Ambient lighting for vehicle interior floor console

A floor console to provide ambient lighting in the interior of a vehicle is disclosed. The floor console includes lighting elements strategically positioned to illuminate the footwells of the vehicle, the cupholders, and the storage bin. The same lighting element may be used to illuminate one or more of the cupholders and the storage bin. The preferred lighting element is an LED while other lighting elements may be used. The floor console is also provided with wiring and an ECU and may be readily connected to the vehicle's power system.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to interior lighting systems for motor vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to an interior lighting system integrated with the floor console of a motor vehicle which provides ambient lighting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern vehicle interiors are provided with lights for the safety and comfort of the driver and passengers. In its simplest configuration, vehicle interior lighting is provided in the form of a dome lamp mounted in the approximate center of the vehicle ceiling. While typically providing functional and adequate lighting, the dome lamp arrangement creates shadows and leaves many areas of the interior without direct illumination.

In an effort to improve vehicle interior lighting, additional lights have been included in a variety of places. For example, lights have been fitted to the underside of instrument panels as well as under vehicle seats to illuminate the floor and footwells. Lights have also been fitted to utilitarian areas such as cup holders. Unlike the dome light arrangement, these lights provide indirect or ambient lighting to the vehicle interior. Such ambient lighting may be configured to provide light to almost all areas left dark by conventional dome lights, thus adding to comfort and safety.

While providing an improvement in vehicle lighting, known ambient lighting typically adds complexity in the forms of lighting elements (tubes, bulbs, or light emitting diodes [LEDs]), switches, controllers, and wiring. According to known arrangements, a relatively large number of discrete components are required to provide the desired level of lighting. In one known vehicle, in addition to a relatively complex web of wiring, thirteen discrete components are needed—four light tubes, two switches, one ECU (electronic control unit) and six LED assemblies.

Regardless of the design, according to current technology several individual ambient lighting components are disposed at various strategic locations in the interior, thereby complicating assembly of the vehicle as a whole. Specifically, wiring for under-seat lights must be installed before the vehicle carpet is installed. Light elements for both under-instrument panel and under-seat lights must be installed before the instrument panel or the seat is installed in the vehicle. This installation arrangement is cumbersome for assembly processes and adds significant expenses in both the planning and execution of vehicle assembly. In an effort to reduce the scheduling and planning burdens, some of these components, such as the wiring harness, are installed in the vehicle whether or not the customer orders optional ambient lighting, thus adding to vehicle cost.

To a certain extent the application of ambient lighting systems has been simplified by assemblies offered in the aftermarket where ambient lighting packages for vehicle interiors are available. These systems, however, are difficult to install and require that the necessary wiring be spliced at inconvenient areas, such as at the cigarette lighter for footwell lighting and at the PRNDL (park, reverse, neutral, drive, low) mechanism for cupholder lighting.

Accordingly, as in so many areas of vehicle design, an improved method of providing vehicle lighting is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention represents an advancement in the art of interior vehicle lighting by providing an ambient lighting system for a vehicle which comprises a floor console having integral lighting elements, wiring harness, connectors and an ECU. According to the present invention, the floor console may be configured and employed so as to provide all of the lighting needed to effect a complete, comfortable and inviting ambient lighting environment within a vehicle, rendering unnecessary the need for other interior lighting. The floor console of the present invention may be built by an outside supplier and installed by the vehicle builder during final assembly without the vehicle builder having to plan for or install in advance under-carpet wiring, lighting elements, and control elements (such as an ECU) at other locations in the vehicle interior as is required by the prior art.

The floor console of the present invention includes ambient lighting elements strategically positioned to illuminate the front footwells of the vehicle as well as the rear footwells. In the event that the floor console is provided with cupholders separate ambient lighting elements may be provided for the cupholders as well. In addition, the floor console may include one or more storage bins which may also be lighted by the console lights. In one embodiment a cupholder is removably mounted in a storage bin of the floor console, allowing the vehicle operator and passenger access to the bin once the cupholder is removed. According to this arrangement a single, dual-function lighting element may be used to illuminate both the removable cupholder and the storage bin.

The floor console may be constructed as a two-piece unit which includes a base and an upper portion that is attachable to the base. The upper portion is preferably attached to the base after the base is installed in the vehicle interior. Alternatively, the floor console may be constructed as a single, integrated component. In either embodiment, the related wiring harness and connectors are installed inside the floor console as are the necessary control elements, such as an ECU. For the sake of assembly efficiency, a single conduit is preferred to connect the console to the vehicle's power system. Overall the number of required components is reduced compared with conventional ambient lighting arrangements.

The several lighting elements are preferably LEDs, although other lighting elements such as tube and bulb elements may be used in the alternative or may be used in combination with LEDs.

The console of the present invention provides the vehicle manufacturer with a simplified and cost-reducing way of adding ambient lighting to the interior of the vehicle. By providing a console having integral ambient lighting elements, the need to install wiring, conduits and lighting elements in other locations in the vehicle interior at multiple stages of assembly is eliminated. This reduces inconvenience and costs at both the planning and assembly stages. The component cost is further reduced by using fewer lighting elements to effect good illumination such as having cupholders and the storage bin both illuminated by the dual-function lighting element. In addition, the console of the present invention may be provided as an attractive after-market feature which may used to replace the factory-installed standard console.

Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same components. In the following description, various operating parameters and components are described for one constructed embodiment. These specific parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting.

With reference toFIG. 1, a partial view of the interior of a vehicle, generally illustrated as10, is shown. This view of the vehicle interior10shows a driver's seat12, a driver's footwell14, an instrument panel16, a passenger's footwell18, and a floor console20. According to the illustrated first preferred embodiment, the console20includes a floor console top finish panel22and a floor console base24. An armrest26is attached to the floor console base24. A set of cupholders in the form of a forward cupholder28and a rearward cupholder29is provided in the floor console top finish panel22for use by the driver and passenger. A rear cupholder30is provided adjacent the end of the floor console base24for use by the rear passengers.

The present invention incorporates a number of lighting elements into the floor console20. The LED module is the preferred lighting element for the present invention. The LED module provides a high degree of luminosity while drawing a relatively small amount of power. The LED module is also relatively small and inexpensive and has a long life. However, it is to be understood that while LED modules are shown and discussed hereafter as the preferred lighting element for the present invention, other known lighting elements, such as tubes or bulbs, may be substituted for the LED modules, or any of these lighting elements may be used in combination.

The illustrated LED modules include a right front footwell LED module32and a right rear footwell LED module34. A rear cupholder LED module36is also provided. As is known in the art, the light emitted from the LED modules32and34(and from all of the LED modules noted herein) may be directed as desired to illuminate a particular area of the vehicle interior. For example, the LED modules32and34may be adjusted so that the emitted light faces downward toward the footwells.

Referring toFIG. 2, an exploded view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 1is illustrated. According to this view the floor console top finish panel22is separated from the floor console base24. On assembly, the floor console base24is attached to the vehicle floor and the appropriate electrical connection is made to the main wiring harness of the vehicle. Thereafter the floor console top finish panel22is installed on the floor console base24by fastening in a known manner.

As noted above inFIG. 1, the floor console top finish panel22includes the forward cupholder28and the rearward cupholder29. The placement of the forward cupholder28, the rearward cupholder29, and the rear cupholder30shown inFIG. 2is for illustrative purposes only, as the position, number and configuration of the cupholders can be changed as desired without deviating from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the cupholders may be of the fold-out type that is known in the art. Regardless of placement or configuration, the forward cupholder28is fitted with an LED module38to provide illumination for occupant convenience. The rearward cupholder29is fitted with an LED module39. The LED modules38and39are electrically connected to an LED control module40. While the LED modules38and39are shown positioned at the rearward end of their respective cupholders28and29, the modules may be positioned elsewhere relative to the cupholders.

The floor console base24is substantially hollow as illustrated inFIG. 2and as known in the art to accommodate the tunnel ordinarily present on the vehicle's floor. As stated above with respect toFIG. 1and as illustrated therein, the floor console base24includes the right front footwell LED module32, the right rear footwell LED module34, and the rear cupholder LED module36. These lighting elements are also illustrated inFIG. 2. Additional lighting elements are illustrated inFIG. 2as well, and these include a left front footwell LED module42and a left rear footwell LED module44.

A console base wiring harness46is provided to electrically interconnect the right front footwell LED module32, the right rear footwell LED module34, the rear cupholder LED module36, the left front footwell LED module42and the left rear footwell LED module44. The console base wiring harness46includes a connector48for connection with the vehicle's main wiring harness (not shown). The connector48may be of the snap-fit type of connector to provide for a quick and definite connection of the console base wiring harness46to the vehicle's main wiring harness.

A power line50is provided to electrically connect the console base wiring harness46to the LED control module40mounted on the floor console top finish panel22. The power line50provides electrical power to the LED control module40and to the LED modules38and39according to the illustrated embodiment. Other LED modules (not shown) may be powered as well.

The underside of the floor console top finish panel22is illustrated inFIG. 3. With reference thereto, a power line52connects the LED control module40with the LED module38. Similarly, a power line54connects the LED control module40with the LED module39. The power lines52and54are illustrated in relation to the LED control module40in detail inFIG. 4. This figure also illustrates a connector56to which the power line50of the console base wiring harness46is connected.

A backside view of the assembled floor console20is shown inFIG. 5. With reference thereto, it may be easily seen how the complete ambient lighting system of the present invention is contained entirely within the confines of the floor console20. In addition to the internal operating components such as the LED control module40, the console base wiring harness46, and the connector48, the array of LED modules32,34,36,38,39,42, and44is illustrated.

The present invention is highly adaptable and as such is subject to a variety of embodiments beyond that illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 5and discussed above in relation thereto. One such adaptation is illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7in which a portion of an alternate embodiment of a floor console according to the present invention is illustrated. With reference thereto, a floor console, generally illustrated as60, is shown in partial view. The floor console60includes a floor console body62and a floor console top finish panel64fitted to the floor console body62.

The floor console60is fitted with a movable armrest66that is hingedly attached to the floor console body62in a known manner. The movable armrest66is illustrated in its lowered position inFIG. 6and in its raised position inFIG. 7. An armrest storage bin68is disposed below the movable armrest66. The armrest storage bin68is illustrated in broken lines inFIG. 6and in partial solid and partial broken lines inFIG. 7. An LED module70is disposed within the armrest storage bin68. The LED module70may be unswitched in which case it will always be on whenever it is powered or it may be selectively switched on or off by a switch (not shown) provided in operative relation to the movable armrest66. Regardless of the embodiment, the LED module70provides light to the armrest storage bin68.

The floor console60is also fitted with a storage bin and removable cupholder assembly, generally illustrated as72. The storage bin and removable cupholder assembly72includes a removable cupholder74and a storage bin76. The removable cupholder74is illustrated in its installed position inFIG. 6and in its removed position inFIG. 7. The storage bin76is illustrated in broken lines inFIG. 6and in partial solid and partial broken lines inFIG. 7.

A dual function LED module78is fitted to the floor console60at a position that is adjacent to the removable cupholder74. The dual function LED module78is flush-mounted to allow removal of the removable cupholder74. According to this arrangement, when the removable cupholder74is in its installed position as shown inFIG. 6, the dual function LED module78illuminates the removable cupholder74. When the removable cupholder74is removed as illustrated inFIG. 7, the dual function LED module78illuminates the storage bin76. It is to be understood that a greater number of LED modules may be used to provide effective illumination of the storage bin and removable cupholder assembly72.

The console of the present invention may be further modified to provide expanded storage space as shown inFIG. 8. With reference to that figure, a console60′ includes an enlarged storage bin76′ that is common to both the area beneath the removable cupholder74and to the area beneath the armrest66. This arrangement allows for increased storage space. As with the configuration shown and discussed above relative toFIGS. 6 and 7, the dual function LED module78illuminates the storage bin76′.

A further variation of the ambient lighting system is illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10in which a single piece floor module, generally illustrated as80, is shown. An isometric topside view of the floor module80is illustrated inFIG. 9. An isometric backside view of the floor module80is illustrated inFIG. 10.

The single piece floor module80is similar in design and function to the floor module20shown inFIGS. 1 through 5and discussed above in conjunction therewith, but does not include a separate top finish panel. The floor module80includes a floor console body82having a front end84and a back end86. A left side cupholder88is formed in the left side of the front end84of the floor console body82. In addition, a right side cupholder90is formed in the right side of the front end84of the floor console body82. A rear cupholder92is provided at the back end86of the floor console body82. It is to be understood that the number and arrangement of the cupholders88,90, and92is shown for illustrative purposes only and that a greater or lesser number of cupholders in different locations may be provided while keeping within the spirit of the present invention.

The embodiment shown inFIGS. 9 and 10provides an array of ambient lighting elements. Specifically, a left front footwell LED module94is provided at the front end84of the floor console body82. A right front footwell LED module96is also provided at the front end84of the floor console body82. A left rear footwell LED module98is provided at the back end86of the floor console body82. A right rear footwell LED module100is also provided at the back end86of the floor console body82.

The cupholders88,90and92each preferably has its own LED module. Accordingly, an LED module102is provided in conjunction with the left side cupholder88and an LED module104is provided in conjunction with the right side cupholder90. Furthermore, a rear cupholder LED module106is provided in conjunction with the rear cupholder92.

A main power system connector108is installed to provide electrical power to the floor module80from the vehicle's main power system. The vehicle's power is then directed to an LED control module110and is subsequently distributed to the LED modules94,96,98,100,102,104and106by way of a console harness112.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the true spirit and fair scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. Specifically, and as noted above, the variety, position and number of lighting elements provided in conjunction with the floor console can be readily altered to meet the requirements of a specific application without deviating from the present invention.