WO2024100795A1 - Storage part for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a storage part (1) for vehicle, which is formed in a pocket shape in an interior member in a vehicle cabin of a vehicle. The storage part (1) comprises: an inner wall section (3) disposed on the inner side of the interior member and extending in the vertical direction; a bottom wall section (10) extending from the lower end of the inner wall section (3) toward the outer side of the interior member; and an outer wall section (4) standing upward from the end of the bottom wall section (10) at the outer side of the interior member, and disposed facing the inner wall section (3). The bottom wall section (10) has a first surface section (5) formed as a slanted surface slanting downward from the lower end of the inner wall section (3) and toward the outer side of the interior member. The outer wall section (4) is formed so as to have a lower height than the inner wall section (3), and such that the upper end thereof is located closer to the inner side of the interior member than the end of the bottom wall section (10) on the outer side.

Description

Vehicle storage area

This case concerns a pocket-shaped storage compartment formed in the interior material of the vehicle's cabin.

Traditionally, many vehicles have a storage space (storage section) in the passenger compartment for storing small items. For example, a structure is known in which a drink holder and hooks for hanging luggage are formed on the instrument panel located in front of the driver's seat and passenger seat. Also known is a structure in which a console box is placed on the floor between the driver's seat and passenger seat, allowing small items to be placed on the top and sides of the console box (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Patent No. 3904486 Patent Publication No. 2021-008157

In recent years, storage spaces within the vehicle cabin are sometimes used as a place for passengers to store their smartphones. For such purposes, there is a need for a structure that allows the smartphone to be easily taken in and out, and prevents it from falling out while the vehicle is moving. For example, when a passenger sitting in the passenger seat temporarily places their smartphone, it is preferable for the smartphone to be held stably within reach with part of the smartphone screen visible, so that they can respond immediately if they receive any notifications. Similar needs also exist when temporarily placing items other than smartphones.

One of the objectives of this case was devised in light of the above-mentioned problems, and is to provide a storage section for a vehicle that improves the convenience of storing items. However, this objective is not the only objective. Another objective of this case is to achieve effects that cannot be obtained with conventional technology, which are derived from the configurations shown in the "Mode for carrying out the invention" described below.

The disclosed vehicle storage section can be realized as the aspects or application examples disclosed below, and solves at least a part of the above-mentioned problems.
The disclosed storage section of a vehicle is a storage section formed in a pocket shape in an interior member inside a vehicle cabin, and includes an inner wall portion disposed inside the interior member and extending in a vertical direction, a bottom wall portion extending from a lower end of the inner wall portion toward the outside of the interior member, and an outer wall portion erected upward from an outer end of the interior member at the bottom wall portion and disposed opposite the inner wall portion. The bottom wall portion has a first surface portion formed as an inclined surface that inclines from the lower end of the inner wall portion toward the outside and downward of the interior member. The outer wall portion is formed to be lower in height than the inner wall portion, and is formed so that its upper end is located inside the interior member relative to the outer end of the bottom wall portion.

The disclosed vehicle storage section can prevent items from flying out or falling, improving convenience.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle interior in which a storage unit of a vehicle according to an embodiment is arranged. FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a storage section. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a lower portion of the storage section. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the smartphone is stored in the storage section. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the storage section (a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3).

The disclosed vehicle storage section is implemented, for example, in the following embodiment. This storage section is formed in a pocket shape in an interior member inside the vehicle cabin. Specific examples of interior members in which the storage section is formed include door trim, pillar trim, dashboard, console box, etc. In addition, with regard to the definition of directions in the embodiment, the front-rear direction is determined based on the forward and backward direction of the vehicle, and the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) is determined based on the front-rear direction. The up-down direction is determined based on the state in which the vehicle is stopped on a flat road surface. Note that the position and orientation of the storage section within the vehicle cabin can be assumed in a wide variety of ways. Therefore, when referring to directions related to the detailed structure of the storage section, the inward and outward directions of the interior member in which the storage section is formed are used as the reference.

For example, if the storage section is formed in the door trim, the reference direction is the inward direction of the door trim (towards the outside of the vehicle when viewed from inside the vehicle cabin) or the outward direction of the door trim (the direction from the door toward the vehicle cabin, towards the inside of the vehicle when viewed from inside the vehicle cabin). Also, if the storage section is formed in the dashboard (for example, around the glove box or on the glove box door), the reference direction is the inward direction of the dashboard (towards the outside of the vehicle when viewed from inside the vehicle cabin, towards the front) or the outward direction of the dashboard (towards the outside of the vehicle when viewed from inside the vehicle cabin, towards the rear). Alternatively, if the storage section is formed in the center console box, the reference direction is the inward direction or outward direction of the center console box.

[1. Configuration]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the interior of a vehicle including a storage box 1 (interior member) in which a storage section 2 of a vehicle is formed as an embodiment. Here, the left side of the storage box 1 is shown with the passenger seat removed from a right-hand drive vehicle. The storage box 1 is a center console box disposed between the driver's seat and the passenger seat, and is provided in the center of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. The storage box 1 has a box-like shape with a relatively small dimension in the vehicle width direction and a relatively large dimension in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. For example, a selector lever, a shift lever, and switches are provided on the upper surface side of the storage box 1. A tray for placing small items, an armrest, etc. may be provided on the upper surface of the storage box 1.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the storage box 1 cut along a vertical plane whose normal direction is the front-rear direction. A storage section 2 that can be used as a storage space for small items, a smartphone 9, and other items is recessed into the side of the storage box 1 in the vehicle width direction. The storage section 2 has a shape in which the surface of the storage box 1 is recessed into a pocket shape toward the inside of the storage box 1. In FIG. 2, one storage section 2 is provided on each of the left and right sides of the storage box 1. One storage section 2 serves as a storage space for the occupant seated in the driver's seat, and the other storage section 2 serves as a storage space for the occupant seated in the passenger seat.

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the left storage section 2 of the storage section 2 shown in Figure 2. The storage section 2 has an inner wall 3, a bottom wall 10, and an outer wall 4. The inner wall 3 is a part of the storage section 2 that is located inside the storage box 1 (right side in Figure 3) and is formed in a shape that extends in the vertical direction. The inner wall 3 has a concave shape that is recessed toward the inside of the storage box 1. The bottom wall 10 extends from the lower end of the inner wall 3 toward the outside of the storage box 1 (left side in Figure 3) and forms the bottom of the storage section 2.

The outer wall portion 4 is a portion that stands upright from the end of the bottom wall portion 10 on the outside of the storage box 1 (left side in Figure 3) and is positioned opposite the inner wall portion 3. The outer wall portion 4 is formed to be lower in height than the inner wall portion 3. The space above the outer wall portion 4 becomes an opening through which items pass when they are put in and taken out of the storage section 2. In addition, the outer wall portion 4 is formed with ribs 8 to increase rigidity. The ribs 8 stand upright from the inner surface of the outer wall portion 4 (the surface facing the inner wall portion 3) toward the inside of the storage box 1.

The upper end of the outer wall 4 is formed so as to be located more inward (to the right in FIG. 3) than the outer end of the bottom wall 10. Here, in FIG. 3, the outer end of the bottom wall 10 is defined as "part B". The outer wall 4 is formed so that its upper end is located more inward (to the right in FIG. 3) than part B. For example, the outer wall 4 is formed so that its upper end is inclined upward and toward the inside of the storage section 2. Alternatively, the main part of the outer wall 4 is formed in a substantially upright state from part B, and only the upper end of the outer wall 4 is formed so as to be bent toward the inside of the storage section 2. Also, the outer wall 4 may be generally inclined toward the inside of the storage section 2, with its upper end bent further inward.

4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the bottom wall portion 10. The bottom wall portion 10 includes a first surface portion 5, a step portion 6, and a second surface portion 7.
The first surface portion 5 is a portion formed as an inclined surface that slopes from the lower end of the inner wall portion 3 toward the outside and downward of the storage box 1. It is preferable that the first surface portion 5 is formed as a curved surface that curves upward as it approaches the inside of the storage box 1, and forms a surface that is continuous with the inner wall portion 3. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, it is preferable to set the shape of the first surface portion 5 so that the inclination angle of the first surface portion 5 becomes steeper as it moves to the right in Fig. 4.

The step portion 6 is a portion provided adjacent to the first surface portion 5 on the outside of the storage box 1. The step portion 6 is formed in a surface shape that is inclined downward and outward from the storage box 1 at a steeper slope than the first surface portion 5.
The second surface portion 7 is a flat portion provided adjacent to the step portion 6 on the outside of the storage box 1, and is formed in a substantially horizontal plane. The second surface portion 7 is disposed outside the storage box 1 relative to the first surface portion 5, and is formed in a shape one step lower than the first surface portion 5. The step portion 6 is formed between the first surface portion 5 and the second surface portion 7. The outer wall portion 4 is formed so as to overlap above the second surface portion 7. In other words, the outer wall portion 4 is disposed so as to overlap the second surface portion 7 in a top view, and is formed so as to partially cover the second surface portion 7.

[2. Specific numerical range examples]
3, the height dimension of the outer wall 4 when the position (height) of the portion B is taken as the reference is C, and the height dimension of the inner wall 3 when the portion B is taken as the reference is L. The height dimension C of the outer wall 4 is set to be at least less than the height dimension L of the inner wall 3 (C<L) so that items can be easily put in and taken out. Also, if the height of the outer wall 4 is too short, items will easily fall out of the storage section 2. Therefore, the height dimension C of the outer wall 4 is set to, for example, 30 mm or more (30 mm≦C).

The height dimension L of the inner wall 3 is, for example, 60 mm or more (60 mm≦L). Alternatively, the height dimension C of the outer wall 4 is at least half the height dimension L of the inner wall 3 and less than the height dimension L [(L/2)≦C<L]. The upper limit of the height dimension L of the inner wall 3 can be set appropriately depending on the size of the items to be stored in the storage section 2, and is not limited to a specific value, but it is preferable to set it within the range of, for example, about 60 to 300 mm.

In Figure 3, the inclination dimension of the upper end of the outer wall 4 when the position of part B is used as the reference (the dimension extending from part B into the inside of the storage box 1) is D. This inclination dimension D of the outer wall 4 into the inside of the storage box 1 is equal to the overlap dimension between the outer wall 4 and the second surface 7 (the inward and outward dimension of the storage box 1 in the area where the outer wall 4 and the second surface 7 overlap when viewed from above).

It is preferable that the falling dimension D is at least half the width H of the second surface 7 (the dimension in the inward and outward directions of the storage box 1) [(H/2)≦D]. For example, if the width H of the second surface 7 is 10 mm, it is preferable that the falling dimension D is at least 5 mm. It is also preferable that the falling dimension D is equal to or less than the width H (D≦H). The width H of the second surface 7 is not limited to a specific value, but it is preferable to set it within a range of, for example, 20 mm or less. This reduces the movement allowance (play) of an item placed on the second surface 7, and can suppress misalignment (wobbling in the inward and outward directions of the storage box 1).

In FIG. 3, it is preferable that the inclination of the first surface portion 5 is set to at least 3° with respect to the horizontal plane. Angle E in FIGS. 3 and 4 indicates the minimum inclination angle of the first surface portion 5. It is preferable to set the shape of the first surface portion 5 so that this angle E is 3° or more. However, if angle E is too large, the items stored in the storage section 2 will easily slide over the surface of the first surface portion 5, reducing the ability to hold the items. For this reason, it is preferable to set angle E in the range of, for example, 20° or less.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, it is preferable that the height dimension F of the step portion 6 is 5 mm or more. This makes it easier to prevent an item stored in the storage section 2 from moving in the opposite direction when it moves from the first surface portion 5 to the second surface portion 7. The step portion 6 functions as a stopper that prevents an item supported on the second surface portion 7 from moving toward the first surface portion 5, even when acceleration is applied to the vehicle body.

The upper limit of the height dimension F of the step portion 6 is not limited to a specific value. On the other hand, if the height dimension F of the step portion 6 is too large, there is a risk of excessive shock and noise when the item moves from the first surface portion 5 to the second surface portion 7. Therefore, it is preferable that the upper limit of the height dimension F of the step portion 6 is within a range of, for example, about 5 to 10 mm. In addition, it is preferable that the inclination angle G of the step portion 6 with respect to the horizontal plane is set within a range of 30° or more and 60° or less.

[3. Temporary smartphone placement position]
5 is a cross-sectional view of the storage section 2 for explaining the movement of the smartphone 9. When the smartphone 9 is placed at the position shown by the dashed line in FIG. 5, for example, due to the vehicle body vibration, the bottom of the smartphone 9 slides down along the upper surface of the first surface 5 and reaches the position shown by the dashed line. The bottom of the smartphone 9 then moves over the step portion 6 to the second surface 7, and the smartphone 9 stops at the position shown by the solid line. In this way, a temporary placement position of the smartphone 9 that makes the display screen easier to see for the occupant is realized.

When the bottom of the smartphone 9 is located on the second surface 7, if an external force is applied that moves the top of the smartphone 9 outside the storage box 1 (to the left in FIG. 5), the angle of inclination of the smartphone 9 with respect to the horizontal plane increases, and there is a risk that the top of the smartphone 9 will climb over the outer wall 4 and fall. On the other hand, by making the upper end of the outer wall 4 go further inside the storage box 1 than part B (to the right in FIG. 3), the angle of inclination of the smartphone 9 with respect to the horizontal plane is less likely to increase. In other words, the smartphone 9 becomes more likely to maintain the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 5, and the smartphone 9 is prevented from jumping out of the storage section 2 or falling.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view (A-A cross-sectional view in FIG. 3) showing a cross section of the second surface 7 of the storage box 1 cut along a vertical plane whose normal direction is the left-right direction. The front-to-rear length K of the second surface 7 is preferably formed to be shorter than the front-to-rear length J of the storage section 2 (K<J). In addition, at the rear side of the storage section 2, the height of the second surface 7 and the first surface 5 may be raised to a height approximately equal to the height of the upper end of the outer wall 4. This makes it easy to lift the smartphone 9 by sliding the bottom of the smartphone 9 backwards. This makes it easier to remove the smartphone 9 placed in the storage section 2, further improving convenience.

[4. Actions and Effects]
(1) The vehicle storage section 2 of this embodiment is a pocket-shaped storage section 2 formed in a storage box 1 (interior member) in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and includes an inner wall portion 3 disposed inside the storage box 1 and extending in the vertical direction, a bottom wall portion 10 extending from the lower end of the inner wall portion 3 toward the outside of the storage box 1, and an outer wall portion 4 erected upward from the outer end of the storage box 1 at the bottom wall portion 10 and disposed opposite the inner wall portion 3. The bottom wall portion 10 has a first surface portion 5 formed in an inclined surface that slopes from the lower end of the inner wall portion 3 toward the outside and downward of the storage box 1. The outer wall portion 4 is formed to be lower in height than the inner wall portion 3, and is formed so that its upper end is located more inward than the outer end (part B) of the bottom wall portion 10 in the storage box 1.

With this configuration, for example as shown in FIG. 5, it becomes easy to slide the bottom of the smartphone 9 temporarily placed in the storage section 2 along the first surface section 5, making it easier to realize a temporary placement position for the smartphone 9 that makes the display screen easier to see for the occupant. Also, by providing an outer wall section 4 that is lower in height than the inner wall section 3, items such as the smartphone 9 can be easily taken in and out of the storage section 2. Furthermore, because the upper end of the outer wall section 4 is shaped to recess further into the storage box 1 than part B, the smartphone 9 is prevented from flying out or falling. Therefore, the convenience of the storage section 2 can be improved by preventing items from flying out or falling.

(2) The first surface 5 may be formed in a curved shape that curves upward as it approaches the inside of the storage box 1, and may form a surface that is continuous with the inner wall 3. This type of configuration is suitable for making the angle of inclination of the smartphone 9 shallower with respect to the horizontal plane when, for example, the smartphone 9 is leaned against the inner wall 3. In other words, the smartphone 9 is less likely to be in a nearly upright position (a state in which the angle of inclination is close to 90°), making it easier to slide the bottom of the smartphone 9 along the first surface 5. This can therefore improve convenience.

(3) The outer wall portion 4 may be formed so that at least the upper end side is inclined upward and toward the inside of the storage section 2. With this configuration, for example, the upper end of the outer wall portion 4 shown in FIG. 3 can be easily inserted further inside the storage box 1 (to the right in FIG. 3) than part B. This can prevent items stored in the storage section 2 from flying out or falling, improving the convenience of the storage section 2.

(4) The outer wall 4 may be formed with an upper end bent toward the inside of the storage section 2. Even with this configuration, for example, the upper end of the outer wall 4 shown in FIG. 3 can be easily inserted further inside the storage box 1 than part B (to the right in FIG. 3). This can prevent items stored in the storage section 2 from flying out or falling, improving the convenience of the storage section 2. The outer wall 4 may be generally inclined toward the inside of the storage section 2, while its upper end is bent further toward the inside of the storage section 2. With this configuration, the collapse dimension D can be reasonably increased, improving the effect of preventing items from flying out or falling.

(5) The inner wall 3 may be formed in a concave shape that is recessed toward the inside of the storage box 1. In this case, items are put in and taken out of the storage section 2 through an opening at the top of the outer wall 4, and because the inner wall 3 is concave, it is easier to put items in and take them out. This improves the convenience of the storage section 2.

(6) The outer wall 4 may have ribs 8 extending from the inner surface of the outer wall 4 toward the inside of the storage section 2 in order to increase rigidity. This increases the rigidity of the outer wall 4 and prevents deformation or damage to the outer wall 4. This increases the effectiveness of preventing items from flying out or falling, improving convenience.

(7) The bottom wall portion 10 may have a second surface portion 7 that is disposed outside the first surface portion 5 and is formed one step lower than the first surface portion 5. A step portion 6 may be formed between the first surface portion 5 and the second surface portion 7. The step portion 6 may be formed, for example, in the shape of a surface that slopes from the outside of the storage box 1 at the first surface portion 5 toward the outside and downward of the storage box 1 at a steeper slope than the first surface portion 5.

With this configuration, the bottom of an item placed on the first surface 5 can be guided to the second surface 7, and the item can be held in a more stable position. In particular, when a smartphone 9 is temporarily placed in the storage section 2, a temporary placement position for the smartphone 9 can be realized that makes the display screen easier to see for the occupant. Furthermore, by providing the step section 6, the bottom of the smartphone 9 is less likely to move above the step section 6 (towards the first surface 5), improving the stability of the smartphone 9 when temporarily placed.

(8) The outer wall 4 may be formed so as to overlap above the second surface 7. In this case, the inclination dimension D of the outer wall 4 (the overlap dimension between the outer wall 4 and the second surface 7) may be set to more than half the width H of the second surface 7. This configuration can reduce the movement allowance (play) of an item placed on the second surface 7. For example, it can suppress the positional deviation (wobbling in the inward and outward directions of the storage box 1) of the smartphone 9 shown by the solid line in FIG. 5. Therefore, convenience can be improved.

(9) The storage section 2 may be recessed into the side of a console box (storage box 1) that is disposed between the left and right seats of the vehicle. This allows passengers seated in the driver's seat and passenger seat to easily take items in and out of the storage section 2, making it more convenient to use.

[5. Other]
The above embodiment is merely illustrative, and is not intended to exclude various modifications or application of techniques not specified in the embodiment. Each configuration of the embodiment can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the embodiment. Each configuration of the embodiment can be selected as necessary, or can be appropriately combined with various configurations included in the publicly known technology.

In the above embodiment, the storage section 2 formed in the storage box 1 is exemplified, but the location where the storage section 2 is formed is not limited to the storage box 1. For example, the storage section 2 may be formed in the door trim, the pillar trim, or the dashboard. The storage section 2 may be formed in any interior member provided in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

The dimensions and angles of each part of the storage section 2 in the above embodiment are merely examples and are not intended to be limited to the values mentioned above. Furthermore, it is sufficient for the storage section 2 to have an inner wall section 3, a bottom wall section 10, and an outer wall section 4; for example, the step section 6 may be omitted, the second surface section 7 may be omitted, and the rib 8 may be omitted. By at least forming an inclined first surface section 5 on the bottom wall section 10, forming the height of the outer wall section 4 lower than the inner wall section 3, and positioning its upper end inside the interior member rather than the outer end section of the bottom wall section 10, a storage section 2 that achieves the same effects as the above embodiment can be realized.

This technology can be used for pocket-shaped storage areas in interior components inside vehicle cabins, and can also be used in the manufacturing industry for vehicles equipped with storage areas.

1 Storage box (interior material)
2 Storage section 3 Inner wall section 4 Outer wall section 5 First surface section 6 Step section 7 Second surface section 8 Rib 9 Smartphone (item)
10 Bottom wall B Part C Height dimension D Incline dimension E Angle F Height dimension G Incline angle H Width J Front-rear direction length K Front-rear direction length L Height dimension

Claims (9)

1. A storage section formed in a pocket shape in an interior member inside a vehicle cabin,
   an inner wall portion disposed inside the interior member and extending in a vertical direction, a bottom wall portion extending from a lower end of the inner wall portion toward the outside of the interior member, and an outer wall portion erected upward from an end portion on the outside of the interior member at the bottom wall portion and disposed opposite the inner wall portion,
   the bottom wall portion has a first surface portion formed as an inclined surface inclined from a lower end of the inner wall portion toward an outer side and a lower side of the interior member,
   A storage compartment for a vehicle, wherein the outer wall portion is formed to be lower in height than the inner wall portion and the upper end thereof is formed to be located inside the interior member more than the outer end portion of the bottom wall portion.
2. The storage compartment of the vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the first surface portion is formed in a curved shape that curves upward as it approaches the inside of the interior member and forms a surface that is continuous with the inner wall portion.
3. 3. The vehicle storage compartment according to claim 1, wherein at least an upper end side of the outer wall portion is formed in a shape that is inclined upward and toward an inside of the storage compartment.
4. The vehicle storage compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outer wall portion has an upper end portion formed in a shape that is bent toward the inside of the storage compartment.
5. The inner wall portion is formed in a concave shape recessed toward the inside of the interior member,
   The vehicle storage compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an upper portion of the outer wall portion forms an opening for inserting and removing items into the storage compartment.
6. The vehicle storage compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the outer wall portion has a rib extending from an inner surface of the outer wall portion toward the inside of the storage compartment in order to increase rigidity.
7. The bottom wall portion has a second surface portion that is disposed outside the first surface portion and is formed one step lower than the first surface portion,
   The vehicle storage compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a step is formed between the first surface portion and the second surface portion.
8. The outer wall portion is formed to overlap the second surface portion above,
   8. The vehicle storage compartment according to claim 7, wherein an overlap dimension between the outer wall portion and the second surface portion is equal to or greater than half the width of the second surface portion.
9. The vehicle storage compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it is recessed into a side surface of a console box disposed between left and right seats of the vehicle.
   

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