Interior trim component and motor vehicle

Abstract

Interior trim component (1) for a motor vehicle (3), wherein the interior trim component (1) comprises a trim section (4) covering a wall section of the motor vehicle (3) and a mounting device (6) for mounting a heated ice scraper (10), comprising a scraping section (14) and a handle section (15), wherein the mounting device (6) is a receptacle (7) extending into the interior of the trim section (4), accessible via an access opening (8), into which the ice scraper (10) can be inserted and from which it can be removed, and wherein the receptacle (7) has a connecting means (20) connected or connectable to an electrical power source, wherein the ice scraper (10) has a contact means (19) for detachably connecting to the connecting means (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an interior trim component and a motor vehicle.

[0002] Conventional vehicles have various storage compartments, often used for small items. These compartments are frequently designed to hold a variety of objects, making it difficult for users to find the exact item they need. At temperatures around or below freezing, vehicles can become iced over, requiring users to manually remove ice from at least the windshield and rear window before driving. Ice can be removed with an ice scraper. However, a major drawback of a standard ice scraper is that it often lies loose inside the vehicle, requiring users to search for it. Furthermore, such scrapers can soil the vehicle's interior, especially if they become wet or covered in ice after use.Furthermore, they are often unpleasant to handle in cold temperatures, as the blade in particular is cold, which can make removing ice and snow from the vehicle a cumbersome and time-consuming task.

[0003] WO 2009 / 144360 describes an ice scraper comprising a heated blade, a heating element, and a rechargeable energy storage module. The energy storage module can be connected to a vehicle's cigarette lighter via a cable for charging. Alternatively, the vehicle may have a charging stand into which the ice scraper can be inserted when not in use.

[0004] DE 102 24 441 A1 describes a motor vehicle door comprising an outer door skin and an inner door panel, the inner door panel having an opening and a removable cover element for closing the opening. The cover element has a recess extending from the inner door panel towards the outer door skin and defining a storage space. The cover element is provided with holders for attaching objects to be stored in the storage space. One of these objects could be, for example, an ice scraper.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of providing an alternative storage option for an ice scraper while simultaneously increasing the driver's comfort.

[0006] To solve this problem, an interior trim component according to the invention of the type mentioned at the outset is provided, in which the interior trim component comprises a trim section covering a wall section of the motor vehicle and a mounting device for holding a heated ice scraper, comprising a scraping section and a handle section, wherein the mounting device is a receptacle extending into the interior of the trim section, accessible via an access opening, into which the ice scraper can be inserted and from which it can be removed, and wherein the receptacle has a connecting means connected or connectable to an electrical power source, wherein the ice scraper has a contact means for detachable connection with the connecting means.

[0007] The interior trim component is suitable for the interior trim of any motor vehicle, such as a car, truck, or bus. It features a correspondingly large trim section that, when installed, covers a section of the vehicle's wall. For example, the interior trim component can be used as a door panel in a car or as a side panel in the driver's cab of a bus. This trim section incorporates a mounting device with a recess that is closed except for the access opening. The ice scraper can be inserted into the recess through this opening and removed as needed.

[0008] The ice scraper is electrically powered for heating. This heating function increases user comfort and reduces the effort required to remove ice and / or snow from a vehicle. For example, the scraping blade can be warmed, making it easier to remove ice, or the handle can be warmed for improved handling. Accordingly, a charging connector is located within the holder, which can be connected to an electrical power source, such as a battery. The ice scraper itself has a contact point that connects to this charging connector.

[0009] The interior trim component offers the advantage that the ice scraper can be easily pulled out of its holder when needed and used to remove ice and / or snow. Thanks to the integrated power supply, the ice scraper is always charged and therefore heated when stored in its designated holder and connected to the power adapter. This further increases user convenience, as the user doesn't have to remember to recharge the ice scraper. At the same time, no additional external charging cables are required, which would then need to be put away when not in use. Furthermore, storing the ice scraper in its holder provides a fixed location, preventing the need for tedious and time-consuming searches in other storage areas.Another advantage is that the fixed storage location means that no or at least less dirt is carried into the interior of the vehicle.

[0010] Advantageously, the receptacle can be arranged within the bodywork section in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. It can have a square or rectangular cross-section. Furthermore, it can preferably be dimensioned such that it can accommodate the ice scraper with minimal play. For this purpose, the handle section of the ice scraper can be telescopic or foldable, as will be explained in more detail later. Accordingly, when the handle section is retracted or folded, the ice scraper can be easily stored in the receptacle. The scraping section of the ice scraper can advantageously be wider than the handle section, so that a larger area can be treated with the scraping section. In addition, the scraping section can have two long and two short sides, the long side being the one used for removing ice and / or snow.Preferably, the ice scraper is stored lengthwise in the holder, so that the scraping section is inserted lengthwise, i.e., with its short side first. The scraping section can, for example, have a width of 5-15 cm, which means that the holder has a corresponding depth, i.e., preferably in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, of, for example, 5-15 cm or slightly more, so that the ice scraper in the holder is approximately flush with the access opening. The holder can have approximately the same width and / or height as the ice scraper, so that it is held in the holder in an almost form-fitting manner.Optionally, the width or height of the receptacle can be slightly larger than the ice scraper placed in the receptacle, so that a form fit is maintained in at least one direction and at the same time access to the receptacle is possible, thus enabling easy and convenient removal of the ice scraper.

[0011] Such a holder offers the advantage that the ice scraper is securely stored in the holder and, due to the chosen dimensions of the holder, the ice scraper does not cause any disturbing noises, such as rattling, during the journey and can be conveniently removed by the driver.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting means can be located on the base of the receptacle and the contact means on an end face of the scraping section of the ice scraper. This offers the advantage that, upon reaching the insertion end position in the receptacle, electrical contact is automatically established and the ice scraper can be charged, so that after removal, the ice scraper can be heated and is thus immediately ready for use. Preferably, the connecting means and the contact means can be mutually interacting pogo pins.

[0013] The contact element can preferably be positioned on one of the short sides or the end face of the scraper section. This offers the advantage that the contact element comes into little or no contact with ice and / or snow. Furthermore, the contact element can serve as a distinguishing feature between the two short sides, allowing the user to easily identify which side to insert into the holder first to charge the ice scraper. This effectively prevents the wrong side from being inserted.

[0014] Furthermore, fixing means, such as locking elements, can be provided within the receptacle and on the ice scraper, by means of which the ice scraper can be fixed in the receptacle. In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least one magnet can be arranged on the end face of the receptacle, for example next to the connecting element. A metal or magnetic element interacting with this magnet can be arranged on the end face of the scraping section of the ice scraper, so that when the contact element of the ice scraper is coupled with the connecting element, the ice scraper can be securely fixed within the receptacle due to the magnetic interaction.

[0015] Advantageously, the scraping section can comprise a scraping surface and an energy storage module, wherein the energy storage module is arranged between the scraping surface and the handle section and wherein the energy storage module is connected to the contact means. The energy storage module can be inserted within the scraping section. Thus, the energy storage module can advantageously be installed in an existing space, and no additional installation space is required on the ice scraper.

[0016] The energy storage module can, for example, consist of one or more batteries. The energy storage module is conveniently connected to the contact element so that it can be charged via the electrical power source when connected to the terminal.

[0017] The scraping surface can be, in particular, a blade used to remove ice and / or snow from a surface, such as a windshield. The scraping surface can be made of metal or a suitable plastic, especially a thermoset or thermoplastic.

[0018] Preferably, the ice scraper can have a heating device for heating the scraping surface and / or the handle section, wherein, in a state of the ice scraper being removed from its holder, the energy storage module provides the energy for operating the heating device. The heating device can be a heating wire that can be routed through the scraping surface and / or the handle section. In one operating mode, i.e., after the heating device is switched on, the heating wire can be energized by the energy provided by the energy storage module, thereby heating the heating wire. It is also possible that a separate heating wire is provided in the scraping section and a separate heating wire in the handle section, which can be energized separately, so that, if necessary, the energization can be variably switched on, e.g., via a provided switching device.

[0019] In a particularly preferred design, the scraping surface and the handle can be heated simultaneously. This design offers the advantage that the heated scraping surface melts the ice and / or snow more quickly, thus reducing cleaning time. At the same time, the heated handle keeps the user's hands warm while using the ice scraper.

[0020] In a further development of the invention, the ice scraper can have a control element, wherein the ice scraper is heated when the control element is activated, or wherein the ice scraper is automatically heated when removed from its holder. When the control element, which can be a switch or a button, is activated, the heating device can be switched on, causing the heating wire to heat up. Alternatively, the ice scraper does not have a control element, but the heating device can be switched on automatically when the ice scraper is removed from its holder or when the conductive connection between the connecting element and the contact element is interrupted.

[0021] Advantageously, the handle section can be telescopic or foldable, so that the ice scraper, which has a T-shape in its used state, can be reduced to a narrow shape and easily inserted into the elongated recess. For this purpose, the position of the handle section, which is elongated in its used position, must be changed relative to the scraping section. This is possible with a telescopic design of the handle section or a pivot bearing for the handle section. In a further development of the first alternative, the handle section can have at least two elements that are at least partially movable into one another. When the ice scraper is inserted into the recess of the interior trim component, the at least two elements are at least partially moved into one another, and when the ice scraper is removed from the recess, the elements can be manually extended to form a handle. The elements can thus be moved in two directions.

[0022] Optionally, the handle section can have a spring that is pre-tensioned in a stowed position within the holder. When the ice scraper is removed from the holder, the spring relaxes, allowing the elements to automatically extend and form the handle.

[0023] In a second alternative embodiment, the handle section can also be hinged to the scraper section, preferably being formed in one piece. When the ice scraper is inside the holder, the handle section can be folded in such a way that it rests against the scraper section. After removing the ice scraper, the handle section can be folded downwards, i.e., away from the scraper section, to form the handle.

[0024] Such a handle section offers the advantage that the ice scraper can be compressed for storage in the holder, which also allows the holder to be designed to be correspondingly compact.

[0025] Furthermore, the recess can be designed to hold a container, with the container being designed to hold the ice scraper. The container intended for holding the ice scraper can be slightly larger than the ice scraper itself. Accordingly, the recess can also have a depth, i.e., in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, of approximately 6-16 cm or slightly more, so that the container in the recess is approximately flush with the access opening. The recess can have approximately the same width and / or height as the container, so that the container is held in the recess in a nearly form-fitting manner.

[0026] The container is preferably a single piece, i.e., without a lid, so that the ice scraper can be removed directly from the container. The container advantageously serves to prevent any dirt or meltwater adhering to the ice scraper from getting into the holder itself.

[0027] In order to be able to charge the ice scraper even when stored in the container, the container expediently has openings at the bottom, which is opposite the end side of the holder, through which the contact means or the connecting means can be passed.

[0028] Preferably, the receptacle and an outer surface of the container can be equipped with cooperating guide elements that guide the container when it is inserted into the receptacle. These guide elements can, for example, be implemented as a tongue-and-groove guide. The guide elements can be arranged on the side walls of the receptacle, which are located transversely to the vehicle and / or vertically to the vehicle.

[0029] Preferably, the mounting device can be provided in the area of ​​an armrest attached to the trim panel. Such an armrest is typically formed by a bulge in the trim panel, providing sufficient space in this area to integrate the mounting device.

[0030] Furthermore, the access opening can be provided on an end face of the trim section. For example, in the case of an interior door panel of a motor vehicle, the end face may be exposed and face the door end or a body pillar, particularly the B-pillar, so that the end face is freely accessible when the door is opened in order to remove the ice scraper from its holder.

[0031] Advantageously, the access opening can be closed with a cover when not in use, the cover having a manually accessible pull tab. The cover can be grasped by this tab and pulled out of its recess, thus releasing the ice scraper stored inside. The pull tab can be either a fixed handle easily accessible on the cover or a loop made of fabric and / or plastic attached to the cover and / or the handle. Using such a cover offers the advantage of ensuring a uniform design and thus a high level of aesthetics for the interior trim component when not in use.

[0032] The cover itself can be plate-shaped, so that it simply rests on the access opening at the entrance and locks into place, thus closing it. Preferably, the cover seals directly against the ice scraper in the receptacle. Alternatively, the cover can also be dimensioned so that it projects into the receptacle. This is particularly conceivable with regard to a design where the receptacle has a greater depth or overall length than the ice scraper. In this case, the cover can be dimensioned so that, when inserted, it seals against the ice scraper in the receptacle. This advantageously prevents the ice scraper from slipping within the receptacle when the vehicle is in motion and causing disturbing noises.

[0033] The interior trim component can preferably be an interior door trim component of a motor vehicle door, to which further elements such as a door opening handle or a handle for closing the door, window regulators and the like are attached.

[0034] Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one interior trim component of the type described above.

[0035] 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 schematic partial view of an interior trim component according to the invention in the form of a door interior trim with an ice scraper partially removed from a mounting of a holder device, Fig. 2 a schematic diagram of the ice scraper with a partially extended handle section, Fig. 3 A schematic representation of the front face of the interior paneling component, showing the opening for the ice scraper. Fig. 4 a schematic representation of the principles of the in Fig. 1 shown in a first embodiment, in which the ice scraper is arranged within the image, Fig. 5 a schematic representation of the principles of the in Fig. 1 shown in the photograph, according to a second embodiment in which a container for receiving the ice scraper is arranged within the photograph, and Fig. 6 a schematic representation of a motor vehicle according to the invention with an interior trim component according to the invention.

[0036] Fig. Figure 1 shows a partial view of an interior trim component 1 according to the invention in the form of an interior door trim panel on a door 2 of a motor vehicle 3. The interior trim component 1 is shown in the mounting position in which it is mounted on the door 2. The interior trim component 1 has a trim section 4 that covers a wall section of the door 2.

[0037] The interior trim component has an armrest 5 within which a mounting device 6, comprising a receptacle 7 and an access opening 8, is arranged. The access opening 8 is positioned on an end face 9 of the interior trim component 1, such that the receptacle 7 is open towards this end face 9 and otherwise enclosed on all sides. The receptacle 7 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle within the trim section 4.

[0038] The mounting device 6 from Fig. 1 is designed to accommodate an ice scraper 10, wherein in Fig. Figure 1 shows the ice scraper 10, which has been partially removed from the mounting device 6.

[0039] In a Fig. In the non-usage state (not shown), the access opening 8 is closed with a cover 12. The cover 12 has a manually accessible pull element 13, which is, for example, a handle. Alternatively, the pull element 13 could also be, for example, a loop made of fabric and / or plastic. As shown in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, the aperture 12 is cuboid in shape and thus projects into the opening 7 when the access opening 8 is closed. Alternatively, the aperture can also be plate-shaped and lock into place against the access opening 8, thereby closing it (see Figure 1). Fig. 5).

[0040] Fig. Figure 2 shows the ice scraper 10, comprising a scraping section 14 and a handle section 15, the handle section 15 being telescopic. The scraping section 14 has a scraping surface 16 and an energy storage module 17, which is arranged below the scraping surface 16 or between the scraping surface 16 and the handle section 15. In this example, the scraping surface 16 is made of a metal, but alternatively it can also be made of a suitable plastic.

[0041] The scraping section 14 has two long sides 27, 27' and two short sides 18, 18', with a contact element 19 arranged on the short side 18, i.e., an end face. In this example, the contact element consists of pogo pins. The contact element 19 can be coupled to an interacting connection element 20, which, in the installed position of the interior trim component 1, is connected to a vehicle-side electrical power source, such as a battery 21. Furthermore, the contact element 19 is connected to the energy storage module 17, so that current can be supplied to it when an electrical conductor is formed.

[0042] The ice scraper 10 has a heating device 22, which is arranged in the form of a heating wire 23 within the scraping surface 16 and the handle section 15. When the ice scraper 10 is removed from the holder 7 and the electrical connection between the contact element 19 and the terminal 20 is disconnected, the heating device 22 is automatically switched on and the heating wire heats up. The energy required for this is provided by the energy storage device 17. In this operating mode, the user can use the ice scraper to remove ice and / or snow from the vehicle 3.

[0043] Alternatively, a control element, e.g. a switch, is arranged on the ice scraper 10, for example on the handle section 15, when the heating device 22 is switched on (not shown).

[0044] The handle section 15 has three telescopically movable elements 24, 24', 24''. When the ice scraper 10 is positioned within the receptacle 7, the elements 24, 24', 24'' are at least partially retracted. When the ice scraper 10 is removed, the elements 24, 24', 24'' are preferably pulled apart manually in the direction of arrow 30, forming a handle 25. Alternatively, but not shown, the handle section 15 has a spring which is pre-tensioned in a stowed position within the receptacle. When the ice scraper is removed from the receptacle, the spring can relax, possibly after releasing a locking mechanism, causing the elements 24, 24', 24'' to extend automatically and form the handle 25. To reduce the size of the handle section, elements 24, 24', 24'' must be manually pushed together against the spring and, if necessary, locked in place, and the ice scraper inserted into the holder in this form.

[0045] In another alternative, not shown, the handle section 15 can have a one-piece, hinged handle 25. In the stowed position, the handle section is folded in so that the handle section 15 rests against the scraper section 16 along its entire length. When the ice crater 10 is removed, the handle section 15 can be unfolded to form the handle 25.

[0046] Furthermore, the heating device 22 is also arranged in all three elements 24, 24', 24"". This means that the heating wire 23, which is located in the scraping surface 16, is also guided into the handle section 15. Accordingly, in this example, the scraping surface 16 and the handle section 15 are heated simultaneously. Alternatively, but not shown, the heating device in the handle section 15 can be a separate device from the heating device 22, so that the scraping surface 16 and the handle section 15 can be heated independently of each other.

[0047] Fig. Figure 3 shows a view into the recess 7 as seen from the front face 9. The recess 7 has a square cross-section, but can alternatively be rectangular. A terminal base 26 houses the connection means 20 for contacting the electrical power source, which is, for example, the battery 21. The connection means 20 consists, for example, of female pogo pin connectors into which the male pogo pin contacts of the ice scraper 10 can be inserted to charge the ice scraper 10. Of course, a reversed arrangement of the pogo pins is also possible. The base 26 and the front face 18 of the ice crater 10 also have interacting magnets 32, which secure the ice scraper during charging.

[0048] Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of the principle of recording 7 after Fig. 1 according to a first embodiment, wherein the ice scraper 10 is completely received by the receptacle 7. The ice scraper is positioned in the receptacle with its short side 18, on which the contact means 19 is located, facing forward. The long sides 27, 27' are thus parallel to the side walls 29 of the receptacle 7. The receptacle 7 has the same length and height as the ice scraper 10, measured from a vertex edge 31 of the scraping surface 16 to the end face of the last element 24'' of the handle section 15. The ice scraper 10 is connected to the connection means 20 of the receptacle 7 via the contact means 19. Thus, in the present embodiment, the energy storage module 17 is charged so that it can supply energy to the heating device 22 as soon as the ice scraper 10 is removed from the receptacle 7 and the electrical connection between the contact means 19 and the connection means 20 is disconnected.In the state shown in Figure 7, the elements 24, 24', 24'' are partially nested together. Accordingly, in the stowed position, there is no handle 25 on the ice scraper 10.

[0049] Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of the principle of recording 7 after Fig. 1 according to a second embodiment, wherein a container 28 is completely received by the receptacle 7. The receptacle 7 has the same length as the container 28, so that the container 28 is flush with the access opening 8 of the receptacle 7. The container 28 is a single piece, thus comprising only a base body into which the ice scraper 10 can be inserted, but no lid to close the container 28. The container has openings at its ends through which the contact element 19 of the ice scraper 10 is guided, enabling coupling of the ice scraper 10 with the connecting element 20. The openings are visible from the perspective of the Fig. 5 not shown. Furthermore, the receptacle 7, although not shown, can have guide elements in the form of a spring on its side walls 29 located in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Accordingly, the corresponding side walls of the container 28 can have grooves on their outer surface, enabling smooth insertion and removal of the container 28 from the receptacle 7. Alternatively or additionally, the side walls 29 of the receptacle 7 can, of course, also have the corresponding guide elements in the vertical direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, the side walls 29 of the receptacle 7 can also have grooves, and the side walls of the container 28 can have the corresponding springs.

[0050] Fig.Figure 6 shows the motor vehicle 3 according to the invention with the interior trim component 1 according to the invention on the door 2 of the motor vehicle 3. When the door 2 of the motor vehicle 3 is opened, the ice scraper 10 can be removed from the holder 6 or the receptacle 7. The motor vehicle 3 also has the battery 21, the energy of which is used to charge the ice scraper 10.

Claims

[1] Interior trim component (1) for a motor vehicle (3), wherein the interior trim component (1) comprises a trim section (4) covering a wall section of the motor vehicle (3) and a mounting device (6) for mounting a heated ice scraper (10), comprising a scraping section (14) and a handle section (15), wherein the mounting device (6) is a receptacle (7) extending into the interior of the trim section (4) and accessible via an access opening (8), into which the ice scraper (10) can be inserted and from which it can be removed, and wherein the receptacle (7) has a connecting means (20) connected or connectable to an electrical power source, wherein the ice scraper (10) has a contact means (19) for detachably connecting to the connecting means (20). [2] Interior trim component (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the connecting means (20) is provided on a bottom (26) of the receptacle (7) and the contact means (19) is provided on an end face (18) of the scraping section (14) of the ice scraper (10). [3] Interior trim component (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the scraping section (15) has a scraping surface (16) and an energy storage module (17), wherein the energy storage module (17) is arranged between the scraping surface (16) and the handle section (15) and wherein the energy storage module (17) is connected to the contact means (19). [4] Interior trim component (1) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the ice scraper (10) has a heating device (22) for heating the scraping surface (16) and / or the handle section (15), wherein in a state of the ice scraper (10) removed from the receptacle (7), the energy storage module (17) provides the energy for the operation of the heating device (22). [5] Interior cladding component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the ice scraper (10) has a control element, wherein the ice scraper (10) is heated when the control element is activated, or that the ice scraper (10) is automatically heated when removed from the holder (7). [6] Interior cladding component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the handle section (15) is telescopic or foldable. [7] Interior cladding component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the mounting device (6) is provided in the area of ​​an armrest (5) which is arranged on the trim section (4). [8] Interior trim component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the access opening (8) is provided on an end face (9) of the cladding section (4). [9] Interior trim component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat it is a door interior trim component. [10] Motor vehicle (3) comprising at least one interior trim component (1) according to any one of claims 1-9.

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