Vehicle console tray assembly

A vehicle interior trim assembly comprises first, second and third trim members. The first trim member has a first surface which includes a first mounting structure. The second trim member is positioned adjacent to the first trim member such that a first peripheral edge of the first trim member faces a second peripheral edge of the second trim member. The third trim member is more elastic than the first and second trim members and is coupled to and at least partially overlays the second trim member. The third trim member has a second surface including a second mounting structure, and a third peripheral edge of the third trim member extends beyond the second peripheral edge of the second trim member such that the second mounting structure of the third trim member engages the first mounting structure of the first trim member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle interior trim assembly, such as a vehicle console tray assembly. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle interior trim assembly having a plurality of members, including an elastic member, which can generally be configured as a vehicle storage compartment, such as a vehicle console tray assembly.

2. Background Information

Vehicles typically have various types of storage locations, such as glove compartments, console compartments and console trays. The storage locations themselves are often aesthetically part of the interior trim of the vehicle, and are typically made of plastic or composite materials. Loose articles in the storage locations will often shift while the vehicle is travelling, causing the articles to contact or rattle against the walls or floors of the storage locations and thus make noise. Accordingly, it is common to include rubber mats or padding inside the storage locations to dampen the noise caused by moving articles in order to improve passenger comfort. However, conventional mats and padding used in storage locations are not aesthetically pleasing and may be inappropriate for use as a visible design element within a vehicle.

SUMMARY

In view of the state of the known technology, one aspect of the present invention is directed to a vehicle interior trim assembly comprising first, second and third trim members. The first trim member has a first surface which includes a first mounting structure. The second trim member is positioned adjacent to the first trim member such that a first peripheral edge of the first trim member faces a second peripheral edge of the second trim member. The third trim member is more elastic than the first and second trim members and is coupled to and at least partially overlays the second trim member. The third trim member has a second surface including a second mounting structure, and a third peripheral edge of the third trim member extends beyond the second peripheral edge of the second trim member such that the second mounting structure of the third trim member engages the first mounting structure of the first trim member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially toFIGS. 1-3, a vehicle10has a passenger compartment12and a dashboard14generally at the front of the passenger compartment12. The dashboard14typically includes an instrument panel16as indicated. Also, a vehicle console18can be present between the front seats of the vehicle10in the passenger compartment12.

As shown in more detail inFIGS. 2 and 3, the vehicle console18includes a base portion20, left side trim components22and24, and right side trim components26and28. The base portion20, left side trim components22and24, and right side trim components26and28can be made of plastics, composites or any other suitable materials or combination of suitable materials. The base portion20, left side trim components22and24, and right side trim components26and28can be secured together by snap-fitting, screws, or any other suitable fastening means.

The vehicle console18further includes a top trim component30. The top trim component30can also be generally referred to as a vehicle interior trim assembly30. The vehicle interior trim assembly30comprises a first trim member32, a second trim member34and a third trim member36. Further details of the first trim member32are shown inFIGS. 4-16.

As illustrated, the first trim member32has a first surface38that faces upward in the vehicle10. The first surface38includes a first mounting structure40at the front peripheral edge42of the first trim member32. The first trim member32, including the first mounting structure40, can be made of plastics, composites or any other suitable materials or combination of materials. The first trim member32and the first mounting structure40can be configured integrally with each other or alternatively, the first mounting structure40can be attached to the first trim member32by snap-fitting, adhesive, rivets, screws or any other suitable type of fastener.

As further shown, the first mounting structure40in this example is configured as a plurality of first mounting members44,46and48that are positioned along the front peripheral edge42of the first trim member32. In this example, the first mounting members44and46are located at opposite ends of the front peripheral edge42of the first trim member32. The first mounting member48is located at the center of the front peripheral edge42of the first trim member32. Also, the first mounting structure40can be configured to include any suitable number of mounting members. Alternatively, the first mounting structure40can be configured as a single mounting member that extends entirely along the peripheral edge42of the first trim member32, or along only a portion of the peripheral edge42of the first trim member32.

As indicated, each of the first mounting members44,46and48of the first mounting structure40is further configured to have a U-shaped or substantially U-shaped cross-section to form a respective channel50,52and54. Each channel50,52and54is open in a direction facing upward in the vehicle10. Naturally, if the first mounting structure40is formed as a single mounting member, that single mounting member can include a single channel or a plurality of partitioned channels as desired. Furthermore, each of the mounting members of the first mounting structure40can be configured to have a single channel or a plurality of partitioned channels, depending on the sizes of the mounting members and respective channels.

The first trim member32further includes openings56and58through which can extend, for example, a gear shifter handle60and a closure panel62for a storage compartment such as a beverage container storage compartment (SeeFIG. 1). The first trim member32also includes openings64,66and68that can accommodate, for example, various control dials70or buttons used to operate seat climate control systems and/or a drive train mode selection system (SeeFIG. 1). As further shown, a plurality of various projections72and clasps74extend downward from a second surface76of the first trim member32that faces downward in the vehicle10. These projections72and clasps74mate with corresponding openings76and78(SeeFIG. 3) to secure the first trim member32to the base portion20of the vehicle console18by, for example, snap fitting or via screws, rivets and the like.

As illustrated, for example, inFIG. 8, the second trim member34is positioned adjacent or proximate to the first trim member32such that the front peripheral edge42of the first trim member32faces the rear peripheral edge80of the second trim member34. The second trim member34has a curved portion82that curves in a direction downward in the vehicle10, and a front portion84that extends to a front edge86. The second trim member34can be made of plastics, composites or any other suitable materials or combination of materials.

As further shown inFIGS. 17-21, the second trim member34further includes a plurality of mounting members88, such as projections, which engage with corresponding openings in the base portion20by, for example, snap fitting to secure the second trim member34to the base portion20. In addition, the second trim member34includes at least one opening90for receiving a fastening member92. The fastening member92can be a screw, rivet or any other suitable fastening member that is received in an opening94in the base portion20to further secure the second trim member34to the base portion20.

The second trim member34further defines an accessory outlet opening96through which extends an accessory outlet98of the vehicle10. For example, the accessory outlet98can be a power connection point, a heating element, and/or a data communications port. Also, the second trim member34includes a plurality of apertures100which facilitate mounting of the third trim member36to the second trim member34as discussed below.

That is, as shown inFIGS. 2-9,17-19and22-29, the third trim member36, which is more elastic than the first and second trim members32and34, is coupled to and at least partially overlays the second trim member34. In this example, the third trim member36is made from an elastomeric material, such as rubber, or at least a portion of the third trim member36includes an elastomeric material. The third trim member36has a lower surface102that faces downward in the vehicle10. The lower surface102, which can also be referred to as a second surface, includes a second mounting structure104. The second mounting structure104can be disposed at or proximate to a rear peripheral edge106of the third trim member36. In this example, the front peripheral edge42of the first trim member32can be referred to as a first peripheral edge, the rear peripheral edge80of the second trim member34can be referred to as a second peripheral edge, and the rear peripheral edge106of the third trim member36can be referred to as a third peripheral edge.

In addition, the second mounting structure104can include at least one first projection108,110and112positioned along the rear peripheral edge106of the third trim member36and extending away from the lower (second) surface102of the third trim member36. Each projection108,110and112can extend perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly, or traversely, with respect to the lower surface102. In this example, first projections108and110are located at opposite ends of the rear peripheral edge106of the third trim member36. First projection112is located at the center of the rear peripheral edge106of the third trim member36. Also, the second mounting structure104can be configured to include any suitable number of first projections. Alternatively, the second mounting structure104can be configured as a single first projection that extends entirely along the rear peripheral edge106of the third trim member36, or along a portion of the peripheral edge106of the third trim member36.

When the third trim member36is mounted to the first and second trim members32and34, the rear peripheral edge106of the third trim member extends beyond the rear peripheral edge80of the second trim member34such that the second mounting structure104of the third trim member36engages the first mounting structure40of the first trim member32. Also, the third trim member36has an upper surface114that is opposite to the lower surface102. Accordingly, when the third trim member36is mounted to the first and second trim members32and34, the upper surface114, which can also be referred to as a third surface, is coplanar or substantially coplanar with the first surface38of the first trim member32.

In addition, the first projections108,110and112are received within the respective channels50,52and54of the first mounting structure40. Also, the second mounting structure104can include one first projection that is received within all of the channels50,52and54, or a different number of first projections that corresponds to the number of channels of the first mounting structure40.

In addition, any or each first projections108,110and112of the second mounting structure104can include a second projection116that extends from the first projection110and engages a sidewall118of a respective channel50,52and54to create a tunable interference fit between the first and second mounting structures40and104. Each second projection116can extend perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly, or traversely, with respect to its corresponding first projection (e.g., first projection110). Also, the number of second projections116need not correspond to the number of first projections. For example, any first projection108,110or112can include multiple second projections116. Also, the second projections116can be arranged such that they extend away from respective ones of the first projections108,110and112in a forward direction of the vehicle10(as shown inFIG. 25), in a rear direction of the vehicle10(as shown inFIG. 26), and/or alternating ones of the second projections116can extend in opposite directions.

As further illustrated, the third trim member36includes a plurality of third mounting structures120that couple the third trim member36to the second trim member34. Each third mounting structure120can be configured to pass through a respective aperture100defined by the second trim member34to create a snap-fit engagement between the second and third trim members34and36. As indicated, a shape of a portion122of the third trim member36corresponds or substantially corresponds to a shape of the curved portion82to enable the third trim member36to snugly mate with the second trim member34.

The third trim member36further includes a forward portion124that is positioned closer to a front of the vehicle than the rear (third) peripheral edge106of the third trim member36. The forward portion124also extends vertically in the vehicle10higher than the rear peripheral edge106. Furthermore, the forward portion124is positioned closer to a front of the vehicle10than the second trim member34.

The forward portion124is further configured to define a cavity126. That is, the forward portion124has a downward extending member128that extends downward in the vehicle10and includes an inner surface130which is adjacent or proximate to a front edge132of the second trim member34as shown, for example, inFIG. 8. Also, by extending upward in the vehicle10, the forward portion124creates a rear surface134that extends above the second trim member34and faces rearward in the vehicle10. The rear surface134defines an accessory outlet opening136that aligns with or substantially aligns with the accessory outlet opening96defined by the second trim member34. Also, the downward extending member128can include a recess138that is also configured to accommodate a portion of the accessory outlet98of the vehicle10. Accordingly, the accessory outlet openings96and134of the second and third trim members34and36form an accessory outlet opening that at least partially extends through the rear surface134and the cavity126, and through which extends the accessory outlet98of the vehicle10.

As further illustrated, the third trim member36includes at least one stiffening rib140that is adjacent to the inner surface130and extends downwardly in the vehicle10. As indicated, each stiffening rib140is positioned between the lower surface102of the third trim member36and an upper surface142of the second trim member34that faces the lower surface102. In this example, each stiffening rib140can extend downwardly from the lower surface102of the third trim member36within the cavity126and contact or be proximate to the upper surface142of the second trim member34to maintain a gap144between the second and third trim members34and36, respectively. Furthermore, at least one additional stiffening rib146can extend downward from the lower surface102of the third trim member36in the upper portion148of the cavity126. These additional stiffening ribs146can contact or be proximate to an upper surface150of a portion of the second trim member34that defines the accessory outlet opening96of the second trim member34. Also, the additional stiffening ribs146can be positioned adjacent to the rear wall134(as shown inFIG. 8) in order to provide increased structural rigidity. Accordingly, the stiffening ribs140, the additional stiffening ribs146and the third mounting structures120can function to maintain the shape of the third trim member36. For example, the stiffening ribs140, the additional stiffening ribs146and the third mounting structures can minimize or altogether prevent warping of the third trim member36that can otherwise occur due to operation of the vehicle10across a range of temperatures and environmental conditions.

An added benefit of the third trim member36having elastic properties relates to the ability of the third trim member36to absorb or account for a range of manufacturing tolerance variations. For example, since the first and second trim members32and34, respectively, are separate components that are fixed to one another, it is possible for the gap between the front peripheral edge42of the first trim member32and the rear peripheral edge80of the second trim member34to vary slightly from one console assembly to another. The elastic properties of the third trim member36allow the rear peripheral edge106of the third trim member36to stretch rearward slightly during installation (i.e., when making the connection between the first mounting structure40and the second mounting structure104). For example, the third trim member36can be designed to be stretch 1.2 mm or more rearward at the rear peripheral edge106during installation of the third trim member36, thus achieving a high degree of reliability with respect to fit and finish within the vehicle10.

GENERAL INTERPRETATION OF TERMS