Vehicle interior layout

A vehicle interior layout includes a console having a support structure configured to be mounted on the floor of the vehicle and topped by an upper part, the upper part being rotatable around a substantially vertical pivot axis (A).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of the interior layout of vehicles, in particular motor vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A motor vehicle generally comprises a dashboard, located at the front of the passenger compartment, and a center console, located between the seat bottoms of the front seats. The dashboard generally bears display devices and control buttons. The center console generally bears control buttons, storage spaces, cupholders or an armrest.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is desirable for the inner layout of a motor vehicle to be practical and ergonomic in order to facilitate the use of the vehicle and ensure the comfort of the occupants of the vehicle.

One of the aims of the invention is to provide a vehicle interior layout that is practical and ergonomic.

To that end, the invention proposes a vehicle interior layout comprising a console having a support structure configured to be mounted on the floor of the vehicle and topped by an upper part, the upper part being rotatable around a substantially vertical pivot axis.

The pivoting upper part allows the user to orient the upper part ergonomically. The use of the console is thus made easier, in particular when the console bears a display screen and/or controls for controlling one or several onboard functional systems of the vehicle.

In specific embodiments, the interior layout may comprise one or several of the following optional features, considered alone or according to all technically possible combinations:the interior layout comprises a display device having a display screen borne by the upper part;the display screen is mounted pivoting on the upper part around a substantially horizontal and/or substantially transverse pivot axis;the display screen is touch-sensitive;the console comprises a hand rest arranged on the upper part such that a user can place the forearm, the wrist or the palm of the hand on the hand rest while touching the display screen;the support structure is mounted sliding on the floor;the support structure is mounted on a carriage mounted sliding along a guide arranged on the floor;the support structure is configured so as to leave a free space below the upper part;the support structure comprises a single support foot having a lower end mounted on the floor and an upper end on which the upper part is mounted;the upper part defines a storage area for receiving a roaming electronic device;the console comprises a wireless charging device for charging a roaming electronic device received in the storage area;the interior layout comprises two seats arranged side by side, the console being arranged between the two seats;at least one of the two seats is pivoting so as to be able to be turned toward the console.

The invention also relates to a vehicle having an interior layout as defined above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The interior layout2illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2is an interior layout of a motor vehicle3.

In the rest of the description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “longitudinal”, “transverse”, “front”, “rear”, “top” and “bottom” should be understood in reference to the typical orthogonal coordinate system for vehicles, shown in the Figures, and comprising:a longitudinal axis X, horizontal and oriented from back to front,a transverse axis Y, horizontal and oriented from right to left, anda vertical axis Z, oriented from bottom to top.

The interior layout2comprises a row of seats4formed by two seats6,8arranged next to one another, and a console10arranged between the two seats6,8.

The console10is located transversely between the two seats6,8, more specifically between the seat bottoms of the two seats6,8. Such a console10is also called “center console” due to its central position between the two seats6,8.

The point of view ofFIGS. 1 and 2is approximately that of an occupant of the seat8(on the right inFIG. 1), such that this seat8is only partially visible, only the front part of the seat bottom being visible.

The seats6,8are front seats, one (on the left inFIG. 1) provided for a driver, and the other (on the right inFIG. 1) provided for a passenger.

The interior layout2comprises a dashboard12located at the front of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The dashboard12is located in front of the seats6,8. The console10is distinct from the dashboard12. The console10here is separated from the dashboard12.

The dashboard12bears a steering wheel14and an instrument panel16that are located in front of the seat6of the driver.

The console10is mounted on the floor18of the vehicle3. The console10here is connected only to the floor18of the vehicle3. The console10is not connected directly to the dashboard12.

The console10comprises a support or base structure20mounted on the floor18and an upper part22supported by the base20. The base20forms the lower part of the console10. The base20is topped by the upper part22.

The base20here is formed by a single foot24extending substantially vertically, the foot24having a lower end mounted on the floor18and an upper end on which the upper part22is mounted.

The base20is configured so as to maintain a free space below the upper part22. The upper part22emerges horizontally relative to the base20. The upper part22is located, along the vertical axis Z, above the seat bottom of the seats6,8.

Thus, an occupant of the vehicle may for example place his leg below the upper part22. This allows the occupant to position himself ergonomically relative to the console10when he wishes to use it. This also allows the seat bottom of the seats to pass below the upper part22without interference with the console10, in particular during a rotation of at least one of the seats6,8around the vertical axis Z.

In the illustrated example, the foot24has a section in a horizontal plane with dimensions smaller than those of the upper part22, such that the upper part22horizontally overhangs the foot24.

The upper part22has a functional upper surface25grouping together one or several functions usable by the passengers of the seats6,8.

The upper surface25is for example provided to receive a display screen, to receive commands for controlling one or several on board functional system(s) of the vehicle (for example, one or several control buttons or a touch-sensitive slab), for defining a storage space for objects (for example keys, a mobile telephone, bottles, cups) and/or for defining a bearing surface for a passenger, for example for the hand, the wrist and/or the forearm of a passenger.

The upper surface25of the upper part22defines the upper surface of the console10as a whole.

The upper part22here is generally in the form of a plate.

The upper part22pivots around a substantially vertical pivot axis A. This allows an occupant to place the upper part22in a more ergonomic position for the occupant when he wishes to use the console10.

The upper part22is able to be oriented around the pivot axis A in a plurality of adjustment positions, the console10being configured to maintain the upper part22in each adjustment position.

The upper part22has a plurality of discrete adjustment positions in a finite or infinite number of adjustment positions between two extreme adjustment positions.

To maintain the upper part22in the various adjusting positions, the console10for example comprises a maintaining device comprising a friction brake. Such a maintaining device makes it possible to keep the upper part22in an infinite number of distinct adjusting positions.

Alternatively, the console10comprises a maintaining device comprising a notched mechanism, each notch defining a respective adjusting position. Such a maintaining device makes it possible to keep the upper part22in a finite number of distinct adjusting positions.

The pivot amplitude of the upper part22around the pivot axis A is for example +/−45° around a neutral position. In the neutral position, the upper part22is for example oriented along the longitudinal axis X.

The upper part22here is mounted pivoting relative to the base20. To that end, the upper part22is for example mounted on the base20via a pivot link (not shown).

Alternatively or optionally, the base20is mounted pivoting around the pivot axis A relative to the floor18.

The console10is mounted translatably relative to the floor18. The console10here is mounted sliding relative to the floor18along a movement line L. This allows an occupant to place the console10ergonomically when he wishes to use it.

The console10is thus movable relative to the dashboard12, which is immobile. The console10is movable longitudinally from front to back to be moved away from or closer to the seats6,8. The console10is movable between a forward position (FIG. 1) and a withdrawn position (FIG. 2). When it moves, the console10comes closer to or further from the dashboard12.

The movement line L here is rectilinear and longitudinal, i.e., substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X. Alternatively, the movement line L is curved.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the console10is mounted sliding along a guide26arranged on the floor18and extending along the movement line L.

More specifically, the base20is mounted sliding along the guide26. The base20is secured to a carriage28mounted sliding along the guide26. In the illustrated example, the foot24is secured to the carriage28, which is arranged at the lower end of the foot24.

The guide26here is embedded in the floor18, in particular for aesthetic reasons. Alternatively, the guide26is fastened on the top of the floor18.

The console10comprises a display device30configured to display data relative to at least one functional system of the vehicle3or to a roaming electronic device.

Such a functional system of the vehicle is for example an audio system, an information-entertainment system, a radio navigation system, a ventilation and air-conditioning system, an on-board computer, a configuration system of the vehicle (for example making it possible to configure a power train, an active suspension system or an active exhaust system of the vehicle).

A roaming electronic device is for example a portable personal computer, a mobile telephone, in particular a smart phone, a digital tablet or a digital music player.

To display data relative to a roaming electronic device, the display device30is for example configured to establish a communication with the roaming electronic device.

The communication link is a wireless link, for example a radio link, in particular of the Wi-Fi® or Bluetooth® type, or a wired link, via a cable.

The display device30comprises a display screen32mounted on the upper part22, more particularly on the upper surface25of the upper part22. The display screen32has a display surface34on which the images are generated during the operation of the display screen32.

The display screen32is for example a liquid crystal screen or a screen with light-emitting diodes, in particular with light-emitting diodes. The display screen32is preferably a matricial screen, comprising a matrix of pixels.

The display screen32here is arranged so as to extend substantially transversely. When the upper part22is oriented in a neutral position, the display screen32is visible by the occupants of the two seats6,8. The pivoting of the upper part22makes it possible to orient the display screen32, preferably toward one or the other of the seats6,8. This allows better visibility for the occupant toward whom the display screen32is oriented.

The display screen32is mounted pivoting on the upper part22around a substantially horizontal rotation axis B. This makes it possible to adjust the vertical orientation of the display screen32.

In the neutral position of the upper part22of the console10, the rotation axis B is substantially transverse. It is therefore substantially parallel to the transverse axis Y of the vehicle.

In one example embodiment, the display screen32is movable between at least a raised position in which the display surface34is visible (FIG. 3), and a folded down position in which the display surface34is hidden (FIG. 4).

In the raised position, the display screen32extends substantially vertically, its display surface34facing the rear. In the folded down position, the display screen32is folded down on the upper part22, its display surface34facing downward, toward the upper part22. In the folded down position, the display screen34extends substantially horizontally.

In general, advantageously, the console10is configured to allow the display screen32to be oriented by pivoting around the first axis and, optionally, by pivoting around a second axis forming a nonzero angle with the first axis, for example perpendicular to the first axis. This makes it possible to orient the display screen32ergonomically for a user.

In the illustrated example, the display screen32can be oriented by pivoting around a first horizontal axis defined by the horizontal pivot axis B of the display screen32relative to the upper part22of the console10, and by pivoting around a second vertical axis defined by the vertical pivot axis A of the upper part22of the console10.

Optionally, the display screen32is touch-sensitive to allow the entry of commands for a roaming electronic device or a functional system of the vehicle via the display screen32.

Optionally or alternatively, the display device30comprises one or several distinct physical command(s) of the display screen32, the actuation of each command making it possible to command a roaming electronic device or a functional system of the vehicle. A command is for example a pushbutton, a rotary button or a toggle button.

The console10comprises a hand rest36arranged on the upper part25so as to allow an occupant to place his forearm, his wrist or the palm of his hand while being able to touch the display screen32.

The hand rest36forms part of the upper surface25of the upper part22.

The hand rest36assumes the form of a protuberance protruding upward and arranged in front of the display screen32. Such a hand rest36makes it possible to press one's hand while touching the display screen32, without breaking the wrist upward, which is more ergonomic.

The hand rest36here is located at a distance from the display screen32, such that the display screen32can be pivoted into the closed position while being folded down on the upper part22without interfering with the hand rest36.

In the illustrated example, the display screen32is arranged at a front end of the upper part22and the hand rest36is arranged at a rear end of the upper part22.

The upper part22comprises a storage area38configured to receive one or more objects.

The storage area38comprises a receiving surface40. The receiving surface40is substantially horizontal. The storage surface40forms part of the upper surface25.

The storage area38is configured to receive a roaming electronic device42, such as a mobile telephone or a digital tablet.

The storage area38is located on the upper part22between the display screen32and the hand rest36. The storage area38makes it possible to place the roaming electronic device42between the display screen32and the hand rest36.

In the illustrated example, the storage area38extends partially below the hand rest36. The latter extends here cantilevered above the storage area38. To place the roaming electronic device42in the storage area38, the user must slide it partially below the hand rest36. This layout makes it possible to provide a certain maintenance of the roaming electronic device42in the storage area38.

Optionally, the console10comprises a wireless charging device44configured for wirelessly charging a roaming electronic device42placed in the storage area38.

The wireless charging device44for example comprises an electromagnetic winding46for charging a roaming electronic device42by induction.

The electromagnetic winding46is for example arranged below the storage area38, while being integrated for example into the upper part22.

Alternatively or optionally, the electromagnetic winding46is arranged above the storage area38, while for example being integrated into the hand rest36extending above the storage area38.

Optionally, at least one of the seats6,8is mounted pivoting around a vertical axis so as to be able to orient the seat6,8toward the console10.

In the illustrated example, the seat8for the passenger is mounted pivoting relative to the floor18so as to be able to orient the passenger seat8toward the console10. The passenger seat8is rotatable between a position facing forward, in which the seat8faces the road, and a position turned to the side, in which the seat8is turned to the side, for example by 1° to 20° relative to the position facing forward. Thus, the passenger can place himself in a comfortable position relative to the console10, for example to view the display screen32and/or to enter commands via the display screen32.

The interior layout2is practical and ergonomic.

The pivoting upper part22allows a user to orient the upper part22ergonomically, for example to view the display screen32and/or to enter commands via the display screen32.

The movable console10makes it possible to place the console10horizontally ergonomically for the user. In particular, the longitudinally movable console10makes it possible to move the console10forward or backward.

The adjustable seat8further increases the ergonomics of the interior layout.

The grouping of certain functions together on the console10allows practical and ergonomic use of the console10. The grouping of the display screen32and the storage area38makes it possible to group the display screen32with a roaming electronic device42.

The hand rest36makes it easier to enter commands via the display screen32and/or on the roaming electronic device42received in the receiving area located between the hand rest36and the display screen32.

The possibility of viewing data relative to a functional system and/or a roaming electronic device42and/or of entering commands via the display screen improves the ergonomics.