Vehicle including a modular center console

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle comprising a driver's seat and a passenger seat aligned along a transverse axis Y of the vehicle, said vehicle comprising a central console (1) extending between said two seats along a longitudinal and central axis X0 of the vehicle. According to the invention, the central console (1) comprises two parallel lateral walls (5, 6) each extending in a vertical and longitudinal plane XZ, and a storage shelf (7), a sliding flap (10) comprising several functional unit modules (11), at least some of which are fixed together, and each composed of a universal base (12) and a variable functional element (13) covering said universal base (12), said sliding flap (10) being able to be moved along the two lateral walls (5, 6) of the central console (1) while covering the storage shelf (7). Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: vehicle comprising a modular center console

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle comprising a modular center console.

[0002] In order to better understand the positioning of the different parts involved in a vehicle according to the invention, the description is made with reference to a direct orthonormal frame XYZ in which X is a front-to-back longitudinal axis of the vehicle oriented towards the rear, Y is a transverse axis oriented towards the right of the vehicle and Z is a vertical axis directed upwards.

[0003] As a reminder, some vehicles have a first row of seats, generally comprising a driver's seat and a passenger seat, and a second row of seats, generally comprising two or three seats, said second row of seats being located behind the first row of seats. Often, a center console extends between the passenger seat and the driver's seat, along a longitudinal and central axis X0 of the vehicle. This center console is schematically represented by an elongated piece raised above the vehicle floor, and may, for example -have open or closed storage spaces, -include a cup holder, -to serve as a mounting location for a gear shift lever, -to include a receiving surface for a "smartphone", an electronic tablet or a GPS-type screen, -etc.

[0004] The term "smartphone" refers to a multifunctional mobile phone.

[0005] However, such a central console has a number of disadvantages: -it has a fixed geometry, limiting its possibilities of use, -it has storage spaces which are closed by flaps or flaps often mounted to rotate between an open and a closed position, and therefore requiring significant clearance spaces to ensure their rotation, -it is designed only for the use of passengers in the first row of seats and is generally of no benefit to passengers in the second row of seats.

[0006] A vehicle according to the invention has a central console that overcomes the disadvantages presented by the central consoles of existing vehicles.

[0007] The invention relates to a vehicle comprising a driver's seat and a passenger seat aligned along a transverse axis Y of the vehicle, said vehicle comprising a central console extending between said two seats along a longitudinal and central axis XO of the vehicle.

[0008] According to the invention, the center console comprises two parallel lateral walls, each extending in a vertical and longitudinal plane XZ, and a storage compartment in the form of a wall joining the two lateral walls and having various functional features. The vehicle comprises a sliding cover consisting of several functional unit modules, at least some of which are fixed together, and each module consists of a universal base and a variable functional element covering said universal base. The sliding cover is capable of being moved along the two lateral walls of the center console, covering the storage compartment. The purpose of the sliding cover is to cover the center console, while offering various additional functionalities depending on the nature of the functional elements of each unit module.In this way, if the functional element were a fabric or leather cushion, the sliding panel could serve as a comfortable armrest for the front passenger and driver. The sliding panel also conceals the functional features of the storage compartment, which might include a cup holder and / or storage space. It can also serve as a support for an electronic device such as a laptop or tablet. One of the functional modules can also be a connector with a USB port and / or a headphone jack, allowing for the charging of an electronic device such as a smartphone or tablet. The major advantage of a sliding panel composed of several functional modules is that each module can be specifically designed to fulfill a particular function.Within a single sliding panel, the functional modules can be the same size or different sizes. The sliding panel can consist of several modules that are all attached to each other. It can also consist of at least two separate, detached parts, each comprising at least one module. Not all modules of the sliding panel are necessarily attached to each other. The storage compartment is directly accessible to a front passenger or the driver. Preferably, the thickness of the universal base and the thickness of the functional element are identical for all the functional modules that make up the sliding panel. In this way, the sliding panel has a smooth, seamless top surface since all the modules are the same height.It should be noted that the universal base remains constant for all the functional unit modules constituting the sliding shutter.

[0009] According to a possible feature of the invention, the storage tablecloth extends in a substantially horizontal plane and the sliding flap moves at least partly along a horizontal plane located above said storage tablecloth.

[0010] According to one possible embodiment of the invention, each side wall of the center console has an internal surface comprising a groove, the universal base of each unit module having two opposing lugs, each universal base being mounted on the center console such that the two lugs are inserted into the grooves of the two side walls. Preferably, the two lugs of the same universal base are aligned along the same longitudinal axis of said base and extend relative to each other in opposite directions. In this way, each functional unit module can slide along the two parallel side walls of the center console, thanks to the insertion of the two opposing lugs into the two grooves and their subsequent sliding within said grooves. Advantageously, the lugs are cylindrical in shape.

[0011] According to one possible feature of the invention, the two grooves are perfectly aligned with each other along a transverse direction Y of the vehicle. The movement of the sliding flap takes place along a longitudinal axis X of the vehicle.

[0012] According to one possible feature of the invention, each groove has a first inclined straight segment and a second horizontal straight segment extending from said first segment and being longer than it, the sliding flap undergoing a first inclined displacement and a second horizontal displacement. Preferably, the displacement takes place above the storage layer.

[0013] According to one possible feature of the invention, each universal base is rectangular in shape and comprises a straight slot having a profiled cross-section and joining the center of the two shorter sides of said base. The variable functional element comprises at least two pins, each having an enlarged head, which is housed in the straight slot so as to retain said variable functional element against the universal base. In this way, the enlarged head of each pin, which is inserted into the straight slot, prevents any direct separation between the universal base and the functional element and allows for a tight fixation of the functional element to the universal base.

[0014] According to a possible feature of the invention, the dimensions of the functional element are greater than or equal to those of the universal base on which it is fixed.

[0015] According to one possible feature of the invention, the functional unit modules of the sliding shutter have identical dimensions. In this way, the sliding shutter has a homogeneous structure and can thus be easily manipulated for movement.

[0016] According to one possible feature of the invention, the functional unit modules, which are fixed to one another, are connected to each other in an articulated manner with attachment means fixed to the universal bases. In this way, the sliding panel can be moved along the central console, adapting to the contours it encounters.

[0017] According to one possible feature of the invention, the variable functional element is to be selected from a cushion having a textile cover, a cushion having a leather cover, an electronic element for controlling certain vehicle functions, and an electrical connector having a jack plug and / or a USB port. In this way, a functional unit module can, for example, take the form of a touchscreen for controlling certain vehicle functions, such as the vehicle's heating or air conditioning. A functional unit module can also be used to charge a portable electronic device, such as a smartphone or tablet.

[0018] A vehicle according to the invention has the advantage of possessing a modular center console that can be used by both passengers in the first row of seats and passengers in the second row of seats. Furthermore, the center console has the advantage of being available in several versions capable of fulfilling different functions in the vehicle, simply by integrating a specific functional unit module into the sliding panel. Finally, this center console can be available in several versions while maintaining a constant overall size.

[0019] A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention is given below, with reference to the following figures:

[0020] [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a center console of a prior art vehicle,

[0021] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a perspective view of a vehicle's center console according to the invention,

[0022] [Fig.3] Fig.3 is a perspective view of an area of ​​a central console of a vehicle according to the invention,

[0023] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the area of ​​[Fig.3], one of which The end has been removed.

[0024] [Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a universal base of a module functional unit of a sliding flap of a vehicle's center console according to the invention,

[0025] [Fig.6] The [Fig.6] is a perspective view of a variable functional element of a functional unit module of a sliding flap of a vehicle's center console according to the invention,

[0026] [Fig.7] Fig.7 is a side view of a functional unit module of a shutter sliding from a central console of a vehicle according to the invention,

[0027] [Fig.8] Fig.8 is a side view of several functional unit modules of a sliding panel of a vehicle's center console according to the invention,

[0028] [Fig.9] Fig.9 is an exploded perspective view of a central console of a vehicle according to the invention,

[0029] [Fig. 10] The [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of the area of ​​Figures 3 and 4 and of a sliding flap being fitted in said area,

[0030] [Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a particular embodiment of a vehicle center console according to the invention,

[0031] [Fig.12] The [Fig.12] is a perspective view of a specific unit module of the particular embodiment of the [Fig.11],

[0032] [Fig. 13] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of another particular embodiment of a vehicle center console according to the invention,

[0033] [Fig. 14] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of another particular embodiment of a vehicle center console according to the invention, an electronic tablet being stored in the sliding flap,

[0034] [Fig. 15] The [Fig. 15] is a perspective view of the particular embodiment of the [Fig. 14], with the electronic tablet deployed.

[0035] With reference to [Fig. 1], some vehicles have a first row of seats, generally comprising a driver's seat and a passenger seat, and a second row of seats, generally comprising two or three seats, said second row of seats being located behind the first row of seats. Often, a center console 1 extends between the passenger seat and the driver's seat, along a longitudinal and central axis X0 of the vehicle. This center console 1 is schematically composed of an elongated piece raised above the vehicle floor, and may, for example: -have 2 open or closed storage spaces, -include a cup holder 3, - to serve as a location for a gear shift lever, - to include a reception area 4 for a "smartphone", an electronic tablet or a GPS type screen.

[0036] Such a central console 1 comprises two parallel side walls 5, 6, each extending in a vertical and longitudinal plane XZ of the vehicle, and a storage area 7 materialized by a substantially horizontal wall joining said two side walls 5, 6. This storage area 7 comprises raised features 2, 3, 4 enabling it to fulfill the functions of storage, cup holder, and receiving surface for a "smartphone" mentioned above. The storage area 7 has a front area 8 inclined, which is solid and which connects a functional part of the storage area 7 having the reliefs 2, 3, 4, and a lower area of ​​the center console 1.

[0037] With reference to [Fig.2], the central console 1 of a vehicle according to the invention has the particularity of being covered by a sliding flap 10 which is both aesthetic and functional, consisting of several functional unit modules 11.

[0038] With reference to figures 7 and 8, each functional unit module 1 comprises a universal base 12 and a variable functional element 13 which is fixed to said universal base 12 by covering it.

[0039] Referring to [Fig. 5], the universal base 12 is identical for all the functional unit modules 11 constituting the sliding shutter 10. This universal base 12 is rectangular in shape and comprises: -two cylindrical lugs 14 originating on the two short sides of the rectangular universal base 12, occupying a central position on said two short sides. These two lugs 14 are perfectly aligned along a longitudinal axis of the universal base 12, and extend outwards from said universal base 12. They therefore extend in opposite directions relative to each other, and -a straight slot 15 extending along a longitudinal axis of the universal base 12 by joining the centers of the two short sides of the universal base 12. Referring to Figures 7 and 8, this straight slot 15 comprises a widened deep section 16 and a narrower intermediate section 17 joining said deep section 16 to the outside of the universal base 12, and -a cylindrical rod 18 placed along one long side of the rectangular universal base 12, extending along the entire length of this long side and emerging from it.

[0040] With reference to figures 5, 7 and 8, certain universal bases 12 of the sliding shutter 10 may have a rounded edge 19 extending along the long side which is parallel to the long side from which the cylindrical rod 18 emerges. This rounded edge 19 extends over the entire length of this long side and has a circular arc cross-section whose angular opening is less than or equal to 90°.

[0041] The universal base 12 of each functional unit module 11 is made of plastic and is preferably obtained by molding. When the universal base 12 has a rounded edge 19, the assembly consisting of the universal base 12 and the rounded edge 19 forms a single piece obtained during the same molding operation.

[0042] With reference to Figures 6, 7 and 8, the variable functional element 13 has a rectangular shape and dimensions that are greater than or equal to those of the universal base 12 that supports it. In this way, the functional element 13 completely covers the universal base 12, preventing said universal base 12 from being seen by a passenger in the vehicle when the sliding cover 10 has been mounted on the center console 1. Preferably, this functional element 13 comprises a casing, which may, for example, be made of textile or leather, and foam padding filling said casing. Two cylindrical pins 20, 21, each having a body 22 extended by an enlarged head 23 with a diameter greater than that of said body 22, originate on one 24 of the faces of the functional element 13. These two pins 20, 21 are arranged on said face 24 such that: - the body 22 of each of them is located between the enlarged head 23 and said face 24, - they are aligned along a longitudinal and central axis of said face 24.

[0043] With reference to Figures 7, 8, and 9, each variable functional element 13 is fixed to the universal base 12 by inserting the two pins 20, 21 into the straight slot 15 and then sliding them inside it. More specifically, the enlarged head 23 of each pin 20, 21 enters the enlarged deep section 16 of the straight slot 15, while the body 23 of said pins 20, 21 enters the intermediate section 17 of said straight slot 15. Once the functional element 13 has been placed in its final position on the universal base 12, it completely covers it.

[0044] With reference to Figures 3 and 4, each side wall 5, 6 of the center console 1 has an internal surface having a groove 25 having an inclined segment 26 which follows the profile of the inclined front area 8 of each side wall 5, 6, and a horizontal segment extending said inclined segment 26 and running along the storage shelf 7. The two grooves 25 of the two side walls 5, 6 are parallel by being perfectly aligned with each other along a transverse direction Y of the vehicle.

[0045] A method for mounting a sliding flap 10 in a central console of a vehicle according to the invention comprises the following steps: -A step of mounting the functional elements 13 onto the universal bases 12, by means of inserting and then sliding the two pins 20, 21 into the straight slot 15 as illustrated in [Fig.9], so as to obtain several separate functional unit modules 11, -A step of linking several functional unit modules 11 together, by means of an insertion of the rod 18 of a universal base 12 into the rounded edge 19 of another universal base 12, as illustrated in [Fig.8], this step being repeated as many times as there are functional unit modules 13 present in sliding shutter 10, -A step of inserting the sliding flap 10 thus assembled into the two parallel grooves 25 of the two side walls 5, 6 of the central console 1, this insertion being carried out by a lower end of the two inclined segments 26 of said grooves 25 as illustrated in [Fig. 10]. This step is carried out by means of an insertion of the two lugs 14 of each universal base 12 into the two parallel grooves 25 of the two side walls 5, 6. This step is preceded by a step of withdrawal of one end 30, 31 of each side wall 5, 6 as illustrated in [Fig. 4], allowing direct access to the lower ends of said two inclined segments 26.

[0046] Referring to [Fig. 2], the center console 1 is entirely covered by the sliding panel 10 comprising the functional unit modules 11, said sliding panel 10 being able to serve as an armrest for persons seated in the passenger seat and in the driver's seat. This sliding panel 10 can be moved manually along the two grooves 25 of the two parallel walls 5, 6 of the center console 1, to, for example, reveal a cup holder 3 and / or a storage space 2.

[0047] With reference to [Fig. 8], the sliding shutter 10 can be in the form of at least two separate parts 32, 33, not attached to each other, each of said parts 32, 33 comprising at least one functional unit module 11. The movement of one of said parts 32, 33 has no influence on the other part 32, 33 unless said movement exerts pressure on the other part 32, 33. Having a sliding shutter 10 in several parts 32, 33 increases the configurations for using this sliding shutter 10 and therefore increases the flexibility of use of the center console 1.

[0048] With reference to Figures 11 and 12, according to a particular embodiment of a central console 1 of a vehicle according to the invention, a unit module operating the sliding flap 10 consists of a technological module 34, for example in the form of a touchscreen. In this case, with reference to [Fig. 12], the electrical power supply wires 35 of this technological module 34 pass through the lugs 14 of the universal base 12 of this technological module 34, which will have been manufactured to be hollow. This technological module 34 may also include a USB port or a jack socket for connecting portable electronic devices such as smartphones or tablets or for charging said devices.

[0049] With reference to [Fig. 13], according to another particular embodiment of a central console 1 of a vehicle according to the invention, a functional unit module 11 can consist of a touch screen 36 used to control the air conditioning or heating inside the vehicle.

[0050] With reference to Figures 14 and 15, according to another particular embodiment of a center console 1 of a vehicle according to the invention, the sliding panel 10 is composed of two separate parts 32, 33, not attached to each other and each comprising several functional unit modules 11. A space can then be created between these two separate parts 32, 33 to insert an electronic tablet 37 or a laptop computer, which can then be placed: -in a first position as illustrated in [Fig. 14] and for which it is located in the same horizontal plane as the functional unit modules 11 of the two parts 32, 33, or -in a second position as illustrated in [Fig. 15] and for which it occupies an inclined position between a vertical position and a horizontal position.

[0051] In the preceding detailed description, only a few specific examples of sliding shutters were given. Indeed, each functional unit module 11 of the sliding shutter 10 can be divided into a multitude of functional or aesthetic modules, allowing a central console 1 according to the invention to be multifunctional.

Claims

Demands

1. A vehicle comprising a driver's seat and a passenger seat aligned along a transverse axis Y of the vehicle, said vehicle comprising a central console (1) extending between said two seats along a longitudinal and central axis X0 of the vehicle, characterized in that the central console (1) comprises two parallel lateral walls (5, 6) each extending in a vertical and longitudinal plane XZ, and a storage area (7) in the form of a wall joining the two lateral walls (5, 6) and having various functional reliefs (2, 3, 4), and in that it comprises a sliding flap (10) comprising several functional unit modules (11), at least some of which are fixed to each other, and each composed of a universal base (12) and a variable functional element (13) covering said universal base (12), said sliding flap (10) being capable of being moved along the two lateral walls (5,6) of the center console (1) by covering the storage compartment (7), the vehicle being further characterized in that each side panel (5, 6) of the center console (1) has an internal surface comprising a groove (25, 26), and in that the universal base (12) of each functional unit module (11) has two opposing lugs (14), each universal base (12) being mounted on the center console (1) such that the two lugs (14) are inserted into the grooves (25, 26) of the two side panels (5, 6), each universal base (12) being rectangular in shape and comprising a straight slot (15) having a profiled cross-section (16, 17) and joining the center of the two short sides of said base (12), and the variable functional element (13) comprising at least two pins (20, 21) each having an enlarged head (23) which is housed in said straight slot (15).,

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage mat (7) extends in a substantially horizontal plane and the sliding flap (10) moves at least partly along a horizontal plane located above said storage mat (7).

3. Vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two grooves (25, 26) are perfectly aligned with each other along a transverse direction Y of the vehicle.

4. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each groove (25) has a first inclined straight segment (26) and a second horizontal straight segment extending said first segment (26) by being longer than it, and in that the sliding flap (10) undergoes a first inclined displacement and a second horizontal displacement.

5. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the dimensions of the functional element (13) are greater than or equal to those of the universal base (12) on which it is fixed.

6. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the functional unit modules (11) of the sliding flap (10) have identical dimensions.

7. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the functional unit modules (11) which are fixed to each other, are connected to each other in an articulated manner with attachment means (18, 19) secured to the universal bases (12).

8. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the variable functional element (13) is to be selected from a cushion having a textile cover, a cushion having a leather cover, an electronic element (34, 36) used to control certain functions of the vehicle, and an electrical connector having a jack plug and / or a USB port.

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