coil and is integrally formed with the container; the first arm has a first hook portion that can be hooked to the first hook portion, the second arm extends radially outward beyond the cover and has a second hook portion at an end portion thereof that is radially outward and that is hookable to the second hook portion of the container; the cover has a recess through which the second arm can pass without interference, a free state in which the first hook portion is hooked on the first hook portion and the second hook portion is not hooked on the second hook portion is referred to as a first state; The position of the second hook portion in this first state is called a free position, A state in which the second hook portion in the free position is inclined to the opposite side with respect to the second hook portion in order to hook the second hook portion is referred to as a second state. The state in which the second hook portion is hooked on the second hook retaining portion in the second state is referred to as a third state, A storage device, wherein the size of the clearance portion is set within a range in which the second arm does not hit the cover while the second hanging portion is displaced from the first state, through the second state, to the third state.

2. The second arm has a protrusion at a tip end, The container has a recess into which the protrusion can be fitted, The storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the recess is positioned on a rotation path of the protrusion in a direction in which the biasing force from the second hook portion is received by the second latch portion.

3. The storage device according to claim 2 , wherein the protrusion has an annular configuration in a direction along the axis of the support shaft.

4. an opening of the recess is oriented in a direction in which the second hook portion receives the biasing force from the second hook portion; The storage device according to claim 3 , wherein the protrusion protrudes toward the opening of the recess.

5. The storage device according to claim 1 , further comprising an alignment portion between the container and the lid for aligning the axis of the support shaft.

6. The one winding end of the coil is located on the first hook portion side in the axial direction of the support shaft, the other winding end of the coil is located on the opposite side to the first latch portion in the axial direction of the support shaft, The storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the second arm extends from the other winding end radially outwardly of the cover and extends from the radially outer end toward the one winding end to have the second hanging portion.

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