Mounting arrangement for securing a mobile device in a vehicle interior

Abstract

A fastening arrangement (1') for securing a mobile device (5) in a vehicle interior (10) is proposed. The fastening arrangement comprises (1') an interior trim panel (20) with an elongated groove (30) extending along a side (A) of the interior trim panel (20) facing the vehicle interior (10), and a retaining device (100) for holding the mobile device (5). The interior trim panel (20) includes an overlap section (40) that overlaps the groove (30) in an overlap area on side (A) of the interior trim panel (20). The retaining device (100) is configured to engage behind the overlap section (40) in the overlap area and engage in the groove (30). The retaining device (100) is slidable along the groove (30).

Description

[0001] The present invention lies in the field of automotive engineering. It relates to a fastening arrangement for securing a mobile device in a vehicle interior. The mobile device can be a mobile terminal, such as a tablet, mobile phone, or the like, a cup holder, a storage module, an air freshener, or another mobile device, particularly one that can be retrofitted in the vehicle interior.

[0002] Fastening devices for securing mobile equipment in a vehicle interior are known in the prior art. These include, for example, clamp or suction cup mounts with which the aforementioned mobile devices can be attached in the vehicle interior or passenger compartment. A disadvantage of these fastening devices is that they are highly localized, meaning they can only be positioned, for example, at air vents, windows, or headrests.

[0003] Against this background, the present invention aims to provide an alternative and / or improved solution for fastening mobile devices in the vehicle interior. The improvement can, in particular, consist of making the fastening more flexible, i.e., providing more fastening options or locations.

[0004] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a fastening arrangement with the features of independent claim 1. Possible embodiments and further developments will become apparent from the dependent claims, the following description, and the figures.

[0005] A fastening arrangement for securing a mobile device in a vehicle interior is proposed. The fastening arrangement comprises an interior trim panel with an elongated groove extending along an A-side of the interior trim panel facing the vehicle interior, and a retaining device for holding the mobile device. The interior trim panel includes an overlapping section that overlaps the groove in an overlap area on the A-side of the interior trim panel. The retaining device is configured to engage behind the overlapping section in the overlap area and engage in the groove. The retaining device is slidable along the groove.

[0006] The fact that the bracket is slidably connected or connectable to the vehicle interior trim panel (also called interior trim panel) by means of a rear grip and engagement provides a particularly flexible mounting option for mobile devices.

[0007] The interior trim panel can be, in particular, part of a door panel, center console, front console, instrument panel, or the like. The elongated groove is, in this case, a recess formed on the A-side of the interior trim panel, the length of which, measured along this A-side, is significantly greater—for example, at least 10, 20, 50, or 100 times—than its width measured along this A-side. The A-side of an interior trim panel is typically defined as the visible side from the vehicle interior during normal use. The groove can be open towards the A-side. This means that even in the overlap area, where the overlapping section overhangs the groove, the groove remains accessible from the A-side at least to the extent that the retaining device can engage in the groove and engage behind the overlapping section. The overlapping section can completely or only partially overlap the groove in the overlap area.A complete overlap is understood to mean that the groove in the overlapping area is still accessible on the A-side as described above, but only laterally to the interior trim panel and not along its surface normal. The width of the groove can be at least 1 mm, at least 3 mm, or at least 5 mm, and at most 5 mm, 8 mm, or 10 mm. The groove can be open or closed on the B-side. The B-side is typically the side of the interior trim panel opposite the A-side, i.e., the side facing away from the vehicle interior. The length of the groove, measured along its longitudinal direction, can be longer, e.g., at least twice, at least five times, or at least ten times longer, than the length of a section of the retaining device engaging in the groove.

[0008] The retaining device can be configured to engage the groove in a form-fitting manner, at least in the overlap area, transversely or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove, and in particular also perpendicular to the surface normal of the inner cladding part. The retaining device can be shaped such that it can be received in the groove in a form-fitting and / or form-complementary manner in the overlap area and can engage behind the overlap section, such that the retaining device is only displaceable along the longitudinal direction of the groove in the overlap area. It can therefore be provided that the retaining device has only a single degree of freedom in the overlap area, namely along the longitudinal direction of the groove. Engaging behind the overlap section is generally understood to mean that the retaining device can engage the overlap section on the B-side.

[0009] The inner trim panel can have a pocket section in which the groove on the A-side of the inner trim panel is exposed, allowing the retaining device to be inserted into the groove. In contrast to the cover section, the groove in the pocket section can therefore be exposed to the extent that it is open along the surface normal of the inner trim panel. The pocket section may be characterized by an interruption of the cover section. The retaining device can be inserted into the groove exclusively via the pocket section. More than one pocket section may also be provided, e.g., two pocket sections for two longitudinal ends of a groove.

[0010] The groove can be a joint running along a joining line between at least two interior trim elements of the interior trim panel. In other words, the groove can run along a connecting or joining line along which two interior trim elements of the interior trim panel abut each other, at least on the A-side of the interior trim panel. Thus, an interior trim panel, e.g., a door panel, can comprise several interior trim elements, each of which is immediately recognizable as a separate element from the front, with their A-side contour being defined by the groove. The groove can therefore, for example, be a recess formed on the A-side of the interior trim panel between a first interior trim element and at least a second interior trim element. The first and / or the second interior trim element can comprise the overlapping section or at least a part of the overlapping section.

[0011] At least insofar as the groove is a joint between at least two interior cladding elements, two interior cladding elements arranged along a common joining line can be connected to each other along the groove, in particular by a material-fit connection. They can be connected to each other directly at the overlap section. A first of the two interior cladding elements can encompass the groove, and a second of the two interior cladding elements can encompass the overlap section in the overlap area.

[0012] Alternatively, two interior cladding elements arranged along a common joining line can be spaced apart along the groove and jointly form the groove. The first and second interior cladding elements can be connected by a support, in particular a common support. At least in the overlap area, within the groove, the first of the two interior cladding elements can be smooth in the longitudinal direction of the groove, while the second of the two interior cladding elements can comprise a plurality of ribs extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the groove. The groove can be bounded longitudinally and laterally to the interior cladding element by one interior cladding element and by the ribs of the other interior cladding element. The ribs can be formed in the interior cladding element that also includes the overlap section. The ribs can be arranged equidistant from each other.The distance between the ribs measured in the longitudinal direction of the groove may be smaller than the width of the holding device measured along the longitudinal direction of the groove, insofar as the latter is arranged in the groove in the overlap area of ​​the inner cladding part.

[0013] The mounting arrangement may further include a wireless charging device. The wireless charging device may comprise a first charging element arranged along the groove in or on the inner trim panel, and a second charging element electrically coupled or connectable to the first charging element, which is arranged in or on the mounting device. The charging device is designed for charging the mobile device. Wireless charging devices, particularly for charging mobile devices, are generally known. In this case, an inductive wireless charging device may be particularly advantageous.

[0014] The mounting device can be a universal bracket that includes a form-adjustable receptacle for the detachable mounting of various mobile devices. "Detachable" – as opposed to "fixed" – means that any component can and should be attached and removed without damage when the mounting arrangement is used as intended. Detachable connections can be provided, in particular, by positive-locking and / or force-locking connections, e.g., by clamping, snap-fit, and / or screw connections.

[0015] Several embodiments have been disclosed herein. Further embodiments are explained in the exemplary embodiments below. The aforementioned features can each be implemented individually and separately in the exemplary embodiments, even if the exemplary embodiments themselves comprise several of the individual features. This will reveal further embodiments of the present invention to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the drawings and the detailed description are to be considered exemplary and not limiting. Recurring features are identified by the same reference numerals in the figure descriptions.

[0016] Shown in Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an exemplary vehicle interior, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the fastening arrangement according to the invention in a frontal view, Fig. 3 the fastening arrangement Fig. 2 in a cross-sectional view, Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the fastening arrangement in a cross-sectional view, Fig. 5 a first perspective view of the fastening arrangement according to Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 a second perspective view of the fastening arrangement according to Fig. 4.

[0017] The following section describes recurring characteristics once for all characters. References to individual characters are made only when relevant.

[0018] The Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5 to Fig. Figure 6 shows two exemplary embodiments of a fastening arrangement 1; 1' for fastening a mobile device 5 in a vehicle interior 10. The mobile device 5 can be a mobile terminal device, e.g. a tablet, mobile phone or the like, a cup holder, a storage module, a room fragrance device or another mobile device 5, in particular one that can be retrofitted in the vehicle interior 10.

[0019] In this case, it is a battery-powered mobile device. The mounting arrangement 1; 1' comprises an interior trim panel 20 with an elongated groove 30 extending along an A-side A of the interior trim panel 20 facing the vehicle interior 10, and a retaining device 100 for holding the mobile device 5. The interior trim panel 20 includes a cover section 40 that overlaps the groove 30 in an overlap area on the A-side A of the interior trim panel 20. The retaining device 100 is configured to engage behind the cover section 40 in the overlap area and engage in the groove 30. The retaining device 100 is slidable along the groove 30, as indicated, for example, by the horizontal arrow in Fig. 2 indicated.

[0020] The interior trim part 20 can, in particular, be part of a door trim panel, a center console, a front console, an instrument panel, and the like, as shown in Fig. 1 indicated. The elongated groove 30 is, in this case, a recess formed on side A of the inner lining part 20, the length of which, measured along side A, is significantly greater than its width, e.g., at least 10, 20, 50, or 100 times greater. The groove 30 is open towards side A. This means that even in the overlap area, where the overlap section 40 overlaps the groove 30, it is accessible from side A at least to the extent that the retaining device 100 can engage in the groove 30 and engage behind the overlap section 40, as shown in the Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5 to Fig. Figure 6 clarifies this. This means that, in the cross-section, a first interior trim element 21, which includes the cover section, is offset from a second interior trim element 22 in the direction of the vehicle interior 10, cf. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. The overlap section 40 completely overlaps the groove 30 in the overlap area, so that the groove 30 is still accessible on the A-side in the overlap area, but only laterally to the interior trim panel 20 and not along its surface normal. As a result, the groove 30 is not readily visible from the vehicle interior 10, so that it hardly or not at all alters the overall aesthetic impression of the interior trim panel 20. The width of the groove is at least 1 mm, at least 3 mm, or at least 5 mm and at most 5 mm, 8 mm, or 10 mm. Towards the B-side, the groove 30 is, according to the first embodiment, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 closed and according to the second embodiment of the Fig. 4, Fig. 5 to Fig. 6 open. A length of the groove measured along the longitudinal direction is longer, e.g. depending on the inner lining part 20 at least 2 times, at least 5 times or at least 10 times longer, than a width W of a section of the retaining device 100 engaging in the groove 30 measured in the longitudinal direction of the groove 30.

[0021] The retaining device 100 is designed to engage in the groove 30 in a form-fitting manner, either transversely or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove 30, and in particular also perpendicular to the surface normal of the inner cladding part 20. The respective retaining device 100 is shaped such that it can be received in the groove 30 in a form-fitting and form-complementary manner in the overlapping area and can engage behind the overlapping section 40, so that the retaining device 100 is only displaceable in the overlapping area along the longitudinal direction of the groove 30. This is made possible in the present case by the fact that the retaining device 100 is designed in a stepped manner at its end facing the inner cladding part 20 and thus only engages laterally along the inner cladding part 20 and behind the overlapping section 40 (in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 cross-section shown, in particular form-fitting), extends to then open into the groove 30 and there (also in the Fig. 3 and Fig. The cross-section shown in Figure 4 is particularly designed to engage in a form-fit manner. Thus, the holding device 100 has only one degree of freedom in the overlap area, namely along the longitudinal direction of the groove 30. It is therefore held slidably in the groove 30 by a form-fit in the overlap area, but cannot be removed from it. This does not, of course, preclude at least one part of the holding device 100 that directly receives the mobile device 5 from being designed to be movable, for example, to adjust the tilt angle of a mounted mobile phone. In addition, it may be advantageous to provide a locking mechanism that locks the holding device 100 in a predetermined position.

[0022] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the inner trim panel 20 has a pocket section 50 in which the groove 30 on the A-side of the inner trim panel 20 is exposed, so that the retaining device 100 can be inserted into the groove in a particularly simple and intuitive way. This is shown in the example of the Fig. 2 indicated by a vertical arrow. In contrast to the covering section 40, the groove 30 is therefore exposed in the pocket section 50 insofar as the groove 30 is open along the surface normal of the inner lining part 20. This also applies to the second embodiment of the fastening arrangement 1' of the Fig. 4, Fig. 5 to Fig. 6. In general, the two embodiments shown here are designed analogously, with the exception of the explicitly shown or mentioned differences. The pocket section 50 is characterized by the fact that the cover section 40 is interrupted. In this case, the retaining device 100 can only be inserted into the groove 30 via the pocket section 50. The pocket section 50, in combination with the cover section 40, thus offers the possibility of designing the retaining device 100 to be detachable from the inner lining part 20 without compromising the stability of the connection between the retaining device 100 and the inner lining part 20 in the cover section. More than one pocket section 50 can also be provided, e.g., two pocket sections 50 for two longitudinal ends of a groove 30.

[0023] The groove 30 is in each case a joint that runs along a joining line between at least two interior cladding elements 21, 22 of the interior cladding part 20. This is in Fig. Figure 1 indicates that the groove 30 can be formed between separate elements of interior panel parts 20. The groove 30 thus runs along a connecting or joining line, along which two separate interior panel elements 21, 22 of the interior panel 20 abut each other, at least on the A-side of the interior panel part 20. In the first embodiment, the groove 30 is a recess on the A-side A of the second interior panel element 22, which directly abuts the first interior panel element 21 along a joining line and is covered by the overlapping section 40 in the first interior panel element 21. Thus, the second interior panel element 22 includes the groove 30, and the first interior panel element 21 includes the overlapping section 40 in the overlapping area. This configuration can contribute to the mechanical stability of the interior panel part 20.In the second embodiment, the groove 30 is a recess formed on side A of the interior trim panel 20 between the first interior trim panel 21 and the second interior trim panel 22. Here, the first interior trim panel 21 includes the overlapping section 40. This configuration can contribute to the simplified manufacturing of the interior trim panel 20. The basic design of the groove 30 as a joint allows the fastening arrangement 1; 1' to be integrated into a vehicle interior 10 in a particularly aesthetically pleasing manner, whereby existing visual elements – in this case, the joints between different interior trim panels – can be integrated or utilized. At the same time, the arrangement of any mobile devices 5 can be made more convenient and / or flexible.

[0024] Additionally, in the first embodiment according to Fig. 3. The two interior cladding elements 21, 22, arranged along a common joining line, are joined together along the groove 30 by a material-locking connection. The material-locking connection 25 is achieved here by means of vibration welding. The two interior cladding elements 21, 22 are joined together directly at the cover section 40 by means of a material-locking connection. The material-locking connection, in particular by means of vibration welding, provides mechanical stabilization of the interior cladding part 20, especially in the cover area, which may also be subjected to additional mechanical stress by the retaining device 100.

[0025] Alternatively, according to the second embodiment, see: Fig. 4, Fig. 5 to Fig. 6, the two interior lining elements 21, 22, arranged along a common joining line, are spaced apart from each other along the groove 30. They jointly form the groove 30. For mechanical stabilization of this arrangement, the first and second interior lining elements 21, 22 can be connected on the B-side to a support (not shown here), in particular a common support. In the overlap area 40, within the groove 30, the second interior lining element 22 is smooth in the longitudinal direction of the groove 30, while the first interior lining element 21 comprises a plurality of stabilizing ribs 35 in the longitudinal direction of the groove 30, which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the groove 30. In this way, weight can be saved in the second embodiment, among other things, without compromising the mechanical stability of the interior lining part 20 or the movability of the holding device.The groove 30 is bounded longitudinally and laterally to the inner lining element 20 by the second inner lining element 22 and by the ribs 35 of the first inner lining element 21. The ribs 35 are formed in the first inner lining element 21, which also includes the cover section 40. This can contribute to the mechanical stabilization of this area, which is subject to greater mechanical stress due to the holding device 100. The ribs 35 are arranged equidistantly from one another, and the distance D between the ribs 35 measured longitudinally along the groove 30 is smaller than the width W of the holding device 100 measured along the longitudinal direction of the groove 30, insofar as the latter is as shown in [reference missing]. Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows the overlap area of ​​the inner panel part 20, which is arranged in the groove 30. This dimensioning contributes to the smoothest possible sliding of the retaining device 100.

[0026] The respective fastening arrangement 1; 1' comprises, according to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Furthermore, a wireless charging device 90. The wireless charging device 90 comprises a first charging element 91, which is arranged along the groove 30 in or on the inner trim panel 20, and a second charging element 92, which is electrically coupled or connectable to the first charging element 91 and is arranged in the holding device 100. The first and second charging elements 91 and 92 are inductive charging elements. The charging device 90 is configured for charging the mobile device 5. The second charging element 92 is arranged in the section of the holding device 100 that engages in the groove 30.

[0027] The mounting device 100 is a universal holder that includes a shape-adjustable receptacle for the detachable mounting of various mobile devices. It is therefore suitable, for example, for mounting mobile devices from different manufacturers and of different shapes.

[0028] The mounting system described here is characterized, among other things, by the fact that it allows for the individual attachment of corresponding brackets and thus mobile devices at various points on the vehicle's interior trim. The mounting system, and in particular the bracket itself, can be universally designed, meaning it is independent of the specific location and / or part of the vehicle's interior trim where the bracket is attached. This eliminates the uncertainty associated with mounting incompatible mobile devices. Furthermore, the overall aesthetic appearance of the vehicle's interior trim is minimally, if at all, affected.

[0029] Further embodiments of the described invention will be obvious to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

[1] Fastening arrangement (1; 1') for fastening a mobile device (5) in a vehicle interior (10), comprising: an interior trim panel (20) with an elongated groove (30) extending along an A-side (A) of the interior trim panel (20) facing the vehicle interior (10); and a holding device (100) for holding a mobile device (5); wherein the interior lining part (20) comprises an overlap section (40) which overlaps the groove (30) in an overlap area on the A-side (A) of the interior lining part (20), wherein the holding device (100) is designed to engage behind the cover section (40) in the cover area and to engage in the groove (30), and wherein the holding device (100) is slidable along the groove (30). [2] Fastening arrangement (1; 1') according to claim 1, wherein the holding device (100) is arranged to engage in the groove (30) in a form-fitting manner, at least in the covering area transverse to the longitudinal direction of the groove (30). [3] Fastening arrangement (1; 1') according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the groove (30) is a joint which runs along a joining line between at least two inner cladding elements (21, 22) of the inner cladding part (20). [4] Fastening arrangement (1; 1') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner lining part (20) has a pocket section (50) in which the groove (30) on the A-side (A) of the inner lining part (20) is exposed, so that the retaining device (100) can be inserted into the groove (30). [5] Fastening arrangement (1) according to claim 3, wherein two interior lining elements (21, 22) arranged along a common joining line are connected to each other along the groove (30). [6] Fastening arrangement (1) according to claim 5, wherein a first of the two inner lining elements (21, 22) comprises the groove (30) and a second of the two inner lining elements (21, 22) comprises the covering section (40) in the covering area. [7] Fastening arrangement (1') according to claim 3, wherein two inner lining elements (21, 22) arranged along a common joining line are spaced apart from each other along the groove (30) and jointly form the groove (30). [8] Fastening arrangement (1') according to claim 7, wherein at least in the overlap area within the groove (30) a first of the two inner lining elements (21, 22) is smooth in the longitudinal direction of the groove (30) and a second of the two inner lining elements (21, 22) comprises a plurality of ribs (35) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the groove (30) in the longitudinal direction of the groove (30). [9] Fastening arrangement (1') according to claim 8, wherein the ribs (35) are arranged equidistantly to each other and / or a distance (D) of the ribs (35) measured in the longitudinal direction of the groove (30) is smaller than a width (W) of the retaining device (100) measured along the longitudinal direction of the groove (30), insofar as it is arranged in the groove (30) in the overlap area of ​​the inner lining part (20). [10] Fastening arrangement (1; 1') according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a wireless charging device (90) with a first charging element (91) arranged along the groove (30) in or on the inner lining part (20), and a second charging element (92) electrically coupled or connectable to the first charging element (91) and arranged in or on the holding device (100), wherein the charging device (90) is configured to charge the mobile device (5).

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