Vehicle decorative elements

Abstract

This utility model relates to a decorative element (10) for a vehicle, comprising: a body (12) defining an interior volume (22); and a movable element (18) sliding relative to the body in a direction of movement (D) between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein in the extended position the movable element extends outside the interior volume and in the retracted position the movable element extends into the interior volume; and a cover (26) at least partially enclosing the movable element. At least a portion of the cover has a non-linear cross-section in a transverse plane perpendicular to the direction of movement, and at least a portion of the upper surface (20) of the body has a cross-section in the transverse plane substantially complementary to the cross-section of the cover.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a decorative element for a vehicle.

[0002] This invention is applicable to, for example, vehicle seats, center consoles, or dashboards, including decorative elements that form, for example, support elements (such as armrests). Background Technology

[0003] It is known to have a handle that includes elements capable of moving relative to the main body, such as a telescopic member or drawer defining a storage space. The drawer thus slides between an extended position, in which the storage volume is accessible, and in the retracted position, the storage volume is completely closed.

[0004] However, when the movable element is deployed and / or retracted, small objects (such as personal items of vehicle occupants (coins, tokens, parking tickets, etc.)) may be received in the drawer, or, in the case of a retractable armrest, stored on the sliding part of the armrest, thus being inserted into the sliding system and falling into the main body behind the drawer. On the one hand, such intrusion may cause the occupant to lose the object in question; on the other hand, such intrusion may hinder or even prevent the deployment and / or retraction of the movable element. In more extreme cases, such intrusion may damage the deployment system of the movable element, making it impossible for the movable element to move from the retracted position to the deployed position and / or vice versa.

[0005] The literature describes solutions involving the addition of flexible components, such as foam or rubber blades, arranged between the cover of the movable element and the surface of the movable element abutting its translating body. These added components limit the intrusion of objects, but are only partially satisfactory solutions.

[0006] In reality, the addition of such components creates friction between the movable elements and the main body, thus reducing the user experience. Furthermore, they complicate the manufacturing of decorative elements and increase production costs.

[0007] Therefore, one objective of this invention is to provide a low-cost decorative element that includes a sliding element that restricts small objects from entering the sliding system. Utility Model Content

[0008] Therefore, this utility model relates to a decorative element comprising: a body including an upper surface and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface in a thickness direction, the upper surface and the lower surface defining an internal volume therebetween; and a movable element including a bottom and a cover extending at least partially away from the bottom in the thickness direction, the movable element being slidably mounted relative to the body in a movement direction between an unfolded position and a retracted position, wherein in the unfolded position the movable element extends primarily outside the internal volume, and in the retracted position the movable element extends primarily into the internal volume, wherein at least a portion of the cover has a non-linear cross-section in a transverse plane perpendicular to the movement direction, and at least a portion of the upper surface of the body has a cross-section in the transverse plane substantially complementary to the cross-section of the cover.

[0009] Because the upper surfaces of the cover and the body have substantially complementary cross-sections, they engage when the movable element is unfolded and stored in order to limit or even prevent the intrusion of objects between the cover and the upper surface.

[0010] Furthermore, the complementary nature of the cover and the upper surface means that no additional sealing elements are needed to limit the intrusion of objects. This simplifies the manufacture of the decorative element and minimizes production costs.

[0011] According to other advantageous aspects of this utility model, the decorative element, alone or in any technically feasible combination, includes one or more of the following features:

[0012] - The cover and the upper surface interlock at least in the retracted position of the movable element;

[0013] - The bottom defines the storage space and the rear space. The cover extends in the thickness direction opposite to the rear space and closes the rear space. The storage space is closed by the upper surface in the retracted position and is accessible in the unfolded position of the movable element.

[0014] - In all positions of the movable element between the unfolded and retracted positions, at least a portion of the cover interlocks with a portion of the upper surface;

[0015] -The upper surface and the cover are spaced apart in the thickness direction;

[0016] - In at least one transverse plane, the cover has a cross-section comprising a series of repeating patterns, each repeating pattern extending in at least two different directions;

[0017] - Repeating patterns are selected from teeth and / or grooves and / or ribs;

[0018] - Each repeating pattern extends from a first end of the cover to a second end, the first end and the second end being opposite each other in the direction of movement;

[0019] - In each transverse plane, the upper surface has a non-linear cross-section; and

[0020] - The movable element includes a slider, and the body includes a guide rail. The slider is capable of translating between a retracted position and an extended position of the movable element in or on the guide rail. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The present invention will become clearer when reading the following description, given only by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal plane of the decorative element according to the present invention, which includes a movable element in a retracted position.

[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the longitudinal plane of the decorative element, wherein the movable element is in the unfolded position.

[0024] Figure 3 Is with Figure 1 A perspective view of the decorative elements separated from the movable elements, and

[0025] Figure 4 It is along Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the cross-section plane IV-IV. Detailed Implementation

[0026] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The text describes a vehicle trim element 10, which includes: a body 12 having an outer surface 14 and a lower surface 16 opposite to the outer surface 14 in the thickness direction E; and a movable element 18 relative to the body 12.

[0027] In the example where the decorative element 10 forms a seat armrest and the seat armrest is lowered, the outer surface 14 extends substantially horizontally, and the thickness direction E corresponds to the floor-ceiling direction of the vehicle.

[0028] Such decorative elements 10 form, for example, armrests intended for use as passenger seats in vehicles. However, it should be noted that this invention is applicable to decorative elements for any type of vehicle capable of receiving deployable movable elements.

[0029] In the example where the decorative element 10 forms a seat armrest, the outer surface 14 defines a support surface on which, for example, a user may rest their arm.

[0030] The main body 12 extends between a first end 12A and a second end 12B. The first end 12A is attached, for example, to a seat support (not shown). The second end 12B is free. The direction from the first end 12A to the second end 12B defines the longitudinal direction L.

[0031] In the example where the decorative element 10 forms a seat armrest and the seat armrest is lowered, the outer surface 14 extends substantially horizontally, with the longitudinal direction L corresponding, for example, to the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0032] The main body 12 includes an upper surface 20 that is opposite to the lower surface 16 in the thickness direction E. The upper surface 20 is the inner surface of the main body 12 arranged in the thickness direction E between the lower surface 16 and the outer surface 14.

[0033] The upper surface 20 and the lower surface 16 are spaced apart in the thickness direction E and define an internal volume 22 between them, which is designed to at least partially accommodate the movable element 18.

[0034] The movable element 18 includes a bottom 24 and a cover 26, the cover extending at least partially away from the bottom 24 in the thickness direction E. The bottom 24 of the movable element 18 is defined as all lower surfaces of the movable element 18 opposite the cover 26 in the thickness direction E.

[0035] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the bottom 24 of the movable element 18 defines the storage space 27 and the rear space 28. The bottom 24 is defined as the entire lower surface of the movable element 18.

[0036] The cover 26 extends opposite to the rear space 28 in the thickness direction E and at least partially closes the rear space 28 for the user. "At least partially closes the rear space 28 for the user" is understood to mean that the user cannot access at least a portion of the rear space 28 from above.

[0037] Storage space 27 is advantageously open, that is, not enclosed by cover 26, so that the user can access it.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the movable element 18 includes a wall 29 protruding from the bottom 24 and separating the storage space 27 from the rear space 28. The rear space 28 is then defined as any portion of the movable element 18 located behind the wall 29 in the longitudinal direction L, opposite to the storage space 27 located in front of the wall 29. Movement in the longitudinal direction L prevents the user from accessing the rear space 28 from the outside of the decorative element 10, and, for example, allows the movement system of the movable element 18 to be concealed.

[0039] In one embodiment, the rear space 28 is connected to the storage space 27, but the user cannot access it by moving in the thickness direction E. In other words, the user cannot access the rear space 28 from above, but can only access it through the storage space 27.

[0040] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the example, the body 12 includes a guide rail 32 extending on the lower surface 16 of the body 12 between a first end 12A and a second end 12B in the direction of movement D. The guide rail 32 is designed to receive the movable element 18 and allow the movable element 18 to move relative to the body 12.

[0041] In the example shown in the figure, the direction of movement D is parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

[0042] The movable element 18 is mounted to slide relative to the body 12 in the direction of movement D between an extended position and a retracted position, in which the movable element 18 extends mainly outside the internal volume 22, and in the retracted position, the movable element 18 extends mainly inside the internal volume 22.

[0043] "Mainly on the outside" is understood to mean that a large portion of the movable element 18 in the direction of movement D extends outside the interior volume 22 in the vehicle passenger compartment, while the remaining portion of the movable element 18 extends inside the interior volume 22.

[0044] Similarly, "mainly inside" is understood to mean that a large portion of the movable element 18 in the direction of movement D extends inside the internal volume 22, while the rest of the movable element 18 extends outside the internal volume 22.

[0045] exist Figure 1 In the example, when the movable element 18 is in the retracted position, the movable element 18 extends entirely within the internal volume 22 between the first end 12A and the second end 12B of the body 12.

[0046] exist Figure 2 In the example, when the movable element 18 is in the deployed position, the movable element 18 extends at least partially from the body 12 outward from the second end 12B in the direction of movement D toward the outside of the internal volume 22. Therefore, vehicle occupants can access at least a portion of the movable element 18 (specifically, the component forming at least a portion of the storage space 27) in the deployed position.

[0047] Specifically, in Figure 1In the example, regardless of the position of the movable element 18 between the retracted and extended positions, the rear space 28 is always contained within the internal volume 22, and the user cannot access the rear space from above the movable element 18.

[0048] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the example, the movable element 18 also includes a slider 36 that is translatably movable in or on the guide rail 32 between a retracted position and an extended position. The slider 36 is attached, for example, to the edge of the movable element 18, preferably to the edge closest to the first end 12A of the body 12 when the movable element 18 is in the retracted position.

[0049] When the movable element 18 is in the retracted position, the slider 36 is located at one end of the guide rail 32 near the first end 12A of the body 12.

[0050] When the movable element 18 is in the unfolded position, the slider 36 is positioned away from the first end 12A of the body 12.

[0051] Advantageously, during the deployment and retraction of the movable element 18, the slider 36 guides the translation of the movable element 18 on the guide rail 32.

[0052] The movement of the movable element 18 between the retracted position and the extended position can be motorized and / or manual.

[0053] When the movable element 18 is in the retracted position, the storage space 27 is enclosed by the body 12, specifically by the upper surface 20 of the body 12, and is inaccessible to the user. Additionally, the storage space 27 is covered by the outer surface 14 of the decorative element 10.

[0054] When the movable element 18 is in the unfolded position, the user can access at least a portion (advantageously the entire storage space 27) of the storage space 27 to add or remove objects from the storage space 27.

[0055] In all positions of the movable element 18, the upper surface 20 and the cover 26 are spaced apart in the thickness direction E. For example, the gap between the cover 26 and the upper surface 20 is defined in the thickness direction E as between 0.1 mm and 10 mm, preferably between 0.1 mm and 3 mm.

[0056] The gap prevents friction between the cover 26 and the upper surface 20 when the movable element 18 slides into and / or out of the internal volume 22. This facilitates the unfolding and removal of the movable element 18 and reduces frictional damage to the cover 26 and the upper surface 20.

[0057] According to the present invention, at least a portion of the cover 26 has a non-linear cross-section in a transverse plane perpendicular to the direction of movement D.

[0058] "Non-linear cross section" is understood to mean that the cross section of cover 26 has at least one directional change in the transverse plane.

[0059] For example, in at least one transverse plane, the cover 26 has a cross section comprising a series of repeating patterns 44, each repeating pattern 44 extending in at least two different directions.

[0060] Repeating pattern 44 is, for example, teeth and / or grooves and / or ribs.

[0061] Pattern 44 extends protrudingly from the cover 26 toward or away from the upper surface 20.

[0062] For example, the cross-section of the cover 26 is comb-shaped, including teeth protruding from the cover 26.

[0063] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the example shown, the cover 26 defines a plurality of consecutive slots extending in a transverse plane in the transverse direction T. Each slot extends projectingly from the cover 26 toward the upper surface 20.

[0064] In a specific implementation, each repeating pattern 44 has a width between 0.5 mm and 20 mm (truncate in the lateral direction T).

[0065] Generally, the width of each pattern 44 is chosen to limit the intrusion of small objects (such as personal items of vehicle occupants (coins, tokens, parking tickets, etc.)) between the cover 26 and the upper surface 20.

[0066] Advantageously, each repeating pattern 44 extends from the first end 26A of the cover 26 to the second end 26B, with the first end 26A and the second end 26B facing each other in the direction of movement D.

[0067] In other words, each repeating pattern 44 extends along the entire length of the cover 26 (cut off in the direction of movement D).

[0068] Advantageously, the continuous pattern 44 also extends across the entire width of the cover 26 (cut off in the lateral direction T).

[0069] Also according to this invention, in the transverse plane, at least a portion of the cross-section of the upper surface 20 of the body 12 is substantially complementary to the cross-section of the cover 26.

[0070] For example, the upper surface 20 has segments including a series of complementary repeating patterns 46 that are complementary in shape, size and / or position to the repeating pattern 44 defined by the cover 26.

[0071] The cover 26 and the upper surface 20 are interlocked at least in the retracted position of the movable element.

[0072] "Interlocking" is understood to mean that the cover 26 and the upper surface 20 have mutually mating shapes. More specifically, when the movable element 18 moves between the extended position and the retracted position, the pattern 44 on the cover 26 slides into the complementary pattern 46 on the upper surface 20.

[0073] In other words, pattern 44 and complementary pattern 46 interlock to prevent objects from intruding between cover 26 and upper surface 20.

[0074] In fact, the complementary patterns 44, 46 of the cover 26 and the upper surface 20 specifically form barriers to the intrusion of objects, for example, stored in the storage space 27, due to their specific widths, and when the movable element 18 is stored in the internal volume 22, these objects will be stuck between the cover 26 and the upper surface 20.

[0075] exist Figure 2 In the example, at least a portion of the cover 26 engages with a portion of the upper surface 20 in all positions of the movable element 18 between the extended and retracted positions.

[0076] Therefore, regardless of the position of the movable element 18, the fit between the cover 26 and the upper surface 20 restricts the intrusion of objects between the cover 26 and the upper surface 20.

[0077] In a specific implementation, the upper surface 20 has a non-linear cross-section in each transverse plane.

[0078] In other words, each complementary repeating pattern 46 extends from the first end 20A of the upper surface 20 to the second end 20B, with the first end 20A and the second end 20B facing each other in the direction of movement D.

[0079] Therefore, each complementary repeating pattern 46 extends along the entire length of the upper surface 20 (cut off in the direction of movement D) over the entire upper surface 20.

[0080] Advantageously, a series of complementary patterns 46 also extend across the entire width of the upper surface 20 (sectioned in the lateral direction T).

[0081] In a variant not shown, the cross-section of the cover 26 and / or the upper surface 20 is non-linear only in the movement direction D along a section of the cover 26 and / or the upper surface 20. Therefore, the engagement of the cover 26 and the upper surface 20 does not occur over the entire length of the cover 26 and / or the upper surface 20 in the movement direction D, but only in the section with the non-linear cross-section.

[0082] Advantageously, in this example, the non-linear segment is located at the second end 26B of the cover 26 and / or at the second end 20B of the upper surface 20. Thus, when the segment with a non-linear cross-section is carried by the cover 26, the segment is located at the end of the cover 26 that separates the storage space 27 from the rear space 28.

[0083] According to this variant, during the translation of the movable element 18 within the internal volume 22, object intrusion is restricted once a non-linear segment of the cover 26 engages with a non-linear segment of the upper surface 20.

[0084] The decorative element 10 according to this utility model has many advantages.

[0085] Because the cover 26 and the upper surface 20 of the body 12 have substantially complementary, interlocking cross sections, a relatively tight fit is ensured, thereby limiting the intrusion of objects between the cover 26 and the upper surface 20 during the unfolding and removal of the movable element 18.

[0086] "Relatively tight" is understood to mean that a gap is maintained between the cover 26 and the upper surface 20 of the body 12, which facilitates the unfolding of the movable element 18 relative to the body 12 without generating friction that would make the movement of the movable element 18 more difficult.

[0087] In this way, the decorative element 10 according to the present invention is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, provides easy, modular access to storage space, and prevents intrusion of any object.

Claims

1. A decorative element (10) for a vehicle, the decorative element comprising: - A main body (12), the main body comprising an upper surface (20) and a lower surface (16) opposite the upper surface (20) in the thickness direction (E), the upper surface (20) and the lower surface (16) defining an internal volume (22) therebetween, and - A movable element (18) comprising a bottom (24) and a cover (26) extending at least partially away from the bottom (24) in the thickness direction (E), the movable element (18) being slidably mounted relative to the body (12) in the movement direction (D) between an unfolded position and a retracted position, wherein in the unfolded position the movable element (18) extends primarily outside the internal volume (22) and in the retracted position the movable element (18) extends primarily into the internal volume (22); The feature is that at least a portion of the cover (26) has a non-linear cross-section in a transverse plane perpendicular to the direction of movement (D), and at least a portion of the upper surface (20) of the body (12) has a cross-section in the transverse plane that is substantially complementary to the cross-section of the cover (26).

2. The trim element (10) of a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that The cover (26) and the upper surface (20) are interlocked at least in the retracted position of the movable element (18).

3. The trim element (10) of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The bottom (24) defines a storage space (27) and a rear space (28), the cover (26) extends relative to the rear space (28) in the thickness direction (E) and closes the rear space (28), the storage space (27) is closed by the upper surface (20) in the retracted position and is accessible in the unfolded position of the movable element (18).

4. The trim element (10) of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that In all positions of the movable element (18) between the unfolded position and the retracted position, at least a portion of the cover (26) is interlocked to a portion of the upper surface (20).

5. The trim element (10) of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The upper surface (20) and the cover (26) are spaced apart in the thickness direction (E).

6. The trim element (10) of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that In at least one transverse plane, the cover (26) has a cross section comprising a series of repeating patterns (44), each repeating pattern (44) extending in at least two different directions.

7. The trim element (10) of a vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that The repeating pattern (44) is selected from teeth and / or grooves and / or ribs.

8. The trim element (10) of a vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that Each repeating pattern (44) extends from a first end (26A) of the cover (26) to a second end (26B), the first end (26A) and the second end (26B) being opposite to each other in the direction of movement (D).

9. The trim element (10) of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that In each transverse plane, the upper surface (20) has a non-linear cross-section.

10. The trim element (10) of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The movable element (18) includes a slider (36), and the body (12) includes a guide rail (32). The slider (36) is capable of translating between the retracted position and the extended position of the movable element (18) in or on the guide rail (32).

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