U.S. patent application number 11/782069 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-14 for storage device.
This patent application is currently assigned to CALSONIC KANSEI CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Kenichiro YAMASHITA.
Application Number | 20080035657 11/782069 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39049652 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080035657 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YAMASHITA; Kenichiro |
February 14, 2008 |
STORAGE DEVICE
Abstract
A storage device basically comprises a main body part with an
access opening, a lid and a lid opening/closing mechanism. The lid
includes a first lid part movably coupled between a closed position
covering the access opening and an opened position exposing the
access opening by the lid opening/closing mechanism. The first lid
part is hingedly coupled to the lid opening/closing mechanism near
a first end of the first lid part so that a second end of the first
lid part that is on a side opposite of the first end of the first
lid part moves laterally toward the first end of the first lid part
while the first end of the first lid part moves upwardly away from
the access opening during opening operation of the lid
opening/closing mechanism.
Inventors: |
YAMASHITA; Kenichiro;
(Koga-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GLOBAL IP COUNSELORS, LLP
1233 20TH STREET, NW, SUITE 700
WASHINGTON
DC
20036-2680
US
|
Assignee: |
CALSONIC KANSEI CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
39049652 |
Appl. No.: |
11/782069 |
Filed: |
July 24, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/826 ;
296/37.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 7/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/826 ;
296/37.8 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/04 20060101
B65D051/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 9, 2006 |
JP |
2006-216380 |
Claims
1. A storage device comprising: a main body part at least partly
defining an access opening; a lid including a first lid part
movably coupled relative to the main body part between a closed
position to cover the access opening and an opened position to
expose the access opening; and a lid opening/closing mechanism
operatively coupled to the first lid part to move the first lid
part between the closed position and the opened position, the first
lid part being hingedly coupled to the lid opening/closing
mechanism near a first end of the first lid part so that a second
end of the first lid part that is on a side opposite of the first
end of the first lid part moves laterally toward the first end of
the first lid part while the first end of the first lid part moves
upwardly away from the access opening during opening operation of
the lid opening/closing mechanism.
2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the lid further
including a second lid part hingedly attached to the coupled to the
raising/lowering part near a first end of the second lid part so
that a second end of the second lid part that is on a side opposite
of the first end of the second lid part moves laterally toward the
first end of the second lid part while the first end of the second
lid part moves upwardly away from the access opening during the
opening operation of the lid opening/closing mechanism.
3. The storage device according to claim 2, wherein the first ends
of the first and second lid parts are located on opposite outside
ends of the main body part and the second ends of the first and
second lid parts are located towards a central area of the main
body part so that the access opening is first exposed at the
central area of the main body part during opening of the lid by
raising the first ends of the first and second lid parts.
4. The storage device according to claim 3, wherein the second ends
of the first and second lid parts move along an edge part of the
defining the access opening during the opening of the lid by
raising the first ends of the first and second lid parts.
5. The storage device according to claim 2, wherein the lid
opening/closing mechanism including a raising/lowering part movable
with respect to the main body part, and the first ends of the first
and second lid parts are hingedly coupled to the raising/lowering
part such that the first ends of the first and second lid parts
move simultaneously during movement of the raising/lowering
part.
6. The storage device according to claim 5, wherein the first ends
of the first and second lid parts are located on opposite outside
ends of the main body part and the second ends of the first and
second lid parts are located towards a central area of the main
body part so that the access opening is first exposed at the
central area of the main body part during opening of the lid by
raising the first ends of the first and second lid parts.
7. The storage device according to claim 6, wherein the second ends
of the first and second lid parts move along an edge part of the
defining the access opening during the opening of the lid by
raising the first ends of the first and second lid parts.
8. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the second end
of the first lid part moves along an edge part of the defining the
access opening during opening of the lid by raising the first end
of the first lid part.
9. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the lid
opening/closing mechanism is motorized to open and close the
lid.
10. A storage device comprising: means for defining a storage area
with an access opening; lid means for selectively covering the
access opening in a closed position and exposing the access opening
in an opened position to; and lid opening/closing means for moving
the lid means between the closed position and the opened position
such that a first end of the lid means moves laterally across the
access opening while a second end of the lid means simultaneously
moves upwardly away from the storage area during opening operation
of the lid opening/closing means.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent
Application No. 2006-216380, filed on Aug. 9, 2006. The entire
disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-216380 is hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a lid opening/closing
mechanism for a vehicle storage device.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] Console boxes and other storage devices are often provided
in an interior of a vehicle. In such storage devices, a lid opening
system is sometimes provided in which a lid is attached to a main
storage body via a hinge part to open and close an upper opening of
the main storage body. One example of this type of storage device
is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No.
4-176743). In the storage device of Japanese Laid-Open Patent
Application No. 4-176743, the lid is divided into left and right
lid parts with a lid opening/closing mechanism moving each of the
lid parts between a closed position and an open position. The lid
parts are configured so that an inside end part is lifted upward
and moved laterally toward the outside of the open part such that
the main storage body is opened from a center part as an outside
end part is lowered.
[0006] In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled
in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an
improved storage device. This invention addresses this need in the
art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those
skilled in the art from this disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It has been discovered that a problem arises in the lid
opening/closing mechanism for the storage devices such as the one
disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 4-176743. In
particular, when the main storage body is opened, the inside end
parts of the lid parts are lifted upward. Therefore, the storage
device cannot be opened if an article or other object is on top of
the lid. In other words, when opening of the lid, the inside end
parts of the lid parts will be lifted upwardly and will apply an
upward force to any article resting on the lid. Thus, the article
on top of the lid will be lifted, and the lid parts will be
subjected to large loading. Complications are particularly
presented when the console box doubles as an armrest, whereby the
lid cannot be opened if a person's arm is not removed from the
lid.
[0008] In order to resolve the foregoing problems, one aspect of
the present invention is to provide a storage device which can be
opened even when an article is resting on its lid.
[0009] According to one aspect, of the present invention, a storage
device is provided that basically comprises a main body part, a lid
and a lid opening/closing mechanism. The main body part defines an
access opening. The lid includes a first lid part movably coupled
relative to the main body part between a closed position to cover
the access opening and an opened position to expose the access
opening. The lid opening/closing mechanism is operatively coupled
to the first lid part to move the first lid part between the closed
position and the opened position. The first lid part is hingedly
coupled to the lid opening/closing mechanism near a first end of
the first lid part so that a second end of the first lid part that
is on a side opposite of the first end of the first lid part moves
laterally toward the first end of the first lid part while the
first end of the first lid part moves upwardly away from the access
opening during opening operation of the lid opening/closing
mechanism.
[0010] These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of
the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the
art from the following detailed description, which, taken in
conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of
this original disclosure:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage device in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention with a
lid of the storage device being closed;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage device
illustrated in FIG. 1 with the lid in the process of being
opened;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage device
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the lid being fully opened;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a raising/lowering driving
mechanism for the storage device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a front end elevational view of a right side
portion of the storage device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 without a
raising/lowering stay being removed and the lid being closed by the
raising/lowering driving mechanism;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a front end elevational view, similar to FIG. 5,
of the right side portion of the storage device illustrated in
FIGS. 1 to 5 with the raising/lowering stay being illustrated and
the lid being closed by the raising/lowering driving mechanism;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a front end portion of
the storage device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a front end elevational view, similar to FIG. 5,
of the right side portion of the storage device illustrated in
FIGS. 1 to 7 and the lid being opened by the raising/lowering
driving mechanism;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view, similar to FIG. 6, of the
front end portion of the storage device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8
with the raising/lowering stay being illustrated and the lid being
opened by the raising/lowering driving mechanism;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the storage device
illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9 in which the storage device is
incorporated into an armrest of the vehicle;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 10, of the
storage device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 10 but with the storage
device in the partially opened position; and
[0023] FIG. 12 is a perspective view, similar to FIGS. 10 and 11,
of the storage device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 11 but with the
storage device in the fully opened position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be
explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to
those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following
descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are
provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting
the invention as defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
[0025] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a console box or other
storage is illustrated in accordance with a first embodiment of the
present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, as best seen in
FIGS. 10 to 12, the storage device 1 is a console box that is
incorporated into an armrest of an interior part of a vehicle. The
storage device 1 basically includes a main body part 2 defining an
access opening 3, a pair of hinge parts 4 and a lid 5. The lid 5 is
movably coupled relative to the main body part 2 between a closed
position (FIG. 1) to cover the access opening and an opened
position (FIG. 2) to expose the access opening 3. More
specifically, the lid 5 is hingedly coupled relative to an upper
part of the main body part 2 such that the lid 5 moves above the
access opening 3.
[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the main body part 2 is a
relatively deep bottomed container with the access opening 3 at the
upper end. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art
from this disclosure that the main body part 2 can be merely a
support structure with other parts of the vehicle interior defining
a box with an open upper end. The access opening 3 has a
substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above, and extends
in a substantially longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The hinge
parts 4 enable the lid 5 to be laterally opened about a hinge shaft
that extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of the
vehicle.
[0027] With respect to the above-described basic structure, the
hinge parts 4 of the lid opening device are attached to a pair of
raising/lowering stays 11. The raising/lowering stays 11 are
movably coupled to the main body part 2 in slidable manner (up and
down with respect to the vehicle. By selectively raising and
lowering the raising/lowering stays 11 with respect to the main
body part 2, the access opening 3 is selectively exposed and
covered by moving the lid 5 as discussed below. The
raising/lowering stays 11 form a part of a hinge raising and
lowering mechanism.
[0028] Preferably, the lid 5 includes a pair (first and second) of
lid parts 15 movably coupled relative to the main body part 2
between a closed position to cover the access opening 3 and an
opened position to expose the access opening 3. Alternatively, it
will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure
that the lid 5 can be a single movable lid part instead of two
pieces as illustrated.
[0029] As seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lid raising/lowering stays 11
is operatively coupled to the lid parts 15 to move the lid parts 15
between the closed position and the opened position. Each of the
lid parts 15 has a first end 15a hingedly coupled to the lid
raising/lowering stays 11 and a second end 15b that is on a side
opposite of the first ends 15a. During an opening operation, the
second ends 15b of the lid parts 15 move laterally toward the first
ends 15a of the lid parts 15, respectively, while the first ends
15a of the lid parts 15 move upwardly away from the access opening
3. In particular, the lid parts 15 are configured with respect to
the main body part 2 and the lid raising/lowering stays 11 so that
the second ends 15b of the lid parts 15 on the side opposite the
hinge part 4 moves laterally under their own weight toward the
hinge part 4 substantially along a pair of curved edge parts 16
defining the access opening 3. Thus, the lid 5 opens downward in
conjunction with the raising of the hinge parts 4. The lid 5 is
opened and closed from a closed state oriented in a substantially
horizontal direction to an opened state oriented in a substantially
vertical direction. As mentioned above, the lid 5 can also be
configured to open and close as a single body in the same
manner.
[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the lid 5 is divided into the
left and right lid parts 15 at a center part in a width direction
of the vehicle, and opens as two bodies. The hinge parts 4 are
provided towards the outside end parts (i.e., the first ends 15a)
of the lid parts 15 in the width direction of the vehicle. The lid
parts 15 are configured so that the inside end parts (i.e., the
second ends 15b) are moved by their own weight toward the outside
substantially along the edge parts 16 of the access opening 3,
whereby the access opening 3 opens from the center part in
conjunction with the raising of the outside end parts.
[0031] In this instance, the front and rear of the raising/lowering
stays 11 are provided so as to be raised and lowered along wall
parts (front and rear wall parts) of the main body part 2 that are
substantially in the longitudinal direction. At least upper end
parts of the raising/lowering stays 11 are given a two-pronged
shape so that the left and right hinge parts 4 can be
simultaneously supported. In the illustrated embodiment, the
raising/lowering stays 11 have the shape of a square (U-shaped)
that is open on the upper side. The front and rear raising/lowering
stays 11 are configured to be simultaneously raised and lowered via
an electric raising/lowering driving mechanism 21.
[0032] As seen in FIGS. 4 to 9, the electric raising/lowering
driving mechanism 21 basically includes a motor 22, a pair of
longitudinal driving shafts 23, a pair of worm gear 24, a pair of
worm wheels 25, a pair of transverse connecting shafts 26, four
drive side timing pulleys 27 (two at each end), four driven side
timing pulleys 28 (two at each end), a pair of transverse driven
shafts 29 and four timing belts 30 (two at each end). The motor 22
is illustrated as an electric motor. However, other driving devices
can be used instead of the motor 22. The longitudinal driving
shafts 23 extend from the motor 22 in the longitudinal direction of
the vehicle. The worm gears 24 are attached to front and rear end
parts of the longitudinal driving shafts 23, respectively. The worm
wheels 25 engage a corresponding one of the worm gears 24 to
convert the rotation direction. The transverse connecting shafts 26
extend in the width direction of the vehicle. A center part of each
of the transverse connecting shafts 26 has one of the worm wheels
25 fixedly attached thereto. The driving side timing pulleys 27 are
fixedly attached at both end parts of the transverse connecting
shafts 26. The driven side timing pulleys 28 disposed above the
drive-side timing pulleys 27. The transverse driven shafts 29
connect the left and right driven side timing pulleys 28. The
timing belts 30 extend between the drive side timing pulleys 27 and
the driven side timing pulleys 28 so as to form upper and lower
pairs, as shown in FIG. 4.
[0033] As seen in FIG. 5, the raising/lowering stays 11 have lower
parts (anchoring positions 31) that are anchored to the timing
belts 30. The motor 22, the longitudinal driving shaft 23, the worm
gear 24, the worm wheels 25, the transverse connecting shafts 26
and the drive side timing pulleys 27 are disposed below a bottom
wall of the main body part 2. The drive side timing pulleys 27, the
driven side timing pulleys 28, the transverse driven shafts 29 and
the timing belts 30 are disposed between the raising/lowering stays
11 and the front and rear walls of the main body part 2. The
longitudinal driving shaft 23, the transverse connecting shafts 26
and the transverse driven shafts 29 are supported by a support
shaft part or the like that protrudes from the main body part 2.
The drive side timing pulleys 27, the driven side timing pulleys 28
and the timing belts 30 can be conventional pulleys and belts.
[0034] As seen in FIGS. 10 to 12, the console box or storage device
1 is also configured to be able to double as an armrest 35. In
other words, the left and right lid parts 15 of the lid 5 are
covered by a cushion or covering, whereby an arm of a vehicle
occupant can comfortably be held. An operation switch 36 for
operating the electric raising/lowering driving mechanism 21 is
provided at a position where an index finger or the like is
positioned when an arm is placed on the armrest 35.
[0035] An operation of the illustrated embodiment shall next be
described.
[0036] The lid 5 is rotated about the hinge parts 4, whereby the
access opening 3 provided to the upper part of the main body part 2
is opened and closed. Therefore, an article can be stored in or
removed from the console box or storage device 1. In such
instances, the hinge parts 4 are lifted by the raising/lowering
stays 11, whereby the left and right lid parts 15 of the lid 5 are
moved laterally by their own weight toward the hinge parts 4 so
that the ends 15b on the side opposite the hinge parts 4 travel
substantially along the edge parts 16 of the access opening 3. The
lid 5 is opened downward from a substantially horizontal state to a
substantially vertical state, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.
[0037] Conversely, as shown sequentially in FIGS. 3 to 1, the hinge
parts 4 are lowered by the raising/lowering stays 11, such that the
lid 5 is moved laterally toward the side opposite the hinge parts 4
so that the ends 15b on the sides opposite the hinge parts 4 travel
substantially along the edge parts 16 of the access opening 3.
Thus, the lid 5 moves from the substantially vertical state to the
substantially horizontal state to cover the access opening 3. In
other words, during opening and closing, the ends 15b of the lid 5
on the sides opposite the hinge parts 4 can be prevented from
moving too much in the vertical direction. In the illustrated
embodiment, the lid 5 is divided into the left and right lid parts
15 at the center part in the width direction of the vehicle and
opens as two bodies. Therefore, the access opening 3 opens first
from the center part, and the center part is the last part to
close.
[0038] As seen in FIGS. 4 to 9, the electric raising/lowering
driving mechanism 21 is preferably provided for automatically
opening and closing the lid 5. In other words, when the operation
switch 36 is pressed, the motor 22 or other driving device is
driven. The driving force of the motor 22 is then transmitted to
the drive side timing pulleys 27 via the longitudinal driving shaft
23, the worm gear 24, the worm wheels 25 and the transverse
connecting shafts 26. This driving force is then transmitted from
the drive side timing pulleys 27 to the timing belts 30, which are
rotated. The raising/lowering stays 11 are simultaneously raised
and lowered by the rotational movement of the timing belts 30. The
front and rear timing belts 30 rotate in mutually opposite
directions.
[0039] Thus, according to the illustrated embodiment, the hinge
parts 4 are attached to the raising/lowering stays 11 that are
selectively raised and lowered with respect to the main body part
2. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, a configuration has been
adopted in which the ends 15b on the sides opposite the hinge parts
4 move laterally toward the hinge parts 4 substantially along the
edge parts 16 of the access opening 3, such that the lid 5 closes
downward in conjunction with the raising of the hinge parts 4. The
inside end parts (i.e., the ends 15b) of the lid parts 15 are
thereby not lifted upward when the main body part 2 is opened.
Therefore, an article on the lid 5 will not be lifted upward, and
the access opening 3 can be opened even if the article on the lid 5
is not removed. Also the lid parts 15 do not protrude into the
storage area of the storage device 1 so as not to interfere with
contents within the storage area of the storage device 1.
[0040] In addition, the lid 5 is divided into the left and right
lid parts 15; the hinge parts 4 are provided to the outside end
parts of the lid parts 15; and the lid parts 15 are configured so
that the inside end parts move laterally toward the outside part
substantially along the edge parts 16 of the access opening 3,
whereby the access opening 3 is opened from the center part in
conjunction with the raising of the outside end parts. Accordingly,
the access opening 3 can be opened even while an article is placed
on a portion between the left and right lid parts 15.
[0041] In particular, when the storage device 1 doubles as the
armrest 35, the lid 5 can be opened even when an arm is resting on
the lid 5, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12. Therefore, no inconvenience
is presented. Once the lid 5 has been opened, an article can easily
be retrieved by merely moving the arm slightly rearward and
inserting a hand into the access opening 3. Conversely, the access
opening 3 is closed in the operation sequentially shown in FIGS. 12
to 10. Therefore, the lid 5 can be closed without the arm being
pinched, even in a state in which the arm has been placed on the
access opening 3. There is no need to wait until the lid 5 is
completely closed to place the arm down.
[0042] Also the operation switch 36 is provided at a position that
the index finger or the like can reach. Therefore, convenient
operation can be accomplished when the arm is placed on the armrest
35.
GENERAL INTERPRETATION OF TERMS
[0043] In understanding the scope of the present invention, the
term "comprising" and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended
to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated
features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but
do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements,
components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also
applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms,
"including", "having" and their derivatives. Also, the terms
"part," "section," "portion," "member" or "element" when used in
the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a
plurality of parts. Also as used herein to describe the above
embodiment(s), the following directional terms "forward, rearward,
above, downward, upward, vertical, horizontal, below and
transverse" as well as any other similar directional terms refer to
those directions of a vehicle equipped with the storage device of
present invention. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to
describe the present invention should be interpreted relative to a
vehicle equipped with the present invention.
[0044] While only selected embodiments have been chosen to
illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and
modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope
of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example,
the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components
can be changed as needed and/or desired. Components that are shown
directly connected or contacting each other can have intermediate
structures disposed between them. The functions of one element can
be performed by two, and vice versa. The structures and functions
of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment. It is not
necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular
embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is unique from the
prior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should
be considered a separate description of further inventions by the
applicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts
embodied by such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of
the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for
illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the
invention as defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *