Movable center console of a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an interior system for a passenger car (1), comprising a center console (3) with a base part (5) that can be permanently fixed to an interior structure of the passenger car (1) and with an upper part (7) that can be moved relative to the base part (5) by an actuator (11), a sensor unit (9) for detecting a section of space within the range of movement of the upper part (7), and a control unit (13) connected to the actuator (11) for controlling the actuator (11), wherein the control unit (13) is designed to control the actuator (11) to move the upper part (7) relative to the base part (5) depending on a condition logic automatically executed on the control unit (13), as long as the control unit (13) does not detect an actual or possible collision of the upper part (7) with an object within the range of movement by means of the data from the sensor unit (9).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an interior system for a passenger car, as well as a passenger car with such an interior system.

[0002] A wide variety of vehicle center console designs are known in the state of the art. Their functions are increasingly being expanded through correspondingly variable center console structures. In addition to compartments arranged within the center consoles, movable center console elements are also known, particularly for moving object holders between different positions.

[0003] In this context, DE 20 2021 003 942 U1 relates to a center console for a vehicle having a front row of seats and a rear row of seats, comprising a base part that can be rigidly fastened to a floor of the vehicle, a movable part that is movably fastened to the base part, wherein the movable part can be moved along a longitudinal direction of the base part between a front position and a rear position, wherein the movable part is accessible from a front seat of the front row of seats in the front position and wherein the movable part is accessible from a first rear seat of the rear row of seats in the rear position, wherein the movable part includes a foldable upper part that can be folded out into a storage space in the front position and in the rear position, and wherein the base part has an integrated extendable armrest,which can be used from the front row of seats and which is hidden under the movable part when the movable part is in the front position, and which can be installed in its use position when the movable part is in the rear position.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 10 2023 001 990 A1 discloses a center console armrest device for a passenger car that can be adjusted to the shape of a wide variety of vehicle occupants. To avoid collisions when adjusting console components, proximity sensors are used to detect the surroundings.

[0005] The object of the invention is to further develop the ergonomics in a vehicle interior by means of an improved center console.

[0006] The invention is based on the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments and refinements are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] A first aspect of the invention relates to an interior system for a passenger car, comprising a center console with a base part that can be permanently fixed to an interior structure of the passenger car and with an upper part that can be moved relative to the base part by an actuator, a sensor unit for detecting a section of space in the region of a range of motion of the upper part, and a control unit connected to the actuator for controlling the actuator, wherein the control unit is designed to control the actuator to move the upper part relative to the base part depending on a conditional logic automatically executed on the control unit, as long as an actual or possible collision of the upper part with an object in the region of the range of motion is not detected by the control unit using the data from the sensor unit.

[0008] The center console preferably extends between a driver's seat and a passenger seat of the vehicle along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, starting from a rear area of ​​the vehicle and moving toward the front of the vehicle. The center console is constructed in at least two parts, and an upper part can move relative to a base part. The base part is designed to be permanently fixed in the vehicle and is fixed accordingly once during assembly, i.e., during vehicle manufacture. The upper part, on the other hand, is mounted so that it can move relative to the base part, for example, by means of a plain bearing or a roller bearing.

[0009] The movement of the upper part relative to the base part is controlled, in particular, by a self-locking actuator, meaning that the movement can only occur when triggered by a control unit. If no control signal is present to move the upper part relative to the base part, the self-locking mechanism ensures that the upper part remains fixed in position relative to the base part. In an alternative embodiment, the upper part can still be moved manually relative to the base part, for example, in order to still retain the option for manual configuration in the event of a fault in at least one actuator.

[0010] The basis for the control unit's control is a conditional logic, which is automatically executed by the control unit. This conditional logic can include one or more variables, such as a door opening state, the driving state of the passenger car, the state of an ignition or a start sequence in an electric vehicle, the current position of the upper part relative to the base part, a user preset, and the like.

[0011] Since the upper section and the base section are two parts in the interior of a passenger car that move against each other, appropriate safety precautions must be taken to prevent occupants or objects from becoming trapped. It is therefore advantageous to provide a sensor unit in the interior of the vehicle, which can be located outside the center console or on the center console. For example, an interior camera is provided, mounted on the roof of the passenger car, which visually monitors the movement of the upper section and checks for objects such as body parts of an occupant in the path of travel of the upper section. Sensors can also be arranged on the center console itself, for example an ultrasonic distance sensor. The actuator can also be highly sensitive in detecting collisions that have already occurred, for example by using its electric motor as the sensor itself.The control unit advantageously uses the results of the sensor unit to prevent such a collision, including the trapping of a body part of a passenger in the passenger vehicle. Thus, movement of the upper part is only initiated or continued if the upper part can be moved safely.

[0012] The range of motion of the upper part specifically defines a spatial area determined by all positions of the upper part, defined by its maximum travel distance. This is the only place where collisions and jamming can occur.

[0013] The conditional logic is preferably based on whether the vehicle seat is in a resting position or a sitting position. This position is defined in particular by the position of a seat backrest. In vehicles with autonomously controlled sections of the road, components of the driver's seat can be adjusted from a more upright sitting position to a more reclining resting position in order to improve comfort during the autonomous journey of the passenger car. A center console that can be moved in this way allows, for example, objects held on the upper part, such as drinks or electronic devices, to be moved into the optimal position for the driver so that they are easily accessible. The provided conditional logic in particular adjusts the upper part of the center console to a corresponding position of the driver's seat (optionally also other seats in the passenger car).In some cases, further conditions must be met, such as the driver's seat being occupied by a passenger.

[0014] According to the invention, the sensor unit has a camera unit for arrangement in the interior of the passenger car with a detection area directed towards the area of ​​the range of movement of the upper part relative to the base part.

[0015] The camera unit is specifically designed to capture spatial information to precisely detect the relative position between the upper part or its range of motion and an object, such as a body part of an occupant. The control unit calculates an impending collision based on the position and / or extrapolated movement of the object and stops the movement of the upper part if such a potential collision is detected. A collision that has already occurred can also be detected by such a camera unit.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, the actuator comprises an electric motor, wherein the sensor unit has a sensor in or on the electric motor, which is designed to detect a collision of the upper part with an object depending on a speed curve and / or torque curve of the electric motor.

[0017] For example, if the electric motor has a torque sensor, which can also be implemented via a current sensor, even the smallest resistances can be detected when the upper part is moved.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the sensor unit has at least one sensor arranged on the upper part and / or on the base part of the center console.

[0019] One such sensor is an ultrasonic distance sensor. Sensors can be located either on the upper part or on the base part. The location and configuration of one or more sensors on the center console depends primarily on the selected configuration and the geometric conditions of the center console.

[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the condition logic is designed to determine whether a vehicle seat of the passenger car is moved from a resting position to a sitting position or vice versa.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to control the actuator for moving the upper part relative to the base part backwards in the direction of a vehicle rear when the control unit detects a change in the door status of the passenger car from closed to open and the occupancy of a predetermined seat.

[0022] According to this embodiment, which is particularly suitable for the time period when a person is boarding a passenger car, the control unit preferably continuously checks the status of one or more relevant doors of the passenger car. If it is determined that the closed door of interest is being opened, it further checks whether the seat associated with the relevant door is already occupied. If this is not the case, the upper part is moved rearward if the control unit does not detect an impending or actual collision. The control unit then controls the actuator accordingly.

[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to control the actuator for moving the upper part forwards relative to the base part in the direction of a vehicle front when the control unit detects the change in the state of an ignition of the passenger car from "off" to "on" and the upper part is not yet in a forward position.

[0024] According to this embodiment, the control unit continuously checks the vehicle activation status of the passenger car. If the ignition is switched from "off" to "on" and the upper section is not already in a forward position, the upper section is moved forward by the actuator controlled by the control unit.

[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to control the actuator for moving the upper part relative to the base part backwards in the direction of a vehicle rear when the control unit detects a change in the state of an ignition of the passenger car from "on" to "off" and the upper part is already in a forward position.

[0026] According to this embodiment, the control unit continuously monitors for vehicle activation. If the ignition state changes from "on" to "off" and the upper section is already in a forward position relative to the base section, the control unit initiates the movement of the upper section backward. This embodiment is particularly useful if the control unit detects that a driver intends to leave the vehicle. The upper section of the center console can then move backward again, ergonomically and easily releasing a stored object.

[0027] After the user has left the vehicle, the upper part of the center console can, for example, be moved back to its forward starting position. According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to control the actuator for moving the upper part forward relative to the base part when a change in the door status from closed to open is detected and the ignition is off.

[0028] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the interior system further comprises a lighting device, wherein the control unit is designed to control the lighting device to emit a light signal when the movement of the upper part relative to the base part occurs or is imminent.

[0029] The lighting device can be used to stage the movement of the upper section relative to the base section. This not only provides the customer with improved ergonomics, but also creates a staged interior of the passenger car.

[0030] The embodiments explained above can also be combined, for example the lighting device can be controlled accordingly if the control unit has detected an impending collision. A red light, particularly preferably pulsating, is then preferably emitted. The lighting device gives the designer a certain degree of freedom; in particular, it can be arranged lengthwise over the upper part, it can also be arranged on the roof of the passenger car in order to emit a cone of light downwards onto the upper part, and the direction of movement of the upper part to be moved can also be indicated by appropriate colors or animations. A passenger in the passenger car is therefore advantageously informed about the impending movement of the upper part or the movement of the upper part already taking place relative to the base part.

[0031] A further aspect of the invention relates to a passenger car with an interior system as described above and below.

[0032] Advantages and preferred further developments of the proposed passenger car result from an analogous and analogous transfer of the statements made above in connection with the proposed interior system.

[0033] Further advantages, features, and details will become apparent from the following description, which – where appropriate with reference to the drawings – describes at least one embodiment in detail. Identical, similar, and / or functionally equivalent parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0034] They show: Fig. 1: A passenger car with an interior system according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2: An interior system with a center console according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3: The center console of the Fig. 2 in a changed position of its upper part.

[0035] The representations in the figures are schematic and not to scale.

[0036] Fig. 1 shows a passenger car 1 with an interior system which includes a center console 3. This center console 3 is shown in more detail in the Fig. 2 to Fig. 3. The center console 3 has two parts that are movable relative to each other and are controlled by a control unit 13 and the actuator 11 controlled thereby (see Fig. 2) can be moved against each other. A sensor unit 9 monitors the safe operation of the movement to ensure that no collision occurs. Software is implemented in the control unit 13 which, assuming there is no collision, coordinates the movement of the center console 3. If such a movement occurs or is planned, it is indicated by a lighting device 15. Conditional logic is implemented in the control unit 13 which checks, in particular, the closed state of a driver's door, the presence of an occupant in the driver's seat, and the state of the vehicle's operating software. According to this control logic in the control unit 13, the parts of the center console 3 can be moved so that objects located thereon are optimally located within the occupant's access area.This applies in particular to passenger cars 1 that are capable of autonomous driving, and therefore a driver's seat can be moved into a reclining position for autonomous driving. In this case, the initial position of the center console 3 is no longer optimal for keeping drinks stored therein within easy reach, for example, for the occupant of the passenger car 1 who previously acted as the driver.

[0037] Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 show the center console 3 in more detail, wherein an upper part 7 of the center console 3 is movably mounted relative to a base part 5 of the same. Fig. 2 the upper part 7 is shown held in a front position, in the Fig.3, the upper part 7 is already moved backward relative to the base part 5, toward the rear of the passenger car 1. The movement is carried out by means of an electric actuator 11 and is monitored by a sensor unit 9 with sensors on the upper part 7. Possible collisions of the upper part 7 on its travel path with body parts of an occupant or, for example, a bag placed in the center console 3 can thus be prevented. The base part 5 is connected to a body-mounted interior structure of the passenger car 1 during the manufacture of the passenger car 1 and is therefore not moved any further, except for repair purposes, for example, after an accident involving the passenger car 1.

[0038] Although the invention has been illustrated and explained in detail by preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of variations exist. It is also clear that exemplary embodiments are truly only examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope, possible applications, or configuration of the invention in any way.Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms, whereby the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example with regard to the function or the arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description.

Claims

[1] An interior system for a passenger car (1), comprising a center console (3) with a base part (5) that can be permanently fixed to an interior structure of the passenger car (1) and with an upper part (7) that can be moved relative to the base part (5) by an actuator (11), a sensor unit (9) for detecting a spatial section in the region of a range of motion of the upper part (7), and a control unit (13) connected to the actuator (11) for controlling the actuator (11), wherein the control unit (13) is designed to control the actuator (11) to move the upper part (7) relative to the base part (5) depending on a conditional logic automatically executed on the control unit (13), as long as an actual or possible collision of the upper part (7) with an object in the range of the range of motion is not detected by the control unit (13) using the data of the sensor unit (9). characterized bythat the sensor unit (9) has a camera unit for arrangement in the interior of the passenger car (1) with a detection area directed towards the area of ​​the range of movement of the upper part (7) relative to the base part (5). [2] Interior system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (11) comprises an electric motor, wherein the sensor unit (9) has a sensor in or on the electric motor, which is designed to detect a collision of the upper part (7) with an object depending on a speed curve and / or torque curve of the electric motor. [3] Interior system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor unit (9) has at least one sensor arranged on the upper part (7) and / or on the base part (5) of the center console (3). [4] Interior system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the condition logic is designed to determine whether a vehicle seat of the passenger car (1) is moved from a rest position to a sitting position or vice versa. [5] Interior system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (13) is designed to control the actuator (11) to move the upper part (7) relative to the base part (5) rearward in the direction of a vehicle rear when the control unit (13) detects a change in a door status of the passenger car (1) from closed to open and the occupancy of a predetermined seat. [6] Interior system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (13) is designed to control the actuator (11) to move the upper part (7) forwards in the direction of a vehicle front relative to the base part (5) when the control unit (13) detects the change in the state of an ignition of the passenger car (1) from "off" to "on" and the upper part (7) is not yet in a forward position. [7] Interior system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (13) is designed to control the actuator (11) to move the upper part (7) relative to the base part (5) rearward in the direction of a vehicle rear when the control unit (13) detects a change in the state of an ignition of the passenger car (1) from "on" to "off" and the upper part (7) is already in a forward position. [8] Interior system according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a lighting device (15), wherein the control unit (13) is designed to control the lighting device (15) to output a light signal when the movement of the upper part (7) relative to the base part (5) takes place or is imminent. [9] Passenger car (1) with an interior system according to one of the preceding claims.

Images