Console for placement in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle next to a vehicle seat, as well as associated arrangement and use

Abstract

The invention relates to a console (1) for arrangement in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle next to a vehicle seat as a seating option for a passenger (B), wherein the vehicle seat has a seat surface and a backrest surface, comprising: a rear part (1a) closer to the backrest surface when the console (1) is arranged as intended, and a front part (1b) further away from the backrest surface, wherein the rear part (1a) is designed to form an armrest for the passenger (B) sitting on the vehicle seat, and the front part (1b) extends cantilevered over a shelf (9) for receiving a mobile telephone when the console (1) is arranged as intended, and the front part (1b) forms a predominantly transparent window surface (2) to allow the passenger (B) to see the mobile telephone;wherein the front part (1b) includes at least one backlit control button (3a, 3b), such as a button for answering or ending a call, for controlling a function of the mobile telephone.;

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a console for arrangement in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle next to a vehicle seat. Typically, a console is located between the vehicle seats, which are arranged side by side in the transverse direction of the vehicle, and primarily serves as an armrest. Typically, this console also has at least one storage compartment, which is closed by a hinged armrest and is accessible by raising the armrest, so that, for safety reasons, the driver cannot see into this compartment while driving. Furthermore, it is known that one or more easily accessible storage compartments for a mobile phone are provided in the dashboard or the console. Usually, charging of the mobile phone and / or a data connection between the mobile phone and a multimedia unit is provided via an electrical connector associated with the storage compartment or an inductive coupling at the location of the storage compartment.This is possible with the vehicle's infotainment system. However, these storage compartments are usually positioned in such a way that viewing the mobile phone's display is, if at all, only possible to a limited extent. Furthermore, there is no way to operate the mobile phone with the hand resting on the console's armrest, thus preventing seamless operation with minimal distraction from driving.

[0002] A vehicle console according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from US 2010 / 0 090 491 A1. Vehicle consoles of this type are also disclosed in DE 10 2023 110 908 B3.

[0003] Against this background, there was a need for a solution for a generic console that would enable improved and space-saving integration of the mobile phone into the vehicle's operating concept by incorporating the mobile phone's display. This problem is solved by a console according to claim 1. Equally advantageous uses and associated arrangements are each the subject of the dependent claims. Advantageous embodiments are each the subject of the dependent claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the claims can be combined with one another in any technologically meaningful way and demonstrate further embodiments of the invention. The description, particularly in conjunction with the figures, further characterizes and specifies the invention.

[0004] The invention relates to a console for arrangement in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle next to a vehicle seat serving as a seat for a passenger, preferably between two vehicle seats arranged adjacent to each other in the transverse direction (along the transverse axis) of the motor vehicle. The vehicle seat has a seat surface and a backrest surface and is, for example, one of the front seats or a seat in the rear of the vehicle. The console according to the invention has the following: a rear part closer to the backrest surface when the console is arranged as intended, and a front part further away from the backrest surface. According to the invention, the rear part is designed to form an armrest for a passenger sitting on the vehicle seat and has, for example, a platform for the armrest, is shaped to resemble a forearm, and / or has a padded surface.According to the invention, when the console is arranged as intended, the front part extends cantilevered over a shelf for holding a mobile phone and forms a predominantly transparent window surface to allow the passenger to see the mobile phone. The front part includes at least one backlit control button, such as a button for answering or ending a call, for controlling a function of the mobile phone. The console according to the invention allows for improved and space-saving integration of the mobile phone into the vehicle's operating concept by incorporating the mobile phone's display, as this is visible to the passenger. Furthermore, the at least one control button enables remote control of the mobile phone, which facilitates the integration of the mobile phone as a user interface. Complex software solutions such as Apple CarPlay are not required. ® or Android Auto ®, which allow an infotainment system to use functions of the mobile phone without displaying the mobile phone on the vehicle's display surface, can be advantageously omitted.

[0005] Preferably, at least one backlit control button is arranged in an opaque frame of the front part.

[0006] Preferably, at least one backlit control button is arranged within the window area.

[0007] Preferably, the front part and the rear part have a common support plate, the rear part having a padded support forming the armrest and fixed to the support plate.

[0008] According to the invention, the window surface is formed by at least one transparent plate, wherein the console comprises at least one light source which is arranged for the lateral coupling of light into the transparent plate.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the window surface is formed by a stack of transparent plates made of a transparent material, such as a transparent plastic or glass material, wherein the transparent plates are spaced apart by an air gap. For example, at least one plate is provided with a conductive coating to form electrodes for touch detection.

[0010] Preferably, at least one control button is associated with a luminous surface within the window area, wherein the luminous surface is formed by a microstructured surface area of ​​the transparent plate. For example, the microstructured surface area is designed such that it is not visible to the naked eye when no light is coupled into the associated transparent plate due to an inactive light source, and thus the control button located within the window area appears to disappear.

[0011] Preferably, the control button is assigned a contact surface monitored for touch or proximity by capacitive touch sensors, or an actuation surface monitored for activation by capacitive force sensors. In the case of multiple control buttons, these are separated from each other, for example, by a haptic tactile aid.

[0012] Preferably, the console according to the invention includes an actuator for generating haptic feedback, for example, upon touching, approaching, and / or actuating the at least one control button. Furthermore, preferred embodiments are included in which a provided electromagnetic, piezoelectric, or electrostatic actuator for generating haptic feedback is controlled by a capacitive, spatially resolved detection system for haptic recognition of a boundary of the actuating area, thus generating haptic feedback for haptic orientation.

[0013] The invention further relates to an arrangement comprising a console in one of the previously described embodiments and a shelf for receiving a mobile phone, wherein the front part of the console extends cantilevered over the shelf. The shelf is, for example, lined with an elastomer. The invention further relates to an arrangement comprising a vehicle seat in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle seat, a shelf, and a console in one of the previously described embodiments.

[0014] Preferably, an electrical connector associated with the storage compartment or an inductive coupling at the storage location is provided for charging the mobile phone and / or for establishing a data connection between the mobile phone and a multimedia unit or infotainment system of the vehicle. Preferably, the console also has at least one charging device for inductively charging a mobile phone placed in the storage compartment.

[0015] The invention further relates to the use of the console in one of the previously described embodiments in a motor vehicle.

[0016] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. These figures are to be understood as examples only and represent merely one preferred embodiment. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective side view of an embodiment of the console 1 according to the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective view of an arrangement 10 according to the invention from the in Fig. 1 console 1 shown and a storage compartment 9 for a mobile phone; Fig. 3 a view of the front part 1b of the invention, in Fig. Console 1 shown; Fig. 4 a detailed view of the front part 1b of the invention, in Fig. Console 1 shown; Fig. 5 a perspective sectional view of the front part 1b of the in Fig. 1 console shown.

[0017] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the console 1 according to the invention. The console 1 is designed for arrangement in the passenger compartment (not shown) of a motor vehicle next to a vehicle seat (not shown) serving as a seat for a passenger, preferably between two vehicle seats arranged adjacent to each other in the transverse direction (along the transverse axis) of the motor vehicle. The vehicle seat has a seat surface and a backrest surface and is, for example, one of the front seats or a seat in the rear of the vehicle. The console 1 according to the invention has the following: a rear part 1a, which, when the console 1 is arranged as intended, is closer to the backrest surface of the vehicle seat, and a front part 1b, which is further away from the backrest surface of the vehicle seat.The rear part 1a of the console 1 is designed to form an armrest for a passenger B seated in the vehicle and has a platform for the armrest formed by a padded support 4. In detail, the front part 1b and the rear part 1a share a common support plate 6 extending continuously from the rear part 1a to the front part 1b, with the rear part 1a having the padded support 4, which forms the armrest and is fixed to the support plate 6. When the console 1 is arranged as intended, the front part 1b extends cantilevered over a shelf 9 for receiving a mobile telephone (not shown), as is the case in [reference missing]. Fig. Figure 2 shows that an electrical connector associated with storage compartment 9 or an inductive coupling at the location of storage compartment 9 is provided for charging the mobile phone and / or for establishing a data connection between the mobile phone and a multimedia unit or infotainment system of the vehicle. For example, console 1 also has a charging device for inductively charging a mobile phone located in storage compartment 9.

[0018] The front part 1b forms a predominantly transparent window surface 2, framed by an opaque border 5, to allow the passenger B to view the mobile phone. The front part includes several backlit control buttons 3a, 3b, such as a button for answering or ending a call, for controlling a function of the mobile phone. The console 1 according to the invention allows for improved and space-saving integration of the mobile phone into the vehicle's operating concept by incorporating the mobile phone's display, as this is visible to the passenger B. Furthermore, the at least one control button 3a, 3b enables remote control of the mobile phone, which facilitates the integration of the mobile phone as a user interface. Complex software solutions such as Apple CarPlay are not required. ® or Android Auto ®, which allow an infotainment system to use functions of the mobile phone without displaying the mobile phone on the vehicle's display surface, can be advantageously omitted.

[0019] As the Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, several backlit control buttons 3b are arranged in an opaque frame 5 of the front part 1b of the console 1. In addition, several backlit control buttons 3a are arranged within the window area 2. The illuminated area belonging to each control button 3a is formed by a microstructured surface area of ​​a transparent plate 5 that forms the window area 2. As shown in Figure 4, several backlit control buttons 3b are arranged within the window area 2. Fig. As can be seen in Figure 5, the window surface 2 is formed by several transparent plates 7 arranged in a stack, wherein the console 1 comprises at least one light source 11 which is arranged for the lateral coupling of light into one of the transparent plates 7. The microstructured surface area forming the control buttons 3a located within the window surface 2 is designed such that it is not visible to the naked eye when no light is coupled into the corresponding transparent plate 7 due to an inactive light source 11, and thus the control button 3a located within the window surface 2 appears to disappear.

[0020] How Fig.Figure 5 further shows that the transparent plates 7, arranged in a stack and made of a transparent material such as a transparent plastic or glass, are spaced apart by an air gap, for which spacers 8 are provided. One of the transparent plates 7 is provided with a conductive coating to form electrodes for touch detection. The rim 5 has a stepped support for the transparent plates 7, which is covered on the passenger B side by an opaque edge cover belonging to the rim 5.

[0021] Each of the control buttons 3a and 3b is assigned a contact surface monitored for touch or proximity by capacitive touch sensors, or an actuation surface monitored for activation by capacitive force sensors. Furthermore, console 1 may include an actuator (not shown) for generating haptic feedback, for example, upon touch, proximity, and / or activation of control buttons 3a and 3b.

Claims

[1] Console (1) for arrangement in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle next to a vehicle seat as a seating arrangement for a passenger (B), wherein the vehicle seat has a seat surface and a backrest surface, comprising: a rear part (1a) closer to the backrest when the console (1) is arranged as intended and a front part (1b) further away from the backrest, wherein the rear part (1a) is designed to form an armrest for the passenger (B) sitting on the vehicle seat and the front part (1b) extends cantilevered over a shelf (9) for receiving a mobile telephone when the console (1) is arranged as intended, characterized by, that the front part (1b) forms a predominantly transparent window area (2) to allow the passenger (B) to see the mobile telephone; that the front part (1b) includes at least one backlit control button (3a, 3b), such as a button for answering or ending a call, for controlling a function of the mobile telephone; and that the window area (2) is formed by at least one transparent plate (7); and that the console (1) includes at least one light source (11) arranged for coupling light laterally into the transparent plate (7). [2] Console (1) according to claim 1, wherein the console (1) is designed for arrangement between two vehicle seats arranged side by side along a transverse axis of the motor vehicle. [3] Console (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one backlit control button (3b) is arranged in an opaque frame (5) of the front part (1b). [4] Console (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one backlit control button (3a) is arranged within the window area (2). [5] Console (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the front part (1b) and the rear part (1a) of the console (1) have a common support plate (6) and the rear part (1a) has a padded support (4) forming the armrest and fixed on the support plate (6). [6] Console (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the window surface (2) is formed by a stack of transparent plates (7), and the transparent plates (7) are each arranged spaced apart by an air gap. [7] Console (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the control button (3a) is assigned a luminous area within the window area (2), and the luminous area is formed by a microstructured surface area of ​​the transparent plate (7). [8] Console (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control button (3a) is associated with a touch surface monitored for touch or approach by capacitive touch sensors or with an actuation surface monitored for actuation by capacitive force sensors. [9] Console (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an actuator for generating haptic feedback. [10] Arrangement comprising a console (1) according to one of the preceding claims, and a tray (9) for receiving a mobile telephone, wherein the front part (1b) of the console (1) extends cantilevered over the tray (9). [11] Arrangement according to the preceding claim, comprising an electrical plug connection associated with the storage area (9) or an inductive coupling at the location of the storage area for charging the mobile phone and / or for establishing a data connection between the mobile phone and a multimedia unit or an infotainment system of the motor vehicle. [12] Use of the console (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9 in a motor vehicle.

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