INTERIOR COMPONENT AND INSTRUMENT PANEL FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

An interior component (1) for a motor vehicle is provided, comprising a support element (2) having a support surface (3) for supporting an electrical device (10), an inductive charging unit (4) for electrically charging the electrical device (10) by inductive energy transfer, the inductive charging unit (4) being integrated into the support element (2), and a storage compartment (6) in which the support element (2) is slidably arranged. The support element (2) is slidably arranged between a storage position in which the support element (2) is received in the storage compartment (6) and a usage position in which the support element (2) is arranged at least partially outside the storage compartment (6) through an opening in the storage compartment (6).The interior component (1) comprises at least one magnetic element (5) for magnetically attaching the electrical device (10) to the support surface (3), wherein the at least one magnetic element (5) is integrated in the support element (2).

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an interior component, an instrument panel with the interior component, and / or a motor vehicle with the instrument panel and / or the interior component.

[0002] Technically, numerous mobile devices, such as smartphones, are now known to be able to wirelessly charge their batteries using the Qi charging standard. This de facto standard was expanded in 2023 with its second generation, the so-called Qi2 charging standard, which includes a defined magnetic holder and centering mechanism. This holder function can be used effectively to position smartphones in various environments, including vehicle interiors, at convenient locations for drivers or passengers.

[0003] DE 10 2018 125 182 A1 describes a housing for interior paneling, with a receiving compartment for a mobile phone. The receiving compartment is open in a substantially vertical direction via a receiving opening. A base, which is movable in a substantially vertical direction and forms the lower boundary of the receiving compartment, is movable between an extended position, in which the mobile phone partially protrudes from the receiving compartment, and a retracted position, in which the mobile phone is positioned at least almost completely recessed in the receiving compartment. A wireless, in particular inductive, charging device is provided for charging the mobile phone in the retracted position.

[0004] DE 10 2019 118 176 A1 describes a device for receiving a mobile phone in a receiving part provided in a motor vehicle, in which the mobile phone is secured against falling out. The receiving part is designed as a housing equipped with a locking device that can be opened for insertion into the housing and, after insertion of the mobile phone, locked in such a way that it does not release the mobile phone after activation of the engine while the motor vehicle is in motion and / or does not allow contact by an operator.

[0005] DE 10 2021 109 771 A1 describes a vehicle component with at least one receiving device which can be moved or pivoted like a drawer from a retracted position, in which it is arranged inside the vehicle component, to an extended position, in which it projects at least partially into the area outside the vehicle component, and vice versa, wherein the vehicle component has at least one fastening means by means of which a mobile phone can be attached in a lying position to or in a storage area of ​​the receiving device.

[0006] Against the background of this prior art, the purpose of the present disclosure is to specify a device and / or a method, each of which is suitable to enrich the prior art.

[0007] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent and subordinate claims each contain optional further developments of the disclosure.

[0008] The task is then solved by an interior component for a motor vehicle.

[0009] The interior component includes a support element that provides a surface for placing an electrical device (optionally in a horizontal position). The electrical device can be a mobile communication device (or terminal device), such as a mobile phone and / or smartphone.

[0010] The interior component includes an inductive charging unit for electrically charging the electrical device (or a battery of the electrical device) by inductive energy transfer, wherein the inductive charging unit is integrated in the support element.

[0011] The interior component includes a storage space in which the support element is arranged in a sliding manner.

[0012] The support element is, for example, drawer-like, movable between a storage position in which the support element is (optionally completely) contained in the storage space, and a usage position in which the support element is arranged at least partially outside the storage space through an (optionally one-sided) opening of the storage space.

[0013] The interior component includes at least one magnetic element for magnetically attaching the electrical device to the support surface (optionally during electrical charging of the electrical device), wherein the at least one magnetic element is integrated into the support element.

[0014] For inductive power transfer, e.g., according to the Qi or Qi2 standard, the inductive charging unit can have a coil (or transmitting coil) that can be designed, for example, to establish redundant inductive coupling with a coil (or receiver coil) of the electrical device. The receiver coil can be connected to a battery of the electrical device for charging. The transmitting coil can be energized with an electric current to induce an electric current in the receiver coil by means of a magnetic field generated by this current. Furthermore, data can be exchanged through the coupling of the transmitting and receiver coils to ensure (ideally optimal) power transfer or to coordinate the power transfer. The at least one magnetic element can serve to hold the electrical device in position during charging, thereby ensuring, for example, a more reliable connection.To ensure coupling between the inductive charging unit and the electrical device (and thus between the transmitting coil and the receiving coil).

[0015] The interior component described above offers several advantages. Among other things, it provides a component that allows for the placement and electrical charging of electronic devices, such as mobile phones, while requiring minimal installation space. At least one integrated magnetic element is sufficient to secure the device during charging. Firstly, no additional fastening elements, such as clamps, are necessary, and secondly, the support element does not need to be shaped like a recess to accommodate the device. The drawer-like design of the support element, which requires only sliding it into the operating position to place the device on it and thus start charging, further reduces the required installation space.

[0016] Possible further developments of the interior component described above are explained in detail below.

[0017] The inductive charging unit and at least one magnetic element (e.g., a permanent magnet) can be designed for electrically charging the device according to the Qi2 standard. The Qi standard and the Qi2 standard are well-known in the industry (e.g., https: / / www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com / gi / ).

[0018] The electrical device (or a battery of the electrical device) can be charged electrically via inductive energy transfer. The electrical device can also be designed to be magnetically attached, e.g., by means of at least one magnetic element. The electrical device can be Qi2-enabled or electrically chargeable according to the Qi2 standard.

[0019] The inductive charging unit can be electrically connected or connected to a power source, e.g., the vehicle's electrical system, for power supply.

[0020] The support element can have an end section that, in the operating position (optionally completely), is located outside the storage space. The support surface can be formed on this end section. The inductive charging unit and at least one magnetic element can be integrated into the end section.

[0021] The storage space can be dimensioned to accommodate the electrical device when the device is on the support surface and the support element is in the storage position. This allows the electrical device to be conveniently stored while charging.

[0022] The interior component can include UV-C lighting for disinfecting the electrical device (or a surface of the electrical device). The UV-C lighting can emit ultraviolet light in the UV-C wavelength range, e.g., between 100 nm and 280 nm. The UV-C lighting can be arranged, at least partially, within the storage compartment and / or on an interior surface of the storage compartment such that the UV-C lighting faces the support surface when the support element is in the storage position. This advantageously provides an additional function for the electrical device during charging.

[0023] The UV-C lighting can be electrically connected or connected to a power source, e.g., the vehicle's electrical system.

[0024] The interior component can include an air supply for conditioning, e.g., cooling (during charging), the electrical device. The supply must be arranged, at least partially, within the storage compartment and / or on an interior surface of the storage compartment such that it faces the support surface when the support element is in the stowed position. The supply can be fluidically connected to, for example, a vehicle air conditioning unit to provide the (e.g., cooled) supply air. This allows the electrical device to be cooled, e.g., during charging, thereby improving the charging process.

[0025] The support surface can be designed for (e.g., free) placement of the electrical device without a predetermined orientation and / or positioning of the electrical device. The support surface can be flat and / or contourless.

[0026] The support element can have a shape curved in a sliding direction of the support element.

[0027] The internal component may include a near-field communication (NFC) reader located in or on the support element and / or on the support surface. The NFC reader may be configured to establish a communication and / or data connection with the electrical device.

[0028] The near-field communication (NFC) reader can be connected to or be connected to a vehicle access system (or the vehicle's electrical system). The NFC reader can be designed, for example, to authenticate access to vehicle systems using an (NFC-enabled) electronic device, an NFC key, and / or an NFC card.

[0029] The interior component can include at least one rail guide (or linear guide) for manually and / or automatically moving the support element (optionally between the storage position and the operating position). The support element and at least one inner surface of the storage compartment can be connected via the at least one rail guide.

[0030] The support element can be locked in both the storage and use positions. The interior component can include a retaining element for locking the support element.

[0031] The at least one magnetic element can, for example, have a circular or ring shape. Alternatively, the at least one magnetic element can comprise an arrangement of several magnetic elements that together form a circular or ring shape. The at least one magnetic element can, for example, be arranged in a ring around the transmitting coil of the inductive charging unit.

[0032] The inductive charging unit and the at least one magnetic element can be designed as a unit or as a module that is integrated into the support element.

[0033] The interior component can be designed to attach the electrical device solely using at least one magnetic element. Alternatively, the interior component can be designed without any further fastening for attaching the electrical device.

[0034] The interior component can include a control unit for controlling the inductive charging unit. The control unit can, for example, be integrated into the inductive charging unit and / or be connected to it via signal transmission. The control unit can be designed to control Qi2 charging.

[0035] The control unit can be connected to the UV-C lighting and / or the supply air via a signal connection. The control unit can be designed to activate the UV-C lighting and / or the supply air when the electrical device is on the charging surface and the charging element is in the stowed position.

[0036] The interior component can be designed as a module and / or a structural unit.

[0037] The above can be summarized in other words and in a possible more concrete elaboration of the revelation as described below, whereby the following description is to be interpreted as not being restrictive for the revelation.

[0038] The present disclosure provides for an inductive charging device and a tray, e.g. for Qi2-enabled mobile phones, which takes advantage of the magnetic fixation of the device and requires little installation space, comparable to, e.g., drawer cup holders.

[0039] A concealed inductive charging device, including a magnetic assembly, can be integrated into a vehicle interior. This device can be accessed via a drawer-like mechanism when needed. A variant with a suitably sized insert is also conceivable, allowing the drawer element, along with the Qi2-enabled mobile phone, to be inserted. This keeps the phone out of the driver's line of sight and allows for the integration of additional functions.

[0040] A drawer unit can be motorized, for example, using a linear guide, or manually pulled out of an instrument panel. The drawer unit can integrate a Qi2 charging device and be powered by the vehicle's electrical system. It is conceivable to equip the Qi2 charging device with NFC readers to enable authentication via NFC-enabled mobile phone, NFC key, or NFC card, for example, with compatible access control systems at this location.

[0041] The drawer unit, along with the mobile phone placed on it, can be slid into the designated slot. This slot allows for additional user-friendly functions, such as UVC light elements for disinfecting the device surface, airflow (e.g., from a vehicle's air conditioning system) for cooling the device, an antenna coupler, or similar components.

[0042] Furthermore, an instrument panel for a motor vehicle is provided, the instrument panel comprising the interior component described above.

[0043] The interior component can be arranged such that the opening of the storage compartment is located on an outside of the instrument panel and a longitudinal direction of the opening of the storage compartment extends parallel to a longitudinal direction of the instrument panel.

[0044] The interior component can be arranged such that the direction of movement of the support element is aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the instrument panel.

[0045] The interior component can be located, for example, in or on a center console of the instrument panel.

[0046] The above description relating to the interior component also applies analogously to the instrument panel and vice versa.

[0047] Furthermore, a motor vehicle will be provided, the motor vehicle comprising the instrument panel and / or the interior component described above.

[0048] The interior component can be arranged such that the direction of movement of the support element is aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle.

[0049] The motor vehicle may include an on-board electrical system that is electrically connected to the inductive charging unit for power supply (to the inductive charging unit).

[0050] The motor vehicle can be a passenger car, in particular an automobile, or a commercial vehicle, such as a truck.

[0051] What has been described above with reference to the interior components and the instrument panel also applies analogously to the motor vehicle and vice versa.

[0052] The following is an optional embodiment with reference to Fig. 1 described. Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a cross-section of an instrument panel as disclosed, including the interior component.

[0053] The in Fig. 1 The instrument panel 20, shown only schematically, comprises the interior component 1, which may be arranged, for example, in or on a center console of the instrument panel 20. The instrument panel 20 is designed for a motor vehicle, so that, among other things, a steering wheel 30 may also be arranged on or in the instrument panel 20.

[0054] Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the interior component 1 could be arranged or integrated at a different position within the interior of a motor vehicle, e.g., in a vehicle seat and / or in an interior trim panel of the motor vehicle. Therefore, the interior component 1 can constitute an independent subject matter of the present disclosure, separate from the instrument panel 20.

[0055] The interior component 1 comprises a support element 2, which has a support surface 3 for supporting an electrical device 10, and an inductive charging unit 4 for electrically charging the electrical device 10 by inductive energy transfer, wherein the inductive charging unit 4 is integrated in the support element 2. The interior component 1 further comprises a storage compartment 6 in which the support element 2 is slidably arranged.

[0056] The support element 2 is displaceable between a storage position, in which the support element 2 is received within the storage compartment 6, and a usage position, in which the support element 2 is arranged at least partially outside the storage compartment 6 through an opening in the storage compartment 6. For this purpose, the interior component 1 can comprise at least one rail guide for manually and / or automatically displacing the support element 2, wherein the support element 2 and at least one inner surface of the storage compartment 6 can be connected via the at least one rail guide.

[0057] The interior component 1 comprises at least one magnetic element 5 for magnetically attaching the electrical device 10 to the support surface 3, wherein the at least one magnetic element 5 is integrated into the support element 2. Thus, the electrical device can additionally be held in its position on the support surface 3 during electrical charging.

[0058] The inductive charging unit 4 and the at least one magnetic element 5 can be designed for electrically charging the electrical device 10 in accordance with the Qi2 standard.

[0059] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the support surface 3 can be formed on a (free) end section of the support element 2, which is arranged outside the storage space 6 in the operating position, wherein the inductive charging unit 4 and the at least one magnetic element 5 are integrated accordingly in the end section. The support surface 3, which may be flat and / or contourless, can be designed to support the electrical device 10 without any predetermined orientation and / or positioning. In other words, the electrical device can be placed on the support surface 3 for electrical charging and magnetic attachment in a freely selectable orientation and / or position. As shown in Fig.As shown in Figure 1, the electrical device 10 can, for example, partially extend beyond the support element 2 or only partially rest on the support surface 3.

[0060] The support element 2 can have a shape curved in a direction of movement, such that, for example, the end section of the support element 2 points downwards when the interior component 1 is installed. The movement of the support element 2 can, for example, follow a circular arc.

[0061] The storage space 6 can be dimensioned to accommodate the electrical device 10 if the electrical device 10 is on the support surface 3 and the support element 2 is in the storage position.

[0062] The interior component 1 may further comprise a UV-C light 7 for disinfecting the electrical device 10 and / or an air supply 8 for conditioning the electrical device 10. The UV-C light 7 and / or the air supply 8 may be arranged, at least partially, within the storage compartment 6 and / or an inner surface of the storage compartment 6 such that the UV-C light 7 and / or the air supply 8 faces the support surface 3 when the support element 2 is in the storage position.

[0063] The interior component 1 can further comprise a near-field communication reading unit, which is arranged in or on the support element 2 and / or in or on the support surface 3. Reference symbol list 1 Interior component 2 support element 3 Support surface 4 inductive charging units 5 magnetic elements 6 storage spaces 7 UV-C lighting 8 Supply air 10 electrical appliances 20 Instrument panel 30 steering wheel QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2018 125 182 A1

[0003] DE 10 2019 118 176 A1

[0004] DE 10 2021 109 771 A1

[0005] Cited non-patent literature

[0000] https: / / www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com / gi

[0017]

Claims

[1] Interior component (1) for a motor vehicle, the interior component (1) comprising: - a support element (2) having a support surface (3) for supporting an electrical device (10); - an inductive charging unit (4) for electrically charging the electrical device (10) by inductive energy transfer, wherein the inductive charging unit (4) is integrated in the support element (2); and - a storage space (6) in which the support element (2) is slidably arranged, wherein - the support element (2) is displaceable between a storage position in which the support element (2) is accommodated in the storage space (6), and a use position in which the support element (2) is arranged at least partially outside the storage space (6) through an opening in the storage space (6), characterized by that the interior component (1) comprises: - at least one magnetic element (5) for magnetically fastening the electrical device (10) to the support surface (3), wherein the at least one magnetic element (5) is integrated in the support element (2). [2] Interior component (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the inductive charging unit (4) and the at least one magnetic element (5) for electrically charging the electrical device (10) are designed according to the Qi2 standard. [3] Interior component (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that - the support element (2) has an end section which, in the use position, is arranged outside the storage space (6), - the support surface (3) is formed on the end portion, and - the inductive charging unit (4) and the at least one magnetic element (5) are integrated in the end section. [4] Interior component (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized bythat the storage space (6) is dimensioned to accommodate the electrical device (10) when the electrical device (10) is on the support surface (3) and the support element (2) is in the storage position. [5] Interior component (1) according to claim 4, characterized by that the interior component (1) comprises: - a UV-C illumination (7) for disinfecting the electrical device (10), which is arranged at least partially within the storage space (6) and / or an inner side of the storage space (6) such that the UV-C illumination (7) faces the support surface (3) when the support element (2) is in the stowed position; and / or - a supply air inlet (8) for air conditioning the electrical device (10), which is arranged at least partially within the storage space (6) and / or an inner side of the storage space (6) in such a way that the supply air inlet (8) faces the support surface (3) when the support element (2) is in the stowed position. [6] Interior component (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that - the support surface (3) is designed to support the electrical device (10) without a predetermined orientation and / or positioning of the electrical device (10); and / or - the support element (2) has a shape curved in a direction of displacement of the support element (2). [7] Interior component (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the interior component (1) comprises: - a near-field communication reading unit arranged in or on the support element (2) and / or in or on the support surface (3). [8] Interior component (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the interior component (1) comprises: - at least one rail guide for manually and / or automatically moving the support element (2), wherein the support element (2) and at least one inner side of the storage space (6) are connected via the at least one rail guide. [9] Instrument panel (20) for a motor vehicle, characterized by that the instrument panel (20) comprises the interior component (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8. [10] Motor vehicle, characterized by that the motor vehicle comprises the instrument panel (20) according to claim 9 and / or the interior component (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

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