DE102011102771B4 - Contacting device for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Contacting device (1) for a motor vehicle (K), with at least one connection (2,3) for an electrical or electronic device (4), wherein the contacting device (1) is part of a storage device (5) and is designed to be portable, the contacting device (1) is designed as a body (9) that can be displaced relative to the storage device (5), characterized in that the contacting device (1) is surrounded by the storage device (5) in such a way that between the body (9) and at least one wall (15 ) the storage device (5) a storage space (A1, A2) is formed, wherein for moving the body (9) guide means (10,11) are provided and designed such that a resistance to the displacement of the body (9) increases locally or that a shift to the desired end position (1") is only possible if the body (9) is shifted in at least two different directions (R1, R2) one after the other.

Description

The invention relates to a contacting device for a motor vehicle, having at least one connection for an electrical or electronic device, the contacting device being a component of a storage device and designed to be portable.

The proportion of consumer electronics in motor vehicles has increased significantly in all vehicle classes in recent years. It has now become a matter of course to provide connections for electrical or electronic devices, for example mobile phones, navigation devices, PDAs or MP3 players in motor vehicles. The ports can be in the form of USB ports, Aux-In ports, and Mitsumi connectors, for example. Such connections are often to be found inside the glove compartment or in the area of the dashboard or the center console.

From the DE 10 2008 018 551 A1 a storage tray for a motor vehicle is known, which can be moved out of the instrument panel on the passenger side together with a CD changer. The stowage tray is initially moved in the horizontal direction manually or by a motorized drive until its entire depth protrudes beyond the instrument panel. The storage tray then performs a vertical movement either by gravity or by a motor until its upper edge is level with the lower edge of the compartment in the instrument panel that accommodates the storage tray and the CD changer. In order to enable the horizontal and subsequent vertical movement of the storage tray, the storage tray is supported on both sides by a stable support frame which also has the necessary guide elements which allow horizontal movement and vertical movement of the storage tray. A USB port is integrated into the tray, which can be used to connect an MP3 player, for example. In order to use the USB connection, it is therefore necessary for the storage tray to be pulled out of the instrument panel over its entire depth.

As a result of this component protruding into the passenger compartment, on the one hand the comfort of the passengers and on the other hand their safety is impaired. In addition, a comparatively complicated guide mechanism or motorized drive is required to carry out the described displacement movements of the storage tray.

In the features of the preamble of claim 1 having DE 10 2008 057 789 A1 describes a holder for a portable electronic device in a motor vehicle. The receptacle is designed as a drawer that is slidably guided in a housing, with the housing being arranged in a center console below a radio and an air conditioning unit. Two plug contacts for connecting the electronic device are placed on a longitudinally displaceable guide part of the drawer, one plug contact being designed as a USB socket and the other plug contact as a jack socket. The drawer is locked in the housing via a snap-in lock, which can be released by pressing down on a panel belonging to the drawer and the drawer can then be moved out of the housing together with the plug-in contacts.

The invention is therefore based on the object of improving a contacting device according to the preamble of patent claim 1 in such a way that it has a simple structure and does not appreciably impair the space available in the interior of the motor vehicle during use. Furthermore, the process of contacting should be facilitated.

According to the invention, this object is achieved with the characterizing features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

The invention is therefore based on a contacting device for a motor vehicle with at least one connection for an electrical or electronic device, the contacting device being part of a storage device and designed to be portable.

Provision is also made for the contacting device to be in the form of a body that can be displaced relative to the storage device. According to the invention, the contacting device is surrounded by the storage device in such a way that a storage space is formed between the body and at least one wall of the storage device.

In this way it is possible to create a comparatively simple technical solution, with storage devices already present in the motor vehicle, such as a glove compartment or the like, being able to be used. Due to the displaceability of the body forming the contacting device relative to the storage device, in particular the usable size of a storage compartment and also the accessibility of the connection or connections can be significantly improved.

In this way, the contacting device can first be brought into a front position in order to be able to easily connect an electronic device to a connection of the contacting device. After the connection has been made, the body of the contacting device can be moved back into a rear position (seen in the direction of travel, i.e. forward), for example in a storage compartment, so that a storage space is formed not only on the side of the body or possibly on it, but also in front of the body is where smaller items can be placed. Plugs, data carriers, MP3 players and the like can also be accommodated entirely in the compartment without them protruding into the passenger compartment. It is even possible to close a cover of the storage device even when electronic devices (such as a USB stick) are connected to the body of the contacting device.

According to further features of the invention, guide means are provided for moving the body and are designed in such a way that a resistance to the moving of the body is locally increased or that moving to the desired end position is only possible if the body is moved in at least two different directions one after the other will.

In this way it is possible, for example, to insert a USB stick into a USB socket of the contacting device without the contacting device also immediately shifting. The contacting process is thus made significantly easier. Only after the USB stick has been fully inserted and the pushing force has increased beyond the pushing force required for the USB stick is the contacting device pushed forward into a storage compartment. This can be implemented in a very simple and cost-effective manner, for example, by means of a locally narrowed guideway, in which a guide element of the body is guided.

The other possibility of only allowing a shift to the desired end position if the body is shifted in at least two different directions one after the other can be achieved expediently in that the guide means comprise at least one guide track and at least one guide element guided therein, the guide track comprises at least one first section and a second section angled thereto. This solution can be implemented very easily and inexpensively.

It has also proven to be advantageous if the guide track comprises a third section, which adjoins the second section and is also angled towards it, with the first and the third section being angled to the same side, starting from the second section. It is thus possible in a simple manner to also fix the body of the contacting device in its rear position against unintentional displacement.

The angling of the sections is preferably in an angular range of about 30 to 60 degrees, particularly preferably about 45 degrees. A very reliable achievement of the desired function can be achieved with these angular ranges.

In order to be able to optimally use the storage space formed between the body and the storage device, it is provided that the guide track is formed by an opening in the wall of the storage device, through which the guide element passes, the guide element being connected to a closing element which has a width , which is greater than a width of the guide track in the direction of the guide element.

In this way, the possibility is created in a simple manner of keeping the body guided on one side on a side wall of the storage device. A guide or holder provided on both lateral walls of the storage device is therefore no longer necessary. This creates space for additional storage space.

In an advantageous further development of the idea of the invention, the storage device has a lower and an upper wall, each with a first section and at least one second section, the second section being angled upwards as seen in the mounting position of the storage device. In this way, the accessibility to the contacting device located therein can be improved even further, particularly in the case of smaller storage compartments.

It is also advantageous if the body of the contacting device has a lower and an upper side, each with a first and at least one second section, the second section being angled upwards when viewed in the mounting position of the storage device.

This also contributes to better accessibility or better handling of the contacting device. The degree of said unfolding of the body corresponds approximately to the degree of said bending of the storage device, at least with regard to its lower side. This will allow the body and filing to position the device flush in a front position despite its angled surfaces. Smaller objects can thus not easily get between the body and the bottom of the storage device.

However, the invention also relates to a motor vehicle with a contacting device according to the invention. Thereby, a motor vehicle can be provided which is increased in its comfort.

• 1 ein Kraftfahrzeug mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Kontaktiereinrichtung in einer sehr prinziphaften Darstellung,
• 2 die Kontaktiereinrichtung gemäß 1 in einer prinziphaften Seitendarstellung,
• 3 die Kontaktiereinrichtung gemäß 2 in einer prinziphaften Draufsicht und
• 4 die mögliche Ausgestaltung einer Führungsbahn.

Further advantages and refinements of the developments of the invention become clear on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments, which are to be explained in more detail with the aid of the accompanying figures. thereby mean

• 1 a motor vehicle with a contacting device according to the invention in a very basic representation,
• 2 the contacting device according to 1 in a principled side view,
• 3 the contacting device according to 2 in a principled plan view and
• 4 the possible design of a guideway.

First on the 1 referenced. A motor vehicle K is shown therein in part. In the middle area of the instrument panel, the motor vehicle K has a storage compartment 5 in which a contacting device 1 is arranged such that it can be displaced relative to the storage compartment 5 .

Now on to the 2 and 3 Reference, in which the contacting device 1 is shown in more detail.

It can be seen that the storage compartment 5 is arranged in the area of an instrument panel or center console. The center console has a storage recess 8 below the storage compartment 5 . Control knobs 7 of an air conditioner can be seen above the storage compartment 5 .

The storage compartment 5 is fitted with a cover 6 (in 3 not shown), which can be designed, for example, as a hinged or sliding cover, closable. It can be seen from the figures that the contacting device 1 comprises a block-like body 9 which is held displaceably in a guide track 11 in the storage compartment 5 via a guide element 10 connected to the body 9 .

The body 9 has a connection 2 for a USB stick 4 and an aux-in connection 3 on its side facing the vehicle interior.

It can also be seen that the guide track 11 has a first guide section F1, a second guide section F2 and a third guide section F3. In this case, the second guide section F2 is aligned approximately horizontally in a direction F of travel. The other guide sections F1 and F3, on the other hand, are angled downwards relative to the guide section F2, with angles α1 and α2 of approximately 45 degrees in each case. In addition, the guide sections F1 and F3 are kept significantly shorter than the guide section F2.

Furthermore, the storage compartment 5 has a lower wall 14 and an upper wall 15, each with a first and second section 16 and 17 or 18 and 19.

In this case, section 17 is bent upwards at an angle β1 relative to section 16 in the assembly position shown. The angle β1 can preferably be between about 30 and 50 degrees. Likewise, section 19 is angled upwardly toward section 18 at an angle β2, which angle is preferably between about 25 and 50 degrees.

This configuration can improve the ergonomics of the storage compartment 5, particularly in the case of a small compartment.

The body 9 also has a lower wall 20 and an upper wall 21 . The lower wall 20 is in turn divided into a first section 22 and a second section 23, with section 23 being angled upwards relative to section 22 at an angle γ1 in the assembly position shown, which approximately corresponds to angle β1.

The upper wall 21 of the body 9 is also divided into a first section 24 and a second section 25, the second section 25 also being bent upwards at an angle γ2 relative to the section 24 . The angle γ2 is preferably approximately 20 to 50 degrees.

It can be seen that due to the design of the body 9, it can be brought into a front position in which it is approximately flush with the sections 22 and 23 of its lower wall 20 on the sections 16 and 17 of the lower wall 14 of the storage compartment 5 rests. In the position shown, this not only leads to an attractive appearance, but also prevents small objects from accidentally slipping into an intermediate space otherwise formed between the body 9 and the lower wall 14 of the storage compartment 5 .

Also worth mentioning is the possibility of providing a trough-like depression 26 in the area of the first section 24 of the upper wall 21 of the body 9 (indicated by dashed lines). Small objects such as SIM or SD cards can be stored here.

• Dabei wird der USB-Stick 4 in einer Steckrichtung S in den USB-Anschluss 2 gesteckt. Auf Grund der Ausgestaltung der Führungsbahn 11, insbesondere aufgrund des abgewinkelten kleinen Führungsabschnitts F1 kann der Körper 9 während des Einsteckens zunächst nicht unbeabsichtigt verschoben werden, so dass ein leichtes Einstecken des USB-Sticks 4 bis zum Anschlag möglich ist. Will nun der Nutzer den Körper 9 mitsamt angeschlossenem USB-Stick 4 nach hinten (in Fahrtrichtung F) in das Ablagefach 5 verschieben, um den USB-Stick 4 gänzlich im Ablagefach 5 verschwinden zu lassen und auch einen sich durch die Verschiebung vor dem Körper 9 ergebenden vorderen Ablageraum des Ablagefachs 5 nutzen zu können, so muss er den Körper 9 zunächst in eine erste Führungsrichtung R1 bewegen, bis der Körper 9 bzw. die Kontaktiereinrichtung 1 eine Position 1' einnimmt. Anschließend kann er den Körper 9 in eine zweite Führungsrichtung R2 schieben, welche in etwa der Fahrtrichtung F entspricht, wobei das Führungselement 10 (beispielsweise ein im Querschnitt runder Führungsbolzen oder ein im Querschnitt rechteckiger Führungsschlitten) entlang dem zweiten Führungsabschnitt F2 geführt wird.

The contacting process of a USB stick 4 with the contacting device 1 will now be described in more detail below:

• The USB stick 4 is plugged into the USB port 2 in a plugging direction S. Due to the design of the guide track 11, in particular due to the angled small guide section F1, the body 9 cannot be accidentally displaced during insertion, so that the USB stick 4 can be easily inserted all the way to the stop. If the user now wants to move the body 9 together with the connected USB stick 4 backwards (in the direction of travel F) into the storage compartment 5 in order to make the USB stick 4 disappear completely in the storage compartment 5 and also to move in front of the body 9 To be able to use the resulting front storage space of the storage compartment 5, he must first move the body 9 in a first guiding direction R1 until the body 9 or the contacting device 1 assumes a position 1'. He can then push the body 9 in a second guide direction R2, which roughly corresponds to the direction of travel F, with the guide element 10 (for example a guide pin with a round cross section or a guide carriage with a rectangular cross section) being guided along the second guide section F2.

Finally, the guide element 10 reaches the third guide section F3, where, due to the force of gravity, it comes to rest in a guide direction R3 downwards in a position 1". In this position 1", even the cover 6 (if desired) can be closed.

The body 9 is moved back in an analogous manner, with the guide being designed to run smoothly in such a way that the body 9 can be moved just by using the USB stick 4 as a handle.

In particular from the 3 it can be seen that the width and height of the body 9 are kept significantly smaller than the storage compartment 5, so that storage spaces A1 and A2 are formed on the side and above the body 9. The body 9 is fastened or guided relative to the storage compartment 5 on only one side, with the guideway 11 being introduced into a lateral, right-hand wall 12 of the storage compartment 5 . The guide element 10 passes through the guide track 11 and is provided with a closing element 13 . The end element 13 has a width B that is greater than a width b of the guide track 11 running transversely to the respective guide direction (for example R2).

Finally is in 4 an alternative configuration 11' of the guide track is also shown. This has a constriction V in the area of the side facing the vehicle interior. The effect of this is that the guide element 10 is initially offered increased resistance when the body 9 is displaced in the displacement direction (cf. arrow). By suitably dimensioning the constriction V, the resistance can be designed such that it is greater than a force component in this direction caused when electrical devices are plugged into the connections 2 and 3 and only after overcoming this resistance is it possible for the body 9 to be pushed further.

Reference List

1

contacting device

2

Connection for USB stick

3

Connection for Aux-In

4

USB stick

5

storage compartment

6

lid

7

Control knobs of an air conditioner

8th

Storage recess of a center console

9

Body of the contactor

10

guide element

11

guideway

12

side wall of the storage compartment

13

final element

14

lower wall of the storage compartment

15

upper wall of the storage compartment

16

first section of the bottom wall of the storage compartment

17

second section of the lower wall of the storage compartment

18

first section of the top wall of the storage compartment

19

second section of the top wall of the storage compartment

20

lower wall of the body

21

upper wall of the body

22

first section of the lower wall of the body

23

second section of the lower wall of the body

24

first section of the upper wall of the body

25

second section of the upper wall of the body

26

hollow-like depression

α1

Angle between the first and second guide section

α2

Angle between the second and third guide section

β1

Angle between the first and second lower wall sections of the storage compartment

β2

Angle between the first and second lower wall sections of the upper storage compartment

γ1

Angle between the first and second lower wall sections of the body

γ2

Angle between the first and second top wall sections of the body

A1, A2

storage space

b

width of the guideway

B

Width of the end element

f

driving direction

F1

first guide section

F2

second guide section

F3

third section of leadership

K

motor vehicle

R1

first guidance direction

R2

second guidance direction

R3

third direction

S

mating direction

V

narrowing of the guideway

Claims (9)

Contacting device (1) for a motor vehicle (K), with at least one connection (2,3) for an electrical or electronic device (4), wherein the contacting device (1) is part of a storage device (5) and is designed to be portable, the contacting device (1) is designed as a body (9) that can be displaced relative to the storage device (5), characterized in that the contacting device (1) is surrounded by the storage device (5) in such a way that between the body (9) and at least one wall (15 ) the storage device (5) a storage space (A1, A2) is formed, wherein for moving the body (9) guide means (10,11) are provided and designed such that a resistance to the displacement of the body (9) increases locally or that a shift to the desired end position (1") is only possible if the body (9) is shifted in at least two different directions (R1, R2) one after the other. Contacting device (1) after claim 1 , characterized in that the guide means (10,11) comprise at least one guide track (11) and at least one guide element (10) guided therein, the guide track (11) having at least a first section (F1) and a section (α1) angled thereto second section (F2) includes. Contacting device (1) after claim 2 , characterized in that the guide track (11) comprises a third section (F3), which connects to the second section (F2) and is also angled (α2) to this, the first and the third section (F1 and F3) are angled starting from the second section (F2) to the same side. Contacting device (1) according to at least one of claims 2 and 3 , characterized in that the bend (α1, α2) of the sections (F1, F3) is in an angular range of approximately 30° to 60°, preferably approximately 45°. Contacting device (1) according to at least one of claims 2 until 4 , characterized in that the guide track (11) is formed by an opening in a wall (12) of the storage device (5), through which the guide element (10) passes, the guide element (10) being connected to a closing element (13). , which has a width (B) which is greater than a width (b) of the guide track (11) in the guide direction (R1, R2 or R3) of the guide element (10). Contacting device (1) after claim 1 , characterized in that the guide means comprise a guide track (11') and at least one guide element (10) guided therein, the guide track (11') having at least one constriction (V). Contacting device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage device (5) has a lower (14) and an upper (15) wall, each with a first (16 or 18) and at least one second section (17 or 19), the second section (17 or 19) being angled upwards (β1 or β2) as seen in the mounting position of the storage device (5). Contacting device (1) after claim 7 , characterized in that the body (9) has a lower (20) and an upper side (21) each having a first (22 and 24 respectively) and at least one second section (23 and 25 respectively), the second section ( 23 or 25) is angled upwards (γ1 or γ2) as seen in the assembly position of the storage device (5). Motor vehicle (K) with at least one contacting device (1) according to at least one of Claims 1 until 8th .

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