DE19946629A1 - Stowage box, especially roof stowage box in motor vehicle, has facility whereby after box is totally lowered it is additionally inclined downwards in open position so that accessible front end tilts down further than other end - Google Patents

Abstract

The stowage box(2) is lowered by a lowering device(3) so that the totally lowered box is additionally inclined downwards in the open position(18) in such a way that the stowage box by its front end orientated towards the user is tilted down further than the opposite-lying end. The lowering device is a guide slot/guide spigot arrangement with a guide slot on both sides of the box on the vehicle's structure or on the box itself, and associated spigots located on the box or vehicle's structure respectively.

Description

The invention relates to a storage box device, in particular one Roof storage device for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

A known roof storage box device (EP 0 743 227 A1) comprises a storage box, which is fixed in a vehicle, hanging under the vehicle roof. The The interior of the storage box is accessible via a front flap that can be opened. The storage box is removable from the mounting position as a whole and as a portable Suitcase usable. In the mounting position, access to the inside of the box is only possible through the open front flap possible and therefore limited. When opening the front flap there is also the risk that objects contained in the storage box fall out. Accordingly, a complete filling of the storage box is also particularly important smaller objects not possible or only with difficulty.

Furthermore, from the generic DE 44 42 042 A1 a storage box device as Trunk storage device known that a trough-shaped storage box has, which is in a stowed position approximately in a horizontal plane and by means of a Lowering device overall and approximately parallel to the horizontal plane down and can be lowered towards a user to an open position Storage box here in the front upper section of the trunk under a parcel shelf a motor vehicle arranged, the storage box over here under the parcel shelf a parallel link arrangement as a lowering device on the one hand parallel to Parcel shelf level down and on the other hand towards a user is lowered.  

Especially with a space-saving flat design, such as this. B. at Roof storage boxes is required, is only one with such a parallel link arrangement Little swiveling and lowering movement of the storage box away from the parcel shelf possible, so that the storage box is inadequate even after lowering is. To address this inadequate accessibility in connection with the To eliminate parallel link arrangement, it is therefore further provided that the storage box additionally drawer-like in the vehicle's longitudinal direction under the parcel shelf in the area the trunk opening can be pulled out. There is one for each on the vehicle side Longitudinal guide device as a linear guide on both sides of the storage box intended. Such an extensibility of the storage box in the vehicle longitudinal direction is however only suitable for those installation situations in which the storage box then in the area of an opening that enables better accessibility can be pulled. Therefore, such a structure is e.g. B. for overhead storage boxes that in Roof area of a vehicle are not suitable. In addition, with this movable arrangement the formation of the upper articulation points problematic because this on the one hand slidable and on the other hand for the pivoting of the storage box downward but must also be supported.

To tilt a storage box downwards in the open position against the horizontal, is in DE 44 42 042 A1 a completely different structure of a Storage box device proposed, in which the use of a Parallel link arrangement is not possible. A trough-shaped storage box is here also in the front upper section of the trunk under the parcel shelf Motor vehicle arranged. The trough-shaped is in a closed stowed position Storage box with its upward opening from below in the area of the Parcel shelf. The storage box is on both sides by two in the front of the vehicle Sliders mounted in longitudinal guide rails. To the rear of the vehicle is the Storage box held on both sides by a handlebar, each of the two-sided handlebars extendable and also slidable on the associated longitudinal guide rail is stored. This arrangement and storage allows the storage box to move forward to be moved to a user and due to the extendable handlebar can be folded down. Through the permanent connection of the storage box via the The storage box can only slide with the guide rails with one  the front, user-facing area folded down, but not be lowered overall. The accessibility is therefore insufficient and would be a corresponding arrangement for a roof storage box device is insufficient.

In the case of a storage box device that operates on a similar principle, a Storage box attached under the floor of a camping vehicle. The Storage box is behind sliding guides from the area of the vehicle floor can be moved out at the back and folded down, so that a loading opening on its top becomes accessible. This arrangement uses an elaborate sliding guide, whereby also the kinematics for a roof storage box device with a tub-like Storage box is unfavorable, since there are only pure sliding and folding movements and the Storage box cannot be lowered overall.

The object of the invention is a storage box device, in particular a Propose a roof storage device for a motor vehicle with which a good Accessibility and handling as well as good loading capacity of the storage box are given is.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1.

According to claim 1, the storage box is so lowered by means of the lowering device that the total lowered storage box additionally inclined downwards in the open position is, the storage box with a front, facing a user Storage box end is tilted further than an opposite, rear Storage box end.

By tilting the total lowered storage box in the open position is advantageously achieved that the total storage volume for loading and Unloading is very accessible. Because of this simple and in the open position Such a storage box can also be easily accessible in the roof area Vehicle, e.g. B. a motorhome, can be used excellently as a roof storage box. The roof storage box according to the invention can thus be used universally. The The angle of inclination of the storage box in the open position is preferably so  chosen that the storage box is also filled with smaller objects and utensils can be run without risk of them falling out.

With such a design of the lowering device, one can in particular Inexpensive, space-saving, flat design that takes up little storage space Realize the storage box because the storage box in the open position by lowering downwards and forwards as well as the simultaneous tilting downwards always very well is accessible.

In a preferred embodiment, such a lowering device is one Guide groove / guide pin arrangement. This guide groove / guide pin Arrangement is preferably by at least one on both sides of the storage box on the structure or on the storage box arranged guide groove and by at least one this associated guide pin formed. Which is at least one guide pin then arranged in reverse on the storage box or on the body. A such guide groove / guide pin arrangement is easy to manufacture and ensures good storage of a storage box. Furthermore, such is Guide groove / guide pin arrangement overall smooth and therefore without much Use effort. Furthermore, such an arrangement is little overall prone to failure.

In principle, the at least one guide groove can have any geometry, which in cooperation with the at least one guide pin guided therein is suitable, the storage box in the open position in the forwards and downwards staggered and at the same time tilted position. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one guide groove is in each case with a front, directed towards a user groove opposite one rear guide groove end offset down and forward. With such a Basic geometry of the at least one guide groove ensures that the storage box is simply lowered forwards and downwards in the open position. In particular, the guide groove is in the region of a front guide groove end train that possibly in connection with the at least one guided therein  Guide pin and / or in connection with at least one further guide groove Storage box is also tipped down in the open position.

For example, the at least one guide groove is approximately C-shaped with z. B. concave Be curved or S-shaped. In case of use several Guide grooves on one side of the storage box can also have different grooves Geometry be formed. In the case of the preferred formation of at least one Guide grooves on both sides of the storage box are those on the two sides of each other corresponding preferably identical and lying at the same height educated. Overall, a large number of guide groove geometries are conceivable as long as in connection with the at least one guide pin guided therein it is only ensured that the storage box in the open position in the invention Way also lowered downwards and forwards and additionally downwards has tipped over. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one Guide groove from the rear guide groove end to the front guide groove end convex arched. This geometry is easy to manufacture, with that also a simple transfer of the storage box from the storage position to the Open position is possible.

Basically, it is possible in a specific embodiment, preferably to provide a single guide groove on both sides of the storage box, in which then at least one guide pin is guided in each case. Used in conjunction with a single guide groove used only a single guide pin, there is Danger that the storage box folds down uncontrollably and not in one predetermined tilt angle is stable. Therefore in such a case the Train the guide pin accordingly, e.g. B. to train wider and more flat or but preferably, preferably on both sides of the storage box, at least in each case two guide pins guided in the guide groove and spaced apart from one another to provide.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, however, both are preferred Sides of the storage box each have at least two spaced apart Guide grooves arranged, in each of which at least one guide pin is guided.  

The at least two guide grooves are in the stowed position of the stowage box about each other. With such a structure is particularly simple achieved that the storage box in the open position in the down and forward lowered as well as tilted position is durable, because the in the guide grooves inserted guide pin in connection with the several guide grooves Block uncontrolled folding of the storage box.

In a particularly advantageous development, the Storage box each an upper guide groove and a spaced lower Guide groove provided with correspondingly assigned guide pins, the lower guide groove in the storage position of the storage box slightly opposite the upper one Guide groove is displaced forward towards a user. Basically, you can the guide grooves can be arranged either on the body or on the storage box. In a particularly preferred embodiment is provided, however, that the upper Guide groove on the body and the associated upper guide pin on Storage box are arranged, while the lower guide groove on the storage box and the this associated lower guide pin are arranged on the structure. With a Such a structure, an arrangement can be achieved in which in the open position of the Storage box of the upper guide pin assigned to the upper guide groove in one front, user-facing guide groove end of the upper guide groove and the lower guide pin assigned to the lower guide groove on a rear, the front guide groove end opposite the guide groove end of the lower Guide groove is present. In the storage position of the storage box, on the other hand, is that of the upper one Upper guide pin assigned to the guide groove in a rear guide groove end of the upper guide groove and the lower one assigned to the lower guide groove Guide pin in a front guide groove end of the lower guide groove. In order to stable support of the storage box in the Open position possible because the weight of the storage box suspended in this way forcibly holds in the open position by counteracting the guide pins one or both end groove areas urges. So there are no additional ones Tools or complex guide groove geometries necessary to the storage box in the Keep open position in the desired manner.  

In principle, the guide pin (s) can also be used for the corresponding one Have suitable geometry for the installation situation. In a preferred embodiment However, the guide pin is a guide roller running in the guide groove trained, which is mounted on the body or the storage box accordingly. With a such a leadership role results in a particularly good and high quality Guiding the transition between the open position and the stowed position of the Storage box.

As an alternative to the guide groove / guide pin arrangement, the lowering device can also as an articulation point arranged between the body-side and the stowage-box side Handlebar arrangement to be formed, the at least two assigned Four-bar struts is formed. The arrangement with four-bar struts only requires simple pivot bearing without complex sliding bearings, so that the Storage box device according to the invention with good function simple and inexpensive can be produced.

For a stable mounting and guidance of the storage box, preferably both Sides of the storage box arranged in or on the outside four-bar struts used.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, each four-bar strut is in two parts formed, both strut parts by a joint in the manner of a Scissors joint are connected. With appropriate dimensioning of the Strut part lengths and a suitable arrangement of the spherical bearings can be done with a such training an adaptation of the opening kinematics to different, vehicle-specific conditions are carried out. In particular, one can Storage box also largely vertically simple from an upper storage position to a lower one Open position can be lowered far.

A favorable arrangement results when the articulated are connected Strut parts in the stowage position of the storage box are approximately parallel and in the Open the storage box, the scissor joint with a predetermined angle is open. The maximum opening distance can be limited by stops.  

In a structurally favorable embodiment, the storage box device Modular design. For this purpose, the storage box has a cover plate, which with a about horizontal structural wall, in particular a roof wall can be connected. The Cover plate and the storage box are one by the four-bar struts Assembly unit connected.

For energy-saving handling and rattle-free storage Damping elements and / or relief springs in connection with the Storage box device between the mounting points and fastening points on the storage box side are provided. With two parts Four-bar struts can be conveniently connected between the hinged Strut parts can be arranged. A suitable arrangement arises, though an associated damping element is formed in two parts and articulated from two interconnected gas spring dampers.

Especially when driving, the stowage box should be in its stowed position by a actuatable lock can be locked.

The stowage box device according to the invention and the device with it are particularly advantageous Achievable kinematics can be used in connection with a roof storage box, whereby its accessibility and handling are significantly improved.

The specific ones described in connection with the present invention Embodiments of a lowering device are not for use in Connection limited to a storage box device, which in the open position of the Storage box lowered down and forward towards a user as well are additionally inclined downwards against the cover plane. This In principle, embodiments of the lowering device can also be used in conjunction with every possible training one down and forward towards one user an open position of the lowerable storage box can be used.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to a drawing.  

Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an overhead cabinet device having formed by two four-bar linkage assembly struts,

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a roof storage box device with a guide groove / guide pin arrangement as a lowering device, and

Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-section through a portion of a roof storage box apparatus according to FIG. 2.

Fig. 1 shows schematically a roof storage box apparatus 1 for a motor vehicle, having a trough-shaped storage box 2, and a handle assembly 3 between the body-side hinge points 4 and ram body-side articulation points. 5

As is shown only schematically and in dashed lines in FIG. 1, the trough-shaped storage box 2 comprises a cover plate 6 which can be connected to a roof wall 7 . On this cover plate 6 is directed towards the storage box 2 a bearing block 8 with articulated bearings 9 as articulation points 4 for the handlebar arrangement 3 .

As can also be seen from FIG. 1, the handlebar arrangement 3 comprises two four-bar struts 10 which are mounted, for example, on both sides of the trough-shaped storage box 2 in the storage box and / or on the outside of the trough-shaped storage box 2 .

Each of these four-bar struts 10 is formed in two parts and comprises a first strut part 11 on the body side and a second strut part 12 on the storage box side. The body-side strut parts 11 are each articulated with a first end to one of the spherical bearings 9 on the bearing block 8 , while the opposite end of the body-side strut part 11 is connected to a first end of the strut box-side strut part 12 by a scissor-type joint 13 . The the scissors pivot 13 opposite the end of the storage box side strut member 12 is in each case articulated on the storage compartment side articulation point 5 of the storage box. 2

For example, in FIG. 1, one of the two-part four-bar struts 10 is assigned a two-part damping element 14 , which is formed by two gas spring dampers 15 , 16 which are connected to one another in an articulated manner.

With such a handlebar arrangement 3 comprising two four-bar struts 10 , the trough-shaped storage box 2 , as is shown schematically in FIG. 1, can be lowered from an upper stowage position 17 both downwards and forwards towards a user into an open position 18 , whereby the storage box 2 in this open position 18 is simultaneously tilted downward in a front end region of the storage box 2 , so that the total lowered storage box 2 is inclined downwards against the horizontal. Here, the storage box 2 is tilted further in the open position 18 with a front storage box end facing a user than an opposite, rear storage box end.

A loading opening 19 located on the top of the trough-shaped storage box is thus easily accessible overall in this open position, the entire storage box volume being usable. The damping element 14 ensures energy-saving handling of the roof storage box device 1 and rattle-free storage.

As can also be seen from FIG. 1, in the open position 18 of the storage box 2, the scissor joint 13 is opened at a predetermined angle, while, which is not shown here, the articulated strut parts 11 in the storage position 17 of the storage box 2 , 12 are approximately parallel. In the closed position 18 , the storage box 2 with the loading opening 19 bears against a roof area 20 of the roof wall 7 .

FIG. 2 schematically shows a side view of an alternative roof storage device 21 . In Fig. 3 is a cross section through a portion of this overhead cabinet device 21.

As can be seen in FIGS . 2 and 3, an upper guide groove 22 and a lower guide groove 25 are arranged on both sides of a storage box 27 of the roof storage box device 21 .

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 3, the upper guide groove 22 is arranged on a vehicle body 23 and an upper guide roller 24 assigned to it is arranged on the storage box 27 . In contrast, the lower guide groove 25 is arranged on the storage box 27 and a lower guide roller 28 assigned to it on the vehicle body 23 .

In a stowage position 26 of the stowage box 27 shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2, the lower guide groove 25 lies at a distance approximately below the upper guide groove 22 , the lower guide groove 25 being slightly displaced forward towards a user relative to the upper guide groove 22 . As is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, further, the storage box is located in the stowed position 27 26 thereby with its top opening 35 to a roof portion 36 at.

It can be seen in particular from FIG. 2 that the upper guide groove 22 and the lower guide groove 25 are each offset downwards and forwards with a front guide groove end 29 , 30 directed towards a user relative to a rear guide groove end 31 , 32 . In this case, both the upper guide groove 22 and the lower guide groove 25 , starting from the respective rear guide groove end 31 , 32 toward the front guide groove end 29 , 30 , are convexly curved.

For the transition of the stowage box 27 from the stowage position 26 into an open position 33 shown in solid lines in FIG. 2, the stowage box 27 is overall via the guide groove / guide pin arrangement 34 formed by the guide grooves 22 , 25 with their associated guide rollers 24 , 28 lowered downwards and forwards towards a user and at the same time tilted downwards, so that the overall lowered storage box 27 is inclined downwards against the horizontal. Here, the storage box 27 is tilted further in the open position 33 with a front storage box end facing a user than an opposite, rear storage box end.

In this tilted open position 33 of the storage box 27 is that of the upper guide groove 22 associated upper guide roller 24 in the front Führungsnutende 29 of the upper guide groove 22 and the lower guide groove 25 associated lower guide roller 28 at the rear Führungsnutende 32 of the lower guide groove 25 at what in FIG . is indicated by arrows 2. As a result, the storage box 27 is kept stable in the open position 33 , so that a loading and / or unloading process is conveniently possible.

After such a loading and / or unloading process, the storage box can be pushed back into the stowage position 26 shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2, the upper guide roller 24 assigned to the upper guide groove 22 at the rear guide groove end 31 of the upper guide groove 22 and that of the lower one Guide groove 25 associated lower guide roller 28 abuts the front guide groove end 30 of the lower guide groove 25 . In this stowed position 26 , the stowage box 27 can additionally be locked by means of a lock or a latching device, which is not shown here, however.

As can be seen from the schematic representation of FIG. 2, the rear guide groove end 31 of the upper guide groove 22 is designed as a run-out zone, while the lower guide groove 25 at the front guide groove end 30 z. B. is provided with means that allow a soft stop. With these two measures, a low-noise, smooth and thus high-quality guidance of the storage box 27 is possible both when changing from the stowed position 26 to the open position 33 and when changing from the open position 33 to the stowed position 26 .

REFERENCE SIGN LIST

1

Roof storage device

2nd

Storage box

3rd

Handlebar arrangement

4th

on-site articulation point

5

Articulation point on the storage box side

6

Cover plate

7

Roof wall

8th

Bearing block

9

Spherical bearings

10th

Four-bar strut

11

strut part on the body side

12th

strut part on the storage box side

13

Scissors joint

14

Damping element

15

Gas spring damper

16

Gas spring damper

17th

upper stowage position

18th

Open position

19th

Loading opening

20th

Roof area

21

Roof storage device

22

upper guide groove

23

Vehicle body

24th

upper guide roller

25th

lower guide groove

26

Stowage position

27

Storage box

28

lower guide roller

29

front guide groove end

30th

front guide groove end

31

rear guide groove end

32

rear guide groove end

33

Open position

34

Guide groove / guide pin arrangement

35

upper opening

36

Roof area

Claims (19)

1. Storage box device, in particular roof storage box device for a motor vehicle, with a trough-shaped storage box which, in a storage position, lies approximately in a horizontal plane and can be lowered downwards and forwards towards a user into an open position by means of a lowering device overall and approximately parallel to the horizontal plane , characterized in that the storage box ( 2 ; 27 ) can be lowered by means of the lowering device ( 3 ; 34 ) such that the total lowered storage box ( 2 ; 27 ) in the open position ( 18 ; 33 ) is additionally inclined downwards in such a way that the storage box ( 2 ; 27 ) is tilted further with a front storage box end facing a user than an opposite, rear storage box end. 2. Storage box device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lowering device has a guide groove / guide pin arrangement ( 34 ) with preferably on both sides of the storage box ( 27 ) on the structure ( 23 ) or on the storage box ( 27 ), at least one guide groove ( 22 , 25 ) and at least one of these guide pins ( 24 , 28 ), which is accordingly arranged in reverse on the storage box ( 27 ) or on the structure ( 23 ). 3. Storage box device according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one guide groove ( 22 , 25 ) each with a front, directed towards a user guide groove end ( 29 , 30 ) relative to a rear guide groove end ( 31 , 32 ) offset downwards and forwards is. 4. Storage box device according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one guide groove ( 22 , 25 ) from the rear guide groove end ( 31 , 32 ) starting from the front guide end ( 29 , 30 ) is convexly curved. 5. Storage box device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that preferably at least two spaced guide grooves ( 22 , 25 ) are arranged on both sides of the storage box ( 27 ), in each of which at least one guide pin ( 24 , 28 ) guided and that the at least two guide grooves ( 22 , 25 ) in the stowed position ( 26 ) of the stowage box ( 27 ) lie approximately one above the other. 6. Storage box device according to claim 5, characterized in that preferably on both sides of the storage box ( 27 ) each have an upper guide groove ( 22 ) and a spaced-apart lower guide groove ( 25 ) with correspondingly assigned guide pins ( 24 , 28 ), and that the lower guide groove ( 25 ) in the stowed position ( 26 ) of the stowage box ( 27 ) is displaced towards a user in relation to the upper guide groove ( 22 ). 7. Storage box device according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper guide groove ( 22 ) on the structure ( 23 ) and the associated upper guide pin ( 24 ) on the storage box ( 27 ) are arranged, and that the lower guide groove ( 25 ) on the storage box ( 27 ) and the associated lower guide pin ( 28 ) are arranged on the structure ( 23 ). 8. Storage box device according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that in the open position ( 33 ) of the storage box ( 27 ) of the upper guide groove ( 22 ) associated upper guide pin ( 24 ) in a front, towards a user-oriented guide groove end ( 29 ) of the upper guide groove (22) and the lower guide groove (29) opposite Führungsnutende (31) bears (25) associated with the lower guide pin (28) at a rear, the front Führungsnutende the lower guide groove (25), and that in the stowed position (26 ) of the storage box ( 27 ) of the upper guide pin ( 24 ) assigned to the upper guide groove ( 22 ) in a rear guide groove end ( 31 ) of the upper guide groove ( 22 ) and the lower guide pin ( 28 ) assigned to the lower guide groove ( 25 ) in a front guide groove end ( 30 ) of the lower guide groove ( 25 ). 9. Storage box device according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that a guide roller running in the guide groove ( 24 , 28 ) is provided as the guide pin, which is correspondingly mounted on the structure ( 23 ) or on the storage box ( 27 ). 10. Storage box device according to claim 1, characterized in that as a lowering device between the body-side and storage box-side articulation points arranged handlebar arrangement ( 3 ) is provided, which is formed via at least two assigned four-bar struts ( 10 ). 11. Storage box device according to claim 10, characterized in that on both sides of the storage box ( 2 ) in the storage box ( 2 ) and / or on the outside two assigned four-bar struts ( 10 ) are attached. 12. Storage box device according to claim 10 or claim 11, characterized in that each four-bar strut ( 10 ) is formed in two parts and each two strut parts ( 11 , 12 ) are connected by a joint ( 13 ) as a scissor joint. 13. Storage box device according to claim 12, characterized in that the respective articulated strut parts ( 11 , 12 ) in the stowed position ( 17 ) of the stowage box ( 2 ) are approximately parallel and in the open position ( 18 ) of the stowage box ( 2 ) the scissor joint ( 13 ) is opened at a predetermined angle. 14. Storage box device according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the trough-shaped storage box ( 2 ) has a cover plate ( 6 ) which can be connected to an approximately horizontal structural wall, in particular a roof wall ( 7 ), and that on the cover plate ( 6 ) and towards the storage box ( 2 ) at least one bearing block ( 8 ) with articulated bearings ( 9 ) is attached as articulation points ( 4 ) for the four-bar struts ( 10 ). 15. Storage box device according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that damping elements ( 14 ) and / or relief springs are mounted between the mounting points on the body side and the fixing points on the storage box side. 16. Storage box device according to claim 15, characterized in that damping elements ( 14 ) and / or relief springs between articulated strut parts ( 11 , 12 ) at least one two-part four-bar strut ( 10 ) are attached. 17. Storage box device according to claim 16, characterized in that a two-part four-bar strut ( 10 ) associated damping element ( 14 ) is also formed in two parts by two articulated gas spring damper ( 15 , 16 ). 18. Storage box device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the storage box ( 2 ; 27 ) in its stowed position ( 17 ; 26 ) can be locked by an actuatable lock. 19. Storage box device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the storage box ( 2 ; 27 ) is a roof storage box which is in the storage position ( 17 ; 26 ) with its upper opening ( 19 ; 35 ) on a roof area ( 20 ; 36 ) is present as a cover.