Illuminated vehicle console

• US 10,173,604 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2016
• Issued: 01/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Salter, Stuart C., Dunham, Scott Holmes, Cooprider, Anthony Dwayne
• Primary Examiner(s): Romain, Pinel E
• Application Number:
  US15/245,739
• Publication Number:
  US 20180056887A1
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 296 2434, 296 3712
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/225 Small compartments, e.g. glove compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/229 Cup holders
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/46 for ICE-powered road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

An illuminated center console has an outer bin, an inner bin positioned within the outer bin, a light source positioned within the outer bin and configured to emit light into the inner bin, a first and a second support member positioned above the inner and outer bins, and at least one wireless charger positioned proximate the inner bin.

Claims

1. An illuminated console for a motor vehicle comprising:

an outer bin;

an inner bin positioned within the outer bin;

a light source positioned within the outer bin and configured to emit light into the inner bin;

a first and a second support member positioned above the inner and outer bins; and

at least one wireless charger positioned proximate the inner bin.

2. The console of claim 1, further comprising:

a housing positioned around the outer bin, the housing defining an elongate opening configure to permit access to the inner bin.

3. The console of claim 2, wherein the first and second support members are positioned within the housing and are configured to cover the elongate opening.

4. The console of claim 1, wherein the inner bin comprises a reflective layer disposed on an interior surface of the inner bin.

5. The console of claim 4, wherein the at least one wireless charger is positioned on an exterior surface of the inner bin.

6. The console of claim 1, wherein the outer bin comprises a conductive material configured to minimize electromagnetic interference within the outer bin.

7. The console of claim 1, wherein a plurality of wireless chargers are disposed along an exterior surface of the inner bin.

8. The console of claim 1, wherein the light source is a light guide extending a length of the inner bin.

9. An illuminated console for a motor vehicle comprising:

a housing defining an elongate opening;

a first support member and a second support member positioned within the housing and configured to extend over the elongate opening;

an inner bin having an interior surface and an exterior surface;

a light source positioned at a base of the inner bin; and

at least one wireless charger positioned on the exterior surface of the inner bin.

10. The console of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and second support members comprises an at least partially light transmissive material configured to receive the first emission.

11. The console of claim 9, wherein the first and second support members are configured to support an electronic device.

12. The console of claim 11, wherein the at least one wireless charger is configured to charge the electronic device.

13. The console of claim 12, wherein the at least one wireless charger is a loosely coupled charger.

14. The console of claim 9, wherein the light source comprises a light guide.

15. The console of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and second support members is movable.

16. An illuminated console for a motor vehicle comprising:

a housing defining an elongate opening;

an inner bin positioned within the housing defining an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the inner bin is accessible through the elongate opening;

a reflective coating positioned on the interior surface; and

a wireless charger positioned on the exterior surface of the inner bin.

17. The console of claim 16, further comprising:

an outer bin positioned around the inner bin, the outer bin comprising a conductive material.

18. The console of claim 17, further comprising:

a light pipe positioned at a base of the inner bin configured to emit light into the inner bin.

19. The console of claim 18, wherein the at least one wireless charger is configured to charge an electronic device positioned within the inner bin.

20. The console of claim 19, further comprising:

a reflective layer positioned on an interior surface of the inner bin.