Bistable and monobloc equipment.

Abstract

The invention relates to equipment (1) designed to be fitted to a passenger compartment element, the equipment (1) comprising a mounting bracket (2) for mounting the equipment (1) onto the passenger compartment element, the equipment (1) comprising a central part (3), movable around the bracket (2) between two distinct equilibrium positions, in which the central part (3) is in stable equilibrium, the central part (3) being extended by several lateral extensions (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), connecting the central part (3) to the bracket (2), each being designed, on the one hand, to guide the movement, initiated by a user of the equipment, of the central part (3) between its two equilibrium positions by elastic deformation of the lateral extension (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), and, on the other hand, to maintain the central part (3) in the equilibrium position into which the central part (3) is brought, each lateral extension (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) coming from matter with the central part (3).(Figure 1).

Description

Title of the invention: Bistable and monobloc equipment.

[0001] The technical field relates to vehicle equipment, passenger compartment components equipped with such equipment and motor vehicles featuring such equipment and / or passenger compartment components.

[0002] Automobile manufacturers take great care to improve passenger comfort in their vehicles. Furthermore, for automobile manufacturers, the quality of their vehicles' finish, their aesthetic appeal, and the features offered are essential to differentiate themselves from other brands. Moreover, environmental considerations, and in particular the growth of motor vehicle use, encourage manufacturers to reduce the weight of their vehicles.

[0003] It is in this context that car manufacturers are constantly seeking to improve the interiors of their vehicles in order to provide their customers with new features or to improve existing ones.

[0004] Currently, deploying a flat element, such as a tablet, requires the implementation of numerous techniques, primarily involving the assembly of several parts of a mechanism to deploy this element. For example, a deployable tablet will be attached to a hinge with screws. Furthermore, to ensure the tablet remains in the desired position, several technical solutions, such as locks or hooks, must be implemented. Finally, to facilitate movement or return the tablet to its initial position, springs or jacks may be necessary.

[0005] Besides the required complexity, several defects make these solutions unsatisfactory.

[0006] First, a primary drawback arises from the significant increase in the number of parts required to perform the function, which leads to an increase in mass. Second, some of the components used, such as electric motors or hydraulic cylinders, have consequences for reliability and ease of repair. Furthermore, a large number of parts increases the cost and complexity of manufacturing. Indeed, several shaping processes may be necessary (plastic extrusion, injection molding, machining, drilling, etc.), which complicates the production of parts on an industrial scale.

[0007] Finally, the diversity of the parts required generally implies a diversity of materials used, greatly limiting the possibility of recycling existing solutions.

[0008] Thus, there is a need for a solution that simplifies the deployment of a planar element, minimizing the number of parts and the diversity of materials used.

[0009] The present invention aims to overcome the problems described above. In this technical context, one objective of the present invention is to provide vehicle equipment that allows a central part to be moved between two stable equilibrium positions while minimizing the diversity of materials used.

[0010] To this end, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle component designed to equip a passenger compartment element, the component comprising a mounting bracket designed to allow the component to be mounted on the passenger compartment element, the component comprising a central part, movable around the bracket between at least two distinct equilibrium positions, in which the central part is in stable equilibrium, the central part being extended by at least one lateral extension, connecting the central part to the bracket, each lateral extension being designed, on the one hand, to guide the movement, initiated at least by a user of the component, of the central part between its two equilibrium positions by elastic deformation of the lateral extension, and, on the other hand, to maintain the central part in each equilibrium position into which the central part is brought by the user,Each lateral extension originates from the material connected to the central part.

[0011] The invention also relates to a passenger compartment element comprising at least one piece of equipment according to the invention, each support being fixed to the passenger compartment element so as to allow the movement of the central part between at least two of its equilibrium positions.

[0012] The invention finally relates to a motor vehicle having at least one piece of equipment according to the invention and / or one interior element according to the invention.

[0013] Thus, the vehicle equipment according to the invention allows a central portion, which can serve as a shelf or a cover for a storage compartment, to be moved between at least two stable equilibrium positions. The movement is guided by each lateral extension. The advantage of the equipment lies in the fact that the lateral extensions, which replace conventional mechanisms, are made of the same material as the central portion, thereby reducing the number of parts and materials required. Installation of the equipment according to the invention is simplified since it is sufficient to attach the support to the passenger compartment component according to the invention.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the equipment according to the invention, each lateral extension is connected to the central part and / or to the support by a flexible connection made by at least one thinning of material.

[0015] According to one possibility, the support is formed from the material along with each lateral extension. According to another possibility, the support is formed from the material along with the passenger compartment element.

[0016] In one embodiment, the equipment is obtained by a 3D printing process, particularly with plastic material. Other manufacturing methods are conceivable, such as plastic injection molding, for example.

[0017] According to one possibility of the equipment, the central part forms a shelf and / or is designed to close a storage cavity.

[0018] According to one possibility of the passenger compartment element, the central part, in one of its equilibrium positions, closes off a storage cavity.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the passenger compartment element forms a first-row seat.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the passenger compartment element forms a dashboard, a door and / or a center console.

[0021] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] represents a main view diagram of equipment according to the invention represented in a first equilibrium position;

[0023] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a main view plate of the equipment of [Fig.1] shown in a second equilibrium position, the support maintaining an identical orientation between the corresponding views of the two figures;

[0024] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements.

[0025] Equipment 1 according to the invention, illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, is designed to equip a passenger compartment element, not illustrated in the figures. By way of example, the passenger compartment element is, for example, a vehicle seat, in particular a first-row seat. In another example, the passenger compartment element is a dashboard.

[0026] The equipment 1 includes a mounting bracket 2 designed to allow the equipment 1 to be mounted on the passenger compartment element. In the example illustrated in the figures, the bracket 2 has the form of a frame having three sides forming a rectangular base.

[0027] As illustrated in the figures, the equipment 1 comprises a central part 3 is movable around the support 2 between at least two distinct equilibrium positions, each illustrated in [Fig. 1] or 2, in which the central part 3 is in stable equilibrium. For example, the central part 3 forms a shelf and / or is designed to close off a storage compartment. Thus, when the interior component is a seat, the equipment 1 is, for example, designed to be attached to the back of the seat back and the central part 3 forms a shelf for use by a second-row passenger. For an interior component forming a dashboard, the central part 3 is, for example, designed to close off a glove compartment in the dashboard. For example, the central part 3 has a rectangular shape.

[0028] As illustrated in the figures, the central part 3 is extended by at least one lateral extension 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d. In the example shown in the figures, the equipment 1 comprises four lateral extensions 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d. Each lateral extension 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d connects the central part 3 to the support 2. Each lateral extension 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d is designed, on the one hand, to guide the movement, at least initiated by a user of the equipment 1, of the central part 3 between its two equilibrium positions by elastic deformation of the lateral extension 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, and, on the other hand, to maintain the central part 3 in each equilibrium position into which the central part 3 is brought by the user.

[0029] Remarkably, in the equipment 1 according to the invention, each lateral extension 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d is formed from the same material as the central part 3. Advantageously, in the equipment 1 according to the invention, the support 2 is formed from the same material as each lateral extension 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, so that the equipment 1 is a single piece. Advantageously still, the equipment 1 is made from a single material, for example, a polypropylene-based material.

[0030] Advantageously, the equipment 1 according to the invention is obtained by a 3D printing process, in particular with plastic material. For example, a polypropylene filament is used to three-dimensionally (3D) print the equipment 1 according to the invention.

[0031] In the example illustrated in the figures, each lateral extension 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d is connected to the central part 3 and to the support by a flexible connection 5 made by at least one thinning 6 of material. Each lateral extension 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d has a specific geometry allowing for deformation and storage of elastic energy during a first phase of the displacement of the central part 3. The stored elastic energy is then released in a second phase of the displacement of the central part 3. Therefore, the displacement of the central part 3 requires an input of energy supplied, for example, by the user of the equipment 1.

[0032] Each lateral extension 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d is shaped to impart to the central part 3 a movement between two equilibrium positions of adjustable complexity, including, if necessary, one or more translations and / or one or more rotations. Each lateral extension 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d has, for example, its own rigidity allowing adjustment of the guidance of the central part 3.

[0033] In the example illustrated in the figures, each lateral extension 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d consists of one or more triangular plates 7 articulated together and / or folded.

[0034] In the passenger compartment element according to the invention, each support 2 is fixed to the passenger compartment element so as to allow the central part 3 to move between at least two of its equilibrium positions. For example, in a passenger compartment element provided with a storage cavity, not shown, the central part 3 closes the storage cavity in one of its equilibrium positions.

[0035] Each lateral extension 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d is designed to allow reversibility of the movement of the central part 3, so that the user can initialize a displacement from any one of the equilibrium positions to the other equilibrium position.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the effort required to initialize and / or move the central part 3 from one equilibrium position to another equilibrium position depends on the starting equilibrium position.

[0037] In the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the central part 3 moves from an equilibrium position, represented in [Fig.1], to another equilibrium position, represented in [Fig.2], by a rotation along one of its edges 8 which connects the central part 3 to the support 2 by means of a flexible link 5.

[0038] In the examples illustrated in the figures, each flexible link 5 is represented as being solid and continuous, but other variants can be envisaged, in particular discontinuous flexible links 5 and / or intersected by one or more holes in order to modify the behavior when guiding the central part 3.

[0039] Thus, the vehicle equipment 1 according to the invention allows the central part 3, which can serve as a shelf or a cover for a storage compartment, to be moved between at least two stable equilibrium positions. Its movement is guided by each lateral extension 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d. The advantage of the equipment 1 lies in the fact that the lateral extensions 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, which replace conventional mechanisms, are made of the same material as the central part 3 and the support 2, thus reducing the number of parts and materials required. Assembly of the equipment 1 according to the invention is simplified since it can be produced by 3D printing, and its mounting on the passenger compartment element is easily accomplished by attaching the support 2 to the passenger compartment element. Alternatively, support 2 is made of the same material as the passenger compartment element, so mounting equipment 1 onto the passenger compartment element is unnecessary.

[0040] The invention is not limited to the embodiment of the equipment described above, only by way of example, but other embodiments may be designed by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope and extent of the present invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Equipment (1) of a motor vehicle designed to equip a passenger compartment component, the equipment (1) comprising a mounting bracket (2) designed to allow the equipment (1) to be mounted on the passenger compartment component, the equipment (1) comprising a central portion (3), movably mounted around the bracket (2) between at least two distinct equilibrium positions, in which the central portion (3) is in stable equilibrium, the central portion (3) being extended by at least one lateral extension (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), connecting the central portion (3) to the bracket (2), each lateral extension (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) being designed, on the one hand, to guide the movement, initiated at least by a user of the equipment, of the central portion (3) between its two equilibrium positions by elastic deformation of the lateral extension (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), and, on the other hand,maintain the central part (3) in each equilibrium position into which the central part (3) is brought by the user, each lateral extension (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) originating from the material with the central part (3).

2. Equipment (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each lateral extension (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) is connected to the central part (3) and / or to the support (2) by a flexible connection (5) made by at least one thinning (6) of material.

3. Equipment (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support (2) comes from material with each lateral extension (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d).

4. Equipment (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is obtained by a 3D printing process, in particular of plastic material.

5. Equipment (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the central part (3) forms a shelf or a shutter of a storage cavity.

6. Cabin element comprising at least one equipment (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, each support (2) being fixed to the cabin element, each central part (3) being movably mounted around the support (2) between at least two distinct equilibrium positions.

7. Cabin element according to claim 6, characterized in that the central part (3), in one of its equilibrium positions, closes a storage cavity.

8. Interior component according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that it forms a first-row seat.

9. Interior component according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that it forms a dashboard, a door and / or a center console.

10. Motor vehicle having at least one piece of equipment (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and / or one interior component according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

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