Vehicle console with deployable device holder

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a vehicle console with a deployable device holder. A vehicle console is provided having a housing including a storage compartment having an access opening on a top side, and a control panel disposed on the housing, a cover coupled to the housing to cover the access opening of the storage compartment; and a device holder configured to hold an electronic display device and pivotally coupled to the housing to pivot between a stowed position in the storage compartment and a deployed position extending outwardly over the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle consoles and, more particularly, to a console having a device holder for retaining a display device on a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Motor vehicles are often equipped with storage compartments, such as consoles. For example, a center console is often mounted between the driver's seat and the passenger seat in a row of seats in a passenger motor vehicle. The center console often has a main storage compartment with a lid (the lid often also serves as an armrest) and may include one or more beverage holders and other storage compartments. It is desirable to provide a center console for deploying electronic devices for a motor vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a vehicle console comprising a housing, the storage compartment having an access opening on a top side, a lid coupled to the housing to cover the access opening of the storage compartment, and a device holder configured to hold an electronic display device and pivotally coupled to the housing to pivot between a stowed position in the storage compartment and a deployed position extending outwardly above the housing.

[0004] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0005] - the device holder comprises a pivot connection which allows the device holder to pivot to the stowed position within the storage compartment when the lid is in the open position, and wherein the device holder can be in the deployed position when the lid is in the closed position;

[0006] - a hinge connects the cover to the housing, wherein the cover pivots about the hinge on a front side of the access opening and the device holder pivots about a rear side of the access opening;

[0007] - the pivot connection comprises at least one pivot pin engagement hole on opposite lateral sides of the device holder;

[0008] - the device holder comprises a frame for receiving the electronic display device and removably holding the display device;

[0009] - the frame engages the electronic device in a fixed position;

[0010] - the device holder further comprising a slot configured to allow a cable to connect the display device to a port on the housing;

[0011] - said lid provides a handrail on the top surface in said closed position;

[0012] - the lid provides a working surface on the top surface in the open position; and

[0013] - The console is a central console.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle center console includes a housing including a storage compartment having an access opening on a top side. A hinge is coupled to the housing on a first side of the access opening, a cover is coupled to the hinge and is pivotable between a closed position and an open position covering the access opening of the storage compartment. A pivot connection is coupled to the housing on a second side of the access opening, and a device holder is coupled to the pivot connection and is configured to hold a display device and is pivotally coupled to the housing to pivot between a stowed position in the storage compartment and a deployed position extending outwardly above the housing.

[0015] Embodiments of the second aspect of the present disclosure may include one or a combination of the following features:

[0016] - said second side is a rear side of said access opening;

[0017] - said first side is a front side of said access opening;

[0018] - the pivot connection allows the device holder to pivot to the stowed position within the storage compartment when the lid is in the open position, and wherein the device holder can be in the deployed position when the lid is in the closed position;

[0019] - the pivot connection comprises at least one pivot pin engagement hole on opposite lateral sides of the device holder;

[0020] - the device holder comprises a frame for receiving an electronic display device and for removably holding the display device;

[0021] - the frame engages the electronic device in a fixed position;

[0022] - the device holder further comprising a slot configured to allow a cable to connect the display device to a port on the housing;

[0023] - the lid provides a handrail on the top surface in the closed position; and

[0024] - the cover provides a working surface on the top surface in the open position.

[0025] These and other features, advantages and objectives of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by referring to the following description, claims and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In the attached picture:

[0027] Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of the interior of a vehicle cabin of a motor vehicle equipped with a front center console according to one example;

[0028] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle interior illustrating a first embodiment of a center console configured with a deployable device holder in a stowed position and a lid in a closed position;

[0029] Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the interior of the vehicle cabin showing the center console with the lid in a forward open position and the device holder in a stowed position;

[0030] Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the interior of a vehicle compartment showing the display device on the device holder in a deployed position with the cover in an open position;

[0031] Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the interior of a vehicle compartment showing the display device with the device holder in a deployed position and the lid in a closed position;

[0032] Figure 6 is an exploded view of the center console and device holder; and

[0033] Figure 7 Yes Figure 4 A front perspective view of the center console is shown with the device holder in the deployed position and the cover in the forward open position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. In the drawings, the depicted structural elements are not drawn to scale, and certain parts are enlarged relative to other parts for the purpose of emphasis and understanding.

[0035] As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure, which may be implemented in various alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily designed in detail; some schematic diagrams may be enlarged or minimized to show functional overviews. Therefore, the specific structural details and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but only as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to adopt the present disclosure in different ways.

[0036] For the purpose of description herein, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "rear", "front", "vertical", "horizontal" and their derivatives shall refer to the following: Figure 1 The concepts of orientation in the drawings are presented in detail. However, it should be understood that the concepts can assume various alternative orientations unless expressly indicated to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes shown in the drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Therefore, unless the claims expressly state otherwise, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

[0037] The embodiments illustrated herein reside primarily in a combination of method steps and apparatus components associated with a vehicle console having a deployable device holder. Accordingly, apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, and only those specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure are shown so as not to obscure the present disclosure with details that would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. In addition, like reference numerals in the specification and drawings represent like elements.

[0038] As used herein, the term "and / or" when used with a list of two or more items means that any one of the listed items may be employed alone, or any combination of two or more of the listed items may be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition may contain: A only; B only; C only; a combination of A and B; a combination of A and C; a combination of B and C; or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0039] In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, etc. are used singly to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus comprising a list of elements may include not only those elements, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by "comprising ..." does not, in the absence of more constraints, preclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus comprising the element.

[0040] As used herein, the term "about" means that the amount, size, formula, parameter and other quantity and characteristics are not exact, nor need to be exact, but may be approximate and / or larger or smaller as needed to reflect tolerances, conversion factors, rounding, measurement errors, etc. and other factors known to those skilled in the art. When the term "about" is used to describe the endpoints of a value or range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or endpoint mentioned. Regardless of whether the endpoints of a numerical value or range in this specification are described as "about", the endpoints of the numerical value or range are intended to include two embodiments: one modified by "about" and one not modified by "about". It should also be understood that the endpoints of each range in the range are significant in relation to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint.

[0041] As used herein, the terms "substantially," "substantially," and variations thereof are intended to indicate that the feature being described is equal to or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to indicate a planar or approximately planar surface. Additionally, "substantially" is intended to mean that two values ​​are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, "substantially" may indicate that values ​​are within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

[0042] Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, as used herein, the terms "the," "a," or "an" mean "at least one" and should not be limited to "only one." Thus, for example, reference to "a component" includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0043] refer to Figure 1, generally showing a wheeled automobile or motor vehicle 10, which is configured with passenger seats for transporting one or more passengers, including the driver of the vehicle 10, and for further transporting one or more items on the vehicle 10. The motor vehicle 10 has a body 12 that generally defines a cabin interior 14. The cabin interior 14 may include various features and decorative components. The cabin interior 14 is shown as having a certain arrangement of front passenger seats, the front passenger seats including a first seat assembly 20A configured to seat the driver and a second seat assembly 20B configured to seat the passenger. The first seat assembly 20A and the second seat assembly 20B may be configured, for example, as independent seats that are laterally spaced apart and separated by a space, the space including a center console 30 that may be configured according to the embodiments shown and described herein. The motor vehicle 10 shown in the example also includes additional seats, such as: a second row of seats, the second row of seats including the third seat assembly 20C and the fourth seat assembly 20D shown; and a third row of seats, the third row of seats including the fifth seat assembly 20E and the sixth seat assembly 20F. The motor vehicle 10 may include additional seats, which is common for large trucks or buses. It should be understood that the vehicle 10 may be, for example, a motor vehicle such as a car, truck, SUV, van or bus, or an airplane, train, boat or other vehicle capable of transporting one or more passengers and items.

[0044] The motor vehicle 10 is shown with a front row of seats having a first seat assembly 20A, which is located on one lateral side (e.g., left side) of the first row and behind the vehicle of the dashboard 26 and the steering wheel 22 and is configured to seat the driver of the vehicle 10. The first seat assembly 20A includes a seat base and a seat back. The second seat assembly 20B is shown positioned behind the vehicle of the dashboard 26 on the opposite lateral side (e.g., right side) of the front row of seats and has a seat base and a seat back configured to seat a passenger. The vehicle body 12 has a plurality of side doors 16 that allow the driver and passengers to enter and exit the vehicle interior 14 to access the seat assemblies 20A to 20F. In the example shown, the driver's seat assembly 20A is positioned adjacent to the lateral left door 16, and the passenger seat assembly 20B is positioned adjacent to the opposite lateral right door 16. Passengers can enter or exit the second and third row seat assemblies 20C to 20F via the rear side doors 16.

[0045] The interior 14 is shown as being equipped with a center console 30 in the space between the driver's first seat assembly 20A and the passenger second seat assembly 20B in the first front row of seats. In addition, the interior 14 is also shown as having one or more additional consoles, such as a rear center console (not shown), in the space between the third seat assembly 20C and the fourth seat assembly 20D in the middle second row of seats. It should be understood that the center console 30 can be located at various locations in the vehicle 10, such as between other adjacent seat assemblies. For example, a vehicle console in the form of a center console can be located in the space between the fifth seat assembly 20E and the sixth seat assembly 20F in the third row of seats at the rear.

[0046] The vehicle console 30 is shown and described as a center console positioned adjacent to a pair of vehicle seat assemblies in the motor vehicle 10, which provides various features and accessories. The vehicle console 30 is configured with a deployable device holder that can hold a display device, and the deployable device holder can be moved between a stowed position located within a housing defining a storage compartment and a deployed position extending outward from the housing (generally above and below the rear end). The vehicle console 30 can provide storage space, such as one or more compartments for storing one or more items on the motor vehicle 10. In addition, the vehicle console 30 can provide an armrest for the driver or passenger of the motor vehicle 10 to rest their arms. In addition, the vehicle console 30 can include a workbench that provides a work surface that a user can use for, for example, work purposes.

[0047] The vehicle console 30 is Figures 2 to 7 3 is shown as having a housing 32 having upright side walls that generally define an interior main first storage compartment 36 for storing one or more items, including an electronic display device 90 attached to a device holder. The housing 32 generally includes a front wall, a rear wall, and side walls. The housing 32 is provided with an access opening 34 on a top side that allows access to the storage compartment 36. In the example shown, the storage compartment 36 is generally rectangular in cross-section, however, it should be understood that various other shapes and sizes of storage compartments may be provided.

[0048] The vehicle console 30 is also equipped with a second storage compartment 46 on its front side, which can be used as a tray having generally upright walls defining a storage area. A plurality of cup holders 48 are also provided on the upper front side of the vehicle console 30. In the example shown, another third storage compartment 44 in the form of a tray is also located behind the vehicle of the cup holders 48 and in front of the main storage compartment 46. The housing 32 can be fixedly attached to and supported on the vehicle floor 18.

[0049] The vehicle console 30 also includes a cover 50 that is Figure 2The cover 50 covers the access opening 34 in the closed position shown. The cover 50 has a soft (e.g., foam-based) upper surface that can be used as an armrest by a driver seated in the driver seat assembly 20A or a passenger seated in the passenger seat assembly 20B. The cover 50 is hingedly connected to the housing 32 via the hinge 38 or hinges at or near the front edge of the access opening 34. Thus, the cover 50 can be moved about the hinge 38. Figure 2 The closed position shown and Figure 3 The lid 50 is rotated approximately 180° between the forwardly rotated and fully open positions shown. In the fully open position, the lid 50 has an upwardly facing work surface 54 to allow a driver or passenger to use the lid 50 as a work surface or table. In the fully open position, the lid 50 can rest on the front portion of the housing 32, which generally defines the storage compartment 46 and the cup holder 48.

[0050] The vehicle console 30 includes a device holder 60 configured to hold an electronic display device 90. The device holder 60 is pivotally coupled to the housing 32 at or near a rear edge of the access opening 34 and is configured to be positioned as shown in FIG. Figure 3 The stowed position shown and Figure 4 The device holder 60 is a pivoting display screen holder that can hold an electronic display device, such as a tablet computer (e.g., iPad), a phone, or other electronic device that can be removed and stored in the storage compartment 36. The device holder 60 includes a base support member 62 having a rear support wall 70 extending therefrom. The base support member 62 includes a pair of receiver openings 64A and 64B on opposite lateral sides, the pair of receiver openings being configured to have a shape and size to receive corresponding pivot pins 68A and 68B, which are biased via corresponding springs 66A and 66B. The pivot pins 68A and 68B can be pressed laterally inward during installation so as to position the pivot pins 68A and 68B in corresponding openings 65A and 65B formed on the inner wall of the housing 32 in the storage compartment 36 at the rear end of the housing 32. Once the pivot pins 68A and 68B are inserted into the openings 65A and 65B, the biasing springs 66A and 66B bias the pins 68A and 68B to remain attached to the housing 32 .

[0051] The device holder 60 also includes a housing 74 having a bumper frame 76 with a slot 78 configured to engage the rear support wall 70. A display device 90, such as a tablet computer (e.g., iPad), a phone, or other electronic device, can be removably connected to the bumper frame 76 and engaged within the slot 78 to retain the display device 90 to the bumper frame 76. The bumper frame 76 with the display device 90 attached thereto can then be inserted into the rear support wall 70 of the base member 62.

[0052] refer to Figure 3 , the device holder 60 is shown in a stowed position with the display device 90 stored substantially horizontally within the storage compartment 36, with the lid 50 in an open position. It should be understood that the device holder 60 and the display device 90 can be further rotated downward into the storage compartment 36 to a lower stowed position. Figure 4 In the illustrated use position, a user can manually rotate the device holder 60 upward and toward the rear of the vehicle to position the device holder 60 and the display device 90 in a use position that extends from the housing 32 to above the housing and / or behind the housing and is visible to the user from the rear seating area of ​​the vehicle 10. Alternatively, it should be understood that the device holder 60 can be actuated via an actuator (such as an electric motor) to move the device holder 60 with the display device 90 between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to, for example, a user or vehicle system input command.

[0053] The device holder 60 can be placed in the deployed position and used to display the display device 90 with the cover 50 in the open position, such as Figure 4 In addition, the cover 50 can be moved to the closed position with the device holder 60 in the extended position, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 In this position, the device holder 60 extends upright above the housing 32 and / or behind the cover 50 so as not to interfere with the movement of the cover 50 between the open position and the closed position.

[0054] The electronic device 90 may be operated via its own battery power, or it may be powered and / or charged via the vehicle power source using a cable 82 connected to one or more electrical ports on the housing 32 of the vehicle 10. For example, the cable 82 may be connected to one of a plurality of USB external ports 56A-56C, which are shown as being located on the rear end of the housing 32, generally below the device holder 60. Additionally, the storage compartment 36 may include an internal electrical port, shown as a USB port 58, such as Figure 7The base member 62 of the device holder 60 may also include a slot 78 formed in the lower portion to allow a cable 82 to extend from the electronic display device 90 to connect to one or more of the ports (such as the internal port 58), such as Figure 7 With the cable 82 connected to the electronic display device 90 and one of the ports, the electronic display device 90 may receive power and may transmit data to the USB port 58 via the cable 82 via a wired connection, or may utilize wireless communication.

[0055] Thus, the vehicle console 30 advantageously includes a device holder 60 that can hold and position the display device 90 in a stowed position within the console 30 or in a deployed position extending behind and / or above the console 30. Users on the vehicle 10 can advantageously bring their own electronic display device to the vehicle 10 and connect it to the device holder 60 and utilize the device 90 while sitting in the back seat area of ​​the vehicle 10. For example, a driver of the vehicle 10, such as an operator of a ride-hailing service such as UberLyft, can utilize the device holder 60 to hold the electronic device 90 for transactions, such as customer input and output for receiving instructions and paying for services. When the electronic display device 90 is no longer needed for use, the lid 50 can be opened, and the device holder 60 and the electronic display device 90 can be rotated to the stowed position, and the lid 50 closed so that the display device 90 is no longer visible.

[0056] It should be understood that changes and modifications may be made to the foregoing constructions without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and it should be further understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the appended claims unless the claims expressly state otherwise by their language.

[0057] According to the present invention, a vehicle console is provided, which has: a shell, the shell including a storage compartment, the storage compartment having an access opening on the top side; a cover, the cover is connected to the shell to cover the access opening of the storage compartment; and a device holder, the device holder is configured to hold an electronic display device and is pivotally connected to the shell to pivot between a stowed position in the storage compartment and a deployed position extending outward above the shell.

[0058] According to an embodiment, the device holder includes a pivot connection that allows the device holder to pivot to the stowed position within the storage compartment when the lid is in the open position, and wherein the device holder can be in the deployed position when the lid is in the closed position.

[0059] According to an embodiment, the invention also features a hinge that couples the cover to the housing, wherein the cover pivots about the hinge on a front side of the access opening and the device holder pivots about a rear side of the access opening.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the pivot connection comprises at least one pivot pin engagement hole on opposite lateral sides of the device holder.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the device holder includes a frame for receiving the electronic display device and removably holding the display device.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the frame engages the electronic device in a fixed position.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the device holder further comprises a slot configured to allow a cable to connect the display device to a port on the housing.

[0064] According to an embodiment, said lid provides a handrail on a top surface in said closed position.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the cover provides a working surface on the top surface in the open position.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the console is a central console.

[0067] According to the present invention, a vehicle center console is provided, which has: a shell, the shell including a storage compartment, the storage compartment having an access opening on the top side; a hinge, the hinge connected to the shell on a first side of the access opening; a cover, the cover is connected to the hinge and can be pivoted between a closed position and an open position covering the access opening of the storage compartment; a pivot connection, the pivot connection is connected to the shell on a second side of the access opening; and a device holder, the device holder is connected to the pivot connection and is configured to hold a display device and is pivotally connected to the shell to pivot between a stowed position in the storage compartment and a deployed position extending outward above the shell.

[0068] According to an embodiment, the second side is a rear side of the access opening.

[0069] According to an embodiment, the first side is a front side of the access opening.

[0070] According to an embodiment, the pivot connection allows the device holder to pivot to the stowed position within the storage compartment when the lid is in the open position, and wherein the device holder may be in the deployed position when the lid is in the closed position.

[0071] According to an embodiment, the pivot connection comprises at least one pivot pin engagement hole on opposite lateral sides of the device holder.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the device holder includes a frame for receiving an electronic display device and for removably holding the display device.

[0073] According to an embodiment, the frame engages the electronic device in a fixed position.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the device holder further comprises a slot configured to allow a cable to connect the display device to a port on the housing.

[0075] According to an embodiment, said lid provides a handrail on a top surface in said closed position.

[0076] According to an embodiment, the cover provides a working surface on the top surface in the open position.

Claims

1. A vehicle console, include: a housing including a storage compartment having an access opening on a top side; a cover coupled to the housing to cover the access opening of the storage compartment; as well as A device holder is configured to hold an electronic display device and is pivotally coupled to the housing for pivoting between a stowed position within the storage compartment and a deployed position extending outwardly above the housing.

2. The vehicle console of claim 1 , wherein the device holder includes a pivot connection that allows the device holder to pivot to the stowed position within the storage compartment when the lid is in the open position, and wherein the device holder is capable of being in the deployed position when the lid is in the closed position.

3. The vehicle console of claim 2 further comprising a hinge coupling the cover to the housing, wherein the cover pivots about the hinge on a front side of the access opening and the device holder pivots about a rear side of the access opening.

4. The vehicle console of claim 2, wherein the pivot connection includes at least one pivot pin engagement aperture on opposing lateral sides of the device holder. 5 . The vehicle console of claim 1 , wherein the device holder includes a frame for receiving the electronic display device and removably retaining the display device.

6. The vehicle console of claim 5, wherein the frame engages the electronic device in a fixed position.

7. The vehicle console of claim 1, wherein the device holder further comprises a slot configured to allow a cable to connect the display device to a port on the housing.

8. The vehicle console of claim 1 wherein said cover provides an armrest on a top surface in said closed position.

9. The vehicle console of claim 8, wherein the cover provides a work surface on a top surface in the open position.

10. A vehicle console according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the console is a centre console.

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