Vehicle console

Abstract

To provide a vehicle console capable of suppressing dropping of a cargo.SOLUTION: A vehicle console (10; 10A) comprises: a console body (20); a mounting part (30) which is provided above the console body (20) and on which a cargo (Hb) can be placed; an armrest (40) which is supported so as to be swingable from a retreating position on the side of the console body (20) to a rest position above the retreating position and on which an occupant's arm can be placed when it is set at the rest position; and a cargo dropping suppression mechanism (50; 50A) which is associated with swinging of the armrest (40) and which suppresses dropping of the cargo placed on the mounting part (30) is placed when the armrest (40) is at the rest position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a console for a vehicle that is provided on the side of a passenger. [Background technology]

[0002] Some vehicles have a vehicle console between the left and right front seats. The vehicle console is located to the side of the occupant and is capable of storing the occupant's luggage and holding beverages. Patent Document 1 discloses a prior art related to such a vehicle console.

[0003] The console shown in Patent Document 1 includes a box-shaped main body capable of storing luggage and a lid that swings upward from the side of the main body. When positioned above the main body, the lid serves as a cover for the main body and can also be used as an armrest for passengers to rest their arms on. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-32977 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Some consoles are not box-shaped, but have a generally flat top surface. Such consoles allow relatively small items such as smartphones, keys, and coin purses to be placed on the top surface. It is conceivable to use a swingable armrest, such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, in such a console with a generally flat top surface. In this case, if the armrest is moved all the way up, the placed item cannot be seen. Therefore, measures to prevent the item from falling are desired.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle console that can prevent luggage from falling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a console body; a loading section provided on the upper part of the console body and capable of loading luggage; an armrest that is supported so as to be swingable from a retracted position to the side of the console body to a rest position above the console body, and on which a passenger can place their arms when the armrest is positioned at the rest position; A vehicle console is provided that is characterized by having a luggage fall prevention mechanism that is linked to the swing of the armrest and prevents luggage placed on the storage section from falling when the armrest is positioned in the rest position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a vehicle console that can prevent luggage from falling. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle console according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 2A to 2C are diagrams illustrating the function of the armrest shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the armrest shown in FIG. 5 as seen from behind. [Figure 7] FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle console according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating the operation of the vehicle console shown in FIG. 7A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description, left and right refer to left and right relative to the vehicle occupant, and front and rear refer to front and rear relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle. In the drawings, Fr indicates front, Rr indicates rear, Le indicates left from the occupant's perspective, Ri indicates right from the occupant's perspective, Up indicates top, and Dn indicates bottom.

[0011] Example 1 The first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] Referring to Figure 1, a vehicle console 10 (hereinafter abbreviated as "console 10") is installed between the front and rear seats. The console 10 has legs 11 fixed to the floor Fl of the vehicle compartment, a console body 20 supported on the upper part of the legs 11, a loading section 30 installed on the upper part of the console body 20 and capable of loading luggage Hb, and an armrest 40 that can swing from the side of the console body 20 to the upper part.

[0013] The console 10 further has a switch 14 that is located on the top surface of the console body 20 and can be operated by a passenger to change the position of the armrest 40. A control unit 15 is connected to the switch 14, and receives an operation signal when the switch 14 is operated. Upon receiving the operation signal from the switch 14, the control unit 15 activates a motor (not shown) to swing the armrest 40 to a predetermined position based on the operation signal.

[0014] See Figure 2. The console 10 further includes a front axle 16 and a rear axle 17 which are rotating shafts fixed to the console body 20, a front support 18 which is swingably supported on the front axle 16 and which supports an armrest 40 (see Figure 1), a rear support 19 which is swingably supported on the rear axle 17 and which supports the armrest 40 (see Figure 1), and a luggage drop prevention mechanism 50 which is supported by the front support 18 and the rear support 19 and which can prevent luggage Hb placed on the placement portion 30 from falling.

[0015] The luggage Hb placed on the placement unit 30 is, for example, a smartphone. In addition, luggage Hb that can be placed on the placement unit 30 is expected to include a wallet, keys, cigarettes, a heating device for an electronic cigarette, and the like, but other items can also be placed.

[0016] Referring to Figure 1, console body 20 is formed with a downwardly concave shape and has a drink holder 21 capable of holding a drink for a passenger. Body upper surface portion 22, which constitutes the upper surface of console body 20, is formed in approximately the same plane except for the area where drink holder 21 is formed.

[0017] The outer peripheral surface of the console main body 20 is surrounded by a side wall member 23, except for the area where the armrest 40 is disposed. The upper end of the side wall member 23 is located at a position higher than the main body upper surface portion 22.

[0018] 2 and 3, the placement unit 30 has a placement unit base 31 fixed to the underside of the main body upper surface 22, and a placement unit main body 32 provided inside the placement unit base 31 and capable of placing the load Hb on its upper surface.

[0019] The bottom surface of the placement base 31 is provided with a base hole 31a.

[0020] 4, a guide groove 31c for guiding the luggage fall prevention mechanism 50 is integrally formed on the side wall 31b of the placement base 31.

[0021] See Fig. 2. The placement unit main body 32 may be box-shaped and may have a built-in charging device 33 capable of charging a smartphone. The charging device 33 may be, for example, a wireless charging device that does not require connection to the smartphone via a cord.

[0022] The upper surface of the mounting portion main body 32, that is, the mounting upper surface portion 32a, is positioned on approximately the same plane as the main body upper surface portion 22. As a result, most of the upper surface of the console 10 is formed flat.

[0023] Please refer to FIG. 1. In the state shown in FIG. 1, the armrest 40 is located in the retracted position. In this state, the occupant cannot place their arms on the armrest 40. The occupant can move the armrest 40 to a rest position above the console body 20 by operating the switch 14. When the armrest 40 is located in the rest position, the occupant can place their arms on the armrest 40. Details will be described later.

[0024] When the armrest 40 is in the retracted position, the outer peripheral surface of the armrest 40 has the same shape as the outer peripheral surface of the side wall member 23. As a result, the outer peripheral surface of the console body 20 is continuously surrounded by the side wall member 23 and the armrest 40.

[0025] The armrest 40 has a rest surface portion 41 on which the occupant can place their arms when in the rest position, an upper end portion 42 that is positioned at the upper end when in the retracted position, and a connecting surface portion 43 that connects the rest surface portion 41 and the upper end portion 42. All of the rest surface portion 41, the upper end portion 42, and the connecting surface portion 43 are formed to be continuous with the side wall member 23.

[0026] 3, an upper end 42 of the armrest 40 is located at a higher position than the placement portion 30.

[0027] See Figure 1. The armrest 40 may be movable from the rear to the top, or from the front to the top. In other words, the side of the console body 20 includes the vicinity of the side surface of the console body 20, as well as the vicinity of the front and rear.

[0028] Furthermore, the armrest 40 may be swung manually by the passenger, rather than by a motor.

[0029] For example, a capacitance type touch switch can be used as the switch 14, but a button type or plunger type switch can also be used. In other words, any type of switch can be used.

[0030] Although the control unit 15 is shown schematically, it can be placed anywhere, such as inside the console main body 20.

[0031] The control unit 15 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM in which programs executed by the CPU and various data are stored, a RAM used as a working memory for the CPU, and an EEPROM which is a non-volatile memory.

[0032] A stepping motor, for example, can be used as the motor that is energized and operated by an electric signal from the control unit 15. By linking the motors using gears or the like, it is possible to swing multiple armrests 40 with a single motor. Alternatively, a motor can be provided for each armrest 40.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 2. The front shaft portion 16 and the rear shaft portion 17 are both made of round bar-shaped members and are arranged on the same axis extending in the front-rear direction.

[0034] Please refer to Figure 3. The luggage fall prevention mechanism 50 has a cam 51 supported by the front support part 18 and the rear support part 19 (see Figure 2), and a lifting part 52 that rises and falls when the cam is actuated.

[0035] The cam 51 has a round bar-shaped cam shaft portion 51a and a cam body 51b located below the lifting portion 52 and protruding radially outward from the cam shaft portion 51a.

[0036] The lifting section 52 has a lifting floor 52a facing the base hole 31a, and a fall prevention wall 52b that prevents the luggage Hb from falling from the mounting section 30 when the lifting section 52 rises from the lifting floor 52a. When the armrest 40 is in the retracted position, the upper end of the fall prevention wall 52b is at the same height as the main body upper surface 22.

[0037] The upper end of the fall prevention wall portion 52b may be located at a position lower than the main body upper surface portion 22.

[0038] Please refer to Fig. 4. A protrusion 52c is formed on a part of the fall prevention wall portion 52b, protruding toward the guide groove portion 31c and inserted into the guide groove portion 31c.

[0039] The operation of the console 10 will now be described.

[0040] Please refer to Figure 5. Figure 5 shows the armrest 40 in a rest position. To be able to rest one's arm on the armrest 40, the occupant must move the armrest 40 to the rest position.

[0041] Specifically, when the passenger operates the switch 14 to move the armrest 40 to the rest position, the electrical signal is transmitted to the control unit 15. The control unit 15 energizes the motor to operate it, which moves the armrest 40. When the armrest 40 moves to the rest position, the control unit 15 stops energizing the motor.

[0042] 2 and 6. When the armrest 40 is displaced, the front support portion 18, the rear support portion 19, and the luggage drop prevention mechanism 50 are also displaced. The front axle portion 16, the rear axle portion 17, and the placement portion 30 are not displaced.

[0043] More specifically, in the luggage fall prevention mechanism 50, the cam 51 rotates around the front shaft 16 and the rear shaft 17, causing the tip of the cam body 51b to come into contact with the lifting floor 52a. As the cam 51 further rotates in this contact state, the cam 51 lifts the lifting part 52, causing the lifting part 52 to rise. As a result, the fall prevention wall 52b is displaced above the main body upper surface 22 and the placement upper surface 32a.

[0044] The fall prevention wall portion 52b rises above the placement upper surface portion 32a, thereby preventing the luggage Hb from sliding out of the placement portion 30. This prevents the luggage Hb from falling from the console 10.

[0045] When the armrest 40 is displaced from the rest position to the retracted position, the cam 51 is also displaced in conjunction with the cam 51, and the cam body 51b tilts to face sideways. As a result, the tip of the cam body 51b gradually lowers, and the lifting / lowering unit 52 supported by the cam body 51b also descends under its own weight. After the lifting / lowering unit 52 is displaced to a position where it abuts against the placement unit base 31, the cam body 51b further tilts, and the cam body 51b moves away from the lifting / lowering unit 52.

[0046] <Example 2> Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0047] Please refer to Fig. 7A, which shows a cross-sectional configuration of a console 10A according to Example 2. The same reference numerals will be used for parts common to Example 1, and detailed description will be omitted.

[0048] In the console 10A according to the second embodiment, the luggage fall prevention mechanism 50A is composed of only a cam 51A, and in the retracted state, the cam body 51b faces upward and abuts against the placement body 32A. The placement body 32A of the placement body 30A on which luggage is placed is provided so that it can be raised and lowered. The other basic configurations are the same as those of the damper mechanism according to the first embodiment.

[0049] When the armrest 40 is in the retracted position, the cam body 51b faces upward and contacts the lift floor 52a. At this time, the placement upper surface 32a is positioned at approximately the same height as the main body upper surface 22.

[0050] See Figure 7B. When the armrest 40 is displaced toward the rest position, the cam 51 is also displaced in conjunction with the armrest 40, and the cam body 51b tilts to face sideways. This causes the tip of the cam body 51b to gradually lower, and the placement unit body 32A supported by the cam body 51b also descends under its own weight. After the placement unit body 32A is displaced to a position where it abuts against the placement unit base 31, the cam body 51b further tilts, and the cam body 51b moves away from the placement unit body 32A.

[0051] When the placement portion main body 32A is supported by the placement portion base portion 31, the placement upper surface portion 32a is located at a position lower than the main body upper surface portion 22. The edge of the main body upper surface portion 22 prevents the luggage Hb from sliding out of the placement upper surface portion 32a.

[0052] When the armrest 40 is displaced from the rest position to the retracted position, the tip of the cam body 51b raises the placement body 32A to a position where the placement upper surface 32a is at substantially the same height as the body upper surface 22.

[0053] The consoles 10 and 10A described above will be summarized below.

[0054] 2 and 6. First, the console 10 has a console main body 20, a mounting portion 30 provided on the upper portion of the console main body 20 and capable of placing luggage Hb thereon, and an armrest 40 supported so as to be swingable from a retracted position to the side of the console main body 20 to a rest position above the console main body 20, on which a passenger can place their arms when the armrest 40 is positioned at the rest position. The console 10 also has a luggage drop prevention mechanism 50 which operates in conjunction with the swing of the armrest 40 and prevents the luggage Hb placed on the mounting portion 30 from dropping when the armrest 40 is positioned at the rest position. The same applies to the console 10A (see FIG. 7B).

[0055] While the vehicle is traveling, luggage Hb may slide on the loading upper surface portion 32a. When the armrest 40 is in the rest position, it is difficult to visually confirm that the luggage has slipped. The luggage drop prevention mechanism 50 can prevent luggage Hb placed on the loading portion 30 from falling when the armrest 40 is in the rest position.

[0056] See Figure 3. Secondly, in the first console 10, when the armrest 40 is in the retracted position, the upper end 42 located at the top of the armrest 40 is positioned higher than the placement portion 30. The same is true for the console 10A (see Figure 7A).

[0057] Even when the armrest 40 is in the retracted position, the luggage Hb placed on the placement portion 30 can be prevented from falling off the console 10. At this time, since the armrest 40 in the retracted position is used, there is no need to increase the number of parts, which is advantageous.

[0058] See FIG. 6. Third, in the first or second console 10, the luggage drop prevention mechanism 50 includes a cam 51 that moves in conjunction with the swing of the armrest 40, and a drop prevention wall portion 52b that is disposed at least partially between the console body 20 and the mounting portion 30 and that is displaced by the operation of the cam 51. When the armrest 40 moves from the retracted position to the rest position, the drop prevention wall portion 52b is raised by the cam 51 to a position above the upper surface (the mounting upper surface portion 32a). When the armrest 40 moves from the rest position to the retracted position, the drop prevention wall portion 52b descends to a position substantially flush with the upper surface or below the upper surface. This simple configuration can prevent the luggage Hb from falling. Furthermore, the mechanism using the cam 51 reduces the number of parts compared to a mechanism such as a rack and pinion, thereby reducing the assembly process.

[0059] See FIG. 7B. Fourth, in the first or second console 10A, the luggage drop prevention mechanism 50A has a cam 51A that moves in conjunction with the swing of the armrest 40. The placement portion 30A can be raised and lowered by the cam 51A. When the armrest 40 moves from the retracted position to the rest position, the placement portion 30A is lowered by the cam 51A to below the upper surface (see the main body upper surface portion 22). When the armrest 40 moves from the rest position to the retracted position, the placement portion 30A is raised by the cam 51A to approximately the same plane as the upper surface. This simple configuration can prevent luggage Hb from dropping. Furthermore, a mechanism using the cam 51A can reduce the number of parts and assembly steps compared to using a mechanism such as a rack and pinion.

[0060] Although the console according to the present invention has been described with reference to an example in which two armrests are used, it may have one armrest.

[0061] In addition, the fall prevention wall portion in Example 1 and the mounting portion main body in Example 2 are designed to descend by their own weight, but in order to ensure stable operation, it is also possible to apply a downward biasing force using a spring or the like.

[0062] As long as the functions and effects of the present invention are exhibited, the present invention is not limited to the examples. [Industrial Applicability]

[0063] The console of the present invention is suitable for use in passenger cars. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 10, 10A...Vehicle console 20...Console body 30, 30A...Placement section 40...Armrest 42...Top end 50, 50A...Luggage fall prevention mechanism 51, 51A... Cam 52a...Fall suppression wall part Hb…Luggage

Claims

1. The console itself, a loading section provided on the upper part of the console body and capable of loading luggage; an armrest that is supported so as to be swingable from a retracted position to the side of the console body to a rest position above the console body, and on which a passenger can place their arms when the armrest is positioned at the rest position; a luggage drop prevention mechanism that is linked to the swing of the armrest and that prevents luggage placed on the storage section from dropping when the armrest is positioned at the rest position, The console body has a flat upper surface portion which is the upper surface of the console body, When the armrest is in the retracted position, a top surface of the placement portion is located on substantially the same plane as the top surface of the main body, and the top surface of the placement portion is located on the same plane as the top surface of the main body. The vehicle console is characterized in that, when the armrest is displaced from the retracted position to the rest position, the luggage fall prevention mechanism raises a fall prevention wall portion, at least a portion of which is provided between the console main body and the storage portion, or lowers the storage upper surface portion.

2. 2. The vehicle console according to claim 1, wherein an upper end portion of the armrest is located at a position higher than the receiving portion when the armrest is located at the retracted position.

3. The console itself, a loading section provided on the upper part of the console body and capable of loading luggage; an armrest that is supported so as to be swingable from a retracted position to the side of the console body to a rest position above the console body, and on which a passenger can place their arms when the armrest is positioned at the rest position; a luggage drop prevention mechanism that is linked to the swing of the armrest and that prevents luggage placed on the storage section from dropping when the armrest is positioned at the rest position, The luggage fall prevention mechanism includes a cam that is interlocked with the swing of the armrest, and a fall prevention wall portion that is at least partially provided between the console body and the storage portion and is displaced by the operation of the cam, When the armrest is displaced from the retracted position to the rest position, the upper end of the fall prevention wall portion is raised by the cam to a position above a main body upper surface portion, which is an upper surface of the console main body, A vehicle console wherein, when the armrest is displaced from the rest position to the retracted position, the upper end of the fall prevention wall portion descends to approximately the same plane as the upper surface of the main body, or descends to a position below the upper surface of the main body.

4. A console body, a loading section provided on the upper part of the console body and capable of loading luggage; an armrest that is supported so as to be swingable from a retracted position to the side of the console body to a rest position above the console body, and on which a passenger can place their arms when the armrest is positioned at the rest position; a luggage drop prevention mechanism that is linked to the swing of the armrest and that prevents luggage placed on the storage section from dropping when the armrest is positioned at the rest position, The console body has a flat upper surface portion which is the upper surface of the console body, When the armrest is in the retracted position, a top surface of the placement portion is located on substantially the same plane as the top surface of the main body, and the top surface of the placement portion is located on the same plane as the top surface of the main body. The luggage drop prevention mechanism has a cam that moves in conjunction with the swing of the armrest, The placement portion can be raised and lowered by the cam, When the armrest is displaced from the retracted position to the rest position, the placement portion is lowered by the cam to a position below the upper surface portion of the main body, When the armrest is displaced from the rest position to the retracted position, the placement portion is raised by the cam to a position substantially flush with the upper surface of the main body.

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