A vehicle storage box

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle storage box (1) which is used as a container or storage compartment inside a vehicle, and wherein it is enabled to automatically close its lid (3) in the open position by means of shape memory rods (8, 9).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] A VEHICLE STORAGE BOX

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates to a vehicle storage box which is used as a container or storage compartment inside a vehicle, and wherein it is enabled to automatically close its lid in the open position by means of shape memory rods.

[0005] Background of the Invention

[0006] There are many apparatuses in the vehicle such as glove box, license / phone storage box, and glasses storage case, which are functionally used as containers or storage compartments. In the systems used in glasses storage containers, which are one of the said apparatuses, it is enabled to manually push the spring back, unlock the lock and open the lid of the storage container downwards with a basic spring mechanism that provides a mechanical retention and release. Similarly, it is enabled to keep the closed position of the storage container by realizing the locking of the open lid, when it reaches the lock position by being pushed manually by hand, by mechanically pushing the spring. Here, it is enabled to open the lid mass downwards by gravity when the manual release button is pressed, to open the lid via a second-order system by the logic of mass-spring-damper and to reach the glasses in the storage container. Similarly, it is enabled to push the lid back by stimulating the mechanical spring when the locking position is reached when it is pushed forward manually in order to close the lid, and to keep the lid in the locked position when it is released. Especially, when the lid of the apparatus, used as glasses storage container, remains open, it narrows the field of vision of the driver during high-speed driving, disturbs the driver, and reduces driving comfort due to distraction. However, the fact that the lid is open causes noises such as rattling and squeaking, which endangers driving safety again bydistracting the driver. For this reason, today, there is a need for solutions that will enable the lid to be closed automatically so that storage boxes do not endanger driving if they are left open.

[0007] Today, different solutions are used for closing the lid automatically. In one of them, the lid is held by a locking mechanism by being brought into the locking position by being pulled upwards by an actuator. Here, in order to prevent injuries such as jamming hands during the closing of the lid, safety is provided with a sensor or an adaptive controller algorithm with feedback. In the said actuators, the fact that an electrical element comprising a coil electromechanically must pass extra tests such as EMI and EMC due to its inductive feature increases both the complexity of the system and the interference must be suppressed via additional electronic components in order to provide interference and compatibility. For this reason, today, there is a need for automatic lid closing solutions that, if the storage boxes remain open, will not endanger driving safety, will not disturb driver comfort, will not cause discomfort by making noise and will provide the necessary compatibilities.

[0008] The Japanese patent document no. JPH078095U, an application included in the state of the art, discloses a mechanism which is designed to enable objects such as glasses and cards to be stored by being located on the front roof surface of the vehicle. The invention describes a vehicle mounting structure for equipping equipment and storage cases adjacent to the vehicle cabin roof surface. Conventionally, outfitting equipment such as in-vehicle lamps and in-vehicle mirrors, as well as storage boxes such as glasses and card holders, are attached to the cabin roof. For example, a disclosed method comprises the use of a mounting substrate positioned between the vehicle cabin roof and the rearview mirror mounting hole, aligning the screw holes, and fixing them in order to fix the mounting substrate and the in-vehicle mirror to the cabin roof. The holder housing is then connected to the extension part of the mounting substrate. The glasses holder, which functions as a storage box, consists of a main body and an openablelid. The lid is mounted on one side of the main body with a hinge mechanism. A compartment is formed inside the lid for the safe storage of the glasses.

[0009] Summary of the Invention

[0010] An object of the present invention is to realize a vehicle storage box wherein it is enabled to automatically close the storage box lids, which, if left open, would disturb driving comfort, distract the driver and cause discomfort by making noise, by means of shape memory rods.

[0011] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0012] “A Vehicle Storage Box” realized to fulfil the objective of the present invention is shown in the figures attached, in which:

[0013] Figure l is a perspective view of an inventive vehicle storage box.

[0014] Figure l is a front view of the movement mechanism providing automatic closing in an inventive vehicle storage box.

[0015] Figure 3 is associated views of the movements of the lid and the movement mechanism in an inventive vehicle storage box.

[0016] The components illustrated in the figures are individually numbered, where the numbers refer to the following:

[0017] 1. Vehi cl e storage b ox

[0018] 2. Container

[0019] 3. Lid

[0020] 4. Locking mechanism

[0021] 5. Mechanical reference

[0022] 6. Slide mechanism

[0023] 7. Slide roller8. First shape memory rod

[0024] 9. Second shape memory rod

[0025] 10. Lid roller

[0026] 11. Belt

[0027] 12. Control unit

[0028] An inventive vehicle storage box (1) wherein it is enabled to automatically close the lid in an open position in the vehicle by the use of shape memory rods comprises;

[0029] at least one container (2);

[0030] at least one lid (3) which can make an opening and closing movement on the container (2);

[0031] at least one locking mechanism (4) which enables the lid (3) to be opened by moving away from the container (2) by being pressed on and the lid (3) to remain closed on the container (2);

[0032] at least one mechanical reference (5) which is located on the container (2); at least one slide mechanism (6) which is located on the lid (3) and has at least one slide roller (7) rolling thereon;

[0033] at least one first shape memory rod (8) which is located between the mechanical reference (5) and the slide mechanism (6), shortens by passing current through it and enables the mechanical reference (5) to grip the slide mechanism (6) by the shortening movement;

[0034] at least one second shape memory rod (9) which is connected at one end to the slide mechanism (6) and at the other end to the slide roller (7), shortens by passing current through it and enables the slide roller (7) to be moved by the shortening movement;

[0035] at least one lid roller (10) which is located on the lid (3);

[0036] at least one belt (11) which realizes the connection of the lid roller (10) and the slide roller (7) to each other and enables the lid (3) to be closed by providing the movement of the lid (3) towards the container (2) bytransmitting the rotational movement of the slide roller (7), moving by the shortening of the second shape memory rod (9), to the lid roller (10); and at least one control unit (12) which is configured to enable current to be supplied to the first and second shape memory rods (8, 9) located on the mechanical reference (5), to enable the mechanical reference (5) to grip the slide mechanism (6) by the shortening movement realized by supplying current, and then to be automatically closed by moving the lid (3) towards the container (2) by the slide roller (7) rotating the lid roller (10).

[0037] The container (2) included in an inventive vehicle storage box (1) is located on the vehicle and is used for storing glasses therein. The container (2) has the locking mechanism (4), the mechanical reference (5), and the slide mechanism (6) thereon. The container (2) is in a fixed position on the vehicle and enables the lid (3) to make an opening and closing movement on the container (2) by the movement of the slide roller (7).

[0038] The lid (3) included in an inventive vehicle storage box (1) makes an opening and closing movement in the container (2) and has a counterpart for the locking mechanism (4) in the container (2) thereon. By means of the locking mechanism (5) engaging to its counterpart, the involuntary opening movement of the lid (3) is prevented when it is closed to the container (2), and by pressing the locking mechanism (4), the counterpart allows the lid (3) to open downwards with its own weight.

[0039] The locking mechanism (4) included in an inventive vehicle storage box (1) is configured to enable the lid (3) to hold on to the container (2) when it is in the closed position, and to enable the lid (3) to be opened with its own weight by being pressed on. The locking mechanism (4) is located on the lid (3) while its counterpart is located on the container (2).The mechanical reference (5) included in an inventive vehicle storage box (1) is a fixed part located on the container (2) and has the control unit (12) thereon. The mechanical reference (5) is in the form of a plate and has the control unit (12) on one surface and, on the other surface, has the first shape memory rod (8) connected to the surface at its end. The mechanical reference (5) enables a reference point to be formed for the movement of the lid.

[0040] The slide mechanism (6) included in an inventive vehicle storage box (1) is located on the container (2) and forms a mechanical reference for the rotation of the slide roller (7) by gripping the mechanical reference (5) upon shortening of the first shape memory rod (8). The slide mechanism (6) is used, at one end, to grip the mechanical reference (5), while at the other end it acts as a bearing for the slide roller (7) to rotate.

[0041] The slide roller (7) included in an inventive vehicle storage box (1) rotates with the movement generated by the shortening of the second shape memory rod (9) and enables the rotational movement to be transmitted to the lid roller (10) through the belt (11) for automatic closing of the lid (3). The slide roller (7) performs rotational movement at the end of the slide mechanism (6) close to the lid (3) and transmits the rotational movement to the lid roller (10) via the belt (11) located thereon.

[0042] The first shape memory rod (8) included in an inventive vehicle storage box (1) is controlled by means of the control unit (12) and is located on the mechanical reference (5) at one end and on the slide mechanism (6) at the other end. The first shape memory rod (8) performs a shortening or elongation movement by transitioning from austenite phase to martensitic phase or from martensitic phase to austenite phase by being heated with the current supplied and moves the slide mechanism (6) to which it is connected towards the mechanical reference (5).The second shape memory rod (9) included in an inventive vehicle storage box (1) is controlled by means of the control unit (12) and is located on the slide mechanism (6) at one end and on the slide roller (7) at the other end. The second shape memory rod (8) performs a shortening or elongation movement by transitioning from austenite phase to martensitic phase or from martensitic phase to austenite phase by being heated with the current supplied and rotates the slide roller (7) by taking the slide mechanism (6) to which it is connected at one end as a reference. The second shape memory rod (9) enables the lid to be closed by shortening by means of its roller-winder structure.

[0043] The lid roller (10) included in an inventive vehicle storage box (1) is located on the lid (3) and rotates by means of the belt (11) with the movement received from the slide roller (7). The lid roller (10) is the connection point of the lid (3) and the container (2) and receives the movement required for the closure of the lid (3) from the belt (11).

[0044] The belt (11) included in an inventive vehicle storage box (1) transmits the rotational movement of the slide roller (7) to the lid roller (10). The belt (11) transmits the movement required for the automatic closure of the lid (3) in the open position to the lid roller (10) after it is generated by the second shape memory rod (9) rotating the slide roller (7).

[0045] The control unit (12) included in an inventive vehicle storage box (1) is a control board, used to electronically control the first and second shape memory rods (8, 9), having a microcontroller, and is located on the mechanical reference (5). The control unit (12) is configured to enable the open lid (3) to be automatically closed by enabling current to be supplied to the shape memory rods (8, 9). The control unit (12) is configured to consider the first and second shape memory rods (8, 9), with its control card structure, as resistance elements since they have a resistive property and to control their shortening or elongation with the increase in their temperature depending on the current passed through them. The control unit (12)is configured to transition the first and second shape memory rods (8, 9) from austenite phase to martensitic phase or from martensitic phase to austenite phase by passing current through them and to enable them to move. The control unit (12) is configured to electronically control the first and second shape memory rods (8, 9) by means of transistors located in their connections and to enable current to pass through the first and second shape memory rods (8, 9). The control unit (12) is configured to establish communication with the current sensors located in the connections of the first and second shape memory rods (8, 9) and to feedback the currents passing through the first and second shape memory rods (8, 9) to the microcontroller through this established communication and to control the currents for anomaly condition (Diagram 1).

[0046]

[0047] Diagram 1. Control card circuit diagram

[0048] The control unit (12) is configured to perform PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) controlled current switching with on-off through the first and second shape memory rods (8, 9) by sending the relevant error-dependent control signals on the feedback and reference values to the driver transistors via a PID controller and to enable the gripping and lid (3) closing operations to be performed.

[0049]

[0050] Diagram 2. Flow diagram regarding the electronic control algorithm and model reference adaptive control

[0051] The control unit (12) is configured to start a timer upon the opening of the lid (3), to enable the automatic closure operation of the lid (3) to be started if it remains open for a predetermined period of time, to enable the first shape memory rod (8) to be shortened by supplying current to it and to perform the gripping operation between the slide mechanism (6) and the mechanical reference (5), to perform current anomaly control through the communication established with the first shape memory rod (8) current sensor after the gripping process, to finalize the closing process by deactivating the gripping if a current anomaly is present, to enable the lid (3) to be closed with the second shape memory rod (9) if there is no current anomaly, and then to perform current anomaly control through the communication established with the second shape memory rod (9) current sensor, to finalize the closing process by deactivating the gripping if there is a current anomaly, and to finish the closing process if there is no current anomaly. The control unit (12) is configured to start the timer upon the opening of the lid (3) and to enable the first shape memory rod (8) to be shortened by supplying current to it and gripping to be realized in order to automatically close the lid (3) when a certain time is exceeded. In this way, the slide roller (7) rotates the lid roller (10) by means of the belt (11) and the automatic closing of the lid (3) is realized.If the lid (3) of an inventive vehicle storage box (1) remains open for a certain period of time, it starts to close by itself in order not to disturb the comfort of the driver and not to endanger driving safety. For this, the control unit (12) electronically controls the first and second shape memory rods (8, 9) and enables the gripping process to be realized by supplying current and the closing process to be realized by rotation process. During the closing process, the control unit (12) performs anomaly control with current sensors and in case of any anomaly, it terminates the closing process immediately and prevents situations such as hand jamming by releasing the lid (3).

[0052] An inventive vehicle storage box (1) is used as glasses storage container and the automatic closure of the lid (3) for driving safety prevents rattling / squeaking noises for driving comfort when the lid (3) is open. At the same time, in order to prevent injuries that may occur during the automatic closure of the lid (3), the closure process is stopped urgently by using the model reference adaptive control algorithm, the lid (3) is released and the system complexity and test costs are reduced by reducing EMI / EMC requirements.

[0053] Within these basic concepts; it is possible to develop various embodiments of the inventive “A Vehicle Storage Box (1)”; the invention cannot be limited to examples disclosed herein and it is essentially according to claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A vehicle storage box (1) wherein it is enabled to automatically close the lid in an open position in the vehicle by the use of shape memory rods; characterized byat least one container (2);at least one lid (3) which can make an opening and closing movement on the container (2);at least one locking mechanism (4) which enables the lid (3) to be opened by moving away from the container (2) by being pressed on and the lid (3) to remain closed on the container (2);at least one mechanical reference (5) which is located on the container (2); at least one slide mechanism (6) which is located on the lid (3) and has at least one slide roller (7) rolling thereon;at least one first shape memory rod (8) which is located between the mechanical reference (5) and the slide mechanism (6), shortens by passing current through it and enables the mechanical reference (5) to grip the slide mechanism (6) by the shortening movement;at least one second shape memory rod (9) which is connected at one end to the slide mechanism (6) and at the other end to the slide roller (7), shortens by passing current through it and enables the slide roller (7) to be moved by the shortening movement;at least one lid roller (10) which is located on the lid (3);at least one belt (11) which realizes the connection of the lid roller (10) and the slide roller (7) to each other and enables the lid (3) to be closed by providing the movement of the lid (3) towards the container (2) by transmitting the rotational movement of the slide roller (7), moving by the shortening of the second shape memory rod (9), to the lid roller (10); and at least one control unit (12) which is configured to enable current to be supplied to the first and second shape memory rods (8, 9) located on the mechanical reference (5), to enable the mechanical reference (5) to grip theslide mechanism (6) by the shortening movement realized by supplying current, and then to be automatically closed by moving the lid (3) towards the container (2) by the slide roller (7) rotating the lid roller (10).

2. A vehicle storage box (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the container (2) which is in a fixed position on the vehicle and enables the lid (3) to make an opening and closing movement on the container (2) by the movement of the slide roller (7).

3. A vehicle storage box (1) according to Claim 1 or 2; characterized by the lid (3) which makes an opening and closing movement in the container (2) and has a counterpart for the locking mechanism (4) in the container (2) thereon.

4. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the locking mechanism (4) which is configured to enable the lid (3) to hold on to the container (2) when it is in the closed position, and to enable the lid (3) to be opened with its own weight by being pressed on.

5. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the locking mechanism (4) which is located on the lid (3) while its counterpart is located on the container (2).

6. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the mechanical reference (5) which is a fixed part located on the container (2) and has the control unit (12) thereon.

7. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the mechanical reference (5) which is in the form of a plate and has the control unit (12) on one surface and, on the other surface, has the first shape memory rod (8) connected to the surface at its end.

8. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the mechanical reference (5) which enables a reference point to be formed for the movement of the lid.

9. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the slide mechanism (6) which is located on the container (2) and forms a mechanical reference for the rotation of the slide roller (7) by gripping the mechanical reference (5) upon shortening of the first shape memory rod (8).

10. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the slide mechanism (6) which is used, at one end, to grip the mechanical reference (5), while at the other end it acts as a bearing for the slide roller (7) to rotate.

11. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the slide roller (7) which rotates with the movement generated by the shortening of the second shape memory rod (9) and enables the rotational movement to be transmitted to the lid roller (10) through the belt (11) for automatic closing of the lid (3).

12. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the slide roller (7) which performs rotational movement at the end of the slide mechanism (6) close to the lid (3) and transmits the rotational movement to the lid roller (10) via the belt (11) located thereon.

13. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the first shape memory rod (8) which is controlled by means of the control unit (12) and is located on the mechanical reference (5) at one end and on the slide mechanism (6) at the other end.

14. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the first shape memory rod (8) which performs a shortening or elongation movement by transitioning from austenite phase to martensitic phase or from martensitic phase to austenite phase by being heated with the current supplied and moves the slide mechanism (6) to which it is connected towards the mechanical reference (5).

15. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the second shape memory rod (9) which is controlled by means of the control unit (12) and is located on the slide mechanism (6) at one end and on the slide roller (7) at the other end.

16. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the second shape memory rod (9) which performs a shortening or elongation movement by transitioning from austenite phase to martensitic phase or from martensitic phase to austenite phase by being heated with the current supplied and rotates the slide roller (7) by taking the slide mechanism (6) to which it is connected at one end as a reference.

17. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the second shape memory rod (9) which enables the lid to be closed by shortening by means of its roller-winder structure.

18. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the lid roller (10) which is located on the lid (3) and rotates by means of the belt (11) with the movement received from the slide roller (7).

19. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the lid roller (10) which is the connection point of the lid (3) and the container (2) and receives the movement required for the closure of the lid (3) from the belt (11).

20. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the belt (11) which transmits the rotational movement of the slide roller (7) to the lid roller (10).

21. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the belt (11) which transmits the movement required for the automatic closure of the lid (3) in the open position to the lid roller (10) after it is generated by the second shape memory rod (9) rotating the slide roller (7).

22. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the control unit (12) which is a control board, used to electronically control the first and second shape memory rods (8, 9), having a microcontroller, and is located on the mechanical reference (5).

23. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the control unit (12) which is configured to enable the open lid (3) to be automatically closed by enabling current to be supplied to the shape memory rods (8, 9).

24. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the control unit (12) which is configured to consider the first and second shape memory rods (8, 9), with its control card structure, as resistance elements since they have a resistive property and to control their shortening or elongation with the increase in their temperature depending on the current passed through them.

25. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the control unit (12) which is configured to transition the first and second shape memory rods (8, 9) from austenite phase to martensitic phase orfrom martensitic phase to austenite phase by passing current through them and to enable them to move.

26. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the control unit (12) which is configured to electronically control the first and second shape memory rods (8, 9) by means of transistors located in their connections and to enable current to pass through the first and second shape memory rods (8, 9).

27. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the control unit (12) which is configured to establish communication with the current sensors located in the connections of the first and second shape memory rods (8, 9) and to feedback the currents passing through the first and second shape memory rods (8, 9) to the microcontroller through this established communication and to control the currents for anomaly condition.

28. A vehicle storage box (1) according to Claim 27; characterized by the control unit (12) which is configured to perform PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) controlled current switching with on-off through the first and second shape memory rods (8, 9) by sending the relevant error-dependent control signals on the feedback and reference values to the driver transistors via a PID controller and to enable the gripping and lid (3) closing operations to be performed.

29. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the control unit (12) which is configured to start a timer upon the opening of the lid (3), to enable the automatic closure operation of the lid (3) to be started if it remains open for a predetermined period of time, to enable the first shape memory rod (8) to be shortened by supplying current to it and to perform the gripping operation between the slide mechanism (6) and the mechanical reference (5), to perform current anomaly control through the communication established with the first shape memory rod (8) current sensorafter the gripping process, to finalize the closing process by deactivating the gripping if a current anomaly is present, to enable the lid (3) to be closed with the second shape memory rod (9) if there is no current anomaly, and then to perform current anomaly control through the communication established with the second shape memory rod (9) current sensor, to finalize the closing process by deactivating the gripping if there is a current anomaly, and to finish the closing process if there is no current anomaly.

30. A vehicle storage box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the control unit (12) which is configured to start the timer upon the opening of the lid (3) and to enable the first shape memory rod (8) to be shortened by supplying current to it and gripping to be realized in order to automatically close the lid (3) when a certain time is exceeded.

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