Vehicle interior components

Abstract

To provide a vehicle interior component that makes the location of the electric heater easily visible to the occupant. [Solution] The console box 16 comprises a box body 17 positioned adjacent to the driver's seat 13 where the vehicle's occupants sit and having a recess 19 on the driver's seat 13 side; an electric heater 23 positioned in the recess 19; a cover member 25 positioned outside the electric heater 23 in the recess 19 and facing the electric heater 23, and having a plurality of through holes 27; and a light source 26 positioned outside the electric heater 23 in the recess 19 and irradiating light toward the outer surface of at least one of the electric heater 23 and the cover member 25.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] ,

[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 has been known. Such a vehicle heating device is provided on the back side of a position facing the driver's (occupant's) legs on an upper wall portion located above the legs of the driver 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]

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 arranged near the legs of the driver sitting in the driver's seat. For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult for the driver to grasp the position of the electric heater.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to the above configuration, since the light from the light source is reflected from the outer surface of at least one of the electric heater and the cover member, even if the electric heater is in a dark location, the light reflected from the outer surface of at least one of the electric heater and the cover member makes it easier for the occupants to see the location of the electric heater.

[0008] [Aspect 2] The interior vehicle component according to [Aspect 1], characterized in that the light source is positioned outside the cover member. With the above configuration, the distance from the electric heater to the light source can be increased, thereby reducing the adverse effects on the light source from the heat of the electric heater.

[0009] [Aspect 3] The interior vehicle component according to [Aspect 2], characterized in that the outer surface of the light source is covered by the interior component body. With the above configuration, the light from the light source does not directly enter the occupants' eyes. Therefore, the occupants can perceive the light from the light source as indirect lighting reflected from the outer surface of the electric heater. Consequently, the glare that the occupants feel from the light source can be suppressed.

[0010] [Aspect 4] An interior component for a vehicle, comprising: an interior component body positioned adjacent to a seat on which a vehicle occupant sits and having a recess on the seat side; an electric heater positioned in the recess; a cover member positioned outside the electric heater in the recess and facing the electric heater, and having a plurality of through holes; and a light source positioned on the periphery of the recess in the interior component body and irradiating light toward the seat side.

[0011] With the above configuration, since the light from the light source is shone directly onto the seat, even if the electric heater is in a dark location, the light shone from the light source makes it easier for the occupant to see the location of the electric heater. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] This invention has the effect of making the location of the electric heater easier for occupants to see. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [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. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in Figure 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] (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.

[0015] <Vehicle 11> As shown in FIG. 1, an instrument panel 12 is provided at the front end of the passenger compartment, which is the interior of the vehicle 11, so as to extend across the entire left - right direction. Behind the instrument panel 12 in the passenger compartment, a driver's seat 13, which is an example of a seat on which the occupant P1 of the vehicle 11 sits, and a passenger seat 14 on which the occupant P2 sits are arranged side by side in the left - right direction. That is, the driver's seat 13 on which the occupant P1 sits is arranged at the right front part of the passenger compartment, and the passenger seat 14 on which the occupant P2 sits is arranged at the left front part of the passenger compartment.

[0016] 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 member for a vehicle, is arranged between the driver's seat 13 and the passenger seat 14.

[0017] [[ID=eleven]] <Console box 16> As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the console box 16 has a bottomed box - shaped box body 17 as an example of an interior member main body. That is, the box body 17 constitutes a part of the console box 16. The box body 17 is arranged adjacent to the driver's seat 13 and the passenger seat 14 in the left - right direction.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a rectangular recess 19 extending in the front - rear direction is provided on the right surface 18a, which is the outer surface of the right - hand side wall 18 located on the driver's seat 13 side of the box body 17. The recess 19 is open on the right surface 18a. A heater unit 20 is housed in the recess 19.

[0019] <elementary school> <Heater unit 20>

[0020] The base material 21 is a rectangular box-shaped structure with a bottom that opens at its right end. The length of the base material 21 in the vertical and front-to-back directions is slightly shorter than that of the recess 19. The base material 21 is made of, for example, synthetic resin and is housed in a fitted state within the recess 19. A rectangular sheet-shaped insulating material 22 is placed on the bottom surface of the base material 21, covering the entire bottom surface. A rectangular sheet-shaped electric heater 23 is laminated on the right side of the insulating material 22 within the base material 21, covering the entire right side.

[0021] The electric heater 23 is composed of a planar heater that emits radiant heat when energized, such as a film heater or a silicone rubber heater. A rectangular sheet-shaped heat-insulating cover 24 is laminated on the right side of the electric heater 23 within the base material 21, covering the entire right side. The heat-insulating cover 24 keeps the electric heater 23 warm so that it is not cooled by the surrounding cold air. The heat-insulating cover 24 is composed of, for example, a coarsely woven fabric or a resin film with many pores.

[0022] The cover member 25 is rectangular in shape and is fixed to the base material 21 so as to close the opening at the right end of the base material 21. The length of the cover member 25 in the vertical and front-to-back directions is the same as that of the base material 21. The cover member 25 is positioned outside (to the right of) the electric heater 23 in the recess 19. The cover member 25 faces the electric heater 23 in the left-right direction via the heat-insulating cover 24. An air layer S (space) is formed between the cover member 25 and the heat-insulating cover 24 within the base material 21.

[0023] The cover member 25 has multiple through holes 27 formed throughout it. The multiple through holes 27 are arranged regularly, for example, in a zigzag pattern. A pair of light sources 26 are attached to the upper and lower ends of the right side of the cover member 25. The pair of light sources 26 are positioned outside (to the right of) the electric heater 23 in the recess 19. The pair of light sources 26 are positioned outside (to the right of) the cover member 25 in the recess 19. The pair of light sources 26 extend linearly in the front-to-back direction.

[0024] The length of the pair of light sources 26 in the front-to-back direction is the same as the length of the cover member 25 in the front-to-back direction. The pair of light sources 26 are positioned so as not to overlap with the electric heater 23 in the left-to-right direction. The pair of light sources 26 are set to irradiate light toward the right side, which is the outer surface of the electric heater 23, through the heat-insulating cover 24. The light sources 26 are composed of, for example, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) that emit light when power is applied.

[0025] At the upper and lower ends of the outer (right) end of the recess 19 in the right side wall 18, a pair of protrusions 28 are provided that extend in the front-to-back direction to conceal the pair of light sources 26 so that they are not visible when viewed from the right side. The length of the pair of protrusions 28 in the front-to-back direction is the same as the length of the pair of light sources 26 in the front-to-back direction. The pair of protrusions 28 cover the entire right side surface, which is the outer surface of the pair of light sources 26.

[0026] The pair of protrusions 28 are formed from a part of the box body 17. The pair of protrusions 28 narrow the opening of the recess 19 in the vertical direction and are formed to protrude so as to be adjacent to the pair of light sources 26. The pair of protrusions 28 are positioned so as not to overlap with the electric heater 23 in the left-right 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 23 to be energized and generate heat, and the pair of light sources 26 to be energized and emit light. At this time, the radiant heat from the heated electric heater 23 passes through the multiple through holes 27 of the heat-insulating cover 24 and cover member 25 and is radiated from the opening of the recess 19 mainly onto the thighs of the occupant P1 seated in the driver's seat 13. As a result, the occupant P1 is warmed by the radiant heat from the electric heater 23.

[0028] Furthermore, the light from the pair of light sources 26 passes through multiple through-holes 27 in the cover member 25 and shines on the right side of the electric heater 23 through the heat-insulating cover 24. The light that shines on the right side of the electric heater 23 is reflected from that right side and passes through the heat-insulating cover 24 and the multiple through-holes 27 in the cover member 25 and leaks out to the outside through the opening of the recess 19. As a result, even if the interior of the vehicle is dark, the occupant P1 can easily see the location of the electric heater 23 by the light from the pair of light sources 26 leaking out to the outside through the opening of the recess 19.

[0029] <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 and having a recess 19 on the driver's seat 13 side, an electric heater 23 positioned in the recess 19, a cover member 25 positioned outside the electric heater 23 in the recess 19 and facing the electric heater 23, and having a plurality of through holes 27, and a light source 26 positioned outside the electric heater 23 in the recess 19 and irradiating light toward the outer surface of the electric heater 23.

[0030] According to the above configuration, since the light from the light source 26 is reflected from the outer surface of the electric heater 23, even if the electric heater 23 is in a dark location, the light reflected from the outer surface of the electric heater 23 makes it easier for the crew member P1 to see the position of the electric heater 23.

[0031] (1-2) In the console box 16, the light source 26 is positioned outside the cover member 25. With the above configuration, the distance from the electric heater 23 to the light source 26 can be increased, thereby reducing the adverse effects on the light source 26 due to the heat from the electric heater 23. In addition, an air layer S (space) is formed between the cover member 25 and the heat-insulating cover 24 within the base material 21. As a result, the air layer S makes it difficult for the heat from the electric heater 23 to be transferred to the light source 26, further reducing the adverse effects on the light source 26 due to the heat from the electric heater 23.

[0032] (1-3) In the console box 16, the outer surface of the light source 26 is covered by the protrusion 28. With the above configuration, the light from the light source 26 does not directly enter the eyes of the crew member P1. Therefore, the crew member P1 can perceive the light from the light source 26 as indirect lighting reflected from the outer surface of the electric heater 23. Consequently, the glare felt by the crew member P1 by the light from the light source 26 can be suppressed.

[0033] (Second Embodiment) As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the console box 30, an example of a vehicle interior component in this second embodiment, is the same as the console box 16 of the first embodiment, except that the heater unit 20 is housed in the recess 19 such that the right side of the cover member 25 is flush with the right side 18a of the right side wall 18, a pair of light sources 26 are arranged on the periphery of the recess 19 in the right side wall 18 of the box body 17, and a pair of protrusions 28 are omitted. Otherwise, the console box 30 of the second embodiment is the same as the console box 16 of the first embodiment. 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. Also, in this second embodiment, the same reference numerals will be used for components that are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0034] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the pair of light sources 26 are positioned above and below the recess 19 in the right side wall 18 of the box body 17, respectively. The pair of light sources 26 are attached to the top and bottom surfaces of the cover member 25, respectively. The pair of light sources 26 extend linearly in the front-to-back direction along the top and bottom edges of the recess 19. The length of the pair of light sources 26 in the front-to-back direction is the same as the length of the cover member 25 in the front-to-back direction.

[0035] The right surfaces of the pair of light sources 26 are positioned flush with the right surface 18a of the right side wall 18. The right surfaces of the pair of light sources 26 are exposed on the right surface 18a of the right side wall 18. <Operation of the second 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 23 to be energized and generate heat, and the pair of light sources 26 to be energized and emit light. At this time, the radiant heat from the heated electric heater 23 passes through the multiple through holes 27 of the heat-insulating cover 24 and cover member 25 and is radiated from the opening of the recess 19 mainly onto the thighs of the occupant P1 seated in the driver's seat 13. As a result, the occupant P1 is warmed by the radiant heat from the electric heater 23.

[0036] Furthermore, the light from the pair of light sources 26 is directed directly toward the driver's seat 13. As a result, even if the interior of the vehicle is dark, the occupant P1 can easily see the location of the electric heater 23 by the light directly emitted from the pair of light sources 26.

[0037] <Effects of the second embodiment> According to the second embodiment described in detail above, the following effects are achieved. (2-1) The console box 30 comprises a box body 17 positioned adjacent to the driver's seat 13 where the occupant P1 of the vehicle 11 sits and having a recess 19 on the driver's seat 13 side, an electric heater 23 positioned in the recess 19, a cover member 25 positioned outside the electric heater 23 in the recess 19 and facing the electric heater 23, and having a plurality of through holes 27, and a light source 26 positioned on the periphery of the recess 19 in the box body 17 and irradiating light toward the driver's seat 13 side.

[0038] With the above configuration, since the light from the light source 26 is directly shone towards the driver's seat 13, even if the electric heater 23 is in a dark location, the light shone from the light source 26 makes it easier for the occupant P1 to see the position of the electric heater 23.

[0039] <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.

[0040] In the first embodiment, the pair of light sources 26 may be attached to the front and rear ends of the right surface of the cover member 25 so as to extend vertically, respectively. In the second embodiment, the pair of light sources 26 may be arranged so as to extend vertically on the front and rear sides of the recess 19 in the right side wall 18 of the box body 17, respectively.

[0041] In the second embodiment, the right surfaces of the pair of light sources 26 do not necessarily need to be positioned flush with the right surface 18a of the right side wall 18. In the first embodiment, at least one of the pair of light sources 26 may be arranged to irradiate light toward the outer surface of the cover member 25.

[0042] In the first embodiment, at least one of the pair of light sources 26 may be arranged to irradiate light toward the outer surfaces of both the electric heater 23 and the cover member 25. In the first embodiment, the outer surface of the light source 26 does not necessarily need to be covered by the protrusion 28.

[0043] In the first embodiment, the light source 26 may be positioned inside the cover member 25 in the recess 19. That is, the light source 26 may be positioned, for example, between the heat-insulating cover 24 and the cover member 25 within the base material 21.

[0044] In the first and second embodiments, the length of the light source 26 in the front-to-back direction may be changed as appropriate. In the first and second embodiments, one of the pair of light sources 26 may be omitted.

[0045] In the first and second embodiments, the base material 21 may be omitted. In the first and second embodiments, the heat insulating material 22 may be omitted. In the first and second embodiments, the heat-retaining cover 24 may be omitted.

[0046] In the first and second embodiments, a heater unit 20 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 23.

[0047] In the first and second embodiments, the vehicle interior components are not limited to console boxes 16 and 30, but may also include door trims, glove boxes, instrument panels 12, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0048] 11…Vehicles 12…Instrument panel 13…Driver's seat as an example of a seat 14…Passenger seat 15… Steering wheel 16,30…Console box as an example of interior vehicle component 17...Box body as an example of an interior component 18...Right side wall 18a…Right side 19…recess 20… Heater unit 21...Base material 22…Insulation 23… Electric heater 24... Insulated cover 25... Cover component 26…Light source 27…Through hole 28...Protrusion P1, P2... Crew S...Air layer

Claims

1. An interior component body positioned adjacent to the seat where the vehicle occupants sit and having a recess on the seat side, An electric heater is placed in the recess, A cover member having multiple through holes is positioned in the recess, facing the electric heater at a location outside the electric heater, A light source is positioned outside the electric heater in the recess and irradiates light toward the outer surface of at least one of the electric heater and the cover member, A vehicle interior component characterized by comprising the following features.

2. The vehicle interior member according to claim 1, characterized in that the light source is positioned outside the cover member.

3. The vehicle interior member according to claim 2, characterized in that the outer surface of the light source is covered by the interior member body.

4. An interior component body positioned adjacent to the seat where the vehicle occupants sit and having a recess on the seat side, An electric heater is placed in the recess, A cover member having multiple through holes is positioned in the recess, facing the electric heater at a location outside the electric heater, A light source is provided, which is positioned at the periphery of the recess in the interior component body and irradiates light toward the sheet side. A vehicle interior component characterized by comprising the following features.

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