Pop-up console for a vehicle

Abstract

A pop-up console (100) for a vehicle, wherein the pop-up console (100) has: a console housing (200) which is located in the vehicle, a cover device (110) which is arranged on the console housing (200), to cover or quickly open an upper section of the console housing (200), one or more lower shelves (120; 120a, 120b, 120c) arranged in succession under the cover device (110), and a guide device (130) which is inserted into the console housing (200) to spring open with the cover device (110), wherein at least one of the lower shelves (120; 120a, 120b, 120c) is movable along the guide device (130) and wherein the guide device (130), which allows the cover device (110) to spring upwards from the console housing (200), is inclined at a predetermined angle in a forward and backward direction.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Area of ​​the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a pop-up console for a vehicle (e.g., a motor vehicle). In particular, the present invention relates to a pop-up console for a vehicle, wherein the pop-up console has a cover device arranged on the console and a plurality of lower compartments that provide storage spaces at different heights and are capable of moving up and down along a guide device, so that the vehicle's status and the charging status of mobile phones in the lower compartments can be detected by means of a display device of the cover device. Description of related technology

[0002] Generally, a vehicle console has a rotating mechanism that opens and closes a storage compartment with a cover, which rotates around a driveshaft. Furthermore, there are multi-level consoles that incorporate these mechanisms.

[0003] Recently, automotive consoles have been required to do more than simply provide storage space; they are also expected to incorporate various integrated functions. Furthermore, automotive consoles are also expected to enhance the interior aesthetic appearance of vehicles.

[0004] As a related technique, it shows Fig. 1 schematically a multi-stage console that has a rotating structure.

[0005] According to the multi-stage console, a lower storage compartment 11 with an open upper end is formed within a vehicle, an upper storage compartment 12 with an open upper end is arranged above the lower storage compartment 11, and the open upper end of the upper storage compartment 12 is covered by a cover 13. A rear lower end section of the lower storage compartment 12 is articulated to a rear upper section of the lower storage compartment 11 so that it can rotate (e.g., relative to the latter), and a rear lower end section of the cover 13 is articulated to a rear upper section of the upper storage compartment 12 so that it can rotate (e.g., relative to the latter).

[0006] However, in the technology used, automotive consoles with multi-level storage can only perform a simple storage function, making it impossible to provide various functions that have recently been required for vehicles.

[0007] Furthermore, since the multi-level storage system, which is in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, protruding from a console housing, this deteriorates the interior aesthetic appearance of the vehicle.

[0008] The information disclosed in this section “Background of the Invention” is intended solely to improve the understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be interpreted as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this information constitutes the prior art already known to the person skilled in the art.

[0009] For example, US 2013 / 0057011A1 discloses a pop-up console for a vehicle, wherein the pop-up console comprises: a console housing arranged in the vehicle, a cover device arranged on the console housing to cover or quickly open an upper section of the console housing, a lower shelf arranged sequentially under the cover device, and a guide device inserted into the console housing to allow the cover device to spring open, wherein the lower shelf is movable along the guide device.

[0010] Another vehicle console in the form of a drawer is known, for example, from US 2014 / 0 167 438 A1.

[0011] Furthermore, a touchscreen holding device is known, for example, from DE 10 2013 019 113 A1. Additionally, a cassette holder is known, for example, from KR 10 0 189 016 B1. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention is aimed at holistically providing information, which includes, for example, a note, relationships with / between mobile devices (e.g., mobile phones) and a charge level (e.g., of a battery) of mobile devices, on (e.g., a console cover) by providing the cover with a display device (e.g., a screen).

[0013] The present invention is further directed to provide a multi-stage console that selectively exposes its interior through a cover whose transparency is controlled according to a requirement of a user.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention is directed to provide a cover that is inserted (e.g., continuously) into a console housing (e.g., a center console housing).

[0015] The aspects of the invention are not limited to those described above, and other advantages of the present invention, as mentioned herein, can be easily understood from the following description and can be clearly seen through the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, the aspects of the present invention can be achieved by the components described in the claims and combinations thereof.

[0016] The present invention provides a pop-up console with the features according to claim 1. Further embodiments of the pop-up console are described in the dependent claims.

[0017] This means that a pop-up console (hereinafter referred to as "pop-up console") for a vehicle (e.g., a motor vehicle) to achieve the objectives of the present invention comprises: a console housing (e.g., a center console housing) arranged in the vehicle, a cover device (hereinafter referred to as "cover device") arranged on (e.g., on) the console housing to cover (e.g., to at least substantially completely close) an upper section (e.g., a top section) of the console housing or to open it upwards or upwards in a snap-up manner (e.g., in the manner of folding out and / or extending; hereinafter referred to as "snap-up"), and one or more lower shelves, trays, or compartments (hereinafter referred to as "shelf") arranged sequentially beneath the cover device, wherein at least one of the lower shelves is guided along (e.g., together with) a guide device (e.g.,a guide rail), which is coupled to an end section of the cover device, is movable upwards and downwards in order to spring up with the cover device (e.g. unfold and / or extend) while the latter (storage or guide device) is inserted in the console housing, wherein the guide device, which allows the cover device to spring up from the console housing, is inclined at a predetermined angle in a forward and backward direction.

[0018] The covering device may, for example, comprise: a touch-sensitive panel (e.g., a touch-sensitive layer) for detecting user input, a transparent display device (e.g., a transparent layer of a display device) arranged beneath the touch-sensitive panel to display information according to a user request, and an electrically frostable glass (e.g., an electrically frostable layer, e.g., a glass or layer whose opacity can be changed using electricity, e.g., adjusted / switched) arranged beneath the transparent display device (here, the term "glass" generally includes (e.g., at least substantially completely) transparent materials).

[0019] The touch-sensitive panel can, for example, have a function for recognizing electronic handwriting (e.g., a function for electronically recognizing handwriting).

[0020] The transparency (or opacity) of the cover device can be determined or adjusted, for example, by the electrically frostable glass.

[0021] For example, information relating to a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone, a mobile audio player, etc.) located under the cover device can be displayed by the display device.

[0022] The transparent display device can, for example, be selected from a group which includes: an LCD, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and a transparent OLED.

[0023] The guide device can, for example, include further stoppers for defining (e.g. limiting) upward and downward paths for the lower shelves.

[0024] The pop-up console may, for example, further feature: an elastic element which provides tension in an upward or high-speed direction when the guide device is positioned in the console housing.

[0025] For example, at least one of the lower shelves under the cover device may have a wireless charging shelf (e.g., a shelf for wireless electrical charging of mobile devices).

[0026] The wireless charging tray can, for example, provide a contact or a no-contact wireless charging system.

[0027] The lower shelves can, for example, be at least two or more lower shelves.

[0028] The two or more lower shelves can, for example, be adjacent to each other and move together if at least one of them moves.

[0029] For example, a mobile device may be installed in the console and / or vehicle equipment to be controlled by the display device (e.g. in combination with the touch-sensitive panel).

[0030] Starting from the embodiments, the present invention can achieve the following effects, and configurations, combinations and usage relationships are described below.

[0031] Since numerous aspects of the present invention are aimed at providing a pop-up console for a vehicle which has multiple storage compartments, more storage space can be provided for a user.

[0032] Furthermore, numerous aspects of the present invention are aimed at providing a console which allows a user to capture / check numerous pieces of information at once through the cover device (e.g. through) which the display device has.

[0033] Furthermore, the present invention improves the internal aesthetic appearance of a vehicle, since the cover device can be stored (e.g. stowed) in the console housing (e.g., the cover device fits (e.g., at least substantially) steplessly into the console housing).

[0034] The devices of the present invention have other advantages, which will become apparent from or be shown in more detail in the accompanying drawings included herein and in the following detailed description, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a side view showing an automotive multi-component console (e.g., center console) which has a rotating structure of the related technology. Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a pop-up console for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view when a first lower storage compartment of the pop-up console for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is open. Fig. Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view when a second lower storage compartment of the pop-up console for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is open. Fig. Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view when a third lower storage compartment of the pop-up console for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is open. Fig. Figure 6 is a view showing a cover device for the pop-up console for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. Figure 7 is a view showing a display functionality of the cover device of the pop-up console for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] It should be understood that the attached drawings are not necessarily to scale and represent a somewhat simplified depiction of various features in order to illustrate the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention, as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes, are partly determined by the respective intended application and environment of use.

[0036] In the figures, the same reference numerals refer to identical or essentially identical parts of the present invention across the different figures of the drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Reference will now be made in detail to numerous embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. Although the invention is described in connection with exemplary embodiments, it is clear that the present description is not intended to limit the invention to these exemplary embodiments.

[0038] Furthermore, in the description, terms such as "... unit" and "... system" refer to a device for performing at least one function or process and can be achieved through hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software.

[0039] The differentiation of component names by means of "first / first / first" and "second / second / second" etc. in the following description serves to distinguish them with respect to equal / similar relationships between the components, and the components are not limited to the order in the following description.

[0040] Numerous aspects of the present invention are aimed at providing a pop-up console 100 for a vehicle, wherein the pop-up console 100 has a center console structure which is inserted into a console housing 200.

[0041] In addition, the pop-up console 100 for the vehicle has a cover device 110, which, together with a guide 130, quickly pops out or forward, and a plurality of lower storage compartments 120.

[0042] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention further comprises a touch-sensitive panel 111, and a configuration relationship of the pop-up console 100 for the vehicle, which can perform a wireless charging function, is described below.

[0043] The Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the pop-up console 100 for the vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] As shown in the figures, numerous aspects of the present invention are directed to provide a configuration which is inserted into a console housing 200 and which, in accordance with a user requirement, quickly pops out or extends (e.g., extends), and which comprises the console housing 200, the cover device 110, which covers an upper section of the console, and the lower shelves 120, which are arranged sequentially under the cover device 110.

[0045] The console further includes the guide device which is coupled to an end section of the cover device 110 and provides a predetermined force for the cover device 110 to spring open, and at least one of the lower shelves 120 is movable upwards and downwards together with and / or along the guide device 130.

[0046] The guide device 130 has an elastic element 160 which provides a predetermined tension (e.g. force) when the cover device 110 is stored (e.g. stowed) in the console housing 200, and the elastic element 160 can be arranged under the guide device 130 to provide a spring force for the cover device 110 to spring open.

[0047] Furthermore, the guide device 130, which allows the cover device 110 to spring upwards from the console housing 200, can be inclined at a predetermined angle in a forward and reverse direction (e.g. vehicle longitudinal direction) from a line perpendicular to the console housing 200 in order to prevent damage (e.g. a collision) with the console housing 200 when the cover device springs open.

[0048] The cover device 110 is inserted into the console housing 200 when it is closed, and the center console can be maintained at the same height as the console housing 200 until the cover device 110 is opened in accordance with a user requirement.

[0049] The Fig. Figure 3 is a side view when the cover device 110 is opened (extended) in accordance with numerous embodiments of the present invention.

[0050] As shown in the figure, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cover device 110 springs upwards or forwards from the console housing 200, and the guide device 130, which is coupled to an end section of the cover device 110, also springs upwards or forwards to move upwards together with the cover device 110. Furthermore, when the cover device 110 is open, the first lower shelf 120a under the cover device 110 can be open.

[0051] After the cover device 110 has been opened, the height of the cover device 110 can be set by a stopper on the guide device 130, and the stopper can be provided at an opening for moving the guide device 130 of the console housing 200 in order to determine (e.g. to limit) the opening or extension height of the guide device 130.

[0052] A wireless charging system 140 can be deployed to charge a mobile device when the first lower shelf 120a is open (wireless charging shelf). The wireless charging system 140 can charge mobile devices within a predetermined distance; that is, it can charge mobile devices in the first lower shelf 120a and in the second lower shelf 120b.

[0053] Furthermore, the Wireless Charging System 140 allows electrical devices to be used in the console without wires (e.g., cables) and enables mobile devices to be operated simultaneously without specific power lines (e.g., power cables). The Wireless Charging System 140 can be of a contact type or a no-contact type. If the Wireless Charging System 140 is of a no-contact type, it has a transmission range of a few millimeters to a few centimeters and can charge mobile devices within a predetermined distance from the first lower shelf 120a.

[0054] A local no-contact power transfer technology can use inductive coupling via a wireless power transfer technology to wirelessly transfer power to a desired device, and can have a power transfer mode which uses electromagnetic interaction of currents between two facing metal coils.

[0055] The Wireless Charging System 140 can be of the resonant type, which wirelessly transmits power over a predetermined distance using a resonant energy transfer principle.

[0056] The Wireless Charging System 140 can wirelessly transmit energy using RF / microwave radiation, which transfers energy by converting power into microwaves, making it advantageous for wireless transmission.

[0057] The Fig. Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view when the second lower shelf 120b is open in accordance with numerous exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0058] As shown in the figure, when the first lower shelf 120a is moved upwards along the guide device 130 to make contact with a bottom section of the cover device 110, the second lower shelf 120b springs up (e.g., moves towards the first lower shelf 120a). When the first lower shelf 120a is moved to a bottom section of the cover device 110, the second lower shelf 120b can move to the same height as the opening of the console housing 200.

[0059] This means that the first lower shelf 120a and the second lower shelf 120b can be moved mechanically with different transmission ratios so that they can move to different heights, and an actuator can further be provided to move the lower shelves along the guide device 130 in response to an electrical signal.

[0060] Furthermore, the lower shelves can move simultaneously along a rail in the guide device 130. At least one of the lower shelves, which are positioned adjacent to each other in a row, can move after the other, and as such, the lower shelves can be configured to move over different distances.

[0061] The Fig. Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view when a third lower shelf 120c is open in accordance with numerous exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0062] When the second lower shelf 120b is moved to a bottom section of the first lower shelf 120a, the third lower shelf 120c is moved upwards in the console housing 200 so that the opening of the third lower shelf 120c is positioned at the same height as the opening of the console housing 200.

[0063] That is, when the opening of the second lower shelf 120b is moved upwards to the bottom section of the cover device 110 along the guide device 130 starting from a height of the opening of the console housing 200, the third lower shelf 120c is moved upwards so that the opening (e.g. of the third lower shelf 120c) is positioned at the same height as the opening of the console housing 200.

[0064] As described above, the lower, adjacent shelves are moved integrally or simultaneously and can move along (e.g., also with) the guide device 130 over different distances. If one lower shelf is moved along the guide device 130, another lower shelf, which is adjacent to a floor section of the upper one, can move in the same direction along the guide device 130.

[0065] Furthermore, the guide device 130 can have a plurality of stoppers for fixing the lower shelves at predetermined positions on the guide device 130.

[0066] The stoppers 150 can be formed on the side of the guide device 130 which faces the lower shelves and can be inserted into one side of each of the lower shelves to fix them.

[0067] The stoppers 150 can be shaped to correspond to the lower shelves, whereby a lower shelf which does not correspond to any stopper 150 (e.g., is not attached to any stopper, e.g., is located between two stoppers) can move without being fixed by the stoppers 150.

[0068] That is, a stop section having a groove, a locking section or a protruding section corresponding to each of the stoppers 150 is formed on the lower shelves so that movement of the lower shelves can be restricted by the stoppers 150 which are formed at predetermined positions on the guide device 130 to correspond to the lower shelves.

[0069] The Fig. Figure 6 shows layers of the cover device 110 of the pop-up console 100 for the vehicle of the present invention.

[0070] As shown in the figure, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cover device 110 has a touch-sensitive panel 111 as the uppermost layer, which faces the interior of the vehicle, and further in succession a display device 112 (e.g. a displayable layer) and an electrically frostable glass 113 (e.g. an electrically frostable layer).

[0071] The touch-sensitive panel 111 is used as an input device for the display device and inputs instructions or graphical information intended by a user by generating a voltage or current signal that corresponds to the position of a touching (e.g., pressing) (input) stylus or finger. The touch-sensitive panel 111 can be a resistive touch-sensitive screen mounted on a flat display device and can use analog inputs.

[0072] Accordingly, the cover device 110, which has the touch-sensitive panel 111, functions as an input device for the user, so that the user can enter text / notes / messages, click on symbols (icons) and enter commands through the (e.g. in combination with the) display device.

[0073] The display device 112 under the touch-sensitive panel 111 can be an LCD, an OLED or a TOLED and can be any type of transparent display device.

[0074] The display device 112 can be operated by means of a microprocessor of the vehicle, so that it can display status information relating to the vehicle, applications which can be executed by a mobile device, or symbols for executing the applications by operation in conjunction with the mobile device.

[0075] The Display Device 112 can control equipment in the vehicle, including: an air conditioning system, an AVN system, a trunk opening / closing system, a lighting system, a CMS (camera monitoring system), a parking system, an ambient system, etc., which are operated in combination with a microprocessor control circuit in the vehicle.

[0076] In addition, the display device 112 can display status information relating to a mobile device, including the state of charge or the time required to fully charge the mobile device by operating it in combination with the wireless charging system 140 and the mobile device, which may be placed in the first lower compartment 120a, and can display a list of software that can be executed by the mobile device.

[0077] That is, the display device 112 of the present invention can display information required by a user by operating in combination with a mobile device and a microprocessor in the vehicle, so that a user can easily control the mobile device by actuating the cover device 110 of the console.

[0078] A microprocessor for controlling the pop-up console 100, which includes the touch-sensitive panel 111 and the display device, can be provided in the console housing 200. The microprocessor can be integrated into the console housing 200 during the manufacturing process.

[0079] The microprocessor can include a control circuit and a wireless transmission device. The control circuit can include a wireless communication module for processing signals to be transmitted or signals received by the wireless transmission device, and can provide a wireless network for multiple control devices (microprocessors) of the vehicle and the mobile device.

[0080] The wireless network can be the Internet, a wide area network, a local area network, a satellite network, a communications network, a personal network, Bluetooth, and combinations thereof.

[0081] The electrically frosted glass 113 (e.g., the electrically frosted layer) of the cover device 110 has variable transparency (or opacity) depending on an input voltage or input current. This means that the transparency of the console's cover device 110 can be controlled according to a user requirement, allowing components within the console to be concealed.

[0082] The Fig. Figure 7 shows an information window on the cover device 110 when a mobile device is wirelessly charged in accordance with numerous exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0083] When one or more mobile devices are placed in the first lower shelf 120a, the wireless charging system 140 detects the mobile devices in the first lower shelf 120a and charges them in a contact or no-contact manner.

[0084] During wireless charging, the cover device 110, which has the display device 112, can display information indicating the charging amount or charging time of the mobile devices.

[0085] Furthermore, a symbol (icon) for executing / terminating the wireless connection with each of the mobile devices can be displayed on the display device 112 of the cover device 110 of the present invention.

[0086] For the sake of simplicity, in the explanation and precise definition in the attached claims, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “upwards”, “downwards”, “upwards”, “downwards”, “front”, “rear”, “backwards”, “inside”, “outside”, “inwards”, “outwards”, “inside”, “outside”, “forwards” and “backwards” are used to describe the features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features, as shown in the figures.

Claims

[1] A pop-up console (100) for a vehicle, wherein the pop-up console (100) has: a console housing (200) which is located in the vehicle, a cover device (110) which is arranged on the console housing (200), to cover or quickly open an upper section of the console housing (200), one or more lower shelves (120; 120a, 120b, 120c) arranged in succession under the cover device (110), and a guide device (130) which is inserted into the console housing (200) to spring open with the cover device (110), wherein at least one of the lower shelves (120; 120a, 120b, 120c) is movable along the guide device (130) and wherein the guide device (130), which allows the cover device (110) to spring upwards from the console housing (200), is inclined at a predetermined angle in a forward and backward direction. [2] The pop-up console (100) according to claim 1, wherein the cover device (110) comprises: a touch-sensitive panel (111) for capturing user input, a transparent display device (112) which is arranged below the touch-sensitive panel (111) to display information according to user input, and an electrically frostable glass (113) which is arranged under the transparent display device (112). [3] The pop-up console (100) according to claim 2, wherein the touch-sensitive panel (111) is configured to capture electronic handwriting. [4] The pop-up console (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the transparency of the cover device (110) is arranged to be adjustable through the electrically frostable glass (113). [5] The pop-up console (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the information relating to a mobile device in the console (100) is arranged to be displayed through the transparent display device (112). [6] The pop-up console (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the transparent display device (112) comprises an LCD, an OLED or a transparent OLED. [7] The pop-up console (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the guide device (130) further comprises stoppers (150) for defining upward and downward paths for the lower shelves (120; 120a, 120b, 120c). [8] The pop-up console (100) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an elastic element (160) which provides a tension in a pop-up direction when the guide device (130) is arranged inside the console housing (200). [9] The pop-up console (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the lower shelves (120; 120a, 120b, 120c) under the cover device (110) has a wireless charging shelf. [10] The pop-up console (100) according to claim 9, wherein the wireless charging tray has a contact or a no-contact wireless charging system (140). [11] The pop-up console (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lower shelves (120; 120a, 120b, 120c) are at least two lower shelves. [12] The pop-up console (100) according to claim 11, wherein the at least two lower shelves are adjacent to each other and move together when at least one of them moves. [13] The pop-up console (100) according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 12, wherein a mobile device is provided in the console (100) to be controllable by the display device (112). [14] The pop-up console (100) according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 13, wherein equipment is installed in the vehicle to be controllable by the display device (112).

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