U.S. patent application number 15/643694 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-09 for receptacle comprising a safety locking mechanism for a vehicle.
The applicant listed for this patent is fischer automotive systems GmbH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Gunter LEOPOLD.
Application Number | 20170320644 15/643694 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58054616 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170320644 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEOPOLD; Gunter |
November 9, 2017 |
RECEPTACLE COMPRISING A SAFETY LOCKING MECHANISM FOR A VEHICLE
Abstract
A receptacle including a safety locking mechanism in a motor
vehicle. A lever is providing including a mass, which is held by a
snap-fit device releasably in a non-deflected basic position or in
a deflected locking position. In the deflected locking position,
the lever, by way of a head, holds a closing element of a lock in a
closed position. The lock can be opened in a non-deflected position
of the lever. During opening, the lock restores the lever to the
basic position, whereby the receptacle can be opened after an
accident. The lever is deflected by accelerations that occur in the
event of an accident.
Inventors: |
LEOPOLD; Gunter;
(Baiersbronn, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
fischer automotive systems GmbH & Co. KG |
Horb a.N. |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
58054616 |
Appl. No.: |
15/643694 |
Filed: |
July 7, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15246727 |
Aug 25, 2016 |
|
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15643694 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2251/0025 20130101;
B65D 43/22 20130101; B65D 51/18 20130101; B65D 2251/009 20130101;
B65D 47/0871 20130101; B65D 2251/0028 20130101; B65D 43/0225
20130101; B65D 43/16 20130101; B65D 2251/0081 20130101; B65D
2251/0021 20130101; B65D 2251/0093 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/18 20060101
B65D051/18; B65D 43/22 20060101 B65D043/22; B65D 43/02 20060101
B65D043/02; B65D 43/16 20060101 B65D043/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 4, 2015 |
DE |
10 2015 114 788.2 |
Claims
1. A receptacle comprising a safety locking mechanism for a
vehicle, the receptacle comprising a lock for keeping the
receptacle closed, which can be opened, and the safety locking
mechanism comprising a deflectable mass and a snap-fit device,
which holds the mass releasably in a deflected locking position,
characterized in that the mass, in the deflected locking position,
keeps the lock closed, and the lock comprises a restoring device
for the mass, which, when the lock is being opened, snaps the mass
out of the deflected locking position.
2. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle
opens in the direction in which the mass is deflected.
3. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the safety locking
mechanism comprises a snap-fit device, which holds the mass
releasably in a non-deflected basic position, in which the mass
releases the lock.
4. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the mass can be
deflected in two directions into locking positions, in which the
mass keeps the lock closed and in which the mass is releasably held
by a snap-fit device.
5. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the restoring
device comprises a sloped surface, which, when the lock is being
opened, acts on the mass so as to achieve the basic position.
6. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the lock comprises
a locking element, which can be moved at an angle with respect to
an opening direction of the receptacle.
7. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the mass has a
pivot mount.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/246,727, filed on
Aug. 25, 2016, which claims priority under 35 USC .sctn.119 to
German Patent Application No. 10 2015 114 788.2 filed on Sep. 4,
2015, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to a receptacle comprising a safety
locking mechanism for a vehicle having the features described
herein. The receptacle is, in particular, provided for motor
vehicles, but may also be used in other land vehicles, aircraft and
watercraft. The safety locking mechanism of the receptacle is used
to keep the receptacle in the vehicle closed in the event of an
accident. Such receptacles are storage compartments, ashtrays or
cupholders, for example. For example, they can comprise a cover or
they can be movable, such as pivotable or displaceable in a
drawer-like manner, for opening. For safety reasons, such
receptacles should remain closed in the event of an accident, so as
to avoid a risk of injury by an open cover protruding into a
passenger compartment, or by an open receptacle protruding into the
passenger compartment, or by objects falling out of the open
receptacle due to the accident and being hurled around in the
passenger compartment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0003] A receptacle comprising a safety locking mechanism is known
from European patent specification EP 1 660 743 B1. The receptacle
there is an ashtray that can be displaced in a drawer-like manner
and that is held closed by a so-called push-push locking mechanism
and opened, after unlocking, by a scroll spring. The safety locking
mechanism is separate from the push-push locking mechanism. The
safety locking mechanism comprises a mass, which is pivotably
mounted by way of a pivoted mounting, wherein the mass is disposed
eccentrically with respect to a pivot axis. The pivot axis extends
perpendicularly to a displacement direction of the ashtray, so that
acceleration of a vehicle in which the receptacle is installed
exerts a moment on the mass in a displacement direction of the
receptacle. A snap-fit device holds the mass in a basic position,
in which this does not lock the receptacle, during an acceleration
that occurs during conventional driving operation. Major
acceleration, such as occurs in the event of an accident, deflects
the mass in a locking position, in which the mass locks the
receptacle in a closed position to prevent opening. The snap-fit
device also holds the mass in the deflected position, so that the
receptacle is held closed during and after an accident. By
overpressing the receptacle, the mass can be restored to the basic
position, and the receptacle can be opened. The "overpressing" is a
brief movement of the receptacle out of the closed position in a
closing direction, which also unlocks the push-push locking
mechanism on the known receptacle, in addition to restoring the
mass. The receptacle can be opened after an accident, for example
to be able to remove a mobile telephone and make an emergency call.
Overpressing the receptacle in the closed position requires an
increased force when the receptacle is locked, not only by way of
the push-push locking mechanism, but additionally by way of the
safety lock, after an accident.
SUMMARY
[0004] It is the object of the invention to propose an alternative
receptacle comprising a safety locking mechanism for a vehicle.
[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a
receptacle having the features described herein. According to the
invention, the receptacle comprises a safety locking mechanism and
a lock to keep the receptacle closed, which can be opened. The lock
can be designed in the same manner as those of known storage
compartments in motor vehicles. The lock can, for example, comprise
a latch, as is known from door locks, a locking bar or, in general,
a closing element, which automatically reaches a rear latching
engagement when the receptacle is being closed and keeps the
receptacle, or a cover of the receptacle, closed. For opening, for
example, the closing element is manually disengaged. It is also
possible for the closing element to become disengaged in the manner
of a snap-fit device by being acted on in an opening direction.
This list is exemplary, and not exhaustive.
[0006] The safety locking mechanism of the receptacle according to
the invention comprises a deflectable mass and a snap-fit device,
which holds the mass releasably in a deflected locking position.
For example, the mass can be pivotably mounted, or displaceably
guided, eccentrically with respect to a pivot axis, wherein sliding
guidance need not be linear, but may also be curved. Accelerations
that occur in the event of an accident of a vehicle deflect the
mass into the locking position, in which the snap-fit device holds
the mass. In the deflected locking position, the mass keeps the
lock, and thus the receptacle, closed, which shall also be
understood to mean, for example, keeping a cover of the receptacle
closed. In this way, the invention prevents the receptacle from
opening in the event of an accident. The safety locking mechanism
according to the invention thus acts on the lock of the receptacle
and, indirectly via the lock, acts on the receptacle, instead of
directly on the receptacle.
[0007] The lock comprises a restoring device for the mass, which,
when the lock is being opened, snaps the mass out of the deflected
locking position, so that the lock and the receptacle can be opened
after an accident. After an accident, the lock is opened manually,
for example, as is customary, wherein a force necessary for opening
the lock is preferably greater when the mass is snapped into the
deflected locking position.
[0008] A first advantage of the invention is the ability to open
the receptacle after an accident. A further advantage of the
invention is that the receptacle, as is customary, is opened by
opening of the lock, even if, preferably, a higher opening force
must be applied for opening after an accident. After an accident,
the receptacle does not have to be opened in an unfamiliar
manner.
[0009] A receptacle shall also be understood to mean a pull-out
guided in a drawer-like manner or the like, for example a
cupholder, which is held in a pushed-in position by way of the lock
which keeps the safety locking mechanism closed in the event of an
accident.
[0010] The receptacle preferably opens in the same direction as
that in which the mass is deflected, wherein an exactly identical
opening and deflection direction is not necessary, but certain
deviations may exist. In this way, it is achieved that
accelerations of a vehicle in a direction which may open the
receptacle deflect the mass into the locking position, so that the
lock is held closed.
[0011] One embodiment of the invention provides for a snap-fit
device that holds the mass in a non-deflected basic position, in
which the mass releases the lock, so that the lock can be opened.
The safety locking mechanism can comprise a snap-fit device having
multiple snap-fit positions, which holds the mass in the
non-deflected basic position and in one or more deflected locking
positions. It is also possible to provide different snap-fit
devices for the locking position or positions and the basic
position. The snap-fit device for the basic position of the mass
holds the mass against acceleration, such as occurs during
conventional driving operations, in the basic position so that,
during normal driving operations, the lock is not held closed by
the mass.
[0012] In one embodiment of the invention, the mass can be
deflected in two, for example opposite, directions in locking
positions, in which the mass keeps the lock closed and is held by a
snap-fit device having multiple snap-fit positions, or by multiple
snap-fit devices. In this embodiment of the invention, the mass not
only reaches the locking position when the accelerations act in the
opening direction of the receptacle, but also when these act in a
different direction, in particular a closing direction of the
receptacle, due to accelerations such as occur in the event of an
accident. Accelerations in the closing direction of the receptacle
may also open the lock, which is prevented by this embodiment of
the invention. The possibility for the lock to open due to
acceleration is normally greater with accelerations in the opening
direction and in the closing direction of the receptacle than with
accelerations in other directions.
[0013] One embodiment of the invention provides for a sloped
surface as an integral part of the restoring device, which, during
opening of the lock, acts on the mass, when this is deflected into
the locking position, to achieve the basic position. The sloped
surface can be provided on the mass and/or on a closing element of
the lock, for example.
[0014] One embodiment of the invention provides for the lock to
comprise a closing element that can be moved at an angle with
respect to an opening direction of the receptacle or a cover of the
receptacle. In particular, the closing element can be moved
transversely, or approximately transversely, to the opening
direction of the receptacle. This embodiment of the invention
prevents accelerations that act in an opening direction of the
receptacle from also acting on the closing element in a (deviating)
opening direction, and vice versa. This decreases the safety
against opening of the receptacle as a result of accelerations that
occur in the event of an accident.
[0015] One embodiment of the invention provides for pivot mounting
the mass, which is usually simpler than, for example, sliding
guidance, which is likewise possible, and is considered more
reliable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0016] The invention will be described in more detail hereinafter
based on an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing. The FIGURE
shows a receptacle according to the invention comprising a safety
locking mechanism in a schematic and simplified illustration, which
is intended to explain and provide understanding of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The safety locking mechanism 1 is part of a receptacle
according to the invention, such as a storage compartment in a
motor vehicle, which is not shown in detail. The safety locking
mechanism 1 is used to keep the receptacle closed in the event of
an accident. For opening, the receptacle can be pulled out in a
drawer-like manner or can be pivoted, or the receptacle comprises a
cover that can be opened, which likewise shall be regarded as
opening of the receptacle. The list is intended for illustrative
purposes and is not exhaustive, but exemplary.
[0018] The receptacle comprises a openable lock 2 for keeping the
receptacle closed and for opening it. The lock 2 comprises a
closing element 3, which is displaceably guided transversely to an
opening direction 4 of the receptacle. The opening direction 4 of
the receptacle is indicated by an arrow in the drawing, and a
displacement direction 5 of the closing element 3 is indicated by a
double arrow. The closing element 3 comprises a stud, serving as a
latch 6, having a first sloped surface 7 and a closing surface 8.
The sloped surface 7, which for distinction from further sloped
surfaces is referred to as "first," extends obliquely to the
opening direction 4 of the receptacle, and obliquely to the
displacement direction 5 of the closing element 3 of the lock 2.
The closing surface 8 extends transversely to the opening direction
4 of the receptacle, and in the displacement direction 5 of the
closing element 3. The latch 6 cooperates with a mating piece 9,
which in the exemplary embodiment is likewise designed as a stud
and which comprises a second sloped surface 10 parallel to the
first sloped surface 7 of the latch 6, and a mating closing surface
11 parallel to the closing surface 8 of the latch 6. The closing
element 3, together with the latch 6, is either disposed on a
drawer or on a cover of the receptacle, so as to follow the
movement of the drawer or of the cover when the receptacle is being
opened and closed, and the mating piece 9 is stationary; in this
case, the opening direction 4 shown by way of the arrow applies to
the drawer or the cover. Or, conversely, the mating piece 9 is
disposed on the drawer or on a cover, and follows the movement of
the drawer or of the cover during opening and closing, and the
closing element 3, together with the latch 6, is stationary, but
displaceably arranged in the displacement direction 5; in this
case, the opening direction 4 is opposite. In an illustrated closed
position of the receptacle, the closing surface 8 of the latch 6
and the mating closing surface 11 of the mating piece 9 abut, so
that the lock 2 holds the receptacle, or the cover thereof, to
prevent movement in the opening direction 4, and thus keeps this
closed.
[0019] This lock 2 can be opened manually by pushing on a button 12
with a finger, the button being movable transversely to the
displacement direction 5 of the closing element 3. The button 12
has a third sloped surface 13, which cooperates with a fourth
sloped surface 14 of the closing element 3. Pushing on the button
12 causes the third sloped surface 13 thereof to be pressed against
the fourth sloped surface 14 of the closing element 3, and the
closing element 3 to be displaced against the force of a spring
element 15. The latch 6 is moved aside, whereby the closing surface
8 thereof is disengaged from the mating closing surface 11 of the
mating piece 9, and the receptacle can be opened or opens
automatically, for example under the action of a spring. When the
receptacle closes, the first sloped surface 7 of the latch 6
strikes against the second sloped surface 10 of the mating piece 9,
whereby the closing element 3, together with the latch 6, is pushed
aside against the spring element 15, as it does when pressure is
applied to the button 12 during opening, and the latch 6 can pass
the mating piece 9. After the latch 6 has passed the mating piece 9
when the receptacle is being closed, the spring element 15 pushes
the closing element 3 back, together with the latch 6, so that the
closing surface 8 of the latch 6 again becomes seated against the
mating closing surface 11 of the mating piece 9 and keeps the
receptacle closed.
[0020] The safety locking mechanism 1 comprises a lever 16, which
is pivotably mounted on a bearing pin 17. On an end facing the
closing element 3 of the lock 2, the lever 16 comprises a hammer
head-shaped head 18 that protrudes on both sides in a pivot
direction and comprises fifth and sixth sloped surfaces 19, 20. As
mentioned above, the numbering of the sloped surfaces is intended
to clearly denote these and does not define any ranking order or
the like, nor does it indicate the number of sloped surfaces of the
particular component. On an end facing away from the closing
element 3, the lever 16 comprises a mass 21, and on an edge facing
away from the closing element 3, the lever comprises three
depressions 22 next to one another, which form part of a snap-fit
device 23 and which cause the edge of the lever 16 facing away from
the closing element 3 to resemble a trident. The snap-fit device 23
comprises an elbowed leaf spring 24, the one end of which is
rigidly attached and the other, free end 25 of which is hook-shaped
and cooperates with the recesses 22. When the lever 16 is not
deflected, the hook-shaped other end 25 of the leaf spring 24 is
resiliently seated in a central of the three recesses 22 and holds
the lever 16 in a non-deflected basic position identified by solid
lines. In the exemplary embodiment, the lever 16 of the safety
locking mechanism 1 is parallel to the displacement direction 5 of
the closing element 3 of the lock 2 when in the basic position. A
spring force of the leaf spring 24 is sufficient to hold the lever
16, together with the mass 21 thereof, in the non-deflected basic
position identified by solid lines, against all accelerations that
occur during conventional driving operations of a motor vehicle,
or, in general terms, of a land vehicle, a watercraft or an
aircraft.
[0021] If, as a result of an accident, accelerations occur that are
greater than, and notably several times greater than, maximum
accelerations during conventional driving operations, these
accelerations, which also act on the mass 21 of the lever 16 of the
safety locking mechanism 1, cause a moment on the lever 16, so that
the snap-fit device 23 snaps out of the central recess 22 of the
lever 16, and the lever 16, pivots into a locking position or an
opposite locking position, as shown by dotted lines. The snap-fit
device 23, or the hook-shaped other end 25 of the leaf spring 24,
snaps out of the central recess 22 and snaps into a lateral recess
of the three recesses 22. The lever 16 is deflected, notably by
high acceleration acting in the opening direction 4 of the
receptacle or in the opposite direction. The snap-fit device 23
also holds the lever 16 in the deflected locking positions.
[0022] The head 18 of the lever 16 is located in a mouth 26 of the
closing element 3 having an opening 27 sufficiently wide for the
head 18 of the lever 16 to pass through when the lever 16 is not
deflected, but rather in the basic position thereof. The lock 2 is
released, which is to say can be opened, as described, by a push on
the button 12. As viewed from the inside, the mouth 26 narrows
toward the opening 27 thereof on both sides with a seventh and an
eighth sloped surface 28, 29, against which, depending on the
deflection of the lever 16, the fifth or sixth sloped surface 19,
20 of the head 18 of the lever 16 comes to bear when the lever 16
is deflected into one of the two locking positions thereof, as is
shown by dotted lines for one of the two locking positions. By way
of the fifth or sixth sloped surface 19, 20 of the head 18, the
lever 16 of the safety locking mechanism 1 holds the closing
element 3 of the lock 2 on the seventh or eighth sloped surface 28,
29 in the mouth 26 of the closing element 3 to prevent a
displacement of the closing element 3 in an opening direction. In
the deflected locking position, the lever 16 holds the closing
element 3, and thus the lock 2, in a closed position, and thus
keeps the receptacle closed. The deflected locking position of the
lever 16 can also be interpreted as the deflected locking position
of the mass 21, which, by way of the lever 16 and the head 18
thereof, holds the closing element 3 in the closed position and
keeps the lock 2 closed.
[0023] The lock 2 can be opened by a push on the button 12. The
push on the button 12, by way of the third sloped surface 13
thereof and the fourth sloped surface 14 of the closing element 3,
acts on the closing element 3 in an opening direction. The closing
element 3, with the seventh or eighth sloped surface 28, 29,
thereof, acts on the adjacent fifth or sixth sloped surface 19, 20
of the head 18 of the lever 16 and adjusts or pivots this lever
back into the non-deflected basic position thereof, in which this
lever releases the lock 2. A force on the button 12 for opening the
lock 2 is increased when the lever 16 is deflected into one of the
two locking positions thereof since it must be restored and, to
this end, the leaf spring 24 of the snap-fit device 23 must be
snapped out of a lateral recess of the three recesses 22 on the
edge of the lever 16. The mouth 26 comprising the seventh and
eighth sloped surfaces 28, 29, which cooperate with the fifth and
sixth sloped surfaces 19, 20 of the head 18 of the lever 16, can
also be interpreted as a restoring device 30.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0024] 1 safety locking mechanism [0025] 2 lock [0026] 3 closing
element [0027] 4 opening direction [0028] 5 displacement direction
[0029] 6 latch [0030] 7 first sloped surface [0031] 8 closing
surface [0032] 9 mating piece [0033] 10 second sloped surface
[0034] 11 mating closing surface [0035] 12 button [0036] 13 third
sloped surface [0037] 14 fourth sloped surface [0038] 15 spring
element [0039] 16 lever [0040] 17 bearing pin [0041] 18 head [0042]
19 fifth sloped surface [0043] 20 sixth sloped surface [0044] 21
mass [0045] 22 recess [0046] 23 snap-fit device [0047] 24 leaf
spring [0048] 25 hook-shaped end of the leaf spring 24 [0049] 26
mouth [0050] 27 opening [0051] 28 seventh sloped surface [0052] 29
eighth sloped surface [0053] 30 restoring device
* * * * *