GB2500436A

GB2500436A - Vehicle stowage device

Info

Publication number: GB2500436A
Application number: GB201205282A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Schatz; Paul Thompson; Tracy Simpson-Meyer; Andrew Olson
Original assignee: Daimler AG
Current assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
Priority date: 2012-03-21
Filing date: 2012-03-21
Publication date: 2013-09-25
Also published as: GB201205282D0

Abstract

The stowage device (12) comprises at least one housing element (16, 18) and at least one, stowage element (24, 26) having at least one stowage compartment (28, 30, 32, 34) in an interior space (14) of a utility motor vehicle, e.g. mounted in a roof portion or on a wall, the stowage element (24, 26) being movable in a translational sense relative to the housing element (16, 18) in the vertical direction of the vehicle between an upper closed position, in which the stowage 15 compartment (28, 30, 32, 34) is covered by a corresponding housing element (16, 18) with respect to at least one subportion thereof, and at least one lower open position, in which the stowage compartment (28, 30, 32, 34) has the subportion uncovered. The element (16, 18) is controlled by a spring which, in an over-centre condition, holds the element in an open position and otherwise applies a raising force on the element to the closed position.

Description

Arrangement of a Stowage Device in an Interior Space of a Utility Motor Vehicle The invention relates to an arrangement of a stowage device in art interior space of a utility motor vehicle according to patent claim 1.

Stowage devices in interior spaces of utility motor vehicles are well-known from the general prior art and from the series production of utility motor vehicles. Such stowage device is for instance a glove compartment of a dashboard of a utility motor vehicle. The dashboard has a stowage which is capable of being uncovered and closed by a lid element of the glove compartment. The lid element in this arrangement is held on a basic body of the dashboard to be capable of being pivoted about a pivot axis and can be pivoted between an open position, in which the stowage compartment is uncovered, and a closed position, in which the stowage compartment is covered relative to the basic body.

Further, overhead stowage devices in passenger cabins of airplanes are known. Also in the case of such overhead stowage devices a lid element is held on a basic body and can be pivoted relative to the basic body between an open position, in which a stowage compartment is uncovered, and a closed position, in which the stowage space is covered.

S

It has turned out that such pivoting movements require a relatively large mounting space.

It is therefore the task of the present invention to provide a stowage device in an interior 30 space of a utility motor vehicle, which requires particularly little mounting space.

This task is solved by an arrangement of the stowage device in an interior space of a utility motor vehicle having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient and non-trivial further developments of the invention are indicated in the remaining claims.

In the case of an arrangement of a stowage device in an interior space of a utility motor vehicle according to the present invention the stowage device comprises at least one housing element and at least one stowage element. The stowage element comprises at least one stowage compartment.

The stowage element is held on the housing element to be translatorily movable in the vertical direction of the vehicle between a closed position and at least one open position.

In the closed position the stowage compartment is covered by the housing element at least in one subportion. In the open position the stowage element is uncovered in the subportion.

Due to the translatory movability of the stowage element relative to the housing element only very little mounting space is required to ensure movability of the stowage element between the open position and the closed position. The arrangement according to the present invention thus requires particularly little mounting space.

Moreover, the arrangement according to the present invention also provides particularly high operating comfort, as the stowage compartment moves along with the stowage element relative to the housing element and does not remain positioned for instance on the housing element. In this context the housing element acts as a lid element, by means of which the stowage compartment is covered at least in the subportion in the closed position. Thereby the housing element for example prevents objects from falling out of the stowage compartment.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention the stowage device is arranged in a roof portion of the interior space, wherein the stowage element is capable of * .1 being moved in the vertical direction of the vehicle towards the bottom from the closed ** *.* * position into the open position. In other words the stowage device is positioned overhead and provides particularly high mounting space efficiency. Due to the fact that the stowage * . . * space moves along with the stowage element in the vertical direction of the vehicle downwards into the open position, objects can be arranged in a particularly convenient and ergonomic way for a person using the stowage device. This means that the stowage compartment in the open position can be accessed in a particularly easy and ergonomic * I S * way.

For this purpose the person using the stowage device for example simply pulls the stowage element in the vertical direction of the vehicle downwards into the open position.

Subsequently, the person can move, in particular push, the stowage element upwards relative to the housing element into the closed position.

For providing a particularly simple operability of the stowage element between the closed position and the open position at least one handle element is provided, which is capable of being gripped, in particular at least partly grasped around, by the person.

Preferably, at least one latch or similar closure element is provided, by means of which the stowage element in the closed position is locked or capable of being locked on the housing element. Thereby an undesired and in particular uncontrolled movement of the stowage element from the closed position into the open position can be avoided. In this connection the latch or similar closure element is preferably operable by means of the handle element and thus capable of being shifted between a unlocked position, in which the stowage element is unlocked, and a lacking position, in which the stowage element is locked.

For providing an arrangement of the stowage device with particularly good mounting space economy it is envisaged for instance that the stowage device is arranged on a wall, in particular a rear wall, of the utility motor vehicle, in particular the drivers cab of the utility motor vehicle, bounding the interior space. As the stowage compartment moves along with the stowage element relative to the housing element from the closed position into the open position for instance in the vertical position of the vehicle downwards, the person using the stowage device need not climb up a ladder, stool, or the like, in order to reach the stowage compartment. The stowage device thus also exhibits particularly safe usability.

*. 25 Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of a preferred embodiment and by referring to the drawing. The features and feature combinations previously named in the description and the features and feature combinations shown in the following in the description of the figures and or in the figures alone can be used not only in the respective indicated combination, but also in any other combination or alone, without going beyond the scope of the present invention. t * * * * * ** * * * * **

The drawing shows in: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of an arrangement of a stowage device in an interior space of a utility motor vehicle, in which the stowage device comprises two stowage elements; both in their respective stowed position; Fig. 2 a partial schematic perspective view of the arrangement according to Fig. 1, wherein the stowage elements are in their respective open position; Fig. 3 a schematic lateral view of the stowage device according to Fig. 2; Fig. 4 a schematic front view of the stowage device according to Figs. ito 3, wherein one of the stowage elements is in its closed position and the other stowage element is in an open position; Fig. 5 a further schematic front view of the stowage device according to Fig. 4, wherein the two stowage elements are in a respective open position; and Fig. 6 a further schematic front view of the stowage device according to Fig. 4 and 5, wherein the two stowage elements are in a further respective open position.

Fig. 1 shows an arrangement 10 of a stowage device 12 in an interior space 14 of a driver's cab of a utility motor vehicle. The stowage device 12 comprises two housing elements 16, 18, which in the transverse direction of the vehicle are arranged next to * each other and which -in a combined viewing of Figs. 5 and 6 -have a respective * * 25 receptacle space 20, 22 each. *

* The stowage device 12 comprises stowage elements 24, 26, with the stowage element 24 being associated with the housing element 16 and the stowage element 26 being associated with the housing element 18. * * .

* * 30 The stowage elements 24, 26 each have two stowage compartments 28, 30 and 32, 34, respectively, each of which are bounded on three sides and are accessible via a fourth side. In this way objects can be arranged in the stowage compartments 28, 30, 32, 34 via the fourth side. The stowage compartments 26, 30 and 32, 34, respectively, are separated from each other by means of a respective partition wall 36, 38, with the partition wall 36 serving as ceiling of the stowage compartment 28 and as bottom of the stowage compartment 30. In analogy thereto the partition wall 38 serves as ceiling of the stowage compartment 32 and as bottom of the stowage compartment 34.

The stowage element 24 is held translatorily movable on the corresponding housing element 16 to shift relative thereto between a closed position shown in Fig. 1 and several open positions shown in Figs. 2 to 6. In analogy thereto the stowage element 26 is held translatorily movable on the corresponding housing element 18 to shift relative thereto between a closed position shown in Figs. 1 and 4 and several open positions shown in Figs. 2,3,5, and 6.

In the respective closed position the stowage compartments 26, 30, 32, 34 are covered by the corresponding housing element 16, 18, so that objects are prevented from falling out from the stowage compartments 28, 3D, 32, 34.

In the corresponding open positions the stowage compartments 28 and/or 30 and/or 32 and/or 34 are uncovered, so that objects can be arranged in the stowage compartments 28 and/or 30 and/or 32 and/or 34.

As can be gathered in particular from Figs. ito 3, the stowage device 12 is arranged in a roof portion 40 of the interior space 14. This means that the stowage device 12 is an overhead stowage device, which is arranged in a particularly efficient way in terms of mounting space. Moreover, the stowage device 12 due to the translatory movability of the stowage elements 24, 26 requires only very little mounting space for moving the stowage *.. 25 elements 24, 26. *

In order to provide at the same time a particularly convenient usability of the stowage device 12, the stowage compartments 28, 30, 32, 34 are arranged on the stowage elements 24, 26 or formed by these. Thereby the stowage compartments 28, 30, 32. 34 move along with the stowage elements 24, 26, so that they can be reached and accessed particularly easily by a person 42 using the stowage device 12 and shown in Figs. ito 6.

For arranging objects in the stowage compartments 28, 30, 32, 34 the person 42 pulls the stowage elements 24, 26 in the vertical direction of the vehicle downwards from their closed position into the respective open position. Thereby the stowage elements 24, 26 are moved at least partly out from the receptacle spaces 20, 22. Upon completed arrangement of the objects in the stowage compartments 28, 30, 32, 34 the person 42 can push the stowage elements 24, 26 in a simple manner in the vertical direction of the vehicle upward back into the receptacle spaces 20, 22. Removal of the objects from the stowage compartments 28, 30, 32, 34 is performed correspondingly.

For ensuring an easy operability of the stowage device 12 preferably respective handle elements are provided, which are arranged on the respective front faces of the stowage elements 24, 26. Via the handle elements for instance respective latches can be actuated, by means of which the stowage elements 24, 26 are capable of being locked in the respective closed position on the respective housing element 16, 18.

The stowage elements 24, 26 thus work like vertical drawers, which are capable of being shifted in the vertical direction of the vehicle. To facilitate a particularly easy shiftability respective lateral guidance elements 44, 46 are provided. The guidance elements 44 associated with the stowage element 24 comprise for instance respective, lateral guide rails 48, which are arranged on the stowage element 24. Further, the guidance elements 44 comprise lateral guide rails or similar guidance elements 50, which are arranged on the housing element 16. The guidance elements 50 engage the guide rails 48 in such a way that the stowage element 24 is shiftably guided via the guide rails 48 and the guidance elements 50 on the housing element 16.

In analogy thereto the guidance elements 46 associated with the stowage element 26 comprise lateral guide rails 52, which are arranged on the stowage element 26. Further, the guidance elements 46 comprise lateral guide rails or similar guidance elements 54, which are arranged on the housing element 18. In this arrangement the guidance elements 54 engage for instance the guide rails 52, so that the stowage element 26 is * . 25 capable of being moved via the guide rails 52 and via the guidance elements 54 guided on the housing element 18 and relative thereto.

The stowage device 12 also comprises spring elements 56, 58, wherein the spring elements 56 are associated with the stowage element 26 and the housing element 18, whilst the spring element 58 is associated with the stowage element 24 and the housing a. ** * .. element 16. * * * * **

The spring elements 56 on the one hand are laterally attached to the housing element 18 and on the other hand are attached on the stowage element 26. In this set-up on the one hand the spring elements 56 are capable of being pivoted about their respective pivot axes relative to the housing element 18. On the other hand, the spring elements 56 are capable of being pivoted about their respective pivot axes relative to the stowage element 26. The spring elements 56 are configured as gas pressure springs.

In analogy thereto the spring element 58 on the one hand is supported on the housing element 16 to be capable of being pivoted about a pivot axis relative to the housing element 16 and on the other hand is supported on the stowage element 24 to be capable of being pivoted about a pivot axis relative to the stowage element 24. Also the spring element 58 is configured as a gas pressure spring.

As can be gathered from Fig. 6, the spring elements 56, 58 in the respective maximum open position according to Fig. 6 have a respective bottom position beyond the dead center. In this maximum open position the stowage elements 24, 26 are maximally drawn out downwards in the vertical direction of the vehicle, wherein both stowage compartments 28, 30 and 32, 34, respectively, are accessible and maximally uncovered.

In this respective bottom position beyond the dead center the stowage elements 24, 26 under application of spring force are held in their maximum open position by the spring elements 56, 58.

If the stowage elements 24, 26 are pushed from their maximum open position in the vertical direction of the vehicle upwards, thereby the spring elements 56, 58 are moved from their respective bottom position beyond the dead center and into the respective dead center positions of the spring elements 56, 56 to start with. In the dead center positions the spring elements 56, 58 are maximally tensioned. * * * *

*:s** If the stowage elements 24, 26 are further moved towards the top, the spring elements 56, 58 are moved from the respective dead center into respective top positions beyond ** ** * * the dead center. In these top positions beyond the dead center a respective spring force is exerted by the spring elements 56, 58 upon the stowage elements 24, 26, the spring force acting in the direction into which the stowage elements 24, 26 are movable from the respective maximum open position into the closed position. This means that the stowage elements 24, 26 once they have reached their respective top position beyond the dead center can be pushed upward at least supported by the spring elements and by the person 42. Thereby a particularly convenient and simple operation of the stowage elements 24, 26 is realized.

In the respective bottom position beyond the dead center the spring forces exerted by the spring elements 56, 58 act downwardly upon the stowage elements 24, 26 in the vertical rlirrtinn nf th,ahirI en fktt fhc etn&,ono aIamon+c)A) ro hold in thoir n-,vim, ,n IW **%a a open positions. The spring elements 56, 58 control and dampen the movement of the stowage elements 24, 26.

Depending on the spring strength of the spring elements 56, 58 it can also be envisaged that, once the respective top positions beyond the dead center of the spring elements 56, 58 are reached, the stowage elements 24, 26 are moved into the closed position exclusively by the spring elements 56, 58 under application of spring force without being helped by the person 42.

The stowage device 12 facilitates the simple and convenient use of commonly unused mounting space in the roof or ceiling portion of the interior space 14, whilst providing a simple and convenient usability at the same time. Due to an arrangement of the stowage elements 24, 26 in the respective stowage position at least largely in the housing elements 16, 18 the stowage device 12 is also capable of being incorporated in a particularly advantageous way into the design of the interior space 14 and gives a visually advantageous impression. * * * * Se * *. * S * * * *5 ** * S S

S S. * S S * * S.

Claims

Claims An arrangement (10) of a stowage device (12) comprising at least one housing element (16, 18) and at least one stowage element (24, 26) having at least one stowage compartment (28, 30, 32, 34) in an interior space (14) of a utility motor vehicle, in which arrangement the stowage element (24, 26) is held on (he housing element (16, 18) translatorily movably in the vertical direction of the vehicle relative to the housing element (16, 18) between a closed position, in which the stowage compartment (28, 30, 32, 34) is covered at least in one subportion by the housing element (16, 18), and at least an open position, in which the stowage compartment (28, 30, 32. 34) is uncovered in the subportion.
2. The arrangement (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the stowage element (24, 26) is movable in the vertical direction of the vehicle towards the bottom from the closed position into the open position.

*". :
3. The arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the stowage device (12)is arranged in a roof portion (40) of the interior space (14).
4. The arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stowage device (12) is arranged on a wall, in particular a rear wall, of the utility *. .: motor vehicle, which bounds the interior space (14) at least in portions.
5. The arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that respective guidance elements (44, 46) are provided, by means of which the stowage element (24, 26) is movably guided between the closed position and the open position relative to the housing element (16, 18).
6. The arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one spring element (56, 58), which is supported on the stowage element (24, 26), is provided, which has at least one position beyond the dead center, in which the stowage element (24, 26) under application of a spring force through the spring element (56, 58) is held in the open position.
7. The arrangement (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the spring element (56, 58) has at least one position which is different from the position beyond the dead center, in which the stowage element (24, 26) is charged through the spring element (56, 58) with a further spring force, the further spring force acting into the direction into which the stowage element (24, 26) is movable from the open position into the closed position.
8. The arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the spring element (56, 58)is designed as gas pressure spring. * * .* **.* * * ** S. * * * * *4 ** * * . * * *. . * * *