VEHICLE CONSOLE WITH COUPLED MOVEMENT AND IMPROVED STORAGE CAPABILITIES

Abstract

Device for a vehicle interior (12), comprising: a seat (14) which can be moved in a direction of travel D; a console (10) for coupling to the seat (14); and a stepped connection point for connecting the console (10) to the movable seat (14), the stepped connection point comprising a pair of brackets (26, 27), each including a lower portion (26a, 27a) adapted to connect to a portion of the seat (14), an intermediate portion (26b, 27b) above the lower portion (26a, 27a) extending transversely to a direction of travel D, and an upper portion (26c, 27c) above the intermediate portion (26b, 27b) for connecting to the console (10).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This document relates generally to the automotive field and, more particularly, to a console for a vehicle which is coupled for movement to a vehicle seat and which also provides improved storage capabilities. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Consoles in the interior of a motor vehicle are typically fixed relative to the passenger or driver seat. Thus, moving the seat relative to the fixed console to achieve a comfortable position may not optimally position the driver or passenger for accessing controls or storage spaces (bins, cup holders, etc.) associated with the console. A typical console includes a fixed "walk-through" storage space that would allow movement. Furthermore, if the console were moved forward, it would not be easily accessible to rear passengers in the vehicle.

[0003] DE 10 2006 005 951 B3 is known from the prior art. This document describes a vehicle seat and a console, the position of which can be adjusted relative to each other.

[0004] JP H09-207 677 A describes a vehicle seat, whereby the vehicle seat can be coupled to a console via a pin.

[0005] Accordingly, a need is identified for a console that addresses the problem of driver or passenger access when the corresponding seat is moved back and forth in a direction of travel, and which independently also provides improved storage capabilities.

[0006] The problem is solved by a device having the features of claim 1. SUMMARY

[0007] According to a first aspect of the disclosure, a device for a vehicle interior includes a seat configured to move within the vehicle interior in a direction of travel. A console, also located within the interior, is coupled to the seat. The console includes a collapsible portion for folding when a body portion moves with the movable seat in the direction of travel.

[0008] In one embodiment, the collapsible portion comprises a pass-through storage space with an open top. The volume of the pass-through storage space changes based on a position of the console body portion in a direction of travel. The collapsible portion may include side walls at least partially received within the console body portion, the side walls comprising a mesh-like material.

[0009] The device may further include a base for supporting the console. The base may include a front portion to which a front end of the collapsible portion is attached. The base may be stationary relative to the console and may house components such as HVAC ducts, electronic components or wiring, or other auxiliary equipment.

[0010] In one embodiment, the console includes a holder for removably receiving a mobile computer with a display. The holder has a stowed position and an extended position, wherein the holder presents the display for viewing by a vehicle passenger seated in the movable seat. The body portion of the console may also include a rear sliding drawer that includes a tilting door for allowing access by rear passengers in the vehicle interior.

[0011] Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a device for a vehicle interior including a floor with a seat configured for movement in a direction of travel, and a console for coupling to the movable seat. A stationary base is provided for housing auxiliary components (such as HVAC ducts, cables, etc.). The stationary base extends above the floor and supports the console for movement in the direction of travel, such as by sliding.

[0012] In one embodiment, the stationary base may have a length in a direction of travel that is greater than a length of a body of the console in the direction of travel. The stationary base may include spaced guide rails for guiding the console. The console may further comprise: (a) a holder for removably receiving a mobile handheld computer with a display, the holder having a stowed position and an extended position, the holder presenting the display for viewing by a vehicle passenger seated in the movable seat; or (b) a rear slider drawer including a tilting door.

[0013] According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, a device for a vehicle interior includes a seat configured to move in a direction of travel. A console is coupled to the movable seat. The console includes a holder for removably receiving and holding a mobile computer with a display, the holder having a stowed position and an extended position, the holder presenting the display for viewing by a vehicle passenger seated in the movable seat.

[0014] In one embodiment, the console includes a tray for receiving the holder in the stowed position. The console may also be configured to guide the holder from the stowed position to the deployed position. The console may be coupled to the movable seat through a stepped interface, or a seat actuator for moving the seat in the direction of travel and a console actuator for moving the console in the direction of travel may be configured to operate in a coordinated or synchronized manner.

[0015] Yet another aspect of the disclosure relates to a device for a vehicle interior that includes a seat for movement in a direction of travel and a console for movement in a direction of travel. The console includes a rear sliding drawer that includes a tilting door. The drawer can thus be slid rearward relative to the console, and the door can be tilted to allow access by passengers in a rear portion of the vehicle interior.

[0016] Yet another aspect of the disclosure relates to a device for a vehicle interior including a movable seat and a console configured for coupling to the movable seat. A stepped interface for connecting the console to the movable seat is provided. In one possible embodiment, the stepped interface comprises a pair of brackets, each including a lower portion configured for connection to a portion of the movable seat, an intermediate portion above the lower portion extending transversely to the direction of travel, and an upper portion above the intermediate portion for connection to the console.

[0017] One aspect of the disclosure also relates to a device for a vehicle interior, including a seat movable in a direction of travel and a seat actuator for moving the seat in the direction of travel. A console is provided and movable in the direction of travel. A console actuator for moving the console in the direction of travel in coordination with the movement of the seat is also provided.

[0018] In one embodiment, a controller is provided for coordinating the operation of the console actuator and the seat actuator. The seat and console actuators may include motors for effecting the coordinated movement. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0019] The accompanying drawing figures, incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate various aspects of the console with coupled movement and improved storage capabilities and, together with the description, serve to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawing figures: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a passenger compartment of a vehicle incorporating the console with coupled movement and enhanced storage capabilities forming one aspect of the disclosure; Fig. Figure 2 is a partially cutaway view looking rearward from the front of the cell, illustrating a stepped interface for connecting the seat to the console for coupled movement; Fig. 3 is a rear view of the coupled console resting on a stationary base for sliding movement; The Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. 5A illustrate the foldable nature of the console; Fig. 6 is a top view of the console; The Fig. 7, Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B illustrate a rear drawer with a pivoting door forming part of the console; The Fig. 8, Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B illustrate a holder for holding a mobile computer, which may also form part of the console; The Fig. 9 and Fig. 9A are schematic views illustrating the reach zones and the view of a driver with respect to the coupled movement of the seat and console; and Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment for providing coupled motion.

[0020] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently disclosed embodiments of the inventive aspects of the console, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Regarding the Fig. 1-2, a console 10 illustrates the vehicle interior or passenger compartment 12 of a vehicle. The passenger compartment 12 includes typical structures such as a seat 14 in which a driver or passenger may sit, a floor 16 for supporting the seat, a steering wheel 18 for steering the vehicle, and an instrument panel 20, which may include controls for the passenger compartment, among others. As may be best described with respect to Fig. 2, the seat 14 may be mounted for movement along a guide rail 22 in a direction of travel D so that the driver can move towards and away from the steering wheel 18 or other controls such as the accelerator and brake pedals, and suitable locking means may also be provided to lock the seat in place once the desired position is reached.

[0022] According to one aspect of the disclosure, the console 10 is coupled for movement to the seat 14. As shown in Fig. 2, which is a rear view from under the seat 14, this coupling may be achieved by providing a connector between a body portion 10a of the console 10 and a bracket 24 for supporting the seat and engaging the guide rail 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector comprises a stepped interface, which may take the form of a pair of brackets 26, 27 spaced apart in a direction of travel D of the seat 14. The first or front bracket 26 may include a lower end portion 26a connected to and generally projecting from the bracket 24, an intermediate cross portion 26b generally perpendicular to the lower end portion 26a, and an upper portion 26c for connecting to the console 10.In particular, the upper portion 26c may extend both vertically and transversely to connect to the console 10, and in particular, to a lower portion of the body portion 10a. The second bracket 27 may have similarly oriented portions, but the intermediate portion 27b may be shorter in the transverse direction as a result of the inward projection of a corresponding portion of the seat support 24 at the rearward location where the connection is made. Thus, the reciprocating movement of the seat 14 in the direction of travel D causes the console 10 to move in a corresponding manner, the various advantages of which will be understood by reading the following description.

[0023] With further reference to Fig. 1, it can be understood that the console 10 can be supported for movement relative to a stationary base 28 supported by the vehicle floor 16 (and in particular, a base 16a forming part of the floor). The base 28 has a length L1 in the direction of travel D that is greater than the length L2 of the body portion 10a of the console 10. Thus, when the seat 14 is reciprocated in the direction of travel D, the body portion 10a of the console 10 also reciprocates, such as by sliding along the stationary base 28. To provide guidance to achieve repeatable and reliable movement, the base 28 can include guide rails 28a, 28b, as in Fig. 3, for engaging a portion of the body portion 10a of the console 10. As further illustrated, the base 28 may include or house vehicle components such as ducts or ducts 30 that form part of the vehicle HVAC system air, cables 32, or both, for transferring air or power from the front to the rear portion of the passenger compartment 12.

[0024] According to another aspect of the disclosure, the console 10 may be manufactured to extend in the direction of travel D during coupled movement.

[0025] In particular, how might best be explained in relation to the Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 5A and Fig. 6, the console 10 may include a collapsible portion 10b, such as at the forward end adjacent the instrument panel 20. In one embodiment, this collapsible portion 10b comprises one of laterally spaced, generally parallel side walls 10c. Each side wall 10c may include a pair of vertically spaced supports 10d for supporting a net-like or mesh material 10e. Together with the upper surface of the base 28, the side walls 10c form a "walk-through" storage space for holding items or objects that may be accessed through an open top by either the driver or a passenger when seated in the corresponding seat 14.

[0026] The supports 10d may be attached at a front end to a surface of the interior, such as an upright portion of the base 28, but could also be attached to a part of the instrument panel 20. The rear ends of the supports 10d may be partially received within and supported by channels 10f, 10g formed in the lower portion of the body portion 10a. When the body portion 10a reciprocates in the direction of travel D together with the seat 14 as a result of the coupled movement, the side walls 10c may thus move within the channels 10f, 10g (see Fig. 4) move and be more fully retracted within the body portion 10a of the console 10. As can be understood, this reduces the resulting storage volume by an amount dependent on the relative movement (but, as discussed above, potentially increases accessibility by improving the extent of a driver's or passenger's reach). However, an alternative is to make the supports 10d flexible and directly connect them to a surface of the console body portion 10a, such that the side walls 10c simply fold and lower during relative movement, rather than being further retracted within the body portion 10a.

[0027] As can be understood, the forward movement in this manner may limit the ability of passengers in the rear of the cell to access the console 10. To address this potential problem, the body portion 10a may optionally be provided with an extendable extension 36. By considering the Fig. 7 and Fig. 7A, it can be understood that the drawer 36 can be pushed rearward from an interior space in the body portion 10a of the console 10, such that in an extended position it can overlie a portion of the base 28 when the console is moved forward together with the seat. To allow access to the drawer 36 from the rear, a tilting door 38 can also be provided. The door 38 can form a closed end of the drawer in a stowed position and can pivot into an extended position, as in Fig. 7B. This improves the rear passenger's ability to access objects in the drawer 36. From a comparison of the Fig. 7, Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B, it can also be understood that an upper portion of the console 10, forming an armrest 39 for the driver or passenger, can be pivoted to an open position to provide access to the drawer 36 in the stowed position. As can further be understood, since the armrest 39 moves with the console 10, it is always correctly positioned for use by a driver or passenger in the seat, given the coordinated movement.

[0028] Regarding the Fig. 8 and Fig. 8A, another aspect of the disclosure relates to providing a console 10 having an extendable holder 40 connected to the console 10 for holding a mobile computer 42 (e.g., a "smart" phone) having a visible display. The holder 40 may include an open-top compartment sized and shaped to at least partially receive the mobile computer 42 (including possible adapters or inserts for accommodating devices of various sizes) such that the display faces upward in a stowed position of the holder in a tray 10h in the upper portion of the console 10, and particularly the body portion 10a thereof. Retention means, such as a tab 40a, may be provided along a rear or lower end of the holder 40 for retaining the computer 42 in the compartment.

[0029] To extend the holder 40, it can be moved forward and pivoted into an angled position while still connected to and supported by the console 10. To achieve this repositioning, an elongated slot 10i in the console 10 can extend along each side of the tray 10h for slidably receiving outwardly directed lugs 40b extending in opposite directions from the holder 40 (see one side of the tray 10h as in Fig. 8b). The tray 10h may further include a recess 10j at one end for supporting the holder 40 at an angle that presents the screen of the computer 42 such that it is easily visible to the driver and passenger. Thus, in this position, the computer 42 may essentially serve as an auxiliary device that may allow the driver or passenger to play media, display navigation instructions, communicate hands-free, or perhaps even view images received wirelessly from a remote camera (such as a vehicle's rearview camera). When not in use for such purposes, the holder 40 may be easily stowed within the tray 10h by sliding the tabs 40b into the slots 10i.Removal of the computer 42 may also be facilitated by a finger-sized recess 40c in the front end of the holder 40, which allows the computer 42 to be easily removed from the compartment.

[0030] As through the Fig. 9 and Fig. 9A, as a result of the coupling of the seat 14 and the console 10, as well as the extension created by the collapsible portion 10b, all storage locations (including cup holders and the like) and controls on the console remain within full reach of a driver or passenger. In particular, the console 10 remains completely and consistently within the "reach zone," as indicated by the arcuate line Z, regardless of the repositioning of the seat 14 (comparing the positions 10, 14 with the front positions 10', 14'). Furthermore, the upper portion of the console 10, including in particular the holder 40, always remains completely within the driver's field of vision V due to the coupled movement.

[0031] In relation to Fig.10, an alternative embodiment is provided for providing coupled movement between a console 10 and a seat 14 without the need for a mechanical connection, such as bracket 26. In this embodiment, a seat actuator 60, such as a motor (rotary or linear), is provided for moving the seat position based on input from a driver or passenger. An indication of the position of the seat 14 based on the movement of the seat actuator 60 may cause a corresponding activation of a console actuator 64, such as a similar motor, to move the console 10 in conjunction with the seat 14. The indication may be provided to a common controller 62 or transmitted directly between the actuators 60, 64 as an encoded signal.As can be understood, this avoids the need for a mechanical linkage and may also allow adjustment or fine-tuning of the relative movement by the driver or passenger using the controller 62 (such that the console 10 moves a specified amount based on the movement of the seat 14).

[0032] In summary, an improved, movable, and extendable console 10 with improved storage, visibility, and accessibility is provided. The console 10 can be connected to the vehicle seat 14 for coupled movement, either through a direct mechanical connection or an indirect connection using coupled motors, and can simultaneously be extended in a direction of travel by moving (sliding) along a stationary base 28 supported by a floor 16 of the vehicle. A rear extension 36 with a pivoting door 38 can be used to provide improved access for passengers in the rear seats. A holder 40 for a mobile computer 42 can also be provided such that it can remain visible to a seated driver or passenger regardless of the position of the corresponding seat 14.Overall, an improved storage arrangement for the interior of a vehicle is provided without significantly adding to the cost or complexity of manufacturing.

[0033] The foregoing description has been presented for illustrative purposes. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted according to the breadth to which they are legally, equitably, and fairly entitled.

Claims

[1] Device for a vehicle interior (12), comprising: a seat (14) which can be moved in a direction of travel D; a console (10) for coupling to the seat (14); and a stepped connection point for connecting the console (10) to the movable seat (14), the stepped connection point comprising a pair of brackets (26, 27), each including a lower portion (26a, 27a) adapted to connect to a portion of the seat (14), an intermediate portion (26b, 27b) above the lower portion (26a, 27a) extending transversely to a direction of travel D, and an upper portion (26c, 27c) above the intermediate portion (26b, 27b) for connecting to the console (10). [2] The device according to claim 1, wherein the console (10) includes a collapsible portion (10b) for collapsing relative to a body portion (10a) of the console (10). [3] Device according to claim 2, wherein the collapsible portion (10b) comprises side walls (10c) at least partially received in the body portion (10a) of the console (10). [4] The device according to claim 2, wherein the collapsible portion (10b) comprises a mesh-like material (10e).

Images