Vehicle interior components

Abstract

To provide vehicle interior components that can adequately warm the occupants. [Solution] The console box 16 comprises a box body 17 positioned adjacent to the driver's seat where the vehicle's occupants sit, an electric heater 26, a sliding groove 21 provided on the driver's seat side of the box body 17, and a sliding projection 28 that supports the electric heater 26 so as to be movable relative to the box body 17 in the direction in which the sliding groove 21 extends.

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to an interior member for a vehicle having an electric heater.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle heating device as shown in Patent Document 1 is known. Such a vehicle heating device is provided on the back side of a position facing the driver's (occupant's) legs on the upper wall portion located above the legs of the driver (occupant) sitting in the driver's seat in the vehicle interior. The vehicle heating device has a panel-shaped electric heater that emits infrared rays.

[0003] A plurality of through holes are provided in a region of the upper wall portion facing the electric heater. The radiant heat (radiated heat) radiated from the radiation surface of the electric heater reaches the driver's legs through the plurality of through holes in the upper wall portion. Thereby, the driver's legs are warmed by the radiant heat of the electric heater.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] <00...

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] ... ...By the way, in the vehicle heating device as described above, the electric heater is fixed to the upper wall portion via a spacer. Therefore, there is a problem that when the build of the driver varies or the position of the driver's seat on which the driver sits varies, the driver cannot be appropriately warmed by the radiant heat of the electric heater. <...

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] ... ...Hereinafter, each aspect of the interior member for a vehicle for solving the above problems will be described. ...[Aspect 1] An interior component for a vehicle, comprising: an interior component body positioned adjacent to a seat on which a vehicle occupant sits; an electric heater; a guide portion provided on the interior component body at the seat-side position; and a support portion that supports the electric heater so as to be movable relative to the interior component body in the direction in which the guide portion extends.

[0007] With the above configuration, the position of the electric heater can be changed according to the position and size of the occupants, so that the occupants can be properly warmed. [Aspect 2] The vehicle interior component according to [Aspect 1], characterized by comprising a display unit for displaying the position of the electric heater.

[0008] With the above configuration, the display unit makes it easier for the occupants to visually confirm the location of the electric heater. [Aspect 3] The vehicle interior component according to [Aspect 2], characterized in that the display unit is a light source attached to the electric heater.

[0009] According to the above configuration, even if the electric heater is located in a dark area, the light from the light source makes it easier for the crew to see the location of the electric heater. [Aspect 4] The interior component for a vehicle according to any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 3], characterized in that the interior component body constitutes a console box.

[0010] With the above configuration, the thighs of the occupant seated in the seat can be adequately warmed by the heat of the electric heater. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] This invention has the effect of being able to adequately warm the occupants. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a plan view showing the front part of the vehicle interior where the console box of the first embodiment is located. [Figure 2]Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the console box shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the console box according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] (First Embodiment) The first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the longitudinal direction, left-right direction, and vertical direction will correspond to the longitudinal direction, left-right direction (vehicle width direction), and vertical direction when the forward direction of the vehicle 11 is considered to be forward.

[0014] <Vehicle 11> As shown in Figure 1, an instrument panel 12 is provided at the front end of the passenger compartment of the vehicle 11, extending across the entire length in the left-right direction. Behind the instrument panel 12 in the passenger compartment, a driver's seat 13, which is an example of a seat where the occupant P1 of the vehicle 11 sits, and a passenger seat 14 where the occupant P2 sits are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. That is, the driver's seat 13 where the occupant P1 sits is located in the front right part of the passenger compartment, and the passenger seat 14 where the occupant P2 sits is located in the front left part of the passenger compartment.

[0015] A steering wheel 15 is provided in front of the driver's seat 13 on the instrument panel 12. A console box 16, which is an example of an interior component for a vehicle, is positioned between the driver's seat 13 and the passenger seat 14.

[0016] <Console Box 16> As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the console box 16 has a bottomed box-shaped body 17 as an example of an interior component body. That is, the box body 17 constitutes a part of the console box 16. The box body 17 is positioned adjacent to the driver's seat 13 and the passenger seat 14 in the left-right direction.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, on the outer surface (right side surface) of the right side wall 18 located on the driver's seat 13 side in the box body 17, a rectangular recess 19 extending in the front-rear direction and a cover member 20 covering the recess 19 are provided. At the vertical center portion of the bottom surface of the recess 19, a pair of sliding grooves 21 extending in the front-rear direction, which is an example of a guide portion, are formed at intervals in the vertical direction.

[0018] The sliding grooves 21 have a narrow portion 22 opening to the bottom surface of the recess 19 and a wide portion 23 having a wider width in the vertical direction than the narrow portion 22. The wide portion 23 is disposed on the side opposite to the recess 19 side in the narrow portion 22 and communicates with the narrow portion 22. Inside the recess 19, a heater unit 24 is accommodated so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, which is the extending direction of the recess 19.

[0019] <Heater unit 24> As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heater unit 24 includes a base material 25, an electric heater 26, a light source 27 as an example of a display portion for displaying the position of the electric heater 26, a plurality (four in this example) of sliding convex portions 28 as an example of a support portion, and a knob 29.

[0020] The base material 25 is in the shape of a rectangular plate and is made of, for example, a synthetic resin. The base material 25 is disposed in the recess 19 in a posture where the thickness direction is the left-right direction. That is, the base material 25 is disposed in the recess 19 so that the surface faces the driver's seat 13 side. A rectangular sheet-like electric heater 26 is fixed to the entire surface of the base material 25. The electric heater 26 is constituted by a planar heater that emits radiant heat when energized, such as a film heater or a silicon rubber heater.

[0021] A light source 27 is attached to the upper surface of the base material 25, extending across the entire upper surface. That is, the light source 27 is attached to the electric heater 26 via the base material 25. The light source 27 is composed of, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits light when power is applied. A rod-shaped knob 29 is provided in the center of the lower surface of the base material 25 in the front-to-back direction. The knob 29 extends from the lower surface of the base material 25 toward the driver's seat 13. The tip of the knob 29 protrudes outward (to the right) from the outer surface (right side) of the right side wall 18.

[0022] On the back surface of the base material 25, which is the surface opposite to the side facing the electric heater 26, four sliding protrusions 28 are provided. On the back surface of the base material 25, the four sliding protrusions 28 are arranged in a grid pattern at equal intervals, for example, in a 2x2 arrangement. Each sliding protrusion 28 has a cylindrical base-end sliding portion 30 and a square plate-shaped tip-end sliding portion 31 integrally formed at the tip of the base-end sliding portion 30.

[0023] Of the four sliding projections 28, the two upper sliding projections 28 are slidably inserted into the upper sliding groove 21 of the pair of sliding grooves 21. Of the four sliding projections 28, the two lower sliding projections 28 are slidably inserted into the lower sliding groove 21 of the pair of sliding grooves 21. In this case, the base end sliding portion 30 of the sliding projection 28 is slidably inserted into the narrow portion 22 of the sliding groove 21, and the tip end sliding portion 31 is slidably inserted into the wide portion 23 of the sliding groove 21.

[0024] Furthermore, in this case, the tip-side sliding portion 31 of the sliding projection 28 and the wide portion 23 of the sliding groove 21 engage in the left-right direction. Therefore, the sliding projection 28 is prevented from coming out of the sliding groove 21 in the left-right direction. Consequently, the sliding projection 28 supports the electric heater 26 via the base material 25 so that it can move in the front-rear direction relative to the right side wall 18 of the box body 17.

[0025] <Cover member 20> As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cover member 20 is rectangular in shape and made of, for example, synthetic resin. A step 32 (see Figure 3) of the same thickness as the cover member 20 is formed around the periphery of the recess 19 on the outer surface of the right side wall 18 of the box body 17. The cover member 20 is attached to the right side wall 18 of the box body 17 by fitting it inside the step 32 while covering the entire recess 19. The outer surface of the cover member 20 and the outer surface of the right side wall 18 are flush.

[0026] Multiple small holes 33 are formed to penetrate the entire area of ​​the cover member 20 facing the electric heater 26. At a position in the cover member 20 corresponding to the light source 27 in the left-right direction, an illumination hole 34 is formed to penetrate the entire front-to-back direction. At a position in the cover member 20 corresponding to the knob 29, an insertion hole 35 is formed to penetrate the cover member 20, through which the tip of the knob 29 is inserted and which extends in the front-to-back direction.

[0027] <Operation of the First Embodiment> After the vehicle 11's drive unit is started with the occupant P1 seated in the driver's seat 13, a predetermined operation is performed, causing the electric heater 26 to be energized and generate heat, and the light source 27 to be energized and emit light. At this time, the radiant heat from the heated electric heater 26 is radiated mainly to the thighs of the occupant P1 seated in the driver's seat 13 through the multiple small holes 33 in the cover member 20. As a result, the occupant P1 is warmed by the radiant heat from the electric heater 26.

[0028] Here, the position heated by the radiant heat of the electric heater 26 differs depending on whether the occupant P1 seated in the driver's seat 13 is large or small. In other words, the relative position of occupant P1 and the electric heater 26 in the front-to-back direction changes depending on the size of occupant P1, so there is a risk that the radiant heat of the electric heater 26 may not be able to properly warm occupant P1.

[0029] In this embodiment, when the occupant P1 moves the knob 29 in the forward and backward direction, the heater unit 24 moves in the forward and backward direction along with the movement of the knob 29. Therefore, the occupant P1 can move the position of the electric heater 26 to a desired position. This allows the occupant P1 to be appropriately warmed by the radiant heat of the electric heater 26.

[0030] Furthermore, when the crew member P1 moves the heater unit 24 in the forward and backward directions, the position of the electric heater 26 is indicated by the light from the light source 27 leaking from the illumination holes 34 of the cover member 20. Therefore, the crew member P1 can easily see the position of the electric heater 26 by the light from the light source 27 leaking from the illumination holes 34 of the cover member 20. Thus, the crew member P1 can accurately move the electric heater 26 to the desired position.

[0031] <Effects of the First Embodiment> According to the first embodiment described in detail above, the following effects are achieved. (1-1) The console box 16 comprises a box body 17 positioned adjacent to the driver's seat 13 where the occupant P1 of the vehicle 11 sits, an electric heater 26, a sliding groove 21 provided on the driver's seat 13 side of the box body 17, and a sliding projection 28 that supports the electric heater 26 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction extending from the sliding groove 21 relative to the box body 17.

[0032] With the above configuration, the position of the electric heater 26 can be changed according to the position and size of the crew member P1, so that the crew member P1 can be properly warmed. (1-2) In the console box 16, the electric heater 26 has a light source 27 attached to it via a base material 25.

[0033] According to the above configuration, even if the electric heater 26 is in a dark location, the light from the light source 27 makes it easier for the crew member P1 to see the location of the electric heater 26. (Second Embodiment) As shown in Figure 4, the console box 41 of this second embodiment is the same as the console box 16 of the first embodiment, except that the knob 29 is omitted, the sliding projection 28 is changed to a gear member 42, and a rack portion 43 is provided on the lower surface of the wide portion 23 of the sliding groove 21 that meshes with the gear member 42 and extends in the front-rear direction, thereby configuring the heater unit 24 to be moved electrically. Therefore, in this second embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and explanations that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted. In addition, in this second embodiment, the same reference numerals will be used for the same components as in the first embodiment.

[0034] <Console box 41> As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in a console box 41 as an example of an interior component for a vehicle, a gear member 42 as an example of a support portion has a cylindrical base end portion 44 fixed to the back surface of the base material 25 and a gear portion 45 rotatably connected to the tip of the base end portion 44. A rack portion 43 extending in the front-rear direction is provided on the lower surface of the wide portion 23 of the sliding groove 21. The gear member 42 has its base end portion 44 slidably inserted into the narrow portion 22 of the sliding groove 21, and the gear portion 45 is inserted into the wide portion 23 of the sliding groove 21 and meshes with the rack portion 43.

[0035] As shown in Figure 4, the console box 41 comprises a motor 46, a motor driver 47, a control unit 48, and an operating unit 49. The motor 46 is housed in, for example, one of the four gear members 42 and rotates the gear unit 45. The control unit 48 is electrically connected to the motor 46 via the motor driver 47 and controls the drive of the motor 46. The operating unit 49 is operated by the occupant P1 and is also electrically connected to the control unit 48.

[0036] When crew member P1 operates the control unit 49, an operation signal is transmitted from the control unit 49 to the control unit 48. Upon receiving the operation signal from the control unit 49, the control unit 48 transmits a control signal based on the operation signal to the motor driver 47. Upon receiving the control signal from the control unit 48, the motor driver 47 supplies power to the motor 46 based on the control signal. This drives the motor 46.

[0037] <Operation of the second embodiment> When crew member P1 operates the control unit 49, the motor 46 drives the gear portion 45 of the gear member 42 to rotate. As a result, the gear portion 45 rotates while meshing with the rack portion 43 and moves in the forward and backward directions, and the heater unit 24 also moves in the forward and backward directions along with the movement of the gear portion 45. This moves the electric heater 26 to the desired position for crew member P1.

[0038] In this way, the occupant P1 can easily move the electric heater 26 to the desired position simply by operating the control unit 49. This allows the occupant P1 to be adequately warmed by the radiant heat of the electric heater 26.

[0039] <Effects of the second embodiment> According to the second embodiment described in detail above, in addition to the effects of (1-1) and (1-2) above, the following effects are achieved.

[0040] (2-1) The console box 41 is configured such that the heater unit 24 is moved in the front-rear direction by the driving force of the motor 46 when the operating unit 49 is operated. With the above configuration, the occupant P1 can easily move the heater unit 24 in the forward and backward directions simply by operating the control unit 49.

[0041] <Example of changes> Each of the above embodiments can be implemented with the following modifications. Furthermore, each of the above embodiments and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0042] Alternatively, the light source 27 may be omitted, and multiple LEDs may be arranged in a front-to-back direction across the entire upper surface of the recess 19 as a display unit, with only the LEDs in the area where the heater unit 24 is located emitting light. In this case, the position of the heater unit 24 may be determined using a sensor or a linear encoder.

[0043] The light source 27 may be omitted. In other words, the display unit that shows the position of the electric heater 26 may be omitted. Instead of the light source 27, luminous paint or phosphorescent paint may be applied to the upper surface of the substrate 25 to serve as a display unit for indicating the position of the electric heater 26.

[0044] Instead of the light source 27, luminous paint or phosphorescent paint may be applied to the tip of the pinch 29 to serve as a display unit for indicating the position of the electric heater 26. A linear guide may be used as a support instead of the sliding projection 28.

[0045] The number of sliding protrusions 28 provided on the base material 25 is not limited to four, and may be changed as appropriate. The electric heater 26 may be fixed to a part of the surface of the base material 25. The light source 27 may be attached to a part of the upper surface of the substrate 25.

[0046] The cover member 20 may be omitted. A heater unit 24 may be provided on the left wall of the box body 17, located on the passenger seat 14 side, similar to the right wall 18. In this way, the occupant P2 sitting in the passenger seat 14 can be warmed by the electric heater 26.

[0047] The guide portion is not limited to the sliding groove 21, but may also be a raised ridge. The guide section may extend not only in the front-to-back direction, but also in the up-and-down direction and the left-to-right direction. In other words, the heater unit 24 may be configured to be movable in the up-and-down direction and the left-to-right direction.

[0048] • The interior components for the vehicle are not limited to the console box 16; they may also include door trims, glove boxes, instrument panels 12, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] 11…Vehicles 12…Instrument panel 13…Driver's seat as an example of a seat 14…Passenger seat 15… Steering wheel 16,41...Console box as an example of interior vehicle component 17...Box body as an example of an interior component 18...Right side wall 19…recess 20... Cover component 21...Sliding groove as an example of a guide section 22…Narrow part 23... Wide part 24… Heater unit 25...Base material 26… Electric heater 27...Light source as an example of a display unit 28...Sliding protrusion as an example of a support part 29... Snacks 30... Base end sliding part 31…Sliding part on the tip side 32... Step 33…Small hole 34…Illumination holes 35…Through hole 42... Gear member as an example of a support part 43... Rack section 44...Proximal end 45...Gear section 46…motor 47…Motor Driver 48... Control Unit 49...Operation unit P1, P2... Crew

Claims

1. The interior component body is positioned adjacent to the seat where the vehicle occupants sit, Electric heater and, A guide portion provided on the seat side of the interior member body, A support portion that supports the electric heater so as to be movable relative to the interior member body in the direction in which the guide portion extends, A vehicle interior component characterized by comprising the following features.

2. The vehicle interior component according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit for indicating the position of the electric heater.

3. The vehicle interior component according to claim 2, characterized in that the display unit is a light source attached to the electric heater.

4. The interior interior member for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the interior member body constitutes a console box.

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