Center Console

Abstract

To improve strength against lateral loads. [Solution] The center console comprises a console box positioned between a pair of seats arranged in the width direction of the vehicle, and a bracket for fixing the console box to the floor of the vehicle, the bracket including a lower bracket and an upper bracket superimposed on the lower bracket, the upper bracket including a pair of projections facing the seat frames of the pair of seats in the width direction of the vehicle, each of the pair of projections including a first contour extending upward when viewed in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and a second contour extending downward and inward in the width direction from the first contour when viewed in the front-rear direction, the lower bracket including an upper wall supporting the lower ends of the second contours of the pair of projections and a support wall positioned between the upper wall and the floor.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a center console.

Background Art

[0002] A vehicle may include a center console between seats arranged in the vehicle width direction. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a console assembly having a support structure that acts as a side impact reinforcement. This console assembly includes a console housing and a support structure. The console housing is fixed to the support structure, and the support structure is fixed to the floor. The support structure includes a pair of side walls and a platform wall extending between the pair of side walls. The platform wall is fixed to the inner surfaces of the pair of side walls. When a side impact is applied to the seat, the seat rod transmits a force to the side wall of the support structure, and the support structure acts as a side impact reinforcement.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, when the height from the platform wall to the contact position between the seat rod and the side wall is large, a large moment acts on the side wall. In this case, the side wall may bend inward, and the support structure may not act as intended.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a center console that can improve the strength against side loads.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The center console according to one aspect of the present invention is, A console box positioned between a pair of seats arranged in the width direction of the vehicle, A bracket for fixing the console box to the floor of the vehicle, Equipped with, The aforementioned bracket is Lower bracket and An upper bracket which is placed on top of the lower bracket, Includes, The upper bracket includes a pair of protrusions that face the seat frames of the pair of seats in the vehicle width direction, Each of the pair of protrusions is When viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the first contour extends upward, When viewed in the front-rear direction, a second contour extends downward from the first contour and inward in the vehicle width direction, Includes, The aforementioned lower bracket is, An upper wall supporting the lower end of the second contour of the pair of protrusions, A support wall is positioned between the upper wall and the floor, Includes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the strength against lateral loads can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic front view showing a center console according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the bracket. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic front view showing the bracket. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic exploded front view showing the bracket. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic side view showing the bracket. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic exploded side view showing the bracket.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The specific dimensions, materials, numerical values, etc. shown in such embodiments are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals to omit redundant descriptions, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing a center console 100 according to an embodiment. Note that FIG. 1 shows only the seat cushion 201 and the components below the seat cushion 201 among the seats 200, and other components such as a seat back and a headrest are not shown. Also, in FIG. 1, for better understanding, the bracket 1 is hatched.

[0011] The center console 100 is disposed between two seats 200 arranged in the vehicle width direction (left - right direction) of the vehicle 500. For example, in the present embodiment, the seats 200 may be a driver's seat and a passenger seat. In other embodiments, the seats 200 may be rear seats.

[0012] For example, the seat 200 includes a seat cushion 201, a seat frame 202, and seat rails R. The seat 200 may further include other components.

[0013] The seat cushion 201 includes a cushion material such as urethane, for example. The seat cushion 201 is attached to the seat frame 202.

[0014] The seat frame 202 forms the main structure of the seat 200. For example, a portion of the seat frame 202 that supports the seat cushion 201 may include a pair of side frames extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 500 and a seat pan connecting the pair of side frames.

[0015] The seat frame 202 is slidably attached to the seat rail R. The seat rail R enables adjustment of the position of the seat 200 in the front-rear direction. The seat rail R is fixed to the floor 300. For example, the seat rail R may be fixed to a cross member Cr of the floor 300.

[0016] The floor 300 includes a floor tunnel T. The floor tunnel T extends along the front-rear direction of the vehicle 500 between two seats 200.

[0017] The center console 100 is fixed to the floor 300. In this embodiment, the center console 100 is fixed to the floor tunnel T of the floor 300. For example, the center console 100 includes a console box 50, a bracket 1, and a cover 51. The center console 100 may further include other components.

[0018] The console box 50 functions as a storage. The console box 50 defines a space S1 for receiving items.

[0019] The bracket 1 fixes the console box 50 to the floor tunnel T. Details of the bracket 1 will be described later.

[0020] A space S2 is defined between the bracket 1 and the console box 50. For example, the space S2 may accommodate components such as ducts or wiring.

[0021] The cover 51 covers the console box 50 and the bracket 1. The cover 51 can improve the appearance of the interior decoration.

[0022] Next, let's discuss bracket 1.

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing bracket 1.

[0024] Bracket 1 includes a lower bracket 10 and an upper bracket 20. In this embodiment, the lower bracket 10 is configured to be fixed to the floor 300, specifically to the floor tunnel T (the floor 300 and floor tunnel T are not shown in Figure 2 and Figures 3 to 6 described later). The upper bracket 20 is configured to be placed on top of the lower bracket 10.

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic front view showing bracket 1. Figure 4 is a schematic exploded front view showing bracket 1.

[0026] Referring to Figure 4, the lower bracket 10 includes an upper wall 11 and a pair of support walls (first support wall, second support wall) 12. The lower bracket 10 may further include other components.

[0027] The upper wall 11 extends in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the vehicle 500. The upper wall 11 does not have to be perfectly parallel to the longitudinal and lateral directions, and the upper wall 11 may be inclined with respect to at least one of the longitudinal and lateral directions.

[0028] The support wall 12 extends in the vertical and horizontal directions of the vehicle 500. The support wall 12 does not have to be perfectly parallel to the vertical and horizontal directions, and the support wall 12 may be inclined with respect to at least one of the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0029] Figure 5 is a schematic side view showing bracket 1. Figure 6 is a schematic exploded side view showing bracket 1.

[0030] Referring to Figure 6, the two support walls 12 are spaced apart from each other and face each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 500. The upper wall 11 is connected to the upper ends of the pair of support walls 12. In this embodiment, the two support walls 12 are symmetrical with respect to a plane extending in the vertical and lateral directions. In other embodiments, the two support walls 12 may be asymmetrical with respect to a plane extending in the vertical and lateral directions. In this embodiment, the support walls 12 may also be referred to as side walls.

[0031] In this embodiment, the upper wall 11 and the pair of support walls 12 form a roughly inverted U-shaped cross-section when viewed in the left-right direction.

[0032] The lower bracket 10 further includes a fixing flange 13 for each of the pair of support walls 12. The fixing flange 13 extends in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the vehicle 500. The fixing flange 13 does not have to be perfectly parallel to the longitudinal and lateral directions, and the fixing flange 13 may be inclined with respect to at least one of the longitudinal and lateral directions. The fixing flange 13 is connected to the lower end of the support wall 12. The two fixing flanges 13 project from the lower end of the support wall 12 so as to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the two fixing flanges 13 are symmetrical with respect to a plane extending in the vertical and lateral directions. In other embodiments, the two fixing flanges 13 may be asymmetrical with respect to a plane extending in the vertical and lateral directions. In this embodiment, the fixing flange 13 includes a through hole 13a.

[0033] The lower bracket 10 further includes a pair of lateral flanges 14. The lateral flanges 14 extend in the vertical and longitudinal directions of the vehicle 500. The lateral flanges 14 do not have to be perfectly parallel to the vertical and longitudinal directions, and the lateral flanges 14 may be inclined with respect to at least one of the vertical and longitudinal directions.

[0034] Referring to Figure 4, one lateral flange 14 is connected to the right end of the upper wall 11, and the other lateral flange 14 is connected to the left end of the upper wall 11. Each lateral flange 14 protrudes upward from the upper wall 11. The two lateral flanges 14 are spaced apart from each other and face each other in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the two lateral flanges 14 are symmetrical with respect to a plane extending in the vertical and front-rear directions. In other embodiments, the two lateral flanges 14 may be asymmetrical with respect to a plane extending in the vertical and front-rear directions. In this embodiment, the lateral flange 14 includes a through hole 14a. The lateral flange 14 covers the first contour P1 of the projection 24, described later, from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0035] Referring to Figure 3, Figure 3 shows the lower part of the console box 50 with a dashed line. In this embodiment, the console box 50 is positioned between a pair of lateral flanges 14. In this embodiment, the console box 50 is fixed to the pair of lateral flanges 14 by two bolts (not shown) passing through holes 14a in the lateral flanges 14.

[0036] The lower bracket 10 described above may be formed, for example, by press-forming a metal plate.

[0037] Referring to Figure 4, the upper bracket 20 includes an upper wall 21 and a pair of side walls 22. The upper bracket 20 may further include other components.

[0038] The upper wall 21 extends in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the vehicle 500. The upper wall 21 does not have to be perfectly parallel to the longitudinal and lateral directions, and the upper wall 21 may be inclined with respect to at least one of the longitudinal and lateral directions.

[0039] The side wall 22 extends in the vertical and lateral directions of the vehicle 500. The side wall 22 does not have to be perfectly parallel to the vertical and lateral directions, and the side wall 22 may be inclined with respect to at least one of the vertical and lateral directions.

[0040] Referring to Figure 6, the two side walls 22 are spaced apart from each other and face each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 500. The upper wall 21 is connected to the upper ends of the pair of side walls 22. In this embodiment, the two side walls 22 are symmetrical with respect to a plane extending in the vertical and lateral directions. In other embodiments, the two side walls 22 may be asymmetrical with respect to a plane extending in the vertical and lateral directions.

[0041] In this embodiment, the upper wall 21 and the pair of side walls 22 form a roughly inverted U-shaped cross-section when viewed in the left-right direction.

[0042] The upper bracket 20 further includes a fixing flange 23 for each of the pair of side walls 22. The fixing flange 23 extends in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the vehicle 500. The fixing flange 23 does not have to be perfectly parallel to the longitudinal and lateral directions, and the fixing flange 23 may be inclined with respect to at least one of the longitudinal and lateral directions. The fixing flange 23 is connected to the lower end of the side wall 22. The two fixing flanges 23 project from the lower end of the side wall 22 so as to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the two fixing flanges 23 are symmetrical with respect to a plane extending in the vertical and lateral directions. In other embodiments, the two fixing flanges 23 may be asymmetrical with respect to a plane extending in the vertical and lateral directions.

[0043] Referring to Figure 5, the upper wall 21, side wall 22, and fixing flange 23 of the upper bracket 20 overlap the outer surfaces of the upper wall 11, support wall 12, and fixing flange 13 of the lower bracket 10, respectively. Therefore, the cross-section of the upper bracket 20 is slightly larger than the cross-section of the lower bracket 10. At least a portion of the upper wall 21, side wall 22, and fixing flange 23 of the upper bracket 20 are fixed to the upper wall 11, support wall 12, and fixing flange 13 of the lower bracket 10, respectively, by a fixing method such as spot welding or adhesive.

[0044] In this embodiment, the fixed flange 23 includes a through hole 23a.

[0045] In this embodiment, the lower bracket 10, the upper bracket 20, and the floor tunnel T are fastened together by bolts (not shown) passing through the through hole 13a of the lower bracket 10 and the through hole 23a of the upper bracket 20, thereby fixing the lower bracket 10 and the upper bracket 20 to the floor tunnel T.

[0046] Referring to Figure 2, the upper bracket 20 further includes a pair of projections 24. The projections 24 protrude upward from the upper wall 21. The upper ends of the projections 24 are lower than the upper ends of the lateral flange 14 of the lower bracket 10. Therefore, the through-holes 14a of the lateral flange 14 are not covered by the projections 24.

[0047] Referring to Figure 4, the projection 24 includes a first contour P1 extending upward when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 500, and a second contour P2 extending downward from the first contour P1 and inward in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 500. In another view, in this embodiment, the projection 24 has a roughly right-angled triangular contour when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 500.

[0048] In this embodiment, the first contour P1 extends perpendicularly to the upper wall 21. In other embodiments, the first contour P1 does not have to be perpendicular to the upper wall 21. In this embodiment, the second contour P2 extends downward from the upper end of the first contour P1 and inward in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 500. The lower end of the second contour P2 is located on the upper wall 11 of the lower bracket 10.

[0049] Referring to Figure 2, more specifically, in this embodiment, the projection 24 is formed by an inclined wall 24a and a pair of side walls 24b. The side walls 24b have a roughly right-angled triangular shape when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 500. The inclined wall 24a is connected to the hypotenuses of the two side walls 24b.

[0050] Referring to Figure 4, the first contour P1 is formed by adjacent sides of the side wall 24b when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 500. The second contour P2 is formed by the slanted sides of the side wall 24b or the slanted wall 24a when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 500.

[0051] Referring to Figure 3, the inclined wall 24a and the pair of side walls 24b of the projection 24 define space S3. Space S3 is closed by the lateral flange 14 of the lower bracket 10 (details will be described later).

[0052] As described above, in this embodiment, the projection 24 is formed by an inclined wall 24a and a pair of side walls 24b. However, the configuration of the projection 24 is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the projection 24 may be formed by one or more curved surfaces, insofar as the projection 24 includes a first contour P1 and a second contour P2 when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 500.

[0053] A space S2 is defined between the pair of protrusions 24. The upper part of space S2 is closed by the console box 50. As described above, for example, space S2 may house components such as ducts or wiring.

[0054] Referring to Figure 6, the upper bracket 20 further includes a lateral flange 25 for each of the pair of projections 24. The lateral flange 25 extends in the vertical and longitudinal directions of the vehicle 500. The lateral flange 25 does not have to be perfectly parallel to the vertical and longitudinal directions, and may be inclined with respect to at least one of the vertical and longitudinal directions of the lateral flange 14. The lateral flange 25 is connected to the projection 24. The lateral flange 25 extends outward from the edge of the projection 24.

[0055] Referring to Figure 2, the lateral flange 25 contacts the lateral flange 14 of the lower bracket 10. At least a portion of the lateral flange 25 is fixed to the lateral flange 14 by a fixing method such as spot welding or adhesive. As a result, the space S3 is closed by the lateral flange 14 of the lower bracket 10, as described above. That is, the slanted wall 24a and the pair of side walls 24b of the projection 24, as well as the lateral flange 14 of the lower bracket 10, form a closed space S3.

[0056] The upper bracket 20 described above may be formed, for example, by press-forming a metal plate.

[0057] Next, we will explain the function of the center console 100 in the event of a side collision involving vehicle 500.

[0058] Referring to Figure 1, when vehicle 500 is hit from the side, a load (lateral load) F may be applied to the seat frame 202. As the load F increases, the seat frame 202 may be displaced and come into contact with the bracket 1 of the center console 100. In this case, the load F is transmitted from the seat frame 202 to the bracket 1.

[0059] As described above, in the center console 100 according to this embodiment, the projection 24 is configured to face the seat frame 202 in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the load F is transmitted from the seat frame 202 to the lateral flange 14 (not shown in Figure 1) that closes the projection 24, and to the projection 24.

[0060] Referring to Figure 3, when a load F is applied to the lateral flange 14 and projection 24, a bending moment is generated in the lateral flange 14 and projection 24, centered on the lower end of the lateral flange 14 and projection 24. The bending moment is applied to the lateral flange 14 and projection 24 in such a way that they bend around their lower ends.

[0061] However, in this embodiment, the projection 24 includes a second contour P2 that extends downward and inward in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 500. The second contour P2 supports the projection 24 and the lateral flange 14 against bending moments. Therefore, the second contour P2 can reduce the possibility of the projection 24 and the lateral flange 14 bending due to bending moments.

[0062] In this embodiment, the lower bracket 10 is inserted between the upper bracket 20 and the floor tunnel T. The upper wall 11 of the lower bracket 10 supports the lower end of the second contour P2. The upper wall 11 is also connected to a support wall 12 fixed to the floor tunnel T. Therefore, the load applied to the second contour P2 is supported not only by the side wall 22 of the upper bracket 20, but also by the upper wall 11 and support wall 12 of the lower bracket 10. Thus, the load F due to a side impact can be distributed between the lower bracket 10 and the upper bracket 20.

[0063] As described above, the center console 100 according to this embodiment includes a console box 50 positioned between a pair of seats 200 arranged in the vehicle width direction, and a bracket 1 for fixing the console box 50 to the floor 300 of the vehicle 500. The bracket 1 includes a lower bracket 10 and an upper bracket 20 that is superimposed on the lower bracket 10. The upper bracket 20 includes a pair of protrusions 24 that face the seat frames 202 of the pair of seats 200 in the vehicle width direction. Each of the pair of protrusions 24 includes a first contour P1 that extends upward when viewed in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 500, and a second contour P2 that extends downward from the first contour P1 and inward in the vehicle width direction when viewed in the front-rear direction. The lower bracket 10 includes an upper wall 11 that supports the lower ends of the second contours P2 of the pair of protrusions 24, and a support wall 12 positioned between the upper wall 11 and the floor 300. With this configuration, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle 500, the lateral load F from the seat frame 202 can be received by the projection 24. In addition, the second contour P2 of the projection 24 supports the projection 24 against the bending moment caused by the load F. Therefore, the second contour P2 can reduce the possibility of the projection 24 bending due to the bending moment. Thus, the strength against the lateral load F can be improved. Furthermore, with this configuration, a space S2 can be formed between the second contours P2 of the pair of projections 24. Therefore, a space S2 can be secured to accommodate components such as ducts or wiring.

[0064] Furthermore, in the center console 100, the support wall 12 of the lower bracket 10 includes a first support wall 12 and a second support wall 12 that face each other in the front-rear direction, and the upper wall 11 is connected to the upper ends of the first support wall 12 and the second support wall 12. With this configuration, the load transmitted from the second contour P2 to the upper wall 11 can be supported by the two support walls 12. Therefore, the strength against lateral load F can be further improved.

[0065] Furthermore, in the center console 100, the lower bracket 10 includes a pair of lateral flanges 14 that cover the first contour P1 of the projection 24 from the outside in the vehicle width direction. The projection 24 and the lateral flanges 14 are fixed to each other, forming a closed space S3. With this configuration, the projection 24 can be formed as a hollow member, and the weight of the bracket 1 can be reduced. Also, since the projection 24 and the lateral flanges 14 are fixed to each other, the possibility of deformation of the projection 24 due to bending moment can be reduced. Therefore, the strength against lateral load F can be further improved.

[0066] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these will naturally also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0067] For example, in the above embodiment, the lower bracket 10 includes a pair of support walls 12, and the upper wall 11 and the pair of support walls 12 form a roughly inverted U-shaped cross section when viewed in the left-right direction. However, the cross-sectional shape of the lower bracket 10 is not limited to this. For example, in another embodiment, the lower bracket 10 may include only one support wall 12, and the upper wall 11 and the support wall 12 may form a T-shaped cross section when viewed in the left-right direction. In yet another embodiment, the lower bracket 10 may include two intersecting support walls 12, and the two support walls 12 may form an X-shaped cross section when viewed in the left-right direction.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, for example, the console box 50 is fixed to the lateral flange 14 of the lower bracket 10. However, the method of fixing the console box 50 by the bracket 1 is not limited to this. For example, in another embodiment, the lateral flange 25 of the upper bracket 20 may be extended upward, and through holes for bolts may be provided in the lateral flange 25. The console box 50 may be fixed to at least one of the lateral flange 14 of the lower bracket 10 and the lateral flange 25 of the upper bracket 20.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, for example, an upper wall 21 is formed between the pair of protrusions 24. However, the configuration of the upper bracket 20 is not limited to this. For example, in other embodiments, the upper bracket 20 may not include an upper wall 21, and the lower ends of the second contour P2 of the two protrusions 24 may be connected to each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 Bracket 10 Lower bracket 11 Upper wall 12 Supporting wall (1st supporting wall, 2nd supporting wall) 14 Side flange 20 Upper bracket 24 protrusions 50 Console Box 100 Center Console 200 seats 202 Seat Frame 300 beds 500 vehicles P1 First contour P2 Second contour S3 Closed space

Claims

1. A console box positioned between a pair of seats arranged in the width direction of the vehicle, A bracket for fixing the console box to the floor of the vehicle, Equipped with, The aforementioned bracket is Lower bracket and An upper bracket which is placed on top of the lower bracket, Includes, The upper bracket includes a pair of protrusions that face the seat frames of the pair of seats in the vehicle width direction, Each of the pair of protrusions is When viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the first contour extends upward, When viewed in the front-rear direction, a second contour extends downward from the first contour and inward in the vehicle width direction, Includes, The aforementioned lower bracket is, An upper wall supporting the lower end of the second contour of the pair of protrusions, A support wall is positioned between the upper wall and the floor, including, Center console.

2. The support wall includes a first support wall and a second support wall that face each other in the front-rear direction, The upper wall is connected to the upper end of the first support wall and the upper end of the second support wall. The center console according to claim 1.

3. The lower bracket includes a pair of lateral flanges that cover the first contour of the projection from the outside in the vehicle width direction. The projection and the lateral flange are fixed to each other and form a closed space. The center console according to claim 1.

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