1. Field of the Invention
A vehicle having an instrument panel including an auxiliary article compartment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The prior art includes vehicles routing treated air from the housing of an HVAC system to an auxiliary article compartment. U.S. Pat. No. 7,389,650 (Kuckucka) discloses an instrument panel that has a façade and a backside opposite the façade and defines a passage. An HVAC system includes a housing. The housing abuts the backside of the instrument panel and defines an auxiliary aperture for permitting flow of air and an occupant aperture for permitting flow of air and has at least a first treatment device disposed therein for treating air. An auxiliary article module has walls defining an auxiliary article compartment and an auxiliary hole for permitting flow of air into the auxiliary article compartment.
In the invention, the passage extends from the façade to the backside of the instrument panel and terminates at the housing, and the auxiliary article module is disposed in the passage and abuts the housing with the auxiliary hole being aligned with and abutting the auxiliary aperture for receiving air from the housing into the auxiliary article compartment.
This invention simplifies the construction of the instrument panel by eliminating hosing and duct work to route treated air between the HVAC housing and the auxiliary article compartment which reduces the materials and assembly cost of the vehicle. The thermal losses incurred by the flow of air between the HVAC housing and the auxiliary article compartment are also accordingly minimized to improve the efficiency of the vehicle while increasing operator comfort.
Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the invention comprises a vehicle having an instrument panel including an auxiliary article compartment as shown generally at
A dash board or instrument panel 50 is disposed in the passenger compartment 26. The instrument panel 50 has a façade 52 and a backside 54 opposite the façade 52 and facing the firewall 22. The instrument panel 50 defines a passage 56 centrally in the instrument panel 50. The HVAC system 42 includes a housing 58 abutting the backside 54 of the instrument panel 50. The housing 58 defines an auxiliary aperture 60 for permitting flow of air from the housing 58 and at least one occupant aperture 62 for permitting flow of air from the housing 58 and a circulation aperture 64 for permitting flow of air into the housing 58 and an inlet opening 66 for permitting flow of air into the housing 58.
The HVAC system 42 includes an evaporator 68 for dehumidifying and chilling air disposed in the housing 58. The HVAC system 42 includes a blower 70 in electrical communication with the HVAC control module 44 and disposed in the housing 58 between the inlet opening 66 and the evaporator 68. The blower 70 draws air through the inlet opening 66 and the circulation aperture 64 into the housing 58 and blows air through the auxiliary aperture 60 and the occupant aperture 62 out of the housing 58. The inlet opening 66 and the blower 70 define a pre-treatment space 72 therebetween. The HVAC system 42 includes a heater 74 for heating air disposed in the housing 58 opposite of the evaporator 68 from the inlet opening 66. The evaporator 68 and the heater 74 define a first treatment space 76 therebetween. The heater 74 and the housing 58 define a second treatment space 78 therebetween.
The HVAC system 42 includes an occupant valve system 80 in electrical communication with the HVAC control module 44. The occupant valve system 80 includes at least one occupant flap 82 disposed adjacent the occupant aperture 62 and is movable for alternately permitting or preventing flow of air through the occupant aperture 62. The HVAC system 42 includes an auxiliary mix system 84 in electrical communication with the HVAC control module 44. The auxiliary mix system 84 is disposed in the housing 58 and has a pair of auxiliary flaps 86. The auxiliary flaps 86 are adjustable between a max first treatment arrangement and a max second treatment arrangement. The max first treatment arrangement is defined by the auxiliary flaps 86 isolating the auxiliary aperture 60 from the second treatment space 78 and exposing the auxiliary aperture 60 to the first treatment space 76. The max second treatment arrangement is defined by the auxiliary flaps 86 completely isolating the auxiliary aperture 60 from the first treatment space 76 and exposing the auxiliary aperture 60 to the second treatment space 78.
A vehicle battery 88 is disposed in the motor compartment 24 and is in electrical communication with and supplies electric power to the control modules 30, 38, 44, the vehicle speakers 34, the blower 70, the occupant valve system 80, the auxiliary mix system 84, and the vehicle signal transceiver 48.
An auxiliary article module 90 has walls 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102 defining an auxiliary article compartment 104. The walls 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102 include an obverse wall 92 defining an access opening 106 permitting transfer of articles into and out of the auxiliary article compartment 104. The walls 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102 include a reverse wall 94 opposite the obverse wall 92. The reverse wall 94 defines an auxiliary hole 108 for permitting flow of air into the auxiliary article compartment 104 and an outer circulation hole 110 for permitting flow of air from the auxiliary article compartment 104 and a drip hole 112 for permitting flow of liquid from the auxiliary article compartment 104.
An ejection-retention mechanism 114 retains the auxiliary article module 90 in a secured position and moves the auxiliary article module 90 from the secured position to an unsecured position. The ejection-retention mechanism 114 includes the instrument panel 50 defining a socket 116 in the passage 56 and the auxiliary article module 90 having a cam 118 being movable. The cam 118 alternately engages the socket 116 for securing the auxiliary article module 90 to the passage 56 in the secured position and pushes against the socket 116 for moving the auxiliary article module 90 from the secured position to the unsecured position and the cam 118 is disconnected from the socket 116 in the unsecured position. The ejection-retention mechanism 114 includes a cam motor 120 connected with the cam 118. The cam motor 120 alternately detains the cam 118 for holding the cam 118 in the socket 116 for holding the cam 118 in the socket 116 and securing the auxiliary article module 90 in the passage 56 in the secured position and turns the cam 118 to push the cam 118 against the socket 116 for moving the auxiliary article module 90 away from the housing 58 and from the secured position into the unsecured position.
The ejection-retention mechanism 114 includes an ejection-retention control input 122 in electrical communication with said cam motor 120 for activating the movement of the auxiliary article module 90 from the secured position to the unsecured position. The ejection-retention control input 122 is disposed on said auxiliary article module 90 and movable between a base position and a depressed position and having a position biasing component resisting movement of the ejection-retention control input 122 from the base position to the depressed position and returning the ejection-retention control input 122 from the depressed position to the base position.
The walls 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102 of the auxiliary article module 90 include side walls 96, 98, 100, 102 extending perpendicular to and between the reverse wall 94 and the obverse wall 92. The side walls 96, 98, 100, 102 including a top side wall 96 and a bottom side wall 98 parallel and opposite the top side wall 96 and facing downward. The side walls 96, 98, 100, 102 include a right side wall 100 extending perpendicular to and between the top side wall 96 and bottom side wall 98 and a left side wall 102 parallel and opposite the right side wall 100 and extending between the top side wall 96 and bottom side wall 98. The outer circulation hole 110 extends to the top side wall 96. The drip hole 112 is adjacent the bottom side wall 98 and opposite of the auxiliary hole 108 from the outer circulation hole 110.
The top side wall 96 defines an inner circulation hole 124. An inner duct 126 extends through the top side wall 96 from the auxiliary article compartment 104 to the outer circulation hole 110 for carrying air from the auxiliary article compartment 104 to the outer circulation hole 110. A liner 128 complementary to and engaging the reverse wall 94 and the side walls 96, 98, 100, 102 is removably disposed in the auxiliary article compartment 104 and defines liner openings 130 complementary to the inner circulation hole 124 and the auxiliary hole 108 and the drip hole 112.
An electrical power supply port 132 is disposed on the reverse wall 94 and faces away from the auxiliary article compartment 104. The vehicle battery 88 is in electrical communication with and supplies electric power to the electrical power supply port 132 in the secured position of the auxiliary article module 90 and is electronically isolated from the electrical power supply port 132 in the unsecured position.
A bias door 134 is supported by and connected to the reverse wall 94 adjacent the top side wall 96. The bias door 134 defines a tab 136 extending therefrom adjacent the top side wall 96. The bias door 134 is movable between a sealing position and an admitting position. The sealing position is defined by the bias door 134 being disposed over and covering the outer circulation hole 110 and the auxiliary hole 108 and the drip hole 112 for preventing flow from the auxiliary article compartment 104 of air and liquid through the outer circulation hole 110 and the auxiliary hole 108 and the drip hole 112. The admitting position is defined by the bias door 134 uncovering and exposing the outer circulation hole 110 and the auxiliary hole 108 and the drip hole 112 for permitting flow into and from the auxiliary article compartment 104 of air and liquid through the outer circulation hole 110 and the auxiliary hole 108 and the drip hole 112.
The instrument panel 50 defines a tab channel 138 complementary to the tab 136 in the passage 56. The tab channel 138 extends from the façade 52 to a tab stop 140 defined by the instrument panel 50 in the passage 56. The tab stop 140 contacts the tab 136 in the secured position of the auxiliary article module 90 and moves the bias door 134 from the sealing position to the admitting position. The tab 136 is disposed in the tab channel 138 for permitting the bias door 134 to move from the admitting position to the sealing position in the unsecured position of the auxiliary article module 90. A spring 142 has a first end fixed to the top side wall 96 and a second end fixed to the bias door 134. The spring 142 resists movement of the bias door 134 from the sealing position to the admitting position and biasing the bias door 134 from the admitting position to the sealing position.
A fan 144 for drawing air from the housing 58 through the auxiliary aperture 60 and the auxiliary hole 108 and blowing air into the auxiliary article compartment 104 is disposed in the auxiliary hole 108 and is supported by the reverse wall 94. A grille 146 for preventing articles in said auxiliary article compartment 104 from entering said auxiliary hole 108 is supported by the reverse wall 94 of the auxiliary article module 90 and is disposed over the auxiliary hole 108 between the auxiliary article compartment 104 and the fan 144. A plurality of red LED lights 148 and a plurality of blue LED lights 150 for illuminating said auxiliary article compartment 104 being supported by the reverse wall 94.
A roll-up door 152 is disposed opposite of the grille 146 from the fan 144. The roll-up door 152 is supported by the reverse wall 94 and the bottom side wall 98 and slidable across the auxiliary hole 108 from an open position to a partially closed position and to a fully closed position. The open position is defined by the roll-up door 152 completely uncovering the auxiliary hole 108. The partially closed position is defined by the roll-up door 152 partially blocking the auxiliary hole 108. The fully closed position is defined by the roll-up door 152 completely blocking the auxiliary hole 108. The roll-up door 152 has a roll-up handle 154 for gripping the roll-up door 152 being disposed thereon. An auxiliary control input 156 includes a switch 158 disposed in the auxiliary article compartment 104 on the reverse wall 94. The roll-up door 152 contacts the switch 158 and opens the switch 158 in the closed position of the roll-up door 152 and the switch 158 is closed in the partially closed and the fully open positions of the roll-up door 152.
An access door 160 is supported by the obverse wall 92 adjacent the access opening 106. The access door 160 is movable between a sealing position and an access position. The sealing position is defined by the access door 160 covering the access opening 106 for preventing transfer of items into and out of the auxiliary article compartment 104 and preventing flow through the access opening 106 of liquid and air. The access position is defined by the access door 160 uncovering the access opening 106 for permitting transfer of items into and out of the auxiliary article compartment 104.
According to the embodiment shown in
According to the embodiment shown in
The auxiliary control input 156 includes an on/off button and a temperature setting increase button 166 and a temperature setting decrease button 168 and a max cool button 170 and a door chime button 172 disposed on the obverse wall 92. Each of the buttons 166, 168, 170, 172, 174 are depressable and covered by the access door 160 in the sealing position and are uncovered by the access door 160 in the access position. An access shut sensor 176 is disposed on the obverse wall 92 and detects the shut position of the access door 160. An auxiliary display screen 178 is disposed on the obverse wall 92 and is covered by the access door 160 in the sealing position of the access door 160 and is uncovered by the access door 160 in the access position of the access door 160.
A main display screen 180 is touch sensitive and is disposed on the access door 160. The operator inputs 32, 40, 46 are disposed on and are in electrical communication with the main display screen 180. Electrical accessory ports 182 for receiving portable media players and phones are disposed on the access door 160. The ejection-retention control input 122 is disposed on the access door 160.
The right side wall 100 and the left side wall 102 each define a speaker opening 184. An auxiliary speaker 186 is disposed in each of the speaker openings 184. The top side wall 96 and left side wall 102 and right side wall 100 define a handle depression 188. A front carrying handle 190 and a rear carrying handle 192 each has a right arm 194 rotatably attached to the right side wall 100 in the handle depression 188 and a left arm 196 hingedly attached to the left side wall 102 in the handle depression 188. A grip 198 extends between the right arm 194 and the left arm 196. The arms 194, 196 of the front carrying handle 190 are attached to the left and right side walls 102, 100 adjacent the obverse wall 92 and the arms 194, 196 of the rear carrying handle 192 being attached to the left and right side walls 102, 100 adjacent the reverse side wall. Each of the carrying handles are rotatable between a stowed position and a carrying position. The stowed position is defined by the carrying handles being disposed entirely within the handle depression 188. The carrying position is defined by the carrying handles being rotated out from the handle depression 188 and the grips 198 being adjacent each other.
The bottom side wall 98 defines a plurality of drink holders 200 in the auxiliary article compartment 104 and each is circular in shape. Each the walls 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102 define an interstitial space 202 internal to each wall. Insulation filler 204 is fixedly disposed in and fills each interstitial space 202. Each of the side walls 96, 98, 100, 102 defines a pocket opening 206 and a pocket 208 extending from the pocket opening 206 into the interstitial space 202. Insulation inserts 210 that are insulative are removably inserted in each of the pockets 208. Each of the sides walls 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102 of the auxiliary article module 90 include a pocket door 212. Each of the pocket doors 212 are reversibly closable over the pocket opening 206 and retain the insulation inserts 210 in the pockets 208.
An auxiliary signal transceiver 214 is disposed in the interstitial space 202 of the top side wall 96. The auxiliary signal transceiver 214 is in electrical communication with the red LED lights 148, the blue LED lights 150, the fan 144, the auxiliary display screen 178, the main display screen 180, the access shut sensor 176, the auxiliary speakers 186, the cam motor 120, the electrical accessory ports 182, the auxiliary control input 156, and the operator inputs 32, 40, 46. The auxiliary signal transceiver 214 is in wireless communication with the vehicle signal transceiver 48.
An auxiliary battery 216 is rechargeable and is disposed in the interstitial space 202 of the bottom side wall 98. The auxiliary battery 216 is in electrical communication with and supplies electric power to the fan 144, the main display screen 180, the auxiliary display screen 178, the auxiliary speakers 186, the red LED lights 148, the blue LED lights 150, the electrical accessory ports 182, the auxiliary signal transceiver 214, and the cam motor 120. The auxiliary battery 216 is in electrical communication with the electrical power supply port 132.
Depressing of the on/off button zero or an odd number of times as the switch 158 is closed causes the fan 144 to draw air from the housing 58 through the auxiliary aperture 60 and the auxiliary hole 108 and blows air into the auxiliary article compartment 104. Depressing of the on/off button an odd number of times as the switch 158 is closed causes the fan 144 to abstain from drawing and blowing air.
The HVAC control module 44 has an auxiliary temperature setting that is the desired temperature inside the auxiliary article compartment 104. The main display screen 180 displays the auxiliary temperature setting. The auxiliary display screen 178 displays the auxiliary temperature setting as the access door 160 is in the access position. Depressing of the temperature setting increase button 166 raises the auxiliary temperature setting and the auxiliary mix system 84 moves the auxiliary flaps 86 toward the max second treatment position. Depressing of the temperature setting decrease button 168 lowers the auxiliary temperature setting and the auxiliary mix system 84 moves the auxiliary flaps 86 toward the max first treatment position. Depressing of the max cool button 170 lowers the auxiliary temperature setting the auxiliary mix systems 84 move the auxiliary flaps 86 to the max first treatment position.
The access shut sensor 176 communicates with the HVAC control module 44 the access door 160 being in the access position. Depressing of the door alarm button zero or an even number of times causes the HVAC control module 44 to chime the vehicle speakers 34 as the access shut sensor 176 senses the access door 160 being in the access position. Depressing of the door alarm button an odd number of times causes the HVAC control module 44 to abstain from chiming the vehicle speakers 34 as the access shut sensor 176 senses the access door 160 being in the access position.
The HVAC control module 44 has a predetermined temperature setting threshold of seventy degrees Fahrenheit. The blue LED lights 150 illuminate the auxiliary article compartment 104 in response to said auxiliary temperature setting being below the predetermined temperature setting threshold and the access door 160 being in the access position. The red LED lights 148 illuminate the auxiliary article compartment 104 in response to said auxiliary temperature setting being at or above the predetermined temperature setting threshold and the access door 160 being in the access position.
The passage 56 extends from the façade 52 to the backside 54 and terminates at the housing 58. The auxiliary article module 90 is disposed in the passage 56 and the reverse wall 94 abuts the housing 58 and the auxiliary hole 108 is aligned with and abutting the auxiliary aperture 60 for receiving air from the housing 58 in the auxiliary article compartment 104 in the secured position. The circulation aperture 64 is aligned with and abuts the outer circulation hole 110 for receiving air from the auxiliary article module 90 in the secured position into the housing 58. A circulation duct 218 extends between the circulation aperture 64 and the pre-treatment space 72 for carrying air from the auxiliary article compartment 104 to the pre-treatment space 72 of the housing 58. The housing 58 defines a drip aperture for permitting flow of liquid into the housing 58 and the drip aperture is aligned with and abutting the drip opening in the secured position of the auxiliary article module 90 for receiving liquid from the auxiliary article compartment 104 into the housing 58.
Accordingly, the blower 70 draws air from the pre-treatment space 72 and blows air across the evaporator 68 and the heater 74 through the auxiliary aperture 60 and the auxiliary hole 108 and into the auxiliary article compartment 104. The fan 144 blows the air from the auxiliary article compartment 104 through the inner circulation hole 124 and the inner duct 126 and the outer circulation hole 110 and the circulation aperture 64 and the circulation duct 218 and to the pre-treatment space 72.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of the appended claims. In addition, the reference numerals in the claims are merely for convenience and are not to be read in any way as limiting.