Glove box opening and closing mechanism

Abstract

To provide, in a glove box of a push-open type, a glove box opening / closing mechanism for surely closing the glove box even if it is excessively pushed in.SOLUTION: In this glove box opening / closing mechanism, when a glove box is excessively pushed in passing a second push-in position during closing of the glove box, a second link pin 108 moves from a body 98F1 to an extension 98F2 in a third groove 98F of a cam groove 98, and when the pushing-in of the glove box is stopped, it returns (comes back) to the body 98F1, and returns to a base 98A, and the glove box is locked at a closing position. In other words, as the second link pin 108 only extends from the body 98F1 to the extension 98F2 and returns to the body 98F1 in the third groove until the glove box 12 reaches an excessive pushing-in position from a second pushing-in position and returns to a second reaching position, the glove box can be surely locked as with the case where it is pushed into the second pushing-in position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a glove box opening and closing mechanism. [Background technology]

[0002] Known glove box opening and closing mechanisms for automobiles include a push-open type in which the glove box is unlocked by pushing in the lid, as shown in Patent Document 1. This push-open type is configured such that a rail is provided on the side of the glove box, and a guide member is provided on the vehicle body side that is biased toward the rail and guided by the rail.

[0003] More specifically, an inner rail and an outer rail are provided on the side of the glove box, and the glove box is locked when a guide member falls into a recess in the inner rail. When the lid is pushed in, the guide member comes out of the recess in the inner rail and moves to the outer rail, unlocking and opening the glove box. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6258062 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the push-open type glove box shown in Patent Document 1, if the glove box is pushed too hard when closing it, the guide member may pop out of the recess in the inner rail and move to the outer rail, causing the glove box to be opened again.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a push-open type glove box opening and closing mechanism that reliably closes the glove box even if the glove box is pushed too hard when closing it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] of the first aspect The glove box opening / closing mechanism includes: a glove box whose lower end is rotatably supported so as to be able to open and close freely relative to an opening in a vehicle interior member; a push-open type opening / closing mechanism that unlocks the glove box by pushing the glove box to a first pushed-in position that is deeper than the closed position, and locks the glove box and holds it in the closed position by pushing the opened glove box to a second pushed-in position that is deeper than the closed position; and an inhibiting mechanism that, when the glove box is pushed to an excessively pushed-in position that is deeper than the second pushed-in position, prevents displacement of the glove box from acting on the opening / closing mechanism until the glove box reaches the excessively pushed-in position from the second pushed-in position and returns to the second pushed-in position.

[0008] In this glove box opening / closing mechanism, the lower end of the glove box is pivotally supported so as to be able to swing (rotate) freely, thereby allowing the glove box to be opened and closed freely relative to the opening of the vehicle interior part.

[0009] The opening and closing mechanism is a push-open type that unlocks the glove box by pushing it to a first pushing position further back than the closed position, and locks the glove box and holds it in the closed position by pushing the open glove box to a second pushing position further back than the closed position.

[0010] When closing the glove box, if the glove box is pushed to an excessively depressed position, which is deeper than the second depressed position, the glove box is returned to the second depressed position by stopping the pushing of the glove box. At this time, the displacement of the glove box from the second depressed position to the excessively depressed position and then back to the second depressed position does not affect the opening / closing mechanism due to the inhibiting mechanism. Therefore, even if the glove box is pushed excessively, the opening / closing mechanism can lock the glove box in the closed position, just as if it were pushed to the second depressed position.

[0011] That is, when closing the glove box, excessive pushing of the glove box prevents the glove box from being opened again.

[0012] of the second aspect The glove box opening and closing mechanism is of the first aspect The glove box opening / closing mechanism includes an engagement hole portion provided on a side plate portion of the glove box and consisting of a circumferential portion formed along the rotation direction of the glove box and a locking portion extending from an open side end of the glove box on the circumferential portion in a direction intersecting the circumferential portion, an engagement protrusion inserted into the engagement hole portion, a biasing means for biasing the engagement protrusion toward the circumferential portion at the locking portion, and a locking mechanism that unlocks the engagement protrusion by pushing the glove box from the closed position to the first pushed-in position, and locks the engagement protrusion to the locking portion by pushing the opened glove box to the second pushed-in position.

[0013] In this glove box opening / closing mechanism, an engagement hole is provided in a side plate of the glove box, and the engagement hole has a circumferential portion extending in the rotation direction of the glove box and a locking portion extending from an open end of the circumferential portion in a direction intersecting the circumferential portion.

[0014] An engaging protrusion, which is operated by a locking mechanism, is inserted into the engaging hole, and the engaging protrusion is biased toward the circumferential portion at the locking portion by a biasing means.

[0015] When the glove box is pushed to the first pushed-in position, which is further back than the closed position, the locking mechanism releases the locked state of the engaging protrusion. When the pushing of the glove box is stopped in this state, the biasing force of the biasing means moves the engaging protrusion to the end of the circumferential portion of the locking portion of the engagement hole, i.e., to the (open-side end of) the circumferential portion. As a result, the glove box can be swung (opened).

[0016] On the other hand, when closing the glove box, the open glove box is pushed to the second pushing position, which is deeper than the closed position, so that the engaging protrusions move from the circumferential portion (open end portion of the engaging hole) of the engaging hole to the locking portion against the biasing force of the biasing means. When the pushing of the glove box is stopped in this state, the engaging protrusions are locked by the locking portion. In other words, the glove box is locked in the closed position.

[0017] If the glove box is pushed further than the second pushed-in position (excessive pushing), the engaging protrusions are displaced to the back of the locking parts, but when the pushing is stopped, the biasing force of the biasing means causes the glove box to return to a position corresponding to the second pushed-in position, and the engaging protrusions are locked by the locking parts in the same manner as above. In other words, the glove box is locked in the closed position.

[0018] As a result, when closing the glove box, excessive pressure on the glove box will not cause the glove box to open again.

[0019] Third Aspect The glove box opening and closing mechanism is Second AspectIn the glove box opening / closing mechanism of the above, the locking mechanism comprises a lifter having a shaft, an arm extending radially outward from one axial end of the shaft, and the engaging protrusion extending from the arm in the axial direction of the shaft, a link mechanism attached to the other axial end of the shaft and extending radially outward, a cam pin provided at an end of the link mechanism and extending in the axial direction, and a circumferential cam groove in which the cam pin is guided in one direction, the cam groove having a closed position groove, a first pushed-in position groove, an open position groove, and a second pushed-in position groove arranged in this order in the cam groove, which correspond respectively to the closed position, the first pushed-in position, the open position in which the engaging protrusion is located in the circumferential portion, and the second pushed-in position, and the biasing means biases the cam pin from the first pushed-in position groove toward the open position groove and from the second pushed-in position groove toward the closed position groove.

[0020] In this glove box opening / closing mechanism, the locking mechanism includes a lifter, a link mechanism, a cam pin, and a cam groove. When the glove box is pushed from the closed position to the first pushed-in position, the engagement protrusion inserted into the locking portion of the engagement hole is displaced, causing the lifter to rotate in the other direction around the shaft against the biasing force of the biasing means. As a result, the cam pin attached to the tip of the link mechanism moves from the closed position groove of the cam groove to the first pushed-in position groove against the biasing force of the biasing means (the glove box is unlocked). Furthermore, when the glove box is stopped from being pushed in, the biasing force of the biasing means moves the cam pin from the first pushed-in position groove of the cam groove to the open position groove. As a result, the biasing force of the biasing means causes the lifter to rotate in one direction around the axis, and the engaged portion of the lifter moves from the locking portion of the engagement hole to the circumferential portion, allowing the glove box to be opened.

[0021] On the other hand, by pushing the opened glove box to the second pushing position, the engaging protrusion moves from the circumferential portion of the engaging hole to the locking portion. As this movement occurs, the lifter rotates in the other direction around the axis, and the cam pin moves from the open position groove of the cam groove to the second pushing position groove against the biasing force of the biasing means.

[0022] When the glove box is stopped from being pushed, the cam pin moves from the second pushing position groove portion of the cam groove to the closed position groove portion due to the biasing force of the biasing means. In the closed position groove portion, the biasing means does not bias the cam pin toward the first pushing position groove portion, so the cam pin does not move from the closed position groove portion of the cam groove. As a result, the engaging protrusion of the lifter is locked by the locking portion of the engaging hole portion. In other words, the glove box is locked in the closed position.

[0023] Fourth Aspect The glove box opening and closing mechanism is Third Aspect In the glove box opening and closing mechanism, the second pushing position groove portion has a main body portion corresponding to the second pushing position and an extension portion corresponding to excessive pushing of the glove box, which is connected only to the main body portion.

[0024] In this glove box opening / closing mechanism, if the glove box is pushed in too far beyond the second pushed-in position when closing it, the engaging protrusion at the locking portion of the engaging hole is further displaced, causing the lifter to rotate excessively. At this time, the cam pin moves from the open-position groove portion of the cam groove to the second pushed-in position groove portion against the biasing force of the biasing means, and then moves from the main portion to the extension portion within the second pushed-in position groove portion.

[0025] In this second pushing-position groove, the extension communicates only with the main body, so if the glove box is pushed in further than the second pushing position, the cam pin simply moves from the main body to the extension in the second pushing-position groove.

[0026] When the glove box is stopped from being pushed, the cam pin returns from the extension to the main body in the second pushing-position groove due to the biasing force of the biasing means, and then moves to the closed-position groove. As a result, the engaged portion is locked by the locking portion of the engagement hole. In other words, the glove box is locked in the closed position.

[0027] In this way, since the extension portion in the second pushing position groove portion is connected only to the main body portion, the cam pin that has moved to the extension portion is prevented from moving to another groove portion other than the second pushing position groove portion of the cam groove, for example, the first pushing position groove portion, and causing the glove box to open again.

[0028] In this way, when closing the glove compartment, even if the glove compartment is pushed in excessively beyond the second pushed-in position, the glove compartment will not open again and can be closed reliably. [Effects of the Invention]

[0029] As explained above, No. 1, 2, 4 Aspects of In the glove box opening and closing mechanism of the above, even if the glove box is pushed in too hard when closing it, it will not open again and can be closed reliably.

[0030] Third Aspect The glove box opening / closing mechanism described above allows the glove box to be configured compactly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an opening / closing mechanism of a glove box according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an opening / closing mechanism for a glove box according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part (push lifter mechanism) of an opening / closing mechanism of a glove box according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of a case body of a lock case according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a view showing the inside of the case body side of the lock case according to one embodiment as viewed from the axial direction (vehicle width direction) of the lifter. FIG. [Figure 6]1A and 1B are diagrams showing the lock case of a glove box in a closed position according to one embodiment, in which (A) is a diagram showing the inside of the case body of the lock case as viewed from the axial direction of the lifter (vehicle width), and (B) is a diagram showing the outside of the case body of the lock case as viewed from the axial direction of the lifter (vehicle width). [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing the lock case of one embodiment of a glove box in the first pushed-in position, where (A) is a diagram of the inside of the case body of the lock case viewed from the axial direction of the lifter (vehicle width), and (B) is a diagram of the outside of the case body of the lock case viewed from the axial direction of the lifter (vehicle width). [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the lock case of a glove box in an open position according to one embodiment, in which (A) is a diagram showing the inside of the case body of the lock case as viewed from the axial direction of the lifter (vehicle width), and (B) is a diagram showing the outside of the case body of the lock case as viewed from the axial direction of the lifter (vehicle width). [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing the lock case of one embodiment of the glove box in the second pushed-in position, where (A) is a diagram of the inside of the case body of the lock case viewed from the axial direction of the lifter (vehicle width), and (B) is a diagram of the outside of the case body of the lock case viewed from the axial direction of the lifter (vehicle width). [Figure 10] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the lock case of an embodiment of a glove box in an excessively pushed-in position, in which (A) is a diagram of the inside of the case body of the lock case as viewed from the axial direction of the lifter (vehicle width), and (B) is a diagram of the outside of the case body of the lock case as viewed from the axial direction of the lifter (vehicle width). [Figure 11] 1 is a side view of a glove compartment according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the vehicle width direction, showing the glove compartment in a closed position; [Figure 12] 1 is a side view of a glove compartment according to an embodiment, viewed from the vehicle width direction, showing the glove compartment in a first pushed-in position state. [Figure 13] 1 is a side view of a glove compartment according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the vehicle width direction, showing the glove compartment in an open position; [Figure 14] 1 is a side view of a glove compartment according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the vehicle width direction, showing the glove compartment in an open position; [Figure 15] 1 is a side view of the glove box according to one embodiment, viewed from the vehicle width direction, showing the glove box in a second pushed-in position. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a side view of the glove compartment according to the embodiment, viewed from the vehicle width direction, showing the glove compartment in an excessively pushed-in position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] A glove box opening / closing mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 16. Note that each figure is a schematic diagram, and parts that are less relevant to the present invention are not shown. Also, Figures 1 and 2 show only half of the glove box opening / closing mechanism in the vehicle width direction, and do not show the opposite side, which has a similar configuration. Note that an engagement hole 30 and a push lifter mechanism 100, which will be described later, are formed only on one side.

[0033] In this embodiment, the glove box will be described as being attached to the vehicle's instrument panel (hereinafter referred to as "instrument panel"), so the terms "forward of the vehicle," "widthwise of the vehicle," and "above the vehicle" will be used consistently.

[0034] In each figure, the arrow FR indicates the front of the vehicle, the arrow UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle, and the arrow LH indicates the left side in the vehicle width direction.

[0035] (composition) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the glove box opening and closing mechanism 10 includes a glove box 12 in which items are stored, a pair of side plates 14 (only one of which is shown) that pivotally support the glove box 12, a lifter 16, and a lock case 18.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 11, the glove box 12 is attached to an opening 19A of an instrument panel 19 of the vehicle so as to be able to be opened and closed freely.

[0037] The pair of side plates 14 are disposed on both sides in the vehicle width direction and on the vehicle front side of an opening 19A of the instrument panel 19. The instrument panel 19 corresponds to the "vehicle interior part."

[0038] (glove box) The glove box 12 has a main body 20 that is substantially V-shaped when viewed in the vehicle width direction, and a pair of substantially triangular side plate portions 22 attached to both sides of the main body 20. The main body 20 has a front plate portion 24 that extends in the vehicle width direction at the front side of the vehicle, and a rear plate portion 26 that extends in the vehicle width direction at the rear side of the vehicle.

[0039] The glove box 12 is capable of storing items in an area surrounded by the main body 20 and the pair of side plate portions 22.

[0040] The glove box 12 also has a shaft 28 formed on the left side surface of each side plate 22 in the vehicle width direction, protruding toward the left side in the vehicle width direction at a position corresponding to the apex of a substantially triangular shape (the base of the substantially V-shape) when viewed in the vehicle width direction. Also, an engagement hole 30 is formed on the upper side of each side plate 22, into which an engagement protrusion 76 of a lifter 16, which will be described later, is inserted (engaged).

[0041] As shown in Figure 2, the engagement hole portion 30 has a circumferential portion 32 formed in an arc shape centered on the shaft portion 28 at the upper part of the side plate portion 22 when viewed in the vehicle width direction, and a radial portion 34 extending from the rear end of the circumferential portion 32 toward the radially inner side (shaft portion 28).

[0042] The engagement hole portion 30 corresponds to the "opening and closing mechanism." The radial portion 34 corresponds to the "locking portion."

[0043] The side plate 14 has a generally triangular shape when viewed in the vehicle width direction, corresponding to the side plate portion 22 of the glove box 12, and a hole 40 for supporting the glove box shaft is formed at the vertex on the lower end side. That is, by inserting the tip of the shaft portion 28 of the glove box 12 into the hole 40, the glove box 12 is rotatably supported on the side plate 14, i.e., on the vehicle body side.

[0044] 2, the side plate 14 is provided with a mounting portion 42 for mounting a lock case at the upper end toward the rear of the vehicle. The mounting portion 42 has an inner surface 44 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and an upper surface 46, a lower surface 48, a front surface 50, and a rear surface 52 extending from the upper end, lower end, front end, and rear end of the inner surface 44 to the left in the vehicle width direction.

[0045] The inner surface 44 is formed with a rectangular hole 44A into which a seal member 85 (see FIG. 2) of the lock case 18 can be inserted. The upper surface 46 and the lower surface 48 are formed with holes 46A and 48A into which locking claws 90 and 94 (see FIG. 3) of the lock case 18, which will be described later, can be engaged.

[0046] (Lifter) The lifter 16 is formed, for example, from resin, and as shown in Figures 2 and 3, has a cylindrical shaft portion 60 and an arm portion 62 extending radially from one axial end of the shaft portion 60.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, a small diameter portion 64 having a smaller diameter than one axial end of the shaft portion 60 is formed on the other axial end side of the shaft portion 60, and a step portion 66 is formed between the two.

[0048] The small diameter portion 64 is inserted into a bearing portion 96 of the lock case 18, which will be described later, from the outside of the lock case 18 (the right side in the vehicle width direction), and is supported coaxially and relatively rotatably on the bearing portion 96. This allows the lifter 16 to be supported rotatably around the axis AX of the bearing portion 96 with respect to the lock case 18. In addition, the step portion 66 of the shaft portion 60 abuts against the bottom wall 84 of the lock case 18 from the right side in the vehicle width direction, restricting displacement of the lifter 16 to the left in the vehicle width direction relative to the lock case 18.

[0049] A link attachment portion 68 is formed at the other axial end of the shaft portion 60. The link attachment portion 68 has a pair of surfaces 68A that face each other when viewed from the direction along the axis AX, and a pair of surfaces 68B that are perpendicular to the pair of surfaces 68A when viewed from the same direction. The pair of surfaces 68A, 68B each extend from the other axial end of the shaft portion 60 toward one end. The pair of surfaces 68A extend further toward the one axial end of the shaft portion 60 than the pair of surfaces 68B.

[0050] Therefore, the link mounting portion 68 has a first mounting portion 70 formed with only a pair of surfaces 68A at one axial end side of the shaft portion 60, and a second mounting portion 72 formed with a pair of surfaces 68A and a pair of surfaces 68B at the other axial end side.

[0051] A pair of locking claws (not shown) protruding outward are formed on a pair of surfaces 68B of this second mounting portion 72. This is configured so that when the link mounting portion 68 of the lifter 16 is inserted into the through holes 114A, 112A of the first link 102, the link mounting portion 68 is locked to the flat plate portion 112 by the locking claws.

[0052] Furthermore, a substantially circular hole 74 is formed in the link mounting portion 68, opening toward the other end side in the direction of the axis AX (left side in the vehicle width direction). A cylindrical protrusion (not shown) formed on a cover 82 of the lock case 18 is fitted into this hole 74 so as to be relatively rotatable. This results in a configuration in which the shaft 60 of the lifter 16 is also supported by the cover 82.

[0053] The arm portion 62 of the lifter 16 extends from the shaft portion 60 of the lifter 16 in the direction of the turning radius (here, toward the vehicle downward side).

[0054] The tip (lower end) of this arm 62 is displaced toward the front of the vehicle when the lifter 16 rotates in one direction around the axis AX (in the direction of arrow A in Figures 5 and 6), and is displaced toward the rear of the vehicle when the lifter 16 rotates in the other direction around the axis AX (in the direction of arrow B in Figures 5 and 6).

[0055] A pressed portion 75 (see FIGS. 3 and 6(B)) is provided at the tip of the arm portion 62, protruding from the arm portion 62 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation radius direction (here, toward the rear of the vehicle). A cylindrical engaging protrusion 76 (see FIGS. 3 and 6(B)) is provided on the right side surface of the pressed portion 75 in the vehicle width direction. The engaging protrusion 76 is arranged with its axial direction along the axis AX, and is formed to protrude from the pressed portion 75 (the tip of the arm portion 62) to one side in the direction along the axis AX (here, the right side in the vehicle width direction). The engaging protrusion 76 is configured to be inserted into an engaging hole 30 formed in the side plate portion 22 of the glove box 12.

[0056] The engaging protrusion corresponds to the "opening and closing mechanism."

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lock case 18 has a case body 80 made of, for example, resin, and a cover 82.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the case body 80 has a bottom wall 84 and a peripheral wall portion 86 that is formed to protrude from an end of the bottom wall 84 to the left in the vehicle width direction and surrounds the bottom wall 84.

[0059] An L-shaped locking portion 88, as viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle, is formed on the upper side of the peripheral wall portion 86. A locking claw 90 is formed on the upper side of the tip of the locking portion 88.

[0060] Meanwhile, a locking portion 92 that is L-shaped when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction is formed on the lower side of the peripheral wall portion 86. A locking claw 94 is formed on the lower side of the tip of the locking portion 92.

[0061] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, a seal member 85 is fitted to the right side surface of the bottom wall 84 of the case body 80 in the vehicle width direction.

[0062] The lock case 18 is attached to the mounting portion 42 of the side plate 14 by fitting the sealing material 85 of the case body 80 into the hole 44A on the inner surface 44 of the mounting portion 42 of the side plate 14, engaging the locking claw 90 of the locking portion 88 of the case body 80 into the hole 46A on the top surface 46, and engaging the locking claw 94 of the locking portion 92 of the case body 80 into the hole 48A on the bottom surface 48 of the mounting portion 42.

[0063] Furthermore, a bearing portion 96 which is a through-hole and a cam groove portion 140 are formed on the inner surface of the bottom wall 84 of the case body 80 .

[0064] When the shaft portion 60 of the lifter 16 is inserted into the bearing portion 96 from the outer surface (right side surface in the vehicle width direction) of the bottom wall 84, the step portion 66 of the shaft portion 60 of the lifter 16 abuts against the outer surface of the bottom wall 84, allowing only the small diameter portion 64 to be inserted.

[0065] The cam groove portion 140 will be described later.

[0066] (Push lifter mechanism) As shown in FIG. 3, the push lifter mechanism 100 includes a first link 102, a first link pin 104, a second link 106, a second link pin 108, a torsion spring 110, and a cam groove portion 140 (see FIG. 4) formed in the bottom wall 84 of the case body 80.

[0067] The push lifter mechanism 100 corresponds to the "opening / closing mechanism" and the "locking mechanism." The torsion spring 110 corresponds to the "biasing means" and the "opening / closing mechanism." The first link 102, the first link pin 104, the second link 106, and the second link pin 108 correspond to the "link mechanism." The second link pin 108 corresponds to the "cam pin."

[0068] 3, the first link 102 is formed, for example, by press-molding a metal plate, and has a substantially U-shaped bent plate shape including a pair of flat plate portions 112, 114 facing each other in the direction of the axis AX. When viewed from the direction along the axis AX, through holes 112A, 114A are formed on one end sides of the pair of flat plate portions 112, 114, respectively.

[0069] The through-hole 112A has a rectangular shape corresponding to the second mounting portion 72 of the link mounting portion 68 of the lifter 16 when viewed in the direction along the axis AX. The through-hole 114A has a generally oval shape corresponding to the first mounting portion 70 of the link mounting portion 68 of the lifter 16 when viewed in the direction along the axis AX. Therefore, by attaching the first link 102 to the shaft portion 60 (small diameter portion 64) of the lifter 16, which is inserted into the bearing portion 96 of the case body 80, starting from the flat plate portion 114, the first mounting portion 70 of the link mounting portion 68 of the lifter 16 is fitted into the through-hole 114A of the flat plate portion 114, and the second mounting portion 72 of the link mounting portion 68 is fitted into the through-hole 112A of the flat plate portion 112. Furthermore, the lifter 16 is locked to the left side surface of the flat plate portion 112 of the first link 102 in the vehicle width direction by the locking claw of the second mounting portion 72. As a result, the first link 102 is attached to the lifter 16, and the displacement of the lifter 16 relative to the case body 80 in the vehicle width direction is restricted by the first link 102.

[0070] A torsion spring 110 is disposed between the pair of flat plate portions 112, 114 on the outer circumferential side of the link mounting portion 68 of the lifter 16. This torsion spring 110 is disposed coaxially with the axis AX. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, one end 110A of the torsion spring 110 is engaged with a spring engaging portion 116 formed continuously with the flat plate portion 112 of the first link 102. As shown in FIG. 5, the other end 110B of the torsion spring 110 is attached to the case body 80.

[0071] 6(A), the torsion spring 110 biases the first link 102 and the lifter 16 in the other direction (the direction of arrow B) around the axis AX. Note that instead of the torsion spring 110, a spiral spring or a power spring may be used.

[0072] The second link 106 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin. The second link 106 has an elongated shape when viewed along the axis AX, and has a thickness slightly shorter than the distance between the pair of flat plate portions 112, 114 in the direction along the axis AX. A first link pin 104 is inserted through a pair of through holes 106A, 106B provided at one end of the second link 106 and through holes 112B, 114B provided at the other end of the first link 102 (flat plate portions 112, 114). The first link pin 104 is arranged with its axial direction parallel to the axis AX. As a result, the second link 106 is connected to the first link 102 so as to be rotatable around an axis parallel to the axis AX.

[0073] The second link pin 108 is fixed by being inserted into a through hole 106C provided at the other end of the second link 106. The second link pin 108 is arranged with its axial direction parallel to the axis AX.

[0074] One end of the second link pin 108 (the end opposite the bottom wall 84 of the case body 80) is formed as a reduced diameter portion 120 having a smaller diameter than the other end, and a coil spring 122 is wound around this reduced diameter portion 120. The second link pin 108 inserted into the through hole 106C of the second link 106 is biased toward the bottom wall 84 of the case body 80 by this coil spring 122. In other words, the guided portion 124, which is the other end (toward the bottom wall 84 of the case body) of the second link pin 108 protruding from the second link 106, is inserted into (pressed against) the cam groove 98 (see FIG. 4 ) of the cam groove portion 140 formed in the bottom wall 84 of the case body 80, and is movable along the cam groove 98.

[0075] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the cam groove 98 has a depth direction along the direction of the axis AX, and has a heart shape (here, a horizontal heart shape) with a portion cut out when viewed from the direction along the axis AX, and is open toward the left in the vehicle width direction.

[0076] 4, the cam groove portion 140 is surrounded by a peripheral wall 132 that protrudes from the bottom wall 84 to the left in the vehicle width direction, thereby isolating the cam groove 98 from (other parts of) the bottom wall 84. Furthermore, an island portion 130 that protrudes to the left in the vehicle width direction is formed in the center of the cam groove portion 140 that is surrounded by the peripheral wall 132. That is, the cam groove 98 is formed in the cam groove portion 140 so as to go around the island portion 130 inside the peripheral wall 132.

[0077] Furthermore, a partition wall 136 is formed extending from a part of the peripheral wall 132 toward the island portion 130 (the center of the cam groove 98). This partition wall 136 separates the third groove portion 98F (extension 98F2 thereof) of the cam groove 98, which will be described later, from the base portion 98B.

[0078] The cam groove 98 has, in a clockwise direction in FIG. 4 around the island portion 130, a base portion 98A, a base portion 98B, a first groove portion 98C, a bottom portion 98D, a second groove portion 98E, and a third groove portion 98F.

[0079] Here, the base portion 98A corresponds to the "closed position groove portion", the base portion 98B corresponds to the "first pushing position groove portion", the bottom portion 98D corresponds to the "open position groove portion", and the third groove portion 98F corresponds to the "second pushing position groove portion".

[0080] In the following description of the cam groove 98, the left side in the vehicle width direction may be referred to as "high" or "upper", and the right side in the vehicle width direction may be referred to as "low" or "lower".

[0081] The base portion 98A is formed by cutting out the vehicle front side of the island portion 130 on the right side in the vehicle width direction. A base portion 98B that is lower than the base portion 98A is formed on the vehicle front side of this base portion 98A.

[0082] A first groove 98C is formed extending from the base 98B toward the vehicle rear. A bottom 98D is formed on the vehicle rear side of the first groove 98C. The first groove 98C has an inclined surface that increases in height from the end on the vehicle front side (base 98B) toward the end on the vehicle rear side (bottom 98D).

[0083] A second groove 98E is formed on the vehicle lower side of the bottom 98D. The second groove 98E extends from the bottom 98D downward toward the vehicle and then extends toward the vehicle front side to form a generally rounded corner. The second groove 98E has an inclined surface that increases in height from one end toward the other end on the bottom 98D side.

[0084] A third groove 98F is formed on the vehicle front side of the second groove 98E. The third groove 98F extends from the second groove 98E side toward the vehicle front side. A main body 98F1 on the vehicle rear side (second groove 98E) of the third groove 98F communicates with the base 98A. Meanwhile, an extension 98F2 on the vehicle front side of the third groove 98F is surrounded by the peripheral wall 132 and the partition wall 136, and is isolated from the base 98B located above the vehicle by the partition wall 136 (it communicates only with the main body 98F1).

[0085] The extension 98F2 of the third groove 98F, the peripheral wall 132 surrounding the extension 98F2, and the partition wall 136 correspond to the "inhibition mechanism."

[0086] 4, steps 142A to 142D are formed between the platform 98A and the base 98B, between the first groove 98C and the bottom 98D, between the second groove 98E and the third groove 98F, and between the third groove 98F and the platform 98A. These steps 142A to 142D prevent the guided portion 124, which is biased toward the bottom wall 84, from moving backward in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4 within the cam groove 98 (the movement direction of the guided portion 124 within the cam groove 98 is limited to one direction, so that it moves clockwise in FIG. 4).

[0087] (action) The opening and closing operation of the glove box 12 by the glove box opening and closing mechanism 10 will be described.

[0088] First, the state in which the glove compartment 12 is closed will be described.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 11, an engaging protrusion 76 formed at the tip of the arm portion 62 of the lifter 16 is positioned at the radial portion 34 of the engaging hole portion 30 of the glove box 12.

[0090] 6A, the guided portion 124 of the second link pin 108, which is linked to the lifter 16 via the first link 102 and the second link 106, is positioned at the base portion 98A of the cam groove 98. The first link 102 is biased by the torsion spring 110 in the direction of arrow B about the axis AX. Therefore, the guided portion 124, which is connected to the first link 102 via the second link 106, is biased toward the island portion 130. In other words, the guided portion 124 does not move from the base portion 98A to the base portion 98B or the third groove portion 98F. In this way, the guided portion 124 is prevented from moving, preventing the lifter 16 from rotating and the engagement protrusion 76 of the lifter 16 from being displaced within the engagement hole 30 of the glove box 12.

[0091] That is, the glove box 12 remains closed (the glove box 12 is locked).

[0092] Next, the operation when the glove compartment 12 is opened will be described.

[0093] First, the glove compartment 12 is pushed from the closed position (see FIG. 11 ) to the first pushed-in position toward the front (rear) of the vehicle. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12 , the glove compartment 12 rotates (swings) toward the front of the vehicle around the shaft 28. As a result, the engagement protrusion 76 of the lifter 16, which is located on the radial portion 34 of the engagement hole 30 of the glove compartment 12, is displaced toward the front of the vehicle, and the lifter 16 rotates in the direction of arrow A about the axis AX (see FIGS. 7B and 12 ). As a result, as shown in FIG. 7A , the first link 102 is displaced in the direction of arrow A about the axis AX against the biasing force of the torsion spring 110. As a result, the guided portion 124 attached to the tip of the second link 106 moves from the base portion 98A of the cam groove 98 to the base portion 98B against the biasing force of the torsion spring 110.

[0094] Here, when the pushing of the glove compartment 12 toward the front of the vehicle is stopped, the first link 102 is urged in the direction of arrow B about the axis AX by the urging force of the torsion spring 110, as shown in Figure 8(A). As a result, the guided portion 124, which is connected to the first link 102 via the second link 106, moves from the base 98B of the cam groove 98 through the first groove portion 98C to the bottom portion 98D. Note that, because the urging force of the torsion spring 110 is in the direction of arrow B about the axis AX, the guided portion 124 does not enter the second groove portion 98E.

[0095] As the guided portion 124 moves, the lifter 16, which is connected to the guided portion 124 via the second link 106 and the first link 102, rotates around the axis AX in the direction of arrow B (see FIG. 8(B)). As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, the engaging protrusion 76 of the lifter 16, which was located in the radial portion 34 of the engaging hole 30 of the glove box 12, moves to the circumferential portion 32 (open position).

[0096] As a result, the glove box 12 can be opened and closed (opened) around the shaft 28, and as shown in FIG. 14, the glove box 12 is opened by its own weight.

[0097] Next, the closing operation of the glove compartment 12 will be described.

[0098] The opened glove compartment 12 is pushed to the second pushing position, which is further forward (farther back) than the closed position.

[0099] At this time, when the glove compartment 12 returns to the closed position, the rear end of the circumferential portion 32 of the engagement hole portion 30 of the glove compartment 12 abuts against the engagement protrusion 76 of the lifter 16, pressing the engagement protrusion 76 toward the front of the vehicle (see Figure 13).

[0100] As a result, the lifter 16 is biased around the axis AX in the direction of the arrow A. As a result, as shown in Figure 9(A), the guided portion 124 connected to the lifter 16 via the first link 102 and the second link 106 moves from the bottom 98D of the cam groove 98 up the second groove portion 98E against the biasing force of the torsion spring 110 to reach the main body portion 98F1 of the third groove portion 98F.

[0101] In this way, as the guided portion 124 moves along the cam groove 98, the lifter 16 connected to the guided portion 124 via the second link 106 and the first link 102 rotates in the direction of arrow A (see Figure 9(B)), causing the engaging protrusion 76 to enter the radial portion 34 of the engaging hole portion 30 of the glove box 12 (see Figure 15).

[0102] When the glove compartment 12 is stopped from being pushed forward of the vehicle, the first link 102 is rotated (urged) in the direction of arrow B around the axis AX by the urging force of the torsion spring 110.

[0103] As a result, the guided portion 124 connected to the first link 102 via the second link 106 is urged in the direction of arrow B around the axis AX and moves (guided by the step 142C) from the main body 98F1 of the third groove portion 98F of the cam groove 98 to the base portion 98A. At this time, the step 142C prevents the guided portion 124 from moving from (the main body 98F1 of) the third groove portion 98F to the second groove portion 98E.

[0104] This movement of the guided portion 124 causes the lifter 16 to rotate in the direction of arrow B around the axis AX (see Figure 6(B)), returning the glove box 12, which has the engagement hole portion 30 into which the engagement protrusion 76 of the lifter 16 is inserted, to the closed position (returning to the closed (locked) state) (see Figure 11).

[0105] When closing the glove compartment 12 from an open state, if the glove compartment 12 is pushed excessively toward the front of the vehicle beyond the second pushing position as shown in Figure 16, the lifter 16 will rotate excessively in the direction of arrow A around the axis AX (see Figure 10(B)), and the guided portion 124 will move in the direction of arrow A around the axis AX, i.e., to the extension portion 98F2 of the third groove portion 98F (see Figure 10(A)).

[0106] When the glove compartment 12 is stopped from being pushed in, the first link 102 rotates in the direction of arrow B about the axis AX due to the biasing force of the torsion spring 110. The guided portion 124 is also biased in the direction of arrow B about the axis AX and is guided by the partition wall 136 to move from the extension 98F2 of the third groove 98F to the main body 98F1 and then to the upper platform 98A. At this time, the extension 98F2 of the third groove 98F is surrounded by the peripheral wall 132 of the cam groove 140 and the partition wall 136, preventing the guided portion 124 from moving from the extension 98F2 of the third groove 98F to the base 98B.

[0107] That is, when closing the glove box 12 from an open state, even if the glove box 12 is pushed excessively toward the front of the vehicle beyond the second pushing position, the glove box 12 is prevented from being opened again, and the glove box 12 is reliably closed (locked).

[0108] (effect) In this way, in one embodiment of the glove box opening / closing mechanism 10, the glove box 12 can be opened and closed simply by providing a push lifter mechanism 100 on the side of the side plate 14 that supports the glove box 12 (simply providing an engagement hole portion 30 on the glove box 12 side).

[0109] In other words, the opening and closing mechanism 10 for a push-open type glove box can be configured simply by attaching the lock case 18 including the lifter 16 in which the push lifter mechanism 100 is housed to the side plate 14.

[0110] Therefore, since the opening / closing mechanism 10 of the glove box does not require much space, it is possible to prevent the overall size of the glove box from increasing and to ensure a sufficient capacity of the glove box 12.

[0111] In particular, since the glove box 12 is a push-open type (a type in which the glove box 12 is opened and closed by pushing the glove box 12), there is no need to provide a lever or the like on the lid (rear panel portion 26) to open the glove box 12, and the capacity of the glove box 12 can be sufficiently ensured.

[0112] The push lifter mechanism 100 is configured by disposing a portion of the shaft 60 of the lifter 16, a first link 102, a second link 106, and a torsion spring 110 inside the lock case 18, and by forming a cam groove portion 140 (cam groove 98) in the bottom wall 84 of the case body 80. In other words, the push lifter mechanism 100 can achieve push-open and push-close of the glove box 12 with an extremely compact configuration.

[0113] That is, it is possible to prevent the glove box 12 from becoming too large while ensuring a sufficient capacity.

[0114] Furthermore, in the cam groove portion 140 of the push lifter mechanism 100, the main body portion 98F1 of the third groove portion 98F of the cam groove 98 communicates with the second groove portion 98E and the base portion 98A, and the extension portion 98F2 of the third groove portion 98F is surrounded by the peripheral wall 132 and the partition wall 136 of the cam groove portion 140 and is isolated from the base portion 98B. As a result, even if the glove box 12 is pushed excessively toward the front of the vehicle beyond the second pushing position when the glove box 12 is pushed in, the guided portion 124 only moves from the main body portion 98F1 of the third groove portion 98F of the cam groove 98 to the extension portion 98F2, and does not move from the third groove portion 98F (extension portion 98F2) to another location, such as the base portion 98B. In other words, even if the glove box 12 is pushed in further than the second pushing position (to the excessive pushing position), for example, the guided portion 124 is reliably prevented from moving from the base portion 98B to the first groove portion 98C and the glove box 12 being opened again.

[0115] (others) The first and second pushing positions of the glove box 12 described in this embodiment may be the same or different.

[0116] In addition, in this embodiment, the engaging protrusion 76 inserted into the engaging hole 30 of the glove box 12 is part of the lifter 16 of the push lifter mechanism 100, and the lifter 16 is unlocked by rotating against the biasing force of the torsion spring 110, but this is not limited to this.

[0117] That is, an engaging protrusion 76 perpendicular to the axial direction of the rod is provided at the tip of the rod that moves back and forth relative to the cylinder, and the movement of the rod back and forth is controlled by a knock cam mechanism provided inside the cylinder, thereby locking and unlocking the glove box 12 as in the above embodiment, and by devising the cam shape of the knock cam mechanism, it is possible to configure the glove box 12 so that it will not open again even if it is pushed in too hard when closing it.

[0118] In this case, the cam of the knock cam mechanism corresponds to the "lock mechanism" and the "inhibition mechanism." [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 10 Glove box opening and closing mechanism 12 Glove box 14 Side panel 19. Instrument panel (vehicle interior parts) 19A opening 22 Side plate part 30 Engagement hole portion (opening / closing mechanism) 32 Circumferential section 34 Radial portion (locking portion) 76 Engagement protrusion (opening / closing mechanism) 98 Cam groove 98A Base (closed position groove) 98B Base (1st push position groove) 98D bottom (open position groove) 98F 3rd groove (2nd pressing position groove) 98F1 main body 98F2 Extension (inhibitory mechanism) 100 Push lifter mechanism (opening / closing mechanism, locking mechanism) 102 First link (link mechanism) 104 First link pin (link mechanism) 106 Second link (link mechanism) 108 Second link pin (link mechanism, cam pin) 110 Torsion spring (biasing means, opening and closing mechanism) 132 Peripheral wall (inhibitory mechanism) 136 Septum (inhibitory mechanism)

Claims

1. a glove box whose lower end is pivotally supported so as to be freely opened and closed relative to an opening of an interior member for a vehicle; a push-open type opening / closing mechanism that unlocks the glove box by pushing the glove box to a first pushed-in position that is further back than the closed position, and locks the glove box by pushing the opened glove box to a second pushed-in position that is further back than the closed position, and holds the glove box in the closed position; an inhibiting mechanism that, when the glove box is pushed to an excessively pushed-in position that is deeper than the second pushed-in position, prevents displacement of the glove box from acting on the opening / closing mechanism until the glove box reaches the excessively pushed-in position from the second pushed-in position and returns to the second pushed-in position; Equipped with The opening and closing mechanism is an engagement hole portion provided on a side plate portion of the glove box, the engagement hole portion including a circumferential portion formed along the rotation direction of the glove box, and a locking portion extending from an open end of the glove box on the circumferential portion in a direction intersecting the circumferential portion; an engaging protrusion to be inserted into the engaging hole; a biasing means for biasing the engaging protrusion toward the circumferential portion at the locking portion; a locking mechanism that unlocks the engaging protrusion by pushing the glove box from the closed position to the first pushed-in position, and locks the engaging protrusion to the locking portion by pushing the opened glove box to the second pushed-in position; Equipped with The locking mechanism is a lifter having a shaft portion, an arm portion extending radially outward from one axial end side of the shaft portion, and the engaging protrusion portion extending from the arm portion in the axial direction of the shaft portion; a link mechanism attached to the other axial end of the shaft portion and extending radially outward; a cam pin provided at an end of the link mechanism and extending in the axial direction; a circumferential cam groove in which the cam pin is guided in one direction; Equipped with the cam groove is provided with a closed position groove portion, a first pushing position groove portion, an open position groove portion, and a second pushing position groove portion, which correspond to the closed position, the first pushing position, the open position where the engaging protrusion is positioned at the circumferential direction portion, and the second pushing position, in that order; The biasing means biases the cam pin from the first pushing position groove portion toward the open position groove portion and from the second pushing position groove portion toward the closed position groove portion.

2. 2. The glove box opening / closing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the second pushing position groove has a main body portion corresponding to the second pushing position and an extension portion corresponding to excessive pushing of the glove box, the extension portion being connected only to the main body portion.

Images