Semi-removable console for vehicle

Abstract

A semi-movable console for a vehicle is provided. The semi-movable console includes: a base console fixedly mounted to a floor; a mobile console coupled to a top of the base console so that the mobile console can slide in forward and backward directions; and a protector provided at a front side of the mobile console while being mounted to the base console so that the protector can move in forward and backward directions while being able to adjust a tilt angle. According to this configuration, the semi-movable console can be used for various purposes within a limited passenger compartment of a vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a semi-movable console for a vehicle, and more particularly to a semi-movable console for a vehicle having a structure that can be linearly moved to a use position in a front seat space and a use position in a rear seat space, so that it can be used for various purposes within a limited passenger compartment in the vehicle. Background Art

[0002] As is well known, a console for a vehicle is fixedly mounted between a driver's seat and a front passenger seat in the vehicle for storing various items therein. An armrest is mounted on the top of the console, on which the driver's arm or the passenger's arm can rest to open or close the console.

[0003] However, although the console is a convenient device occupying most of the passenger compartment, there are disadvantages in that the console exhibits deteriorated space utility and deteriorated functional utility, and passengers on the rear seats cannot directly use the console because the console not only has a single box structure with a simple storage space, but is also installed on the floor in a fixed state.

[0004] Furthermore, in the case of unmanned electric vehicles that will be commercially available in the future, since the internal combustion engine and the drive shaft are omitted, a flat plate can be used as an interior floor. In this regard, a mechanism for enabling the driver and passengers to move the seat they are sitting on forward or backward or to move the seat to a desired position by rotating the seat can be applied. However, if the console is mounted on the floor in a fixed state, the console is spaced apart from the seat when the seat moves forward or backward. In this case, it may be difficult for the seat occupant to use the console and the armrest.

[0005] To this end, various proposals for manufacturing a console having a structure capable of moving the console to positions where passengers on the front and rear seats can respectively use the console and a structure capable of providing the console with various convenient functions in addition to an item storage function are being studied.

[0006] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the present disclosure and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in an effort to solve the above-mentioned problems associated with the prior art.

[0008] The present disclosure relates to a semi-movable console for a vehicle, which can be used for various purposes within a limited passenger compartment of the vehicle through a configuration including: a base console fixedly mounted to a floor; a mobile console coupled to a top of the base console so that the mobile console can slide in forward and rearward directions; and a protector provided at a front side of the mobile console while being mounted to the base console so that the protector can move in forward and rearward directions while being able to adjust a tilt angle.

[0009] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a semi-movable console for a vehicle, comprising: a base console mounted to a floor; a mobile console coupled to a top of the base console so that the mobile console can slide in forward and rearward directions, the mobile console having a structure defining a storage space therein; and a protector having an upper portion connected to a front end of the mobile console and a lower portion coupled to the top of the base console so that the protector can slide in forward and rearward directions.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the base console may have a structure opened at the front surface, the rear surface and the upper surface thereof to have an open front space and an open rear space. Storage drawers are slidably installed in the open front space and the open rear space, respectively.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment, the mobile console may include: a storage box having a structure forming a storage space open upward, and the storage box is coupled to the top of the base console so that the storage box can slide in forward and backward directions; and an armrest coupled to the top of the storage box to open or close the storage box.

[0012] In another preferred embodiment, the first sliding guide rail may be formed at the inner surface of the upper end of the base console, and the first sliding protrusion may be formed at the outer surface of the lower end of the storage box, so that the first sliding protrusions are slidably engaged with a corresponding one of the first sliding guide rails.

[0013] In yet another preferred embodiment, the bridge piece may extend from the front end of the armrest while being integrated with the armrest, and a concave cup holder for the front seat may be formed at the bridge piece.

[0014] In yet another preferred embodiment, a table for rear seats may be pivotally coupled to the rear end of the armrest by a hinge so that the table is flush with the upper surface of the armrest when not in use and is unfolded in a rearward direction when in use.

[0015] In yet another preferred embodiment, when the table for the rear seats is unfolded rearwardly, the storage space of the mobile console may be exposed outwardly, and the cup holders for the rear seats may be detachably held on the top of the storage space exposed outwardly.

[0016] In yet another preferred embodiment, auxiliary tables may be pivotally coupled to opposite sides of the table for the rear seats by hinges, respectively, to increase the table area.

[0017] In another preferred embodiment, the protector may include: a control panel body, which is formed with a receiving space open to the rear to receive a bridge member of the armrest; and a protector rod, the upper end of which is connected to the lower part of the control panel body, and the lower end of which is formed with a second sliding protrusion, which is slidably engaged with a second sliding guide rail formed at the upper surface of the base console.

[0018] In yet another preferred embodiment, the protector may include: a control panel body formed with a receiving space opened rearward to receive a bridge member of the armrest; and an angle adjustment cylinder pivotally mounted to an upper surface of a front portion of the base console for adjusting the tilt angle of the control panel body. Each angle adjustment cylinder may be provided with a piston rod pivotally connected to the bottom of the control panel body by a hinge. A hinge pin may be formed at an inner surface of the receiving space of the control panel body, and a sliding groove may be formed at opposite side surfaces of the bridge member so that the hinge pins are slidably and rotatably engaged with the sliding grooves, respectively.

[0019] Other aspects and preferred embodiments of the disclosure are discussed below.

[0020] It should be understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicle-like" or other similar terms used herein include motor vehicles in general, such as passenger cars including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including various ships and boats, aircraft, etc., and include hybrid electric vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other alternative fuel (e.g., fuels derived from non-petroleum resources) vehicles. As referred to herein, a hybrid electric vehicle is a vehicle having two or more power sources, such as gasoline-powered and electric vehicles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The above and other features of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to certain exemplary embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, which are given below by way of illustration only and thus do not limit the present disclosure, and in which:

[0022] Figure 1is a perspective view showing a semi-movable console for a vehicle according to the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a pop-up state of a storage drawer included in a semi-movable console according to the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a deployed state of a table after a mobile console included in a semi-movable console according to the present disclosure is moved backward;

[0025] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a backward moving state of a mobile console and a protector included in a semi-movable console according to the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view showing a coupling structure of a base console and a mobile console included in a semi-movable console according to the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view showing a coupling structure of a base console and a protector included in a semi-movable console according to the present disclosure;

[0028] Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C is a view showing a driver convenience mode of a semi-movable console according to the present disclosure;

[0029] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B is a view showing a rear seat convenience mode of a semi-movable console according to the present disclosure;

[0030] Fig. 8A and Figure 8B is a view showing a front seat walk-through mode and a front and rear seat communication mode of a semi-movable console according to the present disclosure;

[0031] Fig.9A and Fig. 9B is a view showing a rear seat travel mode of a semi-movable console according to the present disclosure; and

[0032] Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B is a transverse sectional view showing an embodiment of a tilt angle adjuster for a control panel main body included in a semi-movable console according to the present disclosure.

[0033] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrating the basic principles of the present disclosure. The specific design features of the present disclosure disclosed herein (including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes) will be determined in part by the specific intended application and use environment.

[0034] In the drawings, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present disclosure throughout the several figures of the drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Hereinafter, reference will be made in detail to various embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below.

[0036] Figures 1 to 4 1 is a perspective view showing a semi-movable console for a vehicle according to the present disclosure. As can be seen from the drawings, the semi-movable console of the present disclosure is divided into three parts in total, namely, a base console 10 , a mobile console 20 and a protector 30 .

[0037] The base console 10 is fixedly mounted to the floor 50 .

[0038] Preferably, the base console 10 is fixedly mounted on a flat portion of the floor panel 50 between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat.

[0039] In more detail, the base console 10 has a structure that is opened upward while opening in the forward and rearward directions, and is fixedly installed on the floor between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat. Figure 2 As shown in FIG, storage drawers 11 and 12 are slidably fitted in the opened front and rear spaces of the base console 10, respectively.

[0040] The mobile console 20 has a structure in which a storage space is defined. The mobile console 20 is coupled to the top of the base console 10 so that the mobile console 20 can slide in forward and backward directions.

[0041] In more detail, the mobile console 20 includes: a storage box 22 having a structure forming a storage space 21 open upward, and coupled to the top of the base console 10 so that the storage box 22 can slide in forward and backward directions; and an armrest 24 coupled to the top of the storage box 22 to open or close the storage box 22.

[0042] Preferably, in order to enable the mobile console 20 to be slidably moved in the forward and rearward directions on the base console 10, as shown in FIG. Figure 5AAs shown, the first sliding rails 13 are formed at the inner surface of the upper end of the base console 10, and the first sliding protrusions 23 are formed at the outer surface of the lower end of the storage box 22, so that the first sliding protrusions 23 are slidably engaged with corresponding ones of the first sliding rails 13, respectively.

[0043] Therefore, when the moving console 20 is pushed rearward, the first slide protrusions 23 slide along the corresponding first slide rails 13. As a result, the moving console 20 on the base console 10 has been moved to the rear side (toward the passengers on the rear seats).

[0044] Meanwhile, the bridge 25 extends from the front end of the armrest 24 while being integrated with the armrest 24. The bridge 25 is coupled to a lower portion of a control panel body 32 included in the protector 30 so that the bridge 25 can be inserted into a receiving space 33 formed at the lower portion of the control panel body 32. A concave cup holder 26 for the front seat is formed at an upper surface of the bridge 25.

[0045] Therefore, if Figure 3 As shown, when the mobile console 20 moves rearward, the bridge 25 pops up from the receiving space 22 of the control panel body 32 , and thus, the driver and the passenger on the front seats can use the concave cup holders 26 for the front seats formed at the upper surface of the bridge 25 .

[0046] In addition, a table 27 for the rear seat can be pivotally coupled to the rear end of the armrest 24 by a hinge, so that the table 27 is flush with the upper surface of the armrest 24 when not in use, and is unfolded in the rearward direction when in use. Figure 3 In addition, auxiliary tables 28 are pivotally coupled to opposite sides of the table 27 for the rear seats by hinges, respectively, so as to increase the table area for easy use.

[0047] Preferably, when the table 27 for the rear seat is unfolded backward, the storage space 21 of the mobile console 20 is exposed to the outside to open. In this state, the cup holder 29 for the rear seat can be detachably held on the top of the open storage space 21.

[0048] Therefore, passengers on the rear seats can conveniently use the table 27 and the auxiliary table 28 for the rear seats by moving the mobile console 20 rearward and then unfolding the table 27 and the auxiliary table 28 for the rear seats.

[0049] The protector 30 may function as a control panel for the driver to operate various devices of the vehicle, a partition separating the driver seat and the front passenger seat from each other, and a knee rest for comfortably resting the knee portions of the driver and the passenger on the front seat.

[0050] In addition, the protector 30 is coupled to the top of the base console 10 such that the protector 30 can slide in a rearward direction to ensure a wide space between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat.

[0051] To this end, the protector 30 has a structure in which an upper portion thereof is connected to the front end of the mobile console 20 and a lower portion thereof is slidably coupled to the top of the base console 10 .

[0052] In more detail, the protector 30 includes a control panel body 32, which is formed at a lower portion thereof with a receiving space 33 opened rearward to receive the bridge 25 of the armrest 24. The protector 30 also includes a protector rod 35, the upper end of which is connected to the lower portion of the control panel body 32, and the lower end of which is slidably coupled to the top of the base console 10, so that the protector rod 35 can slide in the forward and backward directions.

[0053] A control panel 31 including buttons and switches for controlling various devices of the vehicle is mounted on an upper surface of the control panel body 32 .

[0054] Preferably, as a configuration for the forward and backward movement of the protector 30, as Figure 5B As shown, the second slide rails 14 are formed at the upper surface of the base console 10 , and the second slide protrusions 34 are formed at the lower portion of the protector lever 35 , so that the second slide protrusions 34 are slidably engaged with corresponding ones of the second slide rails 14 , respectively.

[0055] Therefore, when the protector 30 is pushed backward after the backward movement of the moving console 20, the second sliding protrusion 34 slides backward along the corresponding second sliding guide rail 14. As a result, the protector 30 has moved backward together with the moving console 20, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 shown.

[0056] Hereinafter, an operation state and a use state of the semi-movable console for a vehicle having the above-described configuration according to the present disclosure will be described.

[0057] User convenience mode

[0058] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C A user convenience mode of a semi-movable console according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0059] When the mobile console 20 is pushed backward, the first sliding protrusion 23 slides along the corresponding first sliding guide rail 13. As a result, the mobile console 20 on the base console 10 has moved backward, as shown in FIG. Fig. 6A and Figure 6B shown.

[0060] At the same time, the bridge 25 pops up from the receiving space 33 of the control panel main body 32 , and thus, the driver and the passenger on the front seat can use the concave cup holder 26 for the front seat formed at the upper surface of the bridge 25 .

[0061] Of course, after the armrest 24 is opened, the driver and the passenger on the front seat can store or retrieve items in or from the storage space 21 of the mobile console 20 .

[0062] At this time, the protector 30 does not move rearward, and is therefore held at the frontmost position of the base console 10 .

[0063] Therefore, if Figure 6C As shown in , the protector rod 35 of the protector 30 can be used as a knee rest on which the knees of the driver and the passenger on the front seat are comfortably rested. The protector rod 35 can also be used as a protector for preventing the passenger on the front passenger seat from approaching the accelerator pedal or the brake pedal, thereby preventing erroneous operation of the accelerator pedal or the brake pedal. Therefore, safe driving can be ensured.

[0064] Rear Seat Convenience Mode

[0065] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B A rear seat convenience mode of a semi-movable console according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0066] As described above, after the rearward movement of the mobile console 20, the table 27 for rear seats installed at the rear end of the armrest 24 is deployed rearward. Subsequently, the auxiliary table 28 installed on the opposite side of the table 27 for rear seats is deployed laterally.

[0067] Simultaneously with the rearward deployment of the table 27 for rear seats, the cup holder 29 for rear seats held at the top of the storage space 21 of the moving console 20 is exposed outwardly.

[0068] Therefore, the passengers on the rear seats can conveniently use not only the table 27 and the auxiliary table 28 for the rear seats, but also the cup holder 29 for the rear seats.

[0069] In addition, when the cup holder 29 for the rear seat is lifted, the storage space 21 of the mobile console 20 is opened. Therefore, the passengers on the rear seat can store the items conveniently and can easily retrieve the items from the storage space 21.

[0070] Front seat walk-through mode and front and rear seat communication mode

[0071] Fig. 8A and Figure 8BA front seat walk-through mode and a front and rear seat communication mode of a semi-movable console according to the present disclosure are shown.

[0072] The front seat walk-through mode refers to a mode for obtaining an aisle between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat, and the front and rear seat communication mode refers to a mode for partially rotating the driver's seat and the front passenger seat so that the driver and passenger on the front seat can communicate or talk with the passengers on the rear seat.

[0073] For these modes, after the rearward movement of the mobile console 20 as described above, the protector 30 is pushed rearward. Therefore, the second slide protrusion 24 moves rearward along the second slide rail 14, and therefore, the protector 30 has moved rearward together with the mobile console 20.

[0074] Thus, an aisle can be obtained between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat, and a track can be obtained that enables the driver's seat and the front passenger seat to be partially rotated towards each other.

[0075] That is, since the protector 30 has been moved rearward, the driver seat and the front passenger seat do not interfere with the protector 30 during partial rotation thereof, and therefore, the driver seat and the front passenger seat can be easily rotated toward each other.

[0076] Therefore, a front and rear seat communication mode that enables the driver and the passenger on the front seat to communicate or talk with the passengers on the rear seat can be obtained according to the partial rotation of the driver seat and the front passenger seat.

[0077] Rear seat walk-through mode

[0078] Fig.9A and Fig. 9B A rear seat walk-through mode of a semi-movable console according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0079] The rear seat pass-through mode refers to a mode that enables passengers at the sides of the rear seats to easily enter or exit by moving the mobile console 20 forward.

[0080] For this mode, Fig.9A and Fig. 9B As shown, the protector 30 is pushed forward. At the same time, the mobile console 20 also moves forward, so that the mobile console 20 is arranged in the frontmost position.

[0081] Therefore, the mobile console 20 is positioned to be hidden between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat, and thus a wide rear seat passage is ensured. Therefore, it is possible to achieve that the passengers on the side of the rear seat can easily enter or leave.

[0082] Meanwhile, the protector 30 may be configured to adjust the tilt angle of the control panel body 32 to an angle desired by the driver to facilitate manipulation of the control panel 31. Therefore, the driver may easily manipulate various buttons and switches of the control panel 31 mounted on the control panel body 32 while maintaining a comfortable posture.

[0083] For this reason, Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B As shown, the protector 30 includes: a control panel body 32, which has a receiving space 33 opened rearwardly formed at its lower portion to receive the bridge member 25 of the armrest 24; and an adjusting cylinder 40, which is pivotally mounted to the upper surface of the front portion of the base console 10 for adjusting the tilt angle of the control panel body 32.

[0084] In more detail, the piston rod 41 of each angle adjustment cylinder 40 is pivotally connected to the bottom of the control panel body 32 through a hinge. A hinge pin 42 is also formed at the inner surface of the receiving space 33 of the control panel body 32. Sliding grooves 43 are formed at opposite side surfaces of the bridge 25 so that the hinge pins 42 are slidably and rotatably engaged with the sliding grooves 43, respectively.

[0085] like Fig. 10A As shown, when the piston rod 41 of each angle adjustment cylinder 40 extends upward after the mobile console 20 is pushed backward, and the bridge member 25 pops out from the receiving space 33 of the control panel body 32, as shown in FIG. Fig. 10A As shown, the piston rod 41 pushes the control panel body 32 upward. Therefore, the control panel body 32 rotates upward around the hinge pin 42 engaged in the slide groove 43, and thus, the tilt angle of the control panel body 32 can be adjusted to the angle desired by the driver.

[0086] Therefore, the driver can easily manipulate various buttons, switches, and the like included in the control panel 31 of the control panel main body 32 in a state where the driver's arm is resting on the armrest 24 .

[0087] On the other hand, Fig. 10B As shown, when the piston rod 41 of each angle adjustment cylinder 40 is retracted downward, the piston rod 41 pulls the control panel body 32 downward. As a result, the control panel body 32 rotates downward around the hinge pin 42 engaged in the slide groove 43, so that the control panel body 32 moves to the non-use position. Therefore, a wide passage between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat can be ensured.

[0088] According to the illustrated embodiments, the above configurations, combinations of configurations, and usage relationships thereof, the present disclosure can provide the following effects.

[0089] First, the semi-mobile console is composed of two parts, i.e., a base console fixedly mounted to the floor and a mobile console slidably coupled to the top of the base console so that the mobile console can slide in the forward and rearward directions. Therefore, the semi-mobile console can be used in a limited passenger compartment of a vehicle for various purposes.

[0090] Second, when the mobile console slides backward from the base console, the bridge member of the mobile console formed with the cup holder for the front seat is exposed outward. Therefore, the use convenience of the cup holder can be provided for the passengers of the front seat.

[0091] Third, by sliding the mobile console backward relative to the base console and then unfolding the table provided at the rear end of the mobile console, the convenience of using the table can be provided for passengers in the rear seats. At this time, the cup holder hidden by the table is exposed, and thus, the convenience of using the cup holder can be provided for passengers in the rear seats. When the cup holder for the rear seats is lifted, the storage space of the mobile console is opened, and thus, the passengers in the rear seats can conveniently use the storage space.

[0092] Fourth, the storage drawers can be withdrawn from the front and rear portions of the base console, and thus, maximum storage space can be provided.

[0093] Fifth, the protector including the control panel main body can be used not only for the knee rests of the driver and the passenger on the front seats but also for the partition that partitions the driver seat and the front passenger seat from each other.

[0094] Sixth, in order to facilitate the operation of the control panel, the inclination angle of the control panel body can be adjusted to the angle desired by the driver. Therefore, the driver can easily manipulate various buttons and switches of the control panel installed on the control panel body while maintaining a comfortable posture.

[0095] The present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A semi-movable control console for a vehicle, comprising: a base console mounted to the floor; a mobile console coupled to a top of the base console such that the mobile console can slide in forward and rearward directions, the mobile console having a structure defining a storage space therein; as well as a protector having an upper portion connected to a front end of the mobile console and a lower portion coupled to a top of the base console such that the protector can slide in forward and rearward directions; Wherein, the mobile control console comprises: a storage box having a structure in which a storage space opened upward is formed, while the storage box is coupled to the top of the base console so that the storage box can slide in forward and rearward directions; and an armrest coupled to the top of the storage box to open or close the storage box; wherein the bridge extends from the front end of the armrest and is integral with the armrest; And wherein the protector includes a control panel body, the control panel body is formed with a receiving space opened rearward to receive the bridge piece of the armrest.

2. The semi-movable control console according to claim 1, wherein: The base console has a structure opened at the front and rear surfaces and the upper surface of the base console to have an open front space and an open rear space, and storage drawers are slidably fitted in the open front space and the open rear space, respectively.

3. The semi-movable control console according to claim 1, wherein: First sliding rails are formed at an inner surface of an upper end of the base console, and first sliding protrusions are formed at an outer surface of a lower end of the storage box such that the first sliding protrusions are slidably engaged with corresponding ones of the first sliding rails, respectively.

4. The semi-movable control console according to claim 1, wherein: Concave cup holders for the front seats are formed at the bridge.

5. The semi-movable control console according to claim 1, wherein: A table for rear seats is pivotally coupled to the rear end of the armrest by a hinge so that the table is flush with the upper surface of the armrest in an unused state and is unfolded in a rearward direction when in use.

6. The semi-movable control console according to claim 5, wherein: When the table for rear seats is unfolded rearwardly, the storage space of the mobile console is exposed outwardly, and the cup holder for rear seats is detachably held on the top of the storage space exposed outwardly.

7. The semi-movable control console according to claim 5, wherein: Auxiliary tables are pivotally coupled to opposite sides of the table for rear seats by hinges, respectively, to increase the table area.

8. The semi-movable control console according to claim 1, wherein: The protector comprises: A protector lever having an upper end connected to a lower portion of the control panel body and a lower end formed with second sliding protrusions slidably engaged with second sliding rails formed at an upper surface of the base console, respectively.

9. The semi-movable control console according to claim 1, wherein: The protector comprises: an angle adjustment cylinder pivotally mounted to an upper surface of a front portion of the base console for adjusting a tilt angle of the control panel body, Each of the angle adjustment cylinders is provided with a piston rod, and the piston rod is pivotally connected to the bottom of the control panel body through a hinge.

10. The semi-movable control console according to claim 9, wherein: Hinge pins are formed at an inner surface of the receiving space of the control panel body, and slide grooves are formed at opposite side surfaces of the bridge such that the hinge pins are slidably and rotatably engaged with the slide grooves, respectively.

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