Vehicle console assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12397693-B2
Application number	US-202218079955-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 13, 2022
Priority date	Dec 13, 2022
Publication date	Aug 26, 2025
Grant date	Aug 26, 2025

Abstract

A vehicle console system includes a body having first and second sidewalls. Each of the first and second sidewalls defines a rail along an inner surface thereof. A support bar slidably engages the rails. The support bar defines a track. A cover assembly is operably coupled to the support bar. The cover assembly includes a base panel coupled to the support bar via a connector assembly and a deployable panel rotatably coupled to the base panel. The cover assembly is configured to translate along a first movement path with the support bar along the rails and a second movement path along the track of the support bar. The cover assembly is configured to rotate along a third movement path between a first side position and a second side position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle console system, comprising:
a body having first and second sidewalls, wherein each of the first and second sidewalls defines a rail, respectively, along an inner surface thereof;
a support bar slidably engaging the rails, wherein the support bar defines a track;
a cover assembly operably coupled to the support bar, wherein the cover assembly includes:
a base panel coupled to the support bar via a connector assembly; and
a deployable panel rotatably coupled to the base panel and operable between a folded armrest state positioned on an upper surface of the base panel and a deployed tray state adjacent to the base panel, wherein the cover assembly is configured to translate along a first movement path with the support bar along the rails and a second movement path along the track of the support bar, wherein the cover assembly is configured to rotate along a third movement path between a first side position and a second side position, and wherein when the deployable panel is in the deployed tray state, the base panel extends at least partially over the body and the deployable panel extends at least partially over a first seating assembly when in the first side position and extends at least partially over a second seating assembly when in the second side position.

2. The vehicle console system of claim 1 , wherein the cover assembly is configured to rotate 90 degrees in a first direction from a center position to the first side position and 90 degrees in a second direction from the center position to the second side position.

3. The vehicle console system of claim 2 , wherein the deployable panel is coupled to the base panel via hinges, and wherein the hinges are disposed in a console-forward direction when the cover assembly is in the center position.

4. The vehicle console system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an interior imager defining a field of view including the cover assembly, wherein the interior imager is configured to capture image data within the field of view; and
a controller communicatively coupled to the interior imager, wherein the controller is configured to determine when the cover assembly is in the deployed tray state based on the image data.

5. The vehicle console system of claim 4 , further comprising:
a light source communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to activate the light source when the cover assembly is in the deployed tray state.

6. The vehicle console system of claim 4 , further comprising:
a display communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the console assembly includes control buttons at an end thereof, and wherein selectable control features are configured to be displayed on the display in response to the cover assembly being positioned over the control buttons.

7. The vehicle console system of claim 4 , wherein the first seating assembly has a seat actuator, the seat actuator being in communication with the controller, and wherein the seat actuator is configured to adjust the first seating assembly to a task orientation when the cover assembly is in the deployed tray state.

8. A vehicle console assembly, comprising:
a body defining a storage cavity between first and second sidewalls;
a support bar coupled to each of the first and second sidewalls, wherein the support bar defines a track extending between the first and second sidewalls; and
a cover assembly operably coupled to the support bar, wherein the cover assembly includes:
a first panel;
a second panel rotatably coupled to the first panel, wherein the second panel is operable between a folded state and a deployed state; and
a connector assembly coupled to a lower surface of the first panel and extending through the track of the support bar, wherein the cover assembly is configured to rotate in a first direction from a center position to a first side position and in a second direction from the center position to a second side position, and wherein the cover assembly is configured to translate along the track.

9. The vehicle console assembly of claim 8 , wherein the first and second sidewalls each define a rail, and wherein the support bar is configured to translate along the rails, and wherein the cover assembly is configured to translate along a first movement path defined by the rails and a second movement path defined by the track, the second movement path being normal to the first movement path.

10. The vehicle console assembly of claim 9 , wherein the cover assembly is configured to translate along a single plane when translating along the first movement path, the second movement path, and when rotating between the first and second side positions.

11. The vehicle console assembly of claim 8 , wherein the cover assembly is configured to rotate about a vertical axis between the first side position, the center position, and the second side position.

12. The vehicle console assembly of claim 8 , wherein the cover assembly includes padding coupled to the second panel to provide an armrest when the second panel is in the folded state.

13. The vehicle console assembly of claim 8 , wherein the first panel is disposed at least partially over the storage cavity when the cover assembly is in the folded state and the deployed state.

14. The vehicle console assembly of claim 8 , wherein the second panel is disposed proximate the first sidewall when the cover assembly is in the deployed state in the first side position, and wherein the second panel is disposed proximate the second sidewall when the cover assembly is in the deployed state in the second side position.

15. The vehicle console assembly of claim 8 , wherein a surface of the second panel is coplanar with an upper surface of the first panel when the cover assembly is in the deployed state to form a tray.

16. A console assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
a body having sidewalls, wherein each sidewall defines a rail;
a support bar slidably engaging the rails, wherein the support bar defines a track;
a cover assembly operably coupled to the support bar; and
a connector assembly coupled to a lower surface of the cover assembly and extending into the track of the support bar, wherein the cover assembly is configured to translate along a first movement path with the support bar via the rails, translate along a second movement path along the track via the connector assembly, and rotate about a vertical axis along a third movement path via the connector assembly.

17. The console assembly of claim 16 , wherein the first movement path is normal to the second movement path.

18. The console assembly of claim 6 , wherein the selectable control features correspond with the covered control buttons.

19. The console assembly of claim 16 , wherein the rails are elongated slots extending along inner surfaces of the sidewalls, respectively, wherein the support bar extends into each of the rails, and wherein the cover assembly is disposed above each of the rails.

20. The console assembly of claim 16 , wherein the connector assembly includes a shaft extending through the track of the support bar, and wherein a bushing is placed over the shaft.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Salter Stuart C
• Shedlarski Dustin
• Welch Ryan
• Dellock Paul Kenneth
• Huebner Annette Lynn
• Johnson Aaron

Classifications

• B60R11/04

  Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle · CPC title

• B60R11/0229

  for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes · CPC title

• B60Q3/225 Primary

  Small compartments, e.g. glove compartments · CPC title

• B60R2011/0007

  Mid-console · CPC title

• B60N2/79

  Adaptations for additional use of the arm-rests · CPC title