Vehicle interior panel having a docking station for a mobile device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11787348-B2
Application number	US-202117380691-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 20, 2021
Priority date	Jul 20, 2021
Publication date	Oct 17, 2023
Grant date	Oct 17, 2023

Abstract

A vehicle interior panel includes an in-vehicle support substrate and a docking station for a mobile device. The docking station includes a top edge, a bottom wall, and a reception surface for the mobile device between the top edge and the bottom wall. The reception surface is pivotably attached with respect to the support substrate. A first portion of the bottom wall is configured to hold the mobile device, and a second portion of the bottom wall is configured to remain recessed within the support substrate when the docking station is in a tilted position. This structure for a docking station helps improve within vehicle integration.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A vehicle interior panel, comprising:
a support substrate configured for in-vehicle operation; and
a docking station for a mobile device, the docking station comprising:
a top edge;
a bottom wall having a first portion and a second portion;
a reception surface for the mobile device between the top edge and the bottom wall; and
a pivoting hinge located at or near the top edge of the docking station that attaches the reception surface and the support substrate, wherein the reception surface is pivotably attached via the pivoting hinge with respect to the support substrate, wherein the first portion of the bottom wall is configured to hold the mobile device, wherein the second portion of the bottom wall is configured to remain recessed within the support substrate when the docking station is in a tilted position, and wherein the pivoting hinge is configured to rotate the bottom wall to a fully recessed position.

2. The vehicle interior panel of claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the bottom wall is completely covered by the support substrate when the docking station is in the fully recessed position.

3. The vehicle interior panel of claim 2 , wherein the reception surface is accessible for use in the fully recessed position.

4. The vehicle interior panel of claim 1 , wherein the docking station comprises a side tilt surface that extends from the bottom wall.

5. The vehicle interior panel of claim 4 , wherein the side tilt surface has a substrate and a first decorative covering, and wherein the side tilt surface is only visible within an interior passenger cabin when the docking station is in the tilted position.

6. The vehicle interior panel of claim 5 , wherein the first decorative covering covers an outer surface of the bottom wall and at least part of the support substrate.

7. The vehicle interior panel of claim 4 , wherein a second decorative covering covers the reception surface.

8. The vehicle interior panel of claim 7 , wherein the first decorative covering is a polymeric, fabric, or natural skin layer and the second decorative covering is a wood veneer layer.

9. The vehicle interior panel of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the bottom wall of the docking station includes a retaining groove.

10. The vehicle interior panel of claim 1 , wherein the docking station includes an adjustable height bracket.

11. The vehicle interior panel of claim 10 , wherein the adjustable height bracket includes an ambient light.

12. The vehicle interior panel of claim 1 , wherein a wireless charger for the mobile device is located behind the reception surface.

13. A center console comprising the vehicle interior panel of claim 1 , wherein the docking station faces a rear seating area of an interior passenger cabin.

14. The center console of claim 13 , wherein a tilt angle between the tilted position and a fully recessed position is between 15° and 20°, inclusive.

15. The vehicle interior panel of claim 1 , wherein the support substrate includes a carrier that is a physical support layer of the vehicle interior panel and a first decorative covering that covers at least a portion of the carrier.

Assignees

• Faurecia Interior Systems Inc

Inventors

• Dessapt Thomas
• Ketels Cedric

Classifications

• B60R11/0241 Primary

  for telephones · CPC title

• B60R13/0262

  Mid-console liners · CPC title

• B60R2011/0007

  Mid-console · CPC title

• B60R2011/0085

  with adjustment by rotation in their operational position · CPC title

• B60R11/0235 Primary

  of flat type, e.g. LCD · CPC title