Patent Description:
It is known to provide a vehicle interior component comprising a base with a bin and a cover movable relative to the base to facilitate access to the bin. It is also known to provide a vehicle interior component configured to lock or latch in response to an inertia force such as applied in a rollover event.

It would be advantageous to provide an improved vehicle interior component configured for improved functionality and operation comprising features (and combinations of features) as shown and described in the present application including but not limited to an improved latch mechanism configured to be actuated by an external/inertia force (such as applied in an event experienced by the vehicle).

From <CIT> a vehicle interior component with a latch mechanism is known comprising a latch, a spring, a counterweight and a bracket.

The present invention is defined by a vehicle interior component according to claim <NUM>. Useful optional features are defined by the subclaims.

TABLE A indicates a mode of operation for a vehicle interior component with a latch mechanism and a cover movable relative to a base according to an exemplary embodiment.

TABLE B indicates a mode of operation for a vehicle interior component with a latch mechanism and a cover movable relative to a base according to an exemplary embodiment.

TABLE C indicates a mode of operation for a vehicle interior component with a latch mechanism and a cover movable relative to a base according to an exemplary embodiment.

As shown schematically according to an exemplary embodiment in <FIG>, a vehicle V may include an interior I with a component shown as floor console FC comprising a base B and a cover shown as armrest AR covering a storage compartment of floor console FC. Cover/armrest AR may be configured to move between a closed position and an open position to facilitate access to the storage compartment.

As indicated schematically in <FIG>, the vehicle V may be subjected to an event in which an external force shown representationally as force F operates upon the vehicle as well as upon occupants, components and contents within the vehicle interior I. As indicated schematically in <FIG>, the event providing external force F may be any of a variety of types, e.g. collision, bump, roll-over, etc. As indicated schematically in <FIG>, <FIG>, the external force F experienced during the event may act upon interior components such as the console. As indicated schematically in <FIG>, <FIG>, the component may comprise a console C/FC providing a storage compartment in a base B/Bx with a cover T/Tx providing an armrest AR movable relative to the base B/Bx to provide access to the storage compartment (which may contain objects, items, articles, etc.).

As indicated schematically in <FIG> and <FIG>, a conventional vehicle interior component may comprise a console FC/1000x with cover Tx/200x moveable relative to a base Bx/100x. As indicated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cover Tx/200x may be in a closed position relative to the base Bx/100x when an event is experienced in which an external force F is applied (i.e. an external force above a threshold level); as indicated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the effect of the force F may be to cause the cover Tx/200x to come to an open position relative to the base 100x. See also <FIG>. (As indicated schematically, the conventional vehicle interior component such as shown in <FIG> and 4A-4B may further comprise a mechanism or device such as a catch, magnet arrangement, friction/hinge bearing, etc. to retain/secure the cover in the closed position relative to the base in ordinary use.

As indicated schematically according to an exemplary embodiment in <FIG> and <FIG>, a vehicle interior component may comprise a console FC/<NUM> with cover T/<NUM> moveable relative to a base B/<NUM> and a latch mechanism <NUM>. See also <FIG>. As indicated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cover T/<NUM> may be in a closed position relative to the base B/<NUM> when an event is experienced in which an external force F is applied (i.e. an external force above a threshold level); as indicated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the effect of the force F will be to actuate latch mechanism <NUM> to retain the cover T/<NUM> in a closed position to the base B/<NUM>. See also <FIG> and <FIG>.

As indicated schematically according to an exemplary embodiment in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, latch mechanism <NUM> of the component FC/<NUM> may be configured to secure the cover T/<NUM> to the base B/<NUM> under the effect of an external force F on the vehicle. See also <FIG> and <FIG>. According to an exemplary embodiment as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the cover <NUM> may comprise a top portion <NUM> and a base section <NUM>; latch mechanism <NUM> for cover <NUM> may comprise a pivot/hinge shown as axle/pin <NUM> Op for a member shown as catch/arm configured as latch <NUM> and a counterweight <NUM> in a base/receptacle 310r with a torsion spring ST (e.g. to provide a biasing force as indicated in <FIG>); latch mechanism <NUM> may comprise flat/cantilever spring SC (e.g. to provide a holding/biasing force as indicated in <FIG> and <FIG>) and a magnet arrangement MP (e.g. set of magnets) configured to provide a magnetic force MF (e.g. magnetic repulsion such as with N/N magnet polarity/force as indicated schematically in <FIG> and <FIG>).

As indicated schematically in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, in operation of latch mechanism <NUM> the member shown as latch <NUM> may be configured for pivotal movement between a retracted position (e.g. disengaged and/or fully retracted/flush within opening <NUM> in the cover <NUM>, see e.g. <FIG> and <FIG>) and a partially extended/intermediate position and a fully extended position through opening <NUM> in cover <NUM> into base <NUM> (e.g. partially extended and/or fully extended for engagement with a catch shown as flange <NUM>, compare <FIG> and <FIG>). See also TABLES A through C.

As indicated schematically according to an exemplary embodiment in <FIG> and <FIG>, in ordinary use (with no event applying an external force F beyond the threshold) latch mechanism <NUM> will remain in an unlatched state to allow to movement of the cover <NUM> between the closed position and the open position relative to the base <NUM> (e.g. as by manual closing/opening actuation by an occupant of the vehicle interior). See also TABLES A and B. As indicated schematically in <FIG>, <FIG>, in ordinary use latch mechanism <NUM> may be configured by operation of spring ST and counterweight and spring SC and magnetic force MF at magnet arrangement ML to provide latch <NUM> in the partially/extended position when cover <NUM> is in the closed position relative to base <NUM>. See also TABLE B and <FIG> and <FIG>. As indicated schematically in <FIG>, <FIG>, in ordinary use the latch mechanism may be configured by operation of spring ST and counterweight and spring SC to provide arm/catch in the retracted position when the cover <NUM> is in the open position relative to base <NUM>. See also TABLE A and <FIG>, <FIG> and<FIG>. As indicated schematically according to an exemplary embodiment in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the component may comprise a mechanism shown as magnet arrangement MC (e.g. set of magnets) configured to retain/secure the cover in the closed position relative to the base in ordinary use (e.g. by net magnetic attraction with S/N magnet polarity/force as indicated schematically in <FIG>). See also <FIG>.

As indicated schematically according to an exemplary embodiment in <FIG> and <FIG>, with the cover <NUM> in the closed position relative to the base <NUM> upon an event applying an external force F (beyond the threshold force indicated as acting upon the mass shown representationally with a center of mass CM) latch mechanism <NUM> will be moved into a latched state (e.g. with latch arm/member <NUM> fully extended through cover <NUM> to be engaged by a plate/flange shown as catch <NUM> of base <NUM>) to retain the cover <NUM> in the closed position relative to the base <NUM> (and to prevent movement of the cover <NUM> to the open position relative to the base <NUM>). See also <FIG>, <FIG> and TABLES A and B.

As indicated schematically in <FIG>, the external force F acting upon the mass CM against the spring SC engages latch mechanism <NUM> into the latched state by movement of latch <NUM> from the cover <NUM> from the intermediate position (<FIG>) into the fully-extended position (<FIG>) for engagement with the flange/catch <NUM> of the base. See also TABLE C. When the latch mechanism is in the latched state and the cover is in a fully closed position relative to the base a gap G may be provided between the flange/catch <NUM> and the end of latch <NUM> (see <FIG>); movement of the cover <NUM> to an open position relative to the base may be prevented by engagement of the end of latch <NUM> with the flange/catch <NUM> (see <FIG>).

As indicated schematically in <FIG>, after the event (with no external force above the threshold acting upon mass CM) latch mechanism <NUM> may be configured by operation of spring ST and counterweight and spring SC and magnetic force MF at magnet arrangement ML to return the latch mechanism to the unlatched state with latch/member <NUM> moved to disengage from the flange/catch <NUM> and into the partially extended/intermediate position (with cover <NUM> in the closed position relative to base <NUM> and able to be moved to the open position). See also TABLE C and <FIG>, <FIG>. According to an exemplary embodiment, a mode of cover opening operation for the component is indicated in TABLE A.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a mode of cover closing operation for the component is indicated in TABLE B.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a mode of latching a cover for the component in response to an extemal/inertia force is indicated in TABLE C.

As shown schematically according to an exemplary embodiment in <FIG>, a conventional floor console may comprise a cover Tx covering a storage compartment SC. An external force F may be applied to cover Tx, for example when the vehicle is subjected to a rollover. Conventional cover Tx may move from a closed position to an open position as a result of the application of force F.

As shown schematically according to an exemplary embodiment in <FIG>, a floor console may comprise a cover T covering a storage compartment. An external force F may be applied to cover T. Cover T may be held in a closed position in response to application of force F of a predetermined amount.

As shown schematically according to an exemplary embodiment in <FIG>, a conventional vehicle interior component shown as a floor console 1000x may comprise a cover Tx/200x covering a bin or storage compartment SC. An external force F may be applied to cover 200x, for example when the vehicle rolls over. Cover 200x may move from a closed position as shown schematically in <FIG> to an open position as shown schematically in <FIG> as a result of the application of force F exceeding a predetermined amount.

As shown schematically according to an exemplary embodiment in <FIG>, a vehicle interior component <NUM> shown as a floor console may comprise a base <NUM> and a cover <NUM> shown as an armrest covering a bin or storage compartment. An external force F may be applied to cover <NUM>, for example when the vehicle rolls over. Cover <NUM> may be held in a closed position in response to application of force F of a predetermined amount. Cover <NUM> may be configured to move from a closed position as shown in <FIG> to an open position in response to application of an opening force. Cover <NUM> may be configured for adjustment from an unlatched state covering the bin as shown schematically in <FIG> to an open state uncovering the bin. Cover <NUM> may be configured for adjustment from the unlatched state to a latched state covering the bin as shown schematically in <FIG> in response to a force exceeding a predetermined amount.

As shown schematically according to an exemplary embodiment in <FIG>, vehicle interior component <NUM> may comprise a base <NUM>, a cover <NUM> and a latch mechanism <NUM>. Base <NUM> may comprise a bin or storage compartment <NUM>. Cover <NUM> may comprise a top portion <NUM> and a base portion <NUM>. Fateh mechanism <NUM> may comprise a latch <NUM>, a spring ST shown as a torsion spring, a spring SC shown as a cantilever spring and a counterweight <NUM>. Cover <NUM> may comprise latch mechanism <NUM>. Counterweight <NUM> is coupled to latch <NUM>; latch <NUM> may comprise a receptacle or holder 310r configured to receive counterweight <NUM>. Counterweight <NUM> and latch <NUM> may be coupled in order to move together relative to cover <NUM> and base <NUM>. Base portion <NUM> of cover <NUM> may comprise a feature to receive latch <NUM> and guide rotation of latch <NUM> relative to cover <NUM>; latch <NUM> may comprise a pin 310p configured to rotate relative to base portion <NUM> of cover <NUM>. Spring SC may be configured to deflect to allow rotation of latch <NUM>. Spring SC may be configured to provide a stop for latch <NUM>. Cover <NUM> may comprise latch mechanism <NUM>. Spring ST may be configured to rotate latch <NUM>. Latch mechanism <NUM> may be assembled to base portion <NUM> of cover <NUM> and covered by top portion <NUM> of cover <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> a component <NUM>/1000x for an interior of a vehicle V of a type that may be subjected to an external force F in an event such as a rollover of the vehicle V. As shown in <FIG>, the component comprises a cover <NUM> movable between a closed position and an open position relative to the base <NUM> and a latch mechanism <NUM> configured to provide a latched state to secure the cover in the closed position relative to the base; when the vehicle is subjected to the external force F the latch mechanism may be configured to actuate to the latched state to secure the cover in the closed position relative to the base, as indicated schematically in <FIG> and <FIG>. As shown schematically in <FIG> and <FIG>, latch mechanism <NUM> may comprise a latch <NUM> in the cover; the latch may be configured to be retracted when the cover is in the open position; the latch may be configured to be partially extended when the cover is in the closed position. See <FIG> and <FIG> and TABLES A and B. The latch mechanism may comprise the latch shown as a latch/member <NUM> in the cover and a catch in the base; the catch in the base may comprise a plate shown as a flange/catch <NUM>; latch <NUM> of latch mechanism <NUM> may be configured to provide a gap G with the plate/catch <NUM> in the latched state. The latch mechanism may comprise a latch configured to provide a retracted position and an extended position. See <FIG> and <FIG> and TABLE C.

As indicated schematically in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, upon the event (with external force F above a threshold force) for the vehicle when the cover is in the closed position latch <NUM> of latch mechanism <NUM> may be actuated to the extended position. See also TABLE C. As indicated schematically in <FIG> and <FIG>, latch mechanism <NUM> may be configured to move latch <NUM> to the retracted position when the cover is moved toward the open position; latch <NUM> is configured with an intermediate position between the extended position and the retracted position; the latch may be partially extended from the cover when in the intermediate position. See TABLES A and B.

According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the cover is in the closed position latch <NUM> is in the intermediate position; when the latch is in the intermediate position the cover may be moved toward the open position relative to the base; the latch may be configured to move to the intermediate position when the cover is moved to the closed position; the latch may be configured to rotate into the intermediate position when the cover is moved to the closed position.

According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in <FIG> and <FIG>, latch mechanism <NUM> of the component may comprise a spring arrangement; the latch may be configured to move to the intermediate position by operation of the spring arrangement; the spring arrangement may comprise a torsion spring ST and/or a flat/cantilever spring SC. According to the invention as shown schematically in <FIG> and <FIG>, latch mechanism <NUM> comprises a magnet arrangement ML; the magnet arrangement comprises a magnet in the base and a magnet coupled to the latch <NUM>; the magnet in the base may be configured to provide magnetic repulsion to the magnet in the cover; the magnet arrangement is configured to retain the latch of the latch mechanism in an intermediate position between a retracted position and an extended position; the magnet arrangement may be configured to move the latch toward a retracted position. See also <FIG> and TABLES A and B.

According to the invention as shown schematically in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, latch mechanism <NUM> comprises a counterweight <NUM>; the latch mechanism may be configured to actuate from an unlatched state to the latched state when the event for the vehicle provides an inertia force on the counterweight. See <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and TABLE C. According to an exemplary embodiment, the latch mechanism may comprise a latch and the spring arrangement configured to move the latch toward a retracted position; the spring arrangement may be configured to move the latch to the retracted position when the cover is moved from the closed position toward the open position; the spring arrangement may comprise a torsion spring ST. According to an exemplary embodiment, the latch mechanism may comprise a magnet arrangement ML configured to compress the torsion spring; the latch mechanism may comprise a latch and a spring configured to move the latch to an intermediate position between an extended position and a retracted position. The component may comprise a magnet arrangement ML configured to bias the latch against the spring arrangement; the spring arrangement may comprise a stop for the magnet arrangement; the spring arrangement may comprise a flat/cantilever spring SC. According to an exemplary embodiment, the spring/spring arrangement may comprise at least one of (a) a beam spring; (b) a cantilever spring; (c) a stop; (d) a cam surface configured to engage a cam surface for the latch. See e.g. <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A vehicle interior component comprising:
(a) a base (B);
(b) a cover (T) configured to move relative to the base (B) between a closed position and an open position; and
(c) a latch mechanism (<NUM>) configured to provide an unlatched state for the cover (T) and a latched state for the cover (T);
wherein the latch mechanism (<NUM>) comprises a counterweight (<NUM>) coupled via a pivot (310p) to a latch (<NUM>) configured to move the latch (<NUM>) between a retracted position and an extended position through an intermediate position; and
wherein the latch mechanism (<NUM>) is configured to provide the latched state when actuated by an inertia force on the counterweight (<NUM>);
characterized in that
the latch mechanism (<NUM>) comprises a magnet arrangement (ML), wherein the magnet arrangement comprises a magnet in the base and a magnet coupled to the latch (<NUM>), wherein the magnet in the base (B) is configured to retain the latch (<NUM>) in the intermediate position by magnetic repulsion when the cover (T) is in the closed position relative to the base (B).