Claims:We Claim:
1. A glove box assembly (100) for a vehicle interior, the glove box assembly (100) comprising:
a storage box (200) for holding an article therein;
a link mechanism (300) adapted to move the storage box (200) between a stow position (200a) within a housing of an interior panel (100a) and one or more deployed position(s) (200b, 200b’) away from the housing of the interior panel (100a), characterised in that the link mechanism (300) includes;
a first link (310) and a second link (410), the first link (310) including a first end (310a) pivotally connected to the housing of the interior panel (100a) and a second end (310b) pivotally connected to a first end (410a) of the second link (410), wherein a second end (410b) of the second link (410) is pivotally connected to the storage box (200);
wherein, a mechanical assembly (500) is adapted to engage with the first link (310) and the second link (410) such that the actuation of the mechanical assembly (500) enables the corresponding movement of the first link (310) and the second link (410) to move the storage box (200) between the stow position (200a) and the one or more deployed position(s) (200b, 200b’).
2. The glove box assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first link (310) and the second link (410) are adapted to pivot/rotate in an opposite direction with respect to each other for moving the storage box (200) in between the stow position (200a) and the one or more deployed position(s) (200b, 200b’).
3. The glove box assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end (310a) of the first link (310) is configured with an arcuate shaped gear (320) fixed therewith which is adapted to engage with the mechanical assembly (500).

4. The glove box assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second link (410) is configured with an arcuate shaped rack (420) fixed therewith, the arcuate shaped rack (420) is adapted to engage with the mechanical assembly (500).

5. The glove box assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 3 or 4, wherein the mechanical assembly (500) is arranged between the arcuate shaped gear (320) of the first link (310) and the arcuate shaped rack (420) of the second link (410), wherein the mechanical assembly has a spur gear (540) and a pinion (510) engageably connect between the arcuate shaped gear (320) of the first link (310) and the arcuate shaped rack (420) of the second link (410).

6. The glove box assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the spur gear (540) includes a set of first teeth (530) adapted to engage with the arcuate shaped gear (320) of the first link (310) and a set of second teeth (520) adapted to engage and drive the pinion (510) upon actuation of an electric motor, wherein the pinion (510) is adapted to engage with the arcuate shaped rack (420) of the second link (410).

7. The glove box assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein upon actuation of the electric motor, the set of first teeth (530) of the spur gear (540) rotates the arcuate shaped gear (320) of the first link (310) and set of second teeth (520) of the spur gear (530) rotates the pinion (510) of the mechanical assembly (500), which in turn rotates the arcuate shaped rack (420) of the second link (410) simultaneously for moving the storage box (200) in between the stow position (200a) and the one or more deployed position(s) (200b, 200b’).

8. The glove box assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 and 6, wherein a motor shaft of the electric motor is connected to the spur gear (540) to rotate it around a rotational axis (R).

9. The glove box assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5 and 6, wherein a gear assembly holder (550) holds the electric motor, the pinion (510) and the spur gear (540).

10. The glove box assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3 or 4 or 6, wherein the arcuate shaped gear (320) and the set of first teeth (530) of the spur gear (540) has low rpm gear teeth, and the set of second teeth (520) and the pinion (510) has high rpm gear teeth.
, Description:Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a glove box assembly for a vehicle interior. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mechanism for operating a glove box assembly for a vehicle interior.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Generally, in the existing vehicles, the glove box is fixed in the instrument panel therein. As, the instrument panel is getting slimmer which makes it difficult for a user to access. Therefore, there will be less space utilized for configuring the large size glove box, hence provides lesser space for storing articles therein. Further, the leg space cannot be changed with the fixed glove box even when the glove box is in a stowed position.

[0003] As of date, there is no such glove box that provides easy access to the user with more storage space, when the glove box is in a stowed position.

[0004] Therefore, there is a requirement of such a glove box that can overcome the limitation of the existing prior art.

Objects of the Invention
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a glove box assembly for a vehicle interior.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a glove box assembly for a vehicle interior, which provides more leg space for the occupant.

[0007] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a glove box assembly for a vehicle interior, which provides easy access to the user with more storage space even in a slimmer instrument panel of the vehicle interior.

[0008] Further object of the present invention is to provide a glove box assembly for a vehicle interior, having better stability and equal distribution of closing forces for the left and right side of the glove box.

[0009] Further one object of the present invention is to provide a glove box assembly for a vehicle interior, which is easier in operation.

[0010] One more object of the present invention is to provide a glove box assembly for a vehicle interior, which is robust and economical.

[0011] Further one object of the present invention is to provide a glove box assembly for a vehicle interior, which is auto driven, e.g. via an electric motor.
Summary of the invention

[0012] According to the present invention, there is provided a glove box assembly for a vehicle interior. The glove box assembly may be arranged on an interior panel of the vehicle. The interior panel can be an instrument panel of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the glove box assembly may include a storage box and a link mechanism.

[0013] Further, the storage box is movable between a stow position and one or more deployed positions. The link mechanism of the glove box assembly may facilitate the movement of the storage box between the stow position and the deployed positions. In the stow position, the storage box may be configured within the housing of the interior panel and in the deployed positions away from the housing of the interior panel.

[0014] Further, the link mechanism may be arranged inside the housing of the interior panel at one end and is connected to the storage box at other end. More particularly, the link mechanism includes two links like a first link and a second link. The first link and the second link are pivotally connected to each other. In an embodiment, two such link mechanisms are arranged may be on the opposite side the housing and the storage box respectively for moving the storage box in between stow position and one or more deployable position.

[0015] The first link is an elongated member. the first link includes a first end pivotally connected to the housing of the interior panel and a second end pivotally connected to a first end of the second link. A second end of the second link is pivotally connected to the storage box.

[0016] In an embodiment, the first end of the first link is also configured with an arcuate shaped gear. Similarly, the first end of the second link has an arcuate shaped rack fixed therewith. In an aspect, the first link and the arcuate shaped gear is an integral part and the second link, and the arcuate shaped rack is an integral part.

[0017] Further, a mechanical assembly may be arranged between the first link and the second link. More particularly, the mechanical assembly is a gear assembly. Specifically, the mechanical assembly is adapted to engage with the first link and the second link such that the actuation of the mechanical assembly enables the corresponding movement of the first link and the second link. Specifically, the first link and the second link are adapted to pivot/rotate in an opposite direction (with respect to each other) for moving the storage box in between the stow position and the one or more deployed position. For example, if the first link pivot/rotate in clockwise direction, the second link pivot/rotate in anti-clockwise direction for moving the storage box in the one or more deployed position from the stow position and vice-versa. The mechanical assembly is adapted to engage with the arcuate shaped gear of the first link and the arcuate shaped rack of the second link.

[0018] The mechanical assembly includes a spur gear and a pinion. The spur gear includes a set of first teeth’s adapted to engage with the arcuate shaped gear of the first link and a set of second teeth’s adapted to engage and drive the pinion upon actuation of an electric motor, wherein the pinion is adapted to engaged with the arcuate shaped rack of the second link.

[0019] More particularly, upon actuation of the electric motor, the set of first teeth’s of the spur gear rotates the arcuate shaped gear of the first link and set of second teeth’s of the spur gear rotates the pinion of the mechanical assembly, which in turn rotates the arcuate shaped rack of the second link all simultaneously for moving the storage box in between the stow position and the one or more deployed position.

[0020] In an embodiment, the arcuate shaped gear and the set of first teeth of the spur gear has low rpm gear teeth and, the set of second teeth’s of the spur gear and the pinion has high rpm gear teeth. Further, a gear assembly holder holds the electric motor, the pinion and the spur gear of the mechanical assembly. The holder may be connected to the walls of the glove box assembly.

[0021] Further, a motor shaft may be connected to the mechanical assembly. More particularly, the motor shaft of the electric motor may be connected to the spur gear to rotate it around a rotational axis of the spur gear. Such that upon actuation the electric motor, the mechanical assembly actuates in such a way that the pinion engages with and drives the arcuate shaped rack of the second link and the spur gear engages with and drives the arcuate shaped gear. The rotation of the spur gear with the arcuate shaped gear and the rotation of the pinion with the arcuate shaped rack enables the first link and second link to move for moving the storage box between the stow position and one or more deployed positions. The storage box can open to more than one positions. By way of non-limiting example, the storage box is deployable between a first deployed position and a second deployed position.

[0022] By way of non-limiting example, the motor shaft is rotated clockwise to configure the first deployed position of the storage box. In the first deployed position, the second link moves the storage box in an accessible position away from the housing of the interior panel. In such position, the storage space within the storage box is at least partially accessible to an occupant for storing articles therein. More particular in an embodiment, the storage box has a base with surrounding walls like two opposite front and rear wall join by two side walls and an open top. Thus, in the first and second deployed positions at least portion of the open top of the storage box is at least partially accessible for the occupant for storing articles.
[0023] When the motor shaft rotates further, the pinion and the spur gear simultaneously rotate further and moves the first and second link to move the storage box away from the housing of the interior panel to configure the second deployed position.

[0024] In an embodiment, the storage box may have a lid closing the open top of the storage box which can be open only in at least one of the deployed positions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] The advantages and features of the present invention will be understood better with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

[0026] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a glove box in a deployed position, wherein some portion of a link mechanism is visible accordance with the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic representation of a first link of the link mechanism;

[0028] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic representation of a second link of the link mechanism;

[0029] Figure 4 illustrates a schematic representation of a mechanical assembly in accordance with the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 illustrates a schematic representation of the link mechanism in a first deployed position, wherein the storage box and trim panel are not shown for better illustration;

[0031] Figure 6 illustrates a schematic representation of the link mechanism in a second deployed position; wherein the storage box and trim panel are not shown for better illustration; and

[0032] Figure 7 illustrates a schematic representation of the link mechanism in a stowed position in accordance with the present invention. wherein the storage box and trim panel are not shown for better illustration.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0033] An embodiment of this invention, illustrating its features, will now be described in detail. The words "comprising, "having, "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.

[0034] The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “an” and “a” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.

[0035] The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0036] The present invention describes a glove box assembly. The glove box is built in a housing of an instrumental panel of the vehicle interior. Also, the glove box is often referred to as cubby-hole and jockey boxes in other parts of the world. The glove box is used for keeping the articles therein such as tissues, pens, electronic cables, and sunglasses, and the like. Further, in most of the vehicles, the glove box comes with a latch with an option of being locked with a key, thereby keeping valuables safe from valets and passers-by. Currently, the glove box ingress and egress velocity and time is solely taken care by the weight and damper of the glove box. This invention allows variable and adjustable velocity for ingress and egress. For example, the glove box can be moved in an accessible deployed position at any desired speed and time.
[0037] Referring now to figure 1, a glove box assembly (100) for a vehicle in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The glove box assembly (100) is arranged on or in an interior panel (100a) of the vehicle. The interior panel (100a) can be an instrument panel of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the glove box assembly (100) includes a storage box (200) and a link mechanism (300). The storage box (200) is for holding articles such as phones, wallets, pen, books, beverage cans and the like. The storage box (200) is generally a hollow compartment which can accommodate the articles therein. In the present embodiment, the storage box (200) is arranged within a housing of the interior panel (100a) of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the storage box (200) includes a base (1) with surrounding walls (4) and an open top (5).

[0038] Further, the storage box (200) is movable between a stow position (200a) and one or more deployed positions (200b). The link mechanism (300) of the glove box assembly (100) facilitates the movement of the storage box (200) between a stow position (200a) and one or more deployed position(s) (200b, 200b’). In the stow position (200a), the storage box (200) is configured within the housing of the interior panel (100a) and in the deployed position(s) (200b, 200b’) away from the housing of the interior panel (100a). Only in the one or more deployed position(s) (200b, 200b’) at least a portion of the open top (5) of the storage box (200) is accessible to an occupant for storing articles therein. In another embodiment, a lid (not shown) can be accessible to an occupant in at least one of the one or more deployed position(s) (200b, 200b’) to open the storage box (200) for storing articles therein.

[0039] Referring again to figure 1, the link mechanism (300) is arranged inside the housing of the interior panel (100a) and is connected to the storage box (200) on an outer periphery surface of the walls (4) of the storage box (200). In another embodiment (not shown), the link mechanism (300) can be arranged inside the housing of the interior panel (100a) and is connected to the storage box (200) on an edge portion of the base (1) of the storage box (200). The link mechanism (300) includes two links like a first link (310) and a second link (410). The first link (310) and the second link (410) are pivotally connected to each other. In the present embodiment, two such link mechanisms (300) are arranged inside the housing and is connected to a opposite side walls (4) of the storage box (200) as shown in figure 1. The link mechanism (300) facilitates the movement of the storage box (200) between the stow position (200a) and the deployed position(s) (200b).

[0040] In the present embodiment, the first link (310) is an elongated member with a first end (310a) pivotally connected to the housing of the interior panel (100a) and a second end (310b) pivotally connected to a first end (410a) of the second link (410). Wherein a second end (410b) of the second link (410) is pivotally connected to the storage box (200).

[0041] In the present embodiment, the first link (310) is also configured with an arcuate shaped gear (320) as shown in figure 2. More particularly, the arcuate shaped gear (320) is arranged towards the first end (310a) of the first link (310) as an integral part. Similarly, the second link (410) has an arcuate shaped rack (420) fixed therewith as shown in figure 3. More particularly, the arcuate shaped rack (420) is arranged towards the first end (410a) of the second link (410).

[0042] Further, a mechanical assembly (500) preferably a gear assembly is arranged between the first link (310) and the second link (410). Specifically, the mechanical assembly (500) is adapted to engage with the first link (310) and the second link (410) such that the actuation of the mechanical assembly (500) enables the corresponding simultaneous movement of the first link (310) and the second link (410). Specifically, the mechanical assembly (500) is adapted to engage with the arcuate shaped gear (320) of the first link (310) and the arcuate shaped rack (420) of the second link (410).

[0043] Referring to figure 4, the mechanical assembly (500) includes a spur gear (540) and a pinion (510). The spur gear (540) includes a set of first teeth (530) adapted to engage with the arcuate shaped gear (320) of the first link (310) and a set of second teeth (520) adapted to engage with the pinion (510) of the mechanical assembly (500), wherein the pinion (510) is adapted to engaged with the arcuate shaped rack (420) of the second link (410).
[0044] In another embodiment of the invention (not shown), the mechanical assembly may include a first gear, a connecting gear and a pinion. The connecting gear is engageably connected with the first gear and the pinion. In such embodiment, the first gear engages with the arcuate shaped gear of the first link and the connecting gear. The connecting gear transmit the relative motion between the first gear and the pinion.

[0045] In the present embodiment, the arcuate shaped gear (320) and the set of first teeth (530) of the spur gear (540) has low rpm gear teeth. And the set of second teeth (520) and the pinion (510) has high rpm gear teeth. The difference in the teeth helps to control the relative movement between the first link (310) and the second link (410) and to deploy the storage box (200) with maximum reach into the vehicle interior (into a cabin space). In the present embodiment, the second link (410) has to be moved relatively faster than the first link (310) to configure the one or more deployed position(s) (200b, 200b’) of the storage box (200). Further, a holder (550) is arranged to hold the mechanical assembly (500). The holder (550) may be connected to the spur gear (540) and/or the housing of the glove box assembly (100) at a first axis of rotation (R) which is also the axis of rotation of the spur gear (540) and also to the pinion (510) at a second axis of rotation (R’) which is also the axis of rotation of the pinion (510). In the present embodiment as shown in fig 4, the set of first teeth (530) and the set of second teeth (520) are arranged at offset to each other, this arrangement may provide robustness/better strength to the spur gear (540) and provides a compact gear assembly.

[0046] Further referring now to figure 5, an electric motor (not shown) including a motor shaft (not shown) is connected to the mechanical assembly (500). Specifically, the motor shaft is connected the spur gear (540) through a slot (500a) of the holder (550) as shown in figure 4. When the electric motor is actuated, the mechanical assembly (500) rotates. In implementation, the set of first teeth (530) of the spur gear (540) engages with and rotates/drive the arcuate shaped gear (320) and simultaneously the set of second teeth (520) of the spur gear (500) rotates and drive the pinion (510) which in turn rotates the arcuate shaped rack (420) of the second link (410) enabling the storage box (200) move between the stow position (200a) and one or more deployed position(s) (200b, 200b’). The storage box (200) can open to more than one positions. By way of non-limiting example, the storage box (200) is deployable between a first deployed position(s) (200b) and a second deployed position(s) (200b’).

[0047] In the present embodiment as shown in figures 5, 6 and 7 (the storage box and trim panel are not shown for better illustration) in implementation, upon actuation of the motor shaft by the electric motor, the shaft rotates the spur gear (540) in anti-clockwise direction to configure the first and second deployed position(s) (200b, 200b’) of the storage box (200) (in an alternative arrangement the clockwise rotation on the spur gear (540) may configure the one or more deployed position(s) (200b, 200b’). In more detail, electric motor (not shown) actuates the shaft to rotate the spur gear (540) in anti-clockwise direction which in turn rotates the arcuate shaped gear (320) in clockwise direction via the set of the first teeth (530) and the arcuate shaped rack (420) in anti-clockwise direction via the set of the second teeth (520) and pinion (510) to configure the first and second deployed position(s) (200b, 200b’) of the storage box (200).

[0048] In the first deployed position (200b) as shown in figure 5, the second link (410) moves the storage box (200) away from the housing of the interior panel (100a) such that at least a portion of the open top (5) of the storage box (200) is accessible to an occupant (in such position, the storage space within the storage box (200) is partially visible for an occupant) for storing articles therein.

[0049] When the motor shaft rotates the spur gear (540) further, the pinion (510) and the spur gear (530) rotate further and moves the second link (410) corresponding to the movement of the first link (310) to deploy the storage box (200) further away from the housing of the interior panel (100a) to configure the second deployed position (200b’) as shown in figure 6. In the second deployed position (200b’) as shown in figure 6, the second link (410) moves the storage box (200) away from the housing of the interior panel (100a) such that the open top (5) of the storage box (200) is accessible to an occupant (in such position, the storage space within the storage box (200) is fully visible for an occupant) for storing articles therein. Now, when the motor shaft rotates the spur gear clockwise, the mechanical assembly (500) actuates and rotates in a reverse direction to stow the storage box (200) towards the housing in the first deployed position (200b) and then in the stowed position (200a) as shown in figure 7.

[0050] Therefore, the present invention has the advantage of providing a glove box assembly (100). The glove box assembly (100) gave more leg space for the occupant. Also, the glove box assembly (100) provides easy access to the user. Further, the glove box assembly (100) has better stability and equal distribution of closing forces for the left and right sides. Also, the glove box assembly (100) is auto driven, e.g. via an electric motor. Moreover, the glove box assembly (100) is robust and economical.

[0051] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention.