Vehicle interior including a retractable center console

Abstract

Vehicle passenger compartment comprising a retractable center console. The passenger compartment includes a floor (2), a seat (4) mounted on the floor (2), and a housing (12) enclosed on at least one side by said seat (4) and, depending on the vehicle's elevation direction (Z), by the floor (2) and a fixed trim element (14). The passenger compartment further includes a center console (20) comprising a body movable in translation relative to the seat (4) between a retracted position and a deployed position. In the retracted position, at least one retractable portion (22) of the center console body (20) extends into the housing (12), and a central portion (18) of the floor is clear in front of the center console (20). In the deployed position, the center console body (20) extends beyond the housing (12) onto said central portion (18) of the floor (2). Figure for the abbreviation: 2

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle passenger compartment comprising a retractable center console

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle passenger compartment, of the type comprising a floor, at least one seat mounted on the floor and at least one housing, said housing being closed on at least one side by said seat and, according to a direction of elevation of the vehicle, by the floor on one side and by a fixed trim element on the other, the passenger compartment further comprising at least one central console comprising a body mounted movable in translation along a longitudinal direction, substantially perpendicular to the direction of elevation, relative to the seat between a retracted position and a deployed position.

[0002] It is known to provide a central console in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, for example, located between the front seats of the vehicle. Such a console offers several functions to the vehicle occupants, such as storage space, a support surface in the form of an armrest and / or a display device, such as a human-machine interface.

[0003] Such a console can for example be partly movable in the passenger compartment, for example to offer different console configurations in which some functions are deactivated while others are activated and / or to make certain parts of the console accessible or not.

[0004] However, the center console occupies a significant amount of space in the passenger compartment, regardless of its configuration, as it generally extends from the front seats to the dashboard. This space reduces the available space for vehicle occupants, particularly in front of and between the front seats, thus diminishing occupant comfort, especially for the driver and front passenger.

[0005] One of the aims of the invention is to overcome this drawback by proposing a vehicle interior in which the space occupied by the central console can be reduced, while retaining the functionalities offered by this central console.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a vehicle passenger compartment of the aforementioned type, in which, in the retracted position, at least one retractable portion of the center console body extends into the housing between the floor and the trim element such that said retractable portion is inaccessible in the direction of elevation and a central portion of the floor is clear in front of the center console in the longitudinal direction, and, in the deployed position, the center console body extends outside the housing onto said central portion of the floor so that said The retractable part of the body is accessible depending on the direction of elevation.

[0007] Thus, in the retracted position, the center console occupies space not used by vehicle occupants between the seats, for example, the front seats, leaving a completely clear space in front of the seats, thereby freeing up space for vehicle occupants, particularly those seated in the rear row. In the extended position, the center console expands into this space and can provide all the functionalities for which it is designed.

[0008] The vehicle passenger compartment according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, considered alone or in any technically feasible combination: - the central console includes at least one functional element mounted in a movable manner in translation on the body of the central console when the body of the central console is in the deployed position between a rest position, in which the functional element extends against the retractable part of the body, and an active position, in which the functional element is moved away from the retractable part of the body at least in the direction of elevation; - the center console is configurable between at least - a retracted configuration, in which the center console body is in the retracted position and the functional element is in the rest position, with the retractable part of the body and the functional element extending into the housing, - a first deployed configuration, in which the central console body is in the deployed position and the functional element is in the active position, with the retractable part of the body and the functional element extending outside the housing, - a second deployed configuration, in which the central console body is in the retracted position and the functional element is in the active position, the retractable part of the body extending into the housing and the functional element extending above the trim element in the direction of elevation; - the functional element comprises at least one support surface and at least one display device, the functional element being rotationally mobile between a support position, in which the support surface is accessible along the direction of elevation, the display device being masked by the support surface along the direction of elevation and, a display position, in which the display device is visible from the vehicle's passenger compartment; - the central console is also configurable between at least; - a support configuration, in which the functional element is in the active position and in the support position, the body of the central console being in the retracted position or the deployed position; - a display configuration, in which the functional element is in the active or rest position and in the display position, the body of the central console being in the deployed position; - the body of the central console includes an external part adjacent to the retractable part in the longitudinal direction, said external part comprising at least one projecting area, said projecting area extending in projection from the retractable part at least in the elevation direction, said external part extending outside the housing in the retracted position and in the deployed position; - the functional element is mounted to move in translation on the said external part of the central console body between the rest position and the active position - the floor includes at least one rail extending in the longitudinal direction into the housing and into the central part of the floor, the body of the central console being mounted movably in translation on said rail between the retracted position and the deployed position; - the seat comprises a seat and a backrest, the upholstery element extending in continuity with the seat of the seat; - the seat forms a bench, the upholstery element being formed by a central part of said bench, or the seat belongs to a row of seats comprising at least two seats, the housing and the upholstery element extending between the two seats.

[0009] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0010] [Fig-1] - [Fig.1] is a schematic representation of a vehicle interior According to the invention, the central console being in a retracted configuration,

[0011] [Fig.2] - [Fig.2] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a part of the vehicle passenger compartment along axis II-II of [Fig.1],

[0012] [Fig.3] - [Fig.3] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the passenger compartment part of [Fig.2], with the central console body in a deployed position and the functional element in a resting position,

[0013] [Fig.4] - [Fig.4] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of part of the passenger compartment of [Fig.2], with the center console in its first deployed configuration,

[0014] [Fig.5] - [Fig.5] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of part of the passenger compartment of [Fig.2], the center console being in a second deployed configuration, and

[0015] [Fig.6] - [Fig.6] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of part of the passenger compartment of [Fig.2], the center console being in a display configuration,

[0016] With reference to [Fig.1], a vehicle passenger compartment 1 is described comprising a floor 2 and at least one seat 4. According to the embodiment shown in [Fig.1], the seat 4 is part of a row of seats 4 comprising at least two seats 4. The row of seats is, for example, the front row of seats of the vehicle, the seats of which extend in relation to the dashboard 6 of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction L, corresponding, for example, to the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0017] The seats 4 are arranged on the floor 2 and are positioned side by side in a transverse direction, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and corresponding, for example, to the width of the vehicle. More specifically, the seats 4 are spaced apart in the transverse direction such that a gap extends between the two seats 4 in the transverse direction.

[0018] Alternatively, seat 4 defines a vehicle bench seat, extending for example to the rear of the passenger compartment.

[0019] In a known manner, the seat or each seat 4 comprises a seat 8, forming a support surface for the legs of the seat occupant and extending mainly in the longitudinal and transverse directions, and a backrest 10, forming a support surface for the back of the seat occupant and extending mainly in the transverse direction and an elevation direction Z, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions and corresponding for example to the height of the vehicle.

[0020] The or each support surface of the seats 8 of the seats 4 extends to a certain distance from the floor 2 along the elevation direction Z, this distance being designated as the seat height.

[0021] The passenger compartment further comprises at least one compartment 12 enclosed on at least one side by the seat 4. In other words, the compartment 12 is delimited at least partially by the seat 4 in the transverse direction. Where the seat 4 is part of a row of seats 4, the compartment 12 is defined in the space between the seats 4, more particularly in the space between the seat cushions 8 of the seats 4. Alternatively or in addition, a compartment 12 extends from the side of at least one of the two seats 4 opposite the space between the seats 4. Where the seat 4 forms a bench seat, the compartment 12 extends into the bench seat, for example under a central portion of this bench seat. The compartment 12 is delimited in the vertical direction Z by the floor 2 and a fixed trim element 14. By fixed, we mean that the upholstery element 14 is attached to the seat and immobile relative to it.In the case of a bench seat, the upholstery element 14 is for example formed by a central part. from the bench seat.

[0022] The following description will be given for the embodiment shown in [Fig.1], in which the seat 4 is part of a row of seats 4 and the housing 12 is defined in the space extending between the seats 4. The person skilled in the art understands how to adapt this description to the case where the housing 12 extends along the side of a single seat or in the case where the seat 4 forms a bench, in which the housing extends.

[0023] The upholstery element 14 extends between the seat cushions 8 of the seats 4, for example, at the same height as the seat height. In other words, as shown in [Fig. 1], the upholstery element 14 extends between the bearing surfaces of the seat cushions 8 of the seats 4, substantially at the same height as these surfaces. Thus, the upholstery element 14 extends substantially in continuity with the bearing surfaces of the seat cushions 8 of the seats 4. The upholstery element 14 is, for example, formed by a casing extending between the bearing surfaces of the seat cushions 8, the appearance of which is, for example, similar or identical to that of the seat cushions 8.

[0024] The compartment is delimited in the transverse direction by the seat cushions 8 of the seats 4 and is open at least forward in the longitudinal direction. By "forward," it is understood that the compartment 12 is open on the side of an extreme front portion 16 of the seat cushions 8 of the seats 4, opposite in the longitudinal direction L to the portion of the cushions connected to the seatbacks 10 of the seats 4. Thus, the compartment 12 is open at least opposite the dashboard 6 of the passenger compartment 1. Forward, the compartment 12 opens onto a central portion 18 of the floor 2, this central portion 18 extending forward of the seats 4 of the seat row and between the seats 4 in front of the compartment 12. The central portion 18 extends, for example, in the longitudinal direction L between the seats 4 and the dashboard 6 of the passenger compartment and occupies the entire width of the passenger compartment in the transverse direction.In the case where seat 4 forms a rear bench seat, the central part 18 extends, for example, between the rear bench seat and the front seats of the vehicle.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the housing 12 is further open to the rear in the longitudinal direction, i.e., the housing 12 also opens opposite the rear seats of the vehicle when the seats 4 are the front seats of the vehicle. Alternatively, the housing 12 is closed to the rear, for example by a corresponding part of the trim element 14.

[0026] The vehicle passenger compartment 1 further comprises at least one central console 20 mounted on the floor 2 between the seats 4 in the transverse direction. The central console 20 comprises a movable body that translates along the longitudinal direction L relative to the floor 2 between a retracted position (Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6) and a deployed position (Figs. 3 and 4).

[0027] In the retracted position, at least one retractable part 22 of the body extends into the housing 12 so as to be inaccessible from the vehicle's passenger compartment in the elevation direction Z. Indeed, in the retracted position, the retractable part 22 extends opposite the trim element 14, which prevents access to the retractable part 22. To this end, the retractable part 22 is shaped to be received in the housing 12 while allowing its movement relative to it between the retracted and deployed positions. Thus, the retractable part 22 has in particular a dimension, measured along the elevation direction Z, less than the distance separating the floor 2 from the upholstery element 14, i.e. less than the seat height when the upholstery element 14 extends in continuity with the seats 8 of the seats 4.Apart from this restriction, the retractable section 22 can be shaped to provide any desired functionality, for example, by including a storage compartment, cutouts for cup holders, or other features. Furthermore, elements can be attached to the retractable section 22 of the body to offer these functionalities. It is understood that when the body is in the retracted position, these functionalities are inaccessible to the vehicle occupants, which can be advantageous for a storage compartment to make its contents inaccessible from inside the vehicle.

[0028] In the retracted position, the body of the center console 20 is further arranged to leave the central portion 18 of the floor 2 unobstructed, i.e., no element of the center console 20 extends onto the central portion 18 of the floor, as shown in [Fig. 1]. Thus, in the retracted position, the center console 20 does not extend substantially forward of the seats 4 in the longitudinal direction, so that the central portion 18 of the floor extends uninterrupted across the entire width of the vehicle. Specifically, no element protrudes in the upward direction Z of the central portion 18 between the center console 20 and the dashboard 6. Consequently, in the retracted position, the occupants of the seats 4 in the row have ample legroom.

[0029] In the deployed position, the retractable portion 22 of the center console body 20 extends beyond the housing 12 so as to be accessible from inside the vehicle, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In the deployed position, the retractable portion 22 thus extends over the central portion 18 of the floor, and the functionalities offered by this retractable portion 22 become accessible to the vehicle occupants, in particular to the occupants of seats 4 in the seat row. It should be noted that, in the deployed position, a portion of the center console body behind the retractable portion 22 may remain inside the housing 12, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. It is also possible to provide several intermediate positions between the retracted and deployed positions. in which the retractable part 22 is more or less out of the housing 12 making certain functionalities available, while others remain inaccessible.

[0030] To allow movement between the retracted and extended positions, the console body 20 is, for example, mounted on at least one rail (not shown) provided in the floor and extending along the longitudinal direction L into the housing 12 and the central portion 18 of the floor 2. This rail preferably extends inside the floor 2 so as not to protrude from the floor 2 into the vehicle's passenger compartment. Thus, the central portion 18 of the floor 2 remains unobstructed in the retracted position of the center console 20.

[0031] According to an embodiment shown in Figs. 2 to 6, the central console 20 further comprises at least one functional element 24 mounted in a movable translational manner on the body of the central console 20 when the body is in the deployed position between a rest position (Figs. 2 and 3) and an active position (Figs. 4 to 6).

[0032] In the rest position, the functional element 24 extends against the retractable part 22 of the body so as to be placed in the housing 12 when the body of the center console 20 is in the retracted position, as shown in [Fig.2].

[0033] In the active position, the functional element 24 is moved away from the retractable part 22 at least in the elevation direction Z. In the active position, the functional element 24 extends in particular to a height greater than the height of the trim element 14 in the elevation direction Z, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5.

[0034] Such a functional element 24, for example a support surface, such as an armrest, and / or a display device, makes it possible to give the central console 20 several configurations, including at least the following configurations: - a retracted configuration shown in [Fig.2], in which the central console body 20 is in the retracted position and the functional element 24 is in the rest position, the retractable part 22 of the body and the functional element 24 extending into the housing 12, - a first deployed configuration shown in [Fig.4], in which the central console body 20 is in the deployed position and the functional element 24 is in the active position, the retractable part 22 of the body and the functional element 24 extending outside the housing 12, - a second deployed configuration represented in [Fig.5], in which the central console body 20 is in the retracted position and the functional element 24 is in the active position, the retractable part 22 of the body extending into the housing 12 and the functional element 24 extending over the trim element 14 in the elevation direction Z.

[0035] In the retracted configuration, the functionalities offered by the retractable part 22 of the body and by the functional element 24 are inaccessible from the vehicle's passenger compartment and the central part 18 of the floor 2 is clear.

[0036] In the first deployed configuration, the functionalities offered by the retractable part 22 are accessible from the vehicle's passenger compartment and the functional element 24 extends in front of the seats 4 and above the seats 8, making it particularly visible to the occupants of the seats 4. Thus, when the functional element 24 is a display device, the first deployed configuration makes it useful for broadcasting content to the occupants of the seats 4, for example.

[0037] In the second deployed configuration, the functionalities offered by the retractable part 22 are inaccessible, and the functional element 24 extends between the seats 4 above the upholstery element 14. Thus, when the functional element 24 forms a support surface, it can be used as an armrest by the occupants of the seats 4. When the functional element 24 forms a display device, it is brought closer to the occupants of the seats 4, making it highly visible and usable, for example, as a human-machine interface if the display device forms a touch-sensitive surface activated by contact with the screen. Furthermore, in the second deployed configuration, the central part 18 of the floor 2 is unobstructed, providing increased comfort for the occupants of the seats 4.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the functional element 24 offers several functions by comprising at least one component 25 including a bearing surface 26 and a display device 28. The bearing surface 26 extends, for example, over one face of the functional element 24 and the display device 28 extends over the opposite face of the functional element 24. The functional element 24 is then mobile in rotation between a bearing position (Figs. 2 to 5) and a display position ([Fig. 6]).

[0039] In the resting position, the support surface 26 is accessible along the elevation direction Z, meaning that the face of the functional element 24 forming the support surface 26 is exposed in the vehicle's passenger compartment, facing upwards so that the occupants of the seats 4 can use this support surface 26, for example, as an armrest. In the resting position, the display device 28 is hidden by the support surface along the elevation direction Z, meaning that the display surface is not visible to the occupants of the seats 4.

[0040] In the display position, the functional element 24 has been tilted so that the display device 28 is visible from inside the vehicle, in particular to the occupants of the seats 4. Thus, in the case of front seats of the vehicle, the face of the functional element 24 carrying the display device 28 is oriented towards the seats 4, while the opposite face, forming the support surface 26, is turned towards the front of the vehicle.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the functional element 24 further comprises a support 30 on which the component 25 is mounted to rotate between the support position and the display position. Thus, in the support position 28, the display device 28 is pressed against the support 30, which provides effective protection for the display device 28. Furthermore, in the display position, the support 30 can form an additional support surface 32, as shown in [Fig. 6]. Therefore, a user can operate the display device 28 while resting it on the additional support surface 32.

[0042] Alternatively or in addition, the support 30 can form a control surface, for example a touch surface, to control different functions of the vehicle, for example the functions offered by the display device 28.

[0043] A functional element 24 comprising a support surface 26 and a display device 28 provides additional configurations for the central console, in combination with the configurations described above, namely: - a support configuration, in which the functional element 24 is in the active position and in the support position, the body being in the retracted position (second deployed configuration) or the deployed position (first deployed configuration), - a display configuration, in which the functional element 24 is in the active or rest position and in the display position, the body being in the deployed position.

[0044] Such a central console 20 is therefore highly modular and offers a large number of configurations.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the functional element 24 is mounted movable in translation on an external part 36 of the body of the central console 20. The external part 36 is adjacent to the retractable part 22 of the body of the central console 20 and extends in front of it in the longitudinal direction. The external part 36 includes, in particular, a projecting area 38 extending beyond the retractable part 22 at least in the elevation direction Z, i.e., the projecting area 38 has a height greater than that of the retractable part 22. In particular, the projecting area 38 has a height greater than that of the trim element 14 so that the external part 36 cannot enter the housing 12. Thus, the external part 36 extends outside the housing 12 in both the retracted and deployed positions of the center console body 20.More specifically, the outer part 36 is arranged, for example, to extend between the extreme front parts 16 of the seat cushions 8 of the seats 4 in the retracted position of the center console body 20, as shown in [Fig. 1]. Thus, although the outer part 36 extends outside the housing 12, it does not extend onto the central part 18 of the vehicle floor 2 and leaves this central part 18 unobstructed in the position. retracted from the center console body 20.

[0046] The projecting area 38 forms, for example, an inclined plane 40 extending along the vertical direction Z and the longitudinal direction L from the front end of the retractable part 22. The functional element 24 moves in translation, for example by being mounted on at least one rail provided in the inclined plane 40, along the inclined plane between the rest position and the active position, such that the functional element 24 moves away from the retractable part 22 along the vertical direction Z and along the longitudinal direction L when it moves from the rest position to the active position. In the active position, the functional element 24 extends, for example, to the highest end of the inclined plane 40 so as to extend above the trim element 14.

[0047] It is understood that the external part 36 of the center console body 20 can also be shaped to offer additional functionality to the occupants of the seats 4 in the row of seats, in particular when the center console body 20 is in the retracted position.

[0048] The movement of the central console 20 between its different configurations is for example automated and controlled by the occupants of seats 4 and / or according to different states of the vehicle (for example depending on whether the vehicle is stopped or not, etc.).

[0049] It is understood that when the passenger compartment includes several housings, it may also include several center consoles, each housed in a housing.

Claims

Demands

1. Vehicle passenger compartment comprising a floor (2), at least one seat (4) mounted on the floor (2) and at least one housing (12), said housing (12) being closed on at least one side by said seat (4) and, along a direction of elevation (Z) of the vehicle, by the floor (2) on the one hand and by a fixed trim element (14) on the other hand, the passenger compartment further comprising at least one center console (20) comprising a body mounted movable in translation along a longitudinal direction (L), substantially perpendicular to the direction of elevation (Z), relative to the seat (4) between a retracted position and an extended position, at least one retractable portion (22) of the body of the center console (20) extending into the housing (12) between the floor (2) and the trim element (14) in the retracted position,so that said retractable part (22) is inaccessible in the elevation direction (Z) and a central part (18) of the floor is clear in front of the central console (20) in the longitudinal direction (L), and the body of the central console (20) extending outside the housing (12) over said central part (18) of the floor (2) in the deployed position, so that said retractable part (22) of the body is accessible in the elevation direction (Z)), characterized in that the central console (20) is configurable between at least:, - a retracted configuration, in which the center console body (20) is in the retracted position and the functional element (24) is in the rest position, the retractable part (22) of the body and the functional element (24) extending into the housing (12), - a first deployed configuration, in which the central console body (20) is in the deployed position and the functional element (24) is in the active position, the retractable part (22) of the body and the functional element (24) extending outside the housing (12), - a second deployed configuration, in which the central console body (20) is in the retracted position and the functional element (24) is in the active position, the retractable part (22) of the body extending into the housing (12) and the functional element (24) extending over the trim element (14) in the elevation direction (Z).

2. Vehicle passenger compartment according to claim 1, wherein the center console (20) comprises at least one functional element (24) movably mounted in translation on the body of the center console (20) when the body of the center console (20) is in the deployed position between a rest position, in which the functional element (24) extends against the retractable part (22) of the body, and an active position, in which the functional element (20) is moved away from the retractable part (22) of the body at least in the elevation direction (Z).

3. Vehicle passenger compartment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the functional element (24) comprises at least one support surface (26) and at least one display device (28), the functional element (24) being rotationally movable between a support position, in which the support surface (26) is accessible along the elevation direction (Z), the display device (28) being hidden by the support surface (26) along the elevation direction (Z) and, a display position, in which the display device (28) is visible from the vehicle passenger compartment.

4. Vehicle passenger compartment according to claims 1 and 3, wherein the center console (20) is further configurable between at least: - a support configuration, in which the functional element (24) is in the active position and in the support position, the body of the center console (20) being in the retracted position or the deployed position, - a display configuration, in which the functional element (24) is in the active or rest position and in the display position, the body of the center console (20) being in the deployed position.

5. Vehicle passenger compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the center console body (20) comprises an external portion (36) adjacent to the retractable portion (22) in the longitudinal direction (L), said external portion (36) comprising at least one projecting area (38), said projecting area (38) extending outward from the retractable portion (22) at least in the elevation direction (Z), said external portion (36) extending outward from the housing (12) in the retracted position and in the deployed position.

6. Vehicle passenger compartment according to claim 5 when it depends on any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the functional element (24) is mounted movable in translation on said external part (36) of the body of the center console (20) between the rest position and the active position.

7. Vehicle passenger compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the floor (18) comprises at least one rail extending in the longitudinal direction (L) in the housing (12) and in the central part (18) of the floor (2), the body of the central console (20) being movably mounted in translation on said rail between the retracted position and the deployed position.

8. Vehicle passenger compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the seat (4) comprises a seat (8) and a backrest (10), the trim element (14) extending in continuity with the seat (8) of the seat (4).

9. Vehicle passenger compartment according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the seat (4) forms a bench seat, the trim element (14) being formed by a central part of said bench seat, or the seat (4) belongs to a row of seats (4) comprising at least two seats (4), the housing (12) and the trim element (14) extending between the two seats (4).

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