DE102014112758B4 - Device for opening and closing a compartment - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for closing a compartment, comprising a cover (10) which is displaceable along a guide (14) from an open to a closed position, wherein the cover (10) via at least one operating force generating component along the guide (14) is movable and wherein the guide (14) is formed so that the cover (10) in the closed position conceals the compartment and in an open position, the compartment is accessible from the outside, and wherein the guide (14) on a End of the compartment is deflected downwards. The cover (10) is connected to a spring element, wherein the spring element stores energy when the cover (10) is moved from the closed position to the open position and releases the stored energy when the cover (10) is moved from the open to the closed position such that the operating force required for displacing the cover (10) is substantially constant over the entire displacement path, the characteristic of the spring element being designed in accordance with the weight force generated by the downwardly deflected part of the cover (10) during the process in the open position is.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for closing a compartment, which has at least one cover, which is displaceable along a guide from an open to a closed position, wherein the cover is movable along at least one operating force generating component along the guide. Such guides are designed so that the cover in the closed position covers the compartment and in the open position makes the compartment accessible from the outside. Such subjects are known for example for center consoles in motor vehicles. The compartments can be opened and closed by moving the cover by means of a handle or other sliding elements. When moving into the open state of the compartment, the cover is deflected downwards for space reasons or shifted into each other.

A receiving compartment for the interior of a vehicle is for example off DE 10 2006 020 264 B4 known, wherein a lid consists of two lid parts, which are moved to release a tray. A cover part may be spring loaded by a spring element, so that the spring element is tensioned when opening the lid. The spring element may be a scroll spring which is arranged on a shaft, wherein the shaft is connected to gears which engage in rack sections of the lid, so that the scroll spring supports the closing of the lid. DE 10 2004 051 443 A1 discloses a receptacle element for a cupholder with an integrated shelf, especially for motor vehicles, wherein the tray is a trough-shaped receptacle that can be moved from a hidden to an exposed position. The transfer from one position to the other via a push-push mechanism, wherein in addition to the movement of the tray, a scroll spring is provided which urges the tray in the hidden position.

Further disclosed DE 10 2011 050 397 A1 a flexible sliding cover for a motor vehicle, wherein a roller is provided, from which a cover when opening the sliding cover is unrolled and rolled up again when closing. This roller has, for example, a retraction spring, which causes the cover to roll up.

DE 10 2009 036 326 B3 discloses a storage compartment for a vehicle interior, comprising a cover movable between a fully closed and a maximum open position, a bottom and a locking device which holds the cover in an open position. An acceleration element is operatively connected to the cover, wherein the acceleration element is held in a rest position by a triggering device with storage of energy and is released in a release position of the triggering device, so that the stored energy of the acceleration element converted into kinetic energy of the lid and this in the closed position is brought.

DE 10 2011 115 373 A1 discloses a receptacle of a vehicle interior having a base in which at least one receptacle is formed, and having a lid for at least partially closing the receptacle, the cover being movable between a closed position and an open position and the cover being driven by a drive device open position or loaded in the closed position. The receiving device comprises at least one braking device, by means of which the movement of the lid in at least a portion of the opening movement and / or the closing movement can be braked by means of a braking device. The opening movement and / or the closing movement of the lid extend in at least one first area with a first characteristic and in at least one second area with a second characteristic, the second characteristic causing the movement to be braked. The movement of the cover is braked by at least one braking device in one subarea or in several subareas, but not in the entire range of motion.

A disadvantage of the devices known from the prior art is that the force required to open and close is not constant. Either the opening or closing is initially supported by the force of a spring, along the displacement of the required force increases or the required force is initially greatest when opening or closing and then decreases.

Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a means for closing a compartment, wherein the required operating force over the entire displacement is constant both when opening and when closing.

The object is achieved by a device having the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims in detail.

In a device according to the invention for closing a compartment, comprising a cover, which is displaceable along a guide from an open to a closed position, wherein the cover over at least one Operating force generating component is movable along the guide and wherein the guide is formed so that the cover in the closed position conceals the compartment and in the open position, the compartment is accessible from the outside and wherein the guide is deflected at one end of the compartment downwardly , the cover is connected to a spring element, wherein the spring element stores energy when the cover is moved from the closed position to the open position and releases the stored energy when the cover is moved from the open to the closed position, such that the cover is moved required operating force over the entire displacement path is substantially constant, wherein the characteristic of the spring element is designed in accordance with the weight generated by the downwardly deflected part of the cover during the process in the open position.

The advantage of the present invention is that due to the spring element and due to the weight force acting on the cover, the required operating force for moving the cover neither has to be increased nor reduced. The weight of the downwardly deflected portion of the cover, which is displaced along the downwardly deflected guide increases with the degree of displacement. As a result, the cover is held on the one hand in any position, if no more displacement is made, and on the other hand kept constant the operating force over the entire displacement. The downwardly deflected part of the cover substantially compensates for the tendency of the tensioned spring element to retract the cover. Therefore, the spring element used, the length and the weight of the cover and the length and deflection of the guide to match.

The deflected down part and the corresponding trained leadership are relevant to the interpretation of the characteristic of the spring element. It should also be considered, which dimensions the cover has, how far this is to be moved and which weight has the cover. Accordingly, the guide must be adapted to the cover and the spring element can be designed according to the deflected part. Due to the deflected part, gravity has an influence on the displacement, whereby, in interaction with the spring element, the weight of the cover, the properties of the spring and the degree of deflection are coordinated with one another. The guide may be formed from two opposite guideways, the cover being displaceable along the guideways. Further, the cover may have a plurality of interconnected fins. In this case, the lamellae are to be adapted as a function of the deflection of the guide so that there is no jamming or blocking of the cover when opening or closing. The slats can also be connected to each other via a so-called film hinge.

The cover may have a displacement element, which is arranged at a first end of the cover and by means of which the cover along the guide is displaceable. The sliding element may be a kind of handle or trough, which facilitates a user to move the cover.

The displacement member may further comprise a permanent magnet which abuts a magnetic holding member of the compartment in a closed state of the compartment. The permanent magnet can in this case at an underside, d. H. facing the compartment, be arranged on the cover, wherein the displacement element is arranged on the opposite side of the cover. The magnetic holding member is fixedly disposed on a portion of the tray, so that in the closed state, the permanent magnet holds the cover in position. This is to open the compartment by moving the cover once an increased operating force required to cause a separation of the permanent magnet of the magnetic holding element, which then on the previously described embodiment of the device with a corresponding spring element and a deflected part of the cover in a corresponding Guide the operating force is kept constant. The magnetic holding element may be a magnetizable metal. Further, the magnetic holding member may be formed of a thin metal bar disposed on a non-visible end portion of the tray.

The compartment may comprise two opposite guides, each with a magnetic guideway and the cover two guide parts, each with at least one permanent magnet, which are mounted in the guides. The permanent magnets cause the cover to slide along the magnetic guideways, which may reduce the tolerance of the guideways. The permanent magnets and magnetic track ensure sliding of the cover along a predetermined path.

In further embodiments, the cover may also be designed as a so-called blind.

Furthermore, at least one second spring element may be connected to the cover, wherein the characteristic curve of the at least two spring elements in accordance with the by the downwards deflected part of the cover during the process in the open position generated weight force is dimensioned. In the embodiment of a device with a single spring element, this would have to be arranged centrally on the cover to ensure trouble-free movement (no jamming, no jamming, uniform operating force) since the cover extends transversely to the displacement direction in a specific length, ie a corresponding width having. In an embodiment with two spring elements, these can be arranged so that they extend in the region of the guides and are at least partially surrounded by a covering part of the compartment, so that they are not visible from the outside. Furthermore, two spring elements ensure that there is no increase in the required operating force, regardless of whether a user operates the cover substantially centrally or offset from the center of the cover.

The at least one spring element can be arranged on a shaft. The shaft can be covered by another covering part of the compartment, so that the shaft is not visible from the outside. The shaft is rotatably supported, for example. At two opposite bearing points of a housing having the tray.

The at least one spring element may be a scroll spring with a variable characteristic. Rolling springs are particularly suitable for such a cover, wherein the constant operating force is provided along the displacement by the variable characteristic.

The scroll spring can also be arranged in the region of the first end of the cover in the closed position of the compartment in / on the guide. An arrangement of the scroll spring relative to the guide on the one hand covers the scroll spring and on the other hand allows a simple coupling with the cover (for example via one or more guide parts).

Further advantages, features and design options will become apparent from the following description of the figures with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The embodiments illustrated in the figures are not to scale and may differ from the illustrated embodiments to be implemented.

• 1 eine schematische Ansicht einer verschiebbaren Abdeckung mit einer Rollfeder in einer ersten Stellung;
• 2 eine schematische Ansicht einer verschiebbaren Abdeckung mit einer Rollfeder in einer zweiten Stellung;
• 3 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Abdeckung mit Führungsbahn;
• 4a eine schematische Schnittansicht eines Teils einer Führung; und
• 4b eine weitere schematische Schnittansicht eines Teils einer Führung.

In the drawings shows:

• 1 a schematic view of a sliding cover with a scroll spring in a first position;
• 2 a schematic view of a sliding cover with a scroll spring in a second position;
• 3 a schematic plan view of a cover with guideway;
• 4a a schematic sectional view of a part of a guide; and
• 4b another schematic sectional view of a part of a guide.

The same parts are in the schematic description of the figures 1 to 4 provided with the same reference numerals, provided they correspond in their function and design substantially to each other.

1 shows a schematic view of a sliding cover 10 along a tour 14 can be moved. The leadership 14 has a deflected part 18 on as well as a section 44 , the straight and the upper part of the guide 14 facing away. The cover 10 has a guide part 46 on, for example, is received in a guideway. Furthermore, the guide part 46 with a scroll spring 12 connected. The scroll spring 12 is on a rotatably mounted shaft 16 arranged.

A compartment for holding and storing objects or other utensils (eg storage compartment, ashtray, Cupholder, etc.) is located below the cover 10 in the in 1 shown position.

A device that has a corresponding cover 10 and scroll spring 12 as well as leadership 14 of course, includes other components. The in the 1 and 2 selected representation shows the principle of operation, which is omitted description of a concrete embodiment.

2 shows a schematic view of a sliding cover 10 with a scroll spring 12 in a second position, with the cover 10 is in an open position. How to compare the 1 and 2 can be removed, when moving the cover 10 from the first position ( 1 ) to the second position ( 2 ) the scroll spring 12 unwound, causing the scroll spring 12 Energy stores. Further, the cover 10 according to the deflected part 18 the leadership 14 diverted. The deflection and the effect of gravity on the deflected part of the cover 10 cause the cover 10 through the scroll spring 12 in this position does not automatically return to the in 1 shown position is spent. These are the leadership 14 , in particular the deflected part 18 and the section 44 according to the weight and the length of the cover 10 formed, as well as the scroll spring 12 is dimensioned accordingly. For this purpose, the characteristic of the scroll spring 12 in accordance with the deflected by the downwardly deflected part of the cover 10 when moving to the open position ( 2 ) designed weight force.

An advantage of in the 1 and 2 shown device compared to conventional devices consists in the interaction and the interaction of the leadership 14 , the design of the cover 10 (Length, weight) and the corresponding dimensions of the scroll spring 12 , The cover 10 is held in any position along the displacement in the position in which the cover 10 manually spent by a user.

3 shows a schematic plan view of a cover 10 with two guideways 22 , The cover 10 is here made up of a multitude of interconnected slats 20 educated. The slats 20 can, for example, be connected to one another via a so-called film hinge and thus form a unit. At an upper lamella 20 is a sliding element 26 arranged over which a user the cover 10 at 3 down to an open position of a tray and also back to a closed position (as in 3 can spend). At the bottom of the slat 20 with the sliding element 26 is a permanent magnet 28 arranged in the closed position of the cover 10 on a magnetic holding element 30 is applied. About the magnetic holding element 30 and the permanent magnet 28 will the cover 10 held in a closed position. This is to spend the cover 10 initially required an increased operating force, which serves to the permanent magnet 28 from the magnetic holding element 30 to remove. Subsequently, via the sliding element 26 the cover 10 be moved along the displacement with a constant operating force.

The magnetic holding element 30 is below a schematically indicated front compartment cover 48 arranged. The front compartment cover 48 is a cowling and is connected to other components of a housing in which the compartment is arranged. The front compartment cover 48 also covers two shots 24 in which a scroll spring 12 (in 3 not shown). The scroll springs 12 are on a wave (in 3 not shown). The shaft runs along the axis 42 and is around the axis 42 rotatably received in recordings of the housing.

At the upper lamella 20 with the sliding element 26 are arranged laterally guide parts, which are within the guideways 22 can be moved. The guide parts are with the roller springs 12 connected so that when moving the slats 20 the guide parts in the guideways 22 be moved and the springs are unwound and stretched. The roller springs store this energy, which when returning the slats 20 supporting the shifting and the varying weight of the deflected down part of the cover 10 balances.

The 4a and 4b schematically show exemplary embodiments of guide parts.

4a shows a schematic sectional view of a part of a guide 14 , where the leadership 14 as a guideway 22 can be trained. It has an upper and a lower cover, wherein on the lower cover a magnetic guideway 36 is arranged. The magnetic guideway 36 For example, it may be a metal track. The guide part is in 4a a permanent magnet 32 , the side of a front lamella 20 is arranged. The permanent magnet 32 is like that on the lamella 20 arranged that the permanent magnet 32 completely in the lead 14 is included (see here, for example. 3 in which a guide part is not in the area between the guideways 22 extends). A facility usually has two guides 14 on both sides of the slats 20 on. Therefore, such devices also have at least two guide parts or permanent magnets 32 on. But it can also be on each slat 20 on both sides permanent magnets 32 be arranged. Alternatively, only selected slats can always be used 20 on both sides permanent magnets 32 have, wherein between such slats 20 arranged slats 20 no permanent magnets 32 exhibit. The following explanations apply in a corresponding manner for designs with several permanent magnets 32 ,

The permanent magnet 32 is with a scroll spring 12 connected. The slats 20 are in the fields 34 connected with each other. For example, additional elements are provided (in 4a not shown), over which the lamellae 20 connected to each other or the slats 20 are integrally connected, but in the areas 34 executed very thin (eg. Via a so-called film hinge).

The sliding of the permanent magnet 32 along the magnetic guideway 36 offers over versions without such guide parts, in which the lateral ends of the slats 20 in the lead 14 be moved, the advantage that the requirements to be complied with tolerances may be lower. The permanent magnet 32 always causes a certain distance between an upper side of the permanent magnet 32 and the top wall of the guide 14 optionally between the upper and lower sides of the slats 20 and the upper and lower wall of the guide 14 consists. This is especially true when multiple permanent magnets 32 along the cover 10 on the sides of all or certain slats 20 are arranged.

4b shows a further schematic sectional view of a part of a guide 14 , where instead of a permanent magnet 32 ( 4a) a round guide part 40 is arranged. Further, the guide points 14 no magnetic guideway 36 on and the front lamella 20 has one through an opening of the blade 20 continuous wave 38 on, on the round guide part 40 is rotatably mounted. The scroll spring 12 is in the in 4b illustrated embodiment either between the round (designed as a roller) guide member 40 and the lamella 20 with the wave 38 connected or directly with a front lateral end of the lamella 20 connected, this part of the lamella 20 also protrudes into a guide and therefore is not visible from the outside. As already for the execution with a permanent magnet 32 described, in alternative embodiments, several guide parts 40 be provided.

In the 4a The design shown ensures that the slats 20 at a certain distance to the upper and lower walls of the guide 14 can be moved within the guideway. Within the in 4b shown embodiment, the slats 20 also at a certain distance from the leadership 14 shifted, which prevents jamming or blocking. Furthermore, the rotatable mounting of the guide part designed as a roller 40 sure that the leadership part 40 within the leadership 14 can be moved easily.

The in terms of the 1 to 4 shown embodiments may be used for example in a motor vehicle in a center console for a cover for a compartment. The essential components (lamellae 20 , Cover 10 , Sliding element 26 , Guideway 22 ) may be made of plastic as injection molded parts. The scroll spring 12 consists of metal and has a variable characteristic, so that over the entire displacement of the cover 10 a constant operating force is required to move. This is also the leadership 14 according to the design of the cover 10 designed so that the weight of the cover 10 in interaction with the characteristic of the scroll spring 12 a shifting of the cover 10 along the entire displacement with constant operating force adjusts and the cover 10 remains in any position when no more operating force is applied.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

cover

12

roll spring

14

guide

16

wave

18

deflected part

20

lamella

22

guideway

24

admission

26

displacement element

28

permanent magnet

30

magnetic holding element

32

permanent magnet

34

Area

36

magnetic guideway

38

wave

40

guide part

42

axis

44

section

46

guide part

48

front compartment cover

Claims (11)

Device for closing a compartment, comprising a cover (10) which is displaceable along a guide (14) from an open to a closed position, wherein the cover (10) via at least one operating force generating component along the guide (14) movable and wherein the guide (14) is formed so that the cover (10) in the closed position covers the compartment and in an open position the compartment is accessible from the outside and wherein the guide (14) at one end of the compartment down deflected, wherein the cover (10) is connected to a spring element, wherein the spring element during the movement of the cover (10) from the closed position to the open position stores energy and the stored energy when moving the cover (10) from the open in the closed position emits, so that the time required to move the cover (10) Operating force over the entire displacement is substantially constant, and wherein the characteristic of the spring element is designed in accordance with the weight generated by the downwardly deflected part of the cover (10) during the process in the open position. Setup after Claim 1 wherein the guide (14) is formed from two opposite guide tracks (22), wherein the cover (10) along the guide tracks (22) is displaceable. Setup after Claim 1 or 2 wherein the cover (10) comprises a plurality of interconnected laminations (20). Furnishing according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 wherein the cover (10) comprises a sliding element (26) which is arranged at a first end of the cover (10), by means of which the cover (10) along the guide (14) is displaceable. Setup after Claim 4 in that the displacement element (26) has a permanent magnet (28) which abuts a magnetic holding element (30) of the compartment in a closed state of the compartment. Furnishing according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 in that the compartment has two opposite guides (14) each with a magnetic guide track (36) and the cover (10) has two guide parts each with at least one permanent magnet (32) which are mounted in the guides (14). Furnishing according to one of the Claims 1 to 6 , wherein the cover (10) is designed as a shutter. Furnishing according to one of the Claims 1 to 7 wherein at least one second spring element is connected to the cover (10), wherein the characteristic of the at least two spring elements is dimensioned in accordance with the weight force generated by the downwardly deflected part of the cover (10) during the process in the open position. Furnishing according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th wherein the at least one spring element is arranged on a shaft (16). Furnishing according to one of the Claims 1 to 9 wherein the at least one spring element is a scroll spring (12) with a variable characteristic. Furnishing according to one of the Claims 1 to 10 , wherein the scroll spring (12) in the region of the first end of the cover (10) in the closed position of the compartment in / on the guide (14) is arranged.

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