Patent Description:
The trunk of vehicles may be a space in the cabin of the vehicle. It is common to use a blind to separate the space of the trunk from the rest of the cabin. The blind hides the content of the trunk and may avoid that luggage moves in the cabin, in particular in case of an accident. Blinds may be rollers which may be rolled in and stored in a cassette when not in use.

From <CIT>, it is known to provide vehicle with a receiving geometry for a roller blind cassette. A sled being movable along a horizontal rail is configured to be attached to the roller blind for pulling the roller blind out of the cassette. The sled has a locking portion and an attachment portion that may be attached to the roller blind. For locking the cassette, the sled is moved along the rail towards the cassette until the locking portion engages the cassette to lock the cassette to the trunk. Then the locking portion is detached from the sled. For pulling out the roller blind, the sled only moves the attachment portion away from the cassette.

The technical object of the invention may be to provide an improved device for locking a roller blind cassette on a trunk of a vehicle that is cost effective, easy to handle and that has an improved user convenience.

Claims <NUM> and <NUM> indicate the main features of the invention. Features of embodiments of the invention are subject of claims <NUM> to <NUM> and <NUM> to <NUM>.

In an aspect of the invention, a device for locking a roller blind cassette on a trunk of a vehicle is provided, the device comprising: a rail extending at least partially along the trunk, a sled being attached to the rail in a sliding manner and being configured to guide a roller blind section from the roller blind cassette along the rail, a locking element for locking the roller blind cassette on the trunk, the locking element being movable between a locking position and an unlocking position, an actuation element for actuating the locking element, wherein the actuation element comprises a contact section being arranged in a portion of the rail, wherein the actuation element is movable by the sled between a first position and a second position, when the sled moves along the portion of the rail and contacts the contact section, wherein the actuation element is configured to move the locking element from the locking position to the unlocking position, when moving from the first position to the second position.

According to the invention the device for locking the roller blind cassette on a trunk of a vehicle comprises an actuation element that is configured to move the locking element in a rotating manner when the sled contacts the contact section of the actuation element and moves the actuation element from the first position to the second position. The sled is driven along a rail that has a portion extending along the trunk. The sled may be arranged on the rail in a sliding manner. Thus the sled may move along the rail. Furthermore, the sled may be connected to the rail such that the sled cannot move in another direction but along the rail. A roller blind bar may for example be connected to the sled. The roller blind bar may e.g. receive an end portion of the roller blind to attach roller blind to the sled. The actuation element comprises a contact section that is arranged on the portion of the rail. The contact section arranged such that the sled when moving along the portion of the rail will contact the contact section, i.e. the contact section is arranged in the moving path of the sled. By contacting the contact section, the sled can move the actuation element. Without any contact between the sled and the actuation element, the actuation element may be in the first position. When the actuation element is in the first position, the locking element is in the locking position. In the locking position, the locking element locks the roller blind cassette to the trunk. When contacting the contact section, the sled shifts the actuation element from the first position to the second position. While moving the actuation element from the first position to the second position, the locking element is moved from the locking position to the unlocking positon. In the unlocking position, the roller blind cassette may be coupled to or released from the trunk. Thus, by moving the sled along the portion of the rail, the roller blind cassette can be unlocked in an easy manner. Furthermore, the device is simple to mount and does not comprise complex part. Thus, the device is cost effective. Furthermore, the device is very convenient for a user since the user does not have to unlock the roller blind cassette manually.

In an example, the locking element may be movable in a rotating manner.

The locking element may therefore perform a pivot movement when moving between the locking position and the unlocking position.

In an example the locking element may comprise a screw drive, wherein the actuation element comprises a threaded opening which is engaged to the screw drive such that a movement of the actuation element between the first position and the second position turns the screw drive that rotates the locking element between the locking position and the unlocking position.

Providing a screw drive is a simple but effective way to transform a linear movement of the actuation element into a pivot movement of the locking element. The screw drive may comprises a threaded shaft. The thread of the shaft may engage with the thread of the opening of the actuation element.

In another example, at least a portion of the screw drive may extend parallel to the rail.

The parallel extension of the screw drive to the rail reduces any bending forces on the screw drive during the shift of the actuation element.

Furthermore, the locking element may for example comprise a locking hook element for engaging and locking a roller blind cassette, when the locking element is in the locking position.

The actuation element may for example further be movable by the sled into a third position being different from the first and second position, wherein the actuation element is configured to move the locking element into a presenting position, when moving into the third position.

The actuation element may reach the third position when the sled shifts the actuation element from the first position past the second position. The actuation element may then move the locking element from the unlocking position to the presenting position. In the presenting position, the locking element may present the roller blind cassette to a user. The presentation of the roller blind cassette may mean that the cassette is lifted up, for example. Thus, the device may combine the locking and presenting function for the roller blind cassette.

In another example, the locking element may comprise a presenting hook element for pushing up a roller blind cassette, when the locking element is moved into the presenting position.

The locking element may be a lever with two arms. One arm may comprise the presenting hook element. The presenting hook element may engage and lift up the roller blind cassette when the actuation element is shifted from the second position to the third position, i.e. when the locking element is moved from the unlocking position to the presentation position.

In a further example, the device may further comprise a retracting element being configured to drive the locking element into the locking position unless the actuation element moves the locking element.

The retracting element may force the locking element into the locking position if no further forces act on the locking element, e.g. forces being caused by the actuation element. The locking position may therefore be the default position the locking element. The retracting element may further automatically drive the locking element into the locking position when the sled does not move the actuation element into the second position or, if applicable, into the third position anymore. Thus, the sled is not required to be configured to move the actuation element from the second position or, if applicable, the third position to the first position. The retraction element may therefore also cause the movement of the actuation element into the first position.

The retracting element may for example be a spring.

The spring force of the spring may be smaller than the forces caused by the sled on the locking element when the sled moves the actuation element from the first positon to the second position or, if applicable, the third position.

The device may for example further comprise a drive element for driving the sled along the rail, wherein the drive element comprises a Bowden cable extending along the rail and being attached to the sled. the Bowden cable may be attached to the sled. Furthermore, the Bowden cable may be arranged along the rail.

In an example, the drive element may comprise an electric motor for driving the Bowden cable.

In a further aspect, a vehicle is provided, the vehicle comprising a trunk, a roller blind cassette and a device according to the preceding description, wherein the sled is connected to a roller blind bar that is connectable to a roller blind of the roller blind cassette, wherein the device is arranged on at least one side trim of the trunk.

The effects and further embodiments of the vehicle according to the present invention are analogous to the effects and embodiments of the device according to the description mentioned above. Thus, it is referred to the above description of the device.

In an example, the side trim may comprise at least one receiving geometry for the roller blind cassette, wherein the receiving geometry comprises at least one opening, wherein the locking element is movable through the opening.

When moving through the opening, the locking element may engage a roller blind cassette being arranged on the receiving geometry to lock the cassette to the trunk.

The roller blind cassette may for example comprise a locking geometry for receiving at least a portion of the locking element.

The locking geometry may for example, be a recess on an end cap of the roller blind cassette. The locking element may engage the recess such that the roller blind cassette is locked in a form fit manner to the trunk.

The vehicle may for example further comprise a control unit, the control unit being configured to control the sled such that the sled may move from the first position to the second position.

The control unit may also be configured to control the sled such that the sled moves along the rail to pull out the roller blind from the roller blind cassette.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention result from the wording of the claims as well as from the following description of exemplary embodiments based on the drawings. The figures show:.

<FIG> shows a portion of a cabin of a vehicle <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> comprises a trunk <NUM> with a side trim <NUM>.

A roller blind cassette <NUM> is arranged on a receiving geometry <NUM> of the side trim <NUM>. The roller blind cassette <NUM> comprises a roller blind that is rolled up in the roller blind cassette <NUM>.

Furthermore, the vehicle <NUM> comprises a device <NUM> for locking a roller blind cassette on a trunk of a vehicle. The device <NUM> comprises a rail <NUM> and a sled <NUM> that is connected to the rail <NUM> in a manner that the sled <NUM> may slide along the rail <NUM>.

At least a section of the rail <NUM> may extend along a horizontal direction at the side trim <NUM> of the trunk <NUM>. The device <NUM> may comprise two rails <NUM>, one rail <NUM> on each side trim <NUM> of the trunk <NUM>.

Furthermore, the device <NUM> may comprise a drive element <NUM> that drives the sled <NUM>. A Bowden cable <NUM> may connect the drive element <NUM> with the sled <NUM>. The Bowden cable <NUM> may extend along the rail <NUM>.

A control unit <NUM> may control the drive element <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> may be connected to the drive element <NUM> via a wired signal connection or via a wireless signal connection. The control unit <NUM> may provide signal data to control the movement direction of the sled <NUM> and the start and the stop of the movement of the sled <NUM>.

The sled <NUM> may be connected to a roller blind bar <NUM>. The roller blind bar <NUM> may extend across the trunk <NUM> in a direction being transverse to the driving direction of the vehicle <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show the device <NUM> in further detail. The device <NUM> further comprises a locking element <NUM>, an actuation element <NUM> for actuating the locking element <NUM>.

The locking element <NUM> has a locking position and an unlocking position. For locking the roller blind cassette <NUM> to the trunk <NUM>, the locking element <NUM> may have a locking hook element <NUM> for engaging an end cap <NUM> of the roller blind cassette <NUM>. When the locking hook element <NUM> engages the end cap <NUM>, the roller blind cassette <NUM> is locked.

Furthermore, the locking element <NUM> may have a C-shape. Then, the locking element <NUM> may be a lever with two arms. One of those arms may be the locking hook element <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show the locking element <NUM> in the locking position. The locking element <NUM> engages the roller blind cassette <NUM> and locks the roller blind cassette <NUM> to the trunk <NUM>.

The actuation element <NUM> is arranged at a portion <NUM> of the rail <NUM>. The portion <NUM> may be an end portion of the rail <NUM>. Furthermore, the actuation element <NUM> comprises a contact section <NUM> on the portion <NUM>. The contact section <NUM> may protrude into that portion <NUM> such that the contact portion <NUM> is arranged in a moving path of the sled <NUM>. If the sled <NUM> moves along the portion <NUM>, the sled <NUM> will contact the contact section <NUM> of the actuation element <NUM>. The sled <NUM> then acts on the actuation element <NUM> such that the actuation element <NUM> may move parallel to the rail <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show the actuation element <NUM> in a first position. When the actuation element <NUM> is in the first position, the locking element <NUM> is in the locking position.

A screw drive <NUM> connects the actuation element <NUM> and the locking element <NUM>. The screw drive <NUM> may comprise a threaded shaft that extends between the actuation element <NUM> and the locking element <NUM> in parallel to the rail <NUM>. The threaded shaft is attached to a pivot axis of the locking element <NUM>. A rotation of the threaded shaft around its longitudinal axis causes the locking element <NUM> to rotate around the pivot axis between the locking position and the unlocking position.

The actuation element <NUM> may have a threaded opening <NUM>. The threaded shaft of the screw drive <NUM> may engage the threaded opening <NUM>. A movement of the actuation element <NUM> in parallel to the rail <NUM> causes a rotation of the threaded shaft <NUM>. This causes a movement of the locking element <NUM> around the pivot axis.

Thus, when the sled <NUM> moves along the portion <NUM> of the rail <NUM> towards the contact section <NUM> of the actuation element <NUM>, the sled <NUM> causes a rotation of the locking element <NUM> via the actuation element <NUM>.

A roller blind section <NUM> may be permanently arranged outside of the roller blind cassette <NUM> so that the roller blind of the roller blind cassette <NUM> may be pulled out. The roller blind bar <NUM> may be connected to the roller blind section <NUM>. Thus, the sled <NUM> can guide the roller blind section <NUM> along the rail <NUM> to pull out the roller blind from the roller blind cassette <NUM>. Pulling out the roller blind will cover the trunk <NUM>.

According to <FIG>, the sled <NUM> is connected to the roller blind bar <NUM>. Furthermore, the sled <NUM> is spaced apart from the portion <NUM> of the rail <NUM>, i.e. from the contact section <NUM>. The roller blind section <NUM> is detached from the sled <NUM>. The roller blind is stored in the roller blind cassette <NUM>.

According to <FIG>, the sled <NUM> approached the portion <NUM> of the rail <NUM>. The sled <NUM> is not arranged in the portion <NUM>, such that the sled <NUM> does not contact the contact section <NUM>. The roller blind section <NUM> may be attached to the roller blind bar <NUM> in that position.

<FIG> shows a more detailed view of the device <NUM> according to the situation in <FIG>. The locking element <NUM> is in the locking position and locks the roller blind cassette <NUM> to the vehicle <NUM>.

The actuation element <NUM> is connected to a retraction element <NUM> that causes a force that drives the actuation element <NUM> into the first position. The retraction element <NUM> may be a spring that pushes the actuation element <NUM> away from the locking element <NUM>. Then, the actuation element <NUM> is spring loaded. Thus, if the sled <NUM> moves in a direction away from the locking element <NUM>, the retraction element <NUM> forces the actuation element <NUM> towards the first position. Consequently, the retraction element <NUM> forces the locking element <NUM> into the locking position.

<FIG> shows the locking element <NUM> in the unlocking position. In comparison to <FIG>, the sled <NUM> entered the portion <NUM> of the rail <NUM> such that the sled <NUM> contacted the contact section <NUM> and moved the actuation element <NUM> towards the locking element <NUM>. The sled <NUM> moved the actuation element <NUM> from the first position to a second position. The movement of the actuation element <NUM> between the first position and the second position causes the locking element <NUM> to rotate from the locking position to the unlocked position being shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> show a cross sectional view across a portion of the side trim <NUM>.

The side trim <NUM> may comprise an opening <NUM>, wherein the locking hook element <NUM> of the locking element <NUM> is arranged on that opening <NUM>. The end face of the locking hook element <NUM> is flush with the portion of the side trim <NUM> surrounding the opening <NUM> if the locking element <NUM> is in the unlocking position as shown in <FIG>. The actuation element <NUM> then is in the second position.

The side trim <NUM> may further comprise a second opening <NUM>. The locking element <NUM> may then have a presenting hook element <NUM> for pushing up the roller blind cassette <NUM> from the receiving geometry <NUM>. The presenting hook element <NUM> may be arranged on the second opening <NUM>. The end face of the presenting hook element <NUM> is flush with the portion of the side trim <NUM> surrounding the opening <NUM> if the locking element <NUM> is in the unlocking position as shown in <FIG>.

The presenting hook element <NUM> may be another arm of the locking element <NUM> having a C-shape.

Furthermore, according to <FIG>, the receiving geometry <NUM> is empty and the locking element <NUM> is in the unlocking position.

In this position, the roller blind cassette <NUM> can be mounted on the trunk <NUM>. To mount the roller blind cassette <NUM>, the end caps <NUM> each having a locking geometry <NUM> are arranged in the receiving geometry <NUM> of the side trim <NUM>.

After mounting the roller blind cassette <NUM>, the roller blind section <NUM> can be attached to the roller blind bar <NUM>. The sled <NUM> can then pull out the roller blind from the roller blind cassette <NUM>. While pulling out the roller blind, the sled <NUM> will leave the portion <NUM> of the rail <NUM>. This causes the actuation element <NUM> to move into the first position. Consequently, the locking element <NUM> moves into the locking position as shown in <FIG>.

When moving from the unlocking position to the locking position, the locking hook element <NUM> can be moved through the opening <NUM> such that the locking hook element <NUM> protrudes into the receiving geometry <NUM>. If an end cap <NUM> of the roller blind cassette <NUM> is arranged in the receiving geometry <NUM>, the locking hook element <NUM> engages the locking geometry <NUM> such that the roller blind cassette <NUM> is locked in a form fit manner.

In the locking position of the locking element <NUM>, the presenting hook element <NUM> is sunk into the side trim <NUM>. the presenting hook element <NUM> is then spaced apart from the second opening <NUM>.

For unlocking the roller blind cassette <NUM>, the sled <NUM> is moved into the portion <NUM> of the rail <NUM>. When contacting the contact section <NUM> of the actuation element <NUM>, the sled <NUM> removes the actuation element <NUM> from the first position. The sled <NUM> moves the actuation element <NUM> into the second position. This causes the locking element <NUM> to move from the locking position to the unlocking position as shown in <FIG>. Then, the roller blind cassette <NUM> is unlocked.

If the sled <NUM> moves further, the sled <NUM> will move the actuation element <NUM> from the second position to a third position. This causes the locking element <NUM> to rotate further. The locking element <NUM> then rotates from the unlocking position to the presenting position shown in <FIG>.

While the locking element <NUM> moves into the presenting position, the presenting hook element <NUM> can be moved through the second opening <NUM> such that the presenting hook element <NUM> protrudes into the receiving geometry <NUM>. Then, the locking element <NUM> is in the presenting position and lifts the roller blind cassette <NUM> up. A user can then conveniently remove the roller blind cassette <NUM> from the receiving geometry <NUM>.

In the presenting position of the locking element <NUM>, the locking hook element <NUM> is spaced apart from the opening <NUM>. Then, the locking hook element <NUM> is sunk into the side trim <NUM>.

The invention is not limited to one of the aforementioned embodiments. It can be modified in many ways.

Claim 1:
Device for locking a roller blind cassette (<NUM>) on a trunk (<NUM>) of a vehicle (<NUM>), the device (<NUM>) comprising:
- a rail (<NUM>) extending at least partially along the trunk (<NUM>),
- a sled (<NUM>) being attached to the rail (<NUM>) in a sliding manner and being configured to guide a roller blind section (<NUM>) from the roller blind cassette (<NUM>) along the rail (<NUM>),
- a locking element (<NUM>) for locking the roller blind cassette (<NUM>) on the trunk (<NUM>), the locking element (<NUM>) being movable between a locking position and an unlocking position,
- an actuation element (<NUM>) for actuating the locking element (<NUM>),
wherein the actuation element (<NUM>) comprises a contact section (<NUM>) being arranged in a portion (<NUM>) of the rail (<NUM>),
characterized in that,
the actuation element (<NUM>) is movable by the sled (<NUM>) between a first position and a second position, when the sled (<NUM>) moves along the portion (<NUM>) of the rail (<NUM>) and contacts the contact section (<NUM>),
wherein the actuation element (<NUM>) is configured to move the locking element (<NUM>) from the locking position to the unlocking position, when moving from the first position to the second position.