Patent Application
20160229348
This document relates generally to trim assemblies for vehicle interiors, and more specifically to a multi-function armrest.
It is known to provide automotive interiors with various trim assemblies to improve the aesthetic appearance of the automotive interior and for the comfort and convenience of vehicle passengers. Examples of such interior trim assemblies include the instrument panels, armrests, door trim panels, and consoles. In many of these, various storage areas are incorporated therein that allow the vehicle occupant to conveniently store one or more items, such as maps, glasses, tire gauges, coins, and other items typically carried in a vehicle. In many cases, such as for storage compartments in door panels, it is desirable for the compartment to include a door or cover that overlies the opening and secures the items within the compartment. The cover is typically attached to the compartment and moveable, such as by a hinge mechanism, so that the articles in the compartment may be accessed. Moreover, the cover may be supported by additional padding and provide an armrest for the door panel.
Such storage compartments in door panels, including beneath an armrest, however, have typically only provided a large singular storage space in the area where a core structure that supports the weight of the passenger's arm at rest and has sufficient stiffness beneficial for side or pole impact events typically resides. Accordingly, a need exists for a multi-purpose storage area positioned beneath an armrest. The storage area should provide multiple sub-compartments including lidded and unlidded sub-compartments, cup-holders, and possibly change holders and/or electronic ports for connecting hand-held devices to the audio system or charging such devices. Such a storage area should also account for the loss of the traditional core structure and include elements which are reinforced to absorb a force caused by a side or pole impact to the vehicle. These elements could include any combination of walls/floors of the compartment and sub-compartments, and may include use of corrugated plastics and various metal or plastic brackets to absorb the forces.
In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, an interior trim assembly for a vehicle is provided. The interior trim assembly may be broadly described as comprising a door trim substrate, a compartment supported by the door trim substrate, the compartment comprising an inner side wall, and end walls, and supporting at least one lidded sub-compartment for storing items therein, and an armrest connected by a hinge along an edge to the inner side wall of the compartment.
In one possible embodiment, the hinge includes a coil spring. In another, the coil spring is selected such that the spring is non-energized in a closed position.
In one other possible embodiment, the automotive interior trim assembly further includes a latch for securing the armrest in a closed position.
In another possible embodiment, the hinge allows the armrest to open to an open position more than 180 degrees from a closed position.
In still another possible embodiment, the compartment further supports a cup holder positioned within the compartment.
In one other possible embodiment, at least one of the inner side wall, the end walls, and the at least one lidded sub-compartment for storing items therein is reinforced to absorb a force caused by a side impact to the vehicle.
In yet another possible embodiment, at least one of the door trim substrate and the compartment are attached to a door of the vehicle, if not both.
In accordance with another possible embodiment, an interior trim assembly for a vehicle includes a door trim substrate, a compartment attached to the door trim substrate, the compartment comprising an inner side wall, end walls, and a floor, and supporting at least one sub-compartment for storing items therein, and an armrest hingedly connected to the inner side wall of the compartment, wherein at least one of the inner side wall, the end walls, and the floor are reinforced to absorb a force caused by a side impact to the vehicle.
In one possible embodiment, the at least one sub-compartment for storing items therein includes a lid.
In another possible embodiment, the hinge includes a coil spring. In another, the coil spring is non-energized in a closed position.
In yet another possible embodiment, the automotive interior trim assembly further includes a latch for securing the armrest in the closed position.
In still another possible embodiment, the hinge compartment is attached to a door of the vehicle.
In accordance with another possible embodiment, an interior trim assembly for a vehicle includes a door trim substrate, a compartment attached to the door trim substrate, the compartment comprising an inner side wall, and end walls, and supporting a sub-compartment comprising at least one lidded sub-compartment for storing items therein and a cup holder, and an armrest connected to the compartment by a coil spring hinge along an edge of the compartment.
In another possible embodiment, the at least one lidded sub-compartment for storing items therein includes side walls, end walls, and a floor, and at least one of the end walls and the floor are reinforced to absorb a force caused by a side impact to the vehicle. In another, the coil spring is non-energized in a closed position. In still another, the interior trim assembly further comprises a latch for securing the armrest in the closed position.
A vehicle incorporating any of the interior trim assemblies for a vehicle described above.
In the following description, there are shown and described several preferred embodiments of the interior trim assemblies for a vehicle. As it should be realized, the assemblies are capable of other, different embodiments and their several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the assemblies as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the interior trim assembly for an vehicle and together with the description serve to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawing figures:
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the interior trim assemblies for a vehicle, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures, wherein like numerals are used to represent like elements.
Reference is now made to
The interior trim assembly 14 includes a door trim substrate 16 which generally defines the shape of the interior trim assembly. The door trim substrate 16 may be a plastic, rigid or semi-rigid, or other materials such as a composite material. Portions of the door trim substrate 16, for example panel 18, may be made of a decorative fabric, a plastic having a wood grain, wood trim, or other materials known in the art. In the present described embodiment, the door trim substrate 16 is a molded plastic that supports a pocket 20 for receiving books, maps, etc., an armrest 22 for supporting a forearm of a passenger (P) and providing the noted additional comfort to the vehicle's passenger (P), a door grip 24, a door release lever 26, and various electrical controls 28.
As shown in
As shown in
The lidded sub-compartments 42 necessarily include a lid 48 hingedly connected thereto. The hinge 50 may be a living hinge integrally molded with the sub-compartment 42 or, as shown in the described embodiment, a hinge. The hinge 50 may be spring loaded or otherwise. The lid 48 may be connected to the sub-compartment 42 along a rear edge as shown, or along any of the four upper edges of the sub-compartment.
In the described embodiment, the armrest 22 is capable of moving to a closed position as shown in
A latch (not shown) secures the armrest 22 in the closed position (shown in
In an alternate described embodiment shown in
In both embodiments, the compartments 30, 52 may include elements which are reinforced to absorb a force caused by a side impact to the vehicle. More specifically, any combination of the inner side wall 32, the outer side wall 34, the end walls 36, 38, and/or the floor 40 may be reinforced as desired. Even more, walls 56 or floor 58 of the cavity 54 formed in the interior trim assembly 14, and side walls 60 of the sub-compartments may be likewise reinforced. Reinforcement beneath an armrest in a typical door assembly may include use of corrugated plastics and various metal or plastic brackets to absorb the forces associated with a side impact, such as a pole impact, to the vehicle. Since the space where such reinforced materials are typically located is utilized in accordance with the present invention, by a compartment 30 or 52, reinforcing materials, if used, must be positioned elsewhere. As noted above, these reinforcing materials may be utilized in various ways within the components of the compartment 30 or 52.
As noted above, the interior trim assembly 16 supports a compartment 30. As shown in
In an alternate embodiment shown by dashed lines in
In summary, numerous benefits result from an interior trim assembly for a vehicle as illustrated in this document. The interior trim assembly is capable of providing additional, specific storage area beneath an armrest. The additional storage area may include various combinations of lidded and unlidded sub-compartments and cup holders. In addition, elements of the compartments 30, 52 may be reinforced to absorb a force caused by a side impact to the vehicle.
The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.
