Interior trim component for a vehicle and corresponding vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an interior trim component (3) for a vehicle, with an integrated receptacle (5) and a dispensing arrangement (10), which comprises a fillable liquid container and a dispensing device (18) connected to the liquid container (11) via a connecting line (15) and is designed to dispense a liquid (16) from the liquid container (11) upon request via the dispensing device (18), wherein the receptacle (5) has an access opening (5.1) into which the dispensing arrangement (10) can be inserted and from which the dispensing arrangement (10) can be removed, wherein a baffle (13) with at least one opening (13.1) is provided in the liquid container (11) such that a section (11.1) is formed between a bottom (12) of the liquid container (11) and the baffle (13).1) of the liquid container (11) is partitioned, in which, at a minimum fill level of the liquid container (11), a portion of the liquid (16) remains regardless of the spatial position of the vehicle, wherein one end of the connecting line (15) is led through the at least one opening (13.1) of the baffle wall (13) into the section (11.1) of the liquid container (11) and draws in the liquid (16) on demand, and a vehicle with at least one such interior trim component (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an interior trim component for a vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle with at least one interior trim component.

[0002] Interior trim components for vehicles, with a dispensing arrangement for a liquid, are known in numerous variations.

[0003] German patent DE 10 2020 119 535 A1 discloses a disinfection system and a disinfection procedure for vehicles, in particular for motor vehicles, as well as a vehicle unlocking system. In the disinfection system and disinfection procedure for motor vehicles, a disinfectant is provided in a dispensing unit within the vehicle. The disinfectant is dispensed from an external dispensing unit, which has at least one opening, on the exterior of the vehicle. A sensor detects when a person approaches the dispensing opening and / or an actuating element for unlocking the vehicle, which is located on the vehicle. A control unit checks whether the person is authorized to unlock the vehicle and, if authorized, initiates the automatic dispensing of the disinfectant from the dispensing unit when the sensor detects the person's approach.The dispensing unit comprises a container for the disinfectant, designed for or integrated into a vehicle door, and featuring a refill opening that allows refilling from the inside of the door when the container is integrated. For example, the disinfectant can be dispensed from the container via a nozzle using a hose and pump.

[0004] From the subsequently published German patent DE 10 2024 102 116 A1 of the applicant, an interior trim component for a motor vehicle with an integrated dispensing device for a cleaning fluid is known. The interior trim component comprises a trim section that covers a wall section of the vehicle, as well as a dispensing device provided on the trim section for dispensing a cleaning fluid as needed. The trim section has a receptacle with an access opening into which the dispensing device can be inserted and from which the dispensing device can be removed.

[0005] From DE 10 2021 113 667 A1, a liquid dispenser with two operating devices is known. By wiring the operating devices in such a way that they must be operated independently of each other within a defined period, the risk of unintentional liquid dispensing can be greatly reduced. In particular, one of the operating devices is a touch sensor and the other a proximity sensor.

[0006] From DE 10 2017 011 699 A1, a device for dispensing disposable items in a vehicle is known. The device comprises a housing that is detachably positioned in a vehicle cabin. A mechanism is formed in the housing. The mechanism includes at least one roller for dispensing the disposable items stored in the housing. At least one actuator is coupled to the at least one roller. The at least one actuator is configured to drive the at least one roller. A control unit is operationally coupled to the at least one actuator and configured to operate the at least one actuator to drive the at least one roller. The device is designed to dispense the disposable items in an automatic, simple, and easily accessible manner, while maintaining the aesthetics of the vehicle.

[0007] From WO 2022 / 013 472 A1, a dispensing arrangement for vehicles is known, comprising a tank with at least one dispensing device and connected to a frame attached to a vehicle. The dispensing arrangement is designed to dispense disinfectants and other liquids manually or automatically. Preferably, the dispensing arrangement is installed in a central armrest area and comprises two dispensing devices: a front dispensing device for users in the front and a rear dispensing device for users in the rear. Preferably, the front and rear dispensing devices are located in the armrest in a resting position and are moved into an operating position that protrudes from the armrest, allowing the user access to the respective dispensing device.

[0008] From DE 10 2020 002 309 A1, an interior trim component for a vehicle is known, comprising an integrated receptacle and a dispensing device. The receptacle includes a refillable liquid container and a dispensing device connected to the liquid container via a connecting line. The receptacle is designed to dispense liquid from the liquid container when requested via the dispensing device. The receptacle has an access opening into which the dispensing device can be inserted and from which it can be removed.

[0009] A disadvantage of known interior trim components for vehicles with a liquid dispensing system is that the liquid in the reservoir shifts depending on the vehicle's parking position. When parked uphill or downhill, there isn't always enough liquid at the end of a connecting line, even though there is still sufficient liquid in the reservoir. In such situations, users cannot pump liquid from the reservoir.

[0010] The invention is based on the objective of providing an interior trim component for a vehicle, with a dispensing arrangement for a liquid, and a vehicle with such an interior trim component, which improves the functionality of the dispensing arrangement.

[0011] This problem is solved by an interior trim component for a vehicle with the features of claim 1 and by a vehicle with the features of claim 9. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0012] To provide an interior trim component for a vehicle with a liquid dispensing device that improves the functionality of the dispensing device, the interior trim component for a vehicle includes an integrated receptacle, and the dispensing device includes a refillable liquid reservoir and a dispensing device connected to the liquid reservoir via a connecting line. The dispensing device is designed to dispense liquid from the liquid reservoir upon request. The receptacle has an access opening into which the dispensing device can be inserted and from which it can be removed.In this system, a baffle with at least one opening is installed in the fluid reservoir such that a section of the reservoir is partitioned off between the reservoir's base and the baffle. This partition retains a portion of the fluid in the reservoir at a minimum fill level, regardless of the vehicle's position. One end of the connecting line is routed through the baffle opening into this section of the reservoir and draws in the fluid as required.

[0013] Furthermore, a vehicle with at least one such interior trim component is proposed.

[0014] The additional baffle, with at least one small opening, ensures that a sufficient quantity of fluid is retained at the bottom of the fluid reservoir, where the end of the connecting line is located, regardless of the vehicle's parking position. As long as the fluid level in the reservoir is at the minimum fill level, an adequate amount of fluid is available in the partitioned section of the reservoir. This allows users to always dispense fluid from the dispenser, even if the vehicle is parked at an angle.

[0015] The liquid could be, for example, a disinfectant or a cleaning agent. Therefore, it can be used to clean and / or disinfect surfaces in the vehicle, such as door handles, steering wheel, touchscreens, or other interior surfaces, as well as hands.

[0016] In a vehicle, the interior trim component can be designed, for example, as a door trim, as a pillar trim, as a center console or as a center armrest.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the interior cladding component, the dispensing arrangement can include a manually operated pump device, which is fluidically integrated into the connecting line. To pump the liquid from the liquid reservoir via the connecting line to the dispensing device, preferably designed as a nozzle, the user presses the operating element one or more times. In this way, the user manually pumps the liquid to the nozzle, which then sprays the liquid. Alternatively, the dispensing arrangement can include a motor-operated pump device, which is controlled by a control element. In this case, for example, an electric pump can be used, which can deliver a metered quantity of liquid from the liquid reservoir to the nozzle and dispense it. The operating element can be designed, for example, as a button, such as a membrane keypad, or as a push button or similar.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the inner lining component, the dispensing assembly can have a housing in which the liquid reservoir, the pump device, and the dispensing mechanism are integrated. This makes the dispensing assembly easy to handle. All elements are integrated within or attached to it. It is therefore designed like a cartridge that can be inserted into and removed from the receptacle with a simple movement.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the interior paneling component, the receptacle can be arranged in the area of ​​an armrest. Such an armrest is typically formed by a bulge in the paneling section, so that sufficient installation space is provided in this area to integrate the receptacle into which the dispensing device can be detachably inserted.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment of the inner lining component, cooperating guide elements can be arranged in the receptacle and on the housing of the dispensing assembly. These guide elements are designed to guide the housing of the dispensing assembly when it is inserted into and removed from the receptacle. This ensures defined guidance during the insertion and removal movements. The guide elements can preferably be implemented in the form of a tongue-and-groove guide.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment of the interior trim component, fixing means can be arranged in the receptacle and on the housing, designed to detachably fix the housing of the dispensing assembly in the receptacle. These fixing means ensure secure attachment of the dispensing assembly in the insertion position, preventing it from unintentionally detaching during vehicle operation. The detachable fixing means also allow the dispensing assembly to be removed and replaced as needed. Preferably, the fixing means can be designed as locking elements, which are arranged on the receptacle and on the housing of the dispensing assembly and lock together in the installed position. For example, the locking elements can be arranged at the inlet end of the receptacle and at the end of the housing, so that they lock together once the installed position is reached.The locking elements can be designed so that they can be easily pressed down for removal. This means that to remove the dispensing device, a sufficiently firm pull must be applied to the housing of the dispensing assembly, which automatically releases the locking elements. For this purpose, a manually accessible pull element can preferably be arranged on the housing of the dispensing assembly. The pull element can, for example, be a fixed handle or a tab made of fabric or plastic.

[0022] The advantages and preferred embodiments described for the interior trim component according to the invention for a vehicle also apply to the vehicle according to the invention.

[0023] The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those subsequently mentioned 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 on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments that are not explicitly shown or explained in the figures, but which can be derived and generated from the explained embodiments by separate combinations of features, are also to be considered as encompassed and disclosed by the invention.

[0024] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description. In the drawings, identical reference numerals denote components or elements that perform the same or analogous functions. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic, perspective view of a section of a vehicle door with an embodiment of an interior trim component according to the invention for a vehicle; and Fig. 2 a schematic sectional view of the interior trim component according to the invention for a vehicle made of Fig. 1.

[0025] As from Fig. 1 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the illustrated interior trim component 3 for a vehicle comprises an integrated receptacle 5 and a dispensing arrangement 10, which includes a refillable liquid container 11 and a dispensing device 18 connected to the liquid container 11 via a connecting line 15. The dispensing device 18 is designed to dispense a liquid 16 from the liquid container 11 when requested via the dispensing device 18. The receptacle 5 has an access opening 5.1 into which the dispensing arrangement 10 can be inserted and from which it can be removed. A baffle 13 with at least one opening 13.1 is incorporated into the liquid container 11 such that a section 11.1 of the liquid container 11 is partitioned off between a base 12 of the liquid container 11 and the baffle 13. This section retains a portion of the liquid 16 at a minimum fill level in the liquid container 11, regardless of the vehicle's position.One end of the connecting line 15 is led through the at least one opening 13.1 of the baffle wall 13 into the section 11.1 of the liquid container 11 and draws in the liquid 16 on demand.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the interior trim component 3 is designed as a door trim panel 3A of a vehicle door 1. As shown Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 1, the discharge assembly 10 is only partially inserted into or partially withdrawn from the recess 5 in the illustration. Alternatively, the interior trim component 3 can be designed as a pillar trim, a center console, or a center armrest of the vehicle.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment of the interior trim component 3, the liquid 16 in the liquid container 11 is a disinfectant 16A. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the liquid 16 in the liquid container 11 is a cleaning agent.

[0028] As especially from Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 2, the dispensing arrangement 10 comprises a pump device 17, which is operated by a motor via a control element 19 and is fluidically integrated into the connecting line 15. After the control element 19 is actuated by a user, the motor-operated pump device 17, preferably designed as an electric pump, is activated and pumps a metered quantity of liquid from the liquid reservoir 11 to the dispensing device 18, which is designed as a nozzle 18A.

[0029] As from Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 2, in the illustrated embodiment the opening 13.1, through which a connecting line 15 designed as a hose 15A is led into the lower section 11.1 of the liquid container 11, is arranged approximately in the middle of the baffle wall 13.

[0030] In an alternative embodiment of the interior trim component 3 (not shown), the dispensing arrangement 10 comprises a pump device 17, which is manually operated via a control element 19 and is fluidically integrated into the connecting line 15. To pump the liquid 16 from the liquid reservoir 11 via the connecting line 15 to the nozzle 18A, the user presses the control element 19 one or more times and manually pumps the liquid 16 to the nozzle 18A, which then sprays the liquid 16.

[0031] As from Fig. 1 and Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 2, the dispensing arrangement 10 has a housing 14 in which the liquid container 11, the motor-operated pump device 17 and the dispensing device 18 are integrated.

[0032] As especially from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, which shows the dispensing arrangement 10 in a state partially inserted into the receptacle 5, the receptacle 5 in the illustrated embodiment is arranged in the area of ​​an armrest 7 in the door panel 3A. Here, the access opening 5.1 of the receptacle 5 is positioned on an end face of the armrest 7, so that the receptacle 5 is open towards this end face.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, cooperating guide elements are arranged in the receptacle 5 and on the housing 14 of the dispensing assembly 10. These guide elements are designed to guide the housing 14 of the dispensing assembly 10 when it is inserted into and removed from the receptacle 5. Ribs (not shown in detail) are arranged on both sides of the receptacle 5 and act as springs. Corresponding grooves (not shown in detail) are provided on both sides of the housing 14, into which the rib-shaped guide elements engage, thus enabling defined guidance of the housing 14 and the dispensing assembly 10 during insertion and removal.

[0034] As from Fig. 1 and Fig. As can be seen further in Figure 2, the dispensing arrangement 10 includes a manually graspable pulling element 20, which is designed here as a pull tab 20A, which can be grasped in order to pull sufficiently hard on the dispensing arrangement 10 for removal.

[0035] Furthermore, fixing means are arranged in the receptacle 5 and on the housing 14, which are designed to connect the housing 14 of the dispensing arrangement 10 in the receptacle 5 in the Fig. The mounting position shown in section 2 can be detachably fixed. These fixing devices can be used in the... Fig. In the installation position shown in Figure 2, a releasable snap-fit ​​connection or a releasable clip connection is preferably implemented. These are designed so that they can be pressed back and released by pulling with sufficient force on the pulling element 20 of the dispensing arrangement 10. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 vehicle door 3 Interior trim component 3A Door panel 5 recording 5.1 Insertion opening 7 Armrest 10. Delivery order 11 liquid containers 12 Floor 13 surge wall 13.1 Opening 14 cases 15 connecting line 15A hose 16 Liquid 16A Disinfectant 17 Pump device 18 Dispensing device 18A nozzle 19 Control element 20 pull element 20A pull tab

Claims

[1] Interior trim component (3) for a vehicle, comprising an integrated receptacle (5) and a dispensing arrangement (10), which includes a fillable liquid container (11) and a dispensing device (18) connected to the liquid container (11) via a connecting line (15) and is designed to dispense a liquid (16) from the liquid container (11) upon request via the dispensing device (18), wherein the receptacle (5) has an access opening (5.1) into which the dispensing arrangement (10) can be inserted and from which the dispensing arrangement (10) can be removed, wherein a baffle (13) with at least one opening (13.1) is provided in the liquid container (11) such that a section (11.1) of the liquid container (11) is separated, in which, at a minimum fill level of the liquid container (11), a portion of the liquid (16) remains regardless of the spatial position of the vehicle, wherein one end of the connecting line (15) is led through the at least one opening (13.1) of the baffle wall (13) into the section (11.1) of the liquid container (11) and draws in the liquid (16) on demand. [2] Interior trim component (3) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the dispensing arrangement (10) comprises a pump device (17) which can be operated manually or by motor via a control element (19) and which is fluidically looped into the connecting line (15). [3] Interior trim component (3) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the dispensing arrangement (10) has a housing (14) in which the liquid container (11), the manually or motor-operated pump device (17) and the dispensing device (18) are integrated. [4] Interior trim component (3) according to claim 3, characterized by , that in the receptacle (5) and on the housing (14) of the dispensing arrangement (10) cooperating guide means are arranged which are designed to guide the housing (14) of the dispensing arrangement (10) when being inserted into the receptacle (5) and when being removed from the receptacle (5). [5] Interior trim component (3) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized by , that fixing means are arranged in the receptacle (5) and on the housing (14) which are designed to detachably fix the housing (14) of the dispensing arrangement (10) in the receptacle (5). [6] Interior trim component (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the recording (5) is located in the area of ​​an armrest (7). [7] Interior trim component (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the delivery arrangement (10) includes a manually graspable pull element (20). [8] Interior trim component (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the liquid (16) is a disinfectant (16A) or a cleaning agent. [9] Vehicle with at least one interior trim component (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 8. [10] Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized by , that the interior trim component (3) is designed as a door trim (3A) or as a pillar trim or as a center console or as a center armrest.

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