Storage system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10744949-B2
Application number	US-201816214664-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 10, 2018
Priority date	Dec 10, 2018
Publication date	Aug 18, 2020
Grant date	Aug 18, 2020

Abstract

A vehicle including a storage bin and a restraint control system. An actuation assembly is configured to activate in response to a signal from the restraint control system. A tether is operable between undeployed and deployed positions and the actuation assembly is configured to deploy the tether over an opening defined by the storage bin.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle, comprising:
a storage bin;
a restraint control system;
an actuation assembly configured to activate in response to a signal from the restraint control system; and
a tether operable between undeployed and deployed positions, wherein the actuation assembly is configured to deploy the tether over an opening defined by the storage bin.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the actuation assembly includes a tensioning apparatus and a controller.

3. The vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the tensioning apparatus includes at least one of a pulley system and a wheel and axle system.

4. The vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the tensioning apparatus includes at least one of a linear actuator, a pretensioner, and a clock spring.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the restraint control system sends a signal in response to at least one of a collision detection, an airbag deployment, a seatbelt restraint activation, panic braking identification, and anti-lock brake activation.

6. The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising:
a cover coupled to the tether.

7. The vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the cover is configured to deploy in a vehicle-forward direction.

8. A vehicle storage system, comprising:
a storage bin;
a deployable cover coupled to a tensioning apparatus via a tether; and
a controller configured to actuate the tensioning apparatus to deploy the cover in response to a signal from a restraint control system.

9. The vehicle storage system of claim 8 , wherein the tensioning apparatus includes a seatbelt pretensioner.

10. The vehicle storage system of claim 8 , wherein the tensioning apparatus includes a clock spring operably coupled to a solenoid.

11. The vehicle storage system of claim 8 , wherein the storage bin includes a sidewall that defines a cavity in an upper portion of the sidewall.

12. The vehicle storage system of claim 11 , wherein the deployable cover is housed within the cavity when in an undeployed position.

13. The vehicle storage system of claim 11 , further comprising:
a flexible door extending over the cavity defined by the sidewall.

14. The vehicle storage system of claim 8 , wherein the tether is coupled to the storage bin on an opposing side of the storage bin compared to the tensioning apparatus.

15. A vehicle storage system, comprising:
a storage bin;
a cover coupled to a top portion of the storage bin, wherein the cover includes a tether coupled to a wheel and axle system; and
a controller configured to actuate the wheel and axle system to deploy the cover in response to a signal from a restraint control system.

16. The vehicle storage system of claim 15 , further comprising:
a guide member coupled to a top edge portion of the storage bin and configured to guide the tether to the wheel and axle system.

17. The vehicle storage system of claim 15 , wherein the cover includes a first cover panel and a second cover panel configured to extend from opposing sides of the storage bin towards a center of the storage bin.

18. The vehicle storage system of claim 17 , wherein the first cover panel is coupled to a first portion of a perimeter of the storage bin and the second cover panel is coupled to a second portion of the perimeter.

19. The vehicle storage system of claim 17 , wherein the tether includes first and second tethers that cooperate with the first and second cover panels, respectively, and wherein the first and second tethers are coupled to a same side of the storage bin.

20. The vehicle storage system of claim 15 , wherein an edge portion of the cover includes an elongated channel for housing the tether therein.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc
• Ford Global Technologes Llc

Inventors

• Andrus Michael James
• O'Connor Chris
• Carene Jim
• Villerot Amanda
• Muscat Sue

Classifications

• B60R7/04 Primary

  in driver or passenger space {, e.g. using racks (B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence)} · CPC title

• B60R5/02 Primary

  arranged at front of vehicle {(B60R5/003 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B60P7/0846

  winding up or storing of straps · CPC title

• B60J1/2019

  powered, e.g. by electric, hydraulic or pneumatic actuators · CPC title