Storage device for the interior of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Storage device (7) for the interior (3) of a motor vehicle (1), comprising a base body (8) which is at least indirectly connected to a body (2) of the motor vehicle (1), wherein on the base body (8) at least one table top (10) is slidably mounted between a retracted position and an extended position by means of a drive device (11), characterized by the fact that on which at least one tabletop (10) a camera (13) suitable for tracking eye movements is attached.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a storage device for the interior of a motor vehicle, comprising a base body as defined in the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a body for a motor vehicle.

[0002] A storage device of this type is known from US 6 565 137 B1.

[0003] DE 101 25 063 A1 describes a holder for a portable computer device which has a drawer which can be pulled out from a central console.

[0004] A pull-out tray in a control panel of a motor vehicle is described in DE 199 08 130 A1.

[0005] GB 1 151 940 A describes a table that can be pulled out from the dashboard of a motor vehicle.

[0006] In today's motor vehicles, it is common to find a dashboard in front of the driver and usually also in front of the passenger, which houses not only a variety of display instruments and control panels, but also air vents and similar devices. A steering wheel, intended for operation by the driver, is usually located between the dashboard and the driver's seat.

[0007] Motor vehicles that can be driven semi-autonomously, i.e., with only limited driver intervention, are already available today. This trend will intensify in the future, and there will be vehicles that move in traffic completely without driver intervention.

[0008] In such autonomously operated vehicles, various displays and control devices that are common in today's vehicles are no longer necessary. Furthermore, autonomous operation allows the driver to concentrate on or engage in other activities while driving. However, this requires different designs in the vehicle interior, particularly in the area in front of the driver and, if applicable, the passenger.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a storage device for the interior of a motor vehicle which offers the front seats of an autonomously operated vehicle the opportunity to pursue activities independent of the traffic situation.

[0010] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features mentioned in claim 1.

[0011] The storage device according to the invention offers vehicle occupants the possibility of expanding their range of activities within the motor vehicle by using the at least one tabletop, which can be moved between a retracted and an extended position, for example, for office work, meals, storing objects, or the like. The storage device according to the invention does not cause any disruption even when not in use and does not cause any space problems, since previously unavailable space is available in autonomously operated motor vehicles, particularly in the area in front of the driver and front passenger.

[0012] According to the invention, a camera suitable for tracking eye movements is mounted on at least one tabletop. Such a device, also known as an eye-tracking camera, offers excellent positioning due to its attachment to the tabletop, since a person's eye movements can be captured very well, especially from a position below the tabletop.

[0013] In a highly advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the at least one table top is movable in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. This allows the occupants to use the storage device when the at least one table top is moved toward them, whereas the base body is away from the occupants in the retracted position of the table top and thus does not pose a hindrance.

[0014] In order to expand the usability of the storage device according to the invention, it can be provided that the at least one table top is additionally displaceable in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle.

[0015] An even greater benefit of the storage device results if it is further provided that the at least one table top has a control panel.

[0016] It is particularly advantageous if the control panel has a touch-sensitive surface and a display. This allows the tabletop to be used to operate various functions of the vehicle and / or as a tablet computer for work and / or leisure activities.

[0017] Particularly good ergonomics are achieved if, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one tabletop can be moved depending on the position of a seat. This ensures optimal positioning of the occupants relative to the tabletop at all times.

[0018] In order to enable use of the storage device according to the invention by both the driver and the passenger, it can also be provided that two table tops are movably mounted on the base body.

[0019] Furthermore, the base body can be provided with at least one foot for at least indirectly connecting it to the body of the motor vehicle. This makes it easy to ensure a higher position of the storage device relative to, for example, the vehicle seats.

[0020] A body for a motor vehicle with a storage device according to the invention is specified in claim 9.

[0021] The particular advantage of this solution is the particularly easy-to-use storage unit for the driver, with at least one tabletop located directly in front of the driver and, if applicable, the front passenger, making it very easily accessible. The positioning of the storage unit above the driver's seat ensures a comfortable seating position for the driver. Of course, the storage unit can also extend in front of a front passenger seat, allowing the front passenger to enjoy the same benefits as the driver.

[0022] In the following, embodiments of the invention are shown in principle with reference to the drawing.

[0023] It shows: Fig. 1 is a very schematic plan view of a motor vehicle with a body and a storage device according to the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective view of a first embodiment of a storage device according to the invention; Fig. 3 a side view of the storage device Fig. 2; Fig. 4 a perspective view of a second embodiment of a storage device according to the invention; Fig. 5 the storage device Fig. 4 in a second state; Fig. 6 the storage device Fig. 4 in a third state; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a storage device according to the invention; and Fig. 8 a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a storage device according to the invention.

[0024] Fig. Figure 1 shows a very schematic illustration of a motor vehicle 1 with a body 2. The body 2 encloses an interior 3 of the motor vehicle 1, in which a driver's seat 4, a passenger seat 5, and a rear bench seat 6 are arranged. The design of the driver's seat 4, the passenger seat 5, and the rear bench seat 6 can be realized in a conventional manner, whereby it is preferable if the driver's seat 4 and the passenger seat 5 can be moved automatically into different positions, for example by means of appropriate electric motors.

[0025] The motor vehicle 1 is, in particular, an autonomously operable motor vehicle in which a driver (not shown), who is usually located in the driver's seat 4, can transfer control of the motor vehicle 1 entirely to certain control devices (not shown) thereof.

[0026] In an area in front of the driver's seat 4 and, in the present case, also in front of the front passenger seat 5, there is a storage device 7, which is also located above a seat surface 4a of the driver's seat 4 and, in the present case, also above a seat surface 5a of a front passenger seat 5. The term "above" refers to a higher arrangement of the storage device 7 compared to the seat surfaces 4a and 5a. It is not absolutely necessary for the storage device 7 to be located directly above the seat surfaces 4a and 5a. Rather, the storage device 7 can also be located in front of the seat surfaces 4a and 5a in a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle 1, designated by "x", and yet be arranged higher relative to them.

[0027] The storage device 7 has a base body 8 which is at least indirectly connected to the body 2 of the motor vehicle 1. As shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the base body 8 of the storage device 7 has at least one, in the embodiment of the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 has two feet 9 that establish a connection to the body 2. In the present case, the base body 8 is rigidly connected to the body 2 via the feet 9. However, it would also be possible to guide the feet 9 on rails in order to be able to move the base body 8 in the longitudinal direction x of the motor vehicle 1. In principle, it is also conceivable to dispense with the feet 9 and attach the base body 8 directly to the body 2. In this case, the storage device 7 could extend across the entire width of the interior 3 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0028] The storage device 7 further comprises at least one table top 10, which is mounted on the base body 8 so as to be movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the embodiments of the storage device 7 shown here, two table tops 10 are provided. In the illustration of Fig. 2 one table top 10 in the retracted position and the other in the extended position.

[0029] To adjust the at least one table top 10, a Fig. 3 shows a very schematically illustrated drive device 11, which can be designed in a manner known per se. The drive device 11 can, for example, be a Fig. 3 electric motor indicated by a dashed circle and a Fig. 3, so that the table top 10 can be moved between the retracted and extended positions. Of course, other embodiments of the drive device 11 are also conceivable.

[0030] The movement of the table tops 10 can be controlled depending on the position of the two seats 4 and / or 5. For example, it can be provided that the table tops 10 are moved to a specific position when the driver's seat 4 or the passenger seat 5 are moved to specific positions, for example, to rest positions. For this purpose, the drive device 11 of the table top 10 can be connected to a corresponding control device. The positions to which the table tops 10 are moved can, for example, be linked to a memory function of the driver's seat 4 and / or the passenger seat 5.

[0031] Of course, it could also be provided to be able to control the at least one tabletop 10 independently of other components within the motor vehicle 1. For example, a switch, a button, or the like could be provided for this purpose. A sensor system that responds to fingerprints or the like is also conceivable.

[0032] The storage device 7 is preferably located in the longitudinal direction x of the motor vehicle 1 in such a position that the table tops 10, in their extended position, are very easily accessible to the occupants of the motor vehicle 1. Preferably, the table tops 10, in their extended position, are located above the thighs of the occupants resting on the seat surfaces 4a or 5a.

[0033] Respective cameras 13 are mounted on at least one tabletop 10, in the present case on both tabletops 10, and are suitable for tracking the eye movements of occupants of the motor vehicle 1. These so-called eye-tracking cameras 13 are thus in a favorable position for tracking the occupants' eye movements from below head height in order to thereby control certain processes on the motor vehicle 1. In the present case, the two cameras 13 are each located on a front edge of the tabletops 10, so that the function of the cameras 13 is guaranteed even when the tabletop 10 is retracted. The storage device 7 therefore offers a very suitable option for accommodating the cameras 13. The cameras 13 can, for example, be located behind a semi-transparent pane.

[0034] Furthermore, in all embodiments, it can be provided that the at least one tabletop 10 has a control panel 14. The control panel can, for example, have a touch-sensitive surface and a display, which, however, are not shown. For example, the touch-sensitive surface can form a keyboard with which passengers can work, pursue leisure activities, or control the motor vehicle 1. Optionally, the control panel 14 can also be a removable tablet computer or the like.

[0035] In the Fig. 4 to 8 further embodiments of the storage device 7 are described.

[0036] At the Fig. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, it can be seen that the at least one table top 10, in addition to being movable in the longitudinal direction x of the motor vehicle 1, can also be displaced in the transverse direction, designated "y," of the motor vehicle 1. This results in greater flexibility of the storage device 7.

[0037] In Fig. 6 also shows pull-out drawers 15 arranged below the table tops 10, in which different objects can be stored.

[0038] In the embodiment of Fig. 7, the surface of the base body 8 of the storage device 7 is equipped with straps running in the vehicle transverse direction y, so that objects can be firmly clamped.

[0039] In the embodiment of Fig. 8, an area of ​​the surface of the base body 8 is designed in the shape of a bowl in which different objects can be placed.

Claims

[1] Storage device (7) for the interior (3) of a motor vehicle (1), with a base body (8) which is at least indirectly connected to a body (2) of the motor vehicle (1), wherein at least one table top (10) is mounted on the base body (8) by means of a drive device (11) so as to be displaceable between a retracted position and an extended position, characterized by , that on the at least one table top (10) a camera (13) suitable for tracking an eye movement is attached. [2] Storage device according to claim 1, characterized by that the at least one table top (10) is displaceable in the longitudinal direction (x) of the motor vehicle (1). [3] Storage device according to claim 2, characterized by that the at least one table top (10) is additionally displaceable in the transverse direction (y) of the motor vehicle (1). [4] Storage device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized bythat the at least one table top (10) has a control panel. [5] Storage device according to claim 4, characterized by that the control panel has a touch-sensitive surface and a display. [6] Storage device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the at least one table top (10) is movable depending on the position of a seat (4,5). [7] Storage device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that two table tops (10) are movably mounted on the base body (8). [8] Storage device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the base body (8) has at least one foot (9) for at least indirectly connecting it to the body (2) of the motor vehicle (1). [9] Body (2) for a motor vehicle (1), with a storage device (7) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the storage device (7) is arranged at least in front of a driver's seat (4, 5) and above a seat surface (4a) of the driver's seat (4).

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