Patent Description:
It is known to provide a vehicle interior component including a base, a first cover movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position, and a second cover movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position.

A vehicle interior storage compartment and multi-piece lid is described in <CIT>. Another cover for a vehicle storage compartment is shown in <CIT>. A storage container with first and second moveable cover members is disclosed in <CIT>.

It would be advantageous to provide an improved vehicle interior component including a base, a first cover movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position, a second cover movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position and a link configured for a coupled state to couple movement of the covers and a decoupled state to decouple movement of the covers.

The present invention relates to a vehicle interior component according to claim <NUM>.

The present disclosure further shows a vehicle interior component comprising a base providing a compartment, a first cover movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position, a second cover movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position and a link coupled to the first cover and the second cover. The link may be configured for a coupled state to couple movement of the first cover and the second cover and a decoupled state to de-couple movement of the first cover and the second cover. The link may comprise a first arm and a second arm. The first arm may be coupled to the second arm to link movement of the first cover and the second cover. The first arm and the second arm may be configured to move relative to one another to de-couple movement of the first cover and the second cover. One of the first arm and the second arm may comprise a depression and the other of the first arm and the second arm may comprise a protrusion; the protrusion may be configured to engage the depression to couple the first arm and the second arm. The component may comprise a spring. When an external force is applied to move the first cover from the open position toward the closed position, the spring may be compressed to disengage the protrusion and the depression to enable the first arm and the second arm to move relative to one another.

The vehicle interior component comprises a base providing a compartment, a first cover movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position, a second cover movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position, a link coupled to the first cover and the second cover and a shaft coupled to the base. The link may comprise a first arm and a second arm; the first arm may be coupled to the base at the shaft and the second arm may be coupled to the base at the shaft. The first arm may be configured to rotate about the shaft as the first cover moves between the closed position of the first cover and the open position of the first cover and the second arm may be configured to rotate about the shaft as the second cover moves between the closed position of the second cover and the open position of the second cover. The first arm may be configured to rotate with the second arm about the shaft as the first cover moves from the closed position of the first cover to the open position of the first cover and the second cover moves from the closed position of the second cover to the open position of the second cover. One of the first arm and the second arm may be configured to rotate about the shaft and the other of the first arm and the second arm may be fixed to de-couple movement of the first cover and the second cover. One of the first arm and the second arm may comprise a depression and the other of the first arm and the second arm may comprise a protrusion; the protrusion may be configured to engage the depression to couple the first arm and the second arm. When an external force is applied to move the first cover from the open position toward the closed position, the first arm may be configured to rotate relative to the second arm to disengage the protrusion and the depression to enable the first arm to move relative to the second arm. The component may comprise spring. The spring may be configured to bias the first arm to engage the second arm. The spring may be configured to compress as one of the first cover and the second cover moves from the open position to the closed position. The spring may be configured to compress to de-couple movement of the first arm and the second arm. The spring may be configured to couple movement of the first arm and the second arm as the first cover moves from the closed position of the first cover to the open position of the first cover and the second cover moves from the closed position of the second cover to the open position of the second cover.

Another example shows a vehicle interior component comprising a base providing a compartment; a first cover movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position; a second cover movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position; a link coupled to the first cover and the second cover; and a spring. The spring may be configured to bias the link to couple movement of the first cover and the second cover from the closed position to the open position. The spring may be configured to compress to enable one of the first cover and the second cover to remain in the open position as the other of the first cover and the second cover moves from the open position to the closed position. The link may comprise a first arm and a second arm; the spring may be configured to bias the second arm to engage the first arm. The spring may be configured compress in response to movement of the first cover from the open position toward the closed position.

According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in <FIG>, a vehicle V may comprise an interior I including an instrument panel IP and a floor console FC.

According to an exemplary embodiment as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, vehicle interior component <NUM> shown as a floor console FC may comprise a base B, a first cover C1/<NUM> and a second cover C2/<NUM>. Vehicle interior component <NUM>/FC may be configured to be operated by application of an external force from an occupant shown as a hand H/H1/H2. Base B may provide a compartment. First cover C1/<NUM> may be movable relative to base B between a closed position as shown schematically in <FIG> and <FIG> to at least partially cover the compartment and an open position as shown schematically in <FIG>, <FIG> to uncover the compartment. Second cover C2/<NUM> may be movable relative to base B between a closed position as shown schematically in <FIG>, <FIG> to at least partially cover the compartment and an open position as shown schematically in <FIG>. First cover C1/<NUM> and second cover C2/<NUM> may be configured for movement between (a) a first state with first cover C1/<NUM> in the open position of first cover C1/<NUM> and second cover C2/<NUM> in the open position of second cover C2/<NUM> as shown schematically in <FIG>; (b) a second state with first cover C1/<NUM> in the closed position of first cover C1/<NUM> and second cover C2/<NUM> in the open position of second cover C2/<NUM> as shown schematically in <FIG>; (c) a third state with first cover C1/<NUM> in the open position of first cover C1/<NUM> and second cover C2/<NUM> in the closed position of second cover C2/<NUM> as shown schematically in <FIG>; (d) a fourth state with first cover C1 in the closed position of first cover C1/<NUM> and second cover C2/<NUM> in the closed position of second cover C2/<NUM> as shown schematically in <FIG> and <FIG>. First cover C1/<NUM> may be configured to remain in the open position as second cover C2/<NUM> moves from the open position to the closed position as shown schematically in <FIG>, <FIG>. Second cover C2/<NUM> may be configured to remain in the open position as first cover C1/<NUM> moves from the open position to the closed position as shown schematically in <FIG>. Vehicle interior component FC may be configured for (a) a coupled state to couple movement of first cover C1/<NUM> and second cover C2/<NUM> as shown schematically in FIGUREC 1C-1D and (b) a decoupled state to de-couple movement of first cover C1/<NUM> and second cover C2/<NUM> as shown schematically in <FIG>, <FIG>.

According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in <FIG>, vehicle interior component <NUM> may comprise a base <NUM>, a first cover <NUM> and a second cover <NUM>. According to an exemplary embodiment, vehicle interior component <NUM> may comprise a link <NUM>. According to an exemplary embodiment, vehicle interior component <NUM> may comprise a set of springs <NUM>, an actuator or button and a latch <NUM>. Set of springs <NUM> may be configured to move first cover <NUM> and second cover <NUM> relative to base <NUM> between a closed position as shown schematically in <FIG> to at least partially cover the compartment and an open position as shown schematically in <FIG> to uncover the compartment. A button may be configured to actuate latch <NUM> to move first cover <NUM> and second cover <NUM> relative to base <NUM> between a closed position as shown schematically in <FIG> to at least partially cover the compartment and an open position as shown schematically in <FIG> to uncover the compartment.

According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in <FIG>, link <NUM> may comprise a first arm <NUM>, a second arm <NUM>, a spring <NUM> and a shaft <NUM>. Link <NUM> may comprise a washer <NUM> and a washer <NUM>. First arm <NUM> may comprise a protrusion or set of protrusions 830p. Second arm <NUM> may comprise a depression or set of depressions 840d. Second arm <NUM> may comprise a female feature 840f; first arm <NUM> may comprise a male feature <NUM> configured to rotate within female feature 840f of second arm <NUM>. First arm <NUM> may comprise a ball and socket joint comprising ball 830b and <NUM>. Second arm <NUM> may comprise a ball and socket joint comprising ball 840b and <NUM>. First arm <NUM> may comprise a bar <NUM> and a coupler <NUM>; second arm <NUM> may comprise a bar <NUM> and coupler <NUM> coupled to coupler <NUM> of first arm <NUM>. Base <NUM> may comprise a shaft <NUM>; link <NUM> may be configured to couple first cover <NUM> to shaft <NUM> and couple second cover <NUM> to shaft <NUM>.

According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, a vehicle interior component <NUM> may comprise a base <NUM> providing a compartment, a first cover <NUM> movable relative to base <NUM> between a closed position (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) and an open position (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>), a second cover <NUM> movable relative to base <NUM> between a closed position (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) and an open position (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>) and a link <NUM> coupled to first cover <NUM> and second cover <NUM>. Link <NUM> may be configured to couple movement of first cover <NUM> and second cover <NUM> from the closed position to the open position (see <FIG> and 5A-5F); link <NUM> may be configured to decouple movement of first cover <NUM> and second cover <NUM> from the open position to the closed position (see <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>). One of first cover <NUM> and second cover <NUM> may be configured to remain in the open position as the other of first cover <NUM> and second cover <NUM> moves from the open position to the closed position (see <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>). Component <NUM> may comprise a spring <NUM> configured to (a) couple movement of first cover <NUM> and second cover <NUM> from the closed position to the open position; and (b) compress to enable first cover <NUM> and second cover <NUM> to move relative to one another. Link <NUM> may comprise a first arm <NUM> and a second arm <NUM>; first arm <NUM> may be configured to move relative to second arm <NUM> to enable one of first cover <NUM> and second cover <NUM> to remain in the open position as the other of first cover <NUM> and second cover <NUM> moves from the open position to the closed position (see <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>). One of first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> may comprise a depression 840d and the other of first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> may comprise a protrusion 830p; protrusion 830p may be configured to engage depression 840d to couple first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG>). Link <NUM> may comprise a spring <NUM>; spring <NUM> may be configured to compress to disengage protrusion 830p and depression 840d to enable first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> to move relative to one another (see <FIG>). Second arm <NUM> may comprise a female feature 840f; first arm <NUM> may comprise a male feature <NUM> configured to rotate within female feature 840f of second arm <NUM> (see <FIG>). First arm <NUM> may comprise a ball and socket joint comprising ball 830b and <NUM>. Second arm <NUM> may comprise a ball and socket joint comprising ball 840b and <NUM>. First arm <NUM> may comprise a bar <NUM> and a coupler <NUM>; second arm <NUM> may comprise a bar <NUM> and coupler <NUM> coupled to coupler <NUM> of first arm <NUM>. Base <NUM> may comprise a shaft <NUM>; link <NUM> may be configured to couple first cover <NUM> to shaft <NUM> and couple second cover <NUM> to shaft <NUM>.

According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, a vehicle interior component <NUM> may comprise a base <NUM> providing a compartment, a first cover <NUM> movable relative to base <NUM> between a closed position (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) and an open position (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>), a second cover <NUM> movable relative to base <NUM> between a closed position (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) and an open position (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>) and a link <NUM> coupled to first cover <NUM> and second cover <NUM>. Link <NUM> may be configured for a coupled state to couple movement of first cover <NUM> and second cover <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) and a decoupled state to de-couple movement of first cover <NUM> and second cover <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>). Link <NUM> may comprise a first arm <NUM> and a second arm <NUM>. First arm <NUM> may be coupled to second arm <NUM> to link movement of first cover <NUM> and second cover <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG>). First arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> may be configured to move relative to one another to de-couple movement of first cover <NUM> and second cover <NUM> (see <FIG>). One of first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> may comprise a depression 840d and the other of first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> may comprise a protrusion 830p; protrusion 830p may be configured to engage depression 840d to couple first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG>). Component <NUM> may comprise a spring <NUM>. When an external force is applied to move first cover <NUM> from the open position toward the closed position, spring <NUM> may be compressed to disengage protrusion 830p and depression 840d to enable first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> to move relative to one another (see <FIG>).

According to an exemplary embodiment as shown schematically in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, a vehicle interior component <NUM> may comprise a base <NUM> providing a compartment, a first cover <NUM> movable relative to base <NUM> between a closed position (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) and an open position (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>), a second cover <NUM> movable relative to base <NUM> between a closed position (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) and an open position (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>), a link <NUM> coupled to first cover <NUM> and second cover <NUM> and a shaft <NUM> coupled to base <NUM>. Link <NUM> may comprise a first arm <NUM> and a second arm <NUM>; first arm <NUM> may be coupled to base <NUM> at shaft <NUM> and second arm <NUM> may be coupled to base <NUM> at shaft <NUM> (see <FIG>). First arm <NUM> may be configured to rotate about shaft <NUM> as first cover <NUM> moves between the closed position of first cover <NUM> and the open position of first cover <NUM> and second arm <NUM> may be configured to rotate about shaft <NUM> as second cover <NUM> moves between the closed position of second cover <NUM> and the open position of second cover <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>). First arm <NUM> may be configured to rotate with second arm <NUM> about shaft <NUM> as first cover <NUM> moves from the closed position of first cover <NUM> to the open position of first cover <NUM> and second cover <NUM> moves from the closed position of second cover <NUM> to the open position of second cover <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>). One of first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> may be configured to rotate about shaft <NUM> and the other of first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> may be fixed to de-couple movement of first cover <NUM> and second cover <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>). One of first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> may comprise a depression 840d and the other of first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> may comprise a protrusion 830p; protrusion 830p may be configured to engage depression 840d to couple first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG>). When an external force is applied to move first cover <NUM> from the open position toward the closed position, first arm <NUM> may be configured to rotate relative to second arm <NUM> to disengage protrusion 830p and depression 840d to enable first arm <NUM> to move relative to second arm <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG>). Component <NUM> may comprise a spring <NUM>. Spring <NUM> may be configured to bias first arm <NUM> to engage second arm <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG>). Spring <NUM> may be configured to compress as one of first cover <NUM> and second cover <NUM> moves from the open position to the closed position (see <FIG>). Spring <NUM> may be configured to compress to decouple movement of first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> (see <FIG>). Spring <NUM> may be configured to couple movement of first arm <NUM> and second arm <NUM> as first cover <NUM> moves from the closed position of first cover <NUM> to the open position of first cover <NUM> and second cover <NUM> moves from the closed position of second cover <NUM> to the open position of second cover <NUM> (see <FIG>).

Claim 1:
A vehicle interior component (<NUM>; <NUM>/FC; FC) comprising:
(a) a base (B; <NUM>) providing a compartment;
(b) a first cover (C1/<NUM>; <NUM>) movable relative to the base (B; <NUM>) between a closed position and an open position;
(c) a second cover (C2/<NUM>; <NUM>) movable relative to the base (B; <NUM>) between a closed position and an open position; and
(d) a link coupled to the first cover (C1/<NUM>; <NUM>) and the second cover (C2/<NUM>; <NUM>);
wherein the link (<NUM>) is configured to couple movement of the first cover (C1/<NUM>; <NUM>) and the second cover (C2/<NUM>; <NUM>) from the closed position to the open position; and
wherein the link (<NUM>) is configured to decouple movement of the first cover (C1/<NUM>; <NUM>) and the second cover (C2/<NUM>; <NUM>) from the open position to the closed position,
wherein the link (<NUM>) comprises a first arm (<NUM>) and a second arm (<NUM>), and
wherein one of the first arm (<NUM>) and the second arm (<NUM>) comprises a depression (840d) and the other of the first arm (<NUM>) and the second arm (<NUM>) comprises a protrusion (830p); wherein the protrusion (830p) is configured to engage the depression (840d) to couple the first arm (<NUM>) and the second arm (<NUM>).