Patent Application
20190315303
This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
The present disclosure relates to a vehicle console that includes an airbag assembly.
Vehicles typically include one or more rows of forward-facing seats. For example, many vehicles include a front row having two seats (e.g., for a driver and a passenger) and one or more additional rows behind the front row. Those vehicles may include airbag assemblies that are mounted within a body of the vehicle, for example, in a steering wheel, a dashboard, or a ceiling.
This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a console for a vehicle cabin having a floor. The console includes a base and a cover. The base includes a wall and an airbag. The wall has an inner surface, an outer surface, a top, and an opposing bottom. The inner surface defines an inner volume. The top defines a top opening of the inner volume. The airbag can deploy from the outer surface of the wall. The cover is coupled to the wall. The cover is movable between an open position and a closed position. The cover at least partially encloses the inner volume when in the closed position.
In one aspect, a position of the airbag is fixed with respect to a frame of the vehicle.
In one aspect, the wall includes an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall and the outer wall cooperate to define a gap. The airbag is disposed in the gap.
In one aspect, one of the inner wall and the outer wall is integrally formed with the floor.
In one aspect, the wall is formed from or includes a polymer-fiber composite material.
In one aspect, the wall has a planar cross section parallel to the floor. The cross section substantially defines a geometric shape. The geometric shape is a circle, an oval, a triangle, a quadrilateral, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, or an octagon.
In one aspect, the bottom of the wall is in communication with the floor of the vehicle cabin. The floor has a front end, a rear end, a first side, an opposing second side, and a longitudinal axis extending from the front end to the rear end. The bottom of the wall defines an area of the floor that is spaced apart from the front end, the rear end, the first side, and the opposing second side.
In one aspect, the console further includes a display device. The display device is coupled to the base. The display device is configured to be visible from within the vehicle cabin.
In one aspect, the console is included in a vehicle cabin. The vehicle cabin also includes a seat. The seat is in communication with the floor. The seat defines a passenger area. The airbag is configured to engage with the passenger area.
In one aspect, the vehicle cabin includes a plurality of additional seats. The additional seats are in communication with the floor. Each of the additional seats defines an additional passenger area. The console includes an additional airbag configured to engage with the additional passenger area of each of the additional seats.
In one aspect, the passenger area of the seat faces the passenger area of at least one seat of the plurality of additional seats.
In other aspects, the present disclosure provides an interior structure for a vehicle. The interior structure includes a console and a floor. The console includes a wall and an airbag. The wall is formed from or includes a polymer-fiber composite. The wall has an inner surface, an outer surface, a top, and an opposing bottom. The inner surface defines an inner volume. The airbag can deploy from a surface of the console. The floor extends outwardly from the bottom of the wall with respect to the inner volume. The floor is integrally formed with the wall. The floor is formed from or includes the polymer-fiber composite.
In one aspect, the console further includes an inner wall. The inner wall is at least partially disposed within the inner volume. The wall and the inner wall cooperate to define a gap into which the airbag is disposed.
In one aspect, the top of the wall defines an opening. The console further includes a cover coupled to the top of the wall, the cover being configured to be movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the cover at least partially encloses the inner volume when in the closed position.
In yet other aspects, the present disclosure provides a vehicle having a cabin. The vehicle includes an elongated console and a floor. The elongated console includes a wall and an airbag. The wall includes an inner surface, an outer surface, a top, and an opposing bottom, the inner surface defines an inner volume. The airbag can deploy from a surface of the wall. A position of the airbag is fixed with respect to a frame of the vehicle. The floor has a front end, a rear end, a first side, an opposing second side, and a longitudinal axis extending from the front end to the rear end. The bottom of the wall extends from a first point on the first side to a second point on the second side of the floor.
In one aspect, the wall is integrally formed with the floor. The floor and the wall are formed from or include a polymer-fiber composite.
In one aspect, the vehicle further includes a first B-pillar at the first point and a second B-pillar at the second point. The first point and the second point define a line. The line extends substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the floor.
In one aspect, the elongated console further includes a lateral reinforcement. The lateral reinforcement extends from the first point to the second point. The lateral reinforcement extends substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the floor.
In one aspect, the elongated console can engage a locking mechanism of a door of the vehicle to maintain the door in a closed position.
In one aspect, the vehicle further includes a seat mounted to the floor. The seat defines a passenger area. The airbag can engage with the passenger area.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific compositions, components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, compositions, steps, integers, operations, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Although the open-ended term “comprising,” is to be understood as a non-restrictive term used to describe and claim various embodiments set forth herein, in certain aspects, the term may alternatively be understood to instead be a more limiting and restrictive term, such as “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of.” Thus, for any given embodiment reciting compositions, materials, components, elements, features, integers, operations, and/or process steps, the present disclosure also specifically includes embodiments consisting of, or consisting essentially of, such recited compositions, materials, components, elements, features, integers, operations, and/or process steps. In the case of “consisting of,” the alternative embodiment excludes any additional compositions, materials, components, elements, features, integers, operations, and/or process steps, while in the case of “consisting essentially of,” any additional compositions, materials, components, elements, features, integers, operations, and/or process steps that materially affect the basic and novel characteristics are excluded from such an embodiment, but any compositions, materials, components, elements, features, integers, operations, and/or process steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics can be included in the embodiment.
Any method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed, unless otherwise indicated.
When a component, element, or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other component, element, or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various steps, elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these steps, elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms, unless otherwise indicated. These terms may be only used to distinguish one step, element, component, region, layer or section from another step, element, component, region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first step, element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second step, element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.
Spatially or temporally relative terms, such as “before,” “after,” “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially or temporally relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device or system in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
Throughout this disclosure, the numerical values represent approximate measures or limits to ranges to encompass minor deviations from the given values and embodiments having about the value mentioned as well as those having exactly the value mentioned. Other than in the working examples provided at the end of the detailed description, all numerical values of parameters (e.g., of quantities or conditions) in this specification, including the appended claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” whether or not “about” actually appears before the numerical value. “About” indicates that the stated numerical value allows some slight imprecision (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If the imprecision provided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring and using such parameters. For example, “about” may comprise a variation of less than or equal to 5%, optionally less than or equal to 4%, optionally less than or equal to 3%, optionally less than or equal to 2%, optionally less than or equal to 1%, optionally less than or equal to 0.5%, and in certain aspects, optionally less than or equal to 0.1%.
In addition, disclosure of ranges includes disclosure of all values and further divided ranges within the entire range, including endpoints and sub-ranges given for the ranges.
Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As discussed above, vehicles typically include airbag assemblies that are located in a body of the vehicle, such as in a steering wheel or dashboard. However, certain vehicles include alternative seating arrangements. For example in autonomous vehicles, seats may be arranged in a way that facilitates conversation between passengers, since a traditional driver's seat is not needed. Where the vehicle includes seats arranged in a nontraditional manner, placement of airbags within the body of the vehicle may not be practical.
In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a vehicle console that includes airbags. The console may be disposed within a passenger cabin of the vehicle. For example, the console may be disposed within a center of the vehicle so that one or more seats face the console. The console may generally include a base that defines an inner volume. One or more airbags may be stored within the base so the airbags can deploy from an outer surface of the base. The base may further include a cover that can be opened to provide access to the inner volume so that the console can be used for cargo storage. The console may include other features for passenger convenience, such as a display device, external hardware inputs, cup holders, and/or a stowable table, by way of example. The base may be directly fixed to a frame of the vehicle, or alternatively, integrally formed with a floor of the vehicle.
The console according to various aspects of the present disclosure may advantageously provide a fixed location for airbag storage while also including the passenger convenience features. The fixed location of the airbags may facilitate reliable performance and simple calibration of the airbags. The console may desirably have a high stiffness due to its cross sectional shape parallel to the floor, particularly where the floor and a portion of the console (such as an outer wall) are integrally formed. The high stiffness may contribute to improved performance during impacts. Finally, the console may be formed from or include lightweight polymer-fiber composite materials. Use of the polymer-fiber composite materials may decrease a weight of the vehicle and lead to improved fuel efficiency.
Referring to
The passenger cabin 12 may further include a plurality of seats 30, each seat 30 including a cushion portion 32 and a back portion 34. The seats 30 may be arranged so that they are facing one another and a center of the vehicle 10. When two seats 30 are facing one another, their respective cushion portions 32 are closer together than their respective back portions 34. Respective passenger areas 36 of each seat 30 may face or be disposed toward passenger areas 36 of the other seats 30. The passenger area 36 is a space that can be occupied by a passenger. In certain aspects, the passenger area 36 also includes an area surrounding the passenger.
In various aspects, the plurality of seats 30 includes four seats: a first seat 30-1, a second seat 30-2, a third seat 30-3, and a fourth seat 30-4. The first seat 30-1 and the second seat 30-2 may be arranged in a first row 38 facing the rear 26 of the vehicle 10. The third seat 30-3 and the fourth seat 30-4 may be arranged in a second row 40 facing the front 24 of the vehicle 10. The first row 38 may be disposed closer to the front 24 of the vehicle 10 than the second row 40. In one example arrangement, the first seat 30-1 faces the third seat 30-3 and the second seat 30-2 faces the fourth seat 30-4. In another example arrangement, the first seat 30-1 faces the fourth seat 30-4 and the second seat 30-2 faces the third seat 30-3 (arrangement not shown). In various alternative aspects, the vehicle 10 includes other quantities of seats 30 or seats 30 arranged differently within the passenger cabin 12.
The passenger cabin 12 may further include a console 50. The console 50 may include airbags (i.e., airbags 116 of
With reference to
The bottom 66 of the wall 56 may define an area 74 of the floor 14 that is spaced apart from the front end 16, the rear end 18, the first side 20, and the opposing second side 22. Thus, the bottom 66 of the wall 56 may be completely surrounded by floor 14 such that the base 54 is free standing. The bottom 66 of the wall 56 may extend from a first point 76 on the first side 20 of the floor 14 to a second point 78 on the second side 22 of the floor 14.
Referring to
The cover 90 may be coupled to the wall 56. For example, the cover 90 may be coupled to the top 64 of the wall 56 by one or more hinges 92 (e.g., two hinges) and a locking mechanism 94. The cover 90 may pivot about the hinges 92 to move between the open position and the closed position. In various alternative embodiments, the cover 90 is coupled to the outer surface 62 of the base to provide access to the inner volume 70 from a side opening (see, e.g.,
Returning to
The plurality of airbags 116 may be disposed within the base 54 in a packaged state (
In the packaged state, the plurality of airbag assemblies 58 may be disposed below the cover 90 (i.e., between the cover 90 and the bottom 66 of the base 54). The plurality of airbag assemblies 58 may be disposed far enough below the cover 90 so that the cover 90 does not interfere with deployment of the airbags 116. Furthermore, the cover 90 may remain closed and latched (i.e., the locking mechanism 94 remains engaged) when the plurality of airbags 116 deploys. Thus, deployment of the plurality of airbags 116 does not engage the locking mechanism 94 of the cover 90. Because the plurality of airbag assemblies 58 is fixed with respect to the vehicle frame, accuracy of calibration of the airbag assemblies 58 is improved compared to systems having variable position airbags (e.g., where the airbag is located in a movable cover or a height-adjustable wall).
With reference to
The design of the console 50, and more particularly the geometric shape, may be optimized to meet stiffness requirements. Returning to
The inner wall 110 may define another cross section parallel to the floor 14, the cross section defining another geometric shape. The geometric shape of the cross section of the inner wall 110 may be similar to the geometric shape of the cross section of the outer wall 112. For example, the inner wall 110 may define the same geometric shape as the outer wall 112. In alternative aspects, the outer wall 112 and the inner wall 110 may define distinct geometric shapes. For example, the outer wall 112 may define a rectangle and the inner wall 110 may define an oval having a smaller size than the rectangle.
The console 50 may include different or additional features such as vehicle systems and/or user convenience features. Vehicle systems include heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC), a user interface device (UID), a global positioning system (GPS), and an external communication system, by way of example. User convenience features include display devices (see, e.g., monitors 140 of
With reference to
Each monitor 140 may be coupled to a linkage mechanism 146 to facilitate movement of the monitor 140 between the stowed position and the extended position. For example, a user can pull the monitor 140 outward in the first direction 120 and then slide the monitor 140 upward in the second direction 122. The monitor 140 may also be tiltable so that the user can control an angle of the monitor 140 with respect to the outer surface 62. In various aspects, motion of the monitor 140 between the stowed position and the extended position is automated and can be initiated by pressing a button or interacting with a UID (not shown).
Materials of construction for the console 50 may be selected to optimize stiffness of the console 50. For example, the console 50 may be constructed from a polymer-fiber composite material, or a combination of a polymer-fiber composite material and foam. Polymer-fiber composite materials may include a polymer matrix having reinforcing fibers distributed therein. The polymer matrix may include thermoplastic resins or thermoset resins.
The thermoplastic resin may include: polyethylenimine (PEI), polyamide-imide (PAI), polyamide (PA) (e.g., nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 12), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketone (PEK), a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), co-polymers thereof, and combinations thereof. The thermoset polymers may include: benzoxazine, a bismaleimide (BMI), a cyanate ester, an epoxy, a phenolic (PF), a polyacrylate (acrylic), a polyimide (PI), an unsaturated polyester, a polyurethane (PUR), a vinyl ester, a siloxane, polydicyclopentadiene (PDCPD), co-polymers thereof, and combinations thereof.
The reinforcing fibers may include: carbon fibers, glass fibers (e.g., fiber glass, quartz), basalt fibers, aramid fibers (e.g., KEVLAR®, polyphenylene benzobisoxazole (PBO), polyethylene fibers (e.g., ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)), polypropylene fibers (e.g., high-strength polypropylene) natural fibers (e.g., cotton, flax, cellulose, spider silk), and combinations thereof. The reinforcing fibers may be fabricated as woven fabric, continuous random fabric, discontinuous random fibers, chopped random fabric, continuous strand unidirectional plies, oriented chopped strand plies, braided fabric, and combinations thereof.
As appreciated by those of skill in the art, the composite material may further include other conventional ingredients, including other reinforcement materials, functional fillers or additive agents, like organic/inorganic fillers, fire-retardants, anti-ultraviolet radiation agents (UV stabilizers), anti-oxidants, colorants, mold release agents, softeners, plasticizing agents, surface active agents, and the like.
The console 50 may be secured to the vehicle 10 by coupling the bottom 66 of the base 54 to the vehicle structure (see vehicle frame 160 of
A console according the present disclosure may include different cover configurations (
The console 190 may further include a cover 204 that is recessed with respect to a top surface 206 of the base 192. A portion of the wall 194 at the top 198 of the base 192 may therefore define a lip 208 that extends above the cover 204. The lip 208 may form a perimeter around the cover 204. Passengers can use a top surface 210 of the cover 204 as a table or storage area. The lip 208 acts as a barrier to prevent objects disposed on the top surface 210 from sliding off of the console 190 during operation of the vehicle. The recessed cover 204 can also advantageously increase a clearance distance between objects on the top surface 210 and the plurality of airbags 196 in the inflated state.
Although the consoles 50, 190 discussed above include side-deploying airbags, a console may additionally or alternatively include top-deploying airbags. With reference to
The inner wall (not shown) may define an inner volume (not shown) similar to the inner volume 70 of the console 50 of
As discussed above, a console for a vehicle may optionally be integrally formed with a floor of the vehicle. An interior structure that includes an integrally formed console and floor may have improved torsional stiffness compared to a console that is directly coupled to a vehicle frame. Referring to
The wall 276 may have an inner surface 278 and an outer surface 280. The inner surface 278 of the wall 276 may define an inner volume 286. The wall 276 may extend between a top 282 and an opposing bottom 284. The floor 274 may extend outwardly from the bottom 284 of the wall 276 with respect to the inner volume 286. The console 272 may include an airbag 288 that is disposed within the inner volume 286. The airbag 288 may be configured to deploy from the outer surface 280 of the wall 276. While the airbag 288 is shown as being disposed on a side of the console 272, the airbag 288 may alternatively be disposed on a top surface (not shown) of the console 272, similar to the airbags 234 of the console 230 of
In various aspects, the wall 276 may be an outer wall and the console 272 may further include an inner wall (not shown). Except as otherwise described, the inner wall and outer wall 276 may be similar to the inner wall 110 and outer wall 112 of the console 50 of
In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing an integrally-formed interior structure, such as the interior structure 270 of
Vehicles typically include a plurality of vertical pillars, such as A-pillars, B-pillars, and C-pillars. A pair of A-pillars may be disposed on either side of the vehicle near a front of the vehicle (e.g., in front of a row of front side doors on a typical vehicle). A pair of C-pillars may be disposed on either side of the vehicle near a rear of the vehicle (e.g., behind a row of rear side doors on the typical vehicle). A pair of B-pillars may be disposed on either side of the vehicle, in between the A-pillars and the C-pillars (e.g., between the first row of doors and the second row of doors on the typical vehicle). Vehicle doors are commonly hinged at the pillars. For example in a four-door sedan, front doors are hinged at A-pillars and rear doors are hinged at B-pillars.
Some vehicles, however, include doors that are coupled to the vehicle at locations other than B-pillars. For example, certain vehicles include doors that are pivotally connected to the A-pillars and/or C-pillars. When the vehicle doors are not connected at the B-pillars, alternative console configurations are possible. With reference to
The floor 314 may have a front end 318, a rear end 320, a first side 322, and an opposing second side 324. A longitudinal axis 326 may extend between the front end 318 and the rear end 320. The elongated console 312 may extend from a first point 328 on the first side 322 of the floor 314 to a second point 330 on the second side 324 of the floor 314. The first point 328 and the second point 330 may define a line 332 that extends substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 326 of the floor 314. A first B-pillar may extend adjacent to the first point 328 on the floor 314 and a second B-pillar may extend adjacent to the second point 330 on the floor 314. Thus, the elongated console 312 may extend across the entire passenger cabin. The elongated console 312 may include a plurality of airbags 334 and a plurality of display devices 336.
Certain other vehicles do not include B-pillars at all. In vehicles that omit B-pillars, a console may provide an engagement location for doors of the vehicle, as well as lateral support. With reference to
The elongated console 356 may include a pair of facing plates 364. The facing plates 364 may be configured to engage locking mechanisms of vehicle doors. For example, vehicle doors in a first row are hinged at the A-pillars and having locking mechanisms that engage the elongated console 356 at the facing plates 364. Vehicle doors in a second row are hinged at the C-pillars and having locking mechanisms that engage the elongated console 356 at the facing plate 364. The elongated console 356 may further include one or more lateral reinforcements 366 disposed within an inner volume of the elongated console 356. The lateral reinforcements 366 may extend substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis 370 of a floor 372 of the passenger cabin 352. The lateral reinforcements 366 may provide support to the doors, particularly in the case of a side impact.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.
