Console arrangement, in particular center console arrangement, for a motor vehicle, as well as motor vehicles with such a console arrangement

Abstract

Console arrangement, in particular center console arrangement, for a motor vehicle, comprising a console body (3) with a recessed receiving space (4) open at the top and a heating device (13) associated therewith for heating food (6) contained in a container (5) placed in the receiving space (4), wherein the heating device (13) is movable between a heating position in which it is arranged above the container (5) and a non-use position in which it is arranged to the side of the container (5) and in which the container (5) is accessible from above.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a console arrangement, in particular a center console arrangement, for a motor vehicle.

[0002] It is known to provide a heating device in a motor vehicle for heating food. An example of this can be found in WO 01 / 37613 A1. There, a motor vehicle is shown with an instrument panel in which a microwave oven is integrated, accessible from the vehicle interior so that food can be placed in it and removed after heating. A comparable device is known from DE 93 17 015 U1. DE 10 2016 012 692 A1 discloses an oven that can be installed as a separate element in a motor vehicle. The oven has several drawer elements that can be pulled out from the oven body and onto which containers holding food can be placed.The heating units are typically box-shaped and feature a hinged flap that must be opened to insert the food container and then closed again; the same applies when removing the heated food. This is cumbersome.

[0003] The invention is based on the problem of providing an improved console arrangement, in particular a center console arrangement.

[0004] To solve the problem, the invention provides a console arrangement, in particular a center console arrangement, for a motor vehicle, comprising a console body with a recessed receiving space open at the top and a heating device associated therewith for heating food contained in a container placed in the receiving space, wherein the heating device is movable between a heating position in which it is arranged above the container and a non-use position in which it is arranged to the side of the container and in which the container is accessible from above.

[0005] According to the invention, a console arrangement is provided which has a recessed receiving compartment open at the top, i.e., a correspondingly large compartment accessible to persons sitting in the vehicle interior. A heating device, preferably in the form of or comprising a radiant heater with a radiant source and a reflector, is associated with this receiving compartment for heating food placed in a container within the receiving compartment. This heating device is not fixed in position but can be moved between a heating position, in which it is arranged above the container, and a non-use position, in which the heating device is arranged to the side of the container. In the non-use position, the container is therefore accessible from above.This allows the heating element to be moved into the heating position as needed, i.e., positioned above the container, so that the food is heated when the heating element is switched on. After the heating period has elapsed, the heating element can be easily moved from the heating position to a non-use position, in which it is removed from the container. This allows access to the container from above and easy opening of the container or its lid, so that the food inside can be accessed. For the user, this has the advantage that the heating element is only in the heating position when it is actually needed; otherwise, it can remain in the non-use position, i.e., a storage position. Furthermore, the container remains easily accessible.The container itself only needs to be touched briefly to open the lid; otherwise, it remains in its position and requires no further handling. The user therefore does not have to handle the container, even if it is heated, as would be the case, for example, if they had to grasp the container by a handle and pull it out of the otherwise closed heating unit.

[0006] The heating device is movable between two positions as described in the invention. To achieve this, the heating device is preferably mounted so as to be slidable via linear guides. The heating device therefore has a housing that is coupled to and guided by the linear guides. These linear guides can be guide rails or similar.

[0007] According to a first alternative embodiment of the invention, an actuating means can be provided by which the heating device can be automatically moved between the non-use position and the heating position. In this embodiment, the movement of the heating device is therefore carried out automatically by means of the corresponding actuating means, which effect movement in both directions. This actuating means can, for example, be a drive motor that meshes via a drive pinion with a rack that is part of the linear guide and coupled to the housing of the heating device. Alternatively, the actuating means can also be a spindle drive or the like, whereby the invention is not limited to the possibilities mentioned. The actuating means can be controlled and operated via a suitable control element, for example, a button on the console body or a control panel on a display menu.This automatic operation can, for example, be controlled by the user only for moving the heating unit from the non-use position to the heating position. For instance, after a certain heating time, which can also be food-specific (e.g., if the food type is defined by the user on a display), the heating unit can be automatically moved back to the non-use position via the actuator. Of course, it is also possible for the user to manually control this return movement via the control element.

[0008] Alternatively, it is conceivable that the heating element can be moved manually between the non-use position and the heating position. In this variant, the user would therefore move the heating element manually.

[0009] In this design, it is advantageous if the heating element is releasably locked in the non-use position and / or the heating position by means of a locking device, preferably a push-push mechanism. This ensures that the heating element is locked in the respective position and does not move out of position on its own. Preferably, the locking mechanism comprises a push-push mechanism, meaning that the user briefly presses on the heating element or the housing, which releases the lock. Upon reaching the respective end position, the lock automatically re-engages and can be released again by pressing the lock once more.

[0010] In the non-use position, the heating element can be arranged further forward in the console body, i.e., shifted forward in the direction of travel, for example, when the heating element is located in a center console of the second row of seats. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, however, it is also conceivable that the console body connects to an instrument panel, with the heating element being arranged inside the instrument panel in the non-use position. The heating element can therefore be pushed into the instrument panel and thus stowed away, so that it is not positioned in the vehicle interior and, in particular, the installation space is fully accessible when the heating element is in the non-use position.

[0011] As described, the heating device is preferably a radiant heater comprising a radiation source, typically an IR radiation source, and a reflector. These elements can be easily integrated into a suitably flat housing, so that the heating device itself is not too tall.

[0012] To give the heating device an additional function besides its original heating function, a further development of the invention provides that a support is provided on the upper side of the heating device, which is exposed in the heating position. An inductive charging device is arranged underneath this support for inductively charging a mobile device placed on the support. As described, in the heating position, the heating device is located within or in the area of ​​the upper edge of the receiving space or console body. The upper side of the heating device or housing is therefore freely accessible. According to the invention, a support for at least one mobile device, for example a mobile phone, is located there, and below the support is a corresponding charging device for inductively charging the device. The heating device thus has a dual function: an additional charging function alongside its primary heating function.The design can be such that, if the heating device can be slid into the instrument panel and positioned there in the non-use position, it can also support one or more mobile devices and continue to charge them in the non-use position, i.e., the heating device only needs to be moved out of the instrument panel to place a mobile device on it and can then be retracted again.

[0013] In a further development of the invention, a holder can be provided in the receiving space, onto which the container to be heated can be detachably mounted. Preferably, an additional heating element, arranged below the container, is provided on the holder. The receiving space is thus equipped with a suitable holder onto which the container can be placed or into which it can be inserted. Although in a simple embodiment it is sufficient to heat only from above using the heating device, it is advantageous if an additional heating element, for example a resistance heating element, is provided on the holder and positioned below the container when it is inserted, so that the container or the food inside can be heated from below. The heating device, i.e.,The radiant heater, or rather the radiation source, and the heating element are coupled in such a way that they can only be operated together. This coupling can be configured so that if the heating device is only briefly opened, for example, when it is moved out of the heating position to check the heating process, the lower heating element continues to operate, and after being moved back into the heating position, both heating elements resume. Thus, the heating element is set to run briefly, and if the heating device is not moved back into the heating position within the defined time window, the heating element is switched off.

[0014] Furthermore, an additional, preferably detachable, mounting rack can be provided in the receiving area adjacent to or below the holder. This rack has one or more vertically arranged compartments for one or more additional containers. This rack can be located adjacent to the holder, i.e., laterally or longitudinally offset, or below it. In any case, one or more additional food containers can be placed in this mounting rack and removed when the food needs to be heated. The mounting rack can have individual compartments accessible from the front, allowing easy access to the containers within.

[0015] Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a console arrangement of the type described above.

[0016] Further advantages and details of the present invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and from the drawing. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a perspective schematic representation of a console arrangement of a first embodiment, Fig. 2 a side view, cut away, of the console arrangement Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of the console arrangement of a second embodiment with the heating device in the non-use position, Fig. 4 a schematic representation of the console arrangement of the second embodiment with the heating device in the heating position, Fig. 5 a perspective view of the console arrangement with the heating device moved out of an instrument panel into the heating position, and Fig. 6 the console arrangement from Fig. 5 with heating device inserted into the instrument panel.

[0017] Fig. Figure 1 shows a console arrangement 1 according to the invention in the form of a center console 2, intended for use in a motor vehicle. The console arrangement 1 comprises a console body 3 with a recessed receiving space 4 that is open at the top. A container 5 containing food 6 to be heated is located in the receiving space 4. The container 5 is, for example, made of glass or a transparent plastic and has a lid 7 that is pivotably or hingedly mounted so that the container 5 can be easily opened and the heated food 6 removed.

[0018] Below container 5, which is located on a side view according to Fig. In the holder 8 shown in 2, there is a receiving rack 9 in which several compartments or receptacles 10 are provided, each holding further containers 11 with food 12, as shown in . Fig. 2 shown. Such a container 11 can be, as indicated by arrow P1 in Fig. 1 shown, into the holder 8, when the food 6 has been heated and removed beforehand and the container 5 has been removed from the holder 8.

[0019] Furthermore, a heating device 13 is provided, comprising a housing 14 in which a radiation source 15, preferably an IR emitter, and a reflector 16 are accommodated. It is therefore a radiant heating device. This heating device 16 serves to heat the food 6 in the container 5.

[0020] In Fig. In section 1, the heating device 13 is in a non-use position, in which, as will be discussed below, it is inserted into the interior of an instrument panel, i.e., stowed away. As indicated by arrow P2, the heating device can be moved from this non-use position into a Fig. 2. The heating position shown is brought into place above the container 5 containing the food 6 to be heated. The movement from the non-use position according to Fig. 1 into the warming position according to Fig. 2 can be done manually, wherein the heating device 13 is preferably locked in the respective position by means of a locking device, for example a push-push mechanism, and is moved manually after releasing the locking mechanism. Alternatively, it is conceivable, as in Fig. Figure 2 shows the provision of an actuating device 17, for example, a drive motor with a gear 18 that meshes with a rack 19 coupled to the housing 14. In this configuration, the movement of the heating device 13 between the two positions is automatic via the actuating device 14, which can be controlled, for example, by a control element provided on the console body 3 or on a display (not shown). Alternatively, a threaded spindle drive or similar would also be conceivable. In any case, regardless of whether the movement is manual or automatic, the heating device 13 or the housing 14 is guided longitudinally on corresponding linear guides arranged on the console body 3.

[0021] In the Fig. In the position shown in Figure 2, the heating device 13 is located exactly above the container 5, so that when the radiation source 15 is operated, the heating radiation is reflected via the reflector 16 onto the food to be heated, which is then heated. How Fig. Figure 2 further shows that an additional heating element 20 can be provided, which is fixed in position on or below the holder 8, and which can, for example, be a resistance heater. The food 6 can also be heated from below via this additional heating element 20.

[0022] After the heating process is complete, the heating device 13 is switched off again. Fig. 2 shown heating position into the in Fig. The heating element 13 is moved to the non-use position shown in Figure 1. This can be done either manually, as described, by releasing the push-push mechanism and pushing the heating element 13 back until the push-push mechanism engages again, or by the actuating device 17 automatically returning the heating element 13 to the non-use position. The container 6 then lies as shown in Figure 1. Fig. 1 shown is free, i.e., accessible from above, so that the lid 7 can be easily opened and the food removed, and if necessary the container 5 can also be removed from the holder 8 and exchanged for another container 11, whereupon a new heating process starts.

[0023] The Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of a console arrangement 1 in a simplified representation, using the same reference numerals for identical components. Here, too, a console body 3 with a receiving compartment 4 is provided, in which a receiving rack 9 with several inserted containers 11 is shown. Furthermore, the bracket 8 with a container 5 attached to it, containing food to be heated, is shown. Also shown is the heating device 13, which is in its non-use position, positioned to the side of the container 5, which is accessible from the top. In contrast to the previous embodiment, in which the receiving rack is located directly below the bracket 8, here the receiving rack 9 is positioned in front of the bracket 8, offset against the direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0024] Fig. Figure 4 shows the heating device 13 in the heating position, in which it is arranged above the container 5.

[0025] The Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 further shows a console arrangement 1, where again the same reference numerals are used for identical components. The design is similar to that according to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, i.e., that here too the receiving rack 9 is arranged in front of the holder and the container 5 attached to it, containing the food to be heated. In Fig. Figure 5 shows the heating device 13 in the heating position above the container 5. For this purpose, the heating element 13 is moved out of a receptacle in an instrument panel 21, either manually or automatically as described above. In the Fig. In the non-use position shown in Figure 6, the heating element 13 is inserted into the receptacle of the instrument panel 21 and almost completely or even completely enclosed within it. The container 5 is clearly exposed at the top, allowing access from above for removing the aforementioned food. The movement of the heating element 13 between the two positions shown in the Fig. 5 and Fig. The 6 positions shown can again be adjusted manually or automatically via an adjusting device.

[0026] How Fig. Figure 5 further shows that a support 22 for a mobile device 23 can be provided on the top of the housing 14, which can be charged via an inductive charging device 24 integrated in the housing 14. This configuration is conceivable in all described embodiments. 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] WO 01 / 37613 A1

[0002] DE 93 17 015 U1

[0002] DE 10 2016 012 692 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Console arrangement, in particular center console arrangement, for a motor vehicle, comprising a console body (3) with a recessed receiving space (4) open at the top and a heating device (13) associated therewith for heating food (6) contained in a container (5) placed in the receiving space (4), wherein the heating device (13) is movable between a heating position in which it is arranged above the container (5) and a non-use position in which it is arranged to the side of the container (5) and in which the container (5) is accessible from above. [2] Console arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by , that the heating device (13) is mounted so as to be slidable via linear guides. [3] Console arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that an actuating means (17) is provided by which the heating device (13) can be moved automatically between the non-use position and the heating position. [4] Console arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the heating device (13) can be moved manually between the non-use position and the heating position. [5] Console arrangement according to claim 4, characterized by that the heating device (13) is releasably locked in the non-use position and / or the heating position by means of a locking device, wherein the locking device preferably has a push-push mechanism. [6] Console arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the console body (3) connects to an instrument panel (21), wherein the heating device (13) is arranged inside the instrument panel (21) in the non-use position. [7] Console arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the heating device (13) has a housing (14) in which a radiation source (15) and a reflector (16) are accommodated. [8] Console arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that on the top of the heating device (13), which is exposed in the heating position, a support (22) with an inductive charging device (24) arranged underneath is provided for inductively charging a mobile device (23) placed on the support (22). [9] Console arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a holder (8) is provided in the receiving space (4) on which the container (5) to be heated can be detachably mounted, wherein preferably an additional heating element (20) is provided on the holder (8), which is arranged below the container (5). [10] Console arrangement according to claim 9, characterized by, that in addition a receiving frame (9) is provided in the receiving space (4) adjacent to or below the support (8), preferably detachably, which has one or more superimposed receivings (10) for one or more further containers (11). [11] Motor vehicle comprising a console arrangement (1) according to any of the preceding claims.

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