Center console of vehicle

Abstract

A center console (10) of a vehicle has a storage space (16) formed therein. The center console (10) of a vehicle has a duct (30) for an air conditioner provided in the storage space (16). The duct (30) has: a first flat part (40) in which the longitudinal direction is oriented in a first direction in the vehicle width direction; a second flat part (60) in which the longitudinal direction is oriented in a second direction, which is different from the first direction, in the vehicle width direction; and a connection part (50) that connects the first flat part (40) and the second flat part (60).

Description

Vehicle's center console

[0001] The present invention relates to a center console for a vehicle.

[0002] Conventionally, a center console is arranged between the driver's seat and the passenger seat in the fore-and-aft direction, extending all the way to the front of the rear seats. Some center consoles are equipped with ducts that blow conditioned air toward rear seat passengers. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a center console equipped with a duct that is flat (horizontally elongated) in the vehicle width direction.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-322789

[0004] Generally, there is a space inside the center console that is long in the width direction of the vehicle and a space that is long in the vertical direction. However, with the technology of Patent Document 1, the cross-sectional shape of the duct is long in the width direction of the vehicle, so the long space in the vertical direction cannot be fully utilized.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide a center console for a vehicle that can effectively utilize the space formed therein.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a center console for a vehicle having a storage space formed therein, the storage space including a duct for an air conditioner. The duct has a first flat portion whose longitudinal direction is oriented in a first direction in the vehicle width direction, a second flat portion whose longitudinal direction is oriented in a second direction in the vehicle width direction that is different from the first direction, and a connecting portion that connects the first flat portion and the second flat portion.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a center console for a vehicle that can effectively utilize the space formed therein.

[0008] 1 is a perspective view of a center console of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 2 is a side view of a center console of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 3 is a plan view of the duct shown in FIG. 2 as seen from above; 4 is an end view of the duct taken along section line IVa-IVa in FIG. 3; 5 is an end view of the duct taken along section line IVb-IVb in FIG. 3; 6 is an end view of the duct taken along section line IVc-IVc in FIG. 3; 7 is a side view of a partially cut rear duct; 8 is a cross-sectional view of the rear duct as seen from arrow VI in FIG. 5; and 9 is a cross-sectional view of the duct taken along section line VII-VII in FIG. 5.

[0009] A center console for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the terms "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," and "lower" refer to the state in which the driver of the vehicle is facing forward (forward). The left-right direction corresponds to the width of the vehicle.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, a vehicle 1 has two front seats 20 (only the right front seat 20 is shown in Figure 1) adjacent to each other in the left-right direction as first-row seats. One of the two front seats 20 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction is a driver's seat, and the other is a passenger seat. In the vehicle 1 shown in Figure 1, the driver's seat is on the right side. A center console 10 extending in the front-rear direction is disposed between the driver's seat 20 and the passenger seat on a floor surface 21 of the vehicle body.

[0011] The center console 10 has a main body 11 fixed to the floor surface 21, a lid body 12 rotatably attached to the upper rear end of the main body 11, and various parts and ducts 30 provided in the storage space of the main body 11.

[0012] The main body 11 has a left wall 11a, a right wall (not shown), a top wall 11b, and a rear wall 11c, and is box-shaped. As shown in Figure 2, a storage space 16 is defined inside the main body 11 by these walls. The storage space 16 is formed over the entire length of the main body 11 in the front-to-rear direction. Various parts and ducts 30 are stored in the storage space 16.

[0013] A cylindrical storage section 13 extending in the left-right direction (a direction perpendicular to the drawing in FIG. 2 ) is formed in the front of the main body 11. This storage section 13 penetrates the left wall 11a and the right wall (not shown). Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the storage section 13 penetrating left and right is formed in the center of the main body 11 in the up-down direction. A space 14 in this storage section 13 is used as a space for storing items. In this way, the front of the main body 11 functions as a so-called bridge console section in which the space 14 for storing items is formed.

[0014] 2, a rectangular opening 15 is formed in the center of the top wall 11b of the main body 11 in the front-to-rear direction. A drink holder 17 for holding a beverage container such as a plastic bottle is fitted into this opening 15. The drink holder 17 is fixed to the main body 11 by a fixing means such as a screw.

[0015] A downwardly recessed recess 18 is formed at the rear in the front-to-rear direction of the upper wall 11b of the main body 11. The recess 18 is a rectangular recess when viewed from above, and is opened and closed by a rotatably attached lid 12. The recess 18 functions as a storage section for storing items.

[0016] The center console 10 also has, in the storage space 16, a duct 30 for an air conditioner (not shown), a cutoff switch (SD switch) 70, and a DCDC (Direct Current-Direct Current) converter 80 as components.

[0017] The duct 30 is a passage through which conditioned air from an air conditioner (not shown) passes. The conditioned air that passes through the duct 30 is blown out toward rear seat passengers from an outlet 19 formed in the rear wall 11c of the main body 11 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the duct 30 has, in order from the front side, a first flat portion 40, a connecting portion 50, and a second flat portion 60. The first flat portion 40, the connecting portion 50, and the second flat portion 60 are each formed as separate bodies, and are combined so as to extend in the fore-and-aft direction and disposed in the storage space 16.

[0018] The first flat portion 40 is stored in the front portion of the storage space 16. As shown in FIG. 4A , when cut in a direction perpendicular to the vehicle's fore-aft direction (vehicle width direction), the first flat portion 40 has a cross-sectional shape in which the longitudinal direction is oriented in the left-right direction and the lateral direction is oriented in the up-down direction. In other words, the longitudinal direction of the first flat portion 40 in the vehicle width direction cross section is oriented in the vehicle width direction (horizontal direction), and the lateral direction of the vehicle width direction cross section is oriented in the up-down direction. The cross-sectional shape of the first flat portion 40 is a long-hole-like cylindrical shape combining a semicircular portion and a rectangular portion. As shown in FIG. 3 , the first flat portion 40 has, in a top view, an extending portion 41 extending in the fore-aft direction, a bent portion 42 bent at the rear end of the extending portion 41, and an inclined portion 43 connected to the rear end of the bent portion 42. The extending portion 41, the bent portion 42, and the inclined portion 43 have the same cross-sectional shape and size. Because the bent portion 42 is provided, the inclined portion 43 is not parallel to the longitudinal direction in which the extending portion 41 extends, but is oriented in an oblique direction. When viewed from above, the inclined portion 43 extends diagonally to the right with respect to the rear. This extension direction of the inclined portion 43 viewed from above is a direction toward the driver sitting in the driver's seat 20 ( FIG. 1 ). Also, as shown in FIG. 2 , when viewed from the side, the inclined portion 43 extends diagonally upward with respect to the rear. Note that, as shown in FIG. 6 , the end 43 a of the inclined portion 43 is perpendicular to the extension direction of the inclined portion 43. Therefore, the end 43 a of the inclined portion 43 is oriented in a direction inclined upward and to the right with respect to the rear at a predetermined angle.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3 , the second flat portion 60 is stored in the rear of the storage space 16, shifted to the right side. As shown in FIG. 4C , when cut in a direction perpendicular to the vehicle's fore-aft direction (vehicle width direction), the second flat portion 60 has a cross-sectional shape in which the longitudinal direction is vertical and the lateral direction is horizontal. In other words, the longitudinal direction of the second flat portion 60 in the vehicle width direction cross section is vertical, and the lateral direction of the vehicle width direction cross section is horizontal. The cross-sectional shape of the second flat portion 60 is an elongated cylindrical shape combining a semicircular portion and a rectangular portion. As shown in FIG. 3 , the second flat portion 60 has, in a top view, an extending portion 61 extending in the fore-aft direction, a bent portion 62 bent at the front end of the extending portion 61, and an inclined portion 63 connected to the front end of the bent portion 62. The cross-sectional shapes and sizes of the extending portion 61, the bent portion 62, and the inclined portion 63 are identical to one another. Because the bent portion 62 is provided, the inclined portion 63 is not parallel to the front-to-rear direction in which the extending portion 61 extends, but is oriented in an oblique direction. When viewed from above, the inclined portion 63 extends diagonally leftward relative to the front. This extension direction of the inclined portion 63 as viewed from above is parallel to the extension direction of the inclined portion 43 of the first flat portion 40. Also, as shown in FIG. 2 , when viewed from the side, the inclined portion 63 extends diagonally upward relative to the front. As shown in FIG. 5 , the end 63 a (opening) of the inclined portion 63 is cut obliquely relative to the inclined portion 63 so as to face diagonally upward. That is, the end 63 a of the inclined portion 63 is oriented in a direction inclined upward and to the left at a predetermined angle relative to the front. Since the inclined portion 63 is oriented diagonally upward relative to the front, liquids such as water that have flowed down the outer surface of the second flat portion 60 can be prevented from entering through the joints of the duct 30.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2 , the connection portion 50 is provided between the first flat portion 40 and the second flat portion 60 and connects the first flat portion 40 and the second flat portion 60. When viewed from the side, the connection portion 50 extends diagonally upward toward the rear. When viewed from above, as shown in FIG. 3 , the connection portion 50 extends diagonally toward the right relative to the rear. The connection portion 50 is stored in the center of the storage space 16. As shown in FIG. 5 , the connection portion 50 has a first fitting portion 51 that fits with the inclined portion 43 of the first flat portion 40, a second fitting portion 52 that fits with the inclined portion 63 of the second flat portion 60, and a deformation portion 53 formed between the first fitting portion 51 and the second fitting portion 52. The longitudinal direction of the first fitting portion 51 in a cross section in the vehicle width direction is oriented in the vehicle width direction (horizontal direction), and the lateral direction of the cross section in the vehicle width direction is oriented in the up-down direction. The longitudinal direction of second fitting portion 52 in a cross section in the vehicle width direction is oriented in the vertical direction, and the lateral direction of the cross section in the vehicle width direction is oriented in the vehicle width direction (horizontal direction). As shown in Figure 2, drink holder 17 is provided directly above connection portion 50. Under normal circumstances, drink holder 17 covers opening 15 of center console 10, so connection portion 50 cannot be seen from outside center console 10.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 6 , the first fitting portion 51 has an enlarged portion 51a whose opening gradually widens toward the end, and a fitting portion 51b that fits with the inserted inclined portion 43. The front end of the first fitting portion 51 is inclined downward and leftward relative to the front, matching the end 43a of the inclined portion 43, which faces upward and to the right, and is inclined forward at an angle θ1 relative to the vertical direction in a side view of the vehicle. The end 43a of the inclined portion 43 is also inclined forward at an angle θ1 relative to the vertical direction. The angle θ1 is, for example, 15 degrees. The inner dimensions of the enlarged portion 51a are larger than the outer dimensions of the inclined portion 43 along the entire periphery. The enlarged portion 51a facilitates insertion of the inclined portion 43, with a sealant 55 attached to its outer peripheral surface, into the first fitting portion 51 during assembly of the duct 30. The fitting portion 51b is a female portion, and the inclined portion 43 is a male portion, and the two are mated in a female-male manner. A sealant 55 is attached to the outer periphery of the inclined portion 43 with adhesive, double-sided tape, or the like. The sealant 55 is, for example, a foam sealant primarily composed of EPDM rubber, and is compressed between the inclined portion 43 and the fitting portion 51b. This prevents gas from leaking between the inclined portion 43 and the fitting portion 51b. The fitting portion 51b has a section L in the extension direction Y1 of the inclined portion 43, which has the same cross-sectional shape and size. This section L is long enough that, when assembling the duct 30, the inclined portion 43 can be inserted deeply enough to prevent interference between the second fitting portion 52, located on the opposite side of the first fitting portion 51, and the connecting portion 50.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 , the rear end of the second mating portion 52 faces downward and to the right in the rearward direction, matching the end 63a of the inclined portion 63, which faces upward and to the left in the forward direction. As shown in FIG. 5 , the rear end of the second mating portion 52 is inclined rearward at an angle θ2 relative to the vertical direction in a side view of the vehicle. Similarly, the end 63a of the inclined portion 63 is inclined rearward at an angle θ2 relative to the vertical direction. The angle θ2 is, for example, 15 degrees. As shown in FIG. 7 , the second mating portion 52 is a female portion, and the inclined portion 63 is a male portion, and the two are mated. There is essentially no gap between the inner edge of the second mating portion 52 and the outer edge of the inclined portion 63, and the two are connected by zero-touch mating. Furthermore, a thin protrusion (bead) 54 that extends vertically along the rear end of the connecting portion 50 (second fitting portion 52) and protrudes inward is formed on the right side (right side surface) of the second fitting portion 52. This protrusion (bead) 54 is formed on the outer peripheral surface (right side surface) of the inclined portion 63 and is fitted into a recess 63b that extends vertically along the end 63a on the front side (inclined portion 63) of the second flat portion 60. That is, the second fitting portion 52 of the connecting portion 50 has the protrusion (bead) 54 on its side surface, and the second flat portion 60 has the recess 63b on its front side surface, with the protrusion (bead) 54 and the recess 63b fitting together. This makes it difficult for the second fitting portion 52 and the inclined portion 63 to become misaligned, thereby maintaining airtightness.

[0023] The deforming portion 53 connects the first and second mating portions 51 and 52, whose longitudinal cross-sectional shapes are 90 degrees apart. In this way, the deforming portion 53 gradually changes its cross-sectional shape toward the downstream side to connect the first and second mating portions 51 and 52, which have different cross-sectional shapes. When the connection portion 50 is viewed from the side, as shown in FIG. 2 , the center C1 of the downstream second mating portion 52 is higher than the center C2 of the upstream first mating portion 51. When the connection portion 50 is viewed from above, as shown in FIG. 3 , the center C1 of the downstream second mating portion 52 is to the right of the center C2 of the upstream first mating portion 51. Therefore, the deforming portion 53 extends downstream from the first mating portion 51 to the second mating portion 52, changing its cross-sectional shape in a direction tilted upward and to the right by a predetermined angle relative to the rear. As shown in Fig. 2, the deforming portion 53 continuously increases its vertical length toward the downstream (rear) side and connects to the second flattened portion 60. As shown in Fig. 3, the deforming portion 53 continuously decreases its horizontal length toward the downstream (rear) side and connects to the second flattened portion 60. In this way, the deforming portion 53 linearly increases and decreases its vertical and horizontal lengths toward the downstream side, thereby connecting to the second fitting portion 52 through a cross section such as that shown in Fig. 4B.

[0024] The cutoff switch 70 shown in Figure 2 is a service disconnect switch (SD switch) that mechanically cuts off the battery high-voltage circuit. This cutoff switch 70 has a switch structure that can be manually operated by an operator to disconnect the high-voltage battery from high-voltage electronic components (drive motor, inverter, etc.) during vehicle assembly, vehicle inspection, vehicle maintenance, emergency, etc. The cutoff switch 70 is fixed to the floor surface 21 and is located directly below the connection part 50. As described above, the connection part 50 is oriented diagonally upward toward the downstream side, ensuring space below it for arranging the cutoff switch 70.

[0025] The DCDC converter 80 is a device that reduces the voltage to a predetermined voltage value when supplying power from the high-voltage battery to a low-voltage battery that supplies power to auxiliary machinery. As shown in Figures 2 and 3 , the DCDC converter 80 is stored in the rear portion of the storage space 16, shifted to the left side, and disposed adjacent to the left side of the second flat portion 60. As shown in Figure 1 , the DCDC converter 80 is a device that is thin in the left-right direction and tall in the up-down direction. The DCDC converter 80 is stored in a space that is long in the up-down direction and formed on the left side of the second flat portion 60 by the installation of the second flat portion 60.

[0026] Next, a method for manually operating cutoff switch 70 provided in center console 10 will be described. Because cutoff switch 70 is housed in storage space 16 of center console 10, it cannot be seen from outside center console 10 and cannot be manually operated. During inspection or maintenance, in order to manually operate cutoff switch 70 to cut off the battery high-voltage circuit, first, the fastening means, such as screws, that secure drink holder 17 is loosened and drink holder 17 is removed from main body 11. This allows duct 30 and a portion of cutoff switch 70 located directly below duct 30 to be seen through opening 15 formed in center console 10, as shown in FIG. 3 .

[0027] In this state, the duct 30 above gets in the way, making it impossible to manually operate the shutoff switch 70. Therefore, next, the connection portion 50 of the duct 30 is removed from the first flat portion 40 and the second flat portion 60. Specifically, first, force is applied to the second fitting portion 52 shown in FIG. 7 to disengage the convex portion (bead) 54 from the concave portion 63b. Then, the connection portion 50 is slid forward in the direction of arrow Y2 to disengage the second fitting portion 52 from the inclined portion 63. At this time, the inclined portion 43 shown in FIG. 6 is inserted deeply into the section L, where the cross-sectional shape and size of the connection portion 50 are the same. Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the connection portion 50 is slid backward in the direction of arrow Y3 to disengage the first fitting portion 51 from the inclined portion 43. This allows the connection portion 50 to be removed.

[0028] By removing the connecting part 50 in this manner, the connecting part 50 is no longer above the shutoff switch 70, allowing the shutoff switch 70 to be manually operated to the shutoff position. After completing inspection and maintenance and manually operating the shutoff switch 70 back to its original position (connected position), the connecting part 50 and drink holder 17 can be installed in the reverse order of removal. When installing the connecting part 50, first, the first fitting part 51 is fitted into the sloped part 43, and then the sloped part 43 is inserted deeply enough that the second fitting part 52 and the sloped part 63 do not interfere with each other. The connecting part 50 can then be installed by sliding the connecting part 50 in the opposite direction to fit the second fitting part 52 and the sloped part 63 together.

[0029] The cross-sectional shapes of the first flat portion 40 and the second flat portion 60 are not limited to the elongated cylindrical shape described above, but may be rectangular, elliptical, or another shape. That is, the first flat portion 40 and the second flat portion 60 may have a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, and may have a flat cross-sectional shape.

[0030] Furthermore, the longitudinal and lateral directions of the first flat portion 40 and the second flat portion 60 are not limited to being aligned with the vertical and horizontal directions. Taking into consideration the shape of the center console and the items stored therein, the longitudinal and lateral directions may be inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0031] Furthermore, the longitudinal directions of the first flat portion 40 and the second flat portion 60 are not limited to being perpendicular to each other, and the angle formed by each longitudinal direction can be set to an appropriate angle, taking into account the shape of the center console and the items to be stored inside it.

[0032] Furthermore, the arrangement of the storage compartments and ducts in the center console is merely an example and is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the front-to-rear relationship between the first flat portion 40 and the second flat portion 60 may be reversed, with the second flat portion 60 located at the front and the first flat portion 40 located at the rear. Furthermore, three or more flat portions may be assembled in the front-to-rear direction within the center console. Furthermore, the various components arranged in the center console are not limited to the above configuration, and any components may be arranged. For example, instead of the bridge console having the space 14 formed therein as shown in FIG. 2 , a configuration may be adopted in which a recess is formed in the corresponding location for storing items from above.

[0033] The center console of the vehicle according to this embodiment has a storage space 16 formed therein, and this storage space 16 is provided with a duct 30 for an air conditioner. The duct 30 has a first flat portion 40 whose longitudinal direction faces a first direction in the vehicle width direction, a second flat portion 60 whose longitudinal direction faces a second direction in the vehicle width direction that is different from the first direction, and a connection portion 50 that connects the first flat portion 40 and the second flat portion 60. As a result, in the storage space 16 of the center console 10, the first flat portion 40 can be arranged in the empty space that is long in the first direction, and the second flat portion 60 can be arranged in the empty space that is long in the second direction, thereby making effective use of the storage space 16.

[0034] In the center console of the vehicle according to this embodiment, the first direction is the width direction of the vehicle, and the second direction is the up-down direction, which allows for effective use of the storage space 16 of the center console 10, which has a long empty space in both the width direction and the up-down direction.

[0035] Furthermore, in the center console of the vehicle according to this embodiment, the connection portion 50 continuously decreases in length in the first direction and continuously increases in length in the second direction, continuously connecting the first flat portion 40 to the second flat portion 60. This allows for a gradual change in the internal space of the connection portion 50, preventing disruption of the flow of conditioned air passing through the interior. This allows for smooth delivery of conditioned air to the rear seats and reduces the rotation speed of the air conditioner fan. Furthermore, because the shape of the connection portion 50 continuously changes, the connection portion 50 is easy to grip, improving workability during installation and removal. While a linear change has been described as an example of continuously increasing or decreasing the vertical and horizontal lengths of the deforming portion 53 of the connection portion 50, any configuration may be used as long as it prevents conditioned air from peeling off the inner wall of the duct and generating vortices. For example, the vertical and horizontal lengths may increase or decrease in a curved line.

[0036] The center console of the vehicle according to this embodiment includes a storage section 13 provided on one of the front and rear sides of the center console 10, a component (e.g., an electronic component such as a DC-DC converter 80, which may be another electrical component or a component different from the electrical component) provided on the other of the front and rear sides of the center console 10, and a cutoff switch 70 disposed below the center console 10 and between the storage section 13 and the component (e.g., the DC-DC converter 80) in the longitudinal direction and electrically connected to the battery. The duct 30 is formed by combining a first flat section 40, a second flat section 60, and a connection section 50, each of which is separate. The first flat section 40, which has a longitudinal direction in the vehicle width direction, is disposed below the storage section 13, the second flat section 60, which has a longitudinal direction in the up-down direction, is disposed next to the component (e.g., the DC-DC converter 80), and the connection section 50 is disposed above the cutoff switch 70. This configuration allows the cutoff switch 70 to be operated by removing the connection section 50 of the duct 30.

[0037] Furthermore, in the center console of the vehicle according to this embodiment, the connection portion 50 is configured to be male-female mated with the first flat portion 40 and the second flat portion 60 and to be slidable a predetermined distance between the first flat portion 40 and the first flat portion 40. This allows the first mating portion 51 to be mated with the inclined portion 43 and then inserted deeply enough to prevent interference between the second mating portion 52 and the inclined portion 63, thereby enabling the connection portion 50 to be attached from the first flat portion 40, which has a longitudinal direction in the vehicle width direction. When attaching the connection portion 50, the worker works while visually checking from above through the opening 15 in the upper wall 11b shown in FIG. 2 . Therefore, if the work target is long in the vertical direction, it is difficult to grasp the sense of distance. In contrast, in the present invention, the connection portion 50 can be attached from the first flat portion 40, which has a longitudinal direction in the vehicle width direction, resulting in improved workability. Furthermore, the connecting portion 50 must be inserted through the opening 15 at an angle so that the rear is at the top, and fitted into the first flat portion 40, but when fitting the connecting portion 50 into a flat portion that is long in the vertical direction, it is difficult to angle the connecting portion 50. In contrast, in the present invention, the connecting portion 50 can be attached from the side of the first flat portion 40, which has its longitudinal direction in the vehicle width direction, making it easy to angle the connecting portion 50 and improving workability.

[0038] Furthermore, in the center console of the vehicle according to this embodiment, the first flat portion 40 is disposed forward of the second flat portion 60. As shown in FIG. 6 , the end 43a of the first flat portion 40, which is fitted with the first fitting portion 51 of the connection portion 50, is inclined forward in a side view of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 5 , the end 63a of the second flat portion 60, which is fitted with the second fitting portion 52 of the connection portion 50, is inclined rearward in a side view of the vehicle. As a result, when an operator positions their viewpoint between and above the end portions, the end 43a of the first flat portion 40 located at the front and the end 63a of the second flat portion 60 located at the rear are each facing the operator's viewpoint. This allows the operator to easily visually recognize the end 43a of the first flat portion 40 and the end 63a of the second flat portion 60, improving the ease of installation and removal of the connection portion 50.

[0039] In the center console of the vehicle according to this embodiment, the first fitting portion 51 is inclined forward in a side view of the vehicle as shown in Fig. 6. The second fitting portion 52 is inclined rearward in a side view of the vehicle as shown in Fig. 5. The first fitting portion 51 and the second fitting portion 52 are both female portions. Because the first fitting portion 51 and the second fitting portion 52 are female portions and inclined to cover and conceal the male portions, even if liquid such as water drips from above, it is possible to prevent the liquid from entering through the connecting portion of the duct 30.

[0040] Furthermore, in the center console of the vehicle according to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the first fitting portion 51 of the connection portion 50 is inclined in a top view of the vehicle. In the case of Fig. 3, the first fitting portion 51 is inclined in a direction toward the operator sitting in the driver's seat 20. Therefore, the shape of the inclined portion 43 that fits with the first fitting portion 51 is easily visible to the operator sitting in the driver's seat 20, improving workability. Note that if the driver's seat is the left front seat and it is expected that the operator will work while sitting in the driver's seat, or if it is expected that the operator will work while sitting in the left passenger seat, the inclination direction of the first fitting portion may be reversed so that it faces diagonally leftward relative to the rear.

[0041] 7, in the center console of the vehicle according to this embodiment, the second fitting portion 52 of the connecting portion 50 has a convex portion (bead) 54, which is one of a concave portion and a convex portion, on its side surface, and the second flat portion 60 has a concave portion 63b, which is the other of a concave portion and a convex portion, on its front side surface. The convex portion (bead) 54 and the concave portion 63b are fitted together. This allows positioning by the fit between the convex portion (bead) 54 and the concave portion 63b, and also prevents misalignment due to vibrations during driving.

[0042] Furthermore, in the center console of the vehicle according to this embodiment, the first fitting portion 51 and the second fitting portion 52 have different shapes, which prevents incorrect assembly, such as attempting to assemble the connection portion 50 in reverse. An example of a different shape is the difference that, as in the above embodiment, the second fitting portion 52 has a protrusion (bead) 54 formed thereon, while the first fitting portion 51 does not have a protrusion (bead) formed thereon. Furthermore, incorrect assembly may be prevented by making the cross-sectional shapes or cross-sectional sizes different in the vehicle width direction.

[0043] The present invention can be suitably applied to vehicles that do not have a cutoff switch (for example, gasoline-powered vehicles) in that it makes effective use of the storage space in the center console.

[0044] The present disclosure allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of equivalent disclosures are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0045] 1...vehicle, 10...center console, 11...main body, 11a...left wall, 11b...upper wall, 11c...rear wall, 12...lid body, 13...storage section, 14...space, 15...opening, 16...storage space, 17...drink holder, 18...recess, 19...air outlet, 20...driver's seat (front seat), 21...floor surface, 30...duct, 40...first flat portion, 41...extension portion, 42...bent portion, 43...inclined portion, 43a...end portion, 50...connection portion, 51...first mating portion, 51a...expanded portion, 51b...fitting portion, 52...second mating portion, 53...deformed portion, 54...convex portion (bead), 55...sealing material, 60...second flat portion, 61...extending portion, 62...bent portion, 63...inclined portion, 63a...end portion, 63b...recess, 70...shutoff switch (SD switch), 80...DC-DC converter, θ1, θ2...angle, C1, C2...center, L...section, Y1...extension direction, Y2, Y3...arrows.

Claims

1. A center console for a vehicle having a storage space formed therein, wherein the storage space is provided with a duct for an air conditioner, the duct having a first flat portion whose longitudinal direction faces a first direction in the vehicle width direction, a second flat portion whose longitudinal direction faces a second direction in the vehicle width direction that is different from the first direction, and a connecting portion that connects the first flat portion and the second flat portion.

2. The center console of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first direction is a vehicle width direction and the second direction is a vertical direction.

3. A center console for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting portion is continuously connected from the first flat portion to the second flat portion by continuously decreasing the length in the first direction and continuously increasing the length in the second direction.

4. A center console for a vehicle as described in claim 2, comprising: a storage section provided on one of the front and rear sides of the center console; a component provided on the other of the front and rear sides of the center console; and a cutoff switch located below the center console and between the storage section and the component in the longitudinal direction, the cutoff switch being electrically connected to a battery; wherein the duct is formed by combining the first flat section, the second flat section and the connecting section, each of which is separate; the first flat section having a longitudinal direction in the vehicle width direction is located below the storage section; the second flat section having a longitudinal direction in the vertical direction is located beside the component; and the connecting section is located above the cutoff switch.

5. A center console for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the connecting portion is configured to be male-female fitted to the first flat portion and the second flat portion, and to be slidable a predetermined amount between the first flat portion and the connecting portion.

6. A center console for a vehicle as described in claim 5, wherein the first flat portion is positioned forward of the second flat portion, the end of the first flat portion that engages with the first fitting portion of the connection portion is inclined forward in a side view of the vehicle, and the end of the second flat portion that engages with the second fitting portion of the connection portion is inclined rearward in a side view of the vehicle.

7. A center console for a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the first fitting portion is inclined forward in a side view of the vehicle, the second fitting portion is inclined rearward in a side view of the vehicle, and the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion are both female portions.

8. The center console for a vehicle according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the first fitting portion of the connecting portion is inclined when viewed from above the vehicle.

9. A center console for a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the second fitting portion of the connecting portion has one of a recess and a protrusion on a side surface, and the second flat portion has the other of the recess and the protrusion on a front side surface, and the recess and the protrusion fit together.

10. A center console for a vehicle according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion have mutually different shapes.

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