Console assembly

A console assembly generally includes a console body and an armrest movably coupled to the console body. The console body defines an interior console cavity. The armrest can rotate relative to the console body about an axis of rotation between a closed, locked position and an open, unlocked position. Moreover, the armrest can move linearly relative to the console body between the open, unlocked position and an open, locked position. In the closed, locked position, the armrest covers the interior console cavity of the console body. When the armrest is in the open, unlocked position, the interior console cavity is accessible. When the armrest is in the open, locked position, the interior console cavity is accessible and the armrest is locked to the console body.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a console assembly for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Some vehicles include a center console positioned between a driver seat and a passenger seat. The center console defines a storage compartment with an opening through which an occupant of the vehicle can access the storage compartment.

SUMMARY

A center console sometimes includes a lid that serves as an armrest so long as the lid is in the closed position. However, when the lid is in the open position and provides access to the console storage compartment, the lid cannot be used as an armrest. It is therefore useful to develop a console assembly with a lid that can function as an armrest regardless of whether the lid is in the open position or the closed position. The present disclosure relates to a console assembly with an armrest that can support a vehicle occupant's arm either when the armrest is in the closed position or the open position. When the armrest is in the open position, one vehicle occupant can have access to console storage compartment, while another occupant can rest the arm on the armrest.

In an embodiment, the console assembly generally includes a console body and an armrest movably coupled to the console body. The console body defines an interior console cavity. The armrest can rotate relative to the console body about an axis of rotation between a closed, locked position and an open, unlocked position. Moreover, the armrest can move linearly relative to the console body between the open, unlocked position and an open, locked position. In the closed, locked position, the armrest covers the interior console cavity of the console body, thereby preventing the vehicle occupants from accessing the interior console cavity. When the armrest is in the open, unlocked position, the interior console cavity is accessible. When the armrest is in the open, locked position, the interior console cavity is accessible and the armrest is locked to the console body. The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle including the console assembly described above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers correspond to like or similar components throughout the several figures, and beginning withFIGS. 1and2, a vehicle10includes a console assembly12in its passenger compartment. The vehicle10may be an automotive vehicle, such as a car or a truck, or a non-automotive vehicle. Regardless of the kind of vehicle, the console assembly12may be disposed between two seats inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle10and may therefore be referred to as the center console. At the very least, the console assembly12is adjacent to one of the seats inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle10.

The console assembly12includes a console body14for storing objects. The console body14defines an outer console surface16and an inner console surface18opposite the outer console surface16. The inner console surface18defines an interior console cavity20configured, shaped, and sized to receive different kinds of objects. For example, the interior console cavity20can be configured, shaped, and sized to receive a purse, a bag, or any other suitable object. However, it is contemplated that the interior console cavity20can be specifically sized to receive objects larger or smaller than a purse. Irrespective of its size, the console body14defines the interior console cavity20, which is capable of receiving objects. The interior console cavity20may be collectively defined by a first console wall32, a second console wall34, a third console wall36, and a fourth console wall38. The first console wall32and the third console wall36are substantially parallel to each other. The second console wall34is substantially parallel to the fourth console wall38. The first console wall32and the third console wall36are substantially perpendicular to the second console wall34and the fourth console wall38. Aside from the interior console cavity20, the console assembly12may include cup holders22for holding cups.

In addition to the cup holders22, the console assembly12includes an armrest24for covering the interior console cavity20and supporting an arm of a driver or passenger of the vehicle10. The armrest24may have a substantially L-shape and includes a first armrest portion26and a second armrest portion28coupled to the first armrest portion26. The second armrest portion28is substantially perpendicular to the first armrest portion26in order to allow the armrest24to support an arm when disposed in the closed position (FIG. 1) or the open position (FIG. 2).

With reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, the armrest24is movably coupled to the console body14and can cover (or provide access to) the interior console cavity20. Accordingly, the armrest24can be referred to as a lid. The first armrest portion26is rotatably coupled to the console body14and, therefore, the armrest24can rotate about an axis of rotation R (FIG. 1) between a closed, locked position (FIG. 1) and an open, unlocked position (FIG. 3). In the depicted embodiment, the console assembly12includes a hinge joint30pivotally coupling the armrest24to the console body14. In particular, the first armrest portion26is directly (and pivotally) coupled to the console body14. The hinge joint30includes at least one pin40, such as a pivot pin, pivotally coupling the armrest24to the console body14. The pin40extends along the axis of rotation R. The armrest24can rotate ninety (90) degrees relative to a horizontal axis H from the closed, locked position to the open, unlocked position.

In the closed, locked position, the armrest24can completely cover the interior console cavity20, thereby preventing access to the interior console cavity20. Further, the first armrest portion26is perpendicular to the first console wall32, the second console wall34(FIG. 2), a third console wall36, and a fourth console wall38(FIG. 2) and parallel to the horizontal axis H when the armrest is in the closed, locked position (FIG. 1). When the armrest24is in the closed, locked position, the second armrest portion28is parallel to the first console wall32and the third console wall36in order to completely cover the interior console cavity20.

The console assembly12includes a closure mechanism42for maintaining the armrest24secured relative to the console body14in the closed, locked position (FIG. 1). The closure mechanism42includes a securing lever44rotatably coupled to the armrest24. Specifically, the securing lever44is rotatably coupled to the second armrest portion28and is biased toward the console body14. In particular, the securing lever44is biased toward a notch46defined in the third console wall36of the console body14. The closure mechanism42includes a closing spring48coupled to the securing lever44. The securing lever44includes a handle50and a securing protrusion52extending from the handle50. The securing protrusion52is configured, shaped, and sized to be received in the notch46in order to lock the armrest24to the console body14in the closed, locked position. In operation, the closing spring48biases the securing lever44toward the console body14in the direction indicated by arrow S. To unlock the second armrest portion28of the armrest24from the console body14, the securing lever44can be rotated away from the notch46in the direction indicated by arrow U.

After unlocking the second armrest portion28of the armrest24from the console body14, the armrest24can be rotated ninety (90) degrees relative to the horizontal axis H from the closed, locked position to the open, unlocked position in the direction indicated by arrow N. When the armrest24is in the open, unlocked position, the interior console cavity20is accessible, the second armrest portion28is parallel to the horizontal axis H and perpendicular to the first console wall32, and the first armrest portion26is parallel to the first console wall32and perpendicular to the horizontal axis H.

With reference toFIGS. 3 and 5, the console assembly12defines at least one track54extending into the outer surface56of the first console wall32. The armrest24includes a guiding protrusion58configured, shaped, and sized to slide along the track54. The guiding protrusion58extends from the first armrest portion26. The track54can be configured as a groove and may have a substantially linear shape in order to allow linear movement of the armrest24in a downward direction D (FIG. 1).

During operation, after the armrest24is in the open, unlocked position, the armrest24can be linearly moved in the downward direction D in order to allow a vehicle's occupant to rest the arm on the second armrest portion28of the armrest24. While the armrest24moves in the downward direction D, the second armrest portion28moves toward the interior console cavity20and the guiding protrusion58slides along the track54. The armrest24should be moved in the downward direction D until a locking mechanism60(FIG. 6) secures the first armrest portion26to the console body14in the open, locked position.

With reference toFIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C, the locking mechanism60includes a locking lever62and a button64coupled to the locking lever62. The button64is movably coupled to the console body14. The button64can be pressed (or otherwise actuated) to move the locking lever62from the locked position (FIG. 6B) to an unlocked position (FIG. 6C). Specifically, a force F can be applied to the button64in order to move the locking lever62between the locked and unlocked positions. A mechanism pin66rotationally couples the locking lever62to the console body14, thereby allowing the locking lever62to pivot relative to the console body14. A rod68operatively couples the button64to the locking lever62. As such, pressing the button64causes the rod to68to push the locking lever62. Consequently, pressing the button64causes the locking lever62to rotate about the mechanism pin66in the direction indicated by arrow M, away from the first armrest portion26of the armrest24. Releasing the button64causes the locking lever62to rotate toward the first armrest portion26of the armrest24in the direction indicated by arrow L. The armrest24includes a locking extension70coupled to the guiding protrusion58. The locking lever62can engage (e.g., contact) the locking extension70in order to lock the armrest in the open, locked position (FIG. 3).

The locking mechanism60includes a locking spring72coupled to the mechanism pin66in order to bias the locking lever62toward the locked position (FIG. 6C). As shown inFIG. 6A, when the first armrest portion26is moving in the downward direction D, the locking extension70can push the locking lever62(against the biasing force of the locking spring72) in order to allow the locking extension70to be positioned underneath a locking portion74of the locking lever62. The locking lever62is then biased toward the locked position (FIG. 6B) and the locking portion74engages the locking extension70in order to lock the armrest24in the open, unlocked position.

To unlock the armrest24, the button64can be actuated (e.g., pressed) in order to move the locking lever62in the direction indicated by arrow M toward the unlocked position (FIG. 6C). Next, the armrest24can be moved in an upward direction W until the armrest24reaches the open, unlocked position. When the armrest24moves in the upward direction W, the second armrest portion28moves away from the interior console cavity20. Then, the armrest24can be rotated about the axis of rotation R (FIG. 1) relative to the console body14in the direction indicated by arrow C in order to cover the interior console cavity20. The armrest24should be rotated until the securing lever44engages the notch46in order to lock the armrest24to the console body14in the closed, locked position (FIG. 1).

While the best modes for carrying out the teachings have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this disclosure relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the teachings within the scope of the appended claims.