Vehicle stowage bin

A vehicle comprising a stowage bin, an actuation assembly configured to actuate in response to an actuation signal, and a stowage bin closure operable between stored and fully deployed positions, wherein the actuation assembly is configured to deploy the stowage bin closure over an opening defined by the stowage bin.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a stowage system, and more specifically to a vehicle stowage system having a deployable cover.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Vehicle cabins may include designated stowage areas for luggage and passenger items. Stowage areas may include retention mechanisms for securing luggage and passenger items in stowage areas during standard driving conditions and dynamic driving conditions (for example, vehicle collisions). However, improved stowage areas and retention mechanisms are always desired.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle comprises a stowage bin, an actuation assembly configured to actuate in response to an actuation signal, and a stowage bin closure operable between stored and fully deployed positions. The actuation assembly is configured to deploy the stowage bin closure over an opening defined by the stowage bin.

Embodiments of the first aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:An actuation assembly including a driving device and a controller.An actuation signal input from a vehicle control module.A vehicle control module including a body control module.A vehicle control module including a restraint control module.An actuation signal including an input from a manual actuation.A stowage bin closure comprising a linkage assembly coupled to the stowage bin.A linkage assembly comprising a first portion disposed on a first side of the stowage bin, and a second portion disposed on a second side of the stowage bin.A linkage assembly further comprising a cover disposed between the first portion of the linkage assembly and the second portion of the linkage assembly.First and second portions of a linkage assembly, each including one or more links.One or more links each including a first pivot point disposed on the stowage bin and a second pivot point disposed on the cover.A driving device coupled to one or more of the links and causing the one or more links to move the stowage bin closure between the stored and the fully deployed positions.A driving device including a linear drive.A driving device including a pyrotechnic drive or a pre tensioner drive.A driving device including a linear drive having a first end and a second end. The first end pivotably coupled to the stowage bin, and the second end coupled to the stowage bin closure. The linear drive being selectively engageable to move the stowage bin closure between the stored and the fully deployed positions.A pulley system disposed between the linear drive and the stowage bin closure.A stowage bin closure including a cover having a plurality of slats disposed between first and second sides of the stowage bin.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle stowage system, comprises a stowage bin, a cover coupled to the stowage bin proximate top edges of first and second walls of the stowage bin, a linkage assembly disposed between the stowage bin and the cover and including first and second links disposed on each of first and second walls of the stowage bin, and a driving device disposed on at least one of the first and second links, wherein the driving device is selectively engageable to move the cover between a stored position and a deployed position.

Embodiments of the second aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:A deployed position comprises an intermediary position or a fully deployed position.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle stowage system comprises a cover, a stowage bin, and a linkage assembly disposed between the cover and the stowage bin and having a driving device configured to position the cover in a plurality of intermediary positions between a stored position and a fully deployed position, wherein in the stored position the cover is positionable in a cavity adjacent to the stowage bin in a substantially vertical position and wherein in a plurality of intermediary positions and a fully deployed position the cover is positionable in a substantially horizontal position above the stowage bin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference toFIG. 1, the term first side may be used to refer to a right side of a seated passenger58. The term second side may be used to refer to a left side of a seated passenger58. The term front refers to the front of a seated passenger58. The term back refers to the back of a seated passenger58. With reference toFIG. 1, the vehicle10may be any type of vehicle10, such as a car, a truck, a sport utility vehicle, a crossover vehicle, a van, a minivan, a taxi, a bus, an airplane, a boat, a rail car, a subway, etc.

With reference toFIGS. 1-14, a vehicle10includes a stowage bin14, an actuation assembly18configured to actuate in response to an actuation signal22, and a stowage bin closure26. The stowage bin closure26is operable between stored and fully deployed positions A, D. The actuation assembly18is configured to deploy the stowage bin closure26over an opening28defined by the stowage bin14.

Referring toFIG. 1, an interior30of a vehicle10is shown. The vehicle10may include a first seating row34and a second seating row38. At least one stowage bin14may be disposed between the first seating row34and the dashboard42. The vehicle10may be an autonomous vehicle. In an autonomous vehicle, the stowage bin14may be positioned within the vehicle10in a driver seat area46and/or a passenger seat area50. In various examples, in autonomous vehicles and other vehicles, stowage bins14may be disposed in various conventional seat locations of the vehicle10. In various examples, a first stowage bin14A may be positioned adjacent to a second stowage bin14B in the same row of seats. In various examples, a single stowage bin14may be disposed in a vehicle10at a vehicle interior location that is not a conventional seat location. A prime approach may be to locate the stowage bins14in place of the conventional front seats (for example, driver seat area46and/or passenger seat area50). However, the stowage bins14may also be located in the rear of the vehicle10or the middle of the vehicle10.

With continuing reference toFIG. 1, a stowage bin closure26may be disposed in a cavity54adjacent to the stowage bin14when the stowage bin closure26is in a stored position A. The stowage bin closure26may be disposed in a substantially vertical position in the stored position A. The stowage bin closure26is shown in a stored position A. In a stored position A, the stowage bin14contents may be visible and accessible. A seated passenger58is shown in the vehicle interior30.

Stowage bins14with deployable stowage bin closures26may provide a comfortable driving experience. With ride sharing services, shuttle vehicles, and the advent of autonomous vehicles, vehicle passengers may choose to bring their luggage and personal items into passenger area of the vehicle interior30. It may be more convenient to store the luggage and personal items in the passenger area of the vehicle interior30than in the trunk or behind a last row of seats in the vehicle interior30. Unrestrained luggage and personal items in the passenger area of a vehicle interior30may become projectiles in the event of non-standard driving conditions (such as vehicle collisions and erratic driving). Unrestrained luggage and personal items may impact passengers during non-standard driving conditions. During standard driving conditions, the stowage bin closures26may provide a more pleasant appearance in the passenger area of a vehicle interior30. Also, the deployed stowage bin closures26may create a surface on which passengers may place passenger items. Thus, the stowage bin14with a stowage bin closure26may provide vehicle passengers58with a generally safe, conveniently accessible location for containing luggage and personal items. The selectively deployable stowage bin closure26may passively contain luggage and passenger items in the stowage bin14during non-standard and standard driving conditions.

Referring now toFIG. 2A, a stowage bin closure26is shown coupled to a stowage bin14. The stowage bin14may include first, second, third, and fourth walls70,74,78,82. The first wall70may be referred to as the right wall. The second wall74may be referred to as a left wall. The third wall78may be referred to as a back wall. The fourth wall82may be referred to as a front wall. The first and second walls70,74may include top edge portions86that may be inclined upward from the third or back wall78to the fourth or front wall82. Also, the top90of the third wall78may be lower than the top94of the fourth wall82. Because the third wall78is lower than the fourth wall82, a seated passenger58may be able to conveniently lift luggage or personal items over the third wall78and into the stowage bin14. In the example shown, the stowage bin14includes a floor98.

With continued reference toFIG. 2A, the stowage bin closure26may include a linkage assembly102and a cover104. The linkage assembly102may include a first portion106disposed on a first side of the stowage bin14and a second portion110disposed on the second side of the stowage bin14. The stowage bin closure26is shown in a stored position A. The first portion106of the linkage assembly102may include a first link114and a second link118. The second portion110of the linkage assembly102may include a first link114and a second link118. The first and second links114,118may each include a first end122that may be coupled to the cover104. The first and second links114,118may each include a second end126that may be coupled to the stowage bin14. The first ends122of the first and second links114,118may each be pivotably coupled to the cover104. The second ends126of the first and second links114,118may each be pivotably coupled to the stowage bin14. A drive mechanism130may be coupled to the first or second link114or118and a wall of the stowage bin14. In the example shown, the drive mechanism130is coupled to the second link118and the first wall70of the stowage bin14. As will be further explained later herein, the drive mechanism130may be actuated manually or in response to an actuation signal22.

Referring toFIG. 2B, an elevational view of the third wall78of the stowage bin14is shown.

Referring toFIG. 2C, a side view of the stowage bin14with stowage bin closure26is shown.

With reference toFIGS. 3A-3D, the stowage bin closure26is shown in various positions relative to the stowage bin14.FIG. 3Ashows the stowage bin closure26in a stored position A. In the stored position A, the cover104is disposed along the back wall78of the stowage bin14, and the stowage bin14contents are accessible. The cover104may be disposed in a substantially vertical position in the stored position A.FIG. 3Bshows the stowage bin closure26in a first partially deployed position B.FIG. 3Cshows the stowage bin closure26in a second partially deployed position C.FIG. 3Dshows the stowage bin closure26in a fully deployed position D. The cover104may be in a substantially horizontal position in the second partially deployed position C and the fully deployed position D. In a fully deployed position D, the storage bin closure26conceals the contents of the stowage bin14. In the example shown inFIGS. 3A-3D, the first, second, third, and fourth walls70,74,78,82all have the same height. The first partially deployed position B and the second partially deployed position C may be examples of numerous intermittent positions between the stored position A and the fully deployed position D.

With reference toFIGS. 3A-3D, the drive mechanism130may move the cover104from the stored position A to the fully deployed position D in the direction shown by arrows I. Conversely, referring sequentially toFIGS. 3D, 3C, 3B, and 3A, the drive mechanism130may move the cover104from the fully deployed position D, to the second intermediary deployed position C, to the first intermediary deployed position B, and to the stored position A in the direction shown by arrows II.

With reference toFIGS. 3A-3D, it is contemplated a driving device130may be disposed at any of the second ends126of the first and second links114,118at which the first and second links114,118are attached to the stowage bin14. Also, with reference toFIGS. 3A-3D, in various examples, it is contemplated that the stowage bin closure26could be designed to move beyond the positions shown inFIGS. 3A-3D.

Referring now toFIG. 4, a block diagram of the vehicle10is shown. The block diagram shows the processes for actuating the stowage bin closure26. The block diagram may include the actuation assembly18for actuating the driving device130. The actuation assembly18may include inputs140. The inputs140may include an actuation signal144from the body control module (BCM)212, a stand-alone actuation signal148, and an actuation signal152from the restraint control module (RCM)252. The actuation assembly18may also receive inputs140from other vehicle control modules. A controller156may receive the inputs140. The controller156may include a memory160and a processor164. The memory160may include a control routine168. The controller156may deliver outputs172to driving devices130. The outputs172to the driving devices130may include an actuation signal22from the controller156for actuating the driving devices130. The driving devices130may include a linear drive176, a rotary drive180, a pyrotechnic drive184, and a pre-tensioner drive188.

Referring again toFIG. 4, during standard driving conditions, it is contemplated that the actuation assembly18may receive an actuation signal148from a stand-alone actuator150. A stand-alone actuation signal148may be generated by manual actuation192(for example, pushing a button196in the vehicle interior30near the stowage bin closure26or pushing a button200on a key fob) or by automatic actuation204(for example, a sensor such as a proximity sensor208).

With continued reference toFIG. 4, during standard driving conditions, a BCM212may also provide an actuation signal144to the actuation assembly18. The exemplary inputs216shown in the BCM212may provide input relevant to operation of the actuation assembly18. The door position220, the vehicle gear224, the ignition state228, and the accelerometer232may be inputs216that may be communicated to the controller236. The door position220input may indicate whether a vehicle door is open or closed. The vehicle gear224input may indicate whether the vehicle10is in park or another gear. The ignition state228input may indicate whether the engine of the vehicle10has been turned on. The accelerometer232may indicate whether the vehicle10is in motion. The controller236may include a memory240and a processor248. The controller236may include memory240that may include a control routine244. Based on at least the door position220, vehicle gear224, and ignition state228, the controller236may provide an output250in the form of an actuation signal148to the actuation assembly18to actuate the driving device130. In one example, the stowage bin closure26may move from a stored position A to a fully deployed position D when the vehicle10starts to move. An accelerometer232may detect the movement of the vehicle10. In one example, the stowage bin closure26may move from a fully deployed position D to the stored position A when any vehicle door opens, when the vehicle10is placed in park, and when the ignition is turned off.

With continuing reference toFIG. 4, the RCM252may also send a signal to the actuation assembly18. The RCM252may detect non-standard driving conditions. The RCM252may receive inputs256. The inputs256may include information from a deceleration sensor260and information from an impact sensor264. The inputs256may be delivered to the controller268. The controller268may include a memory272and a processor276. The memory272may include a control routine280. The controller268may provide outputs284. The outputs284may include the actuation signal152, the air bag292, and the seat belt pre-tensioner296. The RCM252may deliver an actuation signal152to the actuation assembly18. Thus, in one example, the RCM252may deliver an actuation signal152to the actuation assembly18to cause the actuation assembly18to move from the stored position A to the fully deployed position D during non-standard driving conditions so that items are maintained in the stowage bin14and do not travel around the interior30of the vehicle10.

The vehicle block diagram shown inFIG. 4may depict a vehicle stowage system210. The vehicle stowage system210may include at least a cover104, a linkage assembly102, and a driving device130. The driving device130may be selectively engageable to move the cover104between a stored positon A and a deployed position. The deployed position may include a fully deployed position D or an intermediary position. The intermediary position may include a first partially deployed position B or a second partially deployed position C.

The vehicle block diagram shown inFIG. 4is exemplary, and it is contemplated that the actuation assembly18may include additional inputs and outputs.

Referring toFIG. 5A, an example of a driving device130is shown. The driving device130may be a rotary drive180. The rotary drive180may include a resettable, load-limited clock spring300with a damper. The resettable, load-limited clock spring300with a damper may be deployed manually. As such, in the example show, the driving device130shown inFIG. 5may be moved between at least a stored position A and a fully deployed position D by a passenger58(see, hand of passenger58).

Referring toFIG. 5B, an example of a driving device130with a rotary drive180is shown. The rotary drive180may receive an actuation signal22from the controller156of the actuation assembly18. The rotary drive180may rotate the stowage bin closure26between the stored and fully deployed positions A, D.

Referring toFIGS. 6-8, an example of a stowage bin14and a stowage bin closure26with a driving device130that is a linear drive176is shown. With reference toFIG. 6, the linear drive176may be disposed on a first wall70of the stowage bin14. The linear drive176may include a rod304that is extendable and retractable in the directions shown by arrow III to push the stowage bin closure26upward towards a fully deployed position D. The rod304may telescope in and out of the linear drive176. The linear drive176may include a rod304that is extendable and retractable in the directions shown by arrow III to pull the stowage bin closure26downward towards a stored position A. With reference toFIG. 6, the rod304is shown coupled to the second link118of the linkage assembly102. With reference toFIG. 7, the linear drive176and the rod304of the linear drive176are shown disposed on the stowage bin14. The rod304of the linear drive176is shown attached to the cover104. The rod304of the linear drive176may be extendable and retractable in the directions shown by arrow III to push the stowage bin closure26upward towards a fully deployed position D. The rod304of the linear drive176may be extendable and retractable in the directions shown by arrow III to pull the stowage bin closure26downward toward a stored position A. The rod304may telescope in and out of the linear drive176.

Referring toFIG. 8, the linear drive176is shown attached to a pulley system308. The pulley system308may include a line312that is routed around two rollers316. The line312may be pulled inward in the direction shown by arrow IV by the linear drive176to move the stowage bin cover104from the stored position A to the fully deployed position D. The linear drive176shown inFIG. 8may utilize manual or other means to move the stowage bin cover104from the fully deployed position D to the stored position A.

Referring toFIG. 9, the stowage bin14with stowage bin closure26is shown with a pyrotechnic drive184disposed in the driving device130. An actuation signal288from the RCM252may actuate the pyrotechnic drive184. One type of pyrotechnic device may be a pre-tensioner.

Referring toFIG. 10, an example of a pre-tensioner drive188is shown. The pre-tensioner drive188may be disposed in the location of the rotary drive180ofFIG. 9. The pre-tensioner drive188may be a ball-in-tube retractor pre-tensioner. The ball-in-tube retractor pre-tensioner may pre-tension the stowage bin closure26by pulling the stowage bin closure26to move the stowage bin closure26to a fully deployed position D with a rotary motion of the pre-tensioner. A micro gas generator (MGG)320may act as an inflator by burning a propellant and driving aluminum balls324around a track328in the frame332of the device. The aluminum balls324may push against teeth336in the wheel340to cause the wheel340to rotate by transferring the linear thrust of the aluminum balls324to the rotary motion of the wheel340. When the aluminum balls324are spent, the aluminum balls324may enter a storage space344in the frame332.

With reference now toFIG. 11, an example of a stowage bin closure26with a see-through cover portion350is shown. The stowage bin closure26may include a see-through cover portion350that may be a transparent plastic350a. In various examples, the see-through cover portion350may also be a net350bor a mesh350c. It may be convenient for a passenger to be able to see the contents of the stowage bin14through the stowage bin closure26.

With reference toFIG. 12, an example of a stowage bin closure26is shown with a roll-top bin cover360. The roll-top bin cover360may move from a stored position A to a fully deployed position D. The roll-top bin cover360may include slats364that may extend across the opening368of the stowage bin14a. The ends of the slats364may be disposed in first and second channels372,376of the first and second sides of the roll-top bin cover360. A driving device130may be coupled to the bottom portion of the stowage bin14. The driving device130may include a push rod380. The push rod380may extend and retract in the direction shown by arrow V to move the roll-top bin cover360between the stored and fully deployed positions A, D.

Referring now toFIG. 13, an example of the tension-driven stowage bin closure26is shown. A tension force Ft may be applied to a string384or other connector attached to the bottom of the cover104. The string384or other connector may be routed around the top edge90of a third or back wall78of the stowage bin14. The string384may be pulled through a hole388in the floor98of the stowage bin14. The force F1may move the cover104from a stored position A to a fully deployed position D.

Referring toFIG. 14, an example of a compression-driven stowage bin closure26disposed atop the stowage bin14is shown. A force F2may be applied in the direction shown by arrow VII to exert compression on the cover104to move the cover104from the stored position A to the fully deployed position D. The force F2may be applied to a rod392or another stiff member.

A variety of advantages may be derived from use of the present disclosure. Luggage and personal items may be restrained in the stowage bin14during standard driving conditions and non-standard driving conditions. The stowage bin closure26may be placed in a fully deployed position D, a stored position A, and a plurality of intermediary positions between the fully deployed position D and the stored position A (for example, the first intermediary deployed position B and the second intermediary deployed position C). The stowage bin closure26may be automatically actuated based on signals from vehicle control modules such as the BCM212and the RCM252. The stowage bin closure26may be actuated by a stand-alone actuator150. The stowage bin closure26may also be manually actuated by a passenger58. The stowage bin closure may include a see-through cover portion350. The stowage bin closure may be positioned in the second intermediary deployed position C to restrain luggage and passenger items while minimizing the likelihood of an item (for example, the hand of a passenger58) becoming trapped between the cover104and the stowage bin14. As such, the vehicle stowage system provides comfort and convenience to a vehicle passenger.