Console system suitable for use in an interior cabin of a vehicle

• US 7,460,007 B2
• Filed: 05/26/2006
• Issued: 12/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schofield, Kenneth, Lynam, Niall R
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US11/441,592
• Publication Number:
  US 20060220817A1
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/442, 340/443, 340/457, 340/461, 340/462, 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 362/492, 362/494, 362/503
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00 Devices for measuring, signalling, controlling, or distributing tyre pressure or temperature, specially adapted for mounting on vehicles; Arrangement of tyre inflating devices on vehicles, e.g. of pumps or of tanks; Tyre cooling arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0401 characterised by the type of alarm
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0406 Alarms noticeable from outside the vehicle, e.g. indication in side mirror, front light or audible alarms B60C23/0403, B60C23/0405 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2661 mounted on parts having other functions on wheels B60Q1/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/02 Rear-view mirror arrangements periscope arrangements B60R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/012 comprising devices for attenuating parasitic image effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/00 Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings

Abstract

An improved console system is provided that is suitable for use in an interior cabin of a vehicle, the interior cabin having a roof and a windshield having an upper portion. The improved console system comprises a console assembly that includes a headliner portion disposed at the roof of the interior cabin of the vehicle and that further includes a windshield portion disposed at the upper portion of the windshield that extends downwardly from the headliner portion. The downwardly extending windshield portion includes an image capturing device having a field of view through the windshield in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle that preferably captures images at least one chosen from (a) a forward park-aid system, (b) a collision avoidance system, and (c) an automatic headlamp control system.

Claims

1. An improved console system suitable for use in an interior cabin of a vehicle, the interior cabin having a roof and a windshield having an upper portion, said console system comprising:

a console assembly;

said console assembly including a headliner portion disposed at the roof of the interior cabin of the vehicle;

said console assembly further including a windshield portion extending downwardly from said headliner portion, said downwardly extending portion being disposed at the upper portion of the windshield;

said downwardly extending windshield portion of said console assembly including at least one vehicle accessory;

wherein said at least one vehicle accessory comprises a sensor having a field of view through the windshield in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle;

wherein said sensor comprises an image capturing device;

wherein said image capturing device captures images at least one chosen from (a) for a forward park-aid system, (b) for a collision avoidance system, and (c) for an automatic headlamp control system; and

wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion either attaches at or contacts at or is set-off from the inner surface of the windshield.

2. The improved console system according to claim 1, wherein said image capturing device comprises a CMOS camera.

3. The improved console system according to claim 1, wherein said console assembly includes another accessory chosen from (a) a component of a tire pressure monitoring system, (b) a user actuatable device, (c) a component of a garage door opener system, (d) a component of a trip computer, (e) a component of an electronic toll collection system, (f) a component of a sound system, (g) a component of a cellular phone system, (h) a component of a telematic system, (i) a component of a roadside assistance system, (j) an antenna, (k) a sensor, (l) an image capturing device, (m) a light, (n) a speaker, (o) a microphone, (p) a component of a seat occupancy detector system, (q) a component of an air bag system, and (r) a display.

4. The improved console system according to claim 1, including an interior rearview mirror assembly.

5. The improved console system according to claim 4, wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion comprises a mirror attachment member and wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly attaches to said mirror attachment member.

6. The improved console system according to claim 4, wherein the windshield of the vehicle comprises a mirror attachment member and wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly attaches to said mirror attachment member.

7. The improved console system according to claim 6, wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion includes a portion straddling said mirror attachment member.

8. The improved console system according to claim 7, wherein said portion straddling said mirror attachment member comprises an inverted U-shaped portion.

9. The improved console system according to claim 6, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises an electrochromic reflective element.

10. The improved console system according to claim 1, wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion attaches at the inner surface of the windshield.

11. The improved console system according to claim 10, wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion is received by or supported by one or more attaching members adhered to the inner surface of the windshield.

12. The improved console system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more attaching members includes a rail or a channel.

13. The improved console system according to claim 10, wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion adhesively attaches to the inner surface of the windshield.

14. The improved console system according to claim 1, wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion contacts at the inner surface of the windshield so as to rest thereon.

15. The improved console system according to claim 1, wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion is set-off from the inner surface of the windshield so as to be spaced therefrom.

16. The improved console system according to claim 1, wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion attaches at the inner surface of the windshield and wherein said windshield portion releasably attaches to one or more attachment members that are adhered to inner surface of the windshield.

17. The improved console system according to claim 1, wherein said headliner portion includes a vehicle accessory.

18. The improved console system according to claim 17, wherein said vehicle accessory of said headliner portion comprises an accessory chosen from (a) a component of a tire pressure monitoring system, (b) a user actuatable device, (c) a component of a garage door opener system, (d) a component of a trip computer, (e) a component of an electronic toll collection system, (f) a component of a sound system, (g) a component of a cellular phone system, (h) a component of a telematic system, (i) a component of a roadside assistance system, (j) an antenna, (k) a sensor, (l) an image capturing device, (m) a light, (n) a speaker, (o) a microphone, (p) a component of a seat occupancy detector system, (q) a component of an air bag system, and (r) a display.

19. The improved console system according to claim 1, wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion comprises a rain sensor.

20. The improved console system according to claim 1, wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion comprises a sensor of a windshield fogging detection system.

21. An improved console system suitable for use in an interior cabin of a vehicle, the interior cabin having a roof and a windshield having an upper portion, said console system comprising:

a console assembly;

said console assembly including a headliner portion disposed at the roof of the interior cabin of the vehicle;

said console assembly further including a windshield portion extending downwardly from said headliner portion, said downwardly extending portion being disposed at the upper portion of the windshield;

said downwardly extending windshield portion of said console assembly including at least one vehicle accessory;

wherein said at least one vehicle accessory comprises a sensor having a field of view through the windshield in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle;

wherein said sensor comprises an image capturing device;

wherein said image capturing device comprises a CMOS camera;

wherein said image capturing device captures images at least one chosen from (a) for a forward park-aid system, (b) for a collision avoidance system, and (c) for an automatic headlamp control system; and

wherein said headliner portion comprises an accessory chosen from (a) a component of a tire pressure monitoring system, (b) a user actuatable device, (c) a component of a garage door opener system, (d) a component of a trip computer, (e) a component of an electronic toll collection system, (f) a component of a sound system, (g) a component of a cellular phone system, (h) a component of a telematic system, (i) a component of a roadside assistance system, (j) an antenna, (k) a sensor, (l) an image capturing device, (m) a light, (n) a speaker, (o) a microphone, (p) a component of a seat occupancy detector system, (q) a component of an air bag system, and (r) a display.

22. The improved console system according to claim 21, wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion either attaches at or contacts at or is set-off from the inner surface of the windshield.

23. The improved console system according to claim 22, wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion attaches at the inner surface of the windshield and wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion is received by or supported by one or more attaching members adhered to the inner surface of the windshield.

24. The improved console system according to claim 23, wherein said one or more attaching members includes a rail or a channel.

25. The improved console system according to claim 22, wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion contacts at the inner surface of the windshield so as to rest thereon.

26. The improved console system according to claim 22, wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion is set-off from the inner surface of the windshield so as to be spaced therefrom.

27. The improved console system according to claim 21, wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion attaches at the inner surface of the windshield and wherein said windshield portion releasably attaches to one or more attachment members that are adhered to inner surface of the windshield.

28. An improved console system suitable for use in an interior cabin of a vehicle, the interior cabin having a roof and a windshield having an upper portion, said console system comprising:

a console assembly;

said console assembly including a headliner portion disposed at the roof of the interior cabin of the vehicle;

said console assembly further including a windshield portion extending downwardly from said headliner portion, said downwardly extending portion being disposed at the upper portion of the windshield;

said downwardly extending windshield portion of said console assembly including at least one vehicle accessory;

wherein said at least one vehicle accessory comprises a sensor having a field of view through the windshield in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle;

wherein said sensor comprises an image capturing device;

wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion of said console assembly includes another accessory chosen from (a) a component of a tire pressure monitoring system, (b) a user actuatable device, (c) a component of a garage door opener system, (d) a component of a trip computer, (e) a component of an electronic toll collection system, (f) a component of a sound system, (g) a component of a cellular phone system, (h) a component of a telematic system, (i) a component of a roadside assistance system, (j) an antenna, (k) a sensor, (l) an image capturing device, (m) a light, (n) a speaker, (o) a microphone, (p) a component of a seat occupancy detector system, (q) a component of an air bag system, and (r) a display; and

wherein said headliner portion comprises an accessory chosen from (a) a component of a tire pressure monitoring system, (b) a user actuatable device, (c) a component of a garage door opener system, (d) a component of a trip computer, (e) a component of an electronic toll collection system, (f) a component of a sound system, (g) a component of a cellular phone system, (h) a component of a telematic system, (i) a component of a roadside assistance system, (j) an antenna, (k) a sensor, (l) an image capturing device, (m) a light, (n) a speaker, (o) a microphone, (p) a component of a seat occupancy detector system, (q) a component of an air bag system, and (r) a display.

29. The improved console system according to claim 28, wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion either attaches at or contacts at or is set-off from the inner surface of the windshield.

30. The improved console system according to claim 29, wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion attaches at the inner surface of the windshield and wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion is received by or supported by one or more attaching members adhered to the inner surface of the windshield.

31. The improved console system according to claim 30, wherein said one or more attaching members includes a rail or a channel.

32. The improved console system according to claim 29, wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion contacts at the inner surface of the windshield so as to rest thereon.

33. The improved console system according to claim 29, wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion is set-off from the inner surface of the windshield so as to be spaced therefrom.

34. The improved console system according to claim 28, wherein said downwardly extending windshield portion attaches at the inner surface of the windshield and wherein said windshield portion releasably attaches to one or more attachment members that are adhered to inner surface of the windshield.

35. The improved console system according to claim 28, wherein said image capturing device captures images at least one chosen from (a) for a forward park-aid system, (b) for a collision avoidance system, and (c) for an automatic headlamp control system;

36. The improved console system according to claim 28, wherein said image capturing device comprises a CMOS camera.