Patent ID: 8684440
Filing Date: 2014-04-01
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
1. A vehicle console, comprising: a base; a utility area supported by the base; a panel being movable to provide access to the utility area and being rotatable about a pivot point; and a movement mechanism having a planetary gear set and a pivot arm that couples the panel with the planetary gear set at the pivot point, wherein the movement mechanism confines movement of the pivot point along a desired path during panel movement, and cooperative movement of the planetary gear set and the pivot arm defines the shape of the path; wherein the planetary gear set includes a sun gear and a planet gear, the pivot arm is pivotally attached to the panel at the pivot point, and the pivot arm is attached to the planetary gear set so that the pivot arm rotates together with the planet gear about the center of the planet gear; and wherein the distance between the pivot point and the center of the planet gear is greater than or equal to an effective diameter of the sun gear.