JPH0231954A - Ashtray device having cigarette lighter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To safely use an ashtray device with high tranquility even during driving by automatically opening an ashtray and also automatically projecting out a cigarette lighter from within a housing merely by releasing a lock means. CONSTITUTION:As the front face of a lid 8 is a little pushed in toward a housing 2 at the time of using, a latch 10 releases a strike 11 rotating an ashtray 3 in the opening direction due to the restoring force of a spring 9. In this case, since a sector gear 15 is also rotated in a body to rotate the gear 14 of a rotary damper 13, the tray 3 is braked by means of the damper 13 and quietly opened at a constant speed. At the same time, a link 18 is rotated upward to pullingly advance a pin 19 with the rear end of a slotted hole 22 along the guide hole 24 of a partition wall 5, causing a lighter holder 16 which is one therewith to advance inside a lighter housing chamber B of a partition wall 5. On reaching the front edge of a guide hole 24, the pin 19 falls into a recessed portion 25. Then, the opening action of the tray 3 is stopped and the holder 16 is also stopped in the most advanced position, to enable the use of the tray 3 and a lighter 4.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an ashtray device equipped with a cigarette lighter installed in, for example, a car, and in particular, an ashtray device that automatically opens with a single touch, and moreover, the cigarette lighter pops out at that time. It was made in a similar manner.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, an ashtray device equipped with this type of cigarette lighter is known, for example, from Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 59-3759. This is a drawer for the outer case.

A part of the pushable inner case is used as an ashtray, and a cigarette lighter is fixed to a mounting plate rotatably supported by a spindle on the negative side of the ashtray.When the inner case is pulled out, the mounting plate moves in conjunction with the ashtray. The cigarette lighter projects above the outer case by pivoting upward about the support shaft.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the conventional ashtray described above is very convenient in that the cigarette lighter protrudes when the ashtray is used, but the basic structure is that the ashtray is pulled out by the driver's hand. remains the same,
Not only is this extremely inconvenient, but pulling out the ashtray while driving also causes the driver to be inattentive to the road ahead, which is not desirable from a safety perspective.

[Means for Solving the Problems] Therefore, the present invention solves the above problems, and includes:
The contents will be explained below using examples shown in the drawings.

The present invention provides a housing (2) having at least an open front surface.
an ashtray tray (3) housed in a part of the housing and pivoted to the housing so as to fall forward and open from the front surface of the opening of the housing; , a cigarette lighter (4) housed so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, and a biasing means (for example, a helical spring 9) that biases the ashtray tray in the opening direction, and a biasing force of the biasing means. releasable locking means (e.g., latch lO and strike 11) for locking the ashtray tray in the storage position; and braking means (e.g., rotary damper 13) for braking the movement of the ashtray tray when it is opened by force. A link mechanism (e.g., link 18 and pin 1
9).

[Function] Therefore, by simply releasing the locked state of the locking means (10, 11) with one touch, the ashtray tray (3) will rotate its axis (for example, the horizontal axis 7) by the urging force of the urging means (9). When the ashtray tray falls forward on the fulcrum and opens, the braking means (13) acts and the ashtray tray opens silently.

At the same time, the cigarette lighter (4) is connected to the link mechanism (18, 1).
9), it advances inside the housing (2) and partially protrudes, making it possible to use the ashtray tray and cigarette lighter (
Figure 1.3.4).

Further, in order to store the ashtray tray in the housing, the front surface of the ashtray tray can be pushed into the housing against the urging force of the urging means, whereby the ashtray tray rotates about its axis as a fulcrum. At this time, the cigarette lighter moves back inside the housing via the link mechanism, and the ashtray tray and cigarette lighter are locked in the storage position within the housing by the locking means (FIGS. 7 and 8).

[Example] The present invention will be described below based on an example shown in the drawings.

In the figure, 1 indicates an ashtray device, and this ashtray device 1 is roughly divided into a housing 2, and an ashtray tray 3 and a cigarette lighter 4 that are housed adjacently on the left and right inside the housing 2. The housing 2 is used by being attached to, for example, an instrument panel (not shown) in a vehicle interior.

As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 2 is open at its front and bottom surfaces, and is provided with a partition wall 5 that vertically divides the hollow interior into left and right chambers A and H.

For example, it is integrally molded from heat-resistant plastic.

The ashtray tray 3 has a box shape with an open top surface, and has shaft holes 6.6 that pass through both left and right walls laterally, and a horizontal shaft 7 is serially passed through the shaft hole 6 to be pivotally mounted. Therefore, the ashtray tray 3 is mounted on the partition wall 5 of the housing 2 with the horizontal axis 7 as a fulcrum.
From the storage position where it fits snugly in the ashtray storage chamber A on the right side of the housing 2, it falls open in front of the opening of the housing 2 (FIGS. 3 and 7).

Further, the front surface of the ashtray tray 3 is integrally provided with a lid 8 that extends beyond its four sides in the form of a flange, and in this case, the ashtray tray 3 and the lid 8 are integrally formed of, for example, heat-resistant plastic. . The lid 8 has a projecting portion 8' that extends horizontally to the left side, and this projecting portion 8
', when the ashtray tray 3 is closed, the front opening of the lighter storage chamber B on the left side of the housing 2 is closed. The ashtray tray 3 also has an inner case (which can be easily removed) inside the ashtray tray 3 to make it easier to dispose of cigarette butts, etc.
(not shown) may be placed there.

On the other hand, between the housing 2 and the ashtray tray 3,
A biasing means for biasing the ashtray tray 3 in the opening direction, a releasable locking means for locking the ashtray tray 3 in the storage position against the biasing force of the biasing means, and the ashtray tray 3 is A braking means is provided to brake the movement when it opens depending on the force.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, the biasing means uses a small-wound spring 9, which is passed through the horizontal shaft 7, and one end of which is attached to the inner surface of the partition wall 5 of the housing 2. The other end is fixed to one side of the ashtray tray 3, and the ashtray tray 3 is always biased in the open direction using the restoring force of the unwinding of the spring 9 (Section 3.7).
figure).

The locking means is composed of a latch 10 and a strike 11, and the latch 10 is a so-called drift latch 10 using a heart cam (not shown)6. As shown in Figure 7, a mounting frame 12 for the latch 10 is provided, and the latch 10 is attached to this mounting frame 12.
is fixed upward, and on the other hand, the base end of the strike 11, which extends in an arcuate manner toward the latch 10, is fixed to the rear end of the ashtray tray 3.

As a result, when the ashtray tray 3 is pushed into the housing 2,
The strike 11 engages with the latch 10, and the latch 10 locks the strike 11 in a biting state due to the action of the heart cam, locks the ashtray tray 3 in the storage position, and releases the spring 9.
In contrast, when the front surface of the ashtray tray 3 is pushed in a little from the storage position L, the latch lO is pushed in by the strike 11, and the latch lO is closed by the action of the heart cam. is released, the strike 11 is released, and the ashtray tray 3 is opened by the restoring force of the spring 9 (FIG. 7).

As for the latch 10, the description of its internal structure will be omitted by taking as an example the Utility Model Application Publication No. 163870/1988, which the present applicant previously filed. However, it is of course not limited to this structure, and similar types may be used. However, if the latch 10 is used, no special release means is required, but of course, if the latch 10 is not used, the locking means and the release means should be constructed separately. It is also possible.

The braking means includes a rotary damper 13 as shown in FIG.
The gear 14 is fixed to the shaft of the rotary damper 13, and then fixed to the inner surface of the housing 2 with the gear 14 facing sideways. On the other hand, on the side surface of the ashtray tray 3, a sector gear 15 that meshes with the gear 14 is integrally provided around the shaft hole 6, and the sector gear 15 meshes with the gear 14 of the rotary damper I3 (Fig. 6). As a result, when the ashtray tray 3 is opened or closed, the gear 1 of the rotary damper 13 is transmitted through the sector gear 15.
4 rotates, and the rotational movement of the gear 14 is braked by viscous resistance such as grease (not shown) sealed inside.

Regarding the rotary damper 13, the present applicant has previously filed Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-192937 and Japanese Utility Model Application No. 61-13.
The explanation of the internal structure will be omitted by taking Publication No. 3134 as an example, but the structure is of course not limited to this, and does not preclude the use of the same type of rotary damper. Both have a braking force, but by using a unidirectional damper or by providing a clutch mechanism between the gear 14 of the one-rotation damper 13 and the sector gear 15, the braking force does not work when the ashtray tray 3 is closed. Further, in addition to the rotary damper 13, a cylinder type oil or air damper may be used.

On the other hand, the cigarette lighter 4 is attached to a lighter holder 16 having built-in contacts (not shown), as shown in FIG.
By pushing in the knob 4', electricity is applied, and the internal nichrome wire (not shown) generates heat.

The lighter holder 16 has a hollow box shape, is housed in a lighter storage chamber B on the left side of the housing 2, and slides back and forth within the lighter storage chamber B toward the front surface of the opening. The front surface of the lighter holder 16 is provided with an inclined upper surface 16' that is inclined diagonally upward, and this inclined upper surface 16'
An insertion port 17 into which the cigarette lighter 4 is inserted is provided in the center of the ζ, and when the cigarette lighter 4 is inserted into the insertion port 17, the knob 4' projects obliquely upward (FIG. 1).

Moreover, between the ashtray tray 3 and the lighter holder 16,
A link mechanism is provided for converting the opening/closing movement of the ashtray tray 3 into the back and forth movement of the lighter holder 16 within the lighter storage chamber B of the housing 2. As shown in FIG. 2, this link mechanism consists of a link 1 whose one end is pivotally connected to one side of the ashtray tray 3.
8, and a bin 19 that projects laterally from one side of the lighter holder 16 and engages with the other free end of the link 18.

The link 18 is bent into a substantially U-shape, and has a small circular hole 20 at its base end, into which the short shaft 21 that protrudes laterally from one side of the ashtray tray 3 is inserted. At the same time, a long hole 22 extending long along the inclination direction is opened in the free end bent in a U-shape, and this long hole 22
Insert the tip of the bottle 19 into the inside (FIGS. 3 and 4).

Further, on the side wall of the lighter holder 16, a first. As shown in FIG. 10, a vertically long slide hole 23 penetrating the inside and outside is opened, and the bottle 19 is passed through the slide hole 23 from the inside to the outside so that its tip protrudes.
Install it so that it can be moved slightly below E along 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the partition wall 5 is provided with a guide hole 24 extending longitudinally and penetrating both the left and right chambers A and B through which the bottle 19 is passed. is provided with a semicircular recess 25 that is recessed downward, and this recess 2
5, the bottle 19 falls into the knob 4 of the cigarette lighter 4.
' prevents the lighter holder 16 from retreating when pushed in.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, cross rollers 26 are disposed on the left and right inner surfaces of the lighter storage chamber B of the housing 2 along the sliding direction of the lighter holder 16 to reduce frictional resistance with the lighter holder 16. do. Regarding the cross roller 26, the explanation of its internal structure will be omitted by citing as an example Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1987-78987, which the present applicant previously filed, but of course the present invention is not limited to this structure. A pole bear rig, etc. may be arranged.

Next, the ashtray device i! To explain the operation of the lid 8, in use, the front surface of the lid 8 may be slightly pushed toward the housing 2 from the state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the latch 10 releases the strike 11, and the ashtray tray 3 rotates in the opening direction about the horizontal axis 7 by the restoring force of the spring 9.

At this time, the sector gear 15 also rotates, rotating the gear 14 of the rotary damper 13 that meshes with the sector gear 15, so that the ashtray tray 3 is braked by the rotary damper 13 and opens silently at a constant speed.

At the same time, as the ashtray tray 3 tilts, the link 18
rotates upward around the short shaft 21 of the ashtray tray 3, and pulls the bottle 19 fitted into the long hole 22 at the other end by the rear edge of the long hole 22, thereby pulling the bottle 19 into the partition wall 5. The lighter holder 1 is moved forward along the guide hole 24 of the lighter holder 1.
6 moves forward in the lighter storage chamber B of the housing 2 (the 8th
, 10).

When the bottle 19 reaches the front edge of the guide hole 24, it falls into the recess 25 (FIG. 9). This is because the center of rotation of the ashtray tray 3 with the horizontal axis 7 as the fulcrum is Since it is located below the rotation center of the link 18 which serves as the fulcrum,
This is because the force of the spring 9 to open the ashtray tray 3 acts as a downward force on the long hole 22 at the free end of the link 18. Therefore, the bottle 19 is inserted into the long hole 22 of the link 18 along the slide hole 23 in the side wall of the lighter holder 16.
It descends integrally while being sandwiched between the slanted side edges of the guide hole 24, and reliably falls into the recess 25 of the guide hole 24.

In this way, when the bottle 19 falls into the recess 25 of the guide hole 24, the ashtray tray 3 stops opening, the lighter holder 16 also stops at the most advanced position, and the ashtray tray 3 and cigarette lighter 4 can be used. Moreover, since the inclined upper surface 16' of the lighter holder 16 is inclined upward, the knob 4' of the cigarette lighter 4 protrudes obliquely upward from the front surface of the opening of the housing 2 (FIG. 1.8).

Next, in order to use the cigarette lighter 4 to light a cigarette, the knob 4', which projects diagonally upward, is pushed diagonally downward, and after confirming ignition, the knob 4' is pulled out and used.

Note that when pushing in the knob 4', a force is applied to push the lighter holder 16 inwards, but the bottle 19 does not fit into the guide hole 2.
4, the lighter holder 16 is prevented from moving back against this force.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, no special locking means is required to lock the lighter holder 16 in the most advanced position.

On the other hand, in order to store the ashtray tray 3 and the cigarette lighter 4 in the housing 2 after use, the front surface of the lid 8 may be pushed toward the housing 2 against the biasing force of the spring 9.

As a result, the ashtray tray 3 rotates in the closing direction about the horizontal axis 7, and the link 18 rotates downward about the short axis 21 as a fulcrum. As a result, the pin 19 that has fallen into the recess 25 is guided by the upwardly slanted side edges of the elongated hole 22 and gradually rises, and is removed from the recess 25 (see the arrow in FIG. 9).
Therefore, as the link 18 retreats, the pin 19 is pushed by the front edge of the elongated hole 22 of the link 18 and returns the guide hole 24, and the lighter holder 16 follows this and moves into the lighter storage chamber B of the housing 2. to retreat.

When the ashtray tray 3 is closed, the rearwardly extending strike 11 engages with the latch 10 and is bitten by pushing the rachero, and in this state the ashtray tray 3 is opened. Lock it in the storage position where it fits snugly in the ashtray storage chamber A of the housing 2 (Figure 3)
. At this time, the lighter holder 16 fits snugly into the lighter housing chamber B of the housing 2, and the front opening thereof is covered by the left side projection 8' of the lid 8 (FIG. 4).

The braking force of the rotary damper 13 also acts when the ashtray tray 3 is closed, but the braking force at that time prevents the ashtray tray 3 from being closed too vigorously and prevents the lid 8 from closing before the opening of the housing 2. It functions to prevent the ball from hitting the edge with force.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the ashtray tray is automatically opened by simply releasing the locking state of the locking means, and in addition, the cigarette lighter is also automatically protruded from inside the housing. Not only can it be used safely while driving, but the movement at that time is braked by the braking means, so
It is possible to provide an ashtray device that is highly quiet and has a luxurious feel.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the used state, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view, FIGS. 3 to 5 are various vertical sectional views showing the stored state, and FIG. Similarly, FIGS. 7 to 9 are a partially cutaway rear view showing the storage state, FIGS. 7 to 9 are various vertical cross-sectional views showing the use state, and FIG. 1O is a partial cross-sectional view showing the use state. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Ashtray device, 2...Housing, 3...Ashtray tray, 4...Cigarette lighter, 7...Horizontal axis, 9...
- Helical spring as biasing means, 10.11... Latch and strike as locking means, 13... Rotating gunba as braking means, 18.19... Link and pin as link mechanism.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A housing having at least an open front surface, an ashtray tray housed in a portion of the housing and pivoted to the housing so as to fall forward and open from the front surface of the opening of the housing, and the ashtray. A cigarette lighter is provided in the housing adjacent to the tray so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, and a biasing means for biasing the ashtray tray in the opening direction and a biasing force of the biasing means are provided. a releasable locking means for locking the ashtray tray in the storage position; a braking means for braking the movement of the ashtray tray when it is opened by force; and a braking means provided between the ashtray tray and the cigarette lighter for opening and closing the ashtray tray. An ashtray device equipped with a cigarette lighter comprising a link mechanism that converts movement into forward and backward movement of the cigarette lighter.