Shift lock release hole opening structure and vehicle equipped therewith

Abstract

To provide a shift lock release hole open structure and a vehicle with the same in which a shift lock release hole is opened without a tool and beauty of a vehicle interior is not spoiled.SOLUTION: A shift lock release hole open structure comprises: a console panel; an aperture which is arranged in the console panel; a shift lock release hole which is opened facing the aperture; a release hole cover which covers the shift lock release hole; and a lid body which covers the aperture and the release hole cover. The release hole cover is switchable through sliding between a closed position where the shift lock release hole is closed and an open position where the shift lock release hole is opened. The lid body is switchable through sliding between a lid closing position where the whole aperture is closed and a lid opening position where the aperture is partially opened and the shift lock release hole is closed. The release hole cover is to be an open state so that the lid body is held at a position where the shift lock release hole is opened.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a shift lock release hole opening structure for opening a shift lock release hole for performing shift lock release in a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] In a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, a so-called automatic vehicle, a shift lever for switching the shift range is provided to protrude from the console panel. For safety considerations, when the vehicle is parked and the position of the shift lever is in the parking position, a shift lock is applied to prevent switching operations to other positions. Therefore, the switching operation to other positions can only be performed when the engine is running and the brake is depressed.

[0003] [[ID=十六]]However, there are cases where it is desired to switch the shift lever to the neutral position and move it without operating the engine in case of a vehicle failure or the like. Therefore, a device for applying the shift lock is provided with a shift lock release mechanism that can release the shift lock by physically pushing it downward.

[0004] Specifically, an elongated tool such as a driver is inserted through a release opening provided in the console panel from which the shift lever protrudes, and the shift lock can be released by pressing a predetermined operating member of the shift lock release mechanism.

[0005] For the release opening provided in this console, a cover body that requires a tool for removal is often provided as a member for closing the release opening so that the shift lock cannot be easily released for security reasons.

[0006] However, it is troublesome to remove the cover body using a tool every time when it is desired to move the vehicle, and it is inconvenient in an emergency. In addition, conventionally, the cover body is often provided to be exposed on the console panel, which may also be a problem in that it impairs the aesthetics of the vehicle interior.

[0007] Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle console structure in which a cylindrical drink holder or a rectangular storage compartment is provided with a release opening for releasing the shift lock and a cover body to close the opening on its side. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-73188 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] According to the vehicle console structure described in Patent Document 1, a release opening is provided in the inner wall of a drink holder or the like in the console, and a cover body is attached by hooking it onto the release opening with a claw. In addition, the drink holder or the like is equipped with a lid that follows the upper opening for storing items, and by pushing the lid downward, the lid becomes the bottom and the storage space is exposed.

[0010] Therefore, when the drink holder or other storage device is not in use, the cover can be concealed by a lid that blocks the top of the opening. Furthermore, even when the drink holder or other storage device is in use, the cover has the advantage of being less visible because it is located on the inner wall of the storage space, and the cover can be hidden by the stored items.

[0011] However, the vehicle console structure described in Patent Document 1 has a removable cover, which means that when releasing the shift lock, there is a risk of losing the removed cover. If the cover is lost, there is nothing to cover the release opening, and for example, water droplets from a plastic bottle stored in the drink holder may enter through the release opening.

[0012] Furthermore, when pressing the shift lock release mechanism with a tool, an opening for release is provided in the inner wall of the storage space, requiring the tool to be inserted at an angle and the handle side to be lifted upwards. Although Patent Document 1 includes a structure that guides the movement of the tool at this time, lifting the tool upwards is not considered efficient. In addition, since the shift lever must be switched at the same time as this release operation, the operation becomes cumbersome.

[0013] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a shift lock release hole opening structure and a vehicle equipped therewith that does not require the use of tools to open the shift lock release hole and does not impair the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle's interior. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] To solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the system comprises a console panel, an opening provided in the console panel, a shift lock release hole opening facing the opening, a release hole cover covering the shift lock release hole, and a lid covering the opening and the release hole cover. The release hole cover is provided to be switchable by sliding between a closed position that blocks the shift lock release hole and an open position that opens the shift lock release hole. The lid is provided to be switchable by sliding between a closed lid position that blocks the entire opening and an open lid position that partially opens the opening and blocks the shift lock release hole. The release hole cover is characterized in that, when in the open state, it holds the lid in a position that opens the shift lock release hole.

[0015] Furthermore, the release hole cover is characterized by being tilted as a whole when in the open position, so that it contacts the lid in a fully open position, which is even more open than the open position, thereby holding the lid in a position that opens the shift lock release hole.

[0016] Furthermore, a shift lock release mechanism is provided below the shift lock release hole, which releases the shift lock when pressed. The lower part of the shift lock release hole is also characterized by a guide section that guides the tool used when pressing the shift lock release mechanism. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, the shift lock release hole can be opened by moving the release hole cover and the lid, so the shift lock release hole can be easily opened without using any tools.

[0018] Furthermore, since the lid is positioned to cover the shift lock release hole even when opened, the shift lock release hole will not be visible to the user during normal use, eliminating the risk of detracting from the aesthetics of the console panel.

[0019] Furthermore, by designing the shift lock release hole to be exposed only when the release hole cover is slid open, the shift lock release hole can be positioned more discreetly, ensuring a high level of security.

[0020] Furthermore, the release hole cover can be slid to open the shift lock release hole, eliminating the need to remove the cover and thus preventing it from being lost.

[0021] Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 3, the shift lock release mechanism can be pressed simply by inserting a tool along the guide portion provided at the bottom of the shift lock release hole, which has the effect of improving the workability of the release operation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0022] [Figure 1] This is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of a shift lock release hole opening structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a shift lock release hole opening structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a release hole opening structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a schematic plan view showing a heart cam mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a schematic plan view for explaining the opening and closing operation of a lid body according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a schematic plan view for explaining the opening and closing operation of a lid body according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a schematic plan view for explaining the operation until the shift lock release hole is opened according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a view showing the configuration of a shift lock release hole opening structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a view showing the configuration of a shift lock release hole opening structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a shift lock release hole opening structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a release hole opening structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0023] The gist of this invention is to include a console panel, an opening provided in the console panel, a shift lock release hole opened facing the opening, a release hole cover covering the shift lock release hole, and a lid body covering the opening and the release hole cover. The release hole cover is provided so as to be switchable between a closed position for closing the shift lock release hole and an open position for opening the shift lock release hole by sliding. The lid body is provided so as to be switchable between a closed lid position for closing the entire opening and an open lid position for partially opening the opening and closing the shift lock release hole by sliding. The release hole cover is to hold the lid body in a position for opening the shift lock release hole when it is in an open state.

[0024] Furthermore, the release hole cover is characterized by being tilted as a whole when in the open position, so that it contacts the lid in a fully open position, which is even more open than the open position, thereby holding the lid in a position that opens the shift lock release hole.

[0025] Furthermore, a shift lock release mechanism 300 is provided below the shift lock release hole, which releases the shift lock when pressed. The lower part of the shift lock release hole is also characterized by having a guide section that guides the tool used when pressing the shift lock release mechanism 300.

[0026] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the shift lock release hole opening structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The following embodiment is an example of embodying the present invention and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0027] For the sake of explanation, the directions indicated by arrows Fr, Rr, LH, and RH in each drawing correspond to the forward, rear, left, and right directions, respectively, in an automobile equipped with the shift lock release hole opening structure according to this embodiment. Furthermore, in the following description, the directions of front / rear, up / down, and left / right generally refer to the front / rear, up / down, and left / right directions of the automobile, respectively.In addition, although the shift lock release hole opening structure M is provided in the forward direction relative to the shift lever 200 in this embodiment, it is not limited to this and may be provided anywhere within the range in which the shift lock release mechanism 300 can be operated.That is, it may be provided not only in the forward direction but also in the rear, left, and right directions in the vicinity of the shift lever 200 located above the shift lock release mechanism 300.

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view illustrating the configuration of the shift lock release hole opening structure M, showing the shift lock release hole 500 in an open state. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the internal configuration of the shift lock release hole opening structure M. Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the configuration of the shift lock release hole opening structure M, with the release hole cover 600 omitted mainly to illustrate the slide guide 610. Figure 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating the heart cam mechanism 800 that makes the lid 700 of the shift lock release hole opening structure M slidable. Figure 5 is a schematic plan view illustrating the opening and closing operation of the lid 700, where (a) shows the closed position and (b) shows the fully open position. Figure 6 is a schematic plan view illustrating the opening and closing operation of the lid 700, where (a) shows the fully open position and (b) shows the open position. Figure 7 is a schematic plan view illustrating the operation to open the shift lock release hole 500, where (a) shows the lid 700 in the closed position, (b) shows the lid 700 in the open position, (c) shows the lid 700 in the fully open position and the release hole cover 600 in the closed position, and (d) shows the lid 700 in the fully open position and the release hole cover 600 in the open position. Figure 8 is a schematic plan view illustrating the configuration of the shift lock release hole opening structure M, showing the opening 400 closed. Figure 9 is a schematic plan view illustrating the configuration of the shift lock release hole opening structure M, showing the opening 400 partially open. Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the shift lock release hole opening structure M, showing how the lid 700 is held in the open position by opening the release hole cover 600. Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the configuration of the shift lock release hole opening structure M, showing how the release hole cover 600 is opened to hold the lid 700 in the open position.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, the shift lock release hole opening structure M according to this embodiment comprises a console panel 100 on which a shift lever 200 for switching gear ranges protrudes, an opening 400 provided on the surface of the console panel 100, a shift lock release hole 500 opening facing the opening 400, a release hole cover 600 covering the shift lock release hole 500, and a lid 700 covering the opening 400 and the release hole cover 600.

[0030] Below the shift lever 200, which protrudes from the console panel 100, as shown in Figure 2, there is a shift lock device (not shown) that locks the shift and a shift lock release mechanism 300 that allows the shift lock to be released. Furthermore, the shift lock release mechanism 300 is configured to release the shift lock by physically operating the locking mechanism of the shift lock device when it is pushed down.

[0031] The opening 400 is formed by opening a rectangular section in the surface of the console panel 100. It is located near the shift lever 200 that protrudes from the console panel 100. Furthermore, a USB port 410 for power supply is provided in a portion of the opening 400, as shown in Figure 1. The portion of the opening 400 is not limited to a USB port 410; it could also be a small storage compartment with a certain amount of storage space, or a power outlet, etc.

[0032] A shift lock release hole 500 is drilled in a part of the opening 400, on the side of the shift lever 200, which connects to the shift lock release mechanism 300.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, a cylindrical guide portion 510 is provided at the bottom of the shift lock release hole 500, which ensures that tools used to release the shift lock are reliably guided to the shift lock release mechanism 300.

[0034] A release hole cover 600, which is slidable in the left-right direction in Figure 1, is provided above the shift lock release hole 500. When this release hole cover 600 is moved to its furthest left (right side), it closes the top of the shift lock release hole 500, and when moved to its furthest left (left side), it opens the shift lock release hole 500. (Hereafter, the position that closes the shift lock release hole 500 will be referred to as the closed position, and the position that opens the shift lock release hole 500 will be referred to as the open position.)

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the lower part of the release hole cover 600 has a slide guide 610 to enable sliding. This slide guide 610 has a gentle upward slope directed to the left toward the shift lever 200 side.

[0036] A lid 700, which can slide in the front-to-back direction as shown in Figure 1, is provided above the aforementioned opening 400 and release hole cover 600. Furthermore, when this lid 700 is moved to the front side, it covers the entire top of the opening 400, including the release hole cover 600, and when moved to the rear side, the opening 400 can be opened.

[0037] The mechanism for sliding the lid 700 uses a heart-shaped cam mechanism 800 as shown in Figure 4. The heart-shaped cam mechanism 800 forms a guide rail 810 consisting of a roughly heart-shaped groove, with an upward slope from the bottom 811 to the right top 812, a downward slope from the right top 812 to the first central part 813, an upward slope from the second central part 814 to the left top 815, and a downward slope from the left top 815 to the bottom 811. The first central part 813 is located higher than the second central part 814, and the edge 813a of the first central part 813 is a downward step. The heart-shaped cam mechanism 800 is installed in the space between the opening 400 and the shift lever 200 in Figure 1, rotated 90° clockwise.

[0038] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a groove 710 is provided on the underside of the lid 700, facing the heart cam mechanism 800. Furthermore, a ball body 900, slightly smaller than the width of the guide rail 810 and groove 710, is provided between the guide rail 810 of the heart cam mechanism 800 and the groove 710 of the lid 700. When the lid 700 is slid in the front-back direction, this ball body 900 rolls along the guide rail 810 of the heart cam mechanism 800, making it possible to intermittently switch the opening and closing of the lid 700.

[0039] Specifically, when the lid 700 is in the position where it completely closes the opening 400 (hereinafter referred to as the closed lid position), the ball body 900, located between the heart cam mechanism 800 and the lid 700, is located at the bottom 811 of the guide rail 810, as shown in Figure 5(a). When the user slides the lid 700 backward by hand, the ball body 900 rolls up the slope from the bottom 811 of the guide rail 810 to the right top 812, as shown in Figure 5(b), and when it reaches the right top 812, the lid 700 is in the position where it is fully open, i.e., at its rearmost position (hereinafter referred to as the fully open position).

[0040] After the lid 700 is moved to the fully open position and the user releases their hand from the lid 700, the ball 900 rolls down the slope from the right top 812 of the guide rail 810 to the first central section 813 by its own weight, and falls from the edge 813a of the first central section 813 to the second central section 814. The fallen ball 900 rolls to the lowest point of the slope of the second central section 814, i.e., the tip 814a of the second central section 814, and stops. With this configuration, the ball 900, stopped at the tip 814a of the second central section 814, maintains the lid 700 in a position that opens a part of the opening 400 (hereinafter referred to as the open lid position), as shown in Figure 6(a).

[0041] To return the lid 700 to the closed position, the user should slide the lid 700 backward again until it is in the fully open position and then release their hand. When moving from the open position to the fully open position, the ball body 900 will roll up the slope from the second central part 814 to the left top part 815.

[0042] When the lid is released in the fully open position, that is, when the ball body 900 is positioned at the left top 815 of the guide rail 810 (see Figure 6(b)), the ball body 900 will then roll down the slope from the left top 815 to the bottom 811 by its own weight, moving the lid body 700 to the closed position.

[0043] The lid 700 is made slidable by the heart cam mechanism 800 described above, allowing it to be intermittently switched between the closed and open positions.

[0044] Furthermore, the lid 700 may be equipped with a hydraulic damper to facilitate a smooth transition from the open position to the closed position. The hydraulic damper slows down the movement speed of the lid 700, creating a sense of luxury as an interior component of a vehicle. It also reduces the force with which the ball body 900 contacts the bottom 811 of the heart cam mechanism 800 and the tip 814a of the first central part 813, thereby minimizing deterioration due to use.

[0045] In this embodiment, a heart-shaped cam mechanism 800 is used as the mechanism for making the lid 700 slideable. However, the mechanism is not necessarily limited to the heart-shaped cam mechanism 800, and other cam mechanisms may be used that allow the lid 700 to be intermittently switched between a closed position and an open position, and that can partially close the opening 400 when it is in the open position.

[0046] Next, we will explain the specific method of using the shift lock release hole opening structure M and the method of opening the shift lock release hole 500. First, we will explain from the position where the lid 700 is closed. As mentioned above, the opening 400 will be described as being provided in the console panel 100 and having a USB port 410 inside.

[0047] When the lid 700 is in the closed position, it completely covers the opening 400 in the console panel 100, as shown in Figures 7(a) and 8. By closing the lid 700 when the USB port 410 provided in the opening 400 is not in use, dust entering the USB port 410 and water damage from spills can be prevented as much as possible.

[0048] When using the USB port 410 provided in the opening 400, the lid 700 is moved to the open position. That is, as described above, the user slides the lid 700 backward until it is in the fully open position and then releases it. As a result, as shown in Figure 7(b), the heart cam mechanism 800 causes it to automatically close from the fully open position to the open position.

[0049] In this open position, as shown in Figures 7(b) and 9, only the portion of the USB port 410 being used is open, while the shift lock release hole 500 and the release hole cover 600, which are located near the USB port 410 and facing the opening 400, are closed. In other words, when using the USB port 410 under normal circumstances, neither the shift lock release hole 500 for releasing the shift lock nor the release hole cover 600 that closes the shift lock release hole 500 are visible.

[0050] After using the USB port 410, slide the lid 700 back to the fully open position and release it. This will cause the lid 700 to return to the closed position (see Figure 6) due to the action of the heart cam mechanism 800 described above.

[0051] To release the shift lock, first slide the cover 700 backward to the fully open position, as shown in Figure 7(c). In the fully open position, the release hole cover 600, which was previously covered by the cover 700, is exposed.

[0052] With the lid 700 in the fully open position, the user slides the exposed release hole cover 600 to the left, as shown in Figure 7(d), to move the release hole cover 600 to the open position. As described above, a slide guide 610 is provided at the bottom of the release hole cover 600, which slopes upward to the left toward the shift lever 200 side, i.e., toward the lid 700 side when it is in the fully open position. Therefore, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, when the release hole cover 600 is moved to the open position, the edge of the lid 700 side comes into contact with the edge of the lid 700.

[0053] In this state, when the user releases their hand, the lid 700 will be prevented from automatically moving from the fully open position to the open position by the release hole cover 600, and will remain in the fully open position. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1, 10, and 11, the release hole cover 600 will remain in the open position without returning to the closed position because it is pressed by the forward force that causes the lid 700 to move to the open position (the force that causes the ball body 900 to roll forward due to its own weight).

[0054] The shift lock release hole 500 is opened by holding the lid 700 in the fully open position and the release hole cover 600 in the open position. The user inserts a tool through the opened shift lock release hole 500. The inserted tool travels along the guide portion 510 to the shift lock release mechanism 300, and the shift lock can be released by further pressing.

[0055] As described above, in order to open the shift lock release hole 500 for releasing the shift lock, the user must intentionally move the cover 700 to the fully open position while simultaneously moving the release hole cover 600 to the open position, as shown in Figure 7. With this configuration, it is possible to eliminate the need to use a tool to open the shift lock release hole 500.

[0056] Furthermore, by using a cam mechanism, such as the heart cam mechanism 800, as a mechanism to allow the lid 700 to slide, a difference, or clearance, is created between the open position and the fully open position. By providing the release hole cover 600 and the shift lock release hole 500 in the space of this clearance, the release hole cover 600 and the shift lock release hole 500 can be made invisible even when using equipment normally provided in the opening 400 such as a USB port 410, power outlet, or small item compartment. In other words, an advantage in terms of security is created.

[0057] Furthermore, the release hole cover 600 only needs to be slid to open the shift lock release hole 500, eliminating the risk of loss compared to conventional removable cover bodies.

[0058] Furthermore, when the release hole cover 600 is in the open position, the lid 700 automatically moves to the closed position and prevents it from closing, holding it in the fully open position. This keeps the shift lock release hole 500 open, making it easier to release the shift lock. In addition, the guide portion 510 provided at the bottom of the shift lock release hole 500 reliably guides the tool to the shift lock release mechanism 300, further facilitating the release operation.

[0059] The above-described embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and the shift lock release hole opening structure M according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Therefore, even in embodiments other than those described above, various modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as they do not depart from the technical spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the various effects described above are merely a list of preferred effects arising from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in these embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] M Shift lock release hole opening structure 100 Console Panel 200 Shift lever 300 Shift lock release mechanism 400 opening 410 USB ports 500 Shift lock release hole 510 Guide section 600 Release Hole Cover 610 Slide Guide 700 Lid 710 Groove 800 HeartCam Mechanism 810 Guide Rail 811 Bottom 812 Right top 813 First Central Section 813a Edge 814 Second Central Section 814a Tip 815 Left top 900 balls

Claims

1. A shift lock release hole opening structure for opening a shift lock release hole for releasing the shift lock, Console panel and, An opening provided in the console panel, A shift lock release hole opening facing the aforementioned opening, A release hole cover that covers the aforementioned shift lock release hole, The system comprises a cover that covers the opening and the release hole cover, The aforementioned release hole cover slides, The closed position that blocks the shift lock release hole, It is provided to be switchable between an open position that opens the shift lock release hole and a position that opens the shift lock release hole. The aforementioned lid slides, A closed lid position that covers the entire opening, The opening is partially opened, and the lid is switched to an open position that closes the shift lock release hole. The shift lock release hole opening structure is characterized in that the release hole cover, when in the open state, holds the lid in a position that opens the shift lock release hole.

2. The aforementioned release hole cover is By tilting the entire structure when it is in the aforementioned open position, The shift lock release hole opening structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover is held in a position that opens the shift lock release hole by contacting the cover in a fully open position that is even more open than the open cover position.

3. Below the aforementioned shift lock release hole, A shift lock release mechanism is provided, which releases the shift lock when pressed. At the lower part of the shift lock release hole, A shift lock release hole opening structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising a guide portion for guiding a tool used when pressing the shift lock release mechanism.

4. A vehicle equipped with the shift lock release hole opening structure described in claim 1.