ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

An accessory system for a vehicle comprises a housing having a base that is attached to the vehicle and a projection extending from the base, the projection being fluidically coupled to a channel of the vehicle. The accessory system also comprises a first vehicle accessory having a cavity configured to optionally receive the housing projection in order to optionally attach the first vehicle accessory to the housing in an engaged state.

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to accessory mounts, and more particularly to accessory mounts for selectively securing vehicle accessories in a passenger compartment. Reference is made to CN 2 142 801 Y and CN 2 12 332 325 U for prior art.

[0002] Common vehicles include features that provide comfort and entertainment for the vehicle occupant during use of the vehicle. For example, vehicles typically include heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that condition the air within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. Such HVAC systems include ducts and at least one fan that cooperate to direct and circulate the conditioned air within the passenger compartment. Cooled and / or heated air may be circulated within the passenger compartment to provide heating and / or cooling for vehicle occupants.

[0003] Entertainment systems such as radios and other audio systems may be used in the passenger compartment to allow occupants to listen to music, podcasts, and other media while seated in the passenger compartment. Furthermore, rear-seat entertainment systems may be associated with second-row and / or third-row seats in the passenger compartment to allow occupants seated in the second-row and / or third-row seats to watch an entertainment program or movie while seated in the passenger compartment.

[0004] Common HVAC and entertainment systems often include at least one user interface device (UID), such as a screen or display. The screen or display may include a touchscreen that allows an occupant to control the HVAC system and / or the entertainment system. In the context of an HVAC system, the display may additionally be used to communicate various environmental conditions to the vehicle occupants, such as the cabin temperature, the outside temperature, and / or the fan speed. In the context of the entertainment system, one or more display devices may be used by second- and third-row passengers to watch an entertainment program or movie while seated in the passenger compartment.

[0005] Although the above systems provide sufficient comfort and entertainment for vehicle occupants while sitting in the passenger compartment, such systems are not configurable within the passenger compartment. Instead, the piping, fan, and / or display(s) are all located in a fixed, permanent location within the passenger compartment. Furthermore, such systems are often included in one or more packages at the time of vehicle purchase and cannot be added or removed individually. In short, vehicle features are typically not optimized for the specific person purchasing the vehicle. SUMMARY

[0006] The present invention is defined by the features of the appended independent claim 1. Advantageous further developments can be found in the following description and the dependent claims.

[0007] According to one configuration, an accessory system for a vehicle includes a housing having a base secured to the vehicle and a protrusion extending from the base, the protrusion fluidly coupled to a channel of the vehicle. The accessory system also includes a first vehicle accessory having a cavity configured to selectively receive the protrusion of the housing to selectively secure the first vehicle accessory to the housing in an engaged state.

[0008] According to the invention, the housing contains a first fastening device, and the first vehicle accessory contains a second fastening device, wherein the second fastening device engages the first fastening device when the first vehicle accessory is in the engaged state. The first fastening device and the second fastening device are magnets.

[0009] Additionally, the housing may include a first electrical contact, and the first vehicle accessory may include a second electrical contact. The first electrical contact may be electrically coupled to the second electrical contact when the first vehicle accessory is in the engaged state.

[0010] According to one configuration, the protrusion may include an outer peripheral surface having a plurality of substantially planar surfaces, wherein adjacent substantially planar surfaces of the plurality of substantially planar surfaces are joined together at a junction. The plurality of substantially planar surfaces may cooperate to provide an octagonal shape for the protrusion. Additionally or alternatively, the base may have an outer perimeter having an octagonal shape.

[0011] The accessory system described above can be incorporated into a vehicle.

[0012] According to another configuration, a vehicle accessory system includes a first housing having a base secured to the vehicle and a first protrusion extending from the base, and a second housing having a base secured to the vehicle and a second protrusion extending from the base, the second housing being spaced from the first housing by a first distance.The accessory system further comprises a first vehicle accessory having a first cavity configured to selectively receive the first protrusion of the first housing or the second protrusion of the second housing to selectively secure the first vehicle accessory to the first housing or the second housing in an engaged state and separate it from the first housing and the second housing in a separated state, and a second vehicle accessory having a second cavity configured to selectively receive the first protrusion of the first housing or the second protrusion of the second housing to selectively secure the second vehicle accessory to the first housing or the second housing in an engaged state and separate it from the first housing and the second housing in a separated state, wherein the second vehicle accessory is interchangeable with the first vehicle accessory.

[0013] The accessory system may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, the first housing and the second housing may each include a first attachment device, and the first vehicle accessory and the second vehicle accessory may each include a second attachment device. In this configuration, the second attachment device may engage the first attachment device when the first vehicle accessory and / or the second vehicle accessory are in the engaged state. The first attachment device and the second attachment device may be magnets.

[0014] According to another configuration, the first housing and the second housing may each include a first electrical contact, and the first vehicle accessory and the second vehicle accessory may each include a second electrical contact. The first electrical contact may be electrically coupled to the second electrical contact when the first vehicle accessory and / or the second vehicle accessory are in the engaged state.

[0015] The first protrusion and the second protrusion may each include an outer peripheral surface including a plurality of substantially planar surfaces, wherein adjacent substantially planar surfaces of the plurality of substantially planar surfaces may be joined together at a transition. The plurality of substantially planar surfaces may cooperate to provide an octagonal shape for the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

[0016] A third vehicle accessory may include a first cavity spaced from a second cavity by the first distance. The first cavity may be configured to receive the first protrusion, and the second cavity may be configured to receive the second protrusion when the third vehicle accessory is in an engaged state and the first vehicle accessory and the second vehicle accessory are in a disengaged state.

[0017] The accessory system described above can be incorporated into a vehicle.

[0018] In yet another configuration, a vehicle includes an instrument panel, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system including a duct supported by the instrument panel, and a housing having a base secured to the instrument panel and a protrusion protruding from the base, the protrusion fluidly coupled to the duct. The vehicle may also include a first vehicle accessory having a cavity configured to selectively receive the protrusion of the housing to selectively secure the first vehicle accessory to the housing in an engaged state.

[0019] The vehicle may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, the first vehicle accessory may have an opening in fluid communication with the channel. Additionally or alternatively, the housing may include a first fastening device, and the first vehicle accessory may include a second fastening device. In this configuration, the second fastening device may engage the first fastening device when the first vehicle accessory is in the engaged state. Further, the first fastening device and the second fastening device may be magnets. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure; they show: Fig. 1 is a side view of a vehicle according to the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 a perspective partial view of a passenger compartment of the vehicle of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an accessory connector for use in the passenger compartment of Fig. 2 according to the principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 a perspective view of the accessory connector of Fig. 3 in connection with a vehicle accessory in a separate state; Fig. 5 a perspective view of the accessory connector of Fig. 3 in connection with a vehicle accessory in an engaged state; Fig. 6 a perspective view of the accessory connector of Fig. 3, which, in order to illustrate the plug-in sections of the accessory connector and the vehicle accessory, is shown in connection with a vehicle accessory in a separated state; and Fig. 7 a perspective partial view of the passenger compartment of Fig. 2, which shows a vehicle accessory engaged with and supported by accessory ports in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

[0021] In all drawings, corresponding reference symbols designate corresponding parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing certain example configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "including," "containing," and "having" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more additional features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.The method steps, processes, and operations described herein should not be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0023] When an element or layer is described as being "on," "engaging with," "connected to," "attached to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaging with, connected to, attached to, or coupled to the another element or layer, or there may be intervening elements or layers. Conversely, when an element is described as being "directly on," "directly engaging with," "directly connected to," "directly attached to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there need not be any intervening elements or layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.).As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any combination of one or more of the associated listed elements.

[0024] The terms "first," "second," "third," etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections are not intended to be limited by these terms. These terms may be used solely to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context.Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.

[0025] In Fig. 1, a vehicle 10 is shown including a passenger compartment 12 and an instrument panel (IP) 14 located within the passenger compartment 12. The IP 14 includes a series of accessory ports 16 disposed at various locations within the IP 14. The accessory ports 16 are configured, as described in more detail below, to selectively receive a vehicle accessory 18 for use by vehicle occupants when seated in a seat 20 of the vehicle 10.

[0026] As in Fig. 2, the accessory ports 16 may be located at separate locations on the IP 14. For example, two (2) accessory ports 16 are shown substantially centrally located on the IP 14 such that a central longitudinal axis of the vehicle 10 extends between and separates the accessory ports 16. In addition, another accessory port 16 may be located near a junction of the IP 14 and a passenger door 22. Finally, an accessory port 16 may be located between a steering wheel 24 of the vehicle 10 and a driver-side door 26 of the vehicle 10. While the IP 14 is hereinafter described with four (4) accessory ports 16 located at the locations shown in Fig. 2, the IP 14 could include fewer or more accessory ports 16. Further, the positions of the accessory ports 16 may vary based on the intended use of the accessory ports 16 and / or the type of vehicle 10 in which the accessory ports 16 are installed.

[0027] The accessory ports 16 may include a housing 28 having a base 30 and a protrusion 32 extending from the base 30. The base 30 and the protrusion 32 may be integrally formed with each other and made of a relatively rigid material. For example, the base 30 and the protrusion 32 may be formed of a plastic and / or a metallic material. Alternatively, the base 30 and the protrusion 32 may be formed separately and then secured to each other. Further, the base 30 and the protrusion 32 may be formed of different materials. For example, the base could be formed of metal, while the protrusion 32 is formed of plastic. While the base 30 and the protrusion 32 may be formed separately, the base 30 and the protrusion 32 are described and shown hereinafter as being integrally formed with each other.In the configuration shown, the base 30 and the projection 32 are formed of plastic and are integrally formed by an injection molding process.

[0028] The base 30 has an outer peripheral edge 34 defined by a series of substantially planar surfaces 36. In one configuration, the base 30 includes eight (8) substantially planar surfaces 36, with adjacent surfaces 36 meeting at a junction 38. Therefore, the eight (8) substantially planar surfaces 36 and the associated junctions 38 cooperate to provide an octagonal shape for the base 30. Although the base 30 is described and shown as having an octagonal shape, the base 30 may alternatively have fewer or more substantially planar surfaces 36 defining the outer peripheral edge 34. For example, the outer peripheral edge 34 could include six (6) substantially planar surfaces 36, thereby providing a hexagonal shape for the base 30.

[0029] The base 30 additionally includes a mounting surface 40 and an engagement surface 42 disposed on a side of the base 30 opposite the mounting surface 40. The mounting surface 40 and the engagement surface 42 are separated by a thickness of the base 30 and are disposed substantially perpendicular to the substantially planar surfaces 36 of the outer peripheral edge 34. Finally, the base 30 includes a series of openings 44 extending through a thickness of the base 30 from the mounting surface 40 to the engagement surface 42.

[0030] The projection 32 extends from the base 30 in a direction away from the engagement surface 42. The projection 32, similar to the base, includes an outer peripheral edge 46 defined by a series of substantially planar surfaces 48. In one configuration, the projection 32 includes eight (8) substantially planar surfaces 48, with adjacent surfaces 48 meeting at a junction 50. Therefore, the eight (8) substantially planar surfaces 48 and the associated junctions 50 cooperate to provide an octagonal shape for the projection 32. Although the projection 32 is described and shown as having an octagonal shape, the projection 32 may alternatively include fewer or more substantially planar surfaces 48 defining the outer peripheral edge 46. For example, the outer peripheral edge 46 could include six (6) substantially planar surfaces 48, thereby providing a hexagonal shape for the projection 32.

[0031] The projection 32 has a chamfered surface 52 extending between the outer peripheral edge 46 and a substantially planar distal end surface 54. The chamfered surface 52, as described in more detail below, provides a curved surface for the projection 32 to facilitate insertion of the projection 32 into the vehicle accessory 18.

[0032] The projection 32 defines an opening 56 having a similar shape to the outer peripheral edge 46. Specifically, the projection 32 has substantially planar inner surfaces 58 that cooperate to provide a hexagonal shape for the opening 56 similar to the outer peripheral edge 46. The substantially planar inner surfaces 58 are formed on a side of the projection 32 opposite the corresponding outer substantially planar surfaces 48 of the projection 32.

[0033] According to one configuration, a crossing member 60 extends across the opening 56 and is formed integrally with the base 30 and the projection 32. The crossing member 60 may be aligned with the base 30 such that the crossing member 60 has the same thickness as the base 30. Accordingly, the crossing member 60 may be substantially an extension of the base 30. According to this configuration, a portion of the base 30 may extend into the opening 56 to form a flange 62 that cooperates with the crossing member 60 to define a first opening 64 and a second opening 66, each in fluid communication with the opening 56 defined by the inner surfaces 58 of the projection 32.

[0034] Especially in Fig. 3, it is shown that the housing 28 is secured to the IP 14 via a series of fasteners 68. Specifically, the fasteners 68 are received by the openings 44 of the base 32 to secure the base 30 and hence the housing 28 to the IP 14. According to the configuration shown in the Fig. 3-6, the housing 28 is shown attached to the IP 14 at a distal end of a vehicle duct 70. The duct 70 may be in fluid communication with a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system 72 of the vehicle 10 ( Fig. 2) to enable the conditioned air generated by the HVAC system to be delivered into the passenger compartment 12 via the duct 70 and the vehicle accessory ports 16. Specifically, when a fan (not shown) associated with the HVAC system 72 is actuated, the fan directs the conditioned air from the HVAC system 72 into the passenger compartment 12 via the duct 70 and the openings 56, 64, and 66 of the vehicle accessory ports 16. As a result, the openings 56, 64, and 66 of the vehicle accessory ports 16 are in fluid communication with the duct 70 and with the HVAC system 72 and cooperate with the duct 70 to direct conditioned air into the passenger compartment 12.

[0035] The vehicle accessory ports 16 may accommodate one or more of the vehicle accessories 18 during use of the vehicle 10. The vehicle accessory 18 may include a fan ( Fig. 4 and Fig. 5), a portable speaker ( Fig. 6), a display device ( Fig. 7), a cup holder, a mobile phone holder, or an air conditioning unit. Each of the above vehicle accessories 18 is interchangeable with another vehicle accessory 18 to allow each vehicle accessory 18 to be attached to and supported by each of the vehicle accessory ports 16. For example, a mobile phone holder could be exchanged for the Fig. The fan shown in Figures 4-6 can be replaced by simply removing the fan and replacing it with a mobile phone holder. Each of the vehicle accessories 18 includes the same mounting interface and can therefore be individually attached to each of the connectors 16.

[0036] Each vehicle accessory 18 includes a protrusion 74 that has the same shape as the protrusion 32 of the housing 28. The protrusion 74 of the vehicle accessory 18 includes interior surfaces 76 that cooperate to provide a cavity 78 for the protrusion 74 having an inner perimeter that is octagonal in shape. The surfaces 76 terminate at an engagement surface 80 of the cavity 78 and cooperate with the engagement surface 80 to define a shape and depth of the cavity 78. In one configuration, a depth of the cavity 78 is approximately equal to a height of the protrusion 32 such that when the protrusion 32 is received within the cavity 78, the end surface 54 of the protrusion 32 contacts the engagement surface 80, while an end surface 82 of the protrusion 74 contacts the engagement surface 42 of the base 30.

[0037] The vehicle accessory 18 may include one or more magnets 84 disposed within or on the protrusion 74, or alternatively, on or within the engagement surface 80, such that each magnet 84 is aligned with a corresponding magnet 86 associated with the housing 28. For example, the magnets 84 of the vehicle accessory 18 are shown embedded in the protrusion 74 near the end surface 82, while the magnets 86 of the housing 28 are shown embedded in the base 30. When the vehicle accessory 18 is attached to a vehicle accessory port 16, the magnets 84 of the vehicle accessory 18 cooperate with the magnets 86 of the vehicle accessory port 16 to hold the vehicle accessory 18 in position and engaged with the vehicle accessory port 16.

[0038] Finally, the vehicle accessory 18 may be powered by the vehicle 10 by placing the vehicle accessory 18 in electrical communication with a power source (not shown) of the vehicle 10. Specifically, an electrical contact 88 of the vehicle accessory 18 may energize an electrical contact 90 of the vehicle 10 when the vehicle accessory 18 is engaged with the vehicle accessory port 16.

[0039] In operation, a vehicle owner or a vehicle occupant can configure the IP 14 to provide specific features at various locations of the passenger compartment 12. For example, an occupant can configure a speaker 18 ( Fig. 6) engage with one of the centrally located accessory connections 16 and can connect a fan 18 ( Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) engage with an accessory port 16 located near the passenger door 22 to increase airflow from the HVAC system 72 to an occupant seated in the passenger seat 20. It should be noted that although the vehicle accessory 18 engaging the accessory port 16 near the passenger door 22 is described in this example as a fan 18 for use in increasing airflow to a passenger seated in the passenger seat 20, the vehicle accessory 18 could be an air conditioning unit that provides cooled air when the HVAC system 72 is not equipped to provide cooled air to the passenger compartment 12, or the occupant wishes to supplement the cooled air provided by the HVAC system 72.

[0040] The fan 18 and the speaker 18 are attached to the corresponding accessory ports 16 by inserting the projection 32 of the particular accessory port 16 into the cavity 78 of the particular vehicle accessory 18 (ie, the fan 18 or the speaker 18). The beveled surface 52 of the projection 32 facilitates insertion of the projection 32 into the cavity 78 and assists in aligning the projection 32 with the surfaces 76 of the projection 74. Once the projection 32 is sufficiently inserted into the cavity 78, the end surface 54 of the projection 32 contacts the engagement surface 80 of the vehicle accessory 18 and the end surface 82 of the vehicle accessory 18 contacts the engagement surface 42 of the accessory port 16. At this point, the magnets 84 of the vehicle accessory 18 cooperate with the magnets 86 of the base 30 to secure the vehicle accessory 18 to the accessory port 16.Furthermore, the electrical contact 88 of the vehicle accessory 18 is connected to the electrical contact 90 of the accessory connector 16.

[0041] In the case of fan 18 ( Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) The fan is driven by the vehicle 10 through the connection between contacts 88 and 90. When the fan 18 is actuated, it draws air from the duct 70 and the HVAC system 72 through the openings 56, 64, and 66 of the accessory port 16 into the passenger compartment 12. In this manner, the fan 18 supplements the HVAC system fan 72 by increasing the airflow into the passenger compartment 12.

[0042] The portable speaker 18 ( Fig. 6) also receives power from the vehicle 10 due to the connection between contacts 88 and 90. When energized, the speaker 18 provides audio signals in the form of music, podcasts, and other media to the occupants of the vehicle 10. Such media may be transmitted from the vehicle 10 to the speaker 18 via a Bluetooth™ connection between the vehicle 10 and the speaker 18. Although the speaker 18 is described and shown as being electrically coupled to the vehicle 10 through contacts 88 and 90, the speaker 18 may alternatively be powered by an internal power source (not shown) to enable the speaker 18 to function independently of the vehicle 10. Further, in addition to or instead of being connected to the vehicle 10, the speaker 18 could communicate with a mobile device (not shown) via a Bluetooth™ connection.

[0043] The preceding vehicle accessory 18 can be removed from an engaged state ( Fig. 5) into a separated state ( Fig. 4) by applying a force to the vehicle accessory 18 to overcome the magnets 84 and 86. Once the force of the magnets 84 and 86 is overcome, the vehicle accessory 18 can be removed from the accessory port 16. At this point, the vehicle accessory 18—if powered by an internal power source—can be used away from the accessory port 16 inside or outside the passenger compartment 12. Alternatively, the vehicle accessory 18 can be attached to the same or different accessory port 16 in the vehicle 10 in the manner described above. For example, the fan 18 in the context of the fan 18 ( Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) be disconnected from the accessory port 16 located near the passenger door 22 and moved to the accessory port 16 located near the driver's side door 26 should the driver require an increase in airflow at the driver's seat 20.

[0044] Although the vehicle accessory 18 has been described so far as being moved from the disengaged state to the engaged state on a single accessory connector 16, multiple accessory connectors 16 may be used with a single vehicle accessory 18. For example, in the case of a relatively large vehicle accessory 18 such as a display device or screen ( Fig. 7) multiple accessory ports 16 are used simultaneously to support the vehicle accessory 18 during use. In this scenario, the vehicle accessory 18 includes two protrusions 74 that receive corresponding protrusions 32 of a pair of accessory ports 16. In the example of Fig. 7, the centrally arranged accessory connections 16 are received by corresponding cavities 78 of a pair of projections 74 which are associated with the vehicle accessory 18 - namely a display device or a screen.

[0045] As described, the accessory ports 16 can be used in conjunction with a plurality of vehicle accessories 18 to allow an occupant to customize an IP 14 of the vehicle 10 and provide comfort and / or entertainment for the vehicle occupants. The vehicle accessory 18 can be used interchangeably with the accessory ports 16 to allow the vehicle occupant to easily reconfigure the IP 14 as needed or desired.

Claims

[1] Accessory system for a vehicle (10), the accessory system comprising: a housing (28) having a base (30) secured to the vehicle (10) and a projection (32) extending from the base (30), the projection (32) being fluidly coupled to a channel (70) of the vehicle (10); and a first vehicle accessory (18) having a cavity (78) configured to selectively receive the projection (32) of the housing (28) to selectively secure the first vehicle accessory (18) to the housing (28) in an engaged state, wherein the housing (28) includes a first fastening device and the first vehicle accessory (18) includes a second fastening device, wherein the second fastening device engages the first fastening device when the first vehicle accessory (18) is in the engaged state, characterized bythat the first fastening device and the second fastening device are magnets (84, 86). [2] The accessory system of claim 1, wherein the housing (28) includes a first electrical contact (90) and the first vehicle accessory (18) includes a second electrical contact (88), the first electrical contact (90) being electrically coupled to the second electrical contact (88) when the first vehicle accessory (18) is in the engaged state. [3] The accessory system of claim 1, wherein the projection (32) has an outer peripheral surface comprising a plurality of substantially planar surfaces (36), wherein adjacent substantially planar surfaces (36) of the plurality of substantially planar surfaces (36) are joined together at a transition. [4] The accessory system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of substantially planar surfaces (36) cooperate to provide an octagonal shape for the projection (32). [5] The accessory system of claim 4, wherein the base (30) has an outer periphery having an octagonal shape. [6] The accessory system of claim 1, further comprising a second vehicle accessory (18) having a cavity (78) configured to selectively receive the projection (32) of the housing (28) to selectively secure the second vehicle accessory (18) to the housing (28) in an engaged state and separate it from the housing (28) in a separated state. [7] Accessory system according to claim 6, wherein the second vehicle accessory (18) is interchangeable with the first vehicle accessory (18). [8] Vehicle (10) in which the accessory system according to claim 1 is installed.

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