Multifunctional center console for a vehicle, as well as vehicle with such a center console

Abstract

A multifunctional center console for a vehicle is provided, which is designed to be mounted in an interior of the vehicle, wherein the center console has: an upper region which, after mounting, points towards the interior of the vehicle, and at least one first receiving region and an adjacent second receiving region in the form of depressions, wherein the first receiving region has a substantially cylindrical shape, and wherein a recess is provided in a base thereof, which divides the base such that a mobile terminal inserted into the first receiving region with a charging connection pointing towards the base thereof can rest on the base at lower edge regions thereof, and that a charging connection of the mobile terminal is located in the region of the recess.

Description

The invention relates to a multifunctional center console for a vehicle, and to a vehicle having such a center console.Very often, central consoles are provided in vehicles, which are arranged in the interior space between the two front seats of the vehicle. Center consoles have an upper region visible in the interior, which can have various functionalities. For example, many center consoles have one or more receiving regions which are formed as a depression in the center console body. Such a receiving region can be formed, for example, as a beverage holder, i.e. have a substantially round cross section for receiving a beverage container, as is known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,441 A or U.S. Pat. No. 2005 / 0 189 776 A1. Moreover, receiving areas can be formed as elongate receptacles of different sizes, in order to receive mobile telephones, for example. Such multifunctional center consoles are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 10493922B2 or U.S. Pat. No. 2017 / 0 144 613 A1 or German Utility Model DE 20 2022 104 801 U1, and also GB 2 557 967 A.A large number of functionalities are already implemented in a central console. However, there is still a need for improvement in the design and design. Also, there have not been known any multifunctional center consoles which would be usable with limited installation space. Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved multi-functional center console. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.A multifunctional center console for a vehicle is proposed, which is formed to be mounted in an interior of the vehicle, wherein the center console has: an upper region, which after mounting points in the direction of the interior of the vehicle, and at least one first receiving region and a second receiving region, which adjoins the first receiving region, in the form of depressions, wherein the first receiving region has a substantially cylindrical shape, and wherein a recess is provided in a base thereof, which recess divides the base in such a way that a mobile terminal introduced into the first receiving region with a charging connection in the direction of the base thereof can rest on the base at lower edge regions thereof, and that a charging connection of the mobile terminal is located in the region of the recess. Furthermore, it is provided that the first and second receiving regions are connected to one another by a depression extending from the upper region to the bottom of the first receiving region, wherein the depression has a smaller width than the second receiving region.By providing the recess in the recess which is generally used as a beverage holder, buckling of a charging cable of a mobile terminal device located there is prevented or at least reduced at the transition region between (flexible) cable and charging connection plug. The service life of the charging cable is thus extended.Furthermore, it is provided that a depth of the recess is at least 1 cm.Furthermore, it is provided that a partition wall with a passage is provided between the first and second receiving regions.Furthermore, it is provided that a length of the recess is such that it extends from one end of the first receiving region to the adjoining second receiving region.Furthermore, it is provided that a bottom of the second receiving region adjoining the first receiving region is lower than the bottom of the first receiving region, so that an edge is formed between the first and second receiving regions.Furthermore, it is provided that the second receiving region has a loading interface on a region of its base or a wall thereof.Furthermore, it is provided that the second receiving region has on its bottom a recess in the form of a depression, which is guided from the first receiving region as far as the charging interface.Furthermore, it is provided that a removable or hinged cover for the recess is also provided in the second receiving region.Furthermore, it is provided that the multifunctional center console is formed in one piece or in multiple pieces.Furthermore, a vehicle having a multifunctional center console arranged at least between two front seats is proposed, as described.Further features and advantages of the invention are evident from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, on the basis of the figures of the drawing which shows details according to the invention, and from the claims. The individual features can each be realized individually or severally in any combination in a variant of the invention.Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a multifunctional center console according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the multifunctional center console shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross section of the multifunctional center console shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with a mobile terminal placed therein and connected to a charging cable. FIG. 4 schematically shows a vehicle having a multifunctional center console arranged between two front seats according to an embodiment of the present invention.In the following descriptions of the figures, identical elements or functions are provided with identical reference numerals.As already described at the outset, a multifunctional center console 1 is often provided in an interior of a vehicle. This multifunctional center console 1 is usually provided between two front seats 201 and has an upper region that is visible in the interior space. The multifunctional center console 1 is fastened to the vehicle (e.g. its body) by a lower region. Side regions of the multifunctional center console 1 can be partially visible in the interior and also provide functionalities. The focus of this invention is on the provision of an upper region of the multifunctional center console 1, in particular storage regions provided there, in the form of depressions introduced in the upper region.According to the invention, the upper region of the multifunctional center console 1 has at least two receiving regions 10, 11, which are each formed as a depression in the upper region, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3.A first receiving region 10 is formed as a receiving region 10 having a substantially round cross section. Due to its (substantially) cylindrical shape, it is intended primarily to serve as a beverage holder, so that a cross section that is as round as possible is preferred. However, its cross section does not have to be continuously round, it can also assume a slightly oval shape in regions, so that the first receiving region 10 has a "substantially" round cross section. It is known that such cylindrical receiving regions 10 are often not exclusively used to store beverage containers therein. Mobile terminals 2 such as mobile telephones or smartphones are frequently placed in such a receiving area 10, i.e. placed there in an upright position. This may be due to several reasons. For example, no separate holder for mobile terminals 2 can be provided, so that there is otherwise no space for depositing the mobile terminal 2. By placing the mobile terminal 2 in the cupholder, the mobile terminal 2 is relatively safe, i.e. is well secured against falling during driving and in particular during cornering and braking maneuvers. Most receiving regions 10 provided as beverage holders also have a cross section into which (almost) each mobile terminal 2, in particular a smartphone, fits well when it is adjusted upright / inclined.In the event that a mobile terminal 2 is placed in a receiving region 10 provided as a beverage holder (i.e. a cylindrical receiving region) and has to be charged, the charging cable 3 is inserted with its charging connection plug 30 into the charging connection of the mobile terminal 2 and the mobile terminal 2 is then placed in the receiving region 10. In such situations, the mobile terminal 2 is often standing on the charging cable 3, so that the transition region between cable region and charging connection plug 30 of the charging cable 3 is kinked, which can lead to damage to the charging cable 3.In order to solve this problem, according to the invention, a recess 101 is provided at the bottom of the depression, which forms the first receiving region 10 with the substantially round cross section, which recess forms a depression in the bottom of the receiving region 10, as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The recess 101 can have different dimensions, but is always designed such that a mobile terminal 2 introduced into the receiving region 10 in an upright or inclined manner rests with edge regions of its underside (on which the charging connection is provided) on the base of the receiving region 10, and that the recess 101 is present in the region in which the charging connection of the mobile terminal 2 is located. The depth T of the recess 101 is selected to be at least deeper than the length of common charging terminal plugs 30. in one embodiment, the depth T of the recess 101 is greater than the length of common charging terminal plugs 30 plus a predetermined length corresponding to a length of common grommets against bending of a cable. In a further embodiment, the depth T of the recess 101 is greater than the length of conventional charging terminal plugs 30 plus a predetermined length, which corresponds to a length of conventional anti-bending grommets plus a predetermined cable length.Since a mobile terminal 2 is generally not placed completely vertically in the receiving region 10, but rather is slightly inclined, as indicated in FIG. 3, it may be sufficient to choose a depth T of the recess 101 which corresponds to the length of common charging connection plugs 30 or the length of common charging connection plugs 30 plus a predefined length which corresponds to a length of common protective grommets against bending, in order to avoid excessively strongly buckling the charging cable 3 at the charging connection plug 30.The length of conventional charging connection plugs 30 is currently about 1 cm up to about 2 cm. Protective sleeves as a protection against bending have different lengths, wherein the length is generally about 0.5 cm. In one embodiment, the depth T of the recess 101 is thus at least 1 cm. The depth T of the recess 101 is advantageously up to 3 cm, depending on the available installation space below the first receiving region 10.The length L of the recess 101 is advantageously selected such that it extends from one end of the first receiving region 10 to an adjacent (adjoining) receiving region 11, as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3. It thus divides the first receiving region. However, the length L can also be shorter, so that only one depression is formed as the recess 101 instead of a channel-like recess 101 for receiving the charging connection plug 30. In a preferred embodiment, the recess has a straight, i.e. channel-like shape, in order to guide the charging cable 3 as straight as possible in the direction of the adjacent, second receiving region 11. It can also have a greater width and / or depth T, for example, at the region in which the charging connection plug 30 is located than in the region in which the charging cable 3 is guided. Thus, a plurality of different width charging port connectors 30 may be covered while providing a narrow cable routing(s).As already mentioned at the beginning, the multifunctional center console 1 has at least two receiving regions 10, 11. A second receiving region 11 adjoins the first receiving region 10 and can likewise be formed like the first receiving region 10. However, it can also have an elongate shape, as illustrated in the figures. This second receiving area 11 can then serve for receiving magazines, laptops, tablets, purses or other objects.The first and the second receiving region 10, 11 are either separated from one another by a separating wall (not shown), wherein a passage is provided in the separating wall, through which the charging cable 3 can be passed from the first receiving region 10 into the second receiving region 11. The passage is preferably provided as an extension of the recess 101 and is large enough to pass through at least one charging connection plug 30 of the charging cable 3. In a further embodiment, no partition wall is provided between the first and second receiving regions 10, 11, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Rather, a depression which is continuous from the upper region to the base of at least the first receiving region 10 is provided. This advantageously only has the width of the recess 101, i.e. is less wide than the second receiving region 11.In one embodiment, the bottom of the second receiving region 11 is deeper than the bottom of the first receiving region 10, so that an edge 110 is formed between the first and second receiving regions 10, 11, which edge forms a step between the first and second receiving regions 10, 11. This edge 110 serves, in particular in the embodiments shown without a closed partition wall, to prevent or at least greatly brake a sliding of an object provided in the second receiving region 11 in the direction of the first receiving region 10. For example, it is possible to prevent a laptop placed in the second recording area 11 from being pressed against a mobile terminal 2 placed in the first recording area 10 during a braking maneuver and possibly damaging it. In this embodiment, the recess 101 advantageously extends as far as the edge 110 in order to provide a transition as straight as possible for the cable guide between the first and second receiving regions 10, 11.Furthermore, in one embodiment, a charging interface 111 is provided in a region of the second receiving region 11, into which charging cable 3 guided from the first receiving region 10 into the second receiving region 11 can be inserted in order to charge the mobile terminal 2. The charging interface 111 is connected to an energy source of the vehicle and provides a suitable interface, e.g. a USB connection, in a visible region in the second receiving region 11. In FIG. 3, the charging interface 111 is shown in the bottom of the second receiving area 11. However, it can also be provided on one of the walls of the second receiving region 11. In one embodiment, the charging interface 111 is provided at a region in a wall portion near the bottom of the second accommodating region 11. In this case, a recess can likewise be provided in the second receiving region 11, into which recess the charging cable is inserted and guided to the charging interface 111. This recess can be covered with a removable or hinged cover (loose cover or cover fastened and movable on one side to the floor), so that the floor of the second receiving region 11 has a flat surface. Thus, objects placed there and the charging cable 3 cannot interfere with each other. The charging interface 111 can also be provided on a partition wall between the first and second receiving regions 10, 11 if such a partition wall is present (in particular in the embodiment with a feedthrough). Thus, the charging cable 3 does not have to be guided over the entire second receiving region 11. The charging interface 111 can thus be provided at a suitable location of the second receiving region 11, that is to say also close to the first receiving region 10 instead of on the opposite side, as indicated in FIG. 3.The (outer) diameter D of the first receiving region 10 and the width of the second receiving region 11 are advantageously selected such that the outer contour of the center console 1 extends straight, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.The center console 1 is advantageously formed in one piece, for example cast from plastic or formed as an injection-molded part, as indicated in FIG. 1. Thus, a cost-effective, fast production is possible without additional assembly effort and associated assembly errors or inaccuracies. Of course, the central console 1 can also be formed in multiple parts and assembled in one or more assembly steps.The center console 1 may be formed as a very narrow member as shown in the figures, so that it can be mounted on a vehicle with little space between seats. In this embodiment, a single, substantially cylindrical first receiving region 10 is advantageously provided, which is adjoined by a second, preferably elongate receiving region 11. Thus, the total width of the center console 1 substantially corresponds to the outer diameter D of the first receiving area 10.However, the central console 1 can also have two substantially cylindrical first receiving regions 10 arranged next to one another, of which both or only one is formed as described, that is to say has a recess 101. Depending on the embodiment, two second receiving regions 11 can also be provided, so that the center console 1 shown in the figures is, as it were, doubled. The charging interface can be provided in both receiving areas 11, or only in one of them, wherein in this case a feedthrough in this area is provided in order to enable a comfortable charging of the mobile terminal 2. However, only a single second receiving region 11 can also be provided.FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a vehicle 200 having a multifunctional center console 1 arranged between two front seats 201. Rear seats 202 are shown in the rear of the vehicle 200. In one embodiment, a central console 1 can also be provided, in which a substantially cylindrical receiving region 10 is provided on both end regions. Thus, an occupant seated in a rear seat 202 can also be allowed to place his mobile terminal 2 in the accommodation area 10 and load it via the second accommodation area 11.In one configuration, the multifunctional center console 1 can be provided not only between two front seats 201 of a vehicle, but also between individual rear seats 202, if these are arranged at a corresponding distance. In this case, two multifunctional center consoles 1 can be provided.In one configuration, a continuous central console 1 can also be provided, which extends from the region between the front seats 201 to the (divided or continuous) rear seats 202.The term mobile terminal 2 is to be understood as meaning mobile telephones and smartphones, since currently only these have a size which fits into a cup holder when they are introduced upright into the receiving region 10. Tablets or tablet-like smartphones can likewise be included in the term mobile terminal 2, depending on the size of the mobile terminal 2 and the dimensioning of the recording area 10. The invention is helpful in particular for those mobile terminals 2 which cannot / are not to be inductively charged.Due to the recess 101 in the first, substantially cylindrical receiving region 10, the latter can be used as a posture for a mobile terminal 2. In this case, charging can be carried out by means of the charging cable 3 plugged onto its underside without the charging cable 3 being strongly bent if the mobile terminal 2 is placed there in an upright manner or at an inclination with the charging connection pointing toward the base of the receiving region 10.List of reference characters1 Multifunctional center console 10 First receiving area Cup holder 101 Recess 11 Second receiving area 110 Edge 111 Charging interface 2 Mobile terminal 3 Charging cable 30 Charging connection plug of 3 200 Vehicle 201 Front seat 202 Rear bench D Outer diameter of 10 L Length of 101 T Depth of 101

Claims

Multifunctional central console (1) for a vehicle (200), which is formed to be mounted in an interior of the vehicle (200), wherein the central console (1) has: - an upper region, which after mounting points in the direction of the interior of the vehicle (200), and - at least one first receiving region (10) and a second receiving region (11), which adjoins the first receiving region, in the form of depressions, wherein the first receiving region (10) has a substantially cylindrical shape, and wherein a recess (101) is provided in a base thereof, which recess divides the base in such a way that a mobile terminal (2) introduced into the first receiving region (10) with a charging connection in the direction of the base thereof can rest on the base at lower edge regions thereof, and that the charging connection of the mobile terminal (2) is located in the region of the recess (101), characterized in that - first and second receiving regions (10, 11) are connected to one another by a depression extending from the upper region to the bottom of the first receiving region (10), wherein the depression has a smaller width than the second receiving region (11), or - a dividing wall with a passage between the first and second receiving regions (10, 11) is provided.Multifunctional center console (1) according to Claim 1, wherein a depth (T) of the recess (101) is at least 1 cm.Multifunctional center console (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a length (L) of the recess (101) is such that it extends from one end of the first receiving region (10) to the adjoining second receiving region (11).Multifunctional center console (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a floor of the second receiving area (11) adjoining the first receiving area (10) is lower than the floor of the first receiving area (10), so that an edge (110) is formed between the first and second receiving area (10, 11).The multifunctional center console (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second accommodation area (11) comprises a charging interface (111) at an area of its bottom or a wall thereof.Multifunctional center console (1) according to Claim 5, wherein the second receiving region (11) has, on its base, a recess in the form of a depression, which is guided from the first receiving region (10) to the charging interface (111).Multifunctional center console (1) according to claim 6, wherein a removable or hinged cover is further provided for the recess in the second receiving area (11).Multifunctional center console (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the multifunctional center console (1) is formed in one part or in multiple parts.Vehicle (200) having a multifunctional central console (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which is arranged at least between two front seats (201).

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