Vehicle interior component

• US 10,023,088 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2016
• Issued: 07/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Anderson, Rick Alan, Nurenberg, Randy William, Sherburn, Kenneth Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Kiran B
• Application Number:
  US15/199,885
• Publication Number:
  US 20160311350A1
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: 296 2434, 296153, 296 378
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/767 Angle adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/77 Height adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/793 for use as storage compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/04 in driver or passenger space , e.g. using racks B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence

Abstract

A console for a vehicle interior is disclosed. The console comprises an armrest assembly and a storage compartment. The armrest assembly for the console is configured to facilitate comfort for vehicle occupants. The armrest assembly is adjustable between a lowered position and a raised position. The armrest assembly is also configured to facilitate access to the storage compartment. The armrest assembly may be configured to move between an open position and a closed position. The armrest assembly may provide a tambour door configured to facilitate access of the storage compartment. The storage compartment is accessible when the armrest or tambour door is at the open position; the storage compartment is covered when the armrest or tambour door is at the closed position. The console may also provide a cover (e.g. a shroud) configured to cover the storage compartment when the armrest is between the lowered position and the raised position. A mechanism may be configured to allow movement of the armrest from the lowered position to the raised position, from the raised position to a terminal position and from the terminal position to the lowered position. The terminal position comprises a released position.

Claims

1. A component for a vehicle interior comprising:

(a) a base comprising an opening;

(b) a pivot joint coupled to the base;

(c) an armrest coupled to the base configured to cover the opening of the base and rotate between a lowered position and a raised position; and

(d) a mechanism coupled to the base;

wherein the mechanism is configured to allow movement of the armrest (a) from the lowered position to the raised position;

(b) from the raised position to a terminal position;

(c) from the terminal position to the lowered position;

wherein the mechanism is configured to hold the armrest in rotation at a plurality of positions comprising at least the lowered position and the raised position.

2. The component of claim 1 wherein the mechanism is configured to prevent movement of the armrest from the raised position to the lowered position.

3. The component of claim 1 wherein the mechanism is configured to move the armrest from the terminal position to the lowered position.

4. The component of claim 3 wherein the mechanism comprises a spring configured to move the armrest from the terminal position to the lowered position.

5. The component of claim 3 wherein the mechanism comprises a damper configured to resist movement of the armrest from the terminal position to the lowered position.

6. The component of claim 1 further comprising a shroud configured to move with the armrest from the lowered position to the raised position.

7. The component of claim 1 wherein the shroud is configured to cover the opening when the armrest is in the lowered position, the raised position and the terminal position.

8. The component of claim 1 wherein the armrest comprises a release mechanism configured to allow movement of the armrest relative to the shroud to uncover the opening.

9. The component of claim 1 wherein the terminal position comprises a released position.

10. The component of claim 1 wherein the base comprises a storage compartment;

and wherein the storage compartment comprises the opening.

11. The component of claim 1 wherein movement of the armrest comprises rotation and wherein the armrest is free to move (a) from the lowered position to the raised position;

(b) from the raised position to the terminal position.