Abstract:
An overhead console for a vehicle interior, comprising a storage module provided with a housing having an aperture, a cover pivotally mounted on the housing, a receptacle is pivotally mounted to the cover between a folded position and an unfolded position. The storage module can be set in a storage configuration, cover closed and receptacle folded inside the housing, or in a deployed configuration, cover open and receptacle unfolded allowing the user to easily grab an object stored in the receptacle. The storage configuration requires minimal height in the overhead module and the deployed configuration provides maximum accessibility.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of European Patent Application EP101690083.2, filed on Jul. 9, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a vehicle overhead console comprising a receptacle in which can be stored an object such as eyeglasses 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    Overhead console of the aforementioned type exist in vehicles so a user, such as the driver, can easily take or put away a pair of eyeglasses. The difficulty in designing an overhead console resides in the necessary optimum compromise to be achieved. The console must be robust, easy to open and to close with one hand, the content must be easy to reach, the object has to be safely stored and, the overall package should be minimal. 
         [0004]    In U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,737 B1 Cansfield et al. disclose an overhead console comprising a storage member that deploys when opening. The storage member has one aperture upwardly oriented when the console is closed. Its deployment is the result of a downward translation followed by rotation so the aperture is presented toward the driver. 
         [0005]    This console is complex in design requiring multiple components to manage independently the translation and the rotation. Furthermore, when in a closed position, the storage member is upwardly oriented in the console thus requiring an important height in the console. 
         [0006]    In US 2007/0133217 A1 Tiesler et al. disclose an overhead module comprising a housing closed by a pivoting door, and a storage compartment fixed to the internal side of the door so, when opening the door the user can take the object that is in the storage compartment. When closed the door is horizontal and, when open the door is vertical, the storage compartment having one open side oriented upward. 
         [0007]    Relative to U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,737 B1, Tiesler&#39;s storage compartment requires less packaging space in closed position. The issue is to grab a stored object in the interior of the storage compartment in an open position. The vehicle driver has to enter the hand/fingers through the upwardly oriented open side while still seated. 
         [0008]    It is important to propose to the market an overhead console solving afore mentioned problems in term of design simplification, minimal volume in closed position, and maximal accessibility when in open position. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an overhead console that maintains a high degree of functionality within a compact design, and consisting of exceptionally few individual parts convenient to assemble. 
         [0010]    In carrying out the above object and other objects, features, and advantages, the present invention provides an overhead console assembly. 
         [0011]    Specifically, the present invention is related to an overhead console for a vehicle interior, comprising a storage module provided with a housing having an aperture, a cover pivotally mounted on the housing about a first axis between a closed position and an open position with regard to the aperture, a receptacle mounted on the cover so that in closed position the receptacle is inside the housing being inaccessible to a user and, in open position the receptacle is outside the housing being accessible to a user. The receptacle is pivotally mounted to the cover about a second axis, parallel to the first axis, between a folded position wherein the receptacle is in abutment against the cover and an unfolded position wherein the receptacle is rotated away from the cover. The storage module can be set in a storage configuration, the cover being in closed position and the receptacle being in folded position inside the housing, retaining an object stored in the receptacle. It can be set as well in a deployed configuration, the cover being in open position and the receptacle being in unfolded position open upwardly and toward the user to allow the user to grab more easily said object. Thanks to this, the storage configuration requires minimal height in the overhead module and the deployed configuration provides maximum accessibility. 
         [0012]    Furthermore, the overhead console may comprise a driving device so the rotation of the cover about the housing drives the rotation of the receptacle about the cover. Thus, the deployed configuration can advantageously be obtained by just actuating the cover toward the open position. 
         [0013]    In a first embodiment, the driving device comprises a lever extending from a third axis fixed to the housing to a fourth axis fixed to the receptacle. The lever is pivotally mounted about the third axis and the fourth axis that are parallel to the first axis and the second axis. A first distance between the third axis and the fourth axis is longer than a second distance between the first axis and the second axis such that, in closed position, a first line joining the first axis to the second axis is intersecting with a second line joining the third axis to the fourth axis and, in open position, the first line and the second line are not intersecting. 
         [0014]    The receptacle advantageously comprises a support wall that, in deployed configuration, is substantially horizontal, the stored object being on it. 
         [0015]    Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, which is given by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The present invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a general view of the overhead console and a storage module, as per the present invention. The storage module is in a deployed configuration and a pair of eyeglasses is placed in a receptacle. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the console of  FIG. 1  in a storage configuration. A sketch of the kinematic is superposed to the view. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the console of  FIG. 1  in intermediate position. A sketch of the kinematic is superposed to the view. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the console of  FIG. 1  in the deployed configuration of  FIG. 1 . A sketch of the kinematic is superposed to the view. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the console according to an embodiment provided with a driving device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
       [0022]    In the following description, similar elements could be designated with the same reference numbers. Also, as presented in  FIG. 1 , to facilitate the understanding of the description, the various elements of the present invention are placed relative to a vehicle in a standard direct orthogonal axes system (X, Y, Z) where, 
         [0023]    X is the longitudinal horizontal axis of the vehicle frontwardly oriented, 
         [0024]    Y is the transversal horizontal axis oriented from the right to the left, 
         [0025]    Z is the vertical axis upwardly oriented, and 
         [0026]    RY is a rotation about the transversal axis Y. 
         [0027]    In a motor vehicle  10 ,  FIG. 1  illustrates an overhead console  12  comprising a storage module  14  where an occupant of the vehicle has placed a pair of eyeglasses. Other objects, such as a wallet, can be placed in the storage module  14 . Generally, the storage module  14  is fixed to the roof of the vehicle between the front occupants, in the vicinity of the windshield. To access the storage module  14  the occupants have to raise their hands above their heads. 
         [0028]    The storage module  14  of the present invention comprises a housing  16  defining an inside volume that is accessible through a horizontal aperture  20  downwardly oriented. The inside volume is above the aperture  20 . The aperture  20  can be closed thanks to a cover  30  pivotally mounted relative to the housing  16  about a first transversal axis Y 1 . Thus, the cover  30  is able to pivot as per a first rotation RY 1 , between a closed position P 1  ( FIG. 2 ) where it is horizontal sealing the aperture  20 , and an open position P 2  where it is substantially vertical ( FIG. 4 ). 
         [0029]    In the closed position P 1 , the cover  30  as its outer face  40  downwardly oriented visible to the occupants of the motor vehicle  10 , and its inner face  42 , opposite the outer face  40 , upwardly oriented inside  18  the housing  16 . 
         [0030]    In the open position P 2 , the outer face  40  is frontwardly oriented, hardly visible to the vehicle occupants, and the inner face  42  is backwardly oriented, easily visible to the vehicle occupants. 
         [0031]    As presented on the figures, the aperture  20  and the cover  30  often have rectangular shapes, the angles of which may be sharp or rounded. Furthermore, the aperture  20  and the cover  30  in closed position P 1  are described horizontal while the cover  30  in open position P 2  is presented vertical after a rotation at right angle 90°. Similarly, one can easily understand that these orientations are chosen to ease and not to limit the description. Other orientations and angular amplitudes are possible. 
         [0032]    The storage module  14  further comprises a receptacle  44  delimiting a volume within which can be stored a pair of eyeglasses. The receptacle  44  has a support wall  46  from the edges of which extend perpendicularly a pair of lateral walls  48 ,  50 , and a bottom wall  52 . The bottom wall  52  has a transversal free edge  54  about which the receptacle  44  is pivotally mounted on the inner face  42  of the cover  30 , about a second transversal axis Y 2 . 
         [0033]    The receptacle  44  is able to rotate about the second axis Y 2 , according to a second rotation RY 2  between a folded position P 3  wherein the support wall  46  is parallel to the cover  30  ( FIG. 2 ), and an unfolded position P 4  wherein the support wall  46  is substantially normal to the cover  30  ( FIG. 4 ). 
         [0034]    The overall dimensions of the receptacle  44  are smaller than the aperture  20  so, the receptacle  44  can pass through the aperture  20  when pivoting the cover  30  back and forth between the closed position P 1  and the open position P 2 . 
         [0035]    In the closed position P 1 , the receptacle  44  is in the folded position P 3  enclosed inside the housing  16  ( FIG. 2 ), the pair of eyeglasses being safely secured between the cover  30  and the walls of the receptacle  44 . 
         [0036]    The shape of the receptacle  44  may depart from the above description. For example, the joining areas between the support wall  46  and the lateral walls  48 ,  50  and bottom wall  52  may be sharp or rounded as in the Figures. Also, the support wall  46  may be shaped so the object for which it is dedicated is best maintained. A receptacle  44  designed for a wallet may have a flat support wall  46  while for eyeglasses a small central bump for placing the area of the nose may be provided ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0037]    Also, the second rotation RY 2  is described to enable the receptacle  44  to pivot at right angle 90° between the folded position P 3  and the unfolded position P 4 . Other angular amplitudes are of course possible smaller or larger than the right angle. For instance,  FIG. 4  represents the unfolded receptacle  44  with angular amplitude smaller than 90°. 
         [0038]    The overall actuation of the storage module  14  is now described. 
         [0039]    In combining the first rotation RY 1  and the second rotation RY 2  the storage module  14  takes various configurations between a storage configuration C 13  ( FIG. 2 ) wherein the cover  30  is in closed position P 1  and the receptacle  44  is in folded position P 3 , and a deployed configuration C 24  ( FIG. 4 ) wherein the cover  30  is in open position P 2  and the receptacle  44  is in unfolded position P 4 . 
         [0040]    An advantage of the present invention resides in the storage C 13  and in the deployed C 24  configurations. Indeed, in storage configuration C 13 , the stored object is well secured inside the housing  16 . The storage configuration C 13  takes a minimal height in the roof module thus not protruding prominently in the vehicle interior. When in deployed configuration C 24 , the receptacle  44  comes downwardly toward the occupants, thus offering an easy access to the object. The occupants do not have to raise hands up to the roof as the receptacle  44  is brought down to them by the cover  30 . 
         [0041]    The storage module  14  is further provided with a locking-unlocking device (not represented) that maintains the cover  30  closed when in storage configuration C 13  and that allows the deployment of the receptacle  44  when activated. The locking device may be of any known type such as a push-pull actuation button integrated in the cover  30 . 
         [0042]    To commute back and forth between the deployed configuration C 24  and storage configuration C 13 , the storage module  14  may be provided with an actuation device that generates the rotational movements RY 1  and RY 2  in the required direction. Such an actuation device (not represented) may for instance comprise an electrical motor or, for manual actuation, springs actuated in torsion or compression or magnetic devices exercising forces between the housing  16  and the cover  30  and between the cover  30  and the receptacle  44 . 
         [0043]    Furthermore, the first and second rotations RY 1 , RY 2 , may advantageously be set dependent upon each other thanks to a driving device. With such a driving device, when pivoting the cover  30  through the first rotation RY 1 , the driving device engages the second rotation RY 2  pivoting the receptacle  44 . 
         [0044]    Now, is described an embodiment for the driving device, understanding that other embodiments are possible. 
         [0045]    The driving device comprises a lever  56  that extends from a first extremity  58  pivotally mounted relative to the housing  16  about a third transversal axis Y 3 , to a second extremity  60  pivotally mounted relative to the receptacle  44 , about a fourth transversal axis Y 4 . Thus, the receptacle  44  is linked to the housing  16  via the cover  30  between the first axis and the second axis Y 1 , Y 2 , and also via the lever  56 , between the third axis and the fourth axis Y 3 , Y 4 . The first axis and third axis Y 1 , Y 3 , both on the housing  16 , are close together, and the second axis and the fourth axis Y 2 , Y 4 , both on the receptacle  44 , are also close together. The inter-axial distance from first to second axis Y 1 , Y 2 , is slightly shorter than the inter-axial distance from third to fourth axis Y 3 , Y 4 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in storage configuration C 13 , the third axis Y 3  is below the first axis Y 1 , while the fourth axis Y 4  is above the second axis Y 2 , the straight line joining the first axis to the second axis Y 1 , Y 2 , intersecting the straight line joining the third axis to the fourth axis Y 3 , Y 4 . 
         [0046]    The kinematic of this arrangement, as illustrated in the sequence of  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 , relies in the trapezoid set by the four transversal axis Y 1 , Y 2 , Y 3 , Y 4 , being angularly deformable while the lengths remain constant. These combinations of rotations result in the deployment, or the folding, of the receptacle  44 . 
         [0047]    In  FIG. 5 , the embodiment is presented with a single lever  56 . Alternatively to the straight lever  56 , other shapes are possible. Also, for symmetry and rigidity purposes, additional levers may be added symmetrically to the lever  56  about the storage module  14 . 
         [0048]    Alternatively the driving device may comprise a gear wheel pivotally mounted on the cover  30  and engaging with a first worm gear coaxial to the first axis Y 1  and fixed to the housing  16  and with, a second worm gear fixed to the receptacle  44  and coaxial to the second axis Y 2 . 
         [0049]    A first rotation RY 1  of the cover  30  obliges the gear wheel to rotate, engaging the second worm gear in a rotation RY 2  thus, obliging the receptacle  44  to rotate about the cover  30 . 
         [0050]    While this invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiments thereof, it is not intended to be so limited, but rather only to the extent set forth in the claims that follow.