Structure for holding functional device

• US 6,629,716 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2002
• Issued: 10/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Company Limited (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Katagiri, Katsuhiro, Shibata, Minoru
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, KIRAN B
• Application Number:
  US10/180,118
• Publication Number:
  US 20030001406A1
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 296/70, 296/24.1, 296/37.1, 296/37.8, 296/37.7, 296/37.9, 296/37.11, 296/37.12, 296/97.7, 361/608, 348/837, 340/815.4, 224/282
• US Class Current: 296/70
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/53 Movable instruments, e.g. slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/275 Smoking-related fittings, e.g. cigarette lighters or ashtrays

Abstract

A structure for holding switches in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The structure includes a switchboard arranged on a panel in the passenger compartment. The switches are mounted on the switchboard. An accommodating case is arranged adjacent to the switchboard. A common shaft, which is shared by the switchboard and the accommodating case, pivotally supports the switchboard and the accommodating case. The switchboard and the accommodating case are each pivoted about the common shaft between a retracted position and an operational position. The switchboard and the accommodating case are each accommodated in the panel when located at the retracted position and exposed from the panel when located at the operational position. The switchboard remains at the retracted position when the accommodating case is located at the operational position.

Claims

1. A structure for holding a functional device in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the structure comprising:

a first functional unit arranged on a panel in the passenger compartment, wherein the first functional unit includes a functional device;

a second functional unit arranged adjacent to the first functional unit;

a common shaft shared by the first and second functional units and pivotally supporting the first and second functional units, wherein the first and second functional units are each pivoted about the common shaft between a retracted position and an operational position, the first and second functional units each being accommodated in the panel when located at the retracted position and being exposed from the panel when located at the operational position, wherein the first functional unit remains at the retracted position when the second functional unit is located at the operational position.

2. The structure according to claim 1, further comprising a holder for holding the first and second functional units, wherein the holder is received in an opening formed in the panel.

3. The structure according to claim 2, wherein the first and second functional units each include a functional plane, which has a functional role, and a front surface, which is exposed from the panel when located at the retracted position, wherein the functional device is arranged on the functional plane of the first functional unit, and wherein, when the first and second functional units are each arranged at the retracted position, the associated functional plane is arranged in the panel and at least part of the associated front surface is flush with the panel.

4. The structure according to claim 3, further comprising a first spring connecting the first and second functional units to each other and urging the second functional unit toward the operational position, wherein the first spring pivots the second functional unit integrally with the first functional unit when the first functional unit is pivoted between the retracted position and the operational position.

5. The structure according to claim 4, further comprising a second spring for connecting the first functional unit and the holder to each other and urging the first functional unit toward the operational position.

6. The structure according to claim 5, further comprising:

a lever connected to the first functional unit and having an engaging pin;

a cam pivotally supported on the holder and having a guide groove that engages the engaging pin;

a third spring for urging the cam in a predetermined direction to arrange the first functional unit at the operational position, wherein the third spring engages the engaging pin with the guide groove to hold the first functional unit at the retracted position, and wherein, when the lever is moved against the urging force of the third spring, the engaging pin is disengaged from the guide groove and the urging force of the second spring moves the first functional unit to the operational position.

7. The structure according to claim 6, further comprising:

a restriction pin arranged on the second functional unit, wherein the restriction pin contacts the cam and restricts the disengagement of the engaging pin from the guide groove of the cam when the second functional unit is located at the operational position.

8. The structure according to claim 4, wherein the first functional unit includes:

an arm arranged under the functional plane;

an arm shaft pivotally supporting the arm;

a hook arranged on the arm; and

a plate spring for urging the arm toward the functional plane; and

wherein the holder includes;

a hooking portion engaged with the hook when the first functional unit is located at the operational position to restrict further pivoting of the first functional unit.

9. The structure according to claim 8, wherein the operational position of the first functional unit is one of a first operational position and a second operational position, wherein the arm has a button extending through the functional plane, and wherein the hook engages the hooking portion when the first functional unit is located at the first operational position, and by pushing the button against the urging force of the plate spring when the first functional unit is located at the first operational position, the hook is disengaged from the hooking portion to permit further pivoting of the first functional unit to the second operational position.

10. The structure according to claim 9, wherein the functional device of the first functional unit includes a plurality of switches, wherein the switches are grouped into a first switch group, which is exposed from the panel when the first functional unit is located at any one of the first operational position and the second operational position, and a second switch group, which is exposed from the panel only when the first functional unit is located at the second operational position.

11. The structure according to claim 10, wherein the first functional unit includes a lighting device for illuminating the switches.

12. The structure according to claim 7, wherein the first functional unit includes:

an arm arranged under the functional plane;

an arm shaft pivotally supporting the arm;

a hook arranged on the arm; and

a plate spring for urging the arm toward the functional plane; and

wherein the holder includes;

a hooking portion engaged with the hook when the first functional unit is located at the operational position to restrict further pivoting of the first functional unit.

13. The structure according to claim 12, wherein the operational position of the first functional unit is one of a first operational position and a second operational position, wherein the arm has a button extending through the functional plane, and wherein the hook engages the hooking portion when the first functional unit is located at the first operational position, and by pushing the button against the urging force of the plate spring when the first functional unit is located at the first operational position, the hook is disengaged from the hooking portion to permit further pivoting of the first functional unit to the second operational position.

14. The structure according to claim 13, wherein the functional device of the first functional unit includes a plurality of switches, wherein the switches are grouped into a first switch group, which is exposed from the panel when the first functional unit is located at any one of the first operational position and the second operational position, and a second switch group, which is exposed from the panel only when the first functional unit is located at the second operational position.

15. The structure according to claim 14, wherein the first functional unit includes a lighting device for illuminating the switches.

16. The structure according to claim 15, wherein the second functional unit is an accommodating case for accommodating an object, and the functional plane of the accommodating case is opened to permit insertion and removal of the object through the functional plane.

17. The structure according to claim 16, wherein the panel includes an instrument panel.

18. A structure for holding a functional device in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the structure comprising:

a switchboard arranged on a panel in the passenger compartment, wherein the switchboard includes a functional device;

an accommodating case arranged adjacent to the switchboard;

a holder for holding the switchboard and the accommodating case in the panel;

a common shaft shared by the switchboard and the accommodating case and pivotally supporting the switchboard and the accommodating case, wherein the switchboard and the accommodating case are each pivoted about the common shaft between a retracted position and an operational position, the switchboard and the accommodating case each being accommodated in the panel when located at the retracted position and being exposed from the panel when located at the operational position, wherein the switchboard remains at the retracted position when the accommodating case is located at the operational position;

a first spring connecting the switchboard and the accommodating case to each other and urging the accommodating case toward the operational position, wherein the first spring pivots the accommodating case integrally with the switchboard when the switchboard is pivoted between the retracted position and the operational position;

a second spring for connecting the switchboard and the holder to each other and urging the switchboard toward the operational position;

a lever connected to the switchboard and having an engaging pin;

a cam pivotally supported on the holder and having a guide groove that engages the engaging pin;

a third spring for urging the cam in a predetermined direction to arrange the switchboard at the operational position, wherein the third spring engages the engaging pin with the guide groove to hold the switchboard at the retracted position, and wherein, when the lever is moved against the urging force of the third spring, the engaging pin is disengaged from the guide groove and the urging force of the second spring moves the switchboard to the operational position; and

a restriction pin arranged on the accommodating case, wherein the restriction pin contacts the cam and restricts the disengagement of the engaging pin from the guide groove of the cam when the accommodating case is located at the operational position.

19. The structure according to claim 18, wherein the switchboard includes:

an arm arranged under the functional device;

an arm shaft pivotally supporting the arm;

a hook arranged on the arm; and

a plate spring for urging the arm toward the functional device; and

wherein the holder includes;

a hooking portion engaged with the hook when the switchboard is located at the operational position to restrict further pivoting of the switchboard.

20. The structure according to claim 19, wherein the operational position of the switchboard is one of a first operational position and a second operational position, wherein the arm has a button, and wherein the hook engages the hooking portion when the switchboard is located at the first operational position, and by pushing the button against the urging force of the plate spring when the switchboard is located at the first operational position, the hook is disengaged from the hooking portion to permit further pivoting of the switchboard to the second operational position.

21. The structure according to claim 20, wherein the functional device of the switchboard includes a plurality of switches, wherein the switches are grouped into a first switch group, which is exposed from the panel when the switchboard is located at any one of the first operational position and the second operational position, and a second switch group, which is exposed from the panel only when the switchboard is located at the second operational position.