Shutter cup

A rotary shutter actuator comprising a retainer, a rotatable member, a plurality of shutters, and a dial. The rotatable member is supported by the retainer, and the plurality of shutters are swivelably coupled to the retainer. The dial has an opening and is operably connected to each of the shutters and the rotatable member. Thus, as the dial is rotated, the shutters move to and from a fully open and closed position. The dial also causes the rotatable member to rotate with respect to the retainer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to vehicular interior trim components having a rotary shutter actuator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many vehicles today have interior features that would be better served with the ability to be adjusted. By having the ability to adjust the interior trim component, the vehicle's occupant can adjust different features in the vehicle such as the air flow from the vehicle's ventilation system. By having the adjustable features, the interior trim component can be adjusted to the vehicle's occupant's satisfaction. However, the adjustable interior trim components do not always have sufficient adjustment capabilities, for example, a vehicle's ventilation system may only have a limited number of adjustments to control the air flow discharged by the vehicle's ventilation system. Thus, the vehicle's occupant is limited to the number of options for controlling the air flow due to the lack of intermediate adjustments.

By contrast, there are other interior trim components that are not adjustable and the vehicle's occupant does not have the ability to alter the interior trim component to satisfy their needs. For example, in many vehicles the cup holder, whether in the center console or in another area inside the passenger compartment, are normally one size and the vehicle's occupant does not have the ability to change the size of the cup holder. Thus, if the vehicle's occupant has a beverage container or other object that is larger than the diameter of the cup holder, the object cannot be stored in the cup holder. Similarly, if the vehicle's occupant has a beverage container or other object that is substantially smaller than the diameter of the cup holder, the cup holder does not do an adequate job of securing the object due to the size difference.

Therefore, it would be desirable to develop an interior trim component that has an adjustment mechanism with an infinite number of adjustments in order to satisfy the needs of the vehicle's occupant. The interior trim component can be used for example, but not limited to, an adjustment mechanism for the vehicle's ventilation system or a cup holder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a rotary shutter actuator comprising a retainer, a rotatable member, a plurality of shutters, and a dial. The rotatable member is supported by the retainer, and the plurality of shutters are swivelably coupled to the retainer. The dial has an opening and is operably connected to each of the shutters and the rotatable member. Thus, as the dial is rotated, the shutters move to and from a fully open and closed position. The dial also causes the rotatable member to rotate with respect to the retainer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. Furthermore, like numerals depicted in the Figures represent like elements that include similar features.

Referring toFIG. 1, a rotary shutter actuator is generally shown at10. The rotary shutter actuator10comprises a retainer12, a rotatable member14, a plurality of shutters16, and a dial18. The retainer12includes a recessed inner ring20, an inner wall21, and an outer ring22. In a preferred embodiment, the outer ring22has an opening with a first diameter23and the inner ring20has an opening with a second diameter25, wherein the first diameter23is larger than the second diameter25. The inner wall21connects the outer ring22with the recessed inner ring20. Furthermore, the retainer12has a plurality of retainer fasteners24extending from the outer ring22and extending away from the inner ring20. The plurality of retainer fasteners24are circumferentially placed around the outer ring22so that the retainer fasteners24are an equal distance from a center of the retainer12. Furthermore, a plurality of stoppers26extend from the retainer12in the same direction as the retainer fasteners24, and are circumferentially placed around the outer ring22.

The rotatable member14has an outer wall19and a diameter substantially equal to the diameter23of the outer ring's22opening. Also, the rotatable member14has an opening which is substantially equal to the diameter25of the inner ring's20opening. The rotatable member14has a plurality of rotatable member attachment points28that are circumferentially placed around the rotatable member14. Preferably, the rotatable member attachment points28represent apertures formed in the rotatable member14.

Next, the plurality of shutters16are arranged on a common plane to one another. The shutters16have an arcuate shape with a leading edge30and a trailing edge32. The shutters16also have a first end34and a second end36. A slot38is located adjacent the first end34. A shutter hole40is located intermediate to the slot38and the second end36. Furthermore, a tip portion42is at, around, or defined by a portion of the second end36of the shutter16. The common plane arrangement of the shutters16provides a compact shutter16structure, which minimizes the occupying space, both in use and for manufacturing and shipping purposes.

The dial18has a base46presenting an upper surface, and a lower surface opposite the upper surface. Dial fasteners44extend from the lower surface so as to define a circumferential pattern. Preferably, the dial fasteners44are integrally formed from the base46. The dial18has an opening48that is substantially equal to the diameter23of the opening in the outer ring22.

When assembled, the rotatable member14rests on the recessed inner ring20. Then the shutters16are swiveably coupled to the outer ring22by disposing each of the retainer fasteners24in a corresponding slot38. In an alternate embodiment, the placement of the slot38and the retainer fasteners44can be reversed. The dial18is then placed on top of the shutters16so that the dial fasteners44extend through a corresponding shutter hole40and a corresponding attachment point28so as to operably couple the dial18to the shutter16and the rotatable member14. Thus, the rotatable member attachment points28circumferentially placed around the rotatable member14, the shutter holes40, and the dial fasteners44circumferentially placed around the dial18all have a similar diameter and are aligned when the components are connected.

When the dial18is rotated, the dial fasteners44transfer the rotating motion to the shutters16and the rotatable member14. The rotation of the dial18causes the rotatable member14to rotate within the inner ring20. Also, the rotation of the dial18causes movement of the shutters16. Specifically, the dial fasteners44extending through the shutter holes40create a moment arm relative to the respective retainer fasteners24disposed in the slots38. It should be appreciated that the dial fasteners44can be fixed with respect to the rotatable member14and the shutters16or could be loosely disposed in the shutters hole40and in the attachment points28. As such, rotating the dial18causes the shutters16to swivel about the retainer fasteners24such that the slot38guides the motion of the shutters16about the respective retainer fastener24. Accordingly, the motion or swivel action of the shutters16is defined by the shape of the respective slot38.

It should be appreciated that the primary function of the rotatable member14is to impart a predetermined amount of friction between the outer wall19of the rotatable member14and the inner wall21of the retainer12and between the bottom surface of the rotatable member14and the inner ring20. Accordingly, in order to rotate the dial18, and cause the shutters16to move, the dial18must be rotated with a sufficient amount of force to overcome the friction between rotatable member14and the inner ring20and inner wall21. More importantly, the friction defined between the rotatable member14and the retainer12prevents inadvertent movement of the shutters16due to road inputs or the like.

The friction between the retainer12and the rotatable member14is created in numerous ways. For example, the friction is created by the surface to surface contact between the retainer12and the rotatable member14. Thus, the amount of friction is determined based upon the tolerance between the diameter of the opening of the retainer12and the diameter of the rotatable member14, and the contacting surface materials on the retainer12and rotatable member14. The friction between the retainer12and rotatable member14can also be predetermined based upon a secondary component which is described in greater detail below.

Referring toFIG. 2, in an alternate embodiment, the retainer312does not have the inner ring20. Instead, the rotatable member314is rotatably connected to the retainer312by the inner wall321. A groove41extends around the inner wall321radially from the center of the retainer312. Then an extension43extends from an outer wall of319of the rotatable member314into the groove41. Thus, the rotatable member314is rotatably connected to the retainer312, and the connection between the groove41and extension43creates friction which must be overcome in order for the rotatable member314to rotate with respect to the retainer312. Typically, at least two extensions43extend into the groove41in order to balance the rotation member314. Also, the groove41extends entirely around the retainer312so that the extension43continuously moves along the groove41, or the groove41extends along a portion of the retainer312so that the extension43does not move completely around the retainer312. Therefore, the groove41can be any predetermined shape or length in order to control the rotating motion of the rotatable member314.

In reference toFIG. 11, an alternate embodiment is shown where the retainer412has a groove45extending radially around the outer ring22. The rotatable member414has at least one extension47extending from the base of the rotatable member414towards the retainer412. Thus, the extension47is disposed in the groove45when the rotatable member414is placed on the outer ring22, and the groove45guides the motion of the rotatable member414. It should be appreciated that the groove45and extension47can be switched so that the groove45is on the rotatable member414and the extension47is on the retainer412.

In order for the rotatable member414to rotate with respect to the retainer412, the friction created by the extension47in the groove45and the surface-to-surface contact between the retainer412and rotatable member414must be overcome. Typically, two or more extensions47will be disposed in the groove45in order to provide a more balanced rotating motion between the retainer412and rotatable member414. Furthermore, the groove45can be segmented (shown in phantom) so that it does not continuously extend a complete 360° around the retainer412. Thus, the rotating motion of the rotatable member414is limited to the shape of the groove45, since the rotatable member414is prevented from further rotation when the extensions47are stopped by either end of the groove45. Therefore, the groove45can be any predetermined shape or length in order to control the rotating motion of the rotatable member414.

Referring toFIGS. 3-5, multiple shutter16positions are shown. When assembled the shutters16are arranged in a similar plane over the outer ring22for movement to and from a closed position (FIG. 3), an intermediate or partially open position (FIG. 4), and an open position (FIG. 5). Thus, as the dial18is rotated, the position of the shutters16is altered so that an aperture formed by the shutters16in relation to one another increases and decreases in size. The closed position of the shutters16is defined in several ways. First, the shutters16are in the closed position when a leading edge30of a shutter16contacts the trailing edge32of an adjacent shutter16. Thus, the shutters16are unable to move in a closing direction when the leading edge30is contacting the trailing edge32of the adjacent shutter. In an alternate embodiment, the shutters16are in the closed position when the tips42converge upon one another whereby each tip portion42substantially contacts each of the opposing tips42of the remaining shutters16. Similarly, when the tips42are contacting tips42of the remaining shutters16, the shutters16are prevented from further movement in the closing direction. In an alternate embodiment, the retainer fasteners24contacting the ends of the slot38determine the closed position and/or the fully open position. Alternatively, in reference to the embodiments shown inFIGS. 2 and 11, in which the grooves41and45, respectively, are segmented, the corresponding extensions43and47engage the ends of the segmented groove41and45, respectively, so as to define the fully open and closed position.

When the shutters16are in the intermediate position, the tips42are arranged in a circular pattern and the shutters16do not contact adjacent shutters16in such a way that prevents the movement of the shutters16. When the shutters16are in the open position, the tips42are diverged away from one another and the leading edge30of the shutters16is positioned in such a manner as to form the aperture or circular passage substantially equal to the diameter25of the opening in the inner ring20. The fully open position of the shutters16is preferably controlled by the stoppers26preventing further motion of the shutters16. Thus, as the shutters16move in an opening direction the shutters16contact the stopper26which prevents further movement of the shutter16in the opening direction.

In a preferred embodiment, a connection mechanism is created by the rotatable member attachment points28, the shutter holes40, and the dial fasteners44. In an alternate embodiment, the connection mechanism is any combination of the above components that operably connect the rotatable member14, the shutter16, and the dial18. Thus, a predetermined number of fasteners extend from any of the above components, and extend partially or completely into the remaining components. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the dial fasteners44are integrated with the dial18, such that when the dial18is molded the dial fasteners44are part of the mold. Also in a preferred embodiment, the retainer fasteners24are integrated with the retainer12. However, in an alternate embodiment, any form of attachment is used between the dial18and the dial fasteners44, such as but not limited to, a threaded screw or adhesive. Similarly, in an alternate embodiment the retainer fasteners24is, but not limited to, a threaded screw or a pin secured to the retainer12by an adhesive.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the shutters16comprise any desirable wear-resistant material. For example, the plurality of shutters16may include, but are not limited to, a single material or multiple wear-resistant materials. In a preferred embodiment, the structure of each shutter16comprises a suitable material that is resistant to fracturing or other wear from multiple pivoting and rotation movements during the lifecycle of the rotary shutter actuator10. Furthermore, the material of the shutter16needs to be resistant to an object being set on the shutters16when in the closed position. As described in greater detail below, the tips42contact and engage an article, A; thus, in a preferred embodiment, the tips42are made of an elastomer thereby providing a softer cushioning and gripping effect when the shutters16engage the article, A, but still positively secure the article, A. For example, the shutters16comprise a first material including, such as but not limited to, a thermoplastic resin having a Shore D hardness between about 60 and 80. However, in an alternate embodiment, the tips42are coated or molded with a second material, such as a rubber material, having a Shore A hardness between about 50 and 70. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the Shore A and Shore D hardnesses described and that any desirable materials having any desirable hardness may be used for the shutters16. Moreover, the shutters16include any desirable thickness, T. However, by increasing the thickness, T, the durability of the shutters16increase, and the shutters16are therefore less prone to damage when force is applied thereto.

In application, the rotary shutter actuator10is used as a selectively-adjustable close-out for any desirable component. Contemplated applications are, for example but not limited to, vehicular interior trim components. For example,FIG. 6depicts a rotary shutter actuated air vent100in an instrument panel102of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. In a preferred embodiment, the rotary shutter actuated air vent100includes retainer12, the rotatable member14, the shutters16, and the dial18. Thus, the rotary shutter actuated air vent100is placed over the end of an air duct or in the air duct with the dial18outside of the air duct, so that the position of the shutters16controls the amount of air flow exiting the air duct. In an alternate embodiment, the rotary shutter actuated air vent100is used with any suitable directional flow control mechanism150. Thus, the directional control150is placed behind the rotary shutter actuated air vent100so that the dial18remains accessible. The directional flow control mechanism150is used in a variety of ways. For example, but not limited to, a joystick152extends from the vanes153of the directional flow control mechanism150and through the aperture of the shutters16. Thus, the position of the vanes153is controlled by the joystick152, which directs the air flowing from the air duct. In another embodiment, a thumb wheel154is placed on the instrument panel102that is operably connected to the directional flow control mechanism150in order to change the direction of the flow from the air vent. However, any suitable means for controlling the direction of the air flow from the air vent is used in combination with the rotary shutter actuated air vent100.

In operation, when the user rotates the dial18as described above, a controlled amount of air flow passes through the rotary shutter actuated air vent100. When the user rotates the dial18to the fully opened position (FIG. 5), a maximum amount of air flow is permitted to pass through the aperture created by the positioning of the shutters16. When the user turns the dial18to the closed position (FIG. 3), the tips42of the shutters16converge upon and engage the joystick152to substantially prevent air flow from passing by the shutters16. Accordingly, any position between the fully open and closed positions are used for selectively adjusting the amount of air flow; for example, if the user turns the dial18in the direction that causes the shutters16to be located in an intermediate position (FIGS. 4 and 6), the air flow path is lessened to a greater extent than if the shutters were in the fully open position (FIG. 5).

An example of another application is where the rotary shutter actuator10is part of a container assembly, such as cup or beverage holders that are located within reach of a vehicle's occupant. In addition, beverage holders are used for other unintended purposes, such as but not limited to, containing loose change, cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wallets, and wrist-watches. Thus, conventional beverage holders may undesirably expose articles stored therein for viewing by unintended persons. In the present invention, the rotary shutter actuator10is incorporated with the container assembly allowing closure of the shutters16in order to cover or hide articles placed therein.

Referring toFIGS. 7-10, a rotary shutter actuated container assembly is generally shown at200. In a preferred embodiment, the rotary shutter actuated container assembly200includes shutter16and dial18of the rotary shutter actuator10. A retainer212includes a housing or container portion256having a cavity258. The cavity258is defined by the housing, a base or bottom wall260, the recessed inner ring20, and at least one side wall262. The side wall262extends perpendicularly from the bottom wall260to the inner ring20. In a preferred embodiment, the side wall262includes a circular shape to define the cylindrical cavity258. However, in an alternate embodiment, the cavity258has any number of side walls262. Furthermore, the retainer212includes stoppers26, and holes264circumferentially placed around the outer ring22. The rotary shutter actuated container assembly200also includes a frictional element266that is located on the inner wall21.

A rotatable member214has rotatable member attachment points28, and a plurality of teeth268that extend around the external circumference of the rotatable member214. Also a top cover portion270has a top surface272. In a preferred embodiment, the top surface272is a class “A” surface of an interior trim component, such as but not limited to, an arm rest or center console. In an alternate embodiment, the top cover portion270is a separate, decorative covering.

When assembled, the rotatable member214is placed in the retainer212on the recessed inner ring20. The shutters16are then placed on top of the outer ring22of the retainer212. Then the top cover portion270is placed over the shutters16so that the cover fasteners274extend through the slot38and into the container assembly holes264. Then the dial18is placed on top of the top cover portion270so that the dial is operably connected to the shutters16and the rotatable member214by the dial fasteners44, as described above.

Therefore, the rotary shutter actuated container assembly200operates in the same manner as described above so that the shutters16are repositioned between the closed position and the open position. Furthermore, the friction mechanism266creates a predetermined amount of friction between the rotatable member214and the retainer212. The friction mechanism266provides resistance against a possible free moving action of the shutters16due to, for example but not limited to, vibrations from the vehicle. An example of the friction mechanism266is a spring-loaded ball that is placed on the inner wall so that the ball is biased by the spring towards the rotatable member214. Thus, the amount of friction created by the ball and the rotatable member214is determinative on the strength of the spring that is used to bias the ball. Furthermore, the rotatable member214includes teeth268which engage the spring-loaded ball, so that as the rotatable member214is rotated, the teeth268push the ball away from the rotatable member214at the peak of the teeth268. Similarly, at a detent area of the teeth268the ball is biased into the detent area by the spring. Another example of the friction mechanism266is a leaf spring which has two ends mounted to the inner wall, so that as the rotatable member214is rotated the leaf spring is compressed towards the inner wall. Again, the amount of friction created by the friction mechanism266is controlled by the strength of the leaf spring. However, in an alternate embodiment, any suitable means for creating friction between the rotatable member214and the inner wall21is used so that the amount of force transferred from the dial18must overcome the friction of the friction mechanism266in order for the shutters16to change positions. Additionally, the amount of friction generated by friction mechanism266is dependent upon, but not limited to, material selection, tolerances between the components, and surface treatments of the components.

In a preferred embodiment, the rotary shutter actuated container assembly200has the capability to contain a variety of articles, which is shown generally at reference letter A inFIGS. 9 and 10. The article(s), A, are one or more, but not limited to, beverage containers (i.e. soda cans, cups, or bottles), writing utensils (i.e. pencils or pens), loose change, cell phones, PDAs, wallets, and wrist-watches. In an alternate embodiment, the cavity258includes a depth, C, which extends from the bottom wall260to a top portion of the shutter16. Accordingly, articles(s), A, such as a pencil, (shown in phantom inFIG. 9) or a soda can (shown in phantom inFIG. 10) are located within the cavity258.

When article(s), A, such as a wrist-watch, is placed in the cavity258and the articles(s), A, does not extend past the depth, C, the user may adjust the shutters16to a closed position, thereby hiding the article(s) placed in the cavity258. It is also contemplated that if article(s), A, have a height greater than the depth, C, of the cavity258, the dial18is adjustable to partially close the tips42of the plurality of shutters16upon article(s), A. Functionally, when the shutters16close upon the article(s), A, having a height greater than the depth, C, improved frictional retention of the article(s), A, in the container is achieved. For example, the article having a smaller diameter than the cavity258is positioned on top of the bottom wall260and when the user adjusts the dial18, the tips42of the shutters16close upon the article such that the tips42frictionally engage the outer surface of the article. Accordingly, the rotary shutter actuated container assembly200functions in a universal, one-size-fits-all, conformable holder such that beverage containers of different sizes and shapes placed within the cavity258are less likely to tip, thereby possibly spilling the contents therein.