Control panel for a vehicle

• US 6,789,831 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2002
• Issued: 09/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Schmidt, Robert, Uleski, Michael A., Feldman, Mark G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Kran
• Application Number:
  US10/234,656
• Publication Number:
  US 20030052502A1
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.13, 296/37.8, 296/153, 296/37.12, 296/37.15, 296/37.9, 296/37.7, 296/37.14, 296/97.4, 296/37.1, 361/725, 361/814, 361/681, 361/6, 16/82, 162/31, 163/08, 318/280, 318/272, 345/158, 292/81, 379/433.13, 379/433.01, 343/702, 455/575.7, 180/90, 745/27
• US Class Current: 296/37.13
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/682 Arrangements to cover or hide instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/67 Foldable or movable displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/682 Arrangements to cover or hide instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/53 Movable instruments, e.g. slidable

Abstract

This invention relates to a control panel for a vehicle interior. The control panel includes a housing defining a recess formed therein. A panel is pivotally attached to the housing at a pivot axis. The panel has at least one control mechanism mounted thereon. The panel is movable between a first position, wherein the panel generally covers a portion of the recess, and a second position wherein the panel generally exposes the recess. The control panel further including one of a detent mechanism attached to the housing and the panel for biasing the panel in one of the first and second positions, a spring mechanism attached to the housing and the panel for biasing the panel towards one of the first and second positions, and a damper mechanism to dampen the motion of the panel during movement of the panel between the first and second positions.

Claims

1. A control panel for a vehicle comprising:

a housing defining a recess formed therein;

a panel pivotally attached to said housing at a pivot axis, said panel having at least one control mechanism mounted thereon, said panel movable between a first position, wherein said panel generally covers a portion of said recess, and a second position wherein said panel generally exposes said recess;

a detent mechanism attached to said housing and said panel for biasing said panel in one of said first and second positions;

a spring mechanism attached to said housing and said panel for biasing said panel towards one of said first and second positions; and

damper mechanism to dampen the motion of the panel during movement of said panel between said first and second positions.

2. The control panel of claim 1, wherein said detent mechanism includes:

a cam rotationally fixed relative to said panel, said cam defining a cam surface having an inwardly extending detent formed therein; and

a member having an end in sliding engagement with said cam surface during movement of said panel such that placement of said end of said member in said detent provides a locking engagement with said cam to bias said panel in one of said first and second positions.

3. The control panel of claim 2, wherein said cam further includes a set of gear teeth meshingly engaged with a gear of said damper mechanism, wherein said gear rotates within a chamber filled with a viscous fluid.

4. The control panel of claim 3, wherein said cam further includes a spring retainer for housing said spring mechanism.

5. The control panel of claim 2, wherein said detent mechanism further includes a spring biasing said end of said member against said cam surface.

6. The control panel of claim 5, wherein the spring force acting on said cam surface by said end of said member is transmitted in a direction passing through the pivot axis of said panel relative to said housing.

7. The control panel of claim 5, wherein the spring force acting on said cam surface by said end of said member is transmitted in a direction offset from said pivot axis, thereby providing an assisting force to move said panel into one of said first and second positions.

8. The control panel of claim 1, wherein said cam surface has an arcuate shape corresponding to a radius originating from said pivot axis.

9. The control panel of claim 1, wherein said end of said member includes a roller rollingly engaging said cam surface.

10. The control panel of claim 1 further including a spring mechanism attached to said housing and said panel for biasing said panel towards one of said first and second positions.