Central console for a vehicle

Abstract

A center console of a vehicle is provided. The center console includes an article placement portion (11), a front block portion (12), a rear block portion (13), a bridge portion (14), a rear bulging portion (15), and a finger insertion receiving surface. The article placement portion (11) has a placement surface on which a rectangular plate-shaped article can be placed. The front block portion (12) is disposed in front of the article placement portion (11). The rear block portion (13) is disposed behind the article placement portion (11). The bridge portion (14) is disposed above the article placement portion (11) with a space portion (25) interposed between the bridge portion (14) and the article placement portion (11). The rear bulging portion (15) rises upward from a front portion of the placement surface and bulges rearward toward a central region in a vehicle width direction of the placement surface. The finger insertion receiving surface is located outside the vehicle width direction of the rear bulging portion (15) and extends forward from the placement surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the central seating area of ​​a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] As a structure of the vehicle interior, the following structure is known: a central console equipped with a gear shifting mechanism, various switches, a storage compartment, etc., is located between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-213632).

[0003] The central seating area described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-213632 has a substantially rectangular item storage compartment with an upward-opening side opening formed on the upper part of the box-shaped seating area. Various items can be stored in the item storage compartment through the upper opening. Summary of the Invention

[0004] However, the central seating area described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-213632 has a substantially rectangular opening for its storage compartment. Therefore, when rectangular, plate-shaped items such as portable information terminals are placed inside the storage compartment with their flat surfaces facing down, it becomes difficult to remove them. In particular, when the front-to-back width of the item is close to the front-to-back width of the storage compartment opening, it is difficult to hook one's fingers onto the end of the item when removing it.

[0005] In addition, in recent years, a central seating platform has been proposed, which has a front block and a rear block arranged in front of and behind a tray-shaped item placement section, and a bridge section erected on the front block and the rear block spans the top of the item placement section.

[0006] In the case of this central seating area, the space above the item display area is significantly restricted by the bridge section. Therefore, when a rectangular plate-shaped item is placed in the item display area, it is difficult to hook your fingers onto the end of the item on the item display area and remove it.

[0007] The present invention provides a central seating platform for a vehicle that allows rectangular plate-shaped articles placed in the article placement section to be easily removed from the article placement section.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the central seat bench of a vehicle includes: an article placement section having a placement surface capable of placing rectangular plate-shaped articles; a front block section disposed in front of the article placement section; a rear block section disposed behind the article placement section; a bridge section mounted on the front block section and the rear block section, and disposed above the article placement section with a space between them; a rear bulge section that rises upward from the front of the placement surface and bulges rearward toward the central region of the placement surface in the vehicle width direction; and a finger insertion receiving surface located outside the rear bulge section in the vehicle width direction and extending forward from the placement surface.

[0009] With the above structure, when a rectangular plate-shaped item is placed on the mounting surface of the item placement section, the front position of the item is restricted by the bulge, and no item is placed on the finger insertion receiving surface. Therefore, when removing the item from the item placement section, the user can easily remove the item by inserting their finger towards the finger insertion receiving surface and hooking the fingertip onto the front end of the item.

[0010] Furthermore, the central seating platform of this structure has a bridge above the item placement section, so even if a beverage or other liquid is accidentally spilled above the central seating platform, it can prevent the liquid from falling onto the items on the item placement section, thus protecting the items. Additionally, even with the bridge above the item placement section, the finger insertion receiving surface is located on the outer side in the width direction of the front of the item placement section, making it easy to hook one's fingers onto the front end of the items placed on the item placement section.

[0011] Alternatively, an anti-slip component may be provided on the upper surface of the mounting surface.

[0012] In this situation, when the object is pulled forward by hooking a finger onto the front end of the object placed on the object holder, the anti-slip member can prevent the rear end of the object from sliding. Therefore, the object can be pulled forward and easily removed from the object holder.

[0013] Alternatively, sidewalls facing upwards are provided on both sides of the mounting surface in the vehicle width direction, and a curved surface that is concavely curved from the mounting surface toward the upper side of the sidewall is provided between the mounting surface and each of the sidewalls.

[0014] In this case, if you hook your finger on the inside side of the item placed on the item holder and pull the item towards the front side wall, the front side end of the item will lift upwards along the curved surface. Therefore, by pulling the item directly closer, it can be easily removed from the item holder.

[0015] Alternatively, a narrow section may be provided in the central region of the bridge section in at least the front-rear direction. The narrow section is narrower in the vehicle width direction than the mounting surface, and the ends on both sides in the vehicle width direction are located inwards than the ends on both sides of the mounting surface in the vehicle width direction.

[0016] In this case, when the item placed on the item holder is a portable information terminal with a display screen, if the portable information terminal is placed on the holder surface near the seat, the screen of the portable information terminal can be easily viewed from the seat through the space near the front of the narrow section of the bridge. However, if an occupant in another seat places their portable information terminal on the holder surface near that seat, the screen is obstructed by the bridge (narrow section), making it difficult for that occupant to see it. Therefore, with this structure, the privacy of occupants seated to the left and right of the front row seats can be protected.

[0017] In addition, in this structure, a narrow section is provided in the central area of ​​the bridge section in at least the front-rear direction, so when the finger is hooked on the front end of the item placed on the item placement section to remove the item, the person's hand is less likely to interfere with the bridge section, and the removal of the item becomes easier.

[0018] Alternatively, an inclined wall that tilts upward and forward is provided in front of the receiving surface where the finger is placed, and a terminal connection port for connecting the terminal of the electrical device is provided in the inclined wall, and an eave extending upward toward the terminal connection port is provided in the front block.

[0019] In this case, a terminal connection port is provided on the inclined wall at the front of the item placement section, which is located near the outer side in the width direction. Therefore, the occupant can easily connect or disconnect the terminals of the electrical equipment relative to the terminal connection port while still seated in the front seat. In addition, the terminal connection port is covered by a ledge extending from the front section, so that if a liquid such as a beverage is accidentally spilled on the center console, the ledge can reliably prevent the liquid from falling onto the terminal connection port.

[0020] Furthermore, in this structure, since an inclined wall is provided in front of the receiving surface where the finger is inserted, when the finger is hooked onto the front end of the item placed on the item mounting part to remove the item, it is difficult for the person's hand to interfere with the front part, making it easier to remove the item.

[0021] In the present invention, when a rectangular plate-shaped item is placed on the article placement surface of the central seat bench of a vehicle, the front position of the item is restricted by the rear bulge, making it impossible to place the item on the finger insertion receiving surface. Therefore, by inserting a finger toward the finger insertion receiving surface and hooking the finger onto the front of the item placed on the article placement surface, the item can be easily removed from the article placement area. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the front of the vehicle's cab in the embodiment of the method.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a top view of the central seating area in the implementation method.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the central seating area in the implementation method.

[0025] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view along line IV-IV.

[0026] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view along the VV line.

[0027] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Enlarged view of section VI. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] It should be noted that in the following description, unless otherwise specified, "front and back," "up and down," and "left and right" refer to the front and back, up and down, and left and right of the vehicle. Additionally, the attached diagram shows an arrow pointing upwards to the vehicle (UP), an arrow pointing forwards to the vehicle (FR), and an arrow pointing to the left side of the vehicle (LH) in appropriate locations.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the front portion of the interior of vehicle 1 according to the embodiment.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, an instrument panel 2 is positioned in front of the front seats in the vehicle interior. The instrument panel 2 includes various gauges, audio controls, air conditioning controls, etc. It should be noted that the vehicle 1 in this embodiment is a so-called left-hand drive vehicle, with the driver's seat positioned on the left and the passenger seat on the right, facing forward. A central seating platform 10 is positioned between the driver's seat and the passenger seat. The central seating platform 10 bulges upward relative to the floor 3 of the vehicle interior, with its front end extending to the lower area of ​​the instrument panel 2. The central seating platform 10 is generally formed as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped that extends in the longitudinal direction.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a top view of the central seating area 10. Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of the central seating area 10 as seen from the upper left rear.

[0033] The central seating platform 10 includes: an article placement section 11 having a flat placement surface 11a on its upper surface; a front block section 12 disposed in front of the article placement section 11; a rear block section 13 disposed behind the article placement section 11; and a bridge section 14 mounted on the front block section 12 and the rear block section 13.

[0034] The article placement section 11 includes: a placement surface 11a that extends substantially horizontally and is substantially rectangular in shape when viewed from above; extended placement surfaces 11b that extend substantially horizontally forward from the left and right side ends of the placement surface 11a; and sidewalls 11c that rise upward from the outer ends of the placement surface 11a and the extended placement surfaces 11b in the vehicle width direction. The article placement section 11 is formed as a tray with rims on the left and right sides. A rear bulge 15 that rises upward is disposed in the central region of the front part of the placement surface 11a in the vehicle width direction. The rear bulge 15 forms part of the rear wall of the front block part 12. The rear bulge 15 bulges out in an arc shape toward the rear of the vehicle in the central region of the front part of the article placement section 11 in the vehicle width direction. The left and right extended placement surfaces 11b are the forward extended regions of the placement surface 11a that are divided left and right by the rear bulge 15.

[0035] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view along line IV-IV.

[0036] like Figure 4 As shown, when a rectangular plate-shaped item such as a portable information terminal 50 is placed on the mounting surface 11a, the rear bulge 15 abuts against the front end of the item, thereby restricting the forward displacement of the item. Furthermore, when the rectangular plate-shaped item is placed on the mounting surface 11a, a space formed by the extended mounting surface 11b is ensured in front of the front end of the item near its outer side in the width direction. When removing the rectangular plate-shaped item from the mounting surface 11a, the user can insert a finger into the space formed by the extended mounting surface 11b, hooking the finger onto the front end of the item for easy removal.

[0037] In this embodiment, the extended mounting surface 11b constitutes a receiving surface for inserting a finger. The extended mounting surface 11b is formed with a width and a front-to-back length sufficient to allow insertion of the first and second joints of the fingertip into the space above it.

[0038] The front block 12 is a block with a gear shift lever 16 mounted on its upper surface and internally housing a linkage device, wiring, etc. The front end of the front block 12 is connected to the lower part of the central area in the vehicle width direction of the instrument panel 2. The aforementioned rear bulge 15 is provided in the central area in the vehicle width direction at the rear of the front block 12. Inclined walls 17 are formed on the left and right sides of the rear bulge 15 at the rear of the front block 12, which are inclined upwards and forwards towards the vehicle. Each inclined wall 17 is positioned in front of the extended mounting surfaces 11b on the left and right sides of the item mounting section 11, and is inclined in the vehicle width direction towards the occupant sitting in the front seat (driver's seat or front passenger seat) (so that it is roughly facing the seated occupant).

[0039] Each of the left and right inclined walls 17 is provided with a terminal connection port 18 for connecting electrical devices such as a portable information terminal 50. The terminal connection port 18 is a connection port such as a USB port for connecting to terminals used for power supply, signal transmission and reception, etc., with the electrical device. The shape and structure of the terminal connection port 18 are arbitrary. There can be two or more terminal connection ports 18 provided on the inclined walls 17. In this case, each terminal connection port 18 can be of the same type (same specification) or different types (different specifications).

[0040] It should be noted that the terminals of the cables that can be connected to electrical devices such as portable information terminals 50 can be connected to each terminal connection port 18. However, if it is a device such as a flash memory, the terminals that are protruding on the device can be directly inserted.

[0041] In addition, an eave 22 is provided at the upper end of each of the left and right inclined walls 17, extending toward the rear of the vehicle and covering the top of the terminal connection port 18.

[0042] The rear section 13 includes an upward-opening storage recess 20 and a cover 21 for opening and closing the storage recess 20. The cover 21 has an opening / closing hinge (not shown) at its rear end, which rotates around the hinge axis by an occupant's operation. When the storage recess 20 is opened, the cover 21 is raised significantly upwards from the rear end to the front end. Additionally, cushioning material is embedded in the upper surface and surrounding area of ​​the cover 21. When the storage recess 20 is closed, the cover 21 also functions as an armrest for the occupant seated in the front row.

[0043] The bridge section 14 extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and connects the upper rear end of the front block section 12 with the upper front end of the rear block section 13 (item storage recess 20). The bridge section 14 is positioned above the item placement section 11 via the space section 25. The width of the bridge section 14 in the vehicle width direction is set to be narrower than the width of the placement surface 11a of the item placement section 11 in the vehicle width direction.

[0044] More specifically, the bridge section 14 has a narrow section 14a extending from its central region in the front-rear direction to its rear end. The narrow section 14a is significantly narrower in the vehicle width direction compared to the mounting surface 11a, and its ends in the vehicle width direction are located further inward than the ends of the mounting surface 11a in the vehicle width direction. A widening section 14b, whose width gradually increases forward in the vehicle width direction, is provided on the front side of the narrow section 14a of the bridge section 14. The front end of the widening section 14b is integrally connected to the rear of the front block section 12.

[0045] The outer edge of the front end side of the extended portion 14b in the width direction is connected to the eaves 22 of the aforementioned front block portion 12.

[0046] The narrow section 14a of the bridge section 14 is located at an inward position on both sides of the vehicle width direction compared to the ends of both sides of the mounting surface 11a in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, as Figure 2 As shown, when viewed from above, portions of both sides of the mounting surface 11a in the vehicle width direction are exposed outwards and can be seen. Therefore, as Figure 4 As shown, when the portable information terminal 50 is placed on the side of the mounting surface 11a with the screen facing upwards, occupants seated in the seat closest to the portable information terminal 50 (driver's seat or front passenger seat) can easily visually recognize the screen of the portable information terminal 50. It should be noted that, at this time, occupants seated in the seat furthest from the portable information terminal 50 (front passenger seat or driver's seat) have their view obstructed by the bridge portion 14 (narrow portion 14a), thus blocking the visual recognition of the screen of the portable information terminal 50. Therefore, occupants in the front seats can protect the privacy of each occupant in the front seats by ensuring that the screen of the portable information terminal 50 placed near them is not seen by occupants next to them.

[0047] Furthermore, the terminal connection ports 18 provided on the left and right inclined walls 17 at the front of the item placement section 11 are positioned in a way that does not overlap with the bridge section 14 when viewed from above. The position of the terminal connection ports 18 can be further preferably positioned in a way that does not overlap with the bridge section 14 when viewed from the line of sight of an occupant sitting in the front seat.

[0048] In addition, various switches S, such as the parking switch, are arranged along the front-to-back direction on the upper surface of the bridge 14.

[0049] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view along the VV line. Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Enlarged view of section VI.

[0050] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, a pad 30 with an anti-slip function, at least on its upper surface, is disposed on the mounting surface 11a of the article mounting section 11. The pad 30 may be made of, for example, an elastic rubber material or a soft resin. When a rectangular plate-shaped article such as a portable information terminal 50 is mounted on the upper surface of the pad 30, it can suppress the slippage of the end of the article. Therefore, when the finger is hooked on the front end of the article and it is pulled up, the rear end of the article is reliably locked on the pad 30, resulting in the front end of the article being easy to stand up.

[0051] In this embodiment, the mat 30 constitutes an anti-slip component.

[0052] Furthermore, a curved surface 35, which curves concavely from the mounting surface 11a toward the upper part of each side wall 11c in the vehicle width direction, is provided between the mounting surface 11a of the article placement section 11. A concave stepped portion is formed on the portion of the mounting surface 11a where the mat 30 is laid, so that the upper surface of the mat 30 is approximately flush with the side edge of the mounting surface 11a. No mat 30, serving as an anti-slip component, is laid from the side edge of the mounting surface 11a to the curved surface 35.

[0053] Items such as portable information terminals 50 are mounted on the mounting surface 11a of the item mounting section 11. Figure 5 As shown, by hooking finger f from above onto the inner side end of the object in the width direction, the front side end 50e of the object can be lifted by pulling the object's forward side wall 11c. At this time, as... Figure 6 As shown in the enlarged view, the side end 50e of the item slides up on the curved surface 35, further pulling the finger f forward, thereby enabling the item to be lifted and removed.

[0054] As described above, in this embodiment, when a rectangular plate-shaped item (e.g., a portable information terminal 50) is placed on the placement surface 11a of the item placement section 11 on the central seat bench 10, the front position of the item is restricted by the rear bulge, and the item cannot be placed on the extended placement surface 11b (the receiving surface for inserting fingers). Therefore, the user sitting in the front seat can easily remove the item from the item placement section 11 by inserting their fingers toward the extended placement surface 11b and hooking their fingers onto the front of the item placed on the item placement section 11.

[0055] In particular, in this embodiment, the rear bulge protrudes rearward in an arc shape, thus ensuring that the rear end side of the extended mounting surface 11b (where the finger is placed) is wide in the width direction. Therefore, when removing the item, it is easy to hook the finger near the center of the rectangular plate-shaped item in the width direction. Therefore, the item removal operation can be performed more easily.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the central seating platform 10 has a bridge portion 14 positioned above the item placement section 11. Therefore, even if a beverage or other liquid is accidentally spilled above the central seating platform 10, the liquid can be prevented from falling onto the items on the item placement section 11, thus protecting the items. Additionally, in this structure, because the bridge portion 14 is present above the item placement section 11, various switches can be positioned on the upper surface of the bridge portion 14, which is easily accessible to seated occupants.

[0057] Furthermore, even though the central seat platform 10 of this embodiment has a bridge portion above the article placement portion, since the extended placement surface 11b (finger insertion receiving surface) is located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction at the front of the article placement portion 11, it is easy to hook the finger onto the front end of the article placed on the article placement portion 11.

[0058] In addition, in this embodiment, the central seating platform 10 has an anti-slip mat 30 (anti-slip member) on the upper surface of the placement surface of the article placement section 11. When a finger is hooked on the front end of an article placed on the article placement section 11 and the article is pulled forward, the anti-slip mat 30 can prevent the rear end of the article from sliding.

[0059] Therefore, with this structure, even when the front-to-back length of the article is shorter than the front-to-back length of the mounting surface 11a, the article can be easily removed from the article mounting section 11.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the central seating platform 10 has a curved surface 35 formed between the mounting surface 11a of the article mounting section 11 and each side wall 11c, which curves concavely from the mounting surface 11a toward the upper side of the side wall 11c. Therefore, by hooking a finger f onto the inner end of the article mounted on the mounting surface 11a in the width direction and pulling it directly forward, the near-forward side end of the article can be lifted upward along the curved surface 35.

[0061] Therefore, with this structure, by pulling the article placed on the mounting surface 11a closer to the front in the width direction, the article can be easily removed from the article mounting section 11.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the central seat platform 10 has a narrow section 14a extending from the central region to the rear end of the bridge section 14 in the front-rear direction. This narrow section 14a is narrower in the vehicle width direction than the mounting surface 11a, and its ends in the vehicle width direction are located inwards than the ends in the vehicle width direction of the mounting surface 11a. Therefore, when a portable information terminal 50 is mounted on the side of the mounting surface 11a of the item mounting section 11 near the seat, the screen of the portable information terminal 50 can be easily viewed from the seat through the space near the front of the narrow section 14a of the bridge section 14. Conversely, if a portable information terminal 50 is mounted on the side of the mounting surface 11a near the other seat, the screen of the portable information terminal 50 is obstructed by the narrow section 14a, making it difficult for the occupant of that seat to see it.

[0063] Therefore, with this structure, the privacy of occupants seated on the left and right sides of the front row can be protected.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the central seat platform 10 has a narrow section 14a in the central region of the bridge section 14, at least in the front-rear direction. Therefore, when removing an item by hooking a finger around the front end of an item placed on the item holder 11, it is difficult for the person's hand to interfere with the bridge section 14, making item removal easier. Moreover, when removing an item by hooking a finger around the inside of the item placed on the item holder 11 in the width direction, it is also difficult for the person's hand to interfere with the bridge section 14, making item removal easier.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the central seat bench 10 has an inclined wall 17 positioned in front of the extended mounting surface 11b (the receiving surface for inserting fingers), and a terminal connection port 18 is provided on the inclined wall 17. Therefore, the terminal connection port 18 is positioned at the front of the item mounting section 11, on the outer side in the width direction, in an upward-sloping manner. Thus, while seated in the front seat, the occupant can easily attach or detach the terminals of electrical equipment relative to the terminal connection port 18.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the central seating platform 10 has an eaves 22 extending above the terminal connection port 18 on the front block portion 12. Therefore, the eaves 22 of the front block portion 12 covers the area above the terminal connection port 18, thus reliably preventing liquids such as beverages from falling onto the terminal connection port 18 if liquids are accidentally spilled above the central seating platform 10.

[0067] Furthermore, an inclined wall 17 is provided in front of the extended mounting surface 11b, tilting upwards and forwards. Therefore, when a person hooks their finger on the front end of an item placed on the mounting surface 11a to remove the item, it is difficult for their hand to interfere with the front block 12, making it easier to remove the item.

[0068] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made without departing from its spirit.

[0069] For example, in the above embodiment, the portion of the bridge portion 14 from the central region in the front-rear direction to the rear end is a narrow portion 14a, but the area where the narrow portion 14a is disposed is not limited to this. The area where the narrow portion 14a is disposed only needs to include at least the central region in the front-rear direction of the bridge portion 14.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a mat 30 serving as an anti-slip member is laid on the mounting surface 11a of the article mounting portion 11. However, the anti-slip member does not necessarily need to be mat-shaped; it can be block-shaped or any other arbitrary shape. Moreover, if there is a structure such as a protrusion that restricts the rearward displacement of the article in the rear region of the mounting surface 11a, then the anti-slip member may not necessarily be present.

Claims

1. A central seating platform for a vehicle, wherein, The central seating area of ​​the vehicle has: The article placement section has a placement surface capable of placing rectangular plate-shaped articles; The front block is positioned in front of the article-carrying section; The rear block is positioned behind the article-carrying section; A bridge section, which is mounted on the front block section and the rear block section, and is positioned above the article-carrying section across the space section; A rear bulge that rises upward from the front of the mounting surface and bulges rearward toward the central region of the mounting surface in the vehicle width direction; and A finger is placed on the receiving surface, which is located on the outer side of the rear bulge in the vehicle width direction and extends forward from the mounting surface.

2. The central seating area of ​​the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, An anti-slip component is provided on the upper surface of the mounting surface.

3. The central seating area of ​​the vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The mounting surface has upward-facing sidewalls on both sides in the vehicle width direction. A curved surface is provided between the mounting surface and each of the sidewalls, which curves concavely from the mounting surface toward the upper side of the sidewall.

4. The central seating area of ​​the vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, A narrow section is provided in the central region of the bridge section in at least the front-rear direction. The narrow section is narrower in the vehicle width direction than the mounting surface, and the ends on both sides in the vehicle width direction are located inward than the ends on both sides of the mounting surface in the vehicle width direction.

5. The central seating area of ​​the vehicle according to claim 4, wherein, An inclined wall that slopes upwards and forwards is provided in front of the receiving surface where the finger is inserted. The inclined wall is provided with a terminal connection port for connecting the terminals of electrical equipment, and the front block is provided with an eave extending above the terminal connection port.

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