console module, console with a console module, and motor vehicle with a console module or console

Abstract

Console module for a motor vehicle console, comprising a preparation device (10) for preparing a foodstuff, which has a closed receiving chamber (13) having an access opening (13) for the foodstuff with associated heating device (12), and a charging device (14) provided above the receiving chamber (13) for inductively charging an electronic device (16) to be placed on a charging surface (15).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a console module for a console of a motor vehicle.

[0002] It is known to equip a motor vehicle with a device for preparing food. An example of this is shown in US 2022 / 0 110 472 A1. There, a device for producing a beverage is provided as the preparation device, which device has a heating device for warming the beverage. The preparation device has a central device component that is fastened to a vehicle part, for example an interior trim part, via a vertical strut. Another strut extends horizontally from the central device component and carries a cup holder on which a cup, which holds the beverage to be heated, for example, can be placed. Furthermore, the preparation device can also have a charging device with a USB port, to which a mobile phone to be charged can be connected via a cable.

[0003] With the increasing automation of driving towards semi-autonomous or fully autonomous driving, vehicle occupants have the opportunity to engage in other activities, such as eating. Typically, a meal prepared or heated outside the vehicle is brought along and consumed in the vehicle. This requires that the food is either prepared externally and brought along, or purchased and brought along during a stop at a gas station, rest stop, or similar.

[0004] DE 10 2022 124 158 A1 discloses an induction device for a motor vehicle. This device can be used both as a food preparation device and as a charging device for inductively charging an electronic device placed on a loading surface.

[0005] DE 10 2017 127 008 A1 describes a pop-up console for a vehicle, which has a plurality of shelves arranged one above the other beneath a cover device. When the cover device is moved to open the console, these shelves are moved along a guide device, making the individual shelves accessible. At least one shelf can have a charging device for wirelessly charging a mobile device.

[0006] The invention is based on the problem of providing a possibility for preparing food in a motor vehicle that can be conveniently integrated into a motor vehicle.

[0007] To solve this problem, according to the invention, a console module for a console of a motor vehicle is provided, comprising a preparation device for preparing a food item, which has a closed receiving space for the food item, which has an access opening and an associated heating device, and a charging device provided above the receiving space for inductively charging an electronic device to be placed on a loading surface.

[0008] The invention proposes a compact console module that can be arranged on or in a console that is to be integrated into the vehicle, for example, a center console, or can be an integral part of such a console. The console module has two central components: a preparation device for preparing a food item, in particular a meal, and a charging device for inductively charging an electronic device, such as a mobile phone. Both devices are combined into a common unit in the form of the console module, resulting in a very compact overall unit.

[0009] The preparation device has a receiving space which is accessible via an access opening which is, for example, reversibly accessible via a flap, or is generally open, and is otherwise closed on all sides. In this receiving space or associated with it is a heating device which enables the heating of food which has been placed therein, for example in a container such as a bowl or a box. The heating device can be, for example, a microwave heating device or a radiant heater with a reflector, although the invention is not limited to this. This preparation device is arranged in the lower part of the console module. The charging device, in turn, is arranged above the preparation device and allows inductive charging of the electronic device when it is placed on a charging surface below which the charging device is arranged.Since the charging device is relatively flat, not too much space is required for its integration, resulting in a relatively low overall height for the compact console module.

[0010] Due to the compactness of the console module, it can be easily mounted on a vehicle console, ensuring the access opening is optimally accessible and allowing food to be heated to be conveniently inserted and removed. At the same time, the charging surface, which ultimately forms the top of the console module, is also easily accessible, allowing a mobile phone to be easily placed on it. It is conceivable that the charging surface could be dimensioned such that two devices or mobile phones could be placed on it; in this case, the charging device would be designed to charge both mobile phones.

[0011] The console module legally comprises a housing with a first housing section in which the preparation device is provided, and a second housing section in which the charging device is provided, the upper side of which forms the charging surface. The housing essentially forms the module body, in which the corresponding housing sections are formed, into which the corresponding devices are integrated. The lower first housing section, which has or defines the receiving space, is naturally larger than the upper second housing section, in which only the charging device is to be integrated.The top of the second housing section forms the loading area and can, for example, be covered with an anti-slip coating or overlay. The exterior of the housing can, of course, be covered with a suitable covering or covering adapted to the interior of the vehicle, such as a plastic film or leather. Of course, the housing can also be molded or injection-molded from plastic and painted in the desired interior color.

[0012] As described, the heating device serves to heat the food introduced, which naturally remains in the receiving space for a certain period of time to be gradually heated. This inevitably increases the temperature in the receiving space. To prevent this from heating the charging device arranged above the preparation device, a useful development of the invention provides for a heat-insulating layer between the two housing sections. This prevents a temperature increase in the receiving space from having any adverse effects on the charging device or its operation.

[0013] The layer is preferably a plate made of an insulating material. The plate has sufficient stability and can be designed accordingly in terms of its thickness. The plate preferably separates the first and second housing sections from each other, thus forming a ceiling for the first housing section and a floor for the second housing section.

[0014] Ceramic fiber wool, glass wool, or rock wool, for example, can be used as thermal insulation materials. The panel can be made entirely of these materials; alternatively, it can also contain these materials, meaning, for example, that the panel is made of a plastic material with one of these materials embedded in it, or something similar.

[0015] Preferably, a receptacle for holding the heat-insulating layer, in particular the plate, is provided on the housing. The layer or plate is accordingly fixed directly on the housing in the corresponding receptacle and can thus easily perform its separating function between the two housing sections. For this purpose, the housing can, for example, be designed in two parts and have a lower housing part which defines the first housing section, and an upper housing part which defines the second housing section. The lower housing part can have a first part of the receptacle so that the plate can, for example, be inserted into it during assembly, after which the second housing part is put on and, on the one hand, the housing and, on the other hand, the receptacle are closed so that the plate is firmly fixed.

[0016] It is also conceivable that the first housing section is lined, at least in sections, with a metal coating. This means that the inner walls of the first housing section, and thus of the receiving space, are provided with a metal coating, which allows for easy cleaning. For example, a lining with aluminum is conceivable, which can be applied as a coating or glued on as a foil, just as a corresponding metal insert can naturally also be provided as a lining.

[0017] Since the charging device can also heat up during operation, it is advisable to assign it a cooling device. This cooling device can, for example, be an electric fan that draws air from outside and expels air from the second housing section. For this purpose, corresponding ventilation openings can be provided on the housing or the housing part. Alternatively, the cooling device can also be a heat pipe. Furthermore, the housing can be provided with slots on the rear, which are preferably not visible, through which the heat can escape passively.

[0018] The invention further relates to a console for a motor vehicle, comprising a console body and a console module of the type described above arranged thereon. The console thus has a regularly elongated console body that extends, for example, in the front area of ​​the vehicle and to the rear between the two front seats. The console module can be attached in the area of ​​its front end so that it is easily accessible to the driver and front passenger. The console module can be prefabricated as a separate unit and attached to the console body, i.e., attached to it. However, it can also be an integral part of the console.

[0019] The console itself is preferably a center console, which is installed in the middle of the vehicle and extends in the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

[0020] Finally, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one console module of the type described above or at least one console of the type described above.

[0021] Further advantages and details of the present invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and from the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a perspective schematic representation of a console according to the invention with a console module according to the invention for a motor vehicle, and Fig. 2 a sectioned schematic diagram of the console module.

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective schematic diagram of a console 1 according to the invention, which is designed here as a center console 2. It has an elongated console body 3, on which a console module 4 according to the invention is arranged or mounted on top.

[0023] The console module, see Fig.2, has a housing 5, for example made of plastic or metal, with a lower housing part 6 and an upper housing part 7, which are placed on top of one another and fastened to one another in a suitable manner. A first housing section 8 is formed or defined in or over the lower housing part 6, while a second housing section 9 is formed or defined over the upper housing part 7. A preparation device 10 for preparing a food is provided in the first housing section 8, wherein the preparation device 10 comprises, on the one hand, a receiving space 11, ultimately formed via the interior of the first housing section 8, and a heating device 12, for example a microwave heating device or a radiant heater with a reflector. The receiving space 11 is accessible from the front via an access opening 13, wherein the access opening is permanently open.Otherwise, the recording room 11 is closed on all sides, i.e. in the area of ​​the floor, the side walls and the ceiling.

[0024] A charging device 14 for inductively charging an electronic device 16 placed on a charging surface 15—in the example shown, two mobile phones 17—is integrated into the second housing section 9. The charging device 14 is arranged below the charging surface 15. The device(s) 16 are thus placed on the charging surface 15 and can then be inductively charged via the charging device 14 as needed. Associated with the charging device 14 in the example shown is a cooling device 18 in the form of a fan, via which air can be drawn in from the environment through corresponding ventilation openings 19 and via which air can be expelled to the outside through corresponding outlet openings 20, as indicated by the flow arrows P1 and P2. This thus enables air exchange and thus cooling of the charging device 14, which heats up during charging.

[0025] Naturally, both the heating device 12 and the charging device 14, the cooling device 18, and the fan are connected to a power supply via suitable connection means, which are not shown in detail here, as they are, of course, electrically operated. Any cables are laid in a suitable manner or led to a corresponding interface, just as, of course, a corresponding control device or multiple control devices required to operate the corresponding components are integrated in a suitable position, for example, in the area of ​​the console body 3. The preparation device or the heating device can be operated by the user, for example, via control means provided on the console 1, such as a touch display, buttons, or rotary controls, etc., or by means of a remote control unit, or possibly a mobile phone.

[0026] Since the interior of the receiving space 11 inevitably heats up when heating food, the charging device 14 located above it must be protected from excessive heating. For this purpose, a heat-insulating layer 21 in the form of a stable plate 22 is arranged between the two housing parts 6, 7 or the housing sections 8, 9, separating them. The plate 22 is immovably received in a suitable receptacle 23 of the housing 5. This plate 22 is, for example, a plate made of ceramic fiber wool, glass wool, rock wool, or another heat-insulating material, which can be used to prevent heating of the interior 23, which is defined by the second housing part 7 and in which the charging device 14 is located. The receptacle 23 can, for example, be formed at the interface or connection point between the two housing parts 6, 7.A first receiving portion can be formed on the housing part 6 so that the plate 22 can be inserted therein during assembly, wherein a second receiving portion is formed on the housing part 7, via which the receptacle 23 is closed during assembly of the second housing part 7.

[0027] As described, the preparation device 10 serves to heat a food or a meal, wherein in the example shown, a container 24 containing a meal 25 is placed into the receiving space 10 via the access opening 13. The heating of a liquid, i.e., a beverage, is also possible. Since it cannot be ruled out that the receiving space 11 or the inner walls may become slightly dirty when heating the meal 25, the first housing section 8 or the lower housing part 6 is lined with a metal coating 26. The metal coating 26 can, for example, be a sufficiently stable aluminum foil or similar material. This metal coating 26 preferably covers almost all inner surfaces of the housing part 6, just as the plate 22 can also be covered with it. The metal coating 26 allows for easy cleaning.

[0028] If a meal is to be heated, the container 24 together with the meal 25 is placed in the receiving space 11, whereupon the heating device 12 is switched on either automatically or controlled by a user, so that the meal 25 is heated. After heating is complete, the container 24 can be removed from the preparation device 10 via the access opening 13, and the meal can be consumed.

[0029] As can be seen, console module 4 is a very compact unit that can be prefabricated as such. It combines the preparation device on the one hand and the loading device located directly above it on the other; both are integrated into a common housing. This allows for the best possible compactness of the arrangement, as well as very good accessibility to the corresponding devices.

[0030] The housing 5 itself can be covered on the outside with a covering, for example, made of leather or plastic or similar, depending on the interior design of the vehicle. Of course, the center console 2 or the console body 3 is also usually covered with such a covering, at least in sections. The loading area 15 can be provided with a non-slip or slip-resistant covering, for example, made of rubber or plastic, which prevents the device 16 from slipping when placed on it.

Claims

[1] Console module for a console of a motor vehicle, comprising a preparation device (10) for preparing a foodstuff, which has a closed receiving space (13) for the foodstuff and has an access opening (13) with an associated heating device (12), and a charging device (14) provided above the receiving space (13) for inductively charging an electronic device (16) to be placed on a loading surface (15). [2] Console module according to claim 1, characterized by that a housing (5) is provided, with a first housing section (8) in which the preparation device (10) is provided, and with a second housing section (9) on which the charging device (14) is provided and whose upper side forms the charging surface (15). [3] Console module according to claim 2, characterized by that a heat-insulating layer (21) is provided between the two housing sections (8, 9). [4] Console module according to claim 3, characterized by that the layer (21) is a plate (22) made of an insulating material. [5] Console module according to claim 4, characterized by that the plate (22) consists of or contains ceramic fibre wool, glass wool or rock wool. [6] Console module according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by that a receptacle (23) for holding the heat-insulating layer (21), in particular the plate (22), is provided on the housing (5). [7] Console module according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized by that the first housing section (8) is lined at least in sections with a metal coating (26). [8] Console module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the charging device (14) is assigned a cooling device (18). [9] Console module according to claim 8, characterized by that the cooling device is an electric fan (18) or a heat pipe. [10] Console for a motor vehicle, comprising a console body (3) and a console module (4) arranged thereon according to one of the preceding claims. [11] Console according to claim 10, characterized by that it is a center console (2). [12] Motor vehicle, comprising at least one console module (4) according to one of claims 1 to 9 or at least one console (1) according to claim 10 or 11.

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