Vehicle interior component

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11679648-B2
Application number	US-202117463496-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 31, 2021
Priority date	Mar 18, 2019
Publication date	Jun 20, 2023
Grant date	Jun 20, 2023

Abstract

A component for a vehicle interior configured to dispense scent in a vehicle interior is disclosed. The component may comprise a scent-dispensing apparatus comprising a module configured for at least one scent-dispensing cartridge (removable/replaceable) containing scent media. An actuator may be configured to operate the module in a bypass mode or for selection/actuation of a cartridge. A selected cartridge may be actuated from a sealed state to prevent airflow through scent media to an unsealed state to allow airflow across/through scent media and into the vehicle interior. The actuator may comprise a mechanism (e.g. slider, cam mechanism); each cartridge may comprise a valve mechanism actuated by the actuator; each mechanism may comprise a spring. The module may comprise a fan to provide airflow. The component may provide a user interface. The component may comprise a console, overhead console, floor console, center console, etc.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A component for a vehicle interior configured to dispense scent from at least one scent-dispensing cartridge containing scent media into air in the vehicle interior comprising:
a scent-dispensing apparatus comprising a module providing an inlet and an outlet;
a latch configured to retain the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge for use in the module; and
a plunger comprising a spring-actuated plunger configured to present the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge to facilitate removal from the module;
wherein the module comprises an enclosure configured for the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge providing the scent media;
wherein the module comprises an actuator comprising an arm configured to actuate the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge between a sealed state and an unsealed state;
wherein the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge comprises a first scent-dispensing cartridge and a second scent-dispensing cartridge;
wherein the actuator comprises a motor configured to pull the arm toward the motor to actuate the first scent-dispensing cartridge and to push the arm to actuate the second scent-dispensing cartridge;
wherein the latch is configured to provide the scent-dispensing cartridge with a latched state for use in the enclosure of the module and an unlatched state for removal from the enclosure of the module facilitated by the plunger;
wherein the spring-actuated plunger comprises a spring configured to present the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge to facilitate removal from the module for replacement in response to movement of the latch.

2. The component of claim 1 wherein the scent media comprises first scent media in the first scent-dispensing cartridge and second scent media in the second scent-dispensing cartridge.

3. The component of claim 2 wherein the actuator is configured to provide the scent-dispensing apparatus with (a) a bypass state with the first scent-dispensing cartridge in a sealed state and the second scent-dispensing cartridge in a sealed state; (b) a first actuation state actuating the first scent-dispensing cartridge in an unsealed state with the second scent-dispensing cartridge in the sealed state; (c) a second actuation state actuating the second scent-dispensing cartridge in an unsealed state with the first scent-dispensing cartridge in the sealed state.

4. The component of claim 3 wherein the actuator comprises an actuation mechanism comprising a cam mechanism; wherein the cam mechanism comprises a slider comprising (a) a cam for the first scent-dispensing cartridge; (b) a cam for the second scent-dispensing cartridge.

5. The component of claim 4 wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a cam shaft configured to (a) actuate the first scent-dispensing cartridge from the sealed state to the unsealed state to allow passage of air through the first scent media of the first scent-dispensing cartridge toward the outlet; (b) actuate the second scent-dispensing cartridge from the sealed state to the unsealed state to allow passage of air through the second scent media of the second scent-dispensing cartridge toward the outlet.

6. The component of claim 5 wherein the cam shaft is configured (a) to provide the bypass state; (b) to provide the first actuation state; (c) to provide the second actuation state.

7. The component of claim 2 wherein the latch comprises a spring-actuated latch configured for (a) the latched state to secure the first scent-dispensing cartridge; (b) the unlatched state to present the first scent-dispensing cartridge for replacement.

8. The component of claim 7 wherein the spring of the plunger is configured to apply force to pivot the first scent-dispensing cartridge at least partially out of the enclosure of the module to present the first scent-dispensing cartridge for replacement in response to movement of the latch for the first scent-dispensing cartridge from the latched state to the unlatched state.

9. The component of claim 4 wherein the actuation mechanism comprises (a) a first cam-follower arrangement to operate a first valve arrangement for the first scent-dispensing cartridge; (b) a second cam-follower arrangement to operate a second valve arrangement for the second scent-dispensing cartridge;
wherein the first cam-follower arrangement comprises a first cam on the slider and a first follower; wherein the second cam-follower arrangement comprises a second cam on the slider and a second follower.

10. A component for a vehicle interior configured to dispense scent from scent media into air in the vehicle interior comprising:
a scent-dispensing apparatus comprising a module providing an inlet and an outlet;
wherein the module comprises an enclosure configured for at least one scent-dispensing cartridge providing the scent media;
wherein the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge comprises a first scent-dispensing cartridge and a second scent-dispensing cartridge;
wherein the module comprises an actuator configured (a) to actuate the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge between a sealed state and an unsealed state and (b) to move the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge from the enclosure to facilitate removal from the module;
wherein the module comprises a cover configured for (a) a closed state to conceal the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge and (b) an open state to expose the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge;
wherein the cover comprises an outlet for the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge and a cover structure for the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge configured to form an outlet chamber for the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge.

11. The component of claim 10 wherein when the cover is in the open state the actuator is configured for (a) a first accessible state actuating the first scent-dispensing cartridge in an accessible position for replacement with the second scent-dispensing cartridge in the inaccessible position; (b) a second accessible state actuating the second scent-dispensing cartridge in an accessible position for replacement with the first scent-dispensing cartridge in the inaccessible position.

12. The component of claim 10 wherein the apparatus comprises an inlet duct to the inlet and an outlet duct to the outlet; wherein the inlet duct is separated from the outlet duct within the module of the apparatus.

13. The component of claim 10 further comprising a fan configured to provide air flow between the inlet and the outlet.

14. The component of claim 13 further comprising a bypass duct; wherein the fan is configured to direct air (a) to the inlet; (b) through the bypass duct; (c) through the outlet.

15. The component of claim 13 wherein the fan is configured for a high speed state and a low speed state; wherein the high speed state is configured to provide high intensity scent dispersion; wherein the low speed state is configured to provide low intensity scent dispersion.

16. The component of claim 10 wherein the actuator comprises a cam mechanism configured to (a) rotate in a first direction to actuate the first scent-dispensing cartridge and (b) rotate in a second direction generally opposite the first direction to actuate the second scent-dispensing cartridge.

17. A component for a vehicle interior configured to dispense scent from a cartridge system comprising at least one scent-dispensing cartridge providing a scent media into air in the vehicle interior comprising:
a scent-dispensing apparatus comprising a module providing an inlet and an outlet;
wherein the module comprises an enclosure confi

Assignees

• Shanghai yanfeng jinqiao automotive trim systems co ltd

Inventors

• Catlin Michael Robert
• Hodgson Thomas Scott
• Vorac Shane M
• Song Weining
• Pan Xiaohui
• Zhu Xinqing

Classifications

• B60H3/0007 Primary

  Adding substances other than water to the air, e.g. perfume, oxygen · CPC title

• B60H2003/0042

  with ventilating means for adding the substances · CPC title

• B60H2003/0057

  Servicing means therefor, e.g. for renewal of substances · CPC title

• B60H2003/0064

  adding more than one substance · CPC title

• A61L2209/15

  Supporting means, e.g. stands, hooks, holes for hanging · CPC title