VEHICLE CONSOLE SYSTEM AND MOTOR VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle console system comprising a vehicle seat and / or a vehicle table console as a vehicle console for an interior of a motor vehicle, as well as a motor vehicle.

[0002] DE 10 2013 216 549 B3 describes a vehicle seat with position detection. The vehicle seat is guided into lower rails via upper rails. A detection unit is mounted in a fixed position relative to the lower rails. The detection unit emits electromagnetic waves, which are received by transponders mounted on the vehicle seat for position detection.

[0003] US 2004 / 0008036 A1 describes a system for wirelessly transmitting information or power between a removable vehicle seat and the vehicle body. An inductive transmitter has a primary side on the vehicle body and a secondary side in the vehicle seat. Means for measuring inductance are arranged on the primary side for detecting the removable vehicle seat.

[0004] EP 0 847 892 A2 describes a vehicle seat detection system comprising a pair of mounting rails that can be attached to a floor of a motor vehicle. The mounting rails are spaced apart and arranged parallel to each other. A seat detection switch is connected to at least one of the mounting rails. The seat detection switch is normally open but can be moved to a closed position when the vehicle seat is attached to the mounting rails. A monitoring circuit monitors the status of the seat detection switch.

[0005] WO 2006 / 108954 A2 describes a position detection system for removable seats in a vehicle. Each of the seats is equipped with a wireless communication means for communicating with a communication unit in the vehicle.

[0006] WO 2018 / 210905 A1 describes a vehicle equipment system for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one vehicle equipment, in particular a vehicle seat or vehicle table, and comprising a holder fastened or attachable to a vehicle body for releasably locking the vehicle equipment to the motor vehicle body.

[0007] The object of the invention is to reduce disadvantages of recognition systems for vehicles known from the prior art, in particular to provide a vehicle console system and a motor vehicle which enable cost-effective, simple and reliable recognition of vehicle consoles.

[0008] The above object is achieved by the subject matter of the patent claims, in particular by a vehicle console system according to claim 1 and a motor vehicle according to claim 9. Further advantages and details of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the vehicle console system according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the motor vehicle according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is always made to each other.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, the object set out above is achieved by a vehicle console system having the features of claim 1.

[0010] Accordingly, registration of a vehicle console in one of the at least two fastening areas, namely in the electrically contacted fastening area, is carried out by the control unit by means of an electrical contact between the at least one first electrical contact surface and the at least one second electrical contact surface, which then issues an instruction to react accordingly to the registration or to allow the driver the opportunity to react. Wireless detection systems, as known from the prior art, can be deliberately dispensed with and the existing structure of the vehicle consoles and the fastening device can be used, thereby providing a particularly cost-effective and reliable vehicle console system.

[0011] According to the invention, the fastening device has at least two guide rails, and the at least one vehicle console has at least two guide elements, each guided in one of the at least two guide rails. The vehicle console can be guided and moved almost continuously along the guide rails.

[0012] Furthermore, according to the invention, the at least one first electrical contact surface is arranged on at least one extendable contact element within one of the at least two guide elements and the second electrical contact surface is arranged on at least one of the at least two guide rails, wherein the extendable contact element is designed such that, when locked to the electrically contacted fastening region, the extendable contact element extends from a protected position within the guide element into an electrically contacting position in which the at least one first electrical contact surface and the at least one second electrical contact surface electrically contact each other. The extendable contact element can in particular be a rotatable contact element that can be rotated from the protected position within the guide element into the electrically contacting position.The extendable contact element can, for example, be mechanically coupled to the at least one locking element and be extended by locking. In the protected position, the at least one second electrical contact surface is protected from mechanical stress as the guide element moves along its guide rail. In the electrically contacting position, however, electrical contact is made with the at least one first electrical contact surface.

[0013] Furthermore, it is preferred that the at least one vehicle console has four guide elements, wherein two extendable contact elements with first electrical contact surfaces are arranged within two diagonally opposite guide elements and each of the two guide rails has a second electrical contact surface, wherein the second electrical contact surfaces are offset from one another along the guide rails. By providing two guide elements on each of the guide rails, a cost-effective and stable guide is possible, which at the same time creates space between the guide elements for the locking elements. By arranging them as diagonally opposite first electrical contact surfaces and offsetting the second electrical contact surfaces along the guide rails, it is possible for the vehicle console to be reliably detected at all times with little effort, regardless of its installation direction.However, it is also conceivable to use a symmetrical design, with the first and second contact surfaces facing each other.

[0014] Furthermore, it is preferred that the at least one first electrical contact surface is connected to a resistor network in which a switch is installed that is configured to be opened or closed when a function of the vehicle console is triggered. This enables not only detection of the position of the vehicle console, but also detection of a function.

[0015] It is also preferred that the at least one first electrical contact surface is connected to a console control unit, which is equipped with a wireless communication unit and configured to exchange one or more signals with the control unit when a function of the vehicle console is triggered. This also enables detection not only of the position of the vehicle console, but also of a function.

[0016] It is preferred that the function is a folding up or folding down of an armrest in a vehicle console designed as a vehicle seat, a raising or lowering of a vehicle console designed as a vehicle table console, and / or an extending or unfolding of a table top or a table drawer in a vehicle console designed as a vehicle table console. Triggering the function thus leads to a change in the state of the vehicle seat or the vehicle table console. Such a change in state can, in particular, cause an airbag, in particular a so-called center airbag on a vehicle seat, to no longer function correctly in the event of an accident under unfavorable circumstances, since the airbag could be blocked by the armrest, the vehicle table console, the table top and / or the table drawer.If the control unit detects the position of the affected vehicle console in the electrically contacted fastening area together with the function, a corresponding instruction can be issued by the control unit, which draws the driver's attention to this, in particular prompting him to change the induced state, for example to fold down the armrest, lower the vehicle table console and / or retract or fold the table top or the table drawer.

[0017] Additionally, it is preferred that the control unit is configured to output, as an instruction, the operation of a seat heater in the vehicle console configured as a vehicle seat by energizing the at least one second electrical contact surface. This makes it possible to not permanently energize a current-carrying fastening device, in particular the guide rails, with the current required to operate the seat heater in order to provide a seat heating function on the removable vehicle seat. This is problematic with high currents, such as those required in particular for vehicle seats with leather upholstery, since the fastening device can become wet, and under unfavorable circumstances, permanently flowing high currents could lead to a short circuit.With the detection of the vehicle seat in the electrically contacted fastening area according to the invention, however, it is possible to conduct the increased current only when an electrical contact is detected and thus registering that the vehicle seat is in the installation position.

[0018] According to a second aspect, the invention solves the problem mentioned at the outset by a motor vehicle with a vehicle console system according to the invention.

[0019] It is preferred that the electrically contacted fastening region is located between a driver's seat and a front passenger seat, wherein the at least one vehicle console of the vehicle console system is designed as a vehicle table console and the control unit is configured to output, as an instruction, a display of a status of the vehicle table console on a display of the motor vehicle. The status of the vehicle table console is triggered or changed by the function. Due to the center airbag installed there, the vehicle table console between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat represents a potential problem while driving and, according to the invention, its status can be monitored using simple means. This further increases the safety of the vehicle occupants.

[0020] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. All features, including structural details, apparent from the claims, the description, or the figure may be essential to the invention both individually and in any combination, provided the subject matter does not exceed the scope of the claims. It shows: Fig. 1 a perspective and sectional side view into an interior of an embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention with a vehicle console system according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 a side view of a section of the vehicle console system from Fig. 1 in which an airbag was deployed, Fig. 3 the side view from Fig. 2 with the difference that a vehicle table console is raised, Fig. 4 a perspective bottom view of the vehicle table console from Fig. 1, Fig. 5 a schematic cross-sectional view through a section of the vehicle console system from Fig. 1 , Fig. 6the schematic cross-sectional view from Fig. 5 with the difference that extendable contact elements have been extended, Fig. 7 a schematic plan view of the interior of the motor vehicle from Fig. 1 , Fig. 8 a schematic view of the electrical contacting of the vehicle table console of the vehicle console system from Fig. 6 and according to a first embodiment, and Fig. 9 a schematic view of the electrical contacting of the vehicle table console of the vehicle console system from Fig. 6 and according to a second embodiment.

[0021] Elements with the same function and mode of action are listed in the Figures 1 to 9 each provided with the same reference numerals.

[0022] Figure 1shows a perspective side view of an interior 2 of an embodiment of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention with a vehicle console system 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The vehicle console system 10 has a fastening device 40, which is arranged in the interior 2 on a vehicle floor of the motor vehicle 1. The motor vehicle seats 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4 shown are fastened to this fastening device 40 in a first, second, and third row. For this purpose, the fastening device 40 has a plurality of guide rails 41, of which only the guide rails 41.1, 41.2, 41.3, 41.4 are shown. The motor vehicle seats 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4 are fastened to two of the guide rails 41 each. Furthermore, the vehicle console system 10 has two vehicle table consoles 30.1, 30.2, which are attached to the guide rails 41.2, 41.3. The vehicle seats 20.2, 20.3, 20.4 and the vehicle table consoles 30.1, 30.2 can be removed from the guide rails 41.1, 41.2, 41.3, 41.4 and thus from the interior 2 and can otherwise be moved along the guide rails 41.1, 41.2, 41.3, 41.4.

[0023] The side view is cut lengthwise through motor vehicle 1 and does not show the additional motor vehicle seats 20 arranged next to the illustrated motor vehicle seats 20.1, 20.2, 20.4, nor does it show a further guide rail 41 next to the guide rail 41.4 to which these additional motor vehicle seats 20 are attached. Furthermore, a further guide rail 41 to which the vehicle seats 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 are attached is not visible from this perspective.

[0024] The motor vehicle seat 20.1 positioned as a driver's seat offers a view of a display 16, which can simultaneously display the speedometer and other information about the motor vehicle 1 or next to which these can be arranged.

[0025] Figure 2shows a side view of a section of the vehicle console system from Fig. 1 in which an airbag 3 was deployed as a result of an accident. Airbag 3 is a so-called center airbag on vehicle seat 20. In this state of vehicle seat 20 and vehicle table console 30, airbag 3 functioned properly, as it could deploy freely and protect a passenger on vehicle seat 20.

[0026] Figure 3 shows the side view Fig. 2 with the difference that the vehicle table console 30 is raised. The extendable table top 31 can be seen on the vehicle table console 30. Due to the raised vehicle table console 30, in the event of an accident - unlike in the state of the vehicle table console 30 according to Fig. 2- a collision between airbag 3 and vehicle table console 30. Airbag 3 could malfunction under unfavorable circumstances. In this exemplary case, the driver of motor vehicle 1 should be informed of the problem of the raised vehicle table console 30 before starting the journey. To do this, the position of vehicle table console 30 next to vehicle seat 20 and the raised state of vehicle table console 30 must be recognized.

[0027] Figure 4 shows a perspective bottom view of the vehicle table console 30 from Fig. 1. The vehicle table console 30 has on its underside a first and a second guide element 33.1, 33.2 and a first locking element 32.1 between the first and second guide elements 33.1, 33.2. Furthermore, the vehicle table console 30 has on its underside a third and a fourth guide element 33.3, 33.4 and a second locking element 32.2 between the third and fourth guide elements 33.3, 33.4. The first and second guide elements 33.1, 33.2 can be guided in a first of the guide rails 41, and the third and fourth guide elements 33.3, 33.4 can be guided in a second guide rail 41 parallel to this first guide rail 41. The locking elements 32.1, 32.2 are designed in the form of claws. These enable the vehicle table console 30 to be locked in the fastening areas of the guide rails 41.

[0028] Indicated in Fig. 4first electrical contact surfaces 35.1, 35.2, one of which is located within the first guide element 33.1 and one within the fourth guide element 33.4. Thus, the first electrical contact surfaces 35.1, 35.2 are located diagonally opposite one another relative to the extension of the vehicle table console 30. This makes it possible to provide only a few first electrical contact surfaces 35, by means of which an electrical contact can be established through contact with corresponding second electrical contact surfaces 42 on the guide rails 41 in order to detect a position of the vehicle table console 30. The vehicle table console 30 can be attached to the guide rails 41 independently of the direction along which the vehicle table console 30 is attached, and its position can still be reliably detected.

[0029] Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view through a section of the vehicle console system 10 from Fig. 1This illustration shows the first electrical contact surface 35.1, which is formed on an extendable contact element 34.1, which is designed here as a rotatable contact element 34.1, within the guide element 33.1. The first electrical contact surface 35.1 is located in a protected position within the guide element 33.1, so that it is protected from mechanical stress when the guide element 33.1 is moved along the guide rails 41.1.

[0030] Figure 6 shows the schematic cross-sectional view from Fig. 5 with the difference that the extendable contact element 34.1 has been rotated. Fig. 5the guide elements 33.1, 33.2 were moved to an electrically contacted fastening area of ​​the guide rails 41.1, 41.2, in which the second electrical contact surface 42.1 is arranged on an inner side of the guide rail 41.1, so that the rotatable contact element 34.1, 34.2 was rotated for the purpose of electrically contacting the first electrical contact surfaces 35.1 with these.

[0031] Figure 7 shows a schematic plan view of the interior 2 of the motor vehicle 1 from Fig. 1 and the electrical contact according to Fig. 6A total of six guide rails 41.1, 41.2, 41.3, 41.4, 41.5, and 41.6 are arranged on the motor vehicle 1. The driver's seat 20.1 is mounted on the guide rails 41.1, 41.2. The passenger seat 20.2 is mounted on the guide rails 41.5, 41.6. The second electrical contact surfaces 42.1, 42.2 are arranged offset from one another along the guide rails 41.3, 41.4. In the position shown, these contact surfaces are contacted by the first electrical contact surfaces 35.1, 35.2 on the rotatable contact elements 34.1, 34.2 of the vehicle table console 30. The vehicle table console 30 between the driver's seat 20.1 and the passenger seat 20.2 is detected by the current flowing between the first electrical contact surfaces 35.1, 35.2 and the second electrical contact surfaces 42.1, 42.2.

[0032] Figure 8 shows a schematic view of the electrical contacting of a vehicle table console 30 of the vehicle console system 10 from Fig. 6and according to a first embodiment, with a resistor network 12. The first resistor 13.1 in the resistor network 12 is traversed by current due to the electrical contact between the first electrical contact surfaces 35.1, 35.2 and the second electrical contact surfaces 42.1, 42.2, and indicates to the control unit 11 connected to the second electrical contact surfaces 42.1, 42.2 that the vehicle table console 30 is located in the electrically contacted fastening area. If a function of the vehicle table console 30 is triggered, such as raising the vehicle table console 30, the switch 14 is closed and the second resistor 13.2, which is connected in series with the first resistor 13.1, is short-circuited. This change in resistance from the first resistor 13.1 and the second resistor 13.2 to only the first resistor 13.1 is registered by the control unit 11 and interpreted as a potential problem regarding a possible deployment of the airbag 3. The control unit 11 then displays an error message on the display 16 and informs the driver that the vehicle table console 30 should be retracted before starting the journey to ensure proper functioning of the airbag 3.

[0033] Figure 9 shows a schematic view of the electrical contacting of the vehicle table console 30 of the vehicle console system 10 from Fig. 6 and according to a second embodiment. Unlike the first embodiment of Fig. 8Instead of a resistor network 12, a console control unit 15 is arranged in the vehicle table console 30 between the first electrical contact surfaces 35.1, 35.2. The console control unit 15 can register the states of the vehicle table console 30 and transmit them wirelessly to the control unit 11 using a wireless communication unit. Furthermore, the console control unit 15 can supply a charging socket 17 or other consumers of the vehicle table console 30 with the current flowing between the first electrical contact surfaces 35.1, 35.2. Bidirectional communication is also possible here, so that the control unit 11 can also transmit control signals or information signals to the console, for example, enabling or disabling the charging socket. List of reference symbols

[0034] 1Motor vehicle 2Interior 3Airbag 10Vehicle console system 11Control unit 12Resistance network 13Resistor 14Switch 15Console control unit 16Display 17Charging socket 20Vehicle seat 21Armrest 30Vehicle table console 31Table top 32Locking element 33Guide element 34Extendable contact element 35First electrical contact surface 40Fastening device 41Guide rails 42Second electrical contact surface

Claims

1. Vehicle console system (10) for an interior compartment (2) of a motor vehicle (1), wherein the vehicle console system (10) has: (a) at least one vehicle seat (20), and / or one vehicle table console (30), as at least one vehicle console (20, 30), wherein the at least one vehicle console (20, 30) has at least one locking element (32) and at least one first electrical contact surface (35), (b) at least one fastening device (40), which is designed for the fastening of the at least one vehicle console (20, 30) to the fastening device (40) in a manner corresponding to the at least one locking element (32), wherein the fastening device (40) has two fastening regions to which the at least one vehicle console (20, 30) is lockable by means of the at least one locking element (32), and wherein the fastening device (40) has on an electrically contacted fastening region of the two fastening regions an at least second electrical contact surface (42) which corresponds to the first electrical contact surface (35), and (c) a control unit (11), which is connected electrically to the at least one second electrical contact surface (42) and is configured to register the electrical contact between the at least one first electrical contact surface (35) and the at least second electrical contact surface (42) and to output an instruction, (d) wherein the fastening device (40) has at least two guide rails (41) and the at least one vehicle console (20, 30) has at least two guide elements (33), each of which is guided in one of the at least two guide rails (41), (e) wherein the at least one first electrical contact surface (35) is arranged on at least one extendable contact element (34) within one of the at least two guide elements (33), and the second electrical contact surface (42) is arranged on at least one of the at least two guide rails (41), wherein the extendable contact element (34) is designed in such a way that, during the locking to the electrically contacted fastening region, the extendable contact element (34) extends from a protected position within the guide element (33) into an electrically contacting position, in which the at least one first electrical contact surface (35) and the at least one second electrical contact surface (42) contact electrically.

2. Vehicle console system (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the at least one vehicle console (20, 30) has four guide elements (33), wherein two extendable contact elements (34) with first electrical contact surfaces (35) are arranged within two diagonally opposite guide elements (33) and each of the two guide rails (41) has a second electrical contact surface (42), wherein the second electrical contact surfaces (42) are offset from one another along the guide rails (41).

3. Vehicle console system (10) according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one first electrical contact surface (35) is connected to a resistor network (12) in which a switch (14) is installed, which switch is configured to be opened or closed whenever a function of the vehicle console (20, 30) is triggered.

4. Vehicle console system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one first electrical contact surface (35) is connected to a console control unit (15) which is equipped with a wireless communication unit and which is configured to exchange one or more signals with the control unit (11) whenever a function of the vehicle console (20, 30) is triggered.

5. Vehicle console system (10) according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the function is a folding-up or folding-down of an armrest (21) of a vehicle console (20, 30) in the form of a vehicle seat (20), a raising or lowering of a vehicle console (20, 30) in the form of a vehicle table console (30), and / or a pulling-out or folding-out of a tabletop (21) or of a table drawer of a vehicle console (20, 30) in the form of a vehicle table console (30).

6. Vehicle console system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (11) is configured to output an instruction concerning operation of a seat heater of the vehicle console (20, 30) in the form of a vehicle seat (20) by means of electrical energization of the at least one second electrical contact surface (42).

7. Motor vehicle (1) having a vehicle console system (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

8. Motor vehicle (1) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the electrically contacted fastening region is situated between a driver's seat (20) and a front passenger seat (20), wherein the at least one vehicle console (20, 30) of the vehicle console system (10) is in the form of a vehicle table console (30) and the control unit (11) is configured to output, as an instruction, an indication of a state of the vehicle table console (30) on a display (16) of the motor vehicle (1).