Interior component of a motor vehicle body with an inductive charging device

Abstract

The invention relates to an interior component (1) of a motor vehicle body (2) with an inductive charging device (3), wherein the interior component (1) is designed for the simultaneous charging of at least two mobile devices (5, 6), and wherein the interior component (1) has a storage surface (7; 8) for storing the devices (5, 6), and wherein the second mobile device (6) is smaller than the first mobile device (5). According to the invention, the storage surface (7; 8) has a recess (9; 15) which is designed to receive the second mobile device (6).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an interior component of a motor vehicle body with an inductive charging device according to claim 1.

[0002] Vehicle bodies equipped with charging facilities for smartphones, mobile phones, or smartwatches—in other words, mobile devices—are well-known. This typically involves an interior component, usually a center console, with corresponding charging ports; inductive charging options are also possible. Mobile devices can vary in size, necessitating a secure storage solution for all devices, preventing them from shifting or rattling, especially when charging devices of different sizes while driving.

[0003] Smartwatches are typically used to record personal activity data or read messages, for example. However, finding suitable times in everyday life to fully charge a smartwatch is difficult, as they are used almost continuously. For instance, they are needed at night for sleep tracking and during the day for recording typical personal activity data. This means that a suitable time to fully charge a smartwatch is a car journey, as this involves a sedentary activity with little movement, which doesn't necessarily need to be recorded by the smartwatch.Or in other words, a good time to fully charge the smartwatch is during a drive in a motor vehicle: You sit still, hardly move, and therefore have the least need to wear the smartwatch when considering the whole day.

[0004] From patent application CN 114825657 A, an inductive charging device for an interior component is known, wherein a smartphone and a smartwatch can be placed next to each other on the inductive charging device at the same time, and in this way the batteries of the placed smartphone and the placed smartwatch can be charged simultaneously.

[0005] The patent application DE 10 2022 207 878 ​​A1 also describes an interior component with an inductive charging device for a motor vehicle body, on which a smartphone and a smartwatch can be placed and charged simultaneously.

[0006] The patent application DE 10 2012 005 255 A1 discloses an inductive charging device that is arranged on a center console of a motor vehicle body, wherein several mobile devices, for example smartphones and / or smartwatches, can be charged simultaneously on the inductive charging device.

[0007] Utility model KR 20 2024 0 000 781 U discloses an inductive charging device for the interior of a motor vehicle body, wherein a smartphone and a smartwatch can be placed next to each other on the inductive charging device, allowing the batteries of the placed smartphone and the placed smartwatch to be charged simultaneously.

[0008] German patent application DE 10 2022 102 403 A1 discloses an interior component in the form of a storage compartment, wherein at least one partition is provided which divides the interior of the storage compartment into a first storage area and a second storage area. The first storage area has a charging device for charging an electronic device, in particular a mobile phone.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved interior component of a motor vehicle body with an inductive charging device.

[0010] The object of the invention is achieved by an interior component of a motor vehicle body with an inductive charging device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient and non-trivial further developments of the invention are specified in the respective dependent claims.

[0011] An interior component of a motor vehicle body according to the invention, featuring an inductive charging device, and designed for the simultaneous charging of at least two mobile devices, includes a storage area for the devices. The second mobile device is smaller than the first. According to the invention, the storage area has a recess designed to receive the second mobile device, and the second mobile device is arranged within the storage area, encompassing a securing element formed in the recess. The advantage of the invention lies in the fact that two mobile devices of different sizes can be arranged in a space-optimized manner and charged in parallel. This means that, since the recess is integrated into the storage area, only the necessary space for storing the second mobile device needs to be provided below the storage area.The inductive charging device offers the possibility of wirelessly charging devices, eliminating the need for additional equipment such as cables and corresponding cable connectors. This also eliminates the risk of injury from snagging on a cable. Furthermore, it results in a visually clean and tidy appearance within the vehicle body. The invention thus provides an integrated charging concept for at least two mobile devices, which can be stacked in a space-optimized manner. A locking element is located in the recess to securely hold the second mobile device, and this locking element can be easily grasped by the second device. A hollow cylinder locking element has proven advantageous in this regard, as the locking element can be positioned within the cylinder itself.The second mobile device, preferably a smartwatch, has a wristwatch shape, allowing the locking mechanism to be fully inserted into the recess, where it is secured against slippage. It should be noted that adapters may also be provided for further secure storage of the second mobile device; these adapters can be inserted into the interior component, as the second mobile devices do not necessarily all have the same shape.

[0012] In one embodiment, the recess features an adjustable locking element which, in a first position, at least covers the recess and, in a second position, releases it to allow storage of the second mobile device. This means the recess can be temporarily uncovered as needed. Since the recess is located below the storage surface, adjusting the locking element, or in other words, moving the locking element, allows any dirt that may be present in the recess to be repeatedly brought upwards and easily removed. This prevents dirt from accumulating in the recess, which serves as a charging compartment for the smartwatch.

[0013] Advantageously, the locking element is cylindrical, particularly hollow cylindrical. Since the locking element preferably performs a translational movement, a cylindrical shape has proven advantageous for ensuring secure movement, especially without tilting.

[0014] To ensure that the first mobile device is securely placed on the shelf, the locking element is flush with the shelf in its first position.

[0015] The locking mechanism can be activated in various ways. For example, it could be operated remotely. A simple and cost-effective solution is to make the locking mechanism adjustable using a control element integrated into the interior component, such as a button, to automatically move the locking mechanism. A so-called "push-push" control element seems particularly suitable here. With this type of control, the locking mechanism can be pushed down, where it engages in the second position, or pushed again to return it to the first position.

[0016] The interior component can be advantageously arranged in the center console of the vehicle body. This makes it easily accessible from both the driver's and passenger's seats.

[0017] For the secure placement and secure reception of the first mobile device, the storage surface has at least one support strip around its perimeter, against which the first mobile device can rest during its placement.

[0018] If the storage surface has a covering made of plastic, particularly Alcantara, or leather, the corresponding feel provides a preferred operating and storage option for mobile devices, as the covering protects the devices from damage such as scratches. Furthermore, the dampened placement of the devices by the covering prevents unpleasant noises such as rattling. Additionally, the transition between the storage surface and the locking element can be advantageously concealed, especially if the covering has fibers or is made of suede.

[0019] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those mentioned below in the figure description and / or shown in the figures alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention. The figures show: Fig. 1 in a perspective view an interior component of a motor vehicle body with an inductive charging device according to the state of the art, Fig. 2 in a perspective view the interior component according to. Fig. 1 with two mobile devices, Fig. 3 in a general sectional view an interior component according to the invention, Fig. 4 in a general sectional view the interior component according to the invention with a first mobile device, Fig. 5 in a general sectional view the interior component according to the invention with the first mobile device and a second mobile device, and Fig. 6 in a perspective view the interior component according to the invention installed in the motor vehicle body.

[0020] An interior component 1 of a motor vehicle body 2 with an inductive charging device 3 according to the state of the art is in Fig. Figure 1 is illustrated in a perspective view. The interior component 1 is integrated into a center console 4 of the vehicle body 2. It is designed to hold two mobile devices, a first mobile device 5 and a second mobile device 6, as shown in Figure 1. Fig. Figure 2 illustrates this. It features a storage area 7 for the first mobile device 5 and another storage area 8 for the second mobile device 6. The storage areas 7 and 8, which are of the same size, are arranged horizontally next to each other. The two storage areas 7 and 8 are not designed to securely hold mobile devices 5 and 6 of different sizes.

[0021] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a general sectional view of an interior component 1 according to the invention. The interior component 1 has a storage surface 7, which has a recess 9 in the vertical direction to it. In other words, the recess 9 is formed under the storage surface 7.

[0022] An adjustable locking element 10 is arranged in the recess 9. Depending on its position, this element completely or partially covers or releases the recess 9. It can thus be moved vertically, along the movement arrows, towards the storage surface 7, or in the opposite direction. In a first position, the locking element 10 covers the recess 9, and in a second position, it releases the recess 9 for the storage of the second mobile device 6, which is smaller than the first mobile device 5 and preferably in the form of a so-called smartwatch. In the first position, the locking element 10 is, as shown in Fig. Figure 4 illustrates the device being arranged flush with the storage surface 7, creating a flat surface on which the first mobile device 5 can be placed and inductively charged. The locking element 10 is in its first position. Fig. Figure 3 shows the closing element 10 in an intermediate position between the first position and the second position.

[0023] It should be mentioned at this point that the first mobile device 5 is in the form of a so-called smartphone, and is therefore larger than the second mobile device 6, which is preferably in the form of a smartwatch.

[0024] The locking element 10 is adjustable by means of an actuating element 11. Advantageously, the actuating element 11 is a so-called "push-push element". However, it could also be designed in a different form.

[0025] In Fig. Figure 5 shows a general sectional view of the interior component 1 according to the invention, including the first mobile device 5 and the second mobile device 6. The locking element 10 is fully lowered, in its second position, and fully exposes the recess 9 so that the second mobile device 6 can be inserted and charged.

[0026] To securely hold the second mobile device 6, which is designed as a smartwatch, the locking element 10 is cylindrical, and in particular, as in the present embodiment, hollow cylindrical. The recess 9 is, of course, designed to complement the locking element 10. This has the advantage that the wristwatch-shaped smartwatch can be closed at the ends of its strap 12, in which case it has a ring-like shape, and placed into the recess 9, thereby encompassing a locking element 13 arranged in the recess 9, which is formed in the hollow cylindrical version of the locking element 10.

[0027] To ensure the secure support and secure placement of the first mobile device 5, the storage surface 7 has at least one support strip 14 around its perimeter.

[0028] In Fig.Figure 6 illustrates the interior component 1 according to the invention installed in the center console 4 of the vehicle body 2 in a perspective view. The additional storage surface 8 is designed according to the storage surface 7 and has a further recess 15, which is designed according to the recess 9. The further recess 15 has a further locking element 16, which is hollow and cylindrical, and includes a further locking element 17. This allows two first mobile devices 5, preferably in the form of a smartphone, and two second mobile devices 6, preferably in the form of a smartwatch, to be securely stored and charged simultaneously.

[0029] The interior component 1 is advantageously arranged in the center console 4 of the vehicle body 2, but it could also be positioned in other places in the vehicle body 2, for example in a glove compartment not shown in detail.

[0030] In the present embodiment, the interior component 1 is designed to magnetically attract the two mobile devices 5 and 6. This means that, in particular, the second mobile device 6, which is preferably in the form of a smartwatch, is magnetically attracted to its correct position for charging.

[0031] The storage surfaces 7 and 8 have a covering 18 made of Alcantara. However, the covering could also be made of another material, such as leather or another type of plastic, or a natural material such as cotton. However, natural materials are usually more susceptible to dirt and more difficult to clean than plastics. Reference symbol list 1 Interior component 2 Motor vehicle body 3 Inductive charging device 4 Center console 5 First mobile device 6 Second mobile device 7 storage areas 8 Additional storage space 9 recess 10 locking elements 11 Actuating element 12 bracelet 13 Safety element 14 Support strip 15 Further recesses 16 Additional locking element 17. Additional safety element 18 coating

Claims

[1] Interior component (1) of a motor vehicle body (2) with an inductive charging device (3), wherein the interior component (1) is designed for the simultaneous charging of at least two mobile devices (5, 6), and wherein the interior component (1) has a storage area (7; 8) for storing the devices (5, 6), and wherein the second mobile device (6) is smaller than the first mobile device (5), characterized by , that the storage area (7; 8) has a recess (9; 15) which is designed to accommodate the second mobile device (6), and wherein the second mobile device (6) is arranged in the storage area comprising a securing element (13; 17) formed in the recess (9; 15). [2] Interior component (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the recess (9; 15) has an adjustable closing element (10; 16) which in a first position at least covers the recess (9; 15) and in a second position releases the recess (9; 15) for the storage of the second mobile device (6). [3] Interior component (1) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the locking element (10; 16) is cylindrical, in particular hollow cylindrical. [4] Interior component (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by , that the closing element (10; 16) is flush with the storage surface (7; 8) in the first position. [5] Interior component (1) according to claims 2 to 4, characterized by , that the locking element (10; 16) is adjustable by means of a pressure element (11). [6] Interior component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first mobile device (5) is a smartphone and the second mobile device (6) is a smartwatch. [7] Interior component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the interior component (1) can be arranged in a center console (4) of the motor vehicle body (2). [8] Interior component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the storage area (7; 8) for the secure placement of the first mobile device (5) has at least one support strip (14) around its perimeter. [9] Interior component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the storage surface (7; 8) has a covering (18) which is made of a plastic, in particular Alcantara, or leather.

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