Table plate device for vehicle

Abstract

A table device for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle table device includes: a base portion provided at a boundary between occupant spaces of two vehicle seats arranged side by side in a lateral direction; a long top plate provided so as to cover the upper part of the base part; and a rotation support part. The rotation support portion is configured so as to be capable of rotating the top plate relative to the base portion between a retracted position and an expanded position. The expanded position is a rotation position of the top plate where the length of the top plate in the arrangement direction of the two vehicle seats is longer than the length of the top plate in the retracted position, and is a rotation position of the top plate where both ends of the top plate in the arrangement direction are located further to the outside in the arrangement direction than in the retracted position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a table device for vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] In automobiles and other vehicles, there are cases where a console box for storing small items is provided between two vehicle seats arranged side by side (for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-118166).

[0003] The same announcement also mentions a control unit housing tables that can unfold to both sides in the vehicle width direction. The control unit has a pair of side walls spaced apart in the vehicle width direction and extending in the front-rear direction. Each side wall has a receiving section for accommodating the tables. When the tables are not in use, the right-side table is housed in the right-side receiving section, and the left-side table is housed in the left-side receiving section. Furthermore, when using the tables, the right-side table is pulled out from the right-side receiving section and unfolds on the right side. Similarly, the left-side table is pulled out from the left-side receiving section and unfolds on the left side.

[0004] In the vehicle table device described in the aforementioned announcement, the left and right table panels unfold to both sides in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the unfolding device for unfolding the table panels is provided separately for each of the left and right table panels. As a result, the aforementioned vehicle table device is a structure that easily leads to increased complexity and size. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One aspect of this disclosure relates to a vehicle table device comprising: a base portion disposed at the boundary between the occupant space formed by one of two vehicle seats arranged side-by-side and the occupant space formed by the other of the two vehicle seats; a long strip-shaped top plate disposed to cover the upper part of the base portion; and a rotation support portion disposed on the base portion and supporting the top plate so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vertical direction, the axis extending at the middle position of the top plate in the long side direction, the rotation support portion being configured to allow the top plate to rotate relative to the base portion between a retracted position and an extended position, the extended position being a rotational position in which the length of the top plate in the arrangement direction of the two vehicle seats is longer than that in the retracted position, and the rotational position in which both ends of the top plate in the arrangement direction are located on the outer side of the top plate in the arrangement direction than in the retracted position. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle using a vehicle table device according to one embodiment.

[0007] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the vehicle table device with the cover in the retracted position in this embodiment.

[0008] Figure 3 This is a side view of the vehicle table device according to this embodiment.

[0009] Figure 4 This is a top view of the vehicle table device according to this embodiment.

[0010] Figure 5 This is a side sectional view of the vehicle table device according to this embodiment.

[0011] Figure 6 This is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle table device according to this embodiment.

[0012] Figure 7 This is a bottom sectional view of the cover support and its surrounding area in this embodiment.

[0013] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the vehicle table device with the cover in the unfolded position in this embodiment.

[0014] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of the vehicle table device in the embodiment with the cover raised.

[0015] Figure 10 This is a perspective view showing an example of the vehicle table device in use according to this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The following is for reference Figures 1-10 One embodiment of the vehicle table device as a control box will be described.

[0017] Furthermore, in the following explanation, the forward direction of vehicle 10 will be referred to as the front (front of the vehicle) and the reverse direction will be referred to as the rear (rear of the vehicle). In addition, the front-rear direction (vehicle front-rear direction) refers to the front-rear direction of vehicle 10, the up-down direction refers to the up-down direction of vehicle 10, and the left-right direction is the width direction of the vehicle and is consistent with the left-right direction when vehicle 10 is moving forward.

[0018] <Vehicles>

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, a front seat 13, a front rear seat 14, and a rear rear seat 15 are provided on the floor 12 inside the passenger compartment 11 of the vehicle 10. The front seat 13 includes a driver's seat 131 and a front passenger seat 132 arranged side by side, and is located at the front of the vehicle 10. The front rear seat 14 includes a first seat 141 and a second seat 142 arranged side by side, and is located further rear than the front seat 13. The rear rear seat 15 is located further rear than the front rear seat 14.

[0020] The console box 20 is located on the floor 12 of the vehicle 10. Hereinafter, the position between the driver's seat 131 and the passenger seat 132 is designated as "first moving position P1", and the position between the first seat 141 and the second seat 142 is designated as "second moving position P2". Furthermore, the position between the front seat 13 and the front rear seat 14 is designated as "third moving position P3". The console box 20 is configured to slide in the fore-and-aft direction between the first moving position P1 and the second moving position P2.

[0021] Specifically, a guide rail 16 extending in the front-to-back direction is provided on the floor 12. Furthermore, a guide portion 17 is provided at the lower part of the control console 20. The guide portion 17 engages with the guide rail 16 in a manner that allows it to move in the front-to-back direction. The guide portion 17 is guided by the guide rail 16, thereby allowing the control console 20 to slide in the front-to-back direction. In this embodiment, the guide rail 16 and the guide portion 17 correspond to moving parts.

[0022] Regarding the control console 20, if it is in the first moving position P1, the control console 20 is positioned at the boundary BF between the passenger space formed by the driver's seat 131 of one of the two laterally arranged vehicle seats and the passenger space formed by the front passenger seat 132 of the other vehicle seat. Furthermore, if the control console 20 is in the second moving position P2 or the third moving position P3, the control console 20 is positioned at the boundary BR between the passenger space formed by the first seat 141 of one of the two laterally arranged vehicle seats and the passenger space formed by the second seat 142 of the other vehicle seat.

[0023] The specific structure of the control console 20 will be explained.

[0024] <Box Body>

[0025] like Figures 2-5 As shown, the console case 20 includes a case body 21. The case body 21 is the shell that constitutes the skeleton of the console case 20. The case body 21 is shaped such that its length along the boundaries BF, BR of the aforementioned passenger space, i.e., in the front-rear direction, is longer than its length in the arrangement direction of the two vehicle seats arranged side by side in the lateral direction, i.e., in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the case body 21 corresponds to the base portion.

[0026] like Figure 5As shown, the box body 21 has a lower bottom wall portion 22 at its lower part. The lower bottom wall portion 22 is a plate-shaped portion that is longer and thinner in the front-to-back direction than in the left-to-right direction. Specifically, the lower bottom wall portion 22 is a strip shape having a long side that extends in a straight line in the front-to-back direction and a short side that extends in an arc shape in the left-to-right direction. When viewed from the top and bottom, the lower bottom wall portion 22 has a point-symmetric shape. Hereinafter, an imaginary line extending in the top and bottom direction at the center of point symmetry will be designated as the "axis L". The portion of the lower bottom wall portion 22 that forms the strip shape extends in a curved manner towards the outside of the box body 21.

[0027] The main body 21 has an interior space 23 inside. The interior space 23 is adjacent to the upper side of the lower bottom wall 22.

[0028] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the main body 21 of the box has a middle bottom wall portion 29 in the middle part of the inner space portion 23 in the vertical direction. The middle bottom wall portion 29 has the same shape as the lower bottom wall portion 22 above the lower bottom wall portion 22.

[0029] The lower space portion 26 is formed by the portion of the inner space portion 23 that is lower than the intermediate bottom wall portion 29. Specifically, a pair of lower opposing wall portions 31 and 32 and a pair of lower side wall portions 33 are formed between the lower bottom wall portion 22 and the intermediate bottom wall portion 29. Each lower opposing wall portion 31 and 32 is plate-shaped and extends in both the left-right and up-down directions. The front lower opposing wall portion 31 connects the front edge of the lower bottom wall portion 22 to the front edge of the intermediate bottom wall portion 29. The rear lower opposing wall portion 32 connects the rear edge of the lower bottom wall portion 22 to the rear edge of the intermediate bottom wall portion 29. The pair of lower opposing wall portions 31 and 32 are opposite each other in the front-back direction. The lower opposing wall portions 31 and 32 are curved and extended in a convex manner toward the outside of the box body 21.

[0030] Each lower sidewall portion 33 is plate-shaped, extending in both the front-back and vertical directions. Each lower sidewall portion 33 connects the side edge of the lower bottom wall portion 22 to the side edge of the middle bottom wall portion 29. A pair of lower sidewall portions 33 are positioned opposite each other in the left-right direction.

[0031] The lower space portion 26 is formed by the space portion enclosed by the lower bottom wall portion 22, the middle bottom wall portion 29, a pair of lower opposing wall portions 31 and 32 and a pair of lower side wall portions 33.

[0032] At least the upper part of the aforementioned inner space 23, in this embodiment being the portion above the intermediate bottom wall 29, constitutes the upper storage portion 24. Specifically, a pair of upper opposing wall portions 34 and 35 and a pair of upper side wall portions 36 are formed on the intermediate bottom wall 29.

[0033] Each of the upper opposing wall portions 34 and 35 is plate-shaped, extending in both the left-right and up-down directions. Each of the upper opposing wall portions 34 and 35 extends in an arc shape centered on the aforementioned axis L. The front upper opposing wall portion 34 is located at a position that is a constant distance rearward from the front edge of the intermediate bottom wall portion 29. The rear upper opposing wall portion 35 is located at a position that is a constant distance forward from the rear edge of the intermediate bottom wall portion 29. The pair of upper opposing wall portions 34 and 35 are opposite each other in the front-back direction. Therefore, the interval between the pair of upper opposing wall portions 34 and 35 is shorter than the length of the intermediate bottom wall portion 29 in the front-back direction.

[0034] In this embodiment, a pair of upwardly projecting vertical wall portions 341 and 351 are provided at the upper end of the box body 21, facing each other along the long side of the cover 50. These two upwardly projecting vertical wall portions 341 and 351 correspond to the two ends along the long side of the cover 50. Specifically, the upper ends of the upper opposing wall portions 34 and 35 extend upwards beyond the upper end of the upper side wall portion 36. The upper opposing wall portions 34 and 35 are composed of base portions 342 and 352 forming the lower part and vertical wall portions 341 and 351 forming the upper part.

[0035] The base 342 of the upper opposing wall portion 34 forms the lower part of the upper opposing wall portion 34 up to the same height as the upper end of the upper side wall portion 36. The vertical wall portion 351 of the upper opposing wall portion 34 forms the part of the upper opposing wall portion 34 that is higher than the base 342. The vertical wall portion 341 has a shape that protrudes upward from the upper end of the base 342.

[0036] The base 352 of the upper opposing wall portion 35 forms the lower part of the upper opposing wall portion 35 up to the same height as the upper end of the upper side wall portion 36. The vertical wall portion 351 of the upper opposing wall portion 35 forms the part of the upper opposing wall portion 35 that is higher than the base 352. The vertical wall portion 351 has a shape that protrudes upward from the upper end of the base 352.

[0037] The surfaces of the upright wall portions 341 and 351 that are close to the inner side of the main body 21 of the box become arc surfaces extending in an arc shape with the axis L as the center.

[0038] Each upper sidewall portion 36 is plate-shaped, extending in both the front-back and vertical directions. Each upper sidewall portion 36 is located above the side edge of the intermediate bottom wall portion 29. A pair of upper sidewall portions 36 are positioned opposite each other in the left-right direction.

[0039] The space enclosed by the aforementioned intermediate bottom wall portion 29, a pair of opposing upper wall portions 34 and 35, and a pair of upper side wall portions 36 constitutes the aforementioned upper storage portion 24. The upper storage portion 24 has an opening 25 at its upper end. The opening 25 is located higher than the intermediate bottom wall portion 29. The opening 25 is longer in the front-back direction than in the left-right direction. Specifically, the opening 25 is a long strip shape having a long side extending in a straight line in the front-back direction and a short side extending in an arc shape in the left-right direction. When viewed from above, the opening 25 is point-symmetrical. The portion of the inner edge of the opening 25 that constitutes the aforementioned short side of the long strip shape extends in an arc shape centered on axis L.

[0040] The lower opposing wall portion 31 and the upper opposing wall portion 34 constitute the front opposing wall portion 37. The lower opposing wall portion 32 and the upper opposing wall portion 35 constitute the rear opposing wall portion 37. The above-mentioned pair of opposing wall portions 37 are opposed to each other in the same direction, with the inner space portion 23 sandwiched between them from both sides in the front-rear direction.

[0041] The lower sidewall portion 33 and the upper sidewall portion 36 on the same side in the left-right direction are connected in the vertical direction to form a sidewall portion 38. The pair of sidewall portions 38 in the left-right direction are facing each other in the same direction, with the inner space portion 23 sandwiched between them from both sides in the left-right direction.

[0042] A cylindrical shaft 27 is provided on the main body 21. The main body 21 has a shaft receiving portion 28 for accommodating the shaft 27. The shaft receiving portion 28 is cylindrical and extends vertically within the inner space portion 23. The centerline of the shaft receiving portion 28 is aligned with the aforementioned axis L. The shaft receiving portion 28 extends from the upper storage portion 24 to the lower space portion 26, penetrating through the intermediate bottom wall portion 29. The shaft 27 is inserted into the shaft receiving portion 28. With the shaft 27 housed within the shaft receiving portion 28, the upper end of the shaft 27 protrudes upward beyond the upper end of the shaft receiving portion 28. The shaft 27 is movable vertically within the shaft receiving portion 28.

[0043] A vertical movement section 40 is provided in the lower space 26 of the main body 21 to move the shaft 27 vertically. The vertical movement section 40 includes a linear motion mechanism 41, an electric motor 42, a control device 43, and a lifting switch 44. The linear motion mechanism 41 is configured, for example, with a rack and pinion mechanism as its core. In the linear motion mechanism 41, the rack 411 of the rack and pinion mechanism is integrally provided with the shaft 27, and the pinion 412 of the mechanism is connected to the electric motor 42. The control device 43 controls the operation of the electric motor 42. The lifting switch 44 is an operating switch operated by the occupant to raise or lower the shaft 27. The lifting switches 44 are respectively installed on the front and rear opposing walls 37 of the main body 21. Each lifting switch 44 is connected to the control device 43. In this embodiment, by operating the lifting switch 44 by the occupant, the electric motor 42 and the linear motion mechanism 41 are activated, thereby enabling the shaft 27, and more specifically, the cover 50 mounted on the shaft 27, to be raised or lowered.

[0044] <Cover>

[0045] A cover 50 is mounted on the upper end of the shaft 27. The cover 50 is configured to cover the upper part of the box body 21, specifically, to cover at least a portion of the opening 25. The cover 50 functions as the top plate of a tabletop and as a cover that allows the opening 25 of the box body 21 to be opened and closed. In this embodiment, the cover 50 is equivalent to a top plate.

[0046] The cover 50 is a plate-shaped structure extending in both the front-back and left-right directions, and is an elongated shape with a long side extending in a straight line and a short side extending in an arc shape. The peripheral portion of the upper surface of the cover 50 bulges upwards compared to the rest of the upper surface. When viewed from above, the cover 50 has a point-symmetrical shape. The aforementioned short side portion forming the elongated shape in the outer edge of the cover 50 extends in an arc shape centered on the axis L. Specifically, the two end faces of the cover 50 in the long side direction are arc surfaces extending in an arc shape centered on the axis L. In this embodiment, the axis L is located at the center position of the cover 50 in the long side direction and also at the center position of the cover 50 in the short side direction. The cover 50 is configured to be rotatable about the axis L relative to the shaft 27.

[0047] like Figures 5-7As shown, a cover support portion 51 is provided on the cover 50. The cover support portion 51 is cylindrical, extending in the vertical direction. The center line of the cover support portion 51 is aligned with the aforementioned axis L. The cover support portion 51 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the cover 50. When the cover 50 is installed on the shaft 27, the upper end of the shaft 27 is inserted at the aforementioned cover support portion 51. In this embodiment, by forming a sliding relationship between the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 27 and the inner peripheral surface of the cover support portion 51, the cover 50 can rotate relative to the shaft 27 about the axis L as the center of rotation. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the shaft 27 and the cover support portion 51 are equivalent to supporting the cover 50 as a rotating support portion capable of rotating about the axis L.

[0048] like Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, the control console 20 includes a rotation limiting portion 55 that restricts the range of rotation of the cover 50 relative to the shaft 27. The rotation limiting portion 55 consists of a protrusion 56 provided on the shaft 27 and a guide groove 57 provided on the shaft housing 28. The protrusion 56 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 27. The guide groove 57 is a groove extending circumferentially in the inner peripheral surface of the shaft housing 28. The protrusion 56 of the shaft 27 is inserted into the guide groove 57 of the shaft housing 28. Furthermore, the protrusion 56 is guided by the guide groove 57, thereby allowing the cover 50 to rotate about the axis L relative to the shaft 27. Additionally, by the protrusion 56 abutting against the end of the guide groove 57, further rotation of the cover 50 is restricted.

[0049] The following, such as Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the cover 50 is rotated to a position such that the long side of the cover 50 is aligned with the box body 21 along the aforementioned boundaries BF and BR (refer to...). Figure 1 The rotational position in which the cover 50 aligns with the longitudinal direction (i.e., the long side direction) is defined as the "retracted position". When the cover 50 is in the retracted position, it becomes a longitudinally elongated shape in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, at this time, the two ends of the cover 50 in the arrangement direction (left-right direction in this embodiment) of the two side-by-side vehicle seats become the two ends of the cover 50 in the short side direction, and the length of the cover 50 in the aforementioned arrangement direction becomes the length of the cover 50 in the short side direction. When the cover 50 is in the retracted position, the two ends of the cover 50 in the short side direction are not located on the outside of the box body 21 compared to the side of the box body 21.

[0050] In addition, the following, such as Figure 2 and Figure 8As shown, the rotational position in which the long side of the cover 50 aligns with the aforementioned arrangement direction, i.e., the left-right direction, is defined as the "unfolded position". When the cover 50 is in the unfolded position, it becomes a horizontally elongated shape with a longer length in the left-right direction. Therefore, at this time, the two ends of the cover 50 in the aforementioned arrangement direction become the two ends of the cover 50 in the long side direction, and the length of the cover 50 in the aforementioned arrangement direction becomes the length of the cover 50 in the long side direction. When the cover 50 is in the unfolded position, its length in the aforementioned arrangement direction is longer than when it is in the retracted position, and its two ends in the aforementioned arrangement direction are located further outward in the aforementioned arrangement direction than when it is in the retracted position. Specifically, when the cover 50 is in the unfolded position, its two ends in the long side direction are located further outward than the side of the box body 21.

[0051] In this embodiment, on the one hand, when the cover 50 is rotated relative to the shaft 27, such as Figure 7 As shown by the solid line, if the protrusion 56 of the shaft 27 abuts against one end of the guide groove 57 of the cover support 51, the rotational position of the cover 50 becomes the retracted position. Figure 2 (The position shown by the solid line). On the other hand, when the cover 50 is rotated relative to the shaft 27, as... Figure 7 As shown by the dashed line, if the protrusion 56 abuts against the other end of the guide groove 57, the rotational position of the cover 50 becomes the unfolded position. Figure 2 (The position is indicated by the double-dotted line). Thus, the control box 20 is configured to allow the cover 50 to rotate relative to the box body 21 between the retracted position and the unfolded position.

[0052] like Figures 2-5 As shown, an auxiliary storage section for storing items is provided on the control box 20. In this embodiment, a front upper auxiliary storage section 60 and a rear upper auxiliary storage section 70 are provided as auxiliary storage sections.

[0053] The upper front auxiliary storage section 60 is provided on the upper storage section 24 ( Figure 5 In front of the middle bottom wall portion 29, front upper side wall portions 61 are formed on both sides of the left-right direction, more forward than the front upper opposing wall portion 34. Each front upper side wall portion 61 is plate-shaped, extending in both the front-back and vertical directions. Each front upper side wall portion 61 is formed in a continuous forward direction with the aforementioned upper side wall portion 36. Each front upper side wall portion 61 is formed in a continuous upward direction with the aforementioned lower side wall portion 33. A pair of front upper side wall portions 61 are opposite each other in the left-right direction.

[0054] The space enclosed by the portion of the middle bottom wall 29 further forward than the upper opposing wall 34, the upper opposing wall 34, and a pair of front upper side walls 61 constitutes the front upper auxiliary storage section 60. The front end and the top end of the front upper auxiliary storage section 60 are open. The first entrance / exit 62 is formed through the open portion at the front end of the front upper auxiliary storage section 60.

[0055] The upper front storage box 63 is housed in the upper front auxiliary storage section 60 in a manner that allows it to be pulled out of the main body 21 (in this embodiment, it is located in front of the main body 21) through the first inlet / outlet 62. The upper and rear ends of the upper front storage box 63 are open. The front end of the upper front storage box 63 is formed by the upper front wall 64. When the upper front storage box 63 is housed in the upper front auxiliary storage section 60, the upper front wall 64 blocks the first inlet / outlet 62.

[0056] Here, in addition to the upper part of the front upper auxiliary storage section 60 being open, the upper and rear ends of the front upper item storage box 63 are also open. For example... Figure 5 As shown by the solid line, with the upper front storage box 63 housed within the upper front auxiliary storage section 60, the uppermost open portion of the upper front storage box 63 is located at the uppermost open portion of the upper front auxiliary storage section 60 (repeated). The two open portions are smaller in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, items smaller in the front-to-back direction, such as a plate-shaped item G1, can be placed in or removed from the upper front auxiliary storage section 60 and the upper front storage box 63 via the two open portions. Item G1 can be, for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, etc., but is not limited to these. Alternatively, item G1 can be placed into the upper front auxiliary storage section 60 and the upper front storage box 63 at an angle, with the uppermost portion positioned further forward. The upper front wall 64 receives item G1 from the lower front side, thereby holding item G1 in an angled position.

[0057] like Figure 5 As shown by the double-dotted line, when the upper front storage box 63 is pulled forward through the first inlet 62, the open portions of both the upper front auxiliary storage section 60 and the upper front storage box 63 expand forward. Therefore, items larger than the aforementioned item G1 can be placed in or removed from the upper front auxiliary storage section 60 and the upper front storage box 63 through the open portions. Furthermore, the upper front storage box 63, which is pulled forward as described above, moves backward (inserts), thereby housing the upper front storage box 63 within the upper front auxiliary storage section 60.

[0058] like Figures 2-5 As shown, the upper rear auxiliary storage section 70 is provided on the aforementioned upper storage section 24. Figure 5Behind the upper wall portion 35, a rear upper side wall portion 71 is formed on each of the two side edges of the middle bottom wall portion 29 in the left-right direction, located further back than the rearward-facing upper opposite wall portion 35. Each rear upper side wall portion 71 is plate-shaped, extending in both the front-back and vertical directions. Each rear upper side wall portion 71 is formed in a state of continuous rearward extension with the aforementioned upper side wall portion 36. Each rear upper side wall portion 71 is formed in a state of continuous upward extension with the aforementioned lower side wall portion 33. A pair of rear upper side wall portions 71 are opposite each other in the left-right direction.

[0059] The space enclosed by the middle bottom wall portion 29, the rear portion of the upper opposing wall portion 35, the rear upper opposing wall portion 35, and a pair of rear upper side walls 71 constitutes the rear upper auxiliary storage portion 70. The rear end and the top end of the rear upper auxiliary storage portion 70 are open. The second entrance 72 is formed through the open portion at the rear end of the rear upper auxiliary storage portion 70.

[0060] The upper rear storage box 73 is housed in the upper rear auxiliary storage section 70 in a manner that allows it to be pulled out of the main body 21 (in this embodiment, further rearward than the main body 21) through the second inlet / outlet 72. The upper and front ends of the upper rear storage box 73 are open. The rear end of the upper rear storage box 73 is formed by the upper rear wall 74. When the upper rear storage box 73 is housed in the upper rear auxiliary storage section 70, the upper rear wall 74 blocks the second inlet / outlet 72.

[0061] Here, in addition to the upper part of the rear auxiliary storage section 70 being open, the upper part and front part of the rear item storage box 73 are also open. For example... Figure 5 As shown by the solid line, with the upper rear item storage box 73 housed within the upper rear auxiliary storage section 70, the uppermost open portion of the upper rear item storage box 73 is located at the uppermost open portion of the upper rear auxiliary storage section 70 (repeated). The two open portions are smaller in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, items that are smaller in the front-to-back direction, such as the plate-shaped item G1 described above, can be placed or removed from the upper rear auxiliary storage section 70 and the upper rear item storage box 73 via the two open portions.

[0062] like Figure 5As shown by the double-dotted line, when the upper rear item storage box 73 is pulled backward through the second inlet 72, the open portions of both the upper rear auxiliary storage section 70 and the upper rear item storage box 73 expand rearward. Therefore, an item G2 larger than the items that can be stored in the upper rear auxiliary storage section 70 and the upper rear item storage box 73 can be placed in or removed from the upper rear auxiliary storage section 70 and the upper rear item storage box 73. Examples of items G2 include, but are not limited to, beverage containers such as covered cups, beverage cans, and plastic bottles. Furthermore, the upper rear item storage box 73, pulled backward as described above, is moved forward (inserted) and stored in the upper rear auxiliary storage section 70.

[0063] <The function of this implementation method>

[0064] The function of this embodiment will be explained.

[0065] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, by rotating the elongated lid 50 to the retracted position, the lid 50 is retracted into the box body 21. Figure 2 (The state shown by the solid line). Specifically, at this time, the outer edge of the cover 50 (specifically, the two ends in the short side direction and the two ends in the long side direction) is in a state where it does not protrude outward from the side (specifically, the outer peripheral surface) of the box body 21. Thus, when the control box 20 is in the first moving position P1 (refer to...), Figure 1 When the control box 20 is in the second moving position P2 or the third moving position P3, the cover 50 at each end of the long side of the occupant space formed by the two vehicle seats (first seat 141 and second seat 142) will not interfere with the occupant's state.

[0066] Furthermore, when the lid 50 is in the retracted position and its vertical position is at its lowest point, the entire upper surface of the box body 21 (specifically, the opening 25) is covered by the lid 50. At this time, since the upper storage section 24 is closed by the lid 50, it becomes impossible to store items in the upper storage section 24.

[0067] In this embodiment, the inner surfaces of the vertical wall portions 341 and 351 and the two end faces of the cover 50 in the long direction are arc surfaces extending in an arc shape around the axis L. Furthermore, when the cover 50 is in the retracted position, the inner surfaces of the vertical wall portions 341 and 351 and the two end faces of the cover 50 in the long direction are opposite to each other. Therefore, when the cover 50 is in the retracted position, the gap between the end face of the cover 50 in the long direction and the inner surfaces of the vertical wall portions 341 and 351 opposite to these end faces remains constant.

[0068] like Figure 8 As shown, in this embodiment, by rotating the elongated cover 50 to an unfolded position, the cover 50 is unfolded in the left-right direction. When the cover 50 rotates, for the portion where the end face of the cover 50 in the long side direction faces the inner surface of the vertical wall portions 341 and 351, the cover 50 moves relative to the box body 21 while maintaining a constant distance between the end face of the cover 50 and the inner surface of the vertical wall portions 341 and 351.

[0069] Furthermore, if the rotational position of the cover 50 becomes the unfolded position, then the two ends of the cover 50 in the long side direction are located on the outer side of the box body 21 compared to the side of the box body 21. Therefore, when the control box 20 is in the first moving position P1 (refer to...), Figure 1 When the control box 20 is in the second moving position P2 or the third moving position P3, the covers 50 of the passenger space formed by the two vehicle seats (first seat 141 and second seat 142) are in a state where both ends of the covers 50 in the long direction protrude (unfold) towards the passenger side.

[0070] Thus, according to this embodiment, through a one-time operation such as rotating the elongated cover 50 horizontally, the cover 50 is unfolded to both sides of the main body 21 in the left-right direction. This makes the cover 50 of the control box 20 conveniently accessible to occupants of two side-by-side vehicle seats. Furthermore, when the cover 50 is in the unfolded position, it extends horizontally in the left-right direction, so the front and rear portions of the opening 25 of the main body 21 are open and not covered by the cover 50. At this time, items can be stored in the upper storage section 24 through the open portion of the opening 25.

[0071] According to this embodiment, by providing a rotating support (shaft 27 and cover support 51) and rotating a cover 50, it is possible to switch between a retracted state in which the cover 50 is retracted and an unfolded state in which the cover 50 is unfolded.

[0072] like Figure 9 As shown, in this embodiment, the cover 50 rises when the occupant operates the lifting switch 44. Furthermore, the cover 50 can also be lowered by operating the lifting switch 44. Therefore, when the cover 50 is unfolded for use, its height can be set with a high degree of freedom to match the usage scenario and the user's preferred height. Thus, the cover 50 is highly convenient to use. Other usage scenarios for the cover 50 include using it as a dining table, as a tabletop for placing portable electronic devices such as tablets for watching videos, or as a low table for placing items.

[0073] In this embodiment, the control console 20 is configured at the first moving position P1 (refer to...). Figure 1 It can slide back and forth between the first and second moving positions P1 and P2. Therefore, as... Figure 1 As shown, for example, by positioning the console 20 at a first movable position P1 between the front seats 13, the occupants of the front seats 13 can conveniently use the console 20. Furthermore, by positioning the console 20 at a second movable position P2 between the front and rear seats 14, the occupants of the front and rear seats 14 and the rear and rear seats 15 can conveniently use the console 20. And, by positioning the console 20 at a third movable position P3 between the front seats 13 and the front and rear seats 14, the occupants of the front and rear seats 14 can conveniently use the console 20. Moreover, at the third movable position P3, the cover 50 is positioned between the front seat 13 and the front and rear seats 14, which are located further back than the front seat 13 and include the first seat 141 and the second seat 142 arranged laterally side-by-side, and is positioned forward of the front end of the seat cushion of the front and rear seats 14. Therefore, to avoid interfering with the front rear seat 14 and the occupants on it when retracting or unfolding the cover 50, the cover 50 can be smoothly unfolded or retracted. According to this embodiment, the control box 20 can be used with a high degree of freedom.

[0074] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, although a control console 20 is provided, passage within the vehicle compartment 11 can be achieved by moving the control console 20 as needed. Specifically, by positioning the control console 20 at a second moving position P2 between the front and rear seats 14, passage of the front seats 13 can be achieved. Furthermore, by positioning the control console 20 at a first moving position P1 between the front seats 13, passage of the front and rear seats 14 can be achieved.

[0075] The control box 20 of this embodiment can be used, for example, when the occupant of the front rear seat 14 is dining, as follows.

[0076] First, move the console 20 to the third moving position P3 between the front seat 13 and the front rear seat 14 (refer to...). Figure 1 Then, as Figure 10 As shown, the lid 50 is manually rotated to the unfolded position, and the height of the lid 50 is adjusted to the desired height by operating the lifting switch 44. Then, food items F1 and F2 (e.g., hamburgers and fries) are placed on the unfolded lid 50, and beverage D (e.g., a paper cup) is stored in the upper rear auxiliary storage section 70. Thus, the occupant of the front rear seat 14 can conveniently use the control box 20, specifically the lid 50 and the upper rear auxiliary storage section 70. Furthermore, at this time, different items can be placed in three different locations, such as placing food item F1 on the unfolded lid 50, food item F2 in the upper storage section 24, and beverage D in the upper rear auxiliary storage section 70.

[0077] <Effects of this implementation method>

[0078] The effects of this implementation method will be explained.

[0079] (1) The control box 20 includes a box body 21, a cover 50, a shaft 27, and a cover support 51. The box body 21 is located at the boundary BF, BR between the passenger space formed by one of the two vehicle seats arranged side by side and the passenger space formed by the other of the two vehicle seats. The cover 50 is configured to cover the upper part of the box body 21 and is elongated. The shaft 27 and the cover support 51 are provided on the box body 21 and support the cover 50 so that it can rotate about an axis L extending in the vertical direction. The axis L extends at the center position of the cover 50 in the long side direction and at the center position in the short side direction. The shaft 27 and the cover support 51 are configured to allow the cover 50 to rotate relative to the box body 21 between a retracted position and an extended position. The extended position is the rotational position of the cover 50 in which the length of the cover 50 in the arrangement direction of the two vehicle seats arranged side by side (in this embodiment, the left-right direction) is longer than that in the retracted position. The unfolded position is the rotational position of the cover 50, where both ends of the cover 50 in the aforementioned arrangement direction are located on the outer side of the cover 50 in the aforementioned arrangement direction compared to the retracted position.

[0080] According to the above structure, by providing a cover support 51 and rotating a cover 50, the cover 50 can be either in a retracted state where its length in the aforementioned arrangement direction is shorter, or in an unfolded state where its length in the aforementioned arrangement direction is longer. Furthermore, by placing the cover 50 in the retracted state, it is less likely to interfere with the occupants in the occupant spaces formed by two laterally arranged vehicle seats. Moreover, by placing the cover 50 in the unfolded state, it can be unfolded separately relative to the occupant spaces formed by the two laterally arranged vehicle seats. Therefore, according to the above structure, compared to having two unfolding mechanisms for unfolding the cover 50, the console box 20 can have a simpler construction. Thus, the large size and complex construction of the console box 20 can be prevented.

[0081] (2) The main body 21 is a shell. The retracted position is the rotational position in which the two ends of the cover 50 in the above-mentioned arrangement direction are not located on the side of the main body 21 and are closer to the outside of the main body 21. The unfolded position is the rotational position in which the two ends of the cover 50 in the above-mentioned arrangement direction are located on the side of the main body 21 and are closer to the outside of the main body 21.

[0082] According to the above structure, by rotating the cover 50 to the retracted position, the cover 50 can be retracted to the main body 21 to prevent the two ends of the cover 50 in the arrangement direction from interfering with the occupants in the occupant spaces formed by the two vehicle seats. Furthermore, by rotating the cover 50 to the unfolded position, the cover 50 can be unfolded so that the two ends of the cover 50 in the arrangement direction protrude towards the occupants in the occupant spaces formed by the two vehicle seats.

[0083] (3) The box body 21 is provided with a vertical moving part 40 that moves the cover 50 in the vertical direction.

[0084] Based on the above structure, when the cover 50 is unfolded for use, its height can be set with a high degree of freedom to match the usage scenario and user preferences. Therefore, the cover 50 can be made highly convenient to use.

[0085] (4) The main body 21 is a shell whose length along the boundaries BF, BR in the aforementioned passenger space, i.e., along the front-to-back direction, is longer than the length in the left-to-right direction of the two vehicle seats arranged side-by-side in the transverse direction. When the cover 50 is in the retracted position, the two ends of the cover 50 in the long side direction are located closer to the inside of the main body 21 than the side surface of the main body 21. A pair of vertical wall portions 341, 351, which protrude upwards in a manner opposite to the end faces of the cover 50 in the long side direction, are provided at the upper end of the main body 21 in a corresponding relationship with the two ends of the cover 50 in the long side direction. The two end faces of the cover 50 in the long side direction and the inner surfaces of the main body 21 of the pair of vertical wall portions 341, 351 extend in an arc shape with the axis L as the center.

[0086] According to the above structure, when the cover 50 is in the retracted position, and when the cover 50 is rotated to put it in the unfolded position, the gap between the end face of the cover 50 in the long side direction and the inner surface of the vertical wall portions 341, 351 facing the end face remains constant. Therefore, improving the appearance of the control box 20 can enhance its aesthetic design.

[0087] (5) The vehicle seats include: a front seat 13 comprising a driver's seat 131 and a passenger seat 132 arranged laterally side by side, and a front rear seat 14 comprising a first seat 141 and a second seat 142 arranged laterally side by side behind the front seat 13. The console box 20 is configured to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction between a first moving position P1 between the driver's seat 131 and the passenger seat 132 and a second moving position P2 between the first seat 141 and the second seat 142.

[0088] According to the above structure, the console 20 can be used with a high degree of freedom by being positioned at the first moving position P1 for use by the occupant of the front seat 13 or positioned at the third moving position P3 for use by the occupant of the front rear seat 14.

[0089] <Example of Change>

[0090] The above-described embodiments can be modified as follows. The above-described embodiments and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0091] Alternatively, drawer-type auxiliary storage sections may be provided on the front and rear sides of the lower space section 26.

[0092] Alternatively, at least one of the upper front storage section 60 and the upper rear storage section 70 can be configured to move vertically relative to the main body 21. With this configuration, the heights of the upper front storage section 60 and the upper rear storage section 70 can be adjusted to match the height of the cover 50. Therefore, the cover 50 can be conveniently used by establishing a connection between it and the upper front storage section 60 and the upper rear storage section 70.

[0093] ○ One or both of the front upper auxiliary storage section 60 and the rear upper auxiliary storage section 70 can be omitted.

[0094] ○The vertical wall portions 341 and 351 are not limited to being formed as an arc centered on the axis L, as long as they do not interfere with the rotation of the cover 50, and can be formed into any shape. For example, the vertical wall portions 341 and 351 can also be made into flat plate shapes that extend in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0095] ○ One or both of the vertical wall portions 341 and 351 may be omitted. In this case, the upper opposing wall portion 34 can be formed by the base portion 342 alone, or the upper opposing wall portion 35 can be formed by the base portion 352 alone.

[0096] ○ It is also possible to make the length of the cover 50 in the long side direction longer than the length of the box body 21 in the front-back direction.

[0097] Alternatively, the retracted position can be a rotational position in which the long side of the cover 50 is not aligned with the direction along the aforementioned boundaries BF, BR, i.e., the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, the unfolded position can be a rotational position in which the orientation of two laterally arranged vehicle seats, i.e., the left-to-right direction, is not aligned with the long side of the cover 50. In short, the unfolded position should be a rotational position in which the length of the cover 50 in the aforementioned orientation direction is longer than in the retracted position, and the two ends of the cover 50 in the aforementioned orientation direction are located further outward in the aforementioned orientation direction than in the retracted position.

[0098] When viewed from above or below, the shape of the main body 21, the shape of the opening 25, and the shape of the cover 50 can be arbitrarily changed, for example, into an elongated hole shape, a rectangle, or an ellipse shape.

[0099] The internal structure of the main body 21 can be changed arbitrarily, such as adopting a structure without the upper storage section 24, or adopting a structure without the middle bottom wall section 29, etc.

[0100] ○The base portion is not limited to the box body 21 as the shell, and can be any shape such as cylindrical or quadrangular prism. In short, the base portion can be any shape that allows the rotation support portion (shaft 27 and cover support portion 51) to be provided.

[0101] ○ The axis L, which serves as the rotation center of the cover 50, can be determined at a position slightly offset from the center position of the cover 50 in the long side direction, or at a position slightly offset from the center position of the cover 50 in the short side direction. The axis L, which serves as the rotation center of the cover 50, can be set to the center position of the cover 50 in the long side direction.

[0102] The linear motion mechanism 41 of the vertical moving part 40 can be replaced by a structure based on a ball screw instead of a structure based on a rack and pinion mechanism. In this structure, the cover 50 can be raised or lowered by the operation of the lifting switch 44 by the occupant.

[0103] ○ The vertical movement unit 40 can be a manual structure instead of an electric one. For example, a pneumatic lifting mechanism with a cylinder on which the cover 50 is mounted and an operating unit for operating the cylinder can be used. With this structure, the vertical position of the cover 50 can be adjusted by lifting the cover 50 or pressing it downwards while the operating unit is operated. Alternatively, the manual vertical movement unit can have a structure that includes a ratchet mechanism that allows the shaft 27 to move upwards and restricts its downward movement, and a release operating unit that releases the restriction on the downward movement of the cover 50 formed by the ratchet mechanism. With this structure, the vertical position of the cover 50 can be adjusted by lifting the cover 50 mounted on the shaft 27 or by moving the cover 50 downwards while the release operating unit is operated.

[0104] Alternatively, the vertical moving part 40 can be omitted. In this case, the cover 50 cannot move vertically relative to the box body 21.

[0105] Alternatively, a locking mechanism may be provided, configured to switch the cover 50 between a locked, unfolded position and a unlocked position. Furthermore, a locking mechanism may be provided, configured to switch the cover 50 between a locked, retracted position and a unlocked position. As such a locking mechanism, for example, a locking mechanism may be used that has a latch provided on one of the cover 50 and the shaft 27 and capable of extension and retraction, and a latch receiving portion provided on the other of the cover 50 and the shaft 27 for engagement of the latch.

[0106] The structure of the rotation limiting part 55 can be arbitrarily changed. For example, a protrusion may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cover support part 51, and a guide groove for fitting the protrusion may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft body 27. Alternatively, a protrusion may be provided on one of the end face of the shaft body 27 and the inner bottom surface of the cover support part 51, and a guide groove for fitting the protrusion may be provided on the other.

[0107] ○ The rotation restriction part 55 can be omitted. In this case, the cover 50 can also rotate relative to the shaft 27 by sliding the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 27 relative to the inner peripheral surface of the cover support part 51.

[0108] In addition to being constructed using the shaft 27 and the cover support 51, the rotating support portion that supports the cover 50 to allow it to rotate about the axis L can also be constructed as follows: An annular or arcuate protrusion is formed on one of the top surface of the box body 21 and the lower surface of the cover 50, and an annular or arcuate guide groove is formed on the other for the protrusion to fit into. In this structure, the cover 50 is supported by the box body 21, and the protrusion is guided by the guide groove, allowing the cover 50 to rotate about the axis L.

[0109] Alternatively, an electrically powered rotating mechanism can be used to rotate the cover 50 about axis L relative to the shaft 27. Such a rotating mechanism can, for example, employ a structure comprising a rotating motion mechanism, an electric motor, a control device, and a rotary switch. The rotating motion mechanism, consisting of a gear mechanism, a belt transmission mechanism, etc., is positioned between the cover 50 and the shaft 27. The electric motor is connected to the rotating motion mechanism. The control device controls the operation of the electric motor. The rotary switch is an operating switch operated by the occupant when rotating the cover 50 relative to the shaft 27, and is connected to the control device. In this structure, the operation of the rotary switch by the occupant activates the electric motor and the rotating mechanism, thereby enabling the cover 50 to rotate relative to the shaft 27.

[0110] Alternatively, the console box 20 can be fixed to the floor 12 of the vehicle 10 in a non-movable manner. In this case, the guide rail 16 and guide section 17 can be omitted. Furthermore, the console box 20 can be positioned at the first moving position P1, the second moving position P2, or the third moving position P3. When the console box 20 is positioned at the third moving position P3, interference with the front rear seat 14 and its occupants is avoided when the cover 50 is retracted or extended, thus allowing the cover 50 to be retracted smoothly.

[0111] The control box 20 can also be applied to vehicles with three or more vehicle seats arranged side by side. In this case, by setting the control box 20 at the boundary BF, BR between the passenger space formed by one of the two adjacent vehicle seats arranged side by side and the passenger space formed by the other two vehicle seats, the same effect as described above is achieved.

[0112] ○The vehicle table device described in the above embodiments can be applied to, for example, vehicle interiors that are different from the console box, such as the center console or the rear seat console installed on the rear seat.

Claims

1. A vehicle table device, characterized in that, Possessing: a base portion provided at a boundary between an occupant space formed by one of two vehicle seats arranged side by side in a lateral direction and an occupant space formed by the other of the two vehicle seats; a top plate of an elongated shape provided so as to cover an upper portion of the base portion; and a rotary support portion provided to the base portion and supporting the top plate so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in an up-down direction, the axis extending at a middle position of the top plate in a longitudinal direction, the rotary support portion configured to enable the top plate to rotate relative to the base portion between a retracted position and a deployed position, the deployed position being: a rotational position of the top plate in which a length of the top plate in an arrangement direction of the two vehicle seats is longer than in the retracted position, and in which both ends of the top plate in the arrangement direction are located further outward in the arrangement direction than in the retracted position.

2. The vehicle table board device according to claim 1, wherein: the base portion is a housing, the retracted position is a rotational position of the top plate in which both ends of the top plate in the arrangement direction are not located further outward than a side surface of the base portion in the arrangement direction, the deployed position is a rotational position of the top plate in which both ends of the top plate in the arrangement direction are located further outward than the side surface of the base portion in the arrangement direction.

3. The vehicle table board device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: an up-down moving portion for moving the top plate in an up-down direction is provided to the base portion.

4. The vehicle table board device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the base portion is a housing having a length in a direction along the boundary that is longer than a length in the arrangement direction, both ends of the top plate in the longitudinal direction are located further inward than a side surface of the base portion in the case where the top plate is in the retracted position, a pair of standing wall portions protruding upward in opposition to end surfaces of the top plate in the longitudinal direction are provided to an upper end of the base portion in correspondence with both ends of the top plate in the longitudinal direction, both end surfaces of the top plate in the longitudinal direction and surfaces of the pair of standing wall portions further inward than the base portion extend in a circular arc shape with the axis as a center.

5. The vehicle table board device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the base portion is a box main body of a console box having a receiving portion provided with an opening portion at an upper end, the top plate is a lid of the console box that opens and occludes the opening portion.

6. The vehicle table board device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the top plate is provided at a position between a front seat and a rear seat including a first seat and a second seat arranged side by side in a lateral direction at a position further rearward than the front seat and at a position further forward than a front end of a seat cushion portion of the rear seat.

7. The vehicle table board device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: ​ The vehicle seat includes a front seat including a driver's seat and a front passenger's seat arranged side by side in a transverse direction, and a rear seat including a first seat and a second seat arranged side by side in the transverse direction at a position behind the front seat in a vehicle rear direction, The vehicle table board device is provided with a moving portion that moves the top plate and the base portion in a vehicle front-rear direction between a first moving position between the driver's seat and the front passenger's seat and a second moving position between the first seat and the second seat.

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