Central console system for use in vehicle interior, and vehicle comprising at least one such system

Abstract

The present application relates to a center console system (100) for use in a vehicle interior and a corresponding vehicle, the center console system comprising a support structure (3), a center console (2) and a vehicle seat (1) movable relative to the support structure (3) and in a first direction (I) and a second direction (II), wherein the center console (2) is arranged close to the vehicle seat (1) and is connected to the vehicle seat via a first hinge (41) such that movement of the vehicle seat is transmitted to the center console (2), and wherein the center console (2) is rotationally connected to the support structure (3) via a second hinge (42).

Description

[0001] The present application relates to a center console system for use in a vehicle interior according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the present application relates to a vehicle comprising at least one center console system of this type.

[0002] Center consoles with armrests are known from the prior art. For example, DE 10 2007 033 532 A1 describes such a center console. To ensure that the armrests are suitable for supporting the arms of both large and small people, the armrests are designed to be movable. Although this center console is suitable for adjusting the support position of the armrests, the design is relatively complex and not ergonomically favorable for people of all sizes. In addition, vehicle seats are usually adjustable relative to the cockpit, making them ergonomically adjustable for both small and large people. When the passenger changes, many settings must be readjusted to create ergonomic conditions. In addition, many drive components are required to adjust the vehicle seat and center console, each of which is driven by an electric motor.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present application to propose a center console system that overcomes one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages.A particular object of the invention is to propose a center console system that ensures easy operation with a relatively simple and inexpensive construction.

[0004] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a center console having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments result from the features of the dependent claims and the exemplary embodiments.

[0005] The proposed center console system for use in a vehicle interior comprises:

[0006] Support structure,

[0007] center console, and

[0008] A vehicle seat is movable relative to the support structure and in a first direction and in a second direction.

[0009] The center console may be arranged adjacent to the vehicle seat and connected to the vehicle seat via a first hinge such that movements of the vehicle seat are transferred to the center console.

[0010] The center console is connected in a rotational manner to the support structure via a second hinge.

[0011] The first direction may extend orthogonally to the second direction. The first hinge may be designed to enable the center console to rotate about a first axis extending along a third direction. Additionally or alternatively, the hinge may be designed to enable the center console to rotate about an axis extending along or parallel to the third direction. Specifically, the third direction may be orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. In a right-handed Cartesian coordinate system, the first direction may extend along the x-axis, the second direction may extend along the z-axis, and the third direction may extend along the y-axis.

[0012] When the center console system is used in a vehicle interior, the first direction may correspond to the vehicle's direction of travel. Movement of the vehicle seat along this axis may reduce or increase the distance of the vehicle seat relative to a support structure (e.g., in the form of a cockpit or dashboard). The second direction may extend in a vertical direction and, in particular, corresponds to a height adjustment of the vehicle seat. The third direction may extend in a horizontal direction. Specifically, the vehicle seat may be designed to be rigidly arranged relative to the support structure in a third direction, in particular, to be non-displaceable in this third direction.

[0013] Specifically, the center console, or at least a portion of the center console, is securely connected to the vehicle seat in a manner such that movement of the vehicle seat in a first direction and a second direction is transmitted to the center console. This can be advantageous because a passenger seated in the seat need only adjust the seat to their size, while the center console is simultaneously moved into position. This allows for ergonomic access to storage compartments, cup holders, and / or armrests located in the center console, eliminating the need for additional adjustments to the center console.

[0014] The center console and / or the supporting structure may be designed such that the distance between the first hinge and the second hinge is adjustable.

[0015] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the center console can be mounted on or in a support structure so that it can move in a translational manner. The entire center console or at least a portion of the center console can be mounted on the support structure so that it can move. Movement in the first direction and / or in the second direction can be guided by a linear guide element. For example, the center console can have a pin or rib that is mounted in a rectangular slot in the support structure arranged parallel to the first direction and is displaceable within the slot.

[0016] For example, if the vehicle seat moves forward, the entire center console, or at least a portion of the center console, also moves forward. The first hinge can be moved toward the second hinge. To compensate for this, a cavity can be formed in the support structure, into which the front portion of the center console can be pushed. Additionally or alternatively, the center console can include a telescopic or folding mechanism that allows the length of the center console and / or the distance between the first and second hinges to be varied.

[0017] In one embodiment, a first hinge can rotatably connect the center console to the vehicle seat, specifically via a connecting rod. In addition to corresponding movement of the center console in that direction or directions, movement of the vehicle seat in the first and / or second direction can cause the center console to rotate relative to the vehicle seat. This can result in adjustment of the distance between the first and second hinges. Furthermore, the inclination of an armrest located on the center console can be adjusted in this manner.

[0018] The support structure may be part of a vehicle cockpit, in particular a dashboard. For example, the dashboard may include buttons and controls for adjusting vehicle functions.

[0019] A storage compartment may be formed on the top side of the center console. The center console may have at least one storage compartment and / or cup holders and / or electrical connections. Furthermore, the center console may be a continuation of the vehicle's instrument panel. Furthermore, the center console may have walls that at least partially define a cavity within the center console. This cavity may contain, for example, air ducts connected to at least one vent, an air conditioning unit, controls for controlling electrical devices, storage compartments, an ashtray, an infotainment system, a screen, and / or cup holders.

[0020] The center console system may include a drive, specifically an electric motor. The drive may be arranged and designed to move the vehicle seat, together with the center console, relative to the support structure in a first direction and / or a second direction. Compared to separately adjustable center consoles, this design has the advantage that only one drive is required for seat and center console adjustment. Thus, one drive may include one motor for movement in the first direction and another motor for movement in the second direction. However, no additional drive is required to adjust the center console. Instead, the drive can be used to adjust the position of the vehicle seat relative to the first support structure, thereby also adjusting the center console accordingly. This can result in cost and weight savings, as the connecting element for connecting the center console to the vehicle seat is less expensive and lighter than additional drive elements (specifically, one or more additional electric motors).

[0021] The present application also relates to a vehicle comprising at least one center console system according to the above description.The vehicle seat may be, for example, a driver's seat or a passenger seat.

[0022] For example, a vehicle may include two center console systems such that a first center console is coupled to a driver's seat and a second center console is coupled to a passenger seat.The first center console and the second center console may have a common second hinge or separate second hinges.

[0023] In one embodiment, only a single center console may be provided, wherein the center console has a first portion coupled to the driver's seat and a second portion coupled to the passenger seat. This coupling corresponds to the first hinge described above. The first and second portions of the center console are movable relative to each other, so that when the driver's seat moves, the first portion of the center console moves with it and is adjusted accordingly, whereas when the passenger seat moves, the second portion of the center console also moves with it and is adjusted accordingly. The first and second portions can move independently of each other. This allows for ergonomic positioning of both the passenger and the driver to be achieved simultaneously. The first and second portions of the center console may have a common second hinge.

[0024] The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description and the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown individually in the figures can be used not only in the combination specified in each case but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0025] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] In the attached figure:

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic side view of the center console system.

[0028] Figure 2 Based on Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a center console system of , wherein part (a) shows a perspective view and part (b) shows a rear view,

[0029] Figure 3 For the basis of the vehicle Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the two center console systems.

[0030] In the following, similar elements are marked with similar or identical reference numerals.

[0031] Figure 1A center console system 100 for use in a vehicle interior is shown, comprising a vehicle seat 1, a center console 2 and a support structure 3. The vehicle seat is movable relative to the support structure 3 in a first direction I and in a second direction II.

[0032] In the Cartesian coordinate system shown, vehicle seat 1 can move forward and backward along the x-axis. Furthermore, vehicle seat 1 can move up and down along the z-axis. Center console 2 is positioned adjacent to vehicle seat 1 and connected to the vehicle seat via a first hinge 41, so that movement of vehicle seat 1 is transmitted to center console 2. Center console 2 is rotationally connected to support structure 3 via a second hinge 42. Support structure 3 is part of the cockpit of a motor vehicle.

[0033] The first hinge 41 is designed to enable the center console 2 to rotate relative to the vehicle seat 1 about an axis parallel to the y-axis. The second hinge 42 is designed to enable the center console 2 to rotate relative to the support structure 3 about a second axis extending parallel to the y-axis.

[0034] A linear guide element 5 guides the movement of the center console 2. The guide element 5 can also rotate relative to the support structure 3. The center console 2 can have a variable length. For example, a telescopic mechanism can be provided that allows the distance between the first hinge 41 and the second hinge 42 to be varied; specifically, the length of the center console 2 can be adjusted. Adjustment of the length of the center console 2 is depicted, for example, by the double arrow C.

[0035] Figure 2 It also schematically shows Figure 1 , but shown in a perspective view (compare part (a)) and a rear view (compare part (b)). The center console 2 can be rotatably connected to the vehicle seat 1 via a connecting rod 6. The rotational mobility is described, for example, by the double arrow A. The connecting rod 6 is therefore part of the first hinge 41. Via the hinge 41, the movement of the vehicle seat 1 in direction I and direction II is transmitted to the center console. For example, if the vehicle seat 1 moves upward in the negative z-direction, the center console 2 also moves upward via the connection with the connecting rod 6. The vehicle seat 1 here is, for example, the driver's seat. In the example shown, the front passenger seat 1' is not connected to the center console 2. The passenger seat is also height-adjustable, i.e., movable along the z-axis. In this case, movement of the front passenger seat 1' does not result in movement of the center console 2. However, in another exemplary embodiment, the center console 2 may alternatively be connected to the passenger seat 1'.

[0036] The center console 2 is rotatably coupled to the support structure 3 via a second hinge 42. The rotational mobility is depicted by the double arrow B, for example.

[0037] The center console system 100 may include actuators for adjusting the vehicle seat in direction 1 and / or direction 2. Such actuators are not shown. Specifically, no additional actuators are required to adjust the center console 2, since adjustment of the driver's seat 1 results in adjustment of the center console 2.

[0038] Figure 3 A rear view of an exemplary vehicle interior is shown, wherein two center console systems 100 and 100' are each Figure 1 The first center console 2 is connected to the driver's seat 1 via a first connecting rod 6, and the second center console 2' arranged near the first center console 2 is connected to the passenger seat 1' via a connecting rod 6'. The center console system 100 corresponds to Figure 1 The central console system, wherein the central console system 100 'corresponds to Figure 1 The central console system of FIG. 1 is provided on the premise that the central console 2 ′ is connected to the passenger seat 1 ′.

[0039] In one embodiment, the first center console 2 and the second center console 2' may have a common second hinge 42 or separate second hinges 42 and 42' for coupling the center console to the support structure 3 (at Figure 3 not visible in the ).

Claims

1. A center console system (100) for use in a vehicle interior, the center console system comprising: Support structure (3), center console (2), and A vehicle seat (1) is movable relative to the support structure (3) and in a first direction (I) and in a second direction (II), wherein the center console (2) is arranged close to the vehicle seat (1) and is connected to the vehicle seat via a first hinge (41) so that movement of the vehicle seat is transmitted to the center console (2), It is characterized by The central console (2) is connected to the support structure (3) in a rotational manner via a second hinge (42).

2. The center console system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first direction (I) extends orthogonally to the second direction (II), and in particular, wherein the first hinge (41) and / or the second hinge (42) are designed so that the center console (2) can rotate about an axis extending along a third direction, wherein the third direction is orthogonal to the first direction (I) and the second direction (II).

3. The center console system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the center console (2) is mounted on the support structure (3) in a translationally movable manner.

4. The center console system (100) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the distance between the first hinge (41) and the second hinge (42) is adjustable.

5. The center console system (100) according to claim 4, wherein the center console (2) has a telescopic folding mechanism or a folding mechanism for length adjustment.

6. The center console system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first hinge (41) connects the center console (2) to the vehicle seat (1) in a rotatable manner, in particular via a connecting rod (6).

7. The center console system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support structure (3) is part of a cockpit of a vehicle, in particular comprising a dashboard.

8. The center console system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a drive, in particular an electric motor, wherein the drive is arranged and designed to move the vehicle seat together with the center console (2) relative to the support structure (3) in the first direction and / or the second direction.

9. The center console system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the center console (2) has at least one storage compartment and / or cup holder and / or electrical connection.

10. Vehicle comprising at least one center console system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

Images