Vehicle console having removable module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12427928-B2
Application number	US-202218085815-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 21, 2022
Priority date	Dec 21, 2022
Publication date	Sep 30, 2025
Grant date	Sep 30, 2025

Abstract

A vehicle console includes a base, a first module holder provided in the base, first removable module configured to be received in the module holder and removable from the module holder, and an attachment assembly configured to removably attach the module to the module holder.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle console comprising:
a base;
a first module holder provided in the base;
a first removable module configured to be received in the first module holder and removable from the first module holder; and
a first attachment assembly configured to removably attach the first module to the first module holder, wherein the first attachment assembly comprises at least one securing clip provided on one of the first module holder and the first removable module, and at least one retention detent provided on the other of the first module holder and the first removable module, wherein the at least one securing clip includes a resilient finger having a tooth biased to engage the at least one retention detent, and wherein the at least one securing clip includes an L-shaped portion that forms the resilient finger so that the tooth disconnects from the at least one retention detent by forcing the tooth away from the at least one retention detent.

2. The vehicle console of claim 1 further comprising:
a second module holder provided in the base;
a second module configured to be received in the second module holder; and
a second attachment assembly for attaching the second module to the second module holder.

3. The vehicle console of claim 2 , wherein the first module holder is configured to be located on a vehicle forward side and the second vehicle receiver is configured to be located on a vehicle rearward side.

4. The vehicle console of claim 1 , wherein the console comprises a center console.

5. The vehicle console of claim 1 , wherein the first attachment assembly comprises a plurality of security clips for engaging a plurality of retention detents.

6. The vehicle console of claim 1 further comprising an armrest that pivots about a pivot axis between an armrest position and a table position.

7. The vehicle console of claim 1 further comprising electrical contacts for conducting power between the first module holder and the first module.

8. The vehicle console of claim 1 further comprising at least one hanger provided proximate to the first module holder, wherein the at least one hanger is configured for hanging one or more articles.

9. The vehicle console of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of cupholders.

10. The vehicle console of claim 1 , wherein the first module is selected from a group comprising a storage bin, a cooler, and a media device.

11. The vehicle console of claim 10 , wherein the media device comprises at least one of an audio speaker and a display device.

12. A vehicle center console comprising:
a base;
a first module holder provided on a first side in the base;
a first removable module configured to be received in the first module holder and removable from the first module holder;
a first attachment assembly configured to removably attach the first module to the first module holder, wherein the first attachment assembly comprises a first securing clip provided on one of the first module holder and the first removable module, and a first retention detent provided on the other of the first module holder and the first removable module, wherein the first securing clip includes a first resilient finger having a first tooth biased to engage the first retention detent;
a second module holder provided on a rear side in the base;
a second module configured to be received in the second module holder; and
a second attachment assembly for attaching the second module to the second module holder, wherein the second attachment assembly comprises a second securing clip provided on one of the second module holder and the second removable module, and a second retention detent provided on the other of the second module holder and the second removable module, wherein the second securing clip includes a second resilient finger having a second tooth biased to engage the second retention detent, and wherein the at least one securing clip includes an L-shaped portion that forms the resilient finger so that the tooth disconnects from the at least one retention detent by forcing the tooth away from the at least one retention detent.

13. The vehicle center console of claim 12 , wherein the first module is selected from a group comprising a storage bin, a cooler, and a media device.

14. A method of configuring a vehicle console, the method comprising:
providing a base defining a first module holder on a front side and a second module holder on a rear side in a motor vehicle;
installing a first removable module in the first module holder and a second removable module in the second module holder, wherein the first and second removable modules are secured to the first and second module holders with first and second securing clips each having a resilient finger with a tooth that engages a retention detent;
removing the first removable module from the first removable module holder by removing the tooth of the resilient finger from the retention detent with force applied by a user, wherein the at least one securing clip includes an L-shaped portion that forms the resilient finger so that the tooth disconnects from the at least one retention detent by forcing the tooth away from the at least one retention detent;
removing the second removable module from the second removable module holder by removing the tooth of the resilient finger from the retention detent with force applied by a user, wherein the at least one securing clip includes an L-shaped portion that forms the resilient finger so that the tooth disconnects from the at least one retention detent by forcing the tooth away from the at least one retention detent; and
replacing at least one of the first and second removable modules on the first and second module holders with a third removable module, including securing a third removable module to one of the first and second module holders by securing a tooth of the resilient finger in a retention detent.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of replacing the other of the first and second removable modules with a fourth removable module.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the console is a center console.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of aligning the first removable module with an airflow duct port in the base to allow air to flow through an airway duct in the first removable module.

18. The vehicle center console of claim 12 , wherein the base includes an airflow duct port and the first removable module includes an airflow channel operatively coupled to the airflow duct port.

19. The vehicle center console of claim 1 , wherein the base includes an airflow duct port and the first removable module includes an airflow channel operatively coupled to the airflow duct port.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Harmon Michael John
• Kim Minsung
• Ross Eva
• Vira Amil
• Martinage Vivien
• Bernardo Henry
• Zercoe Brad

Classifications

• B60R7/08 Primary

  Disposition of racks, clips {, holders, containers} or the like {for supporting specific articles (B60R7/005 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B60R2011/0288

  Apparatus made of several modules independently mounted · CPC title

• B60R2011/0071

  using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like · CPC title

• B60N3/104

  with refrigerating or warming systems · CPC title

• B60R2011/0029

  Floor, e.g. side sills, fire wall · CPC title