Claims:We Claim:
1. A storage compartment (100) for a vehicle interior, the storage compartment (100) comprising:
a housing (210) for storing articles therein;
a compartment lid (200) lockable with the housing (210) of the storage compartment (100);
a shape memory alloy actuator lever (110) configured to unlock the compartment lid (200) from the housing (210), the shape memory alloy actuator lever (110) comprises a first side (110a) and a second side (110b);
a clutch lever (120) connected to a compartment lever (130) and is movable between a first position (120a) and a second position (120b) such that the compartment lever (130) is adapted to lock or to unlock the compartment lid (200) with or from the housing (210);
a pin (124) configured on the clutch lever (120), the pin (124) is movable along a cam path (140), the cam path (140) is configured on the storage compartment (100);
wherein when the shape memory alloy actuator lever (110) is actuated, the shape memory alloy actuator lever (110) moves in a first direction, the first side (110a) of the shape memory alloy actuator lever (110) abuts and slides the pin (124) along the cam path (140) to move the clutch lever (120) from the first position (120a) to the second position (120b) thereby configuring an open position of the compartment lid (200).

2. The storage compartment (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy actuator lever (110) is actuated electronically by heating a shape memory alloy wire (110-1) of which one end is fixed to the housing (210) or the compartment lid (200), and other end is connected to the shape memory alloy actuator lever (110) above a first preset temperature to move the shape memory alloy actuator lever (110) in the first direction, thereby to move the clutch lever (120) from the first position (120a) to the second position (120b) such that the pin (124) is released from the shape memory alloy actuator lever (110) and the clutch lever (120) moves back to the first position (120a) independent of cooling down of the temperature of the shape memory alloy actuator lever (110).

3. The storage compartment (100) as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein the clutch lever (120) is further movable between the first position (120a) and a third position (120c), wherein once the shape memory alloy actuator lever (110) cools down below the first preset temperature the shape memory alloy actuator lever (110) moves to a second direction such that a second side (110b) of the shape memory alloy actuator lever (110) abuts and slides the pin (124) along the cam path (140) to move the clutch lever (120) to the third position (120c), the pin (124) again get released from the shape memory alloy actuator lever (110) and the clutch lever (120) moves back to the first position (120a) for configuring the closed position of the compartment lid (200).

4. The storage compartment (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cam path (140) is of an L-shaped having a first channel (140a) and a second channel (140b), the pin (124) is adapted to move along the first channel (140a) of the cam path (140) to move the clutch lever (120) between the first position (120a) and the second position (120b) or the pin (124) is adapted to move along the second channel (140b) of the cam path to move the clutch lever (120) between the first position (120a) and the third position (120c).

5. The storage compartment (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first channel (140a) has a downward curved profile at the distal end to enable smooth release of the pin (124) from the shape memory alloy actuator lever (110) when the clutch lever (120) is moving from the first position (120a) to the second position (120b).

6. The storage compartment (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pin (124) is configured on a distal end of the clutch lever (120).
7. The storage compartment (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first direction movement of the shape memory alloy actuator lever (110) is a clockwise direction and the second direction movement of the shape memory alloy actuator lever (110) is anti-clockwise direction.

8. The storage compartment (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compartment lever (130) is arranged on or in the housing (210) adapted to engage with a slot arrange on the compartment lid (120) to lock the compartment lid (120) with the housing (210).

9. The storage compartment (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compartment lever (130) is arranged on the compartment lid (120) adapted to engage with a slot arranged on or in the housing (210) to lock the compartment lid (120) with the housing (210).

10. The storage compartment (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clutch lever (120) is connected to the compartment lever (130) by a clutch spring (122) to retract the clutch lever (120) from the second position (120b) or from the third position (120c) to the first position (120a).

11. The storage compartment (100) as claimed in claim 1, 2 and 3, wherein the second side (110b) of the SMA actuator lever (110) is having an inclined surface with respect to the first side (110a) at an angle of 10-60 degree, such that the first side (110a) and a second side (110b) forms a tip with an arc profile enabling the clutch lever (120) to move in the third position (120c) when the SMA actuator lever (120) moves in the second direction.
, Description:Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage compartment for a vehicle interior. More specifically, the present invention relates to a clutch mechanism for the storage compartment of the vehicle.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Storage boxes are used inside vehicles particularly for storing articles, such as bottles, documents, coins, mobile phone, tablet and the like. Mostly, the storage boxes are arranged on the instrument panel of the vehicle for easy access for both the driver and the occupant. The storage compartments can be made accessible in sideways like glove box or on a top portion or upper side of the instrument panel.

[0003] Currently, the storage compartment lid opening or closing function is done in assistance with shape memory alloy (SMA). A shape-memory alloy is an alloy that can be deformed when cold but returns to its pre-deformed ("remembered") shape when heated. It may also be called memory metal, memory alloy, smart metal, smart alloy, or muscle wire. In SMA operated compartment limitation is observed that if SMA wire gets heated above 65 to 85 degree due to high temperature within the vehicle cabin, then SMA lever making the closing of compartment lid does not come to the closing position. Thus, the compartment lid cannot be closed leading to the dissatisfaction of the end user, and there may be chances of damage to the storage box due to misuse by end user.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a simple mechanism for a storage compartment operable by SMA, which overcomes the problems of the prior art.

Objects of the Invention
[0005] An object of the present invention is to propose a storage compartment which overcomes the drawback explained above.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an easy to use and easy to operate a storage compartment with an article such as a beverage container holding arrangement with minimum additional components add-on.

[0007] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a clutch mechanism for the storage compartment which can be actuated by a shape memory alloy actuator.

[0008] One more object of the present invention is to provide a clutch mechanism for the storage compartment, which can irrespective of SMA actuator position/temperature enables the closing of the storage compartment lid.

Summary of the invention

[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided with a storage compartment for a vehicle interior. The storage compartment is a glove box arranged on an interior panel of the vehicle interior. In an embodiment, the interior panel is an instrument panel of the vehicle interior. The storage compartment has a housing for storing articles and a compartment lid for covering a storage space of the housing of the storage compartment. The compartment lid is lockable with the housing of the storage compartment. The compartment lid may be pivotable about a pivot axis to close and to open the compartment lid of the storage compartment. In the present embodiment, the storage compartment lid opening function is done in assistance with a shape memory alloy (SMA).

[0010] The storage compartment includes an SMA actuator lever, a clutch lever, and a compartment lever. The SMA actuator lever is configured to unlock the compartment lid from the housing. In the present embodiment, the SMA actuator lever includes a first side and a second side. The second side of the SMA actuator lever is inclined with respect to the first side at an angle of 10-60 degree, such that the first side and second side forms a tip with an arc profile.

[0011] In an embodiment, two-compartment levers may be arranged on the storage compartment with a common lever therebetween. In the present embodiment, the compartment lever is arranged on or in the housing adapted to engage with a slot arranged on the compartment lid to lock the compartment lid with the housing. In another embodiment, the compartment lever is arranged on the compartment lid adapted to engage with a slot arranged on or in the housing to lock the compartment lid with the housing.

[0012] The compartment levers are arranged opposite to each other with the common lever in between. An operating member may be used as an actuating mechanism for actuating an SMA wire associated with the SMA actuator lever. The SMA wire actuates the SMA actuator lever and facilitates to open the storage compartment lid. The SMA actuator lever is actuated electronically by heating the SMA wire above a first preset temperature between 65 to 85 degree.

[0013] Further, the clutch lever is connected to the compartment lever by a clutch spring. Specifically, the clutch lever is connected to an extending arm of the compartment lever. When the SMA actuator lever is actuated, the clutch lever moves from a first position to a second position. Thus, the compartment lever associated with the clutch lever moves relatively between the first position and the second position such that the compartment lever is adapted to lock or to unlock the compartment lid with or from the housing. The clutch spring is attached to the compartment lever to retract the clutch lever from the second position to the first position or from a third position to the first position.
[0014] Further, a distal end of the clutch lever has a pin arrangement. The pin is movably arranged along a cam path configured on the storage compartment. The cam path is an L-shaped channel to guide the pin according to the movement of the clutch lever. The cam path has a first channel and a second channel.

[0015] The first channel is arranged horizontal to the storage compartment, and the second channel is arranged vertically to the storage compartment. The pin is adapted to move along the first channel of the cam path to move the clutch lever between the first position and the second position. In the present embodiment, the first channel has a downward curved profile at the distal end to enable the smooth release of the pin from the SMA actuator lever when the clutch lever is moving from the first position to the second position. The pin is also adapted to move along the second channel of the cam path to move the clutch lever between the first position and the third position.

[0016] The pin is configured in such a way that the distal end of the SMA actuator lever may abut and releases the pin with respect to the actuation of the SMA actuator lever.

[0017] Specifically, when the SMA wire actuates, the SMA actuator lever moves to a first direction, the first side of the SMA actuator lever abuts and slides the pin along the cam path on the first channel to move the clutch lever from the first position to the second position for releasing the compartment lid from the housing thereby configuring an open position of the storage compartment lid.

[0018] More specifically, the SMA actuator lever is actuated electronically by heating the SMA wire above the first preset temperature to move the SMA actuator lever in the first direction, the first side of the SMA actuator lever abuts and slides the pin along the cam path on the first channel to move the clutch lever from the first position to the second position such that the pin is released from the shape memory alloy actuator lever as it moves on a downward curved profile at the distal end of the cam path to enable the smooth release of the pin and then the clutch lever moves back to the first position. This arrangement enables the clutch lever to move from the second position to the first position independent of cooling down of the temperature of the shape memory alloy actuator lever.

[0019] Further, when the SMA cools down below the first preset temperature, the SMA actuator lever moves in a second direction, the second side of the SMA actuator lever abuts and slides the pin along the cam path on the second channel to move the clutch lever from the first position to the third position. Further, movement of the SMA actuator lever again enable the pin to release from the SMA actuator lever, and the clutch lever moves back to the first position, and the pin abuts with the first side of the SMA actuator lever. The tension across the clutch spring enables the clutch lever to slide from the second position to the first position or from the third position to the first position as and when the pin is released from the SMA actuator.

[0020] By way of non-limiting example, the first direction movement of the shape memory alloy actuator lever is a clockwise direction, and the second direction movement of the shape memory alloy actuator lever is anti-clockwise direction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent when reading the detailed description given below, purely by way of example and in a non-limitative manner, referring to the following figures:

[0022] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a storage compartment in accordance with the present invention;
[0023] Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the arrangement of a clutch mechanism of the storage compartment;

[0024] Figure 3 shows another schematic view of the clutch mechanism arranged inside the storage compartment;

[0025] Figure 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the arrangement of the clutch mechanism when an SMA actuator lever rotates in a first direction moving a clutch lever from a first position to a second position;

[0026] Figure 7 illustrates disengagement of the pin from the SMA actuator lever to move the clutch lever back to the first position;

[0027] Figure 8 illustrates a second direction movement of the SMA actuator lever;

[0028] Figure 9 illustrates the position of the pin when the SMA actuator lever pushes the pin along a second or a vertical channel of the cam path; and

[0029] Figure 10 illustrates the position of the pin when the SMA actuator lever disengages and releases the pin from the second or the vertical channel to engage with a first side of the SMA actuator lever.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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 item.

[0032] The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0033] Referring now to figure 1, a storage compartment (100) for a vehicle interior in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. In the present embodiment, the storage compartment (100) is a glove box arranged on an instrument panel of the vehicle interior. The storage compartment (100) has a housing (210) for storing articles and a compartment lid (200) for covering a storage space of the housing (210) of the storage compartment (100). The compartment lid (200) is lockable with the housing (210) of the storage compartment (100). The compartment lid (200) may be pivotable about a pivot axis to close and to open the compartment lid (200) of the storage compartment (100). In the present embodiment, only the storage compartment lid (200) opening function is done in assistance with shape memory alloy (SMA).

[0034] Referring now to figures 1 and 2, the storage compartment (100) includes a shape memory alloy actuator lever (hereinafter referred as SMA actuator lever (110)), a clutch lever (120), and a compartment lever (130). The SMA actuator lever (110) is configured to unlock the compartment lid (200) from the housing (210). In the present embodiment, the SMA actuator lever (110) includes a first side (110a) and a second side (110b). The second side (110b) of the SMA actuator lever (110) is inclined with respect to the first side (110a) at an angle of 10-60 degree, such that the first side (110a) and the second side (110b) forms a tip (112) with an arc profile as shown in figure 3.

[0035] In the present embodiment, the compartment lever (130) is arranged on or in the housing (210) and is adapted to engage with a slot (not shown) arranged on the compartment lid (120) to lock the compartment lid (120) with the housing (210). In another embodiment, the compartment lever (130) is arranged on the compartment lid (120) and is adapted to engage with a slot arranged on or in the housing (210) to lock the compartment lid (120) with the housing (210). Further, in the present embodiment, two-compartment levers (130) are arranged on the storage compartment (100) with a common lever (300) therebetween.

[0036] Further, the compartment levers (130) are arranged opposite to each other with the common lever (300) in between. In the present embodiment, the SMA actuator lever (120) is connected to an operating member (not shown) for opening the compartment lid (200) of the storage compartment (100). The operating member may be an actuating mechanism for actuating a shape memory alloy wire (SMA wire) (110-1) associated with the SMA actuator lever (110). The shape memory alloy wire (110-1) has one end fixed to the housing (210) or the compartment lid (200), and another end is connected to the SMA actuator lever (110). The SMA wire (110-1) actuates the SMA actuator lever (110) and facilitates to open the storage compartment lid (200). The SMA actuator lever (110) is actuated electronically by heating the SMA wire (110-1) above a first preset temperature between 65 to 85 degree.

[0037] Further, the clutch lever (120) is connected to the compartment lever (130) by a clutch spring (122). Specifically, the clutch lever (120) is connected to an extending arm (132) of the compartment lever (130). When the SMA actuator lever (110) is actuated, the clutch lever (120) moves from a first position (120a) to a second position (120b). When the clutch lever (120) moves, the compartment lever (130) associated with the clutch lever (120) moves relatively between the first position (120a) and the second position (120b) such that the compartment lever (130) is adapted to lock or to unlock the compartment lid (200) with or from the housing (210). The clutch spring (122) is attached to the compartment lever (130) to retract the clutch lever (120) from the second position (120b) to the first position (120a) or from a third position (120c) to the first position (120a).

[0038] Further referring to figure 3, a distal end of the clutch lever (120) has a pin (124) arrangement. The pin (124) radially extends through a pinhole of the clutch lever (120) and arranged within a cam path (140) configured on the storage compartment (100). The pin (124) is movably arranged along the cam path (140) of the storage compartment (100). The cam path (140) is an L-shaped channel to guide the pin (124) according to the movement of the clutch lever (120). The cam path (140) has a first channel (140a) and a second channel (140b). The first channel (140a) is arranged horizontal to the storage compartment (100) and the second channel (140b) is arranged vertically to the storage compartment (100). The pin (124) is adapted to move along the first channel (140a) of the cam path (140) to move the clutch lever (120) between the first position (120a) and the second position (120b). In the present embodiment, the first channel (140a) has a downward curved profile at the distal end to enable the smooth release of the pin (124) from the SMA actuator lever (110) when the clutch lever (120) is moving from the first position (120a) to the second position (120b).

[0039] The pin (124) is also adapted to move along the second channel (140b) of the cam path (140) to move the clutch lever (120) between the first position (120a) and the third position (120c). The pin (124) is configured in such a way that the distal end of the SMA actuator lever (110) may abut and released the pin (124) with respect to the actuation of the SMA actuator lever (110).
[0040] When the SMA wire (110-1) actuates, the SMA actuator lever (110) moves in the first direction (as shown in figures 4, 5 and 6), a first side (110a) of the SMA actuator lever (110) abuts and slides the pin (124) along the cam path (140) on the first channel (140a) to move the clutch lever (120) from the first position to the second position (120b). The movement of the clutch lever (120) to the second position (120b) facilitates in disengaging the compartment lid (200) from the housing (210) thereby configuring an open position of the storage compartment lid (200). When the SMA actuator lever (110) further moves in the first direction, the point of interaction between the pin (124) and the tip (112) of the SMA actuator lever (110) reaches to a last tangency point at the curved profile of the first channel (140a) as shown in figure 5.

[0041] Thereby, the pin (124) is released from the SMA actuator lever (110) as shown in figure 6. When the pin (124) is released from the SMA actuator lever (110), the clutch lever (120) moves back to the first position (120a) to move the compartment lever (130) back to configure a closed position of the storage compartment lid (200) as shown in figure 7. The tension across the clutch spring (122) enables the clutch lever (120) to slide from the second position (120b) to the first position (120a). The clutch lever (120) slides from the second position (120b) towards the first position (120a) independent of the temperature of the SMA actuator wire.

[0042] Referring now to figure 8, when the SMA actuator lever (110) cools down below the first preset temperature the SMA actuator lever (110) moves to the second direction such that the second side (110b) of the SMA actuator lever (110) abuts and slides the pin (124) along the cam path (140) to move the clutch lever (120) to the third position (120c) as shown in figure 9. The inclined surface of the second side (110b) enables the pin (124) and thereby the clutch lever (120) to move downwards in the third position (120c). Further, when the pin (124) moves on the second channel (140b), the SMA actuator lever (110) releases from the pin (124) allowing the pin (124) to move upward along the cam path (140) and the clutch lever (120) moves back to the first position (120a) for configuring the closed position of the compartment lid (200). Also, when the pin (124) moves upward, the pin (124) engages with the first side (110a) of the SMA actuator lever (110) as shown in figure 10.

[0043] By way of non-limiting example, the first direction movement of the SMA actuator lever (110) is a clockwise direction and the second direction movement of the SMA actuator lever (110) is anti-clockwise direction.

[0044] Therefore, the present invention has the advantage of providing an easy to use and easy to operate a storage compartment with an article such as a beverage container holding arrangement with minimum additional components add-on. The storage compartment can be actuated by a shape memory alloy actuator. Further, the clutch mechanism for the storage compartment can irrespective of temperature conditions, the opening and closing mechanism of the storage compartment lid can happen.

[0045] 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.