Interior trim panel for a motor vehicle

Abstract

1. Trim panel (1) for the interior of a motor vehicle, with movable decorative elements (3) which can be changed in their position via at least one actuator (24), - wherein each of the decorative elements (3) is arranged at one end of a horizontal support (6), which is rotatably connected to a vertical support (8) in the area of ​​its other end, - wherein the vertical support (8) has a control surface (12) which interacts with a control piston (13) which is vertically movable by the actuator (24) in such a way that the control piston (13) during an upward movement pushes the vertical support (8) radially outwards against the force of a return spring (14), - wherein the return spring (14) is arranged to return the vertical supports (8) radially inwards during a downward movement of the control piston (13), - wherein the horizontal supports (6) each project through a control opening (20) in a control tube (17) such that the horizontal supports (6) are movable vertically upwards and / or downwards from their neutral position against the force of a further return spring (9) between the horizontal support (6) and the vertical support (8), for which purpose the control tube (17) is vertically movable by means of the at least one actuator (24). - and wherein the control tube (17) and the control piston (13) are coupled to exactly one electrically driven actuator (24) in such a way that they move up and down in a vertical direction offset from each other, characterized in that Openings (22) are arranged in the decorative elements (3) or at the ends of the horizontal supports (6) that support the decorative elements (3), and these openings are fluidically connected to a fragrance source.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a trim part for the interior of a motor vehicle with movable decorative elements, according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Trim parts with decorative elements are generally known from the prior art. Such decorative elements can visually stand out from the base surface of the trim part, for example, by having a different color. Additionally or alternatively, the decorative element can also structurally stand out from the base surface, for example, by projecting beyond the base surface and / or by having an alternative surface finish or structure. Such trim parts can be used for the exterior or, in particular, for the interior, i.e., the passenger area, of vehicles.

[0003] DE 10 2017 222 957 A1 discloses a component with a translucent, shape-changing surface. The surface consists of a film whose shape can be changed using actuators, such as stamps. The component can be used as a trim part for the interior trim of a motor vehicle.

[0004] EP 3 475 122 B1 describes an illuminable decorative element in a door panel of a motor vehicle, which can be moved manually.

[0005] Furthermore, reference can be made to DE 10 2009 056 214 A1. This discloses an illuminated trim component for a motor vehicle, in which one of the components is movable, with the light energy being transmitted via a light guide that couples in and out during movement, thus ensuring illumination at least in one position of the movable element.

[0006] DE 10 2013 113 319 B3 shows an illuminated ventilation nozzle. DE 199 47 208 A1 describes a pivoting device for a light or ventilation nozzle.

[0007] DE 10 2008 055 694 A1 describes an illuminated adjustment wheel.

[0008] CN 2 12 124 946 U discloses an automatically fixable cup holder comprising a base, a cup holder body and a cup lid, wherein the lifting seat is arranged in the receiving chamber in a lifting position and can support the cup, wherein at least two clamping jaws are hinged circumferentially in a sliding position on the lifting seat, wherein each clamping jaw is hinged to a cup clamp, wherein the cup clamps can be used to clamp the cup in the radial direction and wherein the clamping jaws are rotatably mounted on the base.

[0009] US 2018 / 0 215 301 A1 describes a cup holder with a container for receiving a cup, which has an opening and a bottom opposite the opening and with a rotating arm with a first arm element which is rotatably connected to the container and a second arm element which is rotatably connected to the first arm element and has a holding element for holding the cup and with a platform which is slidably arranged in the container in order to move between a first position and a second position.

[0010] DE 10 2020 105 603 A1 relates to a holder for a beverage container. Supports are designed for laterally supporting the beverage container with a support element that is pivotally mounted on a support beam and is biased into the holder by a preloaded support spring. An electric motor pivots the support beams inward, so that the support elements are pressed laterally from the outside against the beverage container by the support springs.

[0011] JP 2002-224463 A discloses a component that displays predefined scenes with a story via a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver has a control unit and a drive mechanism for operating the control unit. When the transmitter is tilted, the control unit is activated, enabling playback of a predefined scene.

[0012] DE 10 2008 033 884 A1 relates to a device for introducing at least one additive into a fluid flow flowing in a channel in a vehicle ventilation system, with at least one region separated from the fluid flow flowing in the channel, in which region the additive is contained, and a swirl element for air flowing through, wherein the swirl element has outlet openings for the additive.

[0013] The object of the present invention is to create an improved trim part for the interior of a motor vehicle, which enables a high perceived value and an innovative vehicle interior.

[0014] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a trim part having the features in claim 1, and in particular in the characterizing part of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the trim part according to the invention emerge from the further dependent subclaims.

[0015] The trim part for a motor vehicle comprises a plurality of movable decorative elements whose position can be changed via one or more actuators. According to the invention, each of the decorative elements is arranged on a horizontal support, specifically in this case at an end of this horizontal support which points radially outwards during later use. At its other radial end, the horizontal support is rotatably connected to a vertical support. The vertical support itself is connected via a control surface to a control piston which is vertically movable by the actuator, or interacts with it in such a way that the control piston presses the vertical support radially outwards against the force of a return spring during an upward movement and correspondingly the return spring returns it when the control piston moves vertically downwards.The decorative elements can thus be mechanically moved radially inward and outward by an up-and-down movement of the control piston. This creates an interesting movement, especially with several horizontal supports and decorative elements distributed more or less evenly around the circumference, which can be realized simply and efficiently using purely mechanical means.

[0016] According to the invention, the horizontal supports are each guided through a control opening in a control tube in such a way that the horizontal supports can be moved upwards and / or downwards from their neutral position against the force of the return spring between the horizontal support and the vertical support. The horizontal support is not only rotatably connected to a vertical support but is also coupled to it via a further return spring so that a neutral position of the horizontal support with the decorative element arranged on it is achieved via the further return spring. The control tube comprises control openings through which the horizontal supports protrude. If the control tube itself is moved in the vertical direction, it moves the horizontal supports upwards or downwards accordingly in order to generate an axial up and down movement of the decorative elements.

[0017] This up-and-down movement of the decorative elements overlaps with the movement of the decorative elements described above, from radially inward to radially outward and back again. As a result, each individual decorative element moves along an elliptical path, for example, from the inside center upwards and outwards, then downwards again on the outside, and from the bottom and outside back inward to the center. This movement is extraordinarily complex and makes the decorative element correspondingly interesting for the observer. At the same time, it can be implemented simply and efficiently.

[0018] According to the invention, the control tube and the control piston are coupled to an electric motor-driven actuator in such a way that they move up and down in a vertical direction offset from one another. According to the invention, a single electromotive actuator is sufficient to move both the control tube and the control piston accordingly and thus to realize the complex overall movement of the decorative elements superimposed from the two movements.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment, the control tube can be connected to a control disc driven by the electric motor via a slotted hole connected to the control tube and an eccentric pivot point on the control disc rotating about its central axis. This easily generates the up and down movement.

[0020] Furthermore, according to a very advantageous embodiment, the control piston can be connected to the control disc via a control rod or connecting rod at another eccentric pivot point, with the control rod being rotatably coupled to the piston. This also results in an up-and-down movement, this time of the piston.

[0021] The control disc itself can preferably be driven by the actuator via a worm drive in order to reduce the typical relatively high speed of simple electromotive actuators accordingly and to achieve a slow and harmonious movement of the decorative elements, with minimal cost for the actuator.

[0022] A further embodiment according to the invention further provides that openings are arranged in the decorative element or in the end of the horizontal support carrying the decorative elements, said openings being fluidically connected to a fragrance source. This connection can be realized, for example, via channels and / or hoses. According to a very advantageous embodiment of this variant of the trim part according to the invention, fragrance in liquid and / or atomized form can then be conveyed to the openings via a fragrance conveying device. The fragrance is then released into the environment in the region of the openings, in this case into the interior of the vehicle. The movement of the decorative elements and thus also the movement of the openings results in a comparatively good distribution of the fragrance in the environment, so that the vehicle is scented efficiently and evenly.

[0023] According to a very advantageous embodiment, the fairing part according to the invention can comprise a cylindrical cover for the movable elements, which is provided with a lid, wherein a gap between the lid and the remaining cover is concealed by the head tube. This creates a "tidy" appearance, in which only the ends of the horizontal supports with the decorative elements protrude from a cylindrical element, and wherein the decorative elements move accordingly around this central cover. This cover can preferably be illuminated and / or rotatable to further enhance the effect or to superimpose further movement.

[0024] According to a further very advantageous embodiment, the horizontal supports with the decorative elements can be arranged evenly distributed over the circumference in order to further support the “tidy look” through the symmetrical arrangement.

[0025] Further advantageous embodiments and developments of the covering part according to the invention also emerge from the exemplary embodiment, which is described in more detail below with reference to the figures.

[0026] Showing: Fig. 1 a view of a possible embodiment of a trim part according to the invention in a three-dimensional view; Fig. 2 a view analogous to that in Fig. 1 on average; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of part of the section in Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 a representation of the channel for fragrance distribution.

[0027] In the presentation of the Fig. 1 shows a trim part, designated as a whole as 1, seen from a visible side. It stands on a base 2 and bears three-dimensional visible decorative elements 3. These decorative elements 3 can move relative to a central cylindrical cover 4 with a cover 5 provided with a cylindrical rim, thus not only achieving a static optical decorative effect, but also, through dynamic movement, creating an interesting alternative to such a static decorative element.

[0028] The decorative elements 3 are arranged on horizontal beams 6. In the sectional view of the Fig. 2 and even better in the schematic section of the Fig. 3 shows that the horizontal supports 6 are connected to the decorative elements 3 at one end. This end lies radially outward. The other, radially inner end of the respective horizontal support 6 is rotatably connected to a vertical support 8 via a pivot point 7. A first return spring 9 also connects the part of the horizontal support 6 that projects radially inward beyond the pivot point 7 to the vertical support 8, so that the horizontal support 6 with the decorative element 3 is preferably held in a neutral position. The vertical support 8 itself is rotatably arranged at its end opposite the pivot point 7 on a fixed support element 11 via a pivot point designated 10. This support element also carries supports designated 25 for the cover 5.

[0029] The vertical support 8 has a control surface designated 12, along which a control piston 13 runs when it is moved from vertically downward to vertically upward and back again. This vertical movement of the control piston 13 in the axial direction therefore pushes the vertical supports 8 and thus the horizontal supports 6 coupled to them outwards when the control piston 13 moves upward. The decorative elements 3 move radially outwards. If the control piston 13 is moved downward again, a return spring 14, which can be designed, for example, in the form of a rubber cord and which connects the vertical supports 8 in pairs, ensures that the vertical supports 8 are moved back to their radially inner starting position. The horizontal supports 6 connected to them are thus pulled radially inwards, as are the decorative elements 3 connected to them.The continuous up-and-down movement of the control piston 13, which can be achieved via a control rod or connecting rod (not visible here), results in a continuous movement of the decorative elements 3 from the inside to the outside and back again. For this purpose, the control piston 13, as already mentioned, is connected to the control piston 13 via the control rod shown in . Fig. 2, is connected to the control rod (not shown here) via a pivot point 15. The control rod itself is in turn eccentrically connected to a control disc 16, so that when the control disc 16 rotates about its central axis, an up-and-down movement of the control rod and thus of the control piston 13 occurs.

[0030] Additionally, a control tube support 18 connected to a control tube 17 is coupled to this control disc 16. A pivot point 19 located eccentrically to the center axis of the control disc 16 is responsible for the up and down movement of the control tube via an elongated hole. Preferably, the movements are offset from one another, for example, by arranging the connection between the control rod and the control disc 16 offset by 90° or 120° from the pivot point 19. The control tube 17 and the control piston 13 thus move up and down in the axial and vertical directions with a time offset from one another.

[0031] The control disc 17 now has a control opening designated 20, which is particularly evident in the illustration of the Fig. 3. During its up and down movement it takes the horizontal support 6 with it via this control opening 20, which at the same time moves from radially inward to radially outward due to the up and down movement of the control piston 13. This creates a very complex movement in which the decorative elements 3 are moved, for example, from a central position in the axial direction radially inward to an axially upper position radially outward, then remaining radially outward to an axially lower position and back again to the starting position. A reverse movement would of course also be conceivable. All of this functions purely mechanically beneath the cover 4 and the lid 5, so that a person in the vehicle can only see the movement.The gap between the lid 5 and the cover 4 required for the vertical up-and-down movement is covered by the control tube 17, so that only the control openings 20 connect the surroundings with the interior beneath the cover 4 or the lid 5. However, their size only slightly exceeds the cross-section of the horizontal beams 6 in order to minimize friction. All in all, this creates a largely enclosed structure, which could additionally be arranged under a transparent cover layer, for example, inside a dashboard or the like, to prevent contact.

[0032] However, it is particularly advantageous if the trim part 1 is open in the interior of the vehicle 1. Then it can also be used to distribute fragrances. In the illustration of the Fig. This is shown schematically in Figure 4. A cross-section through part of the horizontal support 6 can be seen. A channel designated 21 runs in the horizontal support 6 and also continues through part of the decorative element 3. This channel ends in an opening designated 22. It is connected in the area of ​​the horizontal support 6 to a hose line 23, which in turn is connected to a feed pump for a fragrance in a fragrance source. A fragrance or a perfume can thus be brought into the moving area of ​​the horizontal support 6 and the decorative element via the hose line 23. The fragrance can then either be atomized in liquid form in the area of ​​the opening 22 or can already have been atomized as an aerosol and delivered as an aerosol through the opening 22. This allows the interior of the vehicle to be scented.The fragrance is distributed comparatively evenly due to the movement of the horizontal supports 6 and the decorative elements 3, in the area of ​​which the opening 22 is arranged.

[0033] The actuator 24 for driving the control disc 16 is a Fig. 2. This can preferably provide for the drive of the control disc 16 via a gear element such as a worm drive, in order to convert the typically relatively high rotational speed of an axis of the electric motor 24 into a slower rotation of the control disc 16 and thus a correspondingly slow movement of the decorative elements 3 of the trim part, suitable for a harmonious appearance.

Claims

[1] Trim part (1) for the interior of a motor vehicle, with movable decorative elements (3) which can be changed in their position via at least one actuator (24), - wherein each of the decorative elements (3) is arranged at one end of a horizontal support (6) which is rotatably connected to a vertical support (8) in the region of its other end, - wherein the vertical support (8) has a control surface (12) which interacts with a control piston (13) which is vertically movable by the actuator (24) in such a way that the control piston (13) presses the vertical support (8) radially outwards against the force of a return spring (14) during an upward movement, - wherein the return spring (14) is designed to return the vertical supports (8) radially inward during a downward movement of the control piston (13), - wherein the horizontal supports (6) each protrude through a control opening (20) in a control tube (17) in such a way that the horizontal supports (6) can be moved vertically upwards and / or downwards from their neutral position against the force of a further return spring (9) between the horizontal support (6) and the vertical support (8), for which purpose the control tube (17) is vertically movable by the at least one actuator (24) - and wherein the control tube (17) and the control piston (13) are coupled to exactly one electric motor-driven actuator (24) in such a way that they move up and down offset from one another in the vertical direction, characterized bythat openings (22) are arranged in the decorative elements (3) or the ends of the horizontal supports (6) carrying the decorative elements (3), which openings are fluidically connected to a fragrance source. [2] Covering part (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the electric motor actuator (24) drives a control disc (16) directly or preferably via a gear element, such as a worm drive. [3] Covering part (1) according to claim 2, characterized by that the control tube (17) interacts at least indirectly with an eccentric pivot point (19) on the control disc (16) via an elongated hole. [4] Covering part (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that the control piston (13) is connected to the eccentric pivot point (19) on the control disc (16) via a control rod which is rotatably connected to the control piston (13). [5] Covering part (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the fragrance source is connected to the openings (22) via channels (21) and / or hose lines (23). [6] Covering part (1) according to claim 5, characterized by that a fragrance conveying device is provided which is designed to convey the fragrance to the openings (22). [7] Covering part (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that several horizontal supports (6) and decorative elements (3) are arranged evenly distributed over the circumference. [8] Covering part (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that a cylindrical cover (4) with a lid (5) is provided for the moving elements, wherein a gap between the lid (5) and the cover (4), through which the horizontal supports (6) project radially outwards, is covered by the control tube (17).

Images