Vehicle with a reconfigurable trim system

Abstract

A reconfigurable vehicle door panel system. A vehicle has a body that defines an exterior and an interior, with a door that opens to expose the interior to the exterior. When closed, the door has an interior and an exterior. A panel is provided on the inside of the door. A linkage connects the panel to the door. The panel is configured to move via the linkage from a stowed position within the door to an extended position. When in the stowed position, the panel is configured to provide a uniform appearance to the inside of the door. When in the extended position, the panel is configured to serve a functional purpose. The panel includes an interior trim surface of the door.The trim panel has a first side and a second side, and when in the extended position, the trim panel is configured to alternately display the first side or the second side facing upwards, further comprising a linkage connecting the trim panel to the door, the linkage including a guide rail, the trim panel being vertically movable when in the extended position, the trim panel being rotatable when moved from the stowed position to the extended position, and the trim panel having a first side covered with a trim material and a second side formed from a rigid material.

Description

The technical field generally relates to vehicle trim systems, and more particularly relates to reconfigurable vehicle door trim systems that may serve various functions.A vehicle may include outer body panels defining an exterior design surface and inner panels and components defining the space in which occupants are located. Interior panels and components are often designed to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Sometimes these panels and components serve static functions such as cup holders, handles and armrests. Otherwise, the fairing or component may have limited means of movement, such as in the case of a sun visor, which is rotatable to a preferred position to best serve the driver's desire.As vehicles and customer expectancy continue to develop, it may become more desirable to provide new or additional functionality to passengers. For example, Internet access in the car extends the ability to use electronic devices. In autonomous vehicles, the ability of passengers to engage in various activities may increase. The fairings and components of the vehicle may provide opportunities to better meet vehicle user expectation, such as by redesigning them without prior restrictions that inhibit the expansion of available functions.Accordingly, there is a continuing need for systems that provide new and useful functional aspects in vehicles. Moreover, it is preferable that the systems be capable of several. providing functions. Moreover, other desirable features and characteristics of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing introduction.US 2023 / 0 038 501 A1 discloses an armrest device for vehicles comprising a body combined with a mounting portion provided in the vehicle interior at the side surface. The body is arranged displaceably and serves for depositing a passenger arm. A moving unit protrudes from the body, which engages with a guide groove provided in the mounting portion to guide the movement of the body along the guide groove. Furthermore, a mounting unit is provided in the mounting region, which supports the body and fixes its position pulled out of the mounting region by the displacement movement.U.S. Pat. No. 10,427,612 B2 shows a vehicle door having an inner panel and a trim part fastened thereto. The trim part has an inner side facing the inner panel, on which at least one holding device for an object is arranged. The trim part is pivotable between a closed position, in which it abuts the inner panel, and an open position, in which the holding device is accessible. A storage space for the object to be accommodated is present here both in the closed position and in the open position.US 6145 919 A discloses a vehicle slide door movable relative to the body in forward and rearward directions between open and closed positions. The rear door has a cavity formed therein in which an armrest is movable about a pivot axis. The armrest is pivotable between a horizontal position for use and a vertical position for storage in the cavity, the pivot axis being substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the door. An actuator automatically moves the armrest between the vertical and horizontal positions in synchronization with movement of the door. The actuator can be designed as a pneumatic drive system, flexible drive cable or electric motor.DE 10 2022 110 095 A1 shows a parcel storage system for a vehicle which enables the exchange of goods or articles between authorised users and the vehicle. Package placement can be automatically used as part of a delivery process. The package tray is configured in such a way that it is coupled to a vehicle closure element via an actuator system and moves along synchronously with the movement thereof.US 2006 / 0 266 779 A1 shows a foldable tray for use in a vehicle. The tray includes a top having a first portion and a second portion that are hinged together. The hinge allows the tray to be folded, so that in the folded-in state a compact, storable working surface is provided and in the folded-out state an enlarged working surface is provided. In one embodiment, the hinge is designed as a film hinge.US 2017 / 0 313 229 A1 discloses a retractable shelving system for use in a motor vehicle. The racking system comprises a microcontroller and a rail arrangement which is arranged in a vehicle door and is operatively connected to the microcontroller. Furthermore, a retractable rack is provided, which is coupled to the rail arrangement via a hinge arrangement and is likewise operatively connected to the microcontroller. This allows the shelf to be moved from a stowed configuration within the vehicle door to a deployed configuration outside the vehicle door. In the extended configuration, the shelf is also pivotable from a vertical to a horizontal position.JP H10-278 587 A discloses a vehicle door structure configured to broaden the foot well without interfering with ingress and egress. For this purpose, a retractable cover member is rotatably arranged on both side walls of a storage compartment via rotating pins. The cover member has a substantially rectangular flat plate shape having a longitudinal direction in the traveling direction and a grip hole disposed at the center so as to be manually movable. In addition, the retractable cover member is driven by a stepping motor which acts on the vehicle door through a pinion gear and a reduction gear.SummaryIt is an object of the invention to provide a cladding system which improves the usability of the vehicle interior and at the same time offers flexible application possibilities, wherein in particular the requirements for user-friendliness during getting in and out are to be taken into account. This object is achieved by the subject matter according to claim 1.In a number of embodiments, a vehicle includes a body defining an exterior side and an interior side with a door that opens to expose the interior side to the exterior side. As defined, when closed, the door has an inside and an outside. A trim is provided on the inside of the door. A linkage connects the trim panel to the door. The trim panel is configured to move via the linkage from a position stored in the door to a position deployed by the door. When in the stowed position, the trim panel is configured to provide a uniform appearance to the inside of the door. When in the deployed position, the fairing is configured to serve one or more functional purposes.In additional embodiments, the trim panel includes an interior trim surface of the door.In additional embodiments, the fairing has two sides, and when in the extended position, the fairing alternately displays each side facing upward.In additional embodiments, a linkage connects the trim to the door and the linkage includes a rail.In additional embodiments, the fairing is vertically movable when in the extended position.In additional embodiments, the fairing is rotatable when moved from the stowed position to the deployed position.In additional embodiments, the trim panel has one side covered with a trim material and another side formed from a rigid material.In additional embodiments, the door is a door of the vehicle and the vehicle includes at least one door other than a second door. The trim on the one door is reconfigurable from an interior trim to present a work surface. The other door includes another trim reconfigurable to a seat bottom.In additional embodiments, a latch is included to maintain the door in a selected open position relative to the vehicle.In additional embodiments, the fairing, when in the deployed position, is a foundation platform for reconfigurable multipurpose uses.In a number of other embodiments, the vehicle includes a body defining an exterior side and an interior side. A door is selectively openable to expose the inside to the outside. The door has an inner side and an outer side. A trim system includes a trim on the inside of the door. The trim system defines an interior trim system of the door. A linkage connects the trim panel to the door. The trim panel is movable via the linkage from a stowed position in the door to a deployed position moved away from the door. When in the stowed position, the trim panel serves to provide a uniform appearance to the inside of the door. When in the extended position, the fairing functions as a platform to serve a functional purpose.In additional embodiments, the trim panel is an interior door trim panel that has a uniform appearance when in the stowed position.In additional embodiments, the fairing has two sides, and when in the extended position, the fairing operates to alternately display one side with a rigid surface facing upward or the other side with a flexible surface facing upward.In additional embodiments, a linkage connects the trim to the door, and the linkage includes two rails.In additional embodiments, the trim panel, when in the extended position, is vertically movable to various selected heights relative to the door.In additional embodiments, the fairing, when moved from the stowed position to the deployed position, is rotatable by at least ninety degrees.In additional embodiments, the trim panel has one side formed of a non-rigid trim material and another side formed of a rigid material.In additional embodiments, the door is a door of the vehicle that includes another door. The trim on the one door is reconfigurable from an interior trim to a table. The other door includes another trim reconfigurable to a seat.In additional embodiments, the fairing, when in the deployed position, operates as a foundation platform for multi-purpose reconfigurable uses, including as a seat or a work surface.In a number of other embodiments, a vehicle includes a body defining an exterior side and an interior side. A door selectively opens the body to expose the inside to the outside. The door has an inner side and an outer side. A trim system includes a trim on the inside of the door. The trim system defines an interior trim system of the door. A linkage connects the trim panel to the door. The linkage operates to allow the trim panel to rotate and move relative to the door. The trim panel is operable to move via the linkage from a stowed position in the door to a deployed position moved away from the door. When in the stowed position, the trim functions to provide a uniform trim appearance to the inside of the door. When in the extended position, the fairing functions as a platform to serve a functional purpose. When in the deployed position, a cavity is exposed in the door into which the fairing may be stowed.Brief Description of the DrawingsThe exemplary embodiments are described below in connection with the following drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals designate like elements, and wherein: FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle with open doors with a reconfigurable vehicle door trim system according to various embodiments; FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a door of the vehicle of FIG. 1 with the reconfigurable vehicle door trim system in a stowed state according to various embodiments; FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a door of the vehicle of FIG. 1 with the reconfigurable vehicle door trim system in a first deployed state, according to various embodiments; FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a door of the vehicle of FIG. 1 with the reconfigurable vehicle door trim system in a second deployed state, according to various embodiments; FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a door of the vehicle of FIG. 1 with the reconfigurable vehicle door trim system in a third deployed state, according to various embodiments; FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a door of the vehicle of FIG. 1 with the reconfigurable vehicle door trim system in a fourth deployed state, according to various embodiments; FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram including a linkage of the reconfigurable vehicle door trim system of FIG. 1, according to various embodiments; and FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram including a hinge retaining latch of the door of the vehicle of FIG. 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the application and uses. Moreover, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding introduction or the following detailed description.FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle 10 according to an embodiment. In certain examples, the vehicle 10 includes an automobile. The vehicle 10 may include a reconfigurable vehicle door panel system 12 that enables components that are integrated, movable, and reconfigurable to provide additional and alternative uses for the vehicle interior door trim panel as further discribed blow. In a number of embodiments, the reconfigurable vehicle door trim system 12 may be used in a variety of environments, such as those with front opening doors, rear opening doors, or other configurations.In various examples, the vehicle 10 may be any of a number of different types of automobiles, such as, for example, a sedan, wagon, truck, or sport utility vehicle (SUV), and in certain examples, may be two-wheel drive (2WD) (i.e., rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive), four-wheel drive (4WD), or all-wheel drive (AWD), and / or various other types of vehicles or mobile platforms.As shown in FIG. 1, the example vehicle 10 generally includes a body 14, front wheels 16, and rear wheels 18. the body 14 is supported on the wheels 16, 18 by a chassis and substantially encloses components of the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 may further include a propulsion system (not shown). The propulsion system may include an engine and / or motor, such as an internal combustion engine (e.g., a gasoline or diesel fuel powered internal combustion engine), an electric motor (e.g., a 3-phase AC motor), or a hybrid system including more than one type of engine and / or motor.The vehicle 10 includes a number of doors including doors 20, 22 In this embodiment, the doors 20, 22 are hingedly attached at one of their vertically disposed sides to the body 14 to pivot outwardly when opened. In other embodiments, the doors 20, 22 may operate in another manner. The door 20 opens rearward to the rear 24 of the vehicle 10 and the door 22 opens forward to the front 26 of the vehicle 10. In this embodiment, the doors 20, 22 each have windows 34, 36.The door 20 has an inner side 40 and an outer side 42. The interior 40 is defined by a trim system 46, which may include any number of trims or trim sections. In this embodiment, the trim system 46 includes a handle 48 for opening and closing the door 20. The exterior surface 42 of the door 20 is defined by an exterior design surface designed for environmental exposure. Similarly, the door 22 has an inner side 50 and an outer side 52. The interior side 50 is defined by a trim system 56, which may include any number of trims or trim portions. In this embodiment, the trim system 56 includes a handle 58 for opening and closing the door 22. The outer surface 52 is defined by an outer design surface designed for environmental exposure.For purposes of this disclosure and the claims herein, a "trim" as used herein is not limited to a flat or substantially flat component, but is any component or portion thereof that is part of the definition of the interior 30 of the vehicle 10. Accordingly, a trim panel may be contoured, curved, flat, or a combination thereof. A trim panel may have various features, may include one or more parts, and may be made of one or more materials. For example, a trim panel may be a part of the trim panel that at least partially defines a portion of the interior of the vehicle 10 and that is reconfigurable into a seat, a seatback, an armrest, a footrest, a headrest, and other seating features, a table, a platform, a step, or other functional feature.In the current embodiment, the trim system 46 includes a reconfigurable trim 60 connected to the door 20 by a linkage system 62. In this embodiment, the linkage system 62 is a hinge 64 along a side 66 of the reconfigurable fairing 60. the linkage system 62 allows the fairing 60 to rotate about the side 66 such that the fairing 60 is disposed substantially horizontally. This leaves a cavity 61 in the door 20 into which the fairing 60 can be stowed. The linkage system allows the fairing 60 to rotate at least ninety degrees, such as at least one hundred eighty degrees. Thus, the fairing 60 provides a work surface 68 that may be used for one or more purposes, such as a work fairing, desk, platform, or step. The working surface 68 may be made of a material, such as a hard / rigid plastic, such as polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, metal, etc., that provides a platform suitable for performing work or other activities thereon. For example, when the trim panel 60 is in an extended position as shown, the work surface 68 may be used to place an electronic device, a writing pad, or other functional device thereon. The fairing 60 has a surface 69 that faces the interior 30 of the vehicle 10 when the fairing 60 is not deployed (stowed). The surface 69 of the trim 60 may be made of a material, such as an trim material that is flexible (non-rigid), such as fabric or leather (natural or synthetic). The trim 60 may include only a portion of the interior of the door 20.Also in the current embodiment, the trim system 56 includes a reconfigurable trim 70 connected to the door 22 by a linkage system 72. The linkage system 72 includes at least one link 74 coupled to the door 22 and to the trim panel 70 to allow the trim panel 70 to extend by rotating and moving downward and / or outward relative to the door 22. This leaves a cavity 71 in the door 22 into which the fairing 70 can be stowed. When extended, the trim panel 70 provides a seating surface 76 made of a trim material, such as cloth or leather, that may be cushioned for comfort. The seat bottom 76 may face and be exposed to the interior 30 of the vehicle 10 when the fairing 70 is stowed. The seat bottom 76 may be extended to a height lower than the height of the work surface 68 such that a person may sit on the fairing 70 while operating on the fairing 60. The trim panel 70 may include only a portion of the interior of the door 22. In embodiments, the panels 60, 70 may be deployed in reversible states so that they may alternatively present either a work surface or a seating surface.Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, with continued reference to FIG. 1, an example embodiment, which may be the same as or different from the embodiment of FIG. 1, is illustrated in a stowed position in FIG. 2, a first deployed position in FIG. 3, and a second deployed position in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the door 20 includes an interior side 80 with a trim 82, a trim 84, and a trim 86 together in a trim system 88. the interior side 80 presents a substantially continuous / uniform appearance, i.e., without large / substantial protrusions into the interior space 30 and without large / substantial gaps. Uniform generally means consistent in appearance and like an interior trim system. The trim panel 82 includes a handle 89 for opening the door 20.The trim system 88 includes a linkage system 90. the linkage system 90 includes two links that enable the trim 86 to be deployed in various reconfigurable states. As shown in FIG. 3, the fairing 86 is deployed in the first deployed position presenting a work surface 92 that faces upward. The work surface 92 is hidden within the door 20 in the stowed position of FIG. 2. The linkage system 90 allows the trim panel 86 to rotate and move upward (and / or downward) relative to the door 20 when extended. As shown in FIG. 4, the fairing 86 is deployed in the second deployed position presenting a seating surface 94 that faces upward. The seat bottom 94 faces the interior 30 when in the stowed position of FIG. 2. The linkage system 90 allows the trim panel 86 to rotate and move downward (and / or upward) relative to the door 20 when extended. The linkage system 90 includes at least two links 96 and 98, each of which is coupled to the door 20. The link 96 is coupled to a side 100 of the fairing 86 and the link 98 is coupled to an opposite side 102 of the fairing 86. Accordingly, the fairing system 88 enables multi-purpose reconfiguration of the fairing 86 that provides multiple functions, including the work surface 92 and the seating surface 94, collectively referred to as platforms or foundation.With additional reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the trim system 88 allows the trim panel 84 to be deployed by jumping out of the door 20 and rotating at least ninety degrees. For example, a spring-loaded rotatable mechanism may connect the trim panel 84 to the door 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the trim panel 84 is stored within the door 20 and presents the inner side 80 in a substantially continuous / uniform condition within the door 20. When in the extended position of FIG. 6, with the trim panel 86 presenting the seating surface 94, the trim panel 84 may be disposed over the trim panel 86 and in a closer position to the door 20 relative to the trim panel 86 to serve as a backrest for a person seated on the trim panel 86. The trim panel 84 or the trim panel 86 may be deployed as a seat, a seatback, an armrest, a footrest, a headrest, or other feature.With additional reference to FIG. 7, the linkage system 90 includes the link 96 coupled to the door 20 and the trim 86. A rail 110 is provided on the door 20 and a rail 112 is provided on the trim 86. The link 96 may include multiple hinge portions in various other embodiments to increase maneuverability of the fairing 86. A slider 114 is connected to the link 96 and engages the rail 110. The slider 114 is movable within the rail 110 to various heights to extend and position the fairing 86. A slider 116 is connected to the link 96 and engages the rail 112. The slider 114 is movable within the rail 112 to extend the fairing 86 to various deployed positions and to allow the fairing to pivot / rotate to present either the work surface 92 or the seat surface 94 facing upward. When used as a table, the linkage system 90 allows the trim panel 86 to slide toward and away from the door 20 for desirable positioning with the slider 116 moving along the rail 112. The fairing 86 may be deployed to various heights, such as for use during seating or standing. Thus, the fairing system 88 enables multi-purpose reconfiguration of the fairing 86 that provides multiple functions / platforms. In other embodiments, the platforms / liners may provide other functions. For example, the fairing 86 may be configured to support a housing, such as a side tent, that extends the space of the interior 30 to a residential space adjacent the vehicle.With additional reference to FIG. 8, the door 20 is connected to the body 14 of the vehicle 10 by a hinge system 130 that includes at least one hinge 132. The hinge system 130 includes a hinge retaining feature 134 that includes a latch 136 to retain the door 20 in a plurality of selected open positions relative to the vehicle 10. In the current embodiment, the hinge retention feature 134 is part of a drive system 137 that includes a motor 138 with a torque rod 140 connected to the door that drives the door 20 open and closed. In various embodiments, the torque rod 140 may be another form of torque transmitting member, such as a transmission to transmit torque from the motor 138 to rotate the door. Thus, stopping the motor 138 at a desired position of the door 20 causes the hinge retaining feature 134 / latch 136 to latch the door 20 in position for use of the platform / trim 86 for its intended function without the door 20 moving. For example, the fairing 86 may be configured as a seat, table, step, such as for ingress and egress of the vehicle 10, and / or as platform foundation for other uses.Accordingly, a multifunctional and reconfigurable vehicle door trim system enables a variety of trim inserts for useful purposes. The trim may be a platform for a wide range of purposes that provide additional and alternative uses for the vehicle interior door trim. The trim panel may be extended when the door is open or closed. The system is capable of reconfiguring a door interior trim into a desk, table, seat, step, or other platform. Hinged connected hinges and sliding and rotating mechanisms may be used to reconfigure the door trim for various uses. The system may be reconfigured to provide functionality to users in parked outdoor application cases such as liftgates, camping, or operations. The door trim may have different material on each side (i.e., soft material on one side used for seating and hard material on the other side used for the desk / desk). The system may include multiple components, with a portion being reconfigured into a seat bottom and other elements being reconfigured into a seat back, armrest, footrest, headrest, and other seating features. When used as a table / desk, components may be further adjusted in height for a seat table height or standing table height and / or extension / angle table surface. Vehicle door hinges may include a locking feature to stabilize the door for seating / eating / operation. The system may be used with doors that open in the front or rear direction per se or in some other way.Although at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be understood that there are a great number of variations. It is also to be understood that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of this disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description provides those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or embodiments. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

A vehicle (10) having a body (14) defining an exterior (32) and an interior (30) comprising: a door (20, 22) that selectively opens to expose the interior (30) to the exterior (32), the door (20, 22) having an interior (40, 50) and an exterior (42, 52); a trim system (46, 56) having a trim (60, 70) on the interior of the door (20, 22); and a linkage connecting the trim (60, 70) to the door (20, 22), the trim (60, 70) configured to move via the linkage from a stowed position in the door (20, 22) to a deployed position moved away from the door (20, 22), the trim (60, 70) when in the stowed position configured to move toward the interior of the door (20, 22), A method of imparting a uniform appearance, wherein the trim (60, 70) when in the deployed position is configured to serve a functional purpose, wherein the trim (60, 70) includes an interior trim surface of the door (20, 22), wherein the trim (60, 70) has a first side and a second side, and wherein the trim (60, 70) when in the deployed position is configured to alternately display the first side or the second side facing upward, comprising a linkage connecting the trim (60, 70) to the door (20, 22), wherein the linkage includes a rail, wherein the trim (60, 70) when in the deployed position is vertically movable, wherein the trim (60, 70) when moved from the stowed position to the deployed position is rotatable, wherein the trim (60, 70) is movable from the stowed position to the deployed position, 70) a first side covered with a trim material and a second side formed of a rigid material.The vehicle (10) of claim 1, wherein: the door (20, 22) is a first door (20) and the vehicle comprises a second door (22), the trim is a first trim (60) reconfigurable from an interior trim to present a work surface, and the second door (22) includes a second trim (70) reconfigurable to a seat surface.The vehicle (10) of claim 1, comprising a latch (136) configured to maintain the door (20, 22) in a selected open position relative to the vehicle.The vehicle (10) of claim 1, wherein the fairing (60, 70), when in the deployed position, is configured as a platform for multi-purpose reconfigurable uses.

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