DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a damper assembly mechanism for a bin, more particularly relates to an adaptive damper assembly mechanism for constant velocity of articulation for a bin at different loads in the bin.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Bins are the storage compartments present in all vehicles ranging from bicycles to aircrafts. These bins vary in size and capacity with the varying needs and space constraints available in the vehicles. In case of a vehicle, bins are attached to the console of the vehicle (e.g. firewall in case of automobile), so that all the weight in the bin is transferred to the console.

The conventional damper assemblies for the bin box have an elongated tube enclosed in it a spring connected to piston. The piston is connected to the bin box opener by a cord. The bin boxes are operated by a bin box opener, connected to a piston fixed to a spring by a cord/ string to facilitate opening and closing of the bin box. This spring resists the free fall of the bin box opener, hence supports the contents of the bin box onto the console of the vehicle. The bin box operates differently under no load and fully loaded condition. In bin box, the spring will be selected such that it can withstand operations at both no load and full load condition. When in no load condition, to open the bin box, pull force required will be more to extend the spring, and the closing will be rapid because the spring contracts to attain its equilibrium position. When in full load condition, to open the bin box, pull force required will be very less, as the load resting on the bin box will exert additional force. While closing the fully loaded bin box, the compressive force of the spring alone is not enough for closing the bin. Hence additional force is required for closing the bin box.

Due to the unstable operation of the bin opener, there is no certainty of safe operation of the bin box as there are chances of the contents to fall off while operating. On the other hand, the weight variation of a loaded and unloaded bin box may be large enough and hence this may not suffice the need.

In the conventional damper assemblies, sensors can be used to act as weight dampers and to achieve constant velocity of articulation of bins but this will increase the cost of manufacture. Hence there is a need for a cost effective and a simple mechanism. In view of the aforementioned drawbacks there is a need to develop a mechanism to overcome the drawbacks.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The limitations of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the Adaptive damper assembly for constant articulation of bins comprises of a tube enclosing a hollow member, with one end of at least one first spring is fixed to one end of the tube and the other end of the at least one first spring is fixed to the hollow member. The hollow member encloses a piston member and at least one second spring. Further, one end of the at least one second spring is attached to the piston member of the hollow member and the other end of at least one second spring is fixed to the hollow member. Further, a link assembly consists of a first link and a second link wherein, the first link is configured in a predetermined shape, is hinged at any point on its span to a firewall or a vehicle member. The first link is hinged by a hinge pin to one end of the second link and the other end of the first link is connected to the piston member enclosed in the hollow member by a second cord. The second link is configured in a predetermined shape, is pinned at any point on its span to the firewall or a vehicle member. The free end of the second link is connected to a plate of a feedback assembly. Further, at least one compression spring is attached below the plate of the feedback assembly

In one embodiment, the tube is closed at both the ends with provision for the cord to pass through.

In one embodiment, the hollow member can reciprocate within the tube, also the piston member can reciprocate within the hollow member.

In one embodiment, the link assembly comprises of plurality of links hinged to the firewall or a vehicle member, with one of the ends of the plurality of link connected to the piston member by a first cord and the other end is hinged to a feedback assembly. Further, the plurality of links consists of a first link and second link.

In one embodiment, the first link is an L-linkage and has its elbow pinned to the firewall or a vehicle member and the second link of the link assembly is a straight link.

In one embodiment, the at least one compression spring of the feedback assembly compresses when the bin is loaded.

In one embodiment, the at least first spring and the at least second spring will actuate in the direction opposite to each other when actuated.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of operating the Adaptive damper system for smooth articulation of bins. The method comprises acts of transferring the load in the bin to at least one second spring to provide feedback, by a feedback assembly and link assembly such that the stress on the at least one second spring is proportional to the weight in the bin, with the at least one second spring and a piston member is enclosed in a hollow member with one end of the at least one second spring is connected to the piston member and the other end is fixed inside the hollow member. Further, actuating the at least one first spring by operating the bin lid wherein, the at least one spring is connected to hollow member. Also, the free end of the hollow member is connected to the bin lid by a first cord.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope. The disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a damper assembly having a tube with a hollow member enclosed in it and at least one first spring fixed to the tube.

Figure 2 illustrates a damper assembly having at least one second spring and a piston member provided within the hollow member.

Figure 3 illustrates the Adaptive damper assembly mechanism at no load condition.
Figure 4 illustrates working of the Adaptive damper assembly at load condition.

Figure 5 illustrates link assembly with a plurality of links.

Figure 6 illustrates side view of the bin box fitted onto the feedback assembly.

Figure 7 illustrates front view of the Adaptive damper assembly having a bin box fitted onto the feedback assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DESCLOSURE
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.

Figure 1 illustrates a damper assembly (1) having a tube (2), enclosed in it is a hollow member (3) and at least one first spring (6). In an embodiment of the disclosure, the shape of the tube (2) and the hollow member (3) is selected from a group comprising but not limited to cylinder, square, rectangular, triangular, and any other shape which serve the purpose. The at least one first spring (6) has one of its ends fixed to the tube (2) and the other end is connected to the hollow member (3). The free end of the hollow member (3) is connected to a bin lid (15) (not shown) by a first cord (11). The hollow member (3) can reciprocate within the tube (2) when actuated by the bin lid (15) (not shown).

Figure 2 illustrates a damper assembly (1) comprising of a tube (2) enclosing a hollow member (3) and at least one first spring (6). The at least one first spring (6) has one of its ends fixed to the tube (2) and the other end is connected to the hollow member (3).The hollow member (3) also encloses, a piston member (4) and at least one second spring (5). The at least one second spring (5) has one of its ends fixed to the hollow member (3) and the other end is connected to the piston member (4). The second cord (10) has one of its ends connected to the piston member (4) and the other end is connected to a first link (7) of a link assembly (17) (not shown).

Figure 3 illustrates assembled view of an Adaptive damper assembly (100) at no load condition. The assembly (100) comprises of a tube (2), enclosing a hollow member (3) and at least one first spring (6). The at least one first spring (6) has one of its ends fixed to the tube (2) and the other end is connected to the hollow member (3).The hollow member (3) also encloses, a piston member (4) and at least one second spring (5). The at least one second spring (5) has one of its ends fixed to the hollow member (3) and the other end is connected to the piston member (4). The hollow member (3) has its free end connected to a bin lid (15) through a first cord (11). The second cord (10) has one of its ends connected to a first link (7) of the link assembly (17) and the other end is connected to the piston member (4) through the tube (2). Further, the link assembly (17) consists of first link (7) and a second link (12), hinged together to the firewall (16) or a vehicle member. The first link (7) of the link assembly (17) has its free end hinged by the hinge pin (9) to one end of the second link (12). The free end of the second link (12) is hinged by the hinge pin (9) to a plate (19) of the feedback assembly (8). Further, the feedback assembly (8) consists of at least one compression spring (18) placed below the plate (19), wherein the at least one compression spring (18) compress upon loading in the bin box.

In the no load condition i.e. when there no load in the bin, there will be not be any actuation of the feedback assembly (8) since there is no load acting on the plate (19) connected below the base of the bin box. Hence there will be no actuation of the piston member (4) connected to the first link (7) of the link assembly (17) by the second cord (10). Now when the bin lid (15) is actuated to open, the at least one first spring (6) extends and the at least one second spring (5) in the hollow member (3) compresses, thereby the opening is done smoothly as the additional force exerted while actuating is compensated by the compression of the second spring (5). Now when closing the bin lid (15), the at least one first spring (6) tries to contract and the compression spring (5) tries to extend, thereby balancing the sudden retraction force of the at least one first spring (6). Hence closing of the bin lid (15) takes place smoothly without sudden retraction.

Figure 4 illustrates assembled view of an Adaptive damper assembly (100) at loaded condition. i.e. when the bin is loaded. At load condition, the load placed in the bin will compress, the at least one compression of spring (18) of the feedback assembly (8) which in turn displaces the plate (19) and the second link (12) of the link assembly (17) about its hinged point on the firewall (16) or a vehicle member. The lowering of the second link (12) will cause the first link (7) of the link assembly (17) to fluctuate about its pivot point on the firewall (16) or a vehicle member. This fluctuation of the first link (7) will pull the piston member (4) towards itself by the second cord (10). Hence the at least one second spring (5) compresses when loaded. Now when the bin lid (15) is actuated, through the first cord (11) the at least one first spring (6) extends and the at least one second spring (5) compresses further. Since the load in the bin box is resting on the bin lid (15), this adds additional load on the opener, this force is compensated by the compressive force of the at least one second spring (5) so that opening of bin lid (15) takes place smoothly. When closing the bin lid (15), the at least one first spring (6) retracts slowly due to the load in the bin, but the at least one second spring (5) while expanding, force the at least one first spring (6) to retract faster. This way closing of the bin lid (15) takes place smoothly irrespective of the load in the bin (14).

Figure 5 illustrates link assembly (17) consisting of a first link (7) and a second link (12), together pinned to the firewall (16) or a vehicle member by a firewall pin (13). One end of the first link (7) and one end of the second link (12) are hinged by a hinge pin (9) and the other end of the first link (7) is connected to the second cord (10). The free end of the second link (12) is again hinged by the hinge pin (9) to plate (19) of the feedback assembly (8). In an embodiment of the present disclosure shape of the first link (7) and the second link (12) is selected from a group comprising but not limiting to L shaped link, C shaped link and a straight link which are hinged to the firewall (16) or a vehicle member by a firewall pin (13). The shapes of the links in the link assembly (17) depicted here is only for explanatory purpose, any other shapes which serves the purpose of transferring the feedback of the load in the bin (14) from the feedback assembly (8) can be used.

In one embodiment, the link assembly (17) can have plurality of links such that the load sensed by the feedback assembly (8) is converted to proportional linear motion of the second spring (5) arranged in the hollow member (3) to nullify the effect of load in the bin (14) for smooth operation of the bin lid (15).

Figure 6 illustrates side view of the bin (14) fitted onto the plate (19) of the feedback assembly (8). The feedback assembly (8) senses the load when load is added on the bin by the plate (19) attached to the base of the bin. When loaded, the at least one compression spring (18) attached below the plate (19) of the feedback assembly (8) compresses thereby displacing the second link (12) and the first link (7).

In one embodiment, the feedback assembly (8) can be mounted in any predetermined position on the firewall (16) or a vehicle member but, should be such that the load in the bin (14) is sensed by the feedback assembly (8) and is transferred to the link assembly (17) for feedback of the load to the second spring (5) of the hollow member (3).

In another embodiment, the weight of the bin (14) would act on the feedback assembly (8). Thus under no load condition in the bin (14), the bin (14) weight would still act. In one exemplary embodiment under load condition, load in the bin (14) along with weight of bin (14) would act on the feedback assembly (8).

Figure 7 illustrates front view of the adaptive damper assembly (100) having a bin (14) fitted onto plate (19) of the feedback assembly (8) and the first link (7) of the link assembly (17) is connected to piston member (4) (not shown) of the hollow member (3) (not shown) and the other end of first link (7) is connected to second link (12). The free end of the second link (12) is hinged to plate (19) of the feedback assembly (8). The bin lid (15) is also shown which can be articulated at constant velocity irrespective of load conditions.

EQUIVALENTS
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

REFERRAL NUMERALS
Referral numerals Description
100 Adaptive damper assembly
1 Damper assembly
2 Tube
3 Hollow member
4 Piston member
5 Second spring
6 First spring
7 First link
8 Feedback assembly
9 Hinge pin
10 Second cord
11 First cord
12 Second link
13 Firewall pin
14 Bin
15 Bin lid
16 Firewall
17 Link assembly
18 Compression Spring
19 Plate
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. An adaptive damper assembly (100) for a bin (14), comprising:
a damper assembly (1) comprising a tube (2) enclosing at least one first spring (6) and a hollow member (3) configured such that, one end of the at least one first spring (6) is connected to the hollow member (3) and the other end of the at least one first spring (6) is connected to the tube (2), wherein the free end of the hollow member (3) is connected to the bin lid (15) such that the at least one first spring (6) actuates while operating the bin lid (15);

at least one second spring (5) and a piston member (4) enclosed in the hollow member (3) wherein one end of the at least one second spring (5) is connected to the piston member (4) and other end of the at least one second spring (5) is fixed inside the hollow member (3); and

a link assembly (17) connected to the piston member (4) and a feedback assembly (8), to transfer feedback of load in the bin (14) onto the at least one second spring (5), wherein stress on the at least one second spring (5) is proportional to the load in the bin (14);

2. The adaptive damper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube (2) is sealed at both the ends and is provisioned for a first cord (11) and a second cord (10) to pass through.

3. The adaptive damper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow member (3) is capable to reciprocate within the tube (2).

4. The adaptive damper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the piston member (4) is capable to reciprocate within the hollow member (3).

5. The adaptive damper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the link assembly (17) comprises plurality of links with one of its ends connected to the piston member (4) of the hollow member (3) by a first cord (11) and the other end is hinged to a feedback assembly (8).

6. The adaptive damper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the feedback assembly (8) comprises a plate (19) attached to base of a bin (14) with at least one compression spring (18) attached below the plate (19).

7. The adaptive damper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the plurality of links of the link assembly (17) consists of a first link (7) and a second link (12).

8. The adaptive damper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein a first link (7) is an L-link with elbow of the L-link hinged to a firewall (16) or a vehicle member wherein one end of the first link (7) is fixed to the first cord (11) and other end of the L-link hinged to one end of the second link (12).

9. The adaptive damper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second link (12) is a straight link with centre of the straight link span hinged to firewall (16) or a vehicle member, wherein the free end of the second link (12) hinged to the plate (19) of the feedback assembly (8).

10. The adaptive damper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load in the bin includes the load and weight of the bin (14).

11. The adaptive damper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one first spring (6) and at least one second spring (5) actuates in a direction opposite to each other.

12. A method for operating a bin, the method comprises acts of:
transferring load in a bin (14) by a feedback assembly (8) and a link assembly (17) on to at least one second spring, wherein stress on the at least one second spring is in proportion to the load, wherein the at least one second spring (5) and a piston member (4) enclosed in a hollow member (3) with one end of the at least one second spring (5) is connected to the piston member (4) and other end of the at least one second spring (5) is fixed inside a hollow member (3); and
actuating at least one first spring when operating the bin lid (15) wherein a tube (2) mounted proximal to a bin (14) enclosing the at least one first spring (6) and the hollow member (3), configured with one end of the at least one first spring (6) is connected to the hollow member (3) and the other end of the at least one first spring (6) is connected to the tube (2), wherein the free end of the hollow member (3) is connected to a first cord (11) which is used to actuate the at least one first spring.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein when the feedback assembly (8) is actuated, a second link (12) of the link assembly (17) hinged to the plate (19) is lowered and a first link (7) oscillates about the fire pin (13) on the firewall (16) thereby compressing the at least one second spring (5) by the second cord (10) connected to the first link (7) of the link assembly (17)

Dated this 26th Day of September, 2013
GOPINATH A S
IN/PA 1852
OF K&S PARTNERS
AGENT FOR THE APPLICANT