center console of a motor vehicle

Abstract

center console (10) of a motor vehicle, comprising a base body (11), with at least one storage compartment (13a, 13b) defined by or received by the base body (11), with an armrest (14) which is movable in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle relative to the base body (11) and relative to the at least one storage compartment (13a, 13b), with rollers (16, 17) which are guided along guide rails (18) extending in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle when the armrest (14) is moved, with rotary dampers (21) for damping the movement of the armrest (14) which engage in tooth tracks (22) extending in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a center console of a motor vehicle.

[0002] EP 3 710 312 B1 discloses a movable storage arrangement for the interior of a motor vehicle. The storage arrangement has two guide rails installed longitudinally in the center of the interior. The two guide rails each have a running surface. The storage arrangement further comprises a center console with a frame having two pairs of rollers. The two pairs of rollers can be supported on the running surfaces of the two guide rails in order to guide the center console in a translational manner. The slide rails further comprise a sliding guide extending below the running surface. The frame of the center console comprises free legs that are slidably mounted in the sliding guides. The free legs have sliding shoes to compensate for play.

[0003] US 9 022 466 B2 discloses an armrest for a motor vehicle. The armrest is translationally displaceable. Furthermore, the armrest can be pivoted about one end to provide access to a storage compartment.

[0004] EP 1 588 892 A2 and US 2016 / 0 297 335 A1 disclose further prior art of armrests of a motor vehicle.

[0005] US 2004 / 0 080 173 A1 discloses a center console of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] Further prior art is known from DE 10 2017 208 450 A1 and JP 2013- 35 494 A1.

[0007] There is a need for a motor vehicle center console whose armrest can be advantageously moved in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The object of the invention is to provide such a center console.

[0008] This object is achieved by a center console of a motor vehicle according to patent claim 1.

[0009] The center console according to the invention has a base body installed in the motor vehicle. The center console according to the invention further has at least one storage compartment defined by the base body or accommodated by the base body. The center console according to the invention further has an armrest that can be displaced relative to the base body and relative to the at least one storage compartment in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. The center console according to the invention further has rollers that are guided along guide rails extending in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle when the armrest is displaced. The center console according to the invention further has rotational dampers for damping the displacement of the armrest, which engage in toothed tracks extending in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle.

[0010] The armrest is moved using the rollers, and this movement is dampened by the rotary dampers. The rollers are guided longitudinally and transversely in the guide rails that extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The rotary dampers engage with toothed tracks that also extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The rollers enable highly precise guidance and movement of the armrest in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Tolerances can be compensated, particularly in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The rotary dampers dampen the movement of the armrest, thus allowing it to be moved particularly advantageously in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0011] First rollers are supported on a first guide surface of the guide rails, which is the upper guide surface when installed in the motor vehicle, while second rollers are supported on a second guide surface of the guide rails, which is the lower guide surface when installed in the motor vehicle. This arrangement of the first and second rollers relative to one another, guided between the upper guide surface and the lower guide surface of the guide rails, results in minimal guide play in the vertical direction of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the second rollers can provide tolerance compensation in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle.

[0012] A guide rail extends along each long side of the armrest, with two first rollers and two second rollers engaging in each of the guide rails. The two second rollers, which engage in one of the two guide rails, have ribs extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle. These ribs rest against the side walls of the respective guide rail, which adjoin the lower guide surface of the respective guide rail. This enables particularly advantageous tolerance compensation in the transverse direction of the vehicle.

[0013] The rotary dampers engage with toothed tracks extending longitudinally when installed in the motor vehicle, with the toothed tracks positioned between the upper and lower guide surfaces. This is preferred in order to advantageously displace the armrest in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle while providing the desired damping, in combination with tolerance compensation in the transverse and vertical directions of the motor vehicle.

[0014] Preferably, the guide rails and toothed tracks extending in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle are curved. This allows for a particularly advantageous longitudinal displacement of the armrest along a curved path of movement.

[0015] Preferred developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail, without being limited thereto, with reference to the drawings. Herein: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a center console according to the invention, Fig. 2 a detail of the Fig. 1, namely an armrest and guide rails of the center console, Fig. 3 the cross section III-III of the Fig. 2, Fig. 4 the cross section IV-IV of the Fig. 2, Fig. 5 the cross section VV of the Fig. 2, Fig. 6 a detail on a cross-section analogous to the Fig. 5 but on the other side of the center console or armrest.

[0016] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show different perspective views and details of a center console 10 of a motor vehicle according to the invention. In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle is indicated by the arrow X, a transverse direction of the motor vehicle is indicated by the arrow Y and a vertical direction of the motor vehicle is indicated by the arrow Z.

[0017] The center console 10 has a base body 11, over which the center console 10 can be installed in the motor vehicle. When installed in the motor vehicle, the base body 11 is covered by side panels 12 on the sides extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction X. The base body 11 and the side panels 12 are in Fig. 1, not in Fig. 2 shown.

[0018] The center console 10 also has at least one storage compartment 13a, 13b. In the exemplary embodiment shown, there are two storage compartments 13a, 13b. The storage compartment 13a is a relatively shallow storage tray. The storage compartment 13b is a relatively deep storage box. The two storage compartments 13a, 13b are arranged one behind the other in the vehicle's longitudinal direction X. In the exemplary embodiment shown, each storage compartment 13a, 13b is a separate assembly that is accommodated by the base body 11. Alternatively, the respective storage compartment 13a, 13b can also be an integral part of the base body 11. Typically, the respective storage compartment 13a, 13b is permanently mounted on the base body 11, i.e., cannot be moved relative to the base body 11.

[0019] The center console 10 according to the invention further comprises an armrest 14. The armrest 14 is displaceable in the longitudinal direction X of the motor vehicle relative to the base body 11 and preferably also relative to the storage compartment 13a, 13b, namely in the direction of the Fig. 1 shown double arrow VR.

[0020] In the Fig. In the relative position shown in Figure 1, the armrest 14 covers the storage compartment 13b and exposes the storage compartment 13a. If the armrest 14 is moved rearward in the longitudinal direction X of the motor vehicle, the armrest 14 covers the storage compartment 13a and exposes the storage compartment 13b.

[0021] In its translational position relative to the base body 11 and also to the storage compartments 13, the armrest 14 can be locked in several relative positions via a locking device (not shown), at least in the two end positions and in an intermediate position. The armrest 14 is preferably released from a locked position using an unlocking device 15, which is formed on a front side of the armrest 14 extending in the transverse direction Y of the motor vehicle.

[0022] The center console 10 according to the invention further comprises a plurality of rollers 16, 17, which, when the armrest 14 is displaced in the longitudinal direction X of the motor vehicle, are guided along guide rails 18 extending in the longitudinal direction X of the motor vehicle. A guide rail 18 extends to each side of the armrest 14 in the longitudinal direction X of the motor vehicle. On each side of the armrest 14, a plurality of rollers 16, 17 engage in each of the guide rails 18, namely two first rollers 16 and two second rollers 17.

[0023] The first rollers 16 are supported on a first guide surface 18a of the respective guide rail 18, which is the upper guide surface when installed in the motor vehicle. The second rollers 17 are supported on a second guide surface 18b of the respective guide rail 18, which is the lower guide surface when installed in the motor vehicle. The guide rails 18 are inserted into corresponding grooves in the base body 11, which extend in the longitudinal direction X of the motor vehicle, with the rollers 16, 17 engaging a support 19 of the armrest 14, namely lateral legs 19a of the support 19, which also extend in the longitudinal direction X. The rollers 16, 17 are rotatably mounted on these legs 19a of the support 19.

[0024] During the translational displacement of the armrest 14 in the longitudinal direction X of the motor vehicle, the first rollers 16 roll on the upper guide surface 18a and the second rollers 17 roll on the lower guide surface 18b of the respective guide rail 18.

[0025] The arrangement of the first rollers 16 and second rollers 17 relative to each other, guided between the upper guide surface 18a and the lower guide surface 18b of the respective guide rail 18, results in minimal guide play in the vertical direction Z of the motor vehicle. Tolerance compensation or play compensation in the transverse direction Y of the motor vehicle is provided by the second rollers 17 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0026] To provide this tolerance compensation in the transverse direction Y, those second rollers 17 that engage in one of the two guide rails 18 have ribs 20 extending in the transverse direction Y of the motor vehicle. The ribs 20 rest, without play, in sections on two side walls 18c of the respective guide rail 18 that adjoin the lower guide surface 18b of the guide rail 18. This is provided in the area of ​​one side of the armrest 14 and on the second rollers 17 ( Fig. 6). On the other hand, in order to avoid over-determination, this is not provided for ( Fig. 5).

[0027] The center console 10 according to the invention has, in addition to the rollers 16, 17, rotary dampers 21. On each side of the armrest 14, on the leg 19a of the support 19 of the armrest 14, not only two first rollers 16 and two second rollers 17 are rotatably mounted, but also two rotary dampers 21. Each rotary damper 21 engages with a toothed track 22 extending in the longitudinal direction X of the motor vehicle, wherein, when installed in the motor vehicle, teeth of the respective toothed track 22 point downwards, so that, depending on the relative position of the respective rotary damper 21, upwardly directed teeth thereof engage with the respective toothed track 22.

[0028] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a tooth engagement between a rotation damper 21 and a respective tooth track 22.

[0029] The rotary dampers 21 are mechanical assemblies that slow down and dampen the translational movement of the armrest 14 through continuous rotation. The rotary dampers 21 rotate around an axis 21a extending in the transverse direction Y of the motor vehicle. Oil inside the rotary damper 21 generates a damping torque that slows down and dampens the movement of the armrest 14. This damping torque depends on the viscosity of the oil in the rotary damper 21.

[0030] The guide rails 18 extending in the longitudinal direction X, in which the first and second rollers 16, 17 are guided, as well as the toothed tracks 21, preferably have a curved contour. The armrest 14 is then displaced in the longitudinal direction X of the motor vehicle along a curved path of movement.

[0031] The two guide rails 18 are preferably designed as extruded profiles.

[0032] The toothed tracks 22 are provided by cover elements 24, wherein a projection 24a of the respective cover element 24 extending outwards in the vehicle transverse direction Y engages in first sections in a groove of the guide rail 18 (see Fig. 5, Fig. 6) and in second sections penetrates recesses of the guide rail 18 and the base body 11 (see Fig. 3, Fig. 4). The guide rails 18 and the base body 11 are preferably welded to the respective cover element 24 at the projection 24a.

[0033] At least in the area of ​​the second rollers 17, plastic-coated ball bearings are provided for rotatably supporting the second rollers 17 on the legs 19a of the support 19 of the armrest 14. The first rollers 16 are also rotatably mounted on the armrest 14, namely on the legs 19a of the support 19 of the armrest 14, via bearings.

[0034] Fig.Figure 2 shows so-called energy chains 25, which serve to guide cables when the armrest 14 is moved in the longitudinal direction X of the motor vehicle relative to the base body 11. These cables can be used to supply electrical energy to components installed on the armrest, such as lighting devices.

Claims

[1] Center console (10) of a motor vehicle, with a base body (11), with at least one storage compartment (13a, 13b) defined by the base body (11) or received by the base body (11), with an armrest (14) which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle relative to the base body (11) and relative to the at least one storage compartment (13a, 13b), with rollers (16, 17) which are guided along guide rails (18) extending in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle when the armrest (14) is displaced, with rotation dampers (21) for damping the displacement of the armrest (14), which engage in toothed tracks (22) extending in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, characterized by , that a guide rail (18) extends to each long side of the armrest (14), in each of the guide rails (18) two first rollers (16) and two second rollers (17) engage in such a way that the respective two first rollers (16) are supported on a first guide surface (18a) of the respective guide rail (18), which is upper when installed in the motor vehicle, and that the respective two second rollers (17) are supported on a second guide surface (18b) of the respective guide rail (18), which is lower when installed in the motor vehicle. [2] Center console (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the two second rollers (17), which engage in one of the two guide rails (18), have ribs (20) extending in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle, which ribs bear against side walls (18c) of the respective guide rail (18) adjoining the lower guide surface (18b) of the respective guide rail (18). [3] Center console (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the rotary dampers (21) engage with the toothed tracks (22) extending in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, the teeth of which point downwards when installed in the motor vehicle, in such a way that, depending on the relative position of the respective rotary damper (21), upwardly directed teeth of the same engage with the respective toothed track (22). [4] Center console (10) according to claim 3, characterized by that the tooth tracks (22) are positioned between the upper guide surfaces (18a) and the lower guide surfaces (18b). [5] Center console (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by , that a toothed track (22) extends to each longitudinal side of the armrest (14), wherein two rotation dampers (21) engage in each of the toothed tracks (22). [6] Center console (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized bythat the guide rails (18) and toothed tracks (22) extending in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle have a curved contour. [7] Center console (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the armrest (14) can be locked in several relative positions relative to the base body (11) and relative to the at least one storage compartment (13a, 13b) via a locking device and can be released via an unlocking device.

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