Sliding panel for a storage compartment in a vehicle floor center console

Abstract

Motor vehicle console, which includes the following: a housing comprising a wall (13) and a storage compartment (16) with an opening (31) adjacent to the wall (13); and a rigid panel (21) which is carried on the housing for movement between a closed position in which the storage compartment (16) is not accessible and an open position in which the storage compartment (16) is accessible, wherein the rigid panel (21) is flush with the wall (13) in the closed position and is carried on a guide (30) and the guide (30) is carried on the housing, wherein the guide (30) comprises a first end with a first pair of grooves (32) provided therein and a second end with a second pair of grooves (33) provided therein, and wherein the aperture (21) has a first pair of projections (22) which each extend into the first pair of grooves (32) and a second pair of projections (23) which each extend into the second pair of grooves (33).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention generally relates to storage compartments provided in the floor center console of motor vehicles. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved structure for a rigid sliding panel that, in its closed position, is flush with the connecting components of the floor center console.

[0002] Floor center consoles of motor vehicles are state-of-the-art and often include a storage compartment for convenient storage of items. Many of these floor center consoles include a panel or similar covering structure for selectively covering an opening defined by the storage compartment for storing items therein, and for aesthetic purposes. The panel of the storage compartment of these consoles is movable between a closed position, in which the storage compartment is inaccessible, and an open position, in which the storage compartment is accessible.

[0003] In some cases, the storage compartment panel is formed by a rigid element that can be moved between the closed and open positions. In these cases, the rigid panel is typically movable in a straight line of motion between the open and closed positions. As a result, a non-flush transition results between an edge of the panel and a connecting wall provided on the floor center console. While this structure is effective, it would be desirable to provide an improved structure for a rigid sliding panel that, in its closed position, is flush with the connecting component of the floor center console.

[0004] DE 10 2006 020 264 A1 discloses a motor vehicle console with a housing comprising a wall and a shelf with an opening adjacent to the wall, as well as a rigid panel supported on the housing for movement between a closed position and an open position of the shelf. The rigid panel is flush with the wall in the closed position.

[0005] DE 100 23778 A1 relates to a cover for a storage compartment in a center console of a car, wherein the cover has a first cover element and a second cover element, which are guided in different guides and each cover a storage compartment area.

[0006] DE 198 24 248 A1 describes a cover of a storage container in a car with a plurality of surface elements which can be moved from a closed position to an open position while being guided in a guide, the guide being designed such that the surface elements are arranged in a zigzag manner relative to one another in the open position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] This invention relates to a motor vehicle console having the features of claim 1.

[0008] The automotive console includes an improved structure having a rigid sliding panel for a storage compartment provided in a floor center console of a motor vehicle, the panel being flush with an interface component of the floor center console in a closed position. The automotive console includes a housing having a pair of side walls defining a storage compartment having an opening, and a top wall extending between the pair of side walls adjacent the storage compartment opening. A rigid panel is supported on the housing for movement between a closed position in which the storage compartment is inaccessible and an open position in which the storage compartment is accessible. In the closed position, the rigid panel is flush with the wall. The rigid panel is supported on a guide which is in turn supported on the housing.The guide includes a first end with a first pair of grooves provided therein and a second end with a second pair of grooves provided therein. The bezel has a first pair of projections, each extending into the first pair of grooves, and a second pair of projections, each extending into the second pair of grooves. Each of the first pair of grooves is preferably generally linear, and each of the second pair of grooves is preferably initially generally curved and then generally linear.

[0009] From the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, various aspects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when taken in consideration of the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a floor center console of a motor vehicle incorporating a sliding panel assembly according to the invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the Fig. 1 and shows a rigid sliding panel of the sliding panel assembly in a closed position. Fig. 3 is one of the Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the rigid sliding visor of the sliding visor assembly in an open position. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the Fig. 1 to 3 shown sliding panel arrangement. Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of portions of the sliding visor assembly showing the rigid sliding visor in the closed position. Fig. 6 is one of the Fig. 5, enlarged perspective view showing the rigid sliding panel in the open position. Fig. 7 is a bottom view of parts of the Fig. 3 to 6 shown sliding panel arrangement. Fig. Figure 8 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of portions of the Fig. 3 to 7 shown sliding panel arrangement. Fig. Figure 9 is a schematic side view of parts of the floor center console showing the rigid sliding panel in the closed position. Fig. 10 is one of the Fig. 9, showing the rigid sliding visor in the open position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0010] Now referring to the drawings, in Fig. 1 illustrates a floor center console, generally designated 10, of a motor vehicle (not shown) according to this invention. Motor vehicle floor center consoles of such a general type are prior art and often include a storage compartment (in the Fig. 1 not shown) for convenient storage of items. Although the present invention is described and illustrated in the context of the specifically illustrated floor center console 10, it should be understood that this invention may also be practiced with other types of consoles having different shapes and structures.

[0011] The illustrated floor center console 10 includes a housing defined by a pair of side walls 11 and 12 and a top wall 13 extending generally between the pair of side walls 11 and 12. The illustrated floor center console 10 also includes a cup holder 14 and an armrest 15, both of which are conventional in the art and not part of this invention. Furthermore, the illustrated floor center console 10 is shaped to include an interior defining a conventional storage compartment 16. The storage compartment 16 is provided for convenient item storage and has an opening defined around a top end.

[0012] A sliding panel assembly, generally designated 20, is provided for selectively covering the opening defined by the storage compartment 16 for storing items therein and for aesthetic purposes. As will be explained in more detail below, the sliding panel assembly 20 includes a rigid panel 21 that is movable between a closed position (shown in Fig. 2), in which the storage compartment 16 is not accessible, and an open position (shown in Fig. 3), in which the storage compartment 16 is accessible, is movable.

[0013] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the Fig. 1 to 3. As shown therein, the panel 21 of the sliding panel assembly 20 is generally flat and rectangular. However, the panel 21 may be formed in any desired shape or size. A conventional accent element 21a may be carried on the panel 21 (or formed integrally therewith) to enable a user to grasp the panel 21 and slide it between the closed and open positions in the manner described below. The panel 21 includes a first pair of laterally extending projections 22 near a first end thereof. The panel 21 also includes a second pair of laterally extending projections 23 near a second end thereof. In Fig. 7, the first and second pairs of projections 22 and 23 are shown in more detail. The purpose of the first and second pairs of projections 22 and 23 is explained below.

[0014] The sliding panel assembly 20 also includes a guide 30 which carries the panel 21 and which in turn is carried on the floor center console 10. The structure of the guide 30 is best shown in the Fig. 4, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. As shown there, the guide 30 includes a first end through which an opening 31 is formed. The opening 31 is preferably designed in size and shape according to the size and shape of the upper opening of the storage compartment 16. When the guide 30 is carried on the floor center console 10, as shown in FIGS. Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the opening 31 defined by the guide 30 is generally coextensive with the top opening of the storage compartment 16, although this is not a requirement. At the first end of the guide 30, a first pair of opposed grooves 32 is provided, the purpose of which is explained below. In the illustrated embodiment, the first pair of grooves 32 are formed in lateral sides of the guide 30 that define the opening 31, although this is not a requirement. The guide 30 also includes a second end extending longitudinally from the first end. At the second end of the guide 30, a second pair of opposed grooves 33 is provided, the purpose of which is also explained below.

[0015] As in the Fig. 4, the sliding panel assembly 20 may also include various other components that enable movement of the panel 21 relative to the storage compartment 16. For example, the sliding panel assembly 20 may include a spring assembly 40, an inertial locking component 41, a push-pull latch 42, and a viscous damper 43. The spring assembly 40 reacts between the guide 30 and the panel 21 such that when a user moves the panel 21 from the closed position to the open position, energy is stored in the spring assembly 40. Upon movement of the panel 21 to the open position, the push-pull latch 42 is actuated to maintain the panel 21 in this open position.When movement of the shutter 21 from the open position to the closed position is desired, the push-pull latch 42 is then actuated to release the shutter 21 and allow the energy stored in the spring assembly 40 to automatically push the shutter 21 from the open position back to the closed position. The inertial locking component 41 and the viscous damper 43 are provided to prevent excessive movement of the shutter 21 during its return from the open position to the closed position. All of these components are conventional in the art and are not part of this invention.

[0016] In the Fig. 8, Fig. 9 and Fig. Figure 10 shows how the aperture 21 interacts with the guide 30 according to this invention. Fig. Figure 8 shows one projection of the first pair of projections 22 provided on the bezel 21 extending laterally to engage with a corresponding groove of the first pair of opposed grooves 32 provided at the first end of the guide 30. Although not shown, it is apparent that the other projection of the first pair of projections 22 provided on the bezel 21 extends laterally to engage with the corresponding other groove of the first pair of opposed grooves 32 provided at the first end of the guide 30. Consequently, a first end of the bezel 21 (that is, the end adjacent to the first pair of projections 22—referred to as the rear end of the bezel 21) is supported for sliding movement on the first end of the guide 30.

[0017] Analogously, Fig. 8 shows a projection of the second pair of projections 23 provided on the bezel 21 extending laterally to engage with a corresponding groove of the second pair of opposed grooves 33 provided at the second end of the guide 30. Although not shown, it is apparent that the other projection of the second pair of projections 23 provided on the bezel 21 extends laterally to engage with the corresponding other groove of the second pair of opposed grooves 33 provided at the second end of the guide 30. Consequently, a second end of the bezel 21 (that is, the end adjacent to the second pair of projections 23—referred to herein as the forward end of the bezel 21) is supported for sliding movement on the second part of the guide 30.

[0018] In the Fig. 8, the geometries of the first pair of opposed grooves 32 and the second pair of opposed grooves 33 provided in the guide 30 are best illustrated. As shown therein, the first pair of opposed grooves 32 extend generally linearly from the rear end (the right side of Fig. 8) towards the front end (the left side of Fig. 8) of the sliding diaphragm assembly 20. The second pair of opposed grooves 32 initially extend generally curved and then generally linearly from the rear end (the right side of Fig. 8) towards the front end (the left side of Fig. 8) of the sliding panel assembly 20.

[0019] In the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, the panel 21 is shown in the closed position in which the storage compartment 16 is not accessible. In this closed position, the forward end of the panel 21 is carried on the guide 30 so that it is flush with the rear end of the upper wall 13 of the floor center console 10, as shown in the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 by arrow 50. This flush alignment of the forward end of the panel 21 with the rear end of the upper wall 13 of the floor center console 10 can be achieved by an appropriate size and shape of the second pair of projections 23 on the panel 21 and the second pair of opposing grooves 33 provided at the second end of the guide 30. Such flush alignment is important for aesthetic and other reasons.

[0020] When the aperture 21 is moved from the closed position (shown in the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9) into the open position (shown in the Fig. 10), the first pair of projections 22 is moved by the first pair of opposing grooves 32, from the rear end towards the front end of the sliding panel assembly 20. Similarly, the second pair of projections 23 is also moved by the second pair of opposing grooves 33, from the rear end towards the front end of the sliding panel assembly 20. Due to the initial curved shape of the second pair of opposing grooves 32, the forward end of the panel 21 initially drops below the rear end of the upper wall 13 of the floor center console 10. As a result, the panel 21 is caused to pivot about the first pair of projections 22 (this is when viewing the Fig. 8 counterclockwise). This pivoting movement of the panel 21 ensures that its forward end leaves the rear end of the upper wall 13 of the floor center console 10 when the panel is moved forward under the upper wall 13. This forward movement of the panel continues until the accent element 21a is adjacent to the rear end of the upper wall 13 of the floor center console 10 (as in the Fig. 10) and the push-pull lock 42 is actuated to hold the shutter 21 in this open position. When the push-pull lock 42 is then actuated to release the shutter 21, the shutter 21 is moved backwards until it again assumes the original Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 shows the closed position.

[0021] The principle and operation of this invention have been illustrated and explained with reference to the preferred embodiment. However, it should be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and explained without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle console comprising: a housing comprising a wall (13) and a storage compartment (16) with an opening (31) adjacent to the wall (13); and a rigid panel (21) supported on the housing for movement between a closed position in which the storage compartment (16) is not accessible and an open position in which the storage compartment (16) is accessible, the rigid panel (21) being flush with the wall (13) in the closed position and supported on a guide (30) and the guide (30) being supported on the housing, wherein the guide (30) comprises a first end with a first pair of grooves (32) provided therein and a second end with a second pair of grooves (33) provided therein, and wherein the aperture (21) has a first pair of projections (22) each extending into the first pair of grooves (32) and a second pair of projections (23) each extending into the second pair of grooves (33). [2] The motor vehicle console of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a pair of side walls (11, 12) defining the storage compartment (16), and wherein the wall (13) is a top wall (13) extending between the pair of side walls (11, 12) adjacent the opening (31). [3] A motor vehicle console according to claim 1, wherein the guide (30) defines an opening (31) which is generally coextensive with an opening defined by the storage compartment (16). [4] The automotive console of claim 1, wherein each of said first pair of grooves (32) is generally linear. [5] A motor vehicle console according to claim 4, wherein each of said second pair of grooves (33) is initially generally curved and thereafter generally linear.

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