CONSOLE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

A console for a motor vehicle, having a base part to be arranged on a vehicle floor, a structural part arranged on the side of the base part that faces away from the vehicle floor, and an adjustment mechanism by means of which the structural part is adjustably connected to the base part such that the distance of the structural part from the vehicle floor can be adjusted. A spindle drive is provided for actuating the adjustment mechanism. A second aspect relates to a motor vehicle assembly having a seat adjustment unit by means of which a height of at least one vehicle seat relative to a vehicle floor can be adjusted. The seat adjustment unit is coupled with an adjustment mechanism of the console.

Claims

1. A console for use in a motor vehicle, the console comprising: a base part configured to be disposed on a vehicle floor of the motor vehicle; an upper assembly part disposed on a side of the base part, the side facing away from the vehicle floor; an adjusting mechanism connected to the base part and configured to adjust the upper assembly part to vary a space between the upper assembly part and the vehicle floor; and a spindle drive configured to actuate the adjusting mechanism.

2. The console of claim 1, wherein the spindle drive is disposed on the upper assembly part.

3. The console of claim 1, wherein the upper assembly part includes: at least one armrest configured to support an arm of a vehicle occupant, an operating element configured to be operated by the vehicle occupant, and/or a storage compartment configured to store objects.

4. The console of claim 1, wherein the upper assembly part is configured to be adjusted relative to the base part along two orthogonal axes.

5. The console of claim 1, wherein the upper assembly part is configured to be adjusted relative to the base part along an adjusting path extending along a circular segment.

6. The console of claim 1, wherein the adjusting mechanism includes at least two connecting members each configured to be articulated rotatably by way of a first end on the base part and by way of a second end on the upper assembly part.

7. The console of claim 5, wherein a radius of the adjusting path corresponds to a length of at least one of the at least two connecting members.

8. The console of claim 6, wherein the at least two connecting members extend parallel to one another.

9. The console of claim 6, wherein the spindle drive includes a spindle, having a longitudinal axis, and a drive configured to displace the spindle along the longitudinal axis, the spindle is connected to a first connecting member of the at least two connecting members, wherein displacing the spindle applies an adjusting force is to the first connecting member, so that the first connecting member is adjusted.

10. The console of claim 9, wherein the spindle is configured to be articulated about the first connecting member to permit rotation of the spindle along an adjusting plane adjust the upper assembly part relative to the base part.

11. The console of claim 6, wherein the space between the base part and the upper assembly part is a function of an elevation angle of the at least two connecting members relative to the base part.

12. A motor vehicle assembly comprising: at least one vehicle seat; a seat adjusting means configured to adjust a height of the at least one vehicle seat relative to a vehicle floor; and a console arranged on the at least one vehicle seat and including an adjusting mechanism, wherein the seat adjusting means is coupled to the adjusting mechanism so that adjusting the height of the at least one vehicle seat adjusts the console.

13. The motor vehicle assembly of claim 12, further comprising: a position memory means configured to store and retrieve height values, indicative of the height of the at least one vehicle seat, and space values indicative of size of a space between the base part and the upper assembly part, to enable a user of the at least one vehicle seat to permanently store a multiplicity of combinations of the height values and the space values, and retrieve the multiplicity of combinations of the height values and the space values them again in order to set the height and the size of the space.

14. The motor vehicle assembly of claim 13, wherein the seat adjusting means is electrically coupled to the adjusting mechanism of the console.

15. The motor vehicle assembly of claim 12, wherein the console includes an armrest configured to support an arm of an occupant seated in the at least one vehicle seat and the adjusting mechanism of the console is configured to adjust a height of the armrest with respect to the vehicle floor.

16. The motor vehicle assembly of claim 15, wherein the adjusting mechanism is configured to adjust a fore-aft position of the console with respect to a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle and the seat adjusting means is configured to adjust a fore-aft position of the at least one vehicle seat and as the fore-aft position of the vehicle seat is adjusted, the fore-aft position of the console is adjusted.

17. The motor vehicle assembly of claim 16, wherein the console includes a guide member and a slide, wherein the guide member has substantially cylindrical shape, extends along the longitudinal direction, and is coupled to the vehicle floor, wherein the slide is configured to move along the guide member as the fore-aft position of the console is adjusted.

18. The motor vehicle assembly of claim 16, wherein the adjusting mechanism is configured to adjust an inclination of the console with respect to the vehicle floor and the seat adjusting means is configured to adjust an inclination of the console, and as the inclination of the vehicle seat is adjusted, the inclination of the console is adjusted.

19. The motor vehicle assembly of claim 12, wherein at least one of the adjusting mechanism of the console and the seat adjusting means is configured to adjust the vehicle seat and the console simultaneously.

20. The motor vehicle assembly of claim 12, wherein the adjusting mechanism includes at least one spindle drive.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Exemplary embodiments with respect to the proposed solution are shown by way of example in the appended figures, in which:

[0028] FIG. 1A shows a diagrammatic side view of a console,

[0029] FIG. 1B shows a diagrammatic side view of a console,

[0030] FIG. 2A shows a sectional view of a console,

[0031] FIG. 2B shows a sectional view of a console,

[0032] FIG. 3A shows a side view of a console,

[0033] FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of a console with an adjusting path,

[0034] FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of a console,

[0035] FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of a console,

[0036] FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a console with a trim part,

[0037] FIG. 5B shows a perspective view of a console with a trim part,

[0038] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of a console, and

[0039] FIG. 7 shows two vehicle seats with a console.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B diagrammatically show a side view of a console with a base part 1 which is arranged on a vehicle floor FB, and with an upper assembly part 2 which is arranged on the base part 1. Here, the upper assembly part 2 is arranged on that side of the base part 1 which faces away from the vehicle floor FB. The base part 1 is therefore arranged between the upper assembly part 2 and the vehicle floor FB. Therefore, the upper assembly part 2 is arranged on the vehicle floor FB via the base part 1. In principle, the console can be arranged in any desired manner in an interior compartment of a motor vehicle. In particular, the console can be capable of being used for flexible design of the interior compartment.

[0042] The upper assembly part 2 is connected to the base part 1 such that it can be adjusted via an adjusting mechanism 3. Via the adjusting mechanism 3, the upper assembly part 2 can be adjusted relative to the base part 1. The base part 1 is held on the vehicle floor FB in a stationary manner, and the upper assembly part 2 can be adjusted relative to the vehicle floor FB via the adjusting mechanism 3. Here, the upper assembly part 2 can be adjusted in such a way that the spacing A of the upper assembly part 2 from the vehicle floor FB can be adjusted via the adjusting mechanism 3. In principle, the spacing A can be adjusted in an infinitely variable manner. FIG. 1A shows one exemplary embodiment of the console, in which the spacing A of the upper assembly part 2 from the base part 1 is smaller than in the exemplary embodiment which is shown in FIGS. 1B and 1n which the spacing A is relatively great. The spacing A between the upper assembly part 2 and the vehicle floor FB can therefore be varied via the adjusting mechanism 3 at least between the two positions of the upper assembly part 2 which are shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. In principle, in one alternative exemplary embodiment, the upper assembly part 2 can be arranged on the vehicle floor FB via the adjusting mechanism.

[0043] For the actuation of the adjusting mechanism 3, a spindle drive 4 is provided which is arranged on the upper assembly part 2. In principle, the spindle drive 4 can likewise be arranged on the base part 1 or on the vehicle floor FB. The spindle drive 4 may include a spindle 41 which acts on the adjusting mechanism 3. For the actuation of the adjusting mechanism 3, the spindle 41 can be adjusted relative to the upper assembly part 2. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, in which the spindle drive 4 is arranged on the base part 1 or the vehicle floor FB, the spindle 41 can accordingly be adjusted relative to the base part 1 or the vehicle floor FB.

[0044] Furthermore, the spindle drive 4 may include a drive 42 for driving the spindle 41. Via the drive 42, the spindle 41 can be adjusted relative to the upper assembly part 2. The drive 42 therefore causes the adjusting movement of the spindle 41. To this end, the spindle drive 4 introduces an adjusting force from the drive 42 via the spindle 41 into the adjusting mechanism 3. Here, the adjusting movement of the adjusting mechanism 3 takes place relative to the upper assembly part 2. In principle, the adjusting movement can take place relative to the vehicle floor FB if the spindle drive 4 is arranged on the vehicle floor FB, or can take place relative to the base part 1 if the spindle drive 4 is arranged on the base part 1.

[0045] The spindle 41 may include a bracket 410, via which the spindle 41 is connected to the adjusting mechanism 3. Here, the spindle 41 is articulated pivotably on the adjusting mechanism 3. A pivoting movement of the spindle 41 during the adjustment of the spacing A takes place in an adjusting plane, along which the spacing A is adjusted. In this way, the spindle 41 can compensate for a change of an angle of attack AW on the adjusting mechanism 3. In addition, the spindle 41 can act on the adjusting mechanism 3 in the adjusting plane such that they can be rotated about a longitudinal axis L of the spindle 41. For example, the drive 42 can then rotate the spindle 41 for the adjustment relative to the drive 42 about the longitudinal axis L. Here, the longitudinal axis L extends from the drive 42 to the adjusting mechanism 3. In principle, in an alternative exemplary embodiment, the spindle 41 can be connected fixedly, in particular fixedly for conjoint rotation, to the adjusting mechanism 3. For example, the drive 42 can be capable of being adjusted relative to the upper assembly part 2 (in the case of the arrangement of the spindle drive 4 on the upper assembly part 2), in order to compensate for a change of an angle of attack AW on the adjusting mechanism 3.

[0046] The adjusting mechanism 3 may include two connecting members 31, 32 which extend between the base part 1 and the upper assembly part 2. A first end of the connecting members 31, 32 is articulated on the base part 1 in each case at a point P2, P4, and a second end of the connecting members 31, 32 is articulated on the upper assembly part 2 in each case at a point P1, P3. The connecting members 31, 32 can be articulated on the upper assembly part 2 at a multiplicity of points P1, P3, P1′, P3′, as shown in FIG. 3B. The connecting members 31, 32 can be pivoted in each case about rotational axes D1, D2, D3, D4 which extend through the points P1, P2, P3, P4, P1′, P2′, P3′, P4′. The rotational axes D1, D2, D3, D4 extend perpendicularly with respect to the adjusting plane.

[0047] The connecting members 31, 32 in accordance with the exemplary embodiments which are shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are formed by way of a parallel fitting. Here, the connecting members 31, 32 are of equal length and are arranged parallel to one another. In principle, in an alternative exemplary embodiment, the connecting members 31, 32 can be arranged obliquely, in particular obliquely in the adjusting plane, with respect to one another, and can likewise have different lengths N. For example, an adjusting path B of the upper assembly part 2 can be capable of being varied via the length N1, N2 and the orientation of the connecting members 31, 32 with respect to one another. It is of course also conceivable and possible for an adjustment of the length N1, N2 of the connecting members 31, 32 and of the orientation of the connecting members 31, 32 with respect to one another to be converted into an adjusting movement of the upper assembly part 2. In one exemplary embodiment, a connecting member 31, 32 can be capable of being lengthened, with the result that the upper assembly part 2 can be tilted relative to the vehicle floor FB.

[0048] The spindle drive 4 acts on one of the connecting members 31 for the actuation of the adjusting mechanism 3. To this end, the spindle 41 is connected to the first connecting member 31 for the introduction of an adjusting force. In this way, the spindle drive 4 produces an adjusting movement of the first connecting member 31 relative to the upper assembly part 2. The connecting members 31, 32 are articulated on the base part 1 in a rotatable but stationary manner. Therefore, the adjusting movement of the first connecting member 31 is converted into an adjusting movement of the upper assembly part 2. The spindle drive 4 produces an adjusting movement of the first connecting member 31 by way of actuation of the adjusting mechanism 3.

[0049] In principle, in an alternative exemplary embodiment, the spindle drive 4 can likewise be arranged on one of the connecting members 31, 32. The spindle 41 can then act on the upper assembly part 2, the base part 1 or the vehicle floor FB for the introduction of an adjusting force to the first connecting member 31.

[0050] Moreover, it can be gathered from FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B that the upper assembly part 2 comprises an armrest 21 for supporting an arm of a vehicle occupant. The armrest 21 is lower relative to a vehicle occupant in FIG. 2A than in FIG. 2B, the spacing A between the base part 1 and the upper assembly part 2 being smaller in FIG. 2A than in FIG. 2B. In this way, a height of the armrest 21 can be set by way of adjustment of the spacing A. A further exemplary embodiment, in which the upper assembly part 2 comprises an armrest 21, is shown in FIG. 3A.

[0051] Furthermore, it can be gathered from FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B that, in the case of a greater spacing A between the base part 1 and the upper assembly part 2, in each case an elevation angle W1, W2 between the connecting members 31, 32 and the base part or with respect to the vehicle floor FB is greater than in the case of a smaller spacing A. The smaller the spacing A, the flatter therefore the elevation angle W1, W2. In principle, the upper assembly part 2 may include more than one armrest 21, for example for a driver and a front passenger. Furthermore, an operating element for operation by way of the vehicle occupant can also be provided on the upper assembly part 2.

[0052] The upper assembly part 2 can be adjusted relative to the base part 1 along the z-axis Z which is arranged perpendicularly with respect to the vehicle floor FB. The z-axis Z intersects the base part 1 and the upper assembly part 2. An adjustment of the upper assembly part 2 along the z-axis Z brings it about, for example, that the height of the upper assembly part 2 can be adjusted to a vehicle occupant. In particular, in the case of an adjustment of the upper assembly part 2 along the z-axis Z, the height of an armrest 21 can be adapted to a vehicle occupant, with the result that the vehicle occupant can lay an arm on the armrest 21 with an upright torso.

[0053] Moreover, the upper assembly part 2 can be adjusted relative to the base part 1 along an x-axis X which, if the console is arranged as intended in a motor vehicle between two vehicle seats S, S′, extends along the driving direction of the motor vehicle. The x-axis X therefore extends along a motor vehicle longitudinal axis. Moreover, the x-axis X is arranged parallel to the vehicle floor FB. The x-axis X is orthogonal with respect to the z-axis Z.

[0054] In this way, the upper assembly part 2 can be adjusted along two orthogonal axes. Accordingly, the spacing A of the upper assembly part 2 from the base part 1 can be adjusted both in parallel and perpendicularly with respect to the base part 1.

[0055] The x-axis X and the z-axis Z lie in the adjusting plane, along which the upper assembly part 2 can be adjusted. The adjusting plane intersects the vehicle floor FB perpendicularly. Furthermore, in that state of the console, in which it is arranged as intended between the vehicle seats S, S′, the adjusting plane can be arranged such that the adjusting plane does not intersect the vehicle seats S, S′. In principle, the upper assembly part 2 can be adjusted along any desired adjusting path B for the adjustment of the spacing A. The adjusting path B lies in the adjusting plane. FIG. 3B shows an adjusting path B which extends along a circular segment. The upper assembly part 2 therefore moves along a constant radius. Here, the adjusting movement is a coupled movement along the x-axis X and the z-axis Z. In this way, the upper assembly part 2 can be adjusted at the same time along the x-axis X and the z-axis Z. In principle, the upper assembly part 2 can be adjusted in each case independently and/or successively either along the x-axis X or along the z-axis Z.

[0056] The radius of the adjusting path B corresponds to a length N1, N2 of the connecting members 31, 32. Here, the length N1, N2 of the connecting members 31, 32 is defined as a length on a side of the console between a first point P1, P3 or P1′, P3′, at which a connecting member 31, 32 is articulated on the base part 1, and a second point P2, P4 or P2′, P4′, on which the connecting member 31, 32 is articulated on the upper assembly part 2.

[0057] In principle, the adjusting path B can extend along a straight line, can extend in any desired curved manner, and/or can extend along a hook-shaped line. The upper assembly part 2 can be capable of being adjusted along any desired adjustment path B, for example, by way of an interaction of pivotable connecting members 31, 32, connecting members 31, 32 of different length N1, N2, and/or connecting members 31, 32 with an adjustable length N1, N2. The length N1, N2 of the connecting members 31, 32 can be capable of being adjusted, for example, by way of further spindle drives. Further spindle drives can likewise be provided for the second connecting member 31, 32 and possibly further connecting members 31, 32.

[0058] The spindle drive 4 is arranged in the adjusting plane, with the result that the spindle 41 can be rotated along the adjusting plane. The longitudinal axis L of the spindle 41 is therefore arranged in the adjusting plane.

[0059] The connecting members 31, 32 in each case define an elevation angle W1, W2 with respect to the base part 1, the spacing A varying in a manner which is dependent on said elevation angle W1, W2. In the above-described exemplary embodiments, the elevation angles W1, W2 on the two connecting members 31, 32 are always identical, since the connecting members 31, 32 are arranged parallel to one another. Consequently, the spacing A is a trigonometric function of the elevation angle W1, W2 of the connecting members 31, 32 above the base part 1. Moreover, the function is dependent on the length N1, N2 of the connecting member 31, 32, on which the elevation angle W1, W2 is measured. Therefore, the spacing A is given by way of the product of the length N1, N2 of the connecting member 31, 32, on which the elevation angle W1, W2 is measured, and the sine of the elevation angle W1, W2.

[0060] FIG. 5A shows one exemplary embodiment of a console, the upper assembly part 2 of which comprises a trim panel 20. An armrest 21 and a plurality of storage compartments 22a, 22b, 22c for storing objects are provided on the upper assembly part 2. One of the storage compartments 22a is arranged on the armrest 21. FIG. 5B shows a structurally identical console, the spacing A between the base part 1 and the upper assembly part 2 being greater than in the case of the console which is shown in FIG. 5B.

[0061] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of a console, in the case of which a part of the trim panel 20 is shown in a transparent manner. In addition, the base part 1 comprises a plurality of sliders 11, 12, 13 and a guide 10, 10′, the sliders 11, 12, 13 being held on the guide 10, 10′. The sliders 11, 12, 13 are fastened releasably to the guide 10, 10′, with the result that, as required, the sliders 11, 12, 13 can be displaced along the guide 10, 10′. In principle, the base part 1 can be capable of being displaced along the guide 10, 10′. The guide 10, 10′ is arranged on the vehicle floor FB, and extends along the x-axis X. In that state of the console, in which it is mounted as intended, the guide 10, 10′ extends along the vehicle longitudinal axis.

[0062] FIG. 7 shows a motor vehicle assembly with two vehicle seats S, S′. A console is arranged between the vehicle seats S, S′. The vehicle seats S, S′ in each case comprise a seat adjusting means SV, SV′, by way of which a height H, H′ of the vehicle seats S, S′ relative to a vehicle floor FB can be adjusted. The height H, H′ of the vehicle seats S, S′ can be adjusted along the z-axis Z. The seat adjusting means SV of one of the vehicle seats S is coupled to the adjusting mechanism 3 of the console. In this way, an adjustment of the height H of the vehicle seat S which is coupled in this way can bring about an adjustment of the spacing A of the upper assembly part 2 from the base part 1 of the console. A vehicle occupant can therefore adjust the height of the vehicle seat S, and an adjustment of the upper assembly part 2 is triggered at the same time. As a result, the relative positioning of the coupled vehicle seat S and upper assembly part 2 can be kept constant, for example. In principle, the height H of the vehicle seat S, an inclination and/or a position along the x-axis X can of course be coupled to the adjustment of the upper assembly part 2.

[0063] In addition, the motor vehicle assembly comprises a position memory means 5, in which values of a height H of the vehicle seat S which is coupled to the adjusting mechanism 3 and values of a spacing A between the base part 1 and the upper assembly part 2 of the console can be stored and retrieved. One or more vehicle occupants of the coupled vehicle seat S can permanently store a multiplicity of combinations of a value of the height H and a value of the spacing A in the position memory means 5, and can retrieve them again in order to set the height H and the spacing A.

[0064] The following is a list of reference numbers shown in the Figures. However, it should be understood that the use of these terms is for illustrative purposes only with respect to one embodiment. And, use of reference numbers correlating a certain term that is both illustrated in the Figures and present in the claims is not intended to limit the claims to only cover the illustrated embodiment.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

[0065] 1 Base part [0066] 10, 10′ Guide [0067] 11, 12, 13 Slider [0068] 2 Upper assembly part [0069] 20 Trim panel [0070] 21 Armrest [0071] 22a, 22b, 22c Storage compartments [0072] 3 Adjusting mechanism [0073] 31, 32 Connecting member [0074] 4 Spindle drive [0075] 41 Spindle [0076] 410 Bracket [0077] 42 Drive [0078] 5 Position memory means [0079] A Spacing [0080] AW Angle of attack [0081] B Adjusting path [0082] D1, D2, D3, D4 Rotational axis [0083] FB Vehicle floor [0084] L Longitudinal axis [0085] H, H′ Height of the vehicle seats [0086] N1, N2 Length [0087] P1, P2, P3, P4, P1′, Point [0088] P2′, P3′, P4′, S, S′ Vehicle seat [0089] SV, SV′ Seat adjusting means [0090] W1, W2 Elevation angle [0091] X x-axis [0092] Z z-axis

[0093] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.