VEHICLE CONSOLE WITH COUPLED MOTION AND ENHANCED STORAGE CAPABILITIES

• US 20180162283A1
• Filed: 12/12/2016
• Published: 06/14/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Ranganathan, Shivraj Karthik, Kale, Manjil M., Coury, Robert Michael, Mullen, Gary D., Ligi, JR., Anthony, Biddinger, Glenn
• Granted Patent: US 10,377,317 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/06 slidable B60N2/12 , B60N2/2209 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/793 for use as storage compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/04 in driver or passenger space , e.g. using racks B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/043 mounted on or under a seat

Abstract

An apparatus for an interior vehicle compartment comprises a seat adapted for moving in a travel direction and a console coupled to the movable seat. The console may include one or more of the following: (a) a collapsible portion for collapsing as a body portion of the console travels with the movable seat in the travel direction; (b) a stepped interface for connecting with the movable seat; (c) a rear drawer with a tiltable door to facilitate access by rear passengers; and (d) a deployable holder for a mobile handheld computer. A stationary base may also be provided for supporting the console during movement, such as along guide rails, which base may contain HVAC components, such as ducts, or electronic components, such as wires. Instead of a mechanical connection using a stepped interface, the coupled movement may also be achieved by commonly controlled motors for the seat and console.

Claims

1. An apparatus for an interior vehicle compartment, comprising:

a seat adapted for moving in a travel direction; and

a console adapted for moving in the travel direction in coordination with the seat, the console including a collapsible portion for collapsing as a body portion of the console travels with the seat in the travel direction.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the collapsible portion comprises a pass through storage bin having an open upper end, wherein a volume of the pass through storage bin changes based on a position of the body portion of the console in a travel direction.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the collapsible portion comprises sidewalls at least partially received within the body portion of the console.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the collapsible portion comprises a reticulated material.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a base for supporting the console, the base including a forward portion to which a front end of the collapsible portion is attached.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the console comprises a holder for removably receiving a mobile computer having a display, the holder having a stowed position and a deployed position wherein the holder presents the display for viewing by a vehicle passenger seated in the seat.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body portion of the console has a rear slide drawer including a tilting door.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a stepped interface for linking the console to the movable seat.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further including:

a seat actuator for moving the seat in the travel direction; and

a console actuator for moving the console in the travel direction in coordination with the seat.

13. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the collapsible portion comprises sidewalls at least partially received within the body portion of the console.

14. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the collapsible portion comprises a reticulated material.

19. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the collapsible portion comprises collapsible sidewalls at least partially received within the body portion of the console.

10. An apparatus for an interior vehicle compartment, comprising:

a seat movable in a travel direction;

a console for coupling with the seat; and

a stepped interface for linking the console to the movable seat.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the stepped interface comprises a pair of brackets, each including a lower portion adapted for connecting to a portion of the seat, an intermediate portion above the lower portion extending transverse to a direction of travel, and an upper portion above the intermediate portion for connecting with the console.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the console includes a collapsible portion for collapsing relative to a body portion of the console.

15. An apparatus for an interior vehicle compartment, comprising:

a seat for moving in a travel direction; and

a console for moving in the travel direction, the console including a rear slide drawer including a tilting door.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the console is coupled to the seat.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the console is coupled to the seat by a stepped interface.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the console includes a collapsible portion for collapsing relative to a body portion of the console.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, further including:

a seat actuator for moving the seat in the travel direction; and

a console actuator for moving the console in the travel direction in coordination with the seat.