Multifunction device

• US 8,322,769 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2010
• Issued: 12/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Kuhlmann, Klaus
• Primary Examiner(s): LYJAK, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US12/819,464
• Publication Number:
  US 20110062739A1
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: 296/24.34, 296/37.12, 224/483, 224/282
• US Class Current: 296/24.34
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/682 Arrangements to cover or hide instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/774 on or in the centre console
• 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 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0094 characterised by means for covering after user, e.g. boxes, shutters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/06 mounted on or below dashboards

Abstract

A multifunction device to be situated within a central console of a motor vehicle has an instrument panel for receiving one or more elements (e.g., display and/or operating elements), the instrument panel being designed as movable and being transferable from a closed position into an open position, the instrument panel being situated within an opening of the central console in the closed position. Furthermore the central console has a storage element, which is situated outside the field of vision of the vehicle occupants in the closed position of the instrument panel and which is freely accessible to the vehicle occupants in the open position of the instrument pane. It is thus possible to provide a multifunction device to be situated within a central console of a motor vehicle, which is particularly easily reachable for the driver of the motor vehicle and simultaneously can increase the possible useful space within a motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A multifunction device to be situated within a central console of a motor vehicle, comprising

an instrument panel adapted to receive an element, the instrument panel adapted to move and transfer from a closed position into an open position and situated within an opening of the central console in the closed position;

a storage element that is situated outside a field of vision of a vehicle occupant in the closed position of the instrument panel and that is accessible to a vehicle occupant in the open position of the instrument panel; and

a lock adapted to fix the instrument panel in a desired position.

2. The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the element is a display element.

3. The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the element is an operating element.

4. The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein:

the instrument panel is mounted to pivot around an axis situated essentially vertically to a roadway;

the instrument panel is disposed within the opening when in the closed position; and

the instrument panel moves out of the opening and toward a driver seat of the vehicle when pivoting around the axis that is situated essentially vertically to the roadway.

5. The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the instrument panel is mounted to pivot around an axis situated essentially transversely to a roadway.

6. The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the instrument panel is adapted to move essentially linearly to a roadway.

7. The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the storage element is adapted to move together with the instrument panel.

8. The multifunction device according to claim 1, further comprising a spring element that is adapted to transfer the instrument panel from the closed position into the open position.

9. The multifunction device according to claim 1, further comprising a damping element that is adapted to control a movement of the instrument panel.

10. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a central console;

a multifunction device situated within the central console, the multifunction device comprising;

an instrument panel adapted to receive an element, the instrument panel adapted to move and transfer from a closed position into an open position and situated within an opening of the central console in the closed position;

a storage element that is situated outside a field of vision of a vehicle occupant in the closed position of the instrument panel and that is accessible to a vehicle occupant in the open position of the instrument panel; and

a spring element that is adapted to transfer the instrument panel from the closed position into the open position.

11. The motor vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the element is a display element.

12. The motor vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the element is an operating element.

13. The motor vehicle according to claim 10, wherein:

the instrument panel is mounted to pivot around an axis situated essentially vertically to a roadway;

the instrument panel is disposed within the opening when in the closed position; and

the instrument panel moves out of the opening and toward a driver seat of the vehicle when pivoting around the axis that is situated essentially vertically to the roadway.

14. The motor vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the instrument panel is mounted to pivot around an axis situated essentially transversely to a roadway.

15. The motor vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the instrument panel is adapted to move essentially linearly to a roadway.

16. The motor vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the storage element is adapted to move together with the instrument panel.

17. The motor vehicle according to claim 10, further comprising a damping element that is adapted to control a movement of the instrument panel.

18. The motor vehicle according to claim 10, further comprising a lock adapted to fix the instrument panel in a desired position.

19. A multifunction device to be situated within a central console of a motor vehicle, comprising

an instrument panel adapted to receive an element, the instrument panel mounted to pivot around an axis that is situated essentially vertically to a roadway from a closed position to an open position, wherein the instrument panel is disposed within the opening when in the closed position, and wherein the instrument panel moves out of the opening and toward a driver seat of the vehicle when pivoting along the axis toward the open position;

and

a storage element that is situated outside a field of vision of a vehicle occupant in the closed position of the instrument panel, wherein the storage element is accessible to a vehicle occupant when the instrument panel is in the open position but is not accessible to the vehicle occupant when the instrument panel is in the closed position.

20. The multifunction device of claim 19, further comprising:

a lock adapted to fix the instrument panel in a desired position, including an intermediate position between the open and closed position.