vehicle including a modular center console
The modular central console in vehicles addresses the limitations of fixed geometry and accessibility by incorporating sliding shutters with functional modules, enhancing usability and passenger comfort for both front and rear seat occupants.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023005180
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-25
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-11
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-05-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle central consoles have a fixed geometry, limited storage accessibility, and primarily serve passengers in the front row, offering little benefit to those in the rear seats.
A modular central console with sliding shutters composed of multiple functional unit modules, which can be configured to serve both front and rear passengers, incorporating features like storage, charging ports, and adjustable armrests.
The modular design enhances usability and flexibility, providing accessible storage and charging options for all passengers, while maintaining a consistent console size and improving passenger comfort.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: vehicle comprising a modular central console
[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle comprising a modular central console.
[0002] In order to better understand the positioning of the various parts involved in a vehicle according to the invention, the description is carried out with reference to a direct orthonormal reference frame XYZ in which X is a front-rear 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 row of seats in row 1 generally comprising a driver's seat and a passenger seat, and a row of seats in row 2 generally comprising two or three seats, said row of seats in row 2 being located behind the row of seats in row 1. Very often, a central console extends between the passenger seat and the driver's seat, along a longitudinal and central axis X0 of the vehicle. This central console is schematically represented by an elongated part raised relative to a floor of the vehicle, and can for example -have open or closed storage spaces, -have a cup holder, - serve as a location for a gear change lever, - include a reception surface for a smartphone, an electronic tablet or a GPS-type screen, -etc.
[0004] However, such a central console has a certain number of disadvantages: -it has a fixed geometry, limiting its possible uses, -it has storage spaces which are closed by shutters or flaps often mounted to rotate between an open position and a closed position, and therefore requiring significant clearance spaces to ensure their rotation, -it is only designed for use by passengers in row 1 of seats and is generally of no benefit to passengers in row 2 of seats.
[0005] A vehicle according to the invention has a central console which overcomes the drawbacks presented by the central consoles of existing vehicles.
[0006] The subject of the invention is 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 axis and central XO of the vehicle.
[0007] According to the invention, the central console comprises two parallel side walls each extending in a vertical and longitudinal plane XZ, and a storage sheet in the form of a wall joining the two side walls and provided with different functional reliefs, said vehicle comprising a sliding shutter comprising several functional unit modules, at least some of which are fixed together, and each composed of a universal base and a variable functional element covering said universal base, said sliding shutter being able to be moved along the two side walls of the central console while covering the storage sheet. The purpose of the sliding shutter is to cover the central console, while offering different additional functionalities depending on the nature of the functional elements of each unit module.In this way, if the functional element consisted of a textile cushion or a leather cushion, the sliding flap could constitute a comfortable armrest for the front passenger and the driver. The sliding flap also serves to conceal the functional reliefs of the storage mat, which could for example consist of a cup holder and / or a storage location. It can also serve as a support for an electronic device such as a laptop or electronic tablet. One of the functional unit modules can also constitute a connector having a USB port and / or a jack plug, to allow charging an electronic device such as a smartphone or electronic tablet. The big advantage of a sliding flap composed of several functional unit modules is that each of said unit modules can be designed specifically, to fulfill a particular function.Within a single sliding shutter, the functional unit modules may be of the same size, or of different sizes. The sliding shutter may consist of several unit modules which are all attached to each other. It may also consist of at least two separate and detached parts, each comprising at least one unit module. Not all the unit modules of the sliding shutter are necessarily attached to each other. The storage mat is directly accessible by a front passenger or by the driver. Preferably, the thickness of the universal base and the thickness of the functional element are identical for all the functional unit modules constituting the sliding shutter. In this way, the sliding shutter has a smooth upper surface since all the modules constituting it have the same height.It should be noted that the universal base remains constant for all the functional unit modules constituting the sliding shutter. According to the invention, the console comprising at least one aerator, in particular two aerators, located at a rear end of the console, each aerator allowing the diffusion of air towards a rear zone of the console from a . air duct running between the side walls and below the storage mat, the sliding shutter being movable so as to hide each ventilator so as to block the diffusion of air, or to be set back from it to allow the diffusion of air.
[0008] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the sliding shutter is separable into at least a first group of unitary modules and a second group of unitary modules, the first and second groups of unitary modules being positionable on either side of each aerator, set back from the latter to allow the diffusion of air.
[0009] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the storage sheet extends in a substantially horizontal plane and the sliding shutter moves at least partly along a horizontal plane located above said storage sheet.
[0010] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, each side wall of the central console has an internal surface comprising a groove, the universal base of each unit module having two opposite lugs, each universal base being mounted on the central console so 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 thus slide along the two side and parallel walls of the central console, thanks to the insertion of the two opposite lugs into the two grooves and then their sliding in said grooves. Advantageously, the lugs are cylindrical in shape.
[0011] According to a possible characteristic 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 shutter is carried out along a longitudinal axis X of the vehicle.
[0012] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, each groove has a first inclined rectilinear segment and a second horizontal rectilinear segment extending said first segment while being longer than the latter, the sliding flap undergoing a first inclined movement and a second horizontal movement. Preferably, the movement takes place above the storage sheet.
[0013] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, each universal base is rectangular in shape and comprises a rectilinear slot having a profiled cross-section and joining the center of the two short sides of said base, the variable functional element comprising at least two pins each having an enlarged head which is housed in the rectilinear 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 rectilinear slot prevents any direct separation between the universal base and the element functional and allows for tight attachment of the functional element to the universal base.
[0014] According to a possible characteristic 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 a possible characteristic 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 easily be handled to be moved.
[0016] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the functional unit modules which are fixed to each other are connected to each other in an articulated manner with hooking means secured to the universal bases. In this way, the sliding shutter can be moved along the central console by adapting to the reliefs which it encounters.
[0017] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the variable functional element is to be chosen from a cushion having a textile cover, a cushion having a leather cover, an electronic element used to control certain functions of the vehicle, and an electrical connector having a jack plug and / or a USB port. In this way, a functional unit module can for example be in the form of a touch screen used to control certain functions of the vehicle, such as the heating or air conditioning of the vehicle. A functional unit module can also be used to recharge a portable electronic device, such as for example a smartphone or an electronic tablet.
[0018] A vehicle according to the invention has the advantage of having a modular central console that can be used both by people in the row of seats in row 1 and by people in the row of seats in row 2. In addition, the central console has the advantage of being able to be available in several versions capable of fulfilling different functions in the vehicle, by simply integrating a particular functional unit module into the sliding flap. Finally, this central console can be available in several versions, while remaining of constant 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] is a perspective view of a central console of a vehicle of the state of the art,
[0021] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a central console of a vehicle according to the invention,
[0022] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of an area of a center console of a vehicle according to the invention,
[0023] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the area of [Fig.3] with one end removed,
[0024] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of a universal base of a functional unit module of a sliding shutter of a central console of a vehicle according to the invention,
[0025] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of a variable functional element of a functional unit module of a sliding shutter of a central console of a vehicle according to the invention,
[0026] [Fig.7] is a side view of a functional unit module of a sliding shutter of a central console of a vehicle according to the invention,
[0027] [Fig.8] is a side view of several functional unit modules of a sliding shutter of a central console of a vehicle according to the invention,
[0028] [Fig.9] is an exploded perspective view of a central console of a vehicle according to the invention,
[0029] [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of the area of Figures 3 and 4 and of a sliding shutter being mounted in said area,
[0030] [Fig. 11] is a perspective view of a particular embodiment of a central console of a vehicle according to the invention,
[0031] [Fig.12] is a perspective view of a specific unit module of the particular embodiment of [Fig.1 1],
[0032] [Fig. 13] is a perspective view of another particular embodiment of a central console of a vehicle according to the invention,
[0033] [Fig. 14] is a perspective view of another particular embodiment of a central console of a vehicle according to the invention, an electronic tablet being stored in the sliding flap,
[0034] [Fig. 15] is a perspective view of the particular embodiment of [Fig. 14], the electronic tablet being deployed.
[0035] [Fig. 16] represents a perspective view of the central console of the invention, without the sliding flap, the console integrating air ducts conveying the air towards rear vents of the console,
[0036] [Fig. 17] represents a perspective view of the central console of the invention illustrating two separate parts of the sliding shutter located on either side of the rear vents to allow the diffusion of air towards the rear,
[0037] [Fig. 18] shows another perspective view of the central console of the invention, in which the sliding shutter completely conceals the rear vents of the console,
[0038] [Fig. 19] is a view similar to [Fig. 18], in which two parts of the sliding shutter are arranged on either side of the rear vents of the console, set back from them to allow air diffusion towards the rear.
[0039] Referring to [Fig.l], some vehicles have a row of seats in row 1 generally comprising a driver's seat and a passenger seat, and a row of seats in row 2 generally comprising two or three seats, said row of seats in row 2 being located behind the row of seats in row 1. Very often, a central console 1 extends between the passenger seat and the driver's seat, along a longitudinal and central axis X0 of the vehicle. This central console 1 is schematically constituted by an elongated part raised relative to a floor of the vehicle, and can for example: -have 2 open or closed storage spaces, -include a cup holder 3, - serve as a location for a gearshift lever, - include a reception surface 4 for a smartphone, an electronic tablet or a GPS-type screen.
[0040] 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 layer 7 materialized by a substantially horizontal wall joining said two side walls 5, 6. This storage layer 7 comprises reliefs 2, 3, 4 making it possible to fulfill the storage, cup holder and reception surface functions for a smartphone mentioned above. The storage layer 7 has an inclined front zone 8, which is solid and which connects a functional part of the storage layer 7 having the reliefs 2, 3, 4, and a lower zone of the central console 1.
[0041] Referring to [Fig.2], the central console 1 of a vehicle according to the invention has the particularity of being covered by a sliding shutter 10 which is both aesthetic and functional, consisting of several functional unit modules 11.
[0042] Referring to Figures 7 and 8, each functional unit module 11 comprises a universal base 12 and a variable functional element 13 which is fixed to said universal base 12 by covering it.
[0043] 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 towards the outside of said universal base 12. They therefore extend in opposite directions relative to each other, and - a rectilinear slot 15 extending along a longitudinal axis of the universal base 12 joining the centers of the two short sides of the universal base 12. Referring to in figures 7 and 8, this rectilinear slot 15 comprises a widened deep section 16 and a less wide intermediate section 17 joining said deep section 16 to the outside of the universal base 12, and - a cylindrical rod 18 placed along a large side of the rectangular universal base 12, extending over the entire length of this large side and emerging from it.
[0044] Referring 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 cross-section in the form of an arc of a circle whose angular opening is less than or equal to 90°.
[0045] 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 constituted by the universal base 12 and by the rounded edge 19 forms a single piece obtained during the same molding operation.
[0046] Referring to Figures 6, 7 and 8, the variable functional element 13 has a rectangular shape and has 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 of the vehicle, when the sliding shutter 10 has been mounted on the central console 1. Preferably, this functional element 13 comprises an envelope, which may for example be made of textile or leather, and a foam padding filling said envelope. Two cylindrical pins 20, 21 each having a body 22 extended by an enlarged head 23 having 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, so that: - the body 22 of each of these is located between the enlarged head 23 and said face 24, - they are aligned along a longitudinal and central axis of said face 24.
[0047] Referring 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 rectilinear slot 15 and then sliding them inside the latter. More precisely, the enlarged head 23 of each pin 20, 21 penetrates into the enlarged deep section 16 of the rectilinear slot 15, while the body 23 of said pins 20, 21 penetrates into the intermediate section 17 of said rectilinear slot 15. Once the functional element 13 has been placed in its final position on the universal base 12, it completely covers the latter.
[0048] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, each side wall 5, 6 of the central console 1 has an internal surface comprising a groove 25 having an inclined segment 26 which follows the profile of the inclined front zone 8 of each side wall 5, 6, and a horizontal segment extending said inclined segment 26 and running along the storage sheet 7. The two grooves 25 of the two side walls 5, 6 are parallel and perfectly aligned with each other along a transverse direction Y of the vehicle.
[0049] A method of mounting a sliding shutter 10 in a central console of a vehicle according to the invention comprises the following steps: -A step of mounting the functional elements 13 on the universal bases 12, by means of an insertion then a sliding of the two pins 20, 21 in the rectilinear slot 15 as illustrated in [Fig.9], so as to obtain several separate functional unit modules 11, -A step of connecting several functional unit modules 11 together, by means of inserting 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 the sliding shutter 10, -A step of inserting the sliding shutter 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 inserting 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 removing 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.
[0050] Referring to [Fig. 2], the central console 1 is completely covered by the sliding flap 10 comprising the functional unit modules 11, said sliding flap 10 being able to constitute an armrest for the persons seated on the passenger seat and on the driver's seat. This sliding flap 10 can be moved manually along the two grooves 25 of the two parallel walls 5, 6 of the central console 1, for example to reveal a cup holder 3 and / or a storage space 2.
[0051] Referring to [Fig.8], the sliding shutter 10 may 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 having 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 of use of this sliding shutter 10 and therefore increases the flexibility of use of the central console 1.
[0052] Referring to Figures 11 and 12, according to a particular embodiment of a central console 1 of a vehicle according to the invention, a unitary operating module of the sliding shutter 10 is constituted by a technological module 34, for example in the form of a touch screen. In this case, referring 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 as hollow. This technological module 34 may also include a USB port or a jack socket, for connecting portable electronic devices such as smartphones or electronic tablets or for recharging said devices.
[0053] Referring 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 may consist of a touch screen 36 used to control the air conditioning or heating inside the vehicle.
[0054] Referring to Figures 14 and 15, according to another particular embodiment of a central console 1 of a vehicle according to the invention, the sliding flap 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, 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.
[0055] In the preceding detailed description, only a few particular examples of sliding shutters have been given. Indeed, each functional unit module 11 of the sliding shutter 10 can be divided into a multiplicity of functional or aesthetic modules, allowing a central console 1 according to the invention to be multifunctional.
[0056] According to very advantageous characteristics of the invention visible in Figures 16 to 19, the central console 1 comprises at least one aerator 40, here typically two aerators, located at a rear end of the console 1, in a corner zone forming a junction between a substantially horizontal upper face of the console 1 and a rear face extending in a substantially vertical or slightly inclined manner extending to the floor. Each aerator 40 allows the diffusion of air towards a rear zone of the central console 1 from an air duct 50 running inside the console 1, between the side walls 5, 6 and below the storage mat 7. The air duct(s) 50 are connected upstream to a ventilation system vehicle rotation (not shown).
[0057] The sliding shutter 10 is movable so as to mask each aerator 40 so as to block the diffusion of air, or to be arranged behind it to allow the diffusion of air.
[0058] As illustrated in Figures 17 and 19, the sliding shutter 10 is separable into at least a first group A of unit modules 11 (towards the front) and a second group B of unit modules 11 (towards the rear of the console), the first A and the second B group of unit modules 11 being positionable on either side of each aerator 40, set back from the latter to allow the diffusion of air. In the example illustrated, the first group A comprises a dozen unit modules and the second group B comprises two unit modules, but another number of modules is conceivable for each group without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0059] These two groups of unitary modules 11 move in the same grooves 25 and can join end to end ([Fig.18]) or be separated (figures 17, 19).
Claims
Claims
1. 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 XO of the vehicle, characterized in that the central console (1) comprises two lateral walls (5, 6) and parallel each extending in a vertical and longitudinal plane XZ, and a storage sheet (7) in the form of a wall joining the two lateral walls (5, 6) and provided with different 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 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 capable of being moved along the two lateral walls (5,6) of the central console (1) by covering the storage sheet (7), the console comprising at least one aerator (40), in particular two aerators, located at a rear end of the console (1), each aerator (40) allowing the diffusion of air towards a rear zone of the central console (1) from an air duct (50) running between the side walls (5, 6) and below the storage sheet (7), the sliding flap (10) being movable so as to mask each aerator (40) so as to block the diffusion of air, or to be arranged set back from it to allow the diffusion of air.,
2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding shutter (10) is separable into at least a first group (A) of unit modules (11) and a second group (B) of unit modules (11), the first (A) and the second (B) group of unit modules (11) being positionable on either side of each aerator (40), set back from the latter to allow the diffusion of air.
3. Vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the storage sheet (7) extends in a substantially horizontal plane and the sliding flap (10) moves at least partly along a horizontal plane located above said storage sheet (7).
4. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each side wall (5, 6) of the central 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 opposite lugs (14), each universal base (12) being mounted on the central console (1) so that the two lugs (14) are inserted into the grooves (25, 26) of the two side walls (5, 6).
5. Vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the two grooves (25, 26) are perfectly aligned with each other along a transverse direction Y of the vehicle.
6. Vehicle according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that each groove (25) has a first inclined rectilinear segment (26) and a second horizontal rectilinear segment extending said first segment (26) while being longer than the latter, and in that the sliding flap (10) undergoes a first inclined movement and a second horizontal movement.
7. Vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that each universal base (12) is rectangular in shape and comprises a rectilinear slot (15) having a profiled cross-section (16, 17) and joining the center of the two short sides of said base (12), and in that the variable functional element (13) comprises at least two pins (20, 21) each having an enlarged head (23) which is housed in said rectilinear slot (15).
8. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, 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.
9. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the functional unit modules (11) of the sliding shutter (10) have identical dimensions.
10. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, 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).
11. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the variable functional element (13) is to be chosen 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.