Vehicle interior component

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023331069-A1
Application number	US-202318211238-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 17, 2023
Priority date	Mar 18, 2019
Publication date	Oct 19, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A component configured to dispense scent in a vehicle interior may comprise a scent-dispensing apparatus configured for at least one scent-dispensing cartridge (removable/replaceable) containing scent media. The apparatus may comprise an actuator operable in a bypass mode or for selection/actuation of a cartridge. A selected cartridge may be actuated from a sealed state to prevent airflow 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 scent-dispensing apparatus may comprise a retainer to retain the scent-dispensing cartridge for use and to release the scent-dispensing cartridge for removal and a plunger to present the scent-dispensing cartridge to facilitate removal. The component may comprise a console, overhead console, floor console, center console, etc.

First claim

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 configured for the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge; wherein the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge comprises a first scent-dispensing cartridge and a second scent-dispensing cartridge; wherein the scent-dispensing apparatus 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 scent-dispensing apparatus to facilitate removal of the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge from the scent-dispensing apparatus.

2 . The component of claim 1 wherein the actuator is configured to operate a cam mechanism configured (a) to actuate the first scent-dispensing cartridge and (b) to actuate the second scent-dispensing cartridge.

3 . The component of claim 1 wherein the actuator is configured to operate a mechanism configured (a) to facilitate air flow to actuate the first scent-dispensing cartridge and (b) to facilitate air flow to actuate the second scent-dispensing cartridge.

4 . The component of claim 1 wherein the actuator is configured to operate a cam mechanism configured (a) to rotate in a first direction to actuate the first scent-dispensing cartridge and (b) to rotate in a second direction generally opposite the first direction to actuate the second scent-dispensing cartridge.

5 . The component of claim 1 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.

6 . The component of claim 1 wherein the scent-dispensing apparatus comprises a cover 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.

7 . 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 configured for the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge; wherein the scent-dispensing apparatus comprises an actuator for a valve assembly configured to actuate the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge between a sealed state and an unsealed state; wherein the actuator is configured to operate a cam mechanism comprising a slider configured to selectively open and close the valve assembly for the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge; wherein the slider comprises a cam configured to actuate a follower to open the valve assembly to facilitate air flow for the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge.

8 . The component of claim 7 wherein the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge comprises a first scent-dispensing cartridge and a second scent-dispensing cartridge; wherein the cam mechanism is configured (a) to translate the slider in a first direction to actuate the first scent-dispensing cartridge and (b) to translate the slider in a second direction generally opposite the first direction to actuate the second scent-dispensing cartridge.

9 . The component of claim 7 wherein the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge comprises a first scent-dispensing cartridge and a second scent-dispensing cartridge; wherein the actuator is configured (a) to actuate the first scent-dispensing cartridge and (b) to actuate the second scent-dispensing cartridge.

10 . The component of claim 9 wherein the valve assembly comprises a valve for the first scent-dispensing cartridge and a valve for the second scent-dispensing cartridge; wherein the cam mechanism is configured (a) to open the valve for the first scent-dispensing cartridge to facilitate air flow through the first scent-dispensing cartridge and (b) to open the valve for the second scent-dispensing cartridge to facilitate air flow through the second scent-dispensing cartridge.

11 . The component of claim 9 wherein the valve assembly comprises a valve for the first scent-dispensing cartridge and a valve for the second scent-dispensing cartridge; wherein the cam mechanism is configured (a) to close the valve for the first scent-dispensing cartridge to obstruct air flow through the first scent-dispensing cartridge and (b) to close the valve for the second scent-dispensing cartridge to obstruct air flow through the second scent-dispensing cartridge.

12 . The component of claim 9 wherein the valve assembly comprises a valve for the first scent-dispensing cartridge and a valve for the second scent-dispensing cartridge; wherein the cam mechanism is configured (a) to open the valve for the first scent-dispensing cartridge and to close the valve for the second scent-dispensing cartridge to facilitate air flow through the first scent-dispensing cartridge and (b) to close the valve for the first scent-dispensing cartridge and to open the valve for the second scent-dispensing cartridge to facilitate air flow through the second scent-dispensing cartridge.

13 . A component for a vehicle interior configured to dispense scent from a scent-dispensing cartridge containing scent media into air in the vehicle interior comprising:
a scent-dispensing apparatus comprising a base configured to retain the scent-dispensing cartridge; a retainer configured to retain the scent-dispensing cartridge in the base of the scent-dispensing apparatus for use and to release the scent-dispensing cartridge from the base of the scent-dispensing apparatus for removal; and a plunger configured to present the scent-dispensing cartridge to facilitate removal from the base of the scent-dispensing apparatus; wherein the plunger is configured to present the scent-dispensing cartridge for removal from the base upon release of the scent-dispensing apparatus by the retainer.

14 . The component of claim 13 wherein the scent-dispensing cartridge comprises a set of scent-dispensing cartridges; wherein the base comprises a compartment for each scent-dispensing cartridge of the set of scent-dispensing cartridges; wherein the retainer comprises a retainer for each scent-dispensing cartridge of the set of scent-dispensing cartridges; wherein the plunger comprises a plunger for each scent-dispensing cartridge of the set of scent-dispensing cartridges.

15 . The component of claim 13 wherein the latch is configured to be actuated by an arm configured to be moved from a latched position to retain the scent-dispensing cartridge in the base and an unlatched position to release the scent-dispensing cartridge from the base;
wherein the plunger is configured to present the scent-dispensing cartridge for removal from the base of the scent-dispensing apparatus when the arm for the latch is moved to the unlatched position.

16 . The component of claim 13 wherein the retainer comprises a latch; wherein the latch comprises

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

• A61L9/122

  comprising a fan · CPC title