Patent Publication Number: US-2023160249-A1

Title: Damping apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a damping apparatus, in particular to a damping apparatus for automotive interior furnishings, such as glove compartments. Furthermore, the invention relates to an automotive interior furnishing part having a damping apparatus, in which the damping apparatus is connected to a first, fixed component and a second, movable component in order to dampen the relative movement of the two components with respect to one another. Finally, the invention relates to glove compartments and vehicles having the aforementioned damping apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND 
     For many years, it has been part of the standard of vehicles, in particular passenger cars, for a glove compartment to be mounted in the interior of the vehicle in order to store documents or other tools securely in the vehicle. The glove compartment can be cooled or closable and can have many different shapes and colors. Most glove compartments share the common feature of a flap that opens under gravity as soon as a handle is actuated. 
     To limit the opening speed of the flap of glove compartments, damping apparatuses are commonly provided. Without such damping apparatuses, the flap would open too quickly under gravity, i.e., fall down, which in the worst case can lead to injury of the user. 
     Damping apparatuses for glove compartments must be designed such that the damping effect is not linear. This is precisely because the opening forces caused by gravity are dependent on the opening angle of the flap and, accordingly, they change during the opening process. Frequently, it is the case that the opening forces are relatively low at the beginning of the movement of the glove compartment flap and grow progressively. 
     For the aforementioned reasons, it is known to provide damping apparatuses based on oil dampers, which can accommodate different types of oil and opening diameters in order to achieve different damping effects at different times of the opening operation. However, the known oil dampers are complicated in construction and prone to failure. Furthermore, they are difficult to adapt to different glove compartment models and relatively expensive to manufacture. 
     SUMMARY 
     Based on the aforementioned problem, the problem addressed by the present invention is to specify a damping apparatus, in particular a damping apparatus for glove compartments, that solves the disadvantages of existing solutions. In particular, the present invention specifies a damping apparatus that is easily adaptable to different types of glove compartments and has low manufacturing costs. 
     Accordingly, the invention relates in particular to a damping apparatus for glove compartments, comprising an elastic element designed so as to be stretched by a relative movement of two components that are movable in relation to one another, whereby a damping effect of the relative movement of the components is produced. The damping apparatus further comprises a stopping apparatus designed so as to contact the elastic element during the relative movement of the two movable components and to deform such that, from the start of the contact, there results a change in the damping effect caused by the elastic element. 
     By using an elastic element, for example an elastic band, instead of an oil damper, the present damping apparatus is particularly inexpensive and easy to manufacture. The components can, for example, be the housing of a glove compartment and the flap that is movable relative thereto. The elastic element can be located at any point of the kinematics between the housing and the flap, wherein a movement of the flap opposite the housing leads to a stretching of the elastic element. 
     With the damping apparatus according to the invention, the stopping apparatus allows two or more different damping behaviors of the elastic element to be achieved. For this purpose, the stopping apparatus and the elastic element can move relative to one another, in particular, when the two components (e.g., the flap and the glove compartment housing) perform a relative movement. In some embodiments, the stopping apparatus is initially spaced apart from the elastic element such that it can initially be stretched (in the longitudinal direction) without any influence from the stopping apparatus as soon as there is a relative movement between the flap and the housing. After such a first stretching, the elastic element and the stopping apparatus have then moved towards one another such that the stopping apparatus comes into contact with the elastic element. In a further relative movement, the stopping apparatus deforms the elastic element such that its damping effect is changed. In other words, the damping characteristic of the elastic element during the first stretching (for example, longitudinal stretching) is different (e.g., higher or lower) than is the case after contact with the stopping apparatus. 
     After contact between the stopping apparatus and the elastic element, the elastic element can bend over or wrap around the stopping apparatus, for example. This bending/wrapping changes the damping effect of the elastic element. For example, this bending/wrapping can increase the damping effect per stretching length so that the flap is more strongly dampened with a progressively larger opening angle. 
     According to another embodiment, the damping apparatus comprises a lever element having a first end and an opposite second end, wherein the elastic element is connected to the second end of the lever element. The lever element can control the stretching behavior of the elastic element. In particular, the stretching behavior of the elastic element can be determined by the direction of movement of the lever element. In some embodiments, during the first stretching, that is to say during the linear stretching of the elastic element, the lever element can have a first lever length opposite the elastic element, while the lever length is changed, for example reduced, following contact with the stopping apparatus. For example, the lever element can be connected to one of the two components, in particular to the flap of the glove compartment, and can transfer the forces generated in doing so (when opening the flap) to the elastic element in different stretching phases. 
     According to a further embodiment, the first end of the damping apparatus comprises the stopping apparatus. The lever element accordingly performs a dual function. On the one hand, the lever element serves to transfer the force of the components moved in relation to one another to the elastic element. On the other hand, the lever element serves as a stopping apparatus for dividing the stretching of the elastic element into two phases, namely a first phase for linear stretching and a second phase for curving of the elastic element. 
     According to a further embodiment, the lever element is movably borne on the first component. In other words, the lever element is connected to the first component but movable opposite thereto. For example, the lever element can be rotatably and/or translationally moveable opposite the first component. For this purpose, the lever element can comprise a guide opening, which is configured so as to receive a guide element, in particular a guide pin, of the first component, wherein the lever element is rotatably and/or translationally movable opposite to the guide element. The guide opening can, for example, be configured as an oblong hole within the lever element and can thus allow a translational movement of the guide pin between a first and a second end of the oblong hole. The lever element can thereby be moved translationally opposite the first component. At the same time, the lever element can be pivoted through the guide opening opposite the first component (in particular opposite the guide pin). By such an arrangement, the effective lever path can be continuously changed during the movement of the components relative to one another, so that even during the first and second stretching, the forces introduced into the elastic element can be changed, as will be explained in further detail below. 
     According to a further embodiment, the damping apparatus comprises a shaft and a collar, wherein the collar is movable relative to the shaft, and wherein the elastic element comprises a first end connected to the collar and a second end connected to the shaft. The shaft serves as a stopping apparatus. According to this embodiment, there is a stretching of the elastic element due to a relative movement between the shaft and the collar. The shaft can have a dual function in this case. In particular, it serves on the one hand as the anchor point for the elastic element. On the other hand, the shaft provides a stopping apparatus, which can be used in order to change the stretching behavior of the elastic element. 
     According to a further embodiment, the shaft comprises a guide groove configured so as to guide the relative movement of the collar opposite the shaft, wherein the guide groove comprises a first, linear region and a second, curved, in particular helical region. The guide groove of the shaft defines the relative movement of the collar opposite the shaft. Accordingly, the first, linear region of the guide groove serves to ensure the first, linear stretching of the elastic element. For this purpose, the collar can only be moved linearly, for example along the longitudinal axis of the shaft, thereby resulting in a linear stretching of the elastic element. As soon as the guide groove is transferred into the second, bent region, there is a rotational movement of the collar opposite the shaft, whereby the elastic element is twisted. In a helical arrangement of the bent region, there is a simultaneous twisting as well as a linear stretching of the elastic element in the second, bent region of the shaft. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is described in further detail below with reference to the drawings. 
       The following are shown: 
         FIG.  1    a schematic view of a damping apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention during the first stretching phase; 
         FIG.  2    the embodiment shown in  FIG.  1    in a transitional phase, that is to say at the moment when the stopping apparatus contacts the elastic element; 
         FIG.  3    a schematic view of the embodiment of  FIGS.  1  and  2    in a second stretching phase, that is to say during deformation of the elastic element by the stopping apparatus; 
         FIG.  4    a schematic view of a damping apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in the first damping phase; 
         FIG.  5    a schematic view of the embodiment according to  FIG.  4    in a transitional phase, that is to say at a moment when the stopping apparatus comes into contact with the elastic element; 
         FIG.  6    a schematic view of the embodiment according to  FIGS.  4  and  5    during a second stretching phase, that is to say while the elastic element is deformed by the stopping apparatus; 
         FIG.  7    a schematic view of an embodiment of the damping apparatus according to the present invention in a first stretching phase; 
         FIG.  8    a schematic view of an embodiment of the damping apparatus according to the present invention in a first damping phase; 
         FIG.  9    a schematic view of an embodiment of the damping apparatus according to the present invention in a first stretching phase; and 
         FIG.  10    a schematic view of the embodiment according to  FIG.  9    in a second stretching phase. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS.  1  to  3    show a first embodiment of the present damping apparatus  100 . The damping apparatus  100  is shown in a home position in  FIG.  1   , i.e., with respect to a glove compartment, it could correspond to a closed position in which the flap is closed, i.e., abuts the housing. 
     In the embodiment according to  FIGS.  1  to  3   , a bearing apparatus  101  is shown, which, for example, is part of a housing of the damping apparatus  100  not shown herein. The bearing apparatus  101  can be connected to a first component of the vehicle (e.g., the housing of the glove compartment). 
     The damping apparatus  100  comprises an elastic element  102 , such as a rubber band. The elastic element  102  is connected to the bearing element  101  at a first end. At an opposite second end  106 , the elastic element  102  is connected to a lever element  104 . In particular, the elastic element  102  can be connected to a first connecting opening  108   a  of the bearing apparatus  101  via connecting elements, such as pins, rivets, or the like. However, the elastic element can also be connected to a plurality of further fastening openings  108   b ,  108   c ,  108   d  in order to alter the stretching behavior of the elastic band  102  during the opening of the flap. Accordingly, depending on the shape and weight of the flap of the glove compartment, the first end of the elastic element  102  can be fastened to different fastening openings  108   a  to  108   d  of the bearing apparatus  101 . 
     The lever element  104  has a first end connected to the second end of the elastic element  102 . A second end of the lever element  104  opposite the first end is configured as a stopping apparatus  110 , which is designed so as to contact the elastic element  102  during the movement of the first component (e.g., the glove compartment housing) and to deform such that, from the start of contact, there is a change in the damping effect caused by the elastic element  102 . For this purpose, the stopping apparatus  110  is configured so as to deform the elastic element  102 , as will be explained in further detail below. 
     In the first embodiment according to  FIGS.  1  to  3   , the stopping apparatus  110  is at the same time configured as a fulcrum by which the lever element  104  can be pivoted during the relative movement of the two components. 
     The lever element  104  comprises a guide opening  112 , which, in the embodiment shown herein, is configured as an oblong hole and extends along the longitudinal direction of the lever element  104 . The oblong hole  112  serves to receive a corresponding guide element  114  of the bearing apparatus  101 . The guide element  114  is fixedly connected to the housing of the bearing apparatus  101  and thus to the first component (for example, the housing of the glove compartment). The lever element  104  can be moved translationally towards the guide opening  112 , as well as rotationally opposite the guide element  114 . 
     The damping apparatus according to the first embodiment further comprises a tensile element  116 , in particular a pull rod. The tensile element  116  comprises a first end connected to the second end of the lever element  104 . In particular, the first end of the tensile element  116  is pivotally connected to the second end of the lever element  102 , for example via a rotary bearing. This rotary bearing also forms the stopping apparatus  110 . 
     At an opposite, second end  118  of the tensile element  116 , the tensile element  116  is connected to the second component (for example, the flap of the glove compartment, not shown here). For this purpose, the tensile element  116  can have a connecting opening  120  via which the second end  118  of the tensile element  116  can be connected, for example screwed, to the second component. 
     The tensile element  116  is guided on the bearing apparatus  101 . In particular, the bearing apparatus  101  comprises a tab  122  for this purpose, which fastens the tensile element  116  to the bearing apparatus  101  such that it is only movable in the longitudinal direction of the tensile element  116  opposite the bearing apparatus  101 . 
     In the following, with reference to  FIGS.  1  to  3   , the operation of the damping apparatus  100  according to the first embodiment will be explained in further detail. 
     As soon as there is a movement of the first component opposite the second component, i.e., the opening of the flap of a glove compartment, the tensile element  116  connected to the first component moves upwards (cf.  FIGS.  1  and  2   ), thereby inducing a translational and rotational movement of the lever element  104 . In particular, this occurs in that the tensile element  116  carries the second end of the lever element  104  configured as the stopping apparatus  110  along, namely upwards in the drawings shown herein, that is to say in the longitudinal direction of the tensile element  116 . The subsequent displacement of the second end of the lever element results in the rotation of the lever element about the guide element  114  as well as a simultaneous displacement of the lever element opposite the guide element  114  along the guide opening  112  configured as an oblong hole. 
     The translational or rotational movement of the lever element  104  results in linear longitudinal stretching of the elastic band  102 , which counteracts the movement of the tensile element  116  and thus the movement of the second component. In particular, the lever element is pivoted clockwise about the guide element  114 . As a result, the elastic element is stretched, because it is stretched out of its home position shown in  FIG.  1   . 
       FIG.  2    shows a moment in which the lever element has been moved so far that the second end of the lever element configured as the stopping element  110  comes into contact with the elastic band  102 . With a further movement of the tensile element  116  relative to the bearing apparatus  101  (upwards), the lever element  104  is further pivoted clockwise about the guide element  114 , wherein the elastic element is now bent over the stopping apparatus  110 . In other words, as soon as the stopping apparatus  110  contacts the elastic element, a second stretching phase occurs, in which the elastic element  102  is not only linearly stretched. Rather, in this second stretching phase, the elastic element  102  is bent over the stopping apparatus  110 , thereby changing the stretching characteristic of the elastic element. For example, the damping apparatus  100  is designed such that the damping behavior is steeper in the second stretching phase than in the first stretching phase. In other words, in the second stretching phase, a stronger return force is achieved by the elastic element  102  per length change than was the case in the first stretching phase (linear stretching). 
     In summary, through the relative movement of the tensile element  116  opposite the bearing apparatus  101 , a relative movement between the elastic band  102  and the second end of the lever element is achieved. The fulcrum formed as the stopping apparatus  110  between the tensile element  116  and the lever element  104  is a stopping apparatus  110  within the meaning of the present invention. This stopping apparatus  110  now contacts and deforms the elastic element  102 . From this point on, the elastic element  102  has a changed stretching effect. In particular, in the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS.  1  to  3   , it is increased from the moment of contact between the stopping apparatus  110  and the elastic element  102 . 
     Upon further stretching of the elastic element, it is now bent over the fulcrum (stopping apparatus  110 ) between the tensile element  116  and the lever element  104 , so that a higher damping effect is achieved. This so-called second stretching region is shown again more clearly in  FIG.  3   . This position shown in  FIG.  3    can be a position in which the glove compartment is fully opened. 
       FIGS.  4  to  6    show a second embodiment of the damping apparatus  200  according to the invention. In this embodiment, the elastic element  102  is fastened between two lever elements  204   a ,  204   b  that lie between the two components. The damping apparatus  200  according to the second embodiment also comprises a tensile element  216 , which is connected to the first component. For this purpose, the tensile element  216  comprises a fastening opening  220 . 
     A first lever element  204   a  comprises a first end configured as a stopping apparatus  206   a . A first end of the elastic element  202  is fastened to a second end  210   a  of the first lever element  204   a  opposite the first end. The second lever element  204   b  comprises a stopping apparatus  206   b  at its first end. A second end of the elastic element  202  is fastened to an opposing second end  210   b  of the second lever element  204   b.    
     The two stopping apparatuses  206   a ,  206   b  of the lever elements  204   a ,  204   b  are at the same time configured as guide pins, which are guided in corresponding guide openings  212   a ,  212   b  of a bearing apparatus  205  connected to a tensile element  216 . The guide openings  212   a ,  212   b  are each configured as oblong holes. The guide openings  212   a ,  212   b  extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tensile element  216 . The bearing apparatus  205  is configured integrally with the tensile element  216  and accordingly always moves together with the tensile element  216 , as can be seen for example by a comparison of  FIGS.  4  and  5   . In other words, the bearing apparatus  205  is also movable opposite the housing  201  connected to the second component (translationally up and down, respectively). 
     Each of the lever elements  204   a ,  204   b  comprises through-openings  214   a ,  214   b , in particular through-holes, that serve to rotatably fasten the lever elements to the housing  201 . To this end, corresponding fastening elements (not shown), such as fastening pins, of the housing  201  are received in the through-openings  214   a ,  214   b , about which fastening elements the lever elements  204   a ,  204   b  are rotatable. In other words, the through-openings  214   a ,  214   b  of the lever elements  204   a ,  204   b  constitute fixed rotary bearings about which the lever elements can be pivoted. The through-holes  214   a ,  214   b  do not move opposite the housing  201 . 
     A relative movement of the glove compartment flap opposite the glove compartment housing (not shown) leads to a relative movement of the tensile element  216  opposite the housing  201 . Due to this relative movement between the tensile element  116  and the housing  201 , there is a rotational movement of the two lever elements  204   a ,  204   b  as shown in  FIGS.  4  to  6   . In particular, when the tensile element  216  is pulled out of the housing  201 , the first lever element  204  is pivoted counterclockwise about the through-opening  214 . At the same time, the second lever element  204   b  is pivoted clockwise about the second through-opening  214   b.    
     The rotational movement of the two lever elements  204   a ,  204   b  leads to a relative movement of the second ends  210   a ,  210   b  with respect to one another. The relative movement of the two ends  210   a ,  210   b  is dampened by the elastic element  202 . Two stretching regions are also provided in the embodiment shown here. In a first stretching region ( FIG.  4   ), only a longitudinal stretching of the elastic element  202  occurs due to the rotation of the lever elements  204   a ,  204   b . The transition to a second stretching region is shown in  FIG.  5   . Here, the first ends of the lever arms  204   a ,  204   b  embodied as the stopping apparatus  206   a ,  206   b  contact the elastic element  202  and further deform the elastic element  202 , as shown for example in  FIG.  6   . 
     From the moment shown in  FIG.  5   , the second stretching region begins, in which the elastic element  202  has a second damping characteristic caused by the deformation on the part of the stopping apparatuses  206   a ,  206   b.    
       FIGS.  7  and  8    show further embodiments of the damping apparatus  300  according to the present invention. In particular, the embodiment of the damping apparatus  300  according to  FIGS.  7  and  8    corresponds to the second embodiment according to  FIGS.  4  to  6   . Accordingly, components of the damping apparatus  300  corresponding to components of the damping apparatus  200  have each been labeled with the same reference numerals but respectively increased by “100”. 
     Compared to the second embodiment according to  FIGS.  4  to  6   , the lever elements of the damping apparatus  300  are no longer formed linearly but rather are formed in a folded manner. In particular, the first lever element comprises a first leg  303   a  which is connected at an angle between 90 and 180° to a second leg  303   c  in the transition region  303   b . The second lever element also comprises a first leg  304   a , which encloses an angle between 90 and 180° with a second leg  304   c  in the transition region  304   b . Due to the changed structure of the lever elements in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , it is achieved that the first stretching region is longer than is the case, for example, in  FIGS.  4  to  6   , because the first ends of the lever arms configured as the stopping apparatus  306   a ,  306   b  only later come into contact with the elastic element. 
     In the embodiments according to  FIGS.  1  to  8   , the stopping apparatuses are each movably configured. However, this is not necessarily required, as shown by way of example in the embodiment according to  FIGS.  9  and  10   . 
       FIGS.  9  and  10    show an embodiment of the damping apparatus  500  according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a shaft  506  having a collar  504  is shown. An elastic element  502  is arranged between the shaft  506  and the collar  504 . 
     For example, the shaft can be connected to the first component (e.g., the glove compartment housing) while the collar is connected to the second component (for example, the glove compartment flap) via a fastening opening  512 . 
     A relative movement of the glove compartment flap (first component) with respect to the glove compartment housing (second component) leads to a relative movement of the collar  504  opposite the shaft  506 . 
     The collar is guided in the shown ridges or guide grooves  508  of the shaft. The guide groove  506  comprises a first, linear region  507  as well as a second, curved region  508 . The linear and curved regions  507 ,  508  are arranged in succession, in particular. 
     Upon a relative movement of the collar rearwardly to the right, in the view according to  FIG.  9   , there is initially a linear movement of the collar  504  opposite the shaft  506 , because the collar  504  is guided through the linear region  507  of the shaft  506 . Accordingly, the elastic element  502  is initially stretched exclusively linearly. This corresponds to a first stretching phase. As soon as the collar  504  reaches the curved, for example spiral, portion of the guide grooves  508  or ridges, it is moved translationally rearwardly to the rear and, at the same time, moved rotationally opposite the shaft  506 . The rotational movement causes the elastic element  502  to wrap around the shaft  506 , as shown for example in  FIG.  10   . Accordingly, the shaft according to the embodiment of  FIGS.  9  and  10    is a stopping apparatus that changes the stretching effect of the elastic element  502  by deformation of the elastic element  502 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  9  and  10   , the stopping apparatus (the shaft  506 ) is a static element of the damping apparatus  500 . Thus, only the elastic element  502  moves opposite the shaft  506  of the damping apparatus  500 . 
     The invention is not limited to use for glove compartments. Rather, it can also be used in principle for other apparatuses in which the movement of two components relative to one another is to be dampened. 
     The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the figures, but rather results when all of the features disclosed herein are considered together.