Adapter device for vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12109948-B2
Application number	US-202218072007-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 30, 2022
Priority date	May 9, 2022
Publication date	Oct 8, 2024
Grant date	Oct 8, 2024

Abstract

An adapter device for a vehicle includes a rail unit installed in the vehicle and defining a moving path, and an adapter unit mounted on the rail unit to move along the moving path, with a connector for mounting various convenience equipment being interchangeably coupled to the adapter unit.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An adapter device for a vehicle, the adapter device comprising:
a rail unit installed in the vehicle, and defining a moving path; and
an adapter unit mounted on the rail unit, the adapter unit being configured to move along the moving path, a connector being configured to mount equipment to the adapter unit;
wherein the adapter unit comprises:
a main body having a coupling hole configured to receive the connector;
a plurality of coupling guide rollers coupled to an upper surface of the main body and configured to be inserted into the rail unit, wherein the plurality of coupling guide rollers are configured to guide movement of the main body along the moving path;
a rotary handle connected to the coupling guide roller, and configured to rotate the coupling guide roller to mount or dismount the main body on or from the rail unit; and
a plurality of buttons configured to guide movement of rail fixing members mounted on opposite sides of the main body, the plurality of buttons being configured to cause the rail fixing members to be drawn into the main body as the plurality of buttons are pressed.

2. The adapter device of claim 1 , wherein, when the plurality of buttons are pressed in an initial position where the rail fixing members protrude from the opposite sides of the main body, the rail fixing members are drawn into the main body, and, as the main body is inserted into the rail unit, pressure is released from the button to cause the rail fixing members to elastically return to initial positions.

3. The adapter device of claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises:
a coupling part including an insert member configured to be inserted into the coupling hole, and an operating handle that separates the insert member from the coupling hole;
a connecting part connected to the coupling part configured to be rotatable as the coupling part is rotated, and extending to a predetermined length; and
a holder fixing part coupled to the connecting part, and configured to allow angle adjustment and rotation of a holder for mounting the equipment.

4. The adapter device of claim 3 , wherein the coupling part comprises:
a ball member configured to protrude through a mounting guide hole formed in an outer circumference of the insert member; and
a lift guide provided in the insert member and configured to be movable up and down by elasticity, connected to the operating handle, and moving downward as the operating handle is operated, thereby guiding the ball member into the guide hole.

5. The adapter device of claim 3 , wherein the holder comprises a support member and pressing members for fixing the equipment.

6. The adapter device of claim 5 , wherein the pressing members are formed such that a distance between the facing pressing members is adjustable to correspond to a size of the equipment.

7. The adapter device of claim 3 , wherein the holder comprises:
a seat member configured to support the equipment; and
a receiving member positioned in a receiving hole provided in the seat member, and taken out from the receiving hole when the equipment is supported on the seat member, thereby elastically fixing the equipment.

8. An adapter device for a vehicle, the adapter device comprising:
a rail unit installed in the vehicle and defining a moving path;
an adapter unit mounted on the rail unit, the adapter unit being configured to move along the moving path, and a connector being configured to mount equipment to the adapter unit; wherein the adapter unit comprises:
a main body having a coupling hole configured to receive the connector;
a plurality of coupling guide rollers coupled to an upper surface of the main body, and configured to guide movement of the main body along the moving path while pressing and catching an outer circumference of a protrusion positioned in the rail unit; and
a button configured to guide movement of any one of the coupling guide rollers, and to increase a distance between the facing coupling guide rollers, thereby releasing the coupling guide rollers from the protrusion and dismounting the main body from the rail unit.

9. The adapter device of claim 8 , wherein, in a pressing state where a distance between the facing coupling guide rollers is larger than a width of the protrusion, pressure is released from the button, thereby pressing the protrusion and mounting the main body on the rail unit.

10. The adapter device of claim 8 , wherein the protrusion comprises a light guide for coupling an indoor light.

Assignees

• Hyundai Motor Co Ltd
• Kia Corp
• Kipp Gmbh & Co Kg

Inventors

• Kim Ji Ah
• Hwang Jin Ho
• Park Ji Seob
• Fischer Sascha
• Staiger Patrick
• Dettling Adrian

Classifications

• B60R2011/0028

  Ceiling, e.g. roof rails · CPC title

• B60R2011/008

  Adjustable or movable supports · CPC title

• B60R2011/0071

  using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like · CPC title

• B60R2011/0064

  Connection with the article · CPC title

• B60R2011/005

  Connection with the vehicle part · CPC title