Vehicle storage box

Abstract

To make it easy to put in and take out articles to a storage part passing through an opening while suppressing a lid from being an obstacle accompanied by sliding for opening the opening.SOLUTION: A storage box 20 for a vehicle comprises: a main storage part 26 which ha a main opening part 27 comprising front area 27f and a rear area 27r; and a lid which is split into a front lid 41 and a rear lid 31. The front lid 41 blocks the front area 27f in a front closed position and fully opens the front area 27f in a front fully opened position which is set ahead of the front closed position, and is disposed in manner capable of sliding in a straight line in a cross direction so as to open the front area 27f largely as becoming far away from the front closed position to a frontward direction between both positions. The rear lid 31 blocks the rear area 27r in a rear closed position and fully opens the rear area 27r in a rear fully opened position which is set behind the rear closed position and is disposed in manner capable of sliding in a straight line in the cross direction so as to open the rear area 27r largely as becoming far away from the rear closed position to a rearward direction between both positions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle storage box that is disposed between adjacent vehicle seats. [Background technology]

[0002] As an example of a vehicle storage box arranged between adjacent vehicle seats in a vehicle, Patent Document 1 describes a console box equipped with a storage section and a lid. The storage section has an opening at the top. The lid slides linearly in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle between a closed position that closes the opening and a fully open position that fully opens the opening. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-34639 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described vehicle storage box, the longitudinal opening length of the opening changes depending on the longitudinal sliding distance of the lid. Here, the maximum sliding distance is the sliding distance when the lid slides from the closed position to the fully open position, or vice versa, from the fully open position to the closed position. If the maximum sliding distance of the lid is set small, even when the lid is slid the maximum distance from the closed position, the longitudinal opening length of the opening is short, making it difficult to put items into or remove items from the storage compartment through the opening. In contrast, if the maximum sliding distance of the lid is set large, sliding the lid the maximum distance from the closed position increases the longitudinal opening length of the opening, making it easier to put items into or remove items from the storage compartment. On the other hand, in a vehicle storage box in which the opening is opened by sliding the lid rearward from the closed position, the lid slid backward tends to get in the way of rear seat passengers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Various aspects of a vehicle storage box for solving the above problems will be described. [Aspect 1] A vehicle storage box is provided between adjacent vehicle seats, the storage box having a storage section with an opening at the top and a lid that opens and closes the opening. The opening is made up of a front region and a rear region that is continuous with the rear of the front region. The lid is divided into a front lid and a rear lid. The front lid closes the front region in a front closed position and fully opens the front region in a front fully open position set in front of the front closed position. Furthermore, between the front closed position and the front fully open position, the front lid is moved from the front closed position to the rear. the rear lid is arranged to be slidable linearly in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle so that the front area becomes more open the further forward it is from the rear closed position, the rear lid closes the rear area at a rear closed position adjacent to the front of the front closed position, and fully opens the rear area at a rear fully open position set rearward of the rear closed position, and further, between the rear closed position and the rear fully open position, the vehicle storage box is arranged to be slidable linearly in the fore-and-aft direction so that the rear area becomes more open the further forward it is from the rear closed position.

[0006] According to the above configuration, when the front lid is positioned in the front closed position, the front region of the opening is closed. When the front lid is positioned in the front fully open position, the front region is fully open. The front lid can slide linearly in the front-to-rear direction between the front closed position and the front fully open position. The opening length in the front-to-rear direction of the front region changes depending on the sliding distance of the front lid. The maximum sliding distance of the front lid is less than the maximum sliding distance when the entire opening is opened and closed by one lid. The opening length in the front-to-rear direction of the fully opened front region is shorter than the opening length in the front-to-rear direction of the fully opened opening.

[0007] In contrast, when the rear lid is positioned in the rear closed position, the rear region of the opening is closed. When the rear lid is positioned in the rear fully open position, the rear region is fully open. The rear lid can slide linearly in the front-to-rear direction between the rear closed position and the rear fully open position. The opening length in the front-to-rear direction of the rear region changes depending on the sliding distance of the rear lid. The maximum sliding distance of the rear lid is less than the maximum sliding distance when the entire opening is opened and closed by one lid. The opening length in the front-to-rear direction of the fully opened rear region is shorter than the opening length in the front-to-rear direction of the fully opened opening.

[0008] Because the maximum sliding distance of the front lid is small as described above, the front lid, when slid to the front fully open position, is unlikely to interfere with anything located in front of the front lid. Also, because the maximum sliding distance of the rear lid is small as described above, the rear lid, when slid to the rear fully open position, is unlikely to interfere with anything located behind the rear lid.

[0009] As mentioned above, the maximum sliding distance of the front lid and rear lid is small. However, when the front lid is slid to the front fully open position and the rear lid is slid to the rear fully open position, both the front and rear regions are fully opened, and the overall length of the opening in the front-to-rear direction is increased. This makes it easier to put items in and take them out of the storage compartment.

[0010] [Aspect 2] The vehicle storage box according to [Aspect 1], wherein a placement surface for placing items is formed on the upper surface of at least one of the front lid and the rear lid. According to the above configuration, when a mounting surface is formed on the upper surface of the front lid, it is possible to place items such as small items on the mounting surface regardless of the position of the front lid in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, when the front lid is slid to a position that opens at least a portion of the front area, it becomes possible to put items in and take them out of the storage section through the front area and to place items on the mounting surface of the front lid.

[0011] Furthermore, if a mounting surface is formed on the upper surface of the rear lid, it is possible to place small items and other objects on the mounting surface regardless of the position of the rear lid in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, when the rear lid is slid to a position that opens at least a portion of the rear area, it becomes possible to put items in and take them out of the storage section through the rear area and to place items on the mounting surface of the rear lid.

[0012] [Aspect 3] When the opening is the main opening, the storage section is the main storage section, and at least one of the front lid and the rear lid is the target lid, the target lid is provided with a secondary storage section having a secondary opening that opens onto the top surface of the target lid, and a shutter that is formed by flexibly connecting multiple shutter components and that opens and closes the secondary opening by sliding.A storage box for a vehicle as described in [Aspect 1] or [Aspect 2].

[0013] According to the above-mentioned configuration, when the shutter of the target lid is slid to open the secondary opening, at least the lower part of an item such as a small item can be stored in the secondary storage section through the secondary opening. Also, if the item is smaller than the secondary storage section, when the entire item is stored in the secondary storage section, the shutter can be slid to close the secondary opening, thereby preventing the item from leaving the secondary storage section.

[0014] [Aspect 4] A vehicle storage box according to any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 3], further comprising a linkage mechanism that slides one of the front lid and the rear lid in conjunction with the sliding of the other, wherein the linkage mechanism is configured such that when one of the front lid and the rear lid is slid while the front lid is located in the front closed position and the rear lid is located in the rear closed position, the linkage mechanism slides the other in the opposite direction in conjunction with the sliding, and when one of the front lid and the rear lid is slid while the front lid is located in the front fully open position and the rear lid is located in the rear fully open position, the linkage mechanism slides the other in the opposite direction in conjunction with the sliding.

[0015] According to the above configuration, when the front lid is in the front closed position and the rear lid is in the rear closed position, the entire opening is closed. In this state, when the front lid is slid forward, the sliding is transmitted to the rear lid by the interlocking mechanism, and the rear lid slides rearward, which is the opposite direction from the front lid. Furthermore, when the rear lid is slid rearward with the entire opening closed, the sliding is transmitted to the front lid by the interlocking mechanism, and the front lid slides forward, which is the opposite direction from the rear lid. The opening length in the front-to-rear direction of the front region and the opening length in the rear region are lengthened in conjunction with each other.

[0016] When the front lid is in the front fully open position and the rear lid is in the rear fully open position, the entire opening is fully open. In this state, when the front lid is slid rearward, the sliding is transmitted to the rear lid by the interlocking mechanism, causing the rear lid to slide forward, which is the opposite direction from the front lid. Also, when the rear lid is slid forward while the entire opening is fully open, the sliding is transmitted to the front lid by the interlocking mechanism, causing the front lid to slide rearward, which is the opposite direction from the rear lid. The opening length in the front-to-rear direction of the front region and the opening length in the rear region are shortened in conjunction with each other.

[0017] [Aspect 5] A storage box for a vehicle described in any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 4], further comprising an armrest arranged on at least one side of the vehicle in the width direction, the armrest having an elbow rest portion at a position higher than the front lid and the rear lid.

[0018] According to the above configuration, an occupant seated in a vehicle seat can reduce the burden on the shoulders supporting the arms by resting their elbows on the elbow rest portion of the armrest, regardless of the open state of the openings of the front lid and rear lid. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the above-described vehicle storage box, it is possible to easily take items in and out of the storage section through the opening while preventing the lid from getting in the way when the opening is slid to open it. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle storage box with a main opening closed; [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle storage box of FIG. 1 with the main opening fully opened. [Figure 3] 3(A) is a partial plan view of the vehicle storage box of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3(B) is a partial plan view of the vehicle storage box of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle storage box of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. [Figure 8] 8(A) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the X portion in FIG. 7, and FIG. 8(B) is a partially cross-sectional view showing a state in which the front lid in FIG. 8(A) has been slid forward and the rear lid has been slid rearward. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle storage box will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the forward direction of the vehicle 10 is referred to as the front, and the backward direction is referred to as the rear. Furthermore, the up-down direction refers to the up-down direction of the vehicle 10, and the left-right direction refers to the vehicle width direction, which coincides with the left-right direction when the vehicle 10 is moving forward.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a pair of vehicle seats 12, 13 are arranged as front seats, spaced apart in the left-right direction, in a passenger compartment 11 of a vehicle 10. The right vehicle seat 12 functions as a driver's seat, where an occupant (driver) sits. The left vehicle seat 13 functions as a passenger seat, where an occupant (passenger seat occupant) sits.

[0023] A vehicle storage box 20 is disposed between the vehicle seats 12, 13 on the floor of the passenger compartment 11. The vehicle storage box 20 corresponds to what is generally called a console box, a center console, a floor console, or the like.

[0024] 1 and 4, the vehicle storage box 20 includes a box body 21 and an extension 25. The box body 21 is box-shaped and is longer in the front-to-rear and up-to-down directions than in the left-to-right direction. The extension 25 is shorter than the box body 21 and extends forward from the bottom of the box body 21.

[0025] <Main storage compartment 26> As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a main storage section 26 is provided in the middle of the box body 21 in the front-rear direction as a storage section for storing small items and other articles. The main storage section 26 has a main opening 27 as an opening at its upper part. A bottom 28 of the main storage section 26 is located at a position higher than the bottom 22 (see Figure 4) of the box body 21. As shown in Figures 3(B) and 6, the main opening 27 is made up of a front region 27f and a rear region 27r that is continuous with the rear of the front region 27f.

[0026] 5 and 7, the vehicle storage box 20 further includes a lid, an interlocking mechanism 65, a rear biasing mechanism 75, a front biasing mechanism 81, and an armrest 61. The lid is divided into a rear lid 31 and a front lid 41 adjacent to the rear lid 31 in the front.

[0027] <Rear Lid 31> The rear lid 31 is disposed on the top of the box body 21 so as to be slidable linearly in the front-to-rear direction. The sliding occurs between a rear closed position shown in FIG. 5 set on the box body 21 and a rear fully open position shown in FIG. 6 set behind the rear closed position. The rear lid 31 closes the rear region 27r in the rear closed position and fully opens the rear region 27r in the rear fully open position. Between the rear closed position and the rear fully open position, the rear lid 31 opens the rear region 27r more as it moves farther rearward from the rear closed position.

[0028] The "fully open" state of the rear region 27r refers to the most open state of the possible open states of the rear region 27r due to the sliding of the rear lid 31. This also applies to the "fully open" state of the front region 27f.

[0029] 1, bulging portions 32a that bulge toward each other in the left-right direction are formed in a portion of the peripheral edge 32 of the rear lid 31, more specifically, in the front portion of the rear lid 31 and on both left-right edge portions. Note that only the right bulging portion 32a is shown in FIG.

[0030] In the rear lid 31, a recess 33 with an open upper end is formed in a portion surrounded by the peripheral edge 32 including the bulge 32a. The bottom surface of the recess 33 is formed as a flat surface extending in the front-rear and left-right directions at a location lower than the upper surface of the peripheral edge 32. This surface constitutes a placement surface 33a on which an article is placed. An operating portion 34 is formed on the front edge of the peripheral edge 32 of the rear lid 31, to which force is applied when sliding the rear lid 31 forward.

[0031] A rear fully open positioning mechanism (not shown) that prevents the rear lid 31 from sliding rearward beyond the rear fully open position is provided between the box body 21 and the rear lid 31. A rear closed positioning mechanism (not shown) that prevents the rear lid 31 from sliding forward beyond the rear closed position is also provided between the box body 21 and the rear lid 31. A rear closed locking mechanism (not shown) that releasably locks the rear lid 31, which is positioned at the front closed position, at the front closed position is also provided between the box body 21 and the rear lid 31. The locked state by the rear closed locking mechanism is released, for example, by a release button 35 (see FIG. 1) that is provided separately from the rear closed locking mechanism.

[0032] <Front lid 41> The front lid 41 is disposed on the upper part of the box body 21, forward of the rear lid 31, so as to be slidable linearly in the front-to-rear direction. The front lid 41 slides between a front closed position shown in FIG. 5 set on the box body 21 and a rear fully open position shown in FIG. 6 set forward of the front closed position. The front closed position is set at a position adjacent to the rear closed position of the rear lid 31 in front. The front lid 41 closes the front region 27f in the front closed position, and fully opens the front region 27f in the front fully open position. Between the front closed position and the front fully open position, the front lid 41 opens the front region 27f more as it moves further forward from the front closed position.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 and 9, a portion of the peripheral portion 42 of the front lid 41, more specifically, the rear portion of the front lid 41, and both side edges in the left-right direction, have bulging portions 42a formed thereon that bulge toward the side that approaches each other in the left-right direction.

[0034] In the front lid 41, a recess 43 with an open upper end is formed in a portion surrounded by the peripheral edge 42 including the bulging portion 42a. A bottom surface 43a of the recess 43 is formed at a location lower than the upper surface of the peripheral edge 42 and at a location at approximately the same height as the placement surface 33a. As shown in Figures 1 and 10, an operating portion 44 is formed at the rear edge of the peripheral edge 42 of the front lid 41, to which force is applied when sliding the front lid 41 rearward.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5 , in this embodiment, the front lid 41 is the subject lid in the claims. Unlike the rear lid 31, the front lid 41 includes a secondary storage section 45, a shutter storage section 47, and a shutter 51. The secondary storage section 45 is shallower than the main storage section 26 and has a smaller volume than the main storage section 26. The secondary storage section 45 is large enough to store at least the lower portion of an item such as a beverage container, and can be used, for example, as a cup holder. The secondary storage section 45 has a secondary opening 46 that opens to the top surface of the front lid 41, or more precisely, to the bottom surface 43a of the recess 43. The shutter storage section 47 is a location for storing the shutter 51. It is located outside the secondary storage section 45 on the front lid 41 and is connected to the secondary opening 46. The secondary storage section 45 and the shutter storage section 47 are located higher than the bottom 28 of the main storage section 26.

[0036] A pair of guide grooves 48 are formed on the left and right sides of the sub-opening 46 and the shutter storage section 47. Each guide groove 48 is linear at the top of the front lid 41. Each guide groove 48 is curved below the top of the front lid 41.

[0037] The shutter 51 is formed by flexibly connecting a plurality of shutter constituent members 52. A shaft (not shown) is provided on both ends of each shutter constituent member 52 in the left-right direction, and each shaft is slidably inserted into the guide groove portion 48. The shutter 51 is slidable between a fully open position (not shown) where it is stored in the shutter storage portion 47 and fully opens the sub-opening 46, and a closed position where it is pulled out from the shutter storage portion 47 and closes the sub-opening 46, as shown in FIG.

[0038] 1 and 5, the frontmost shutter component 52 is wider in the front-to-rear direction than the other shutter components 52. This frontmost shutter component 52 is provided with a knob 53 for holding a fingertip when sliding the shutter 51.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3(A), and 5, the front lid 41 is provided with a terminal storage section 56 in front of the auxiliary storage section 45 for storing the lower portion of a portable electronic terminal 55 such as a smartphone. Each terminal storage section 56 is open at the top and inclined relative to the vertical plane so that the lower portion is positioned further rearward. By inserting the lower portion of the portable electronic terminal 55 into the terminal storage section 56, the portable electronic terminal 55 can be held in an inclined state. Note that a configuration may be adopted in which a charger such as a wireless charger is disposed inside the front lid 41 to charge the portable electronic terminal 55 in a stored state.

[0040] A front fully open positioning mechanism (not shown) that prevents the front lid 41 from sliding forward beyond the front fully open position is provided between the box body 21 and the front lid 41. A front closed positioning mechanism (not shown) that prevents the front lid 41 from sliding rearward beyond the front closed position is also provided between the box body 21 and the front lid 41. Furthermore, a front closed locking mechanism (not shown) that releasably locks the front lid 41, once positioned in the front closed position, in the front closed position is also provided between the box body 21 and the front lid 41. This locking may be released, for example, by operating a release button 57 (see FIG. 1) that is provided separately from the front closed locking mechanism.

[0041] In this embodiment, the release button 35 for unlocking the rear lid 31 and the release button 57 for unlocking the front lid 41 are connected via a transmission mechanism (not shown). When one of the release buttons 35, 57 is operated, the operation is transmitted to the other by the transmission mechanism.

[0042] <Armrest 61> As shown in Figures 1 and 9, the vehicle storage box 20 further includes a pair of armrests 61 on both sides in the left-right direction. Each armrest 61 includes a vertical wall portion 62 and an armrest portion 63. The vertical wall portion 62 of each armrest 61 extends in the up-down and front-rear directions at a location that sandwiches the rear lid 31 and the front lid 41 from both the left and right sides. The armrest portion 63 of each armrest 61 protrudes from the upper end of the vertical wall portion 62, passing through a location that is higher than the peripheral edge portion 32 of the rear lid 31 and a location that is higher than the peripheral edge portion 42 of the front lid 41, toward the side that approaches each other in the left-right direction.

[0043] <Interlocking mechanism 65> As shown in Figures 7, 8(A) and 8(B), the vehicle storage box 20 further includes an interlocking mechanism 65 that slides one of the rear lid 31 and the front lid 41 in conjunction with the sliding of the other. The interlocking mechanism 65 has the following function 1.

[0044] Function 1: When the rear lid 31 is positioned in the rear fully open position and the front lid 41 is positioned in the front fully open position, and one of the rear lid 31 and the front lid 41 is slid linearly, the other lid is slid linearly in the opposite direction in conjunction with the sliding.

[0045] 8(A), 9, and 10, a part of the interlocking mechanism 65 is configured by two sets of rack and pinion mechanisms 69. The rack and pinion mechanisms 69 are provided on both sides in the left-right direction at the top of the vehicle storage box 20. More specifically, each rack and pinion mechanism 69 is provided in a space surrounded by the vertical wall portion 62 of the armrest 61, the bulging portion 32a of the rear lid 31, and the bulging portion 42a of the front lid 41.

[0046] Each rack and pinion mechanism 69 includes an upper guide plate 67 extending in the front-rear direction, and a lower guide plate 68 extending in the front-rear direction below the upper guide plate 67 and parallel to the upper guide plate 67. An upper rack 71 connected to the rear lid 31 and having an upper rack gear 71a at its lower part is disposed below the upper guide plate 67 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. A lower rack 72 connected to the front lid 41 and having a lower rack gear 72a at its upper part is disposed above the lower guide plate 68 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction.

[0047] A pinion 73 is rotatably supported on the box body 21. The pinion 73 is disposed between the upper rack 71 and the lower rack 72 in a state of meshing with the upper rack gear 71a and the lower rack gear 72a.

[0048] The positions at which the upper rack gear 71a and the lower rack gear 72a mesh with the pinion 73 are set to satisfy the following condition: When the rear lid 31 is located in the rear closed position and the front lid 41 is located in the front closed position, the pinion 73 meshes with the rear end of the upper rack gear 71a and the front end of the lower rack gear 72a, as shown in Fig. 8(A). When the rear lid 31 is located in the rear fully open position and the front lid 41 is located in the front fully open position, the pinion 73 meshes with the center portion in the front-to-rear direction of the upper rack gear 71a and the center portion in the front-to-rear direction of the lower rack gear 72a, as shown in Fig. 8(B).

[0049] <Rear biasing mechanism 75, front biasing mechanism 81> As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the vehicle storage box 20 further includes a rear biasing mechanism 75 having a constant force spring 76 and a front biasing mechanism 81 having a constant force spring 82. The constant force spring 76 includes a support shaft 77 attached to an upper portion of the box body 21, rearward of the main storage compartment 26, and a strip-shaped leaf spring 78 wound around the support shaft 77. The constant force spring 76 is also referred to as a constant torque spring, constant force spring, constant tension spring, etc. A protrusion 36 protrudes from the underside of the rear lid 31, forward of the support shaft 77. The leaf spring 78 of the constant force spring 76 is pulled forward of the support shaft 77 and engaged with the protrusion 36. The constant force spring 76 constantly applies a biasing force to the rear lid 31 via the protrusion 36, pulling it rearward.

[0050] The constant force spring 82 includes a spindle 83 attached to a location within the box body 21 below the auxiliary storage section 45, and a strip-shaped leaf spring 84 wound around the spindle 83. A protrusion 49 protrudes from the underside of the front lid 41 at a location rearward of the spindle 83. The leaf spring 84 of the constant force spring 82 is pulled rearward beyond the spindle 83 and is engaged with the protrusion 49. The constant force spring 82 constantly exerts a biasing force on the front lid 41 via the protrusion 49, pulling it forward.

[0051] Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as above will be described. As shown by the solid lines in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, when the rear lid 31 is in the rear-closed position, the rear region 27r of the main opening 27 is closed by the rear lid 31. At this time, the rear lid 31 is positioned in the rear-closed position by the rear-closed positioning mechanism. The leaf spring 78 of the constant force spring 76 is pulled forward to its maximum length. The rear lid 31 is subjected to the biasing force of the constant force spring 76, which tends to pull it rearward. However, the rear lid 31 is held in the rear-closed position because it is locked in the rear-closed position by the rear-closed locking mechanism.

[0052] 4 and 6, when the rear lid 31 is in the rear fully-open position, the rear region 27r is fully open. At this time, the rear lid 31, which is biased rearward by the constant force spring 76, is positioned in the rear fully-open position by the rear fully-open positioning mechanism.

[0053] The rear lid 31 is slidable linearly between a rear closed position and a rear fully open position. The opening length of the rear region 27r in the front-to-rear direction changes depending on the sliding distance of the rear lid 31. The maximum sliding distance of the rear lid 31, in this case the sliding distance when the rear lid 31 is slid from the rear closed position to the rear fully open position, is less than the maximum sliding distance when one lid opens and closes the entire main opening 27. The opening length of the rear region 27r in the front-to-rear direction when the rear lid 31 is slid the maximum distance is shorter than the opening length of the main opening 27 in the front-to-rear direction when one lid opens and closes the entire main opening 27.

[0054] In contrast, as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, when the front lid 41 is in the front closed position, the front region 27f is closed by the front lid 41. At this time, the front lid 41 is positioned in the front closed position by the front closed positioning mechanism. The leaf spring 84 of the constant force spring 82 is pulled rearward by its maximum length. The front lid 41 is subjected to a biasing force of the constant force spring 82 that tends to pull it forward. However, the front lid 41 is locked in the front closed position by the front closed lock mechanism, and is therefore held in the front closed position.

[0055] 4 and 6, when the front lid 41 is in the front fully open position, the front region 27f is fully open. At this time, the front lid 41 is biased forward by the constant force spring 82 and is positioned in the front fully open position by the front fully open positioning mechanism.

[0056] The front lid 41 can slide linearly between a front-closed position and a front-fully-opened position. The opening length of the front region 27f in the front-to-rear direction changes depending on the sliding distance of the front lid 41. The maximum sliding distance of the front lid 41, in this case, the sliding distance when the front lid 41 is slid from the front-closed position to the front-fully-opened position, is less than the maximum sliding distance when one lid opens and closes the entire main opening 27. The opening length of the front region 27f in the front-to-rear direction when the front lid 41 is slid the maximum distance is shorter than the opening length of the main opening 27 in the front-to-rear direction when one lid opens and closes the entire main opening 27.

[0057] 4 and 5, when the rear lid 31 is located in the rear closed position and the front lid 41 is located in the front closed position, the main opening 27 is entirely closed. At this time, the pinion 73 meshes with the rear end of the upper rack gear 71a and the front end of the lower rack gear 72a, as shown in FIGS.

[0058] In this state, to open the main opening 27, the rear lid 31 is unlocked by the rear-closing lock mechanism, and the front lid 41 is unlocked by the front-closing lock mechanism. These unlocking operations are performed by operating one of the release buttons 35, 57. Operation of one of the release buttons 35, 57 is transmitted to the other release button 57, 35 by the transmission mechanism, and the other release button 57, 35 also becomes operated. This releases the stored biasing force of the constant force spring 76 that pulls the lid rearward, and also releases the stored biasing force of the constant force spring 82 that pulls the lid forward.

[0059] The rear lid 31 slides linearly rearward, and the upper rack 71 moves rearward accordingly. The front lid 41 slides linearly forward, in the opposite direction to the rear lid 31, and the lower rack 72 moves forward accordingly. The rearward movement of the upper rack 71 and the forward movement of the lower rack 72 cause the pinion 73 to rotate clockwise in FIG. 8(A). In this manner, the rear lid 31 and the front lid 41 slide synchronously and interlockingly in the front-to-rear direction, away from each other. As shown in FIG. 6, the rear lid 31 opens the rear region 27r, and the front lid 41 opens the front region 27f. The front-to-rear opening length of the rear region 27r and the front-to-rear opening length of the front region 27f increase in tandem. As a result, the front-to-rear opening length of the main opening 27 increases.

[0060] 4 and 6, when the rear lid 31 slides to the rear fully open position and the front lid 41 slides to the front fully open position, the entire main opening 27 is fully opened.

[0061] To close the main opening 27 from this state, for example, a forward force is applied to the operating unit 34 against the rearward biasing force of the constant force spring 76. The rear lid 31 is slid forward, moving the upper rack 71 forward. This causes the pinion 73 meshing with the upper rack gear 71a to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 8(B). The lower rack 72 meshing with the pinion 73 moves rearward against the forward biasing force of the constant force spring 82. Accordingly, the front lid 41 slides rearward. That is, in conjunction with the forward sliding of the rear lid 31, the front lid 41 slides rearward, which is the opposite direction to the rear lid 31. The front-to-rear opening length of the rear region 27r and the front-to-rear opening length of the front region 27f shorten in conjunction with each other.

[0062] To close the main opening 27 in the fully open state, a rearward force may be applied to the operating unit 44 against the forward biasing force of the constant force spring 82, in the opposite direction to the above operation. This force causes the front lid 41 to slide rearward, and the lower rack 72 to move rearward. This causes the pinion 73 meshing with the lower rack gear 72a to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 8(B). The upper rack 71 meshing with the pinion 73 moves forward against the rearward biasing force of the constant force spring 82. Accordingly, the rear lid 31 slides forward. In other words, in conjunction with the rearward sliding of the front lid 41, the rear lid 31 slides forward, which is the opposite direction to the front lid 41. The front-to-rear opening length of the front region 27f and the rear region 27r shorten in conjunction with each other.

[0063] 4 and 5, once the rear lid 31 has slid to the rear closed position, the rear closed positioning mechanism prevents the rear lid 31 from sliding forward beyond the rear closed position. The rear lid 31 is locked in the rear closed position by the rear closed lock mechanism. Furthermore, once the front lid 41 has slid to the front closed position, the front closed positioning mechanism prevents the front lid 41 from sliding rearward beyond the front closed position. The front closed lock mechanism locks the front lid 41 in the front closed position.

[0064] The rear region 27r is closed by the rear lid 31, and the front region 27f is closed by the front lid 41. The opening lengths in the front-to-rear direction of the rear region 27r and the front region 27f both become zero. Accordingly, the opening length in the front-to-rear direction of the main opening 27 becomes zero.

[0065] When placing or removing an article such as a beverage container in or from the auxiliary storage section 45, the shutter 51 is slid between a fully open position (not shown) and a closed position (see FIG. 5). At this time, the shaft of each shutter component 52 slides within the corresponding guide groove 48 while being guided by the guide groove 48, thereby opening and closing the auxiliary opening 46.

[0066] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) As shown in Fig. 6, in this embodiment, the lid is divided into a rear lid 31 and a front lid 41, thereby reducing the maximum sliding distance of each of the rear lid 31 and the front lid 41. Therefore, the rear lid 31 slid to the rear fully open position is less likely to interfere with objects (including rear seat passengers) located behind the rear lid 31. Therefore, even when the rear lid 31 is slid to the rear fully open position, it is less likely to get in the way of rear seat passengers.

[0067] Furthermore, since the maximum sliding distance of the front lid 41 is small, the front lid 41 slid to the front fully open position is unlikely to interfere with anything located in front of the front lid 41 . (2) As described in (1) above, the maximum sliding distance of each of the rear lid 31 and the front lid 41 is small. However, when the rear lid 31 is slid to the rear fully-open position and the front lid 41 is slid to the front fully-open position, the overall opening length of the main opening 27 in the front-to-rear direction becomes longer. This makes it easier to put items in and take them out of the main storage compartment 26.

[0068] (3) In this embodiment, the placement surface 33a is formed on the upper surface of the rear lid 31. Therefore, an article can be placed on the placement surface 33a regardless of the position of the rear lid 31 in the front-rear direction.

[0069] 6, the rear region 27r of the main opening 27 is fully opened. Therefore, even when an article is placed on the placement surface 33a of the rear lid 31, the article can be easily put in and taken out of the main storage compartment 26 through the open rear region 27r.

[0070] In particular, in this embodiment, when the rear lid 31 is in the rear fully-open position, the front lid 41 is in the front fully-open position, and the front region 27f is fully open. The entire main opening 27 is fully open. This makes it even easier to put items in and take them out of the main storage compartment 26.

[0071] (4) In relation to (3) above, in this embodiment, the placement surface 33a is surrounded by a higher peripheral portion 32. Therefore, even if an item placed on the placement surface 33a moves, the peripheral portion 32 can prevent the item from falling off the rear lid 31.

[0072] (5) In relation to (3) above, in this embodiment, the placement surface 33a is formed on the rear lid 31. This makes it easy for rear seat passengers to use the rear lid 31 as a table. It is easy for rear seat passengers to place items on the placement surface 33a and to pick up items from the placement surface 33a.

[0073] In particular, when the rear lid 31 is slid to the rear fully open position, the placement surface 33a moves closer to the rear seat passenger, making it easier for the rear seat passenger to place and take out items on the placement surface 33a.

[0074] (6) In this embodiment, regardless of the front-to-rear position of the front lid 41, the sub-opening 46 can be opened by sliding the shutter 51. At least the lower part of an item such as a beverage container can be stored in the sub-storage section 45 through the sub-opening 46. Furthermore, when an item smaller than the sub-storage section 45 is stored in the sub-storage section 45, the shutter 51 can close the sub-opening 46, thereby preventing the item from leaving the sub-storage section 45.

[0075] (7) In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 , when the rear lid 31 is locked in the rear-closed position by the rear-close lock mechanism, the leaf spring 78 of the constant force spring 76 is pulled forward by a large amount. The constant force spring 76 stores a large amount of biasing force that pulls the rear lid 31 rearward. Therefore, by operating the release buttons 35, 57 to unlock the rear-close lock mechanism, the biasing force stored in the constant force spring 76 can be released. The biasing force of the released constant force spring 76 allows the rear lid 31 to slide from the rear-closed position shown in FIG. 5 to the rear-fully-open position shown in FIG. 6 without applying a rearward force to the operating portion 34 of the rear lid 31.

[0076] Similarly, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, when the front lid 41 is locked in the front closed position by the front close lock mechanism, the leaf spring 84 of the constant force spring 82 is pulled farther rearward. The constant force spring 82 stores a large amount of biasing force that pulls the front lid 41 forward. Therefore, by operating the release buttons 35, 57 to unlock the front close lock mechanism, the biasing force stored in the constant force spring 82 can be released. The biasing force of the released constant force spring 82 allows the front lid 41 to slide from the front closed position shown in FIG. 5 to the front fully open position shown in FIG. 6 without applying a forward force to the operating portion 44 of the front lid 41.

[0077] (8) In this embodiment, the release buttons 35, 57 are connected via a transmission mechanism. Therefore, by operating one of the release buttons 35, 57, the occupant can operate the other release button as well. This allows the rear lid 31, which is locked in the rear closed position, and the front lid 41, which is locked in the front closed position, to be unlocked. The rear lid 31 can be slid to the rear fully open position, and the front lid 41 can be slid to the front fully open position. The occupant does not need to operate buttons to unlock the front lid 41 and the rear lid 31, which further simplifies the operation to open the main opening 27.

[0078] (9) In this embodiment, the interlocking mechanism 65 is provided to slide one of the front lid 41 and the rear lid 31 in conjunction with the sliding of the other. Therefore, when the rear lid 31 is slid from the rear fully open position to the rear closed position against the biasing force of the constant force spring 76, the interlocking mechanism 65 allows the front lid 41 to slide in the opposite direction to the sliding direction of the rear lid 31 in conjunction with the above sliding. The front lid 41 can be slid from the front fully open position to the front closed position.

[0079] Conversely to the above, when the front lid 41 is slid from the front fully open position to the front closed position against the biasing force of the constant force spring 82, the interlocking mechanism 65 allows the rear lid 31 to slide in the opposite direction to the sliding direction of the front lid 41 in conjunction with the above sliding. The rear lid 31 can be slid from the rear fully open position to the rear closed position.

[0080] As described above, when closing the main opening 27, it is only necessary to slide either the rear lid 31 or the front lid 41. This makes the operation for closing the main opening 27 even easier.

[0081] (10) The rack and pinion mechanism 69 constituting the interlocking mechanism 65 also functions to guide the forward and backward sliding of the front lid 41 and the rear lid 31. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate member such as a guide rail to achieve the above-mentioned guide function.

[0082] (11) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, an occupant (driver) seated in the vehicle seat 12 can reduce the burden on the left shoulder of supporting the arm by resting his / her left elbow on the elbow rest portion 63 of the right armrest 61. Also, an occupant (passenger seat occupant) seated in the vehicle seat 13 can reduce the burden on the right shoulder of supporting the arm by resting his / her right elbow on the elbow rest portion 63 of the left armrest 61. The above-mentioned effects for the driver and passenger seat occupant can be obtained regardless of the open state of the main opening 27 by the front lid 41 and the rear lid 31.

[0083] The above embodiment can also be implemented as a modified example in which it is modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modified example can be implemented in combination with each other within a range where no technical contradiction occurs.

[0084] <Matters regarding rear lid 31> The rear lid 31 is used as the target lid instead of the front lid 41. The rear lid 31 may be provided with a sub-storage section having a sub-opening that opens on the top surface of the rear lid 31, and a shutter that is formed by connecting multiple shutter components in a bendable manner and that slides to open and close the sub-opening. According to this modification, the rear lid 31 can also achieve the same effect as in (6) above.

[0085] It is also possible to treat both the front lid 41 and the rear lid 31 as target lids, and provide a combination of the auxiliary storage section and the shutter on each of the front lid 41 and the rear lid 31. In this case, the effect of (6) above can be obtained on each of the front lid 41 and the rear lid 31.

[0086] The rear lid 31 may not be provided with the recess 33, and the entire upper surface of the rear lid 31 may be formed flat, with the height of the upper surface set to the same height as the peripheral portion 32 in the above embodiment with the recess 33. The upper surface of the rear lid 31 may then be used as the placement surface 33a.

[0087] The placement surface 33a does not necessarily have to be formed flat as a whole, and may have an uneven surface. The placement surface 33a of the rear lid 31 may be omitted.

[0088] <Matters regarding front lid 41> The auxiliary storage section 45, the shutter storage section 47, and the shutter 51 in the front lid 41 may be omitted. A placement surface for placing items may be formed on the upper surface of the front lid 41. In this case, it becomes possible to place items on the placement surface regardless of the position of the front lid 41 in the front-to-rear direction. This effect can be obtained regardless of where the front lid 41 is located in the front-to-rear direction.

[0089] When the front lid 41 is slid to a position that opens at least a portion of the front region 27f, it becomes possible to take items in and out of the main storage section 26 through the front region 27f, and to place items on the placement surface of the front lid 41.

[0090] The terminal storage section 56 may be omitted from the front lid 41. <Matters related to interlocking mechanism 65> The interlocking mechanism 65 may be omitted. In this case, the front lid 41 and the rear lid 31 will slide separately. Also, a separate member for guiding the front and rear lids 41 and 31 as they slide in the front-to-rear direction, such as a guide rail extending in the front-to-rear direction, will be required. Furthermore, the rear-close lock mechanism, the front-close lock mechanism, and the release buttons 35, 57 can be omitted.

[0091] <Matters Concerning the Rear-Biasing Mechanism 75 and the Front-Biasing Mechanism 81> Provided that the interlocking mechanism 65 is provided, the rear biasing mechanism 75 that biases the rear lid 31 rearward may be omitted. In this case, the front lid 41 can be slid forward by biasing the front lid 41 forward using the front biasing mechanism 81. In addition, the sliding of the front lid 41 can be transmitted to the rear lid 31 via the interlocking mechanism 65, allowing the rear lid 31 to slide rearward.

[0092] Similarly, the front biasing mechanism 81 that biases the front lid 41 forward may be omitted, provided that the interlocking mechanism 65 is provided. In this case, the rear lid 31 can be slid rearward by being biased rearward by the rear biasing mechanism 75. In addition, the sliding of the rear lid 31 can be transmitted to the front lid 41 via the interlocking mechanism 65, allowing the front lid 41 to slide forward.

[0093] The rear biasing mechanism 75 may use a spring of a different type from the constant force spring 76. Similarly, the front biasing mechanism 81 may use a spring of a different type from the constant force spring 82.

[0094] Both the rear biasing mechanism 75 and the front biasing mechanism 81 may be omitted, provided that the interlocking mechanism 65 is provided. In this case, the interlocking mechanism 65 has the following function 2 in addition to function 1 described in the above embodiment.

[0095] Function 2: When the rear lid 31 is in the rear closed position and the front lid 41 is in the front closed position, and one of the rear lid 31 and the front lid 41 is slid linearly, the other lid is slid linearly in the opposite direction in conjunction with the sliding.

[0096] According to this modification, the rear lid 31 is slid rearward or the front lid 41 is slid forward from the state shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 8(A). Then, in conjunction with the sliding of one of the rear lid 31 and the front lid 41, the other can be slid in the opposite direction as shown in Fig. 8(B). As shown in Fig. 6, the opening length in the front-to-rear direction of the rear region 27r and the opening length in the front-to-rear direction of the front region 27f can be lengthened in conjunction with each other.

[0097] 6 and 8(B), the rear lid 31 is slid forward, or the front lid 41 is slid rearward. Then, in conjunction with the sliding of one of the rear lid 31 and the front lid 41, the other can be slid in the opposite direction, as shown in FIG. 8(A). As shown in FIG. 5, the opening length in the front-to-rear direction of the front region 27f and the opening length in the front-to-rear direction of the rear region 27r can be shortened in conjunction with each other.

[0098] The occupant can slide both the front lid 41 and the rear lid 31 by applying force to only one of them. Therefore, the occupant does not need to apply force to each of the operating parts 34, 44 to slide the front lid 41 and the rear lid 31. This simplifies the operation for closing and opening the main opening 27.

[0099] In this case, the rear closing lock mechanism, the front closing lock mechanism, and the release buttons 35, 57 can be omitted. <Armrest 61> One or both of the pair of armrests 61 may be omitted.

[0100] By utilizing the fact that both armrests 61 are located at a position where they sandwich the front lid 41 and the rear lid 31 from both the left and right sides, the left and right movement of the front lid 41 and the rear lid 31 may be restricted by the vertical wall portions 62 of both armrests 61.

[0101] <Other matters> The interlocking mechanism 65, the rear biasing mechanism 75, and the front biasing mechanism 81 may all be omitted from the vehicle storage box 20 of the above embodiment. In this case, the occupant will slide the rear lid 31 and the front lid 41 separately.

[0102] The rear lid 31 can be stopped at an intermediate position between the rear closed position and the rear fully open position while being separated from the front lid 41, thereby adjusting the opening length in the front-to-rear direction of the rear region 27r. Also, the front lid 41 can be stopped at an intermediate position between the front closed position and the front fully open position while being separated from the rear lid 31, thereby adjusting the opening length in the front-to-rear direction of the front region 27f.

[0103] The opening length in the front-rear direction of the rear region 27r can be made different from the opening length in the front-rear direction of the front region 27f. The present invention can also be applied to a vehicle storage box disposed between adjacent vehicle seats in the rear.

[0104] The present invention can also be applied to a vehicle storage box in which neither the rear lid 31 nor the front lid 41 is provided with a placement surface 33a. The present invention can also be applied to a vehicle storage box that does not have a sub-storage compartment 45 or a shutter 51 on either the rear lid 31 or the front lid 41. In this case, the main storage compartment 26 and the main opening 27 in the above embodiment correspond to the storage compartment and the opening in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 10...Vehicle 12, 13...Vehicle seats 20...Vehicle storage box 26...Main storage area (storage area) 27...Main opening (opening) 27f…front area 27r…rear area 31...Rear lid (lid) 33a...Placement surface 41...Front lid (lid) 45...Secondary storage area 46...Secondary opening 51...Shutter 52...Shutter component 61...Armrest 63...Elbow rest 65...Interlocking mechanism

Claims

1. A vehicle storage box is provided between adjacent vehicle seats, the vehicle storage box comprising a storage section having an opening at an upper portion and a lid for opening and closing the opening, the opening includes a front region and a rear region that is continuous with the rear of the front region, The lid is divided into a front lid and a rear lid, the front lid is arranged to be slidable linearly in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle so that the front lid closes the front area at a front closed position, and fully opens the front area at a front fully open position set forward of the front closed position, and the front lid opens the front area more widely as it moves further forward from the front closed position between the front closed position and the front fully open position, the rear lid closes the rear area at a rear closed position adjacent to the rear closed position, and fully opens the rear area at a rear fully open position set behind the rear closed position; and between the rear closed position and the rear fully open position, the rear lid is arranged to be slidable linearly in the front-rear direction so that the rear area is opened more widely as it moves farther rearward from the rear closed position; When the opening is a main opening, the storage section is a main storage section, and at least one of the front lid and the rear lid is a target lid, The target lid is provided with a sub-storage section having a sub-opening that opens to an upper surface of the target lid, a shutter that is formed by connecting a plurality of shutter components in a bendable manner and that opens and closes the sub-opening by sliding, a shutter storage section that stores the shutter, and a guide groove section into which a shaft portion provided on the shutter component is slidably inserted, The shutter storage section and the guide groove section are curved so as to be folded back toward the lower surface side of the auxiliary storage section.

2. 2. The vehicle storage box according to claim 1, wherein a placement surface for placing articles is formed on an upper surface of at least one of the front lid and the rear lid.

3. The device further includes a linkage mechanism that slides one of the front lid and the rear lid in conjunction with the sliding of the other, the interlocking mechanism includes a rack and pinion mechanism that connects the front lid and the rear lid, The rack and pinion mechanism is When one of the front lid and the rear lid is slid while the front lid is positioned at the front closed position and the rear lid is positioned at the rear closed position, the other lid is slid in the opposite direction in conjunction with the sliding of the front lid and the rear lid; 2. The vehicle storage box according to claim 1, wherein when the front lid is positioned in the front fully open position and the rear lid is positioned in the rear fully open position, when one of the front lid and the rear lid is slid, the other lid is slid in the opposite direction in conjunction with the sliding.

4. The vehicle further includes an armrest disposed on at least one side in a vehicle width direction, The vehicle storage box according to claim 1, wherein the armrest has an elbow rest portion at a position higher than the front lid and the rear lid.

Images