Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to vehicle center console assembly, and more particularly, relates to a sliding console assembly having HVAC vents and a flexible/sliding HVAC duct arrangement to provide better comfort/air flow for passengers of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[002] An automotive center console area starts from a dashboard of a vehicle and continues underneath it and is generally merged with a transmission tunnel which runs between a driver’s and co-driver’s seat. The automotive central console can accommodate various features, such as electronic gadgets, control units, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) vents and can also act as a storage compartment. In general, OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) provide fixed center console by compromising on space and ergonomics. Thus, there exists a space constraint in the second-row walk through space and a second-row middle passenger leg room.
[003] In some benchmark vehicles, a sliding console is provided to achieve the walk-through space in the second row and provide better ergonomics. However, in such vehicles the comfort of second row passengers is compromised by providing HVAC vents on B-pillar or roof which does not provide sufficient comfort/air flow to the second-row passengers. Thus, there exists a need for a center console with better comfort, space and ergonomics.
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for sliding console having HVAC vents and the flexible/sliding HVAC duct arrangement to provide better comfort/air flow to the passengers of the vehicle and which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of an embodiment herein is to provide a sliding console having HVAC vents and a flexible/sliding HVAC duct arrangement to provide better comfort/air flow for passengers of a vehicle.
[006] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide the sliding console having the sliding duct arrangement in which a flexible rectangular/ circular section bellow duct emerges from the HVAC unit mounted on instrument panel and extends until a rear side of the sliding console.
[007] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide the sliding console in which the flexible duct moves/shifts whereby the flexible duct expands or retracts corresponding to a forward or a backward movement of the sliding console.
[008] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide the sliding console which provides better comfort, cabin space and ergonomics to second row passengers of the vehicle.
[009] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide the sliding console with the HVAC vents and sliding duct arrangement, which is simple in construction and inexpensive.
[0010] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0012] Fig.1 depicts a perspective view showing a center console assembly mounted between a driver’s and a co-driver’s seat on a vehicle, according to a first embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0013] Fig.2 depicts an isometric view of a sliding console assembly, according to the first embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0014] Fig.3 depicts an exploded view of the sliding console assembly, according to the first embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0015] Fig.4 depicts a bottom view of the sliding console assembly in a forward position, according to the first embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0016] Fig. 5 depicts a sectional view of the sliding console assembly in forward position, taken along sectional line A-A on fig. 4, according to the first embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0017] Fig. 6 depicts a bottom view of the sliding console assembly in a backward position, according to the first embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0018] Fig. 7 depicts a sectional view of the sliding console assembly in backward position, taken along sectional line B-B in fig. 6, according to the first embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0019] Fig. 8 depicts a representation of the sliding console assembly in forward position, according to a second embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0020] Fig. 9 depicts a representation of the sliding console assembly in backward position of sliding duct, according to the second embodiment as disclosed herein; and
[0021] Fig. 10 depicts an enlarged view of the sliding duct assembly, according to the second embodiment as disclosed herein.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION
[0022] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0023] The embodiments herein achieve a sliding console having HVAC vents and a flexible/sliding HVAC duct arrangement to provide better comfort/air flow for passengers of a vehicle. Further, the embodiments herein achieve the sliding console having the sliding duct arrangement in which a flexible rectangular/ circular section bellow duct emerges from the HVAC unit mounted on instrument panel and extends until a rear side of the sliding console. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve the sliding console in which the flexible duct moves/shifts whereby the flexible duct expands or retracts corresponding to a forward or a backward movement of the sliding console. Additionally, the embodiments herein achieve the sliding console which provides better comfort, cabin space and ergonomics to second row passengers of the vehicle. Moreover, the embodiments herein achieve the sliding console with the HVAC vents and sliding duct arrangement, which is simple in construction and inexpensive. Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to Fig. 1 through Fig. 10, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0024] Fig.1 depicts a perspective view showing a center console assembly mounted between a driver’s and a co-driver’s seat on a vehicle, according to a first embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the sliding console assembly 100 includes a main body 102, at least one first opening/cutout 104 and a second opening/cutout 106, a flexible duct 108, a sliding mechanism 110, a lower LH (left hand side) rail assembly 110a, a lower RH (right hand side) rail assembly 110b, an upper LH rail assembly 112a, an upper RH rail assembly 112b, a lever slot mechanism 114, a flap 116 and a cable 118.
[0025] The sliding console assembly 100 includes the main body 102 which extends from a front end of passenger cabin to a middle row of the cabin. Further, the sliding console assembly 100 is located in between driver and co-driver seats. The main body 102 has a front end 102f and a rear end 102r and defines an interior space 102i. The interior space 102i is defined along entire length of the main body 102 as shown in Fig. 2.
[0026] Fig.3 depicts an exploded view of the sliding console assembly, according to the first embodiment as disclosed herein. The sliding console assembly 100 includes the first opening/cutout 104 which is defined towards the front end 102f of the main body 102. The first opening 104 provides an opening so that the flexible duct 108 is connected to a HVAC unit of the vehicle. Further, the main body 102 includes a second opening/cutout 106 which is formed towards rear end 102r of the main body 102. The second opening 106 is formed such that a HVAC vent 106v may be assembled to the second opening 106. In an embodiment, the sliding console assembly 100 may include plurality of second opening 106. The HVAC vent 106v may include at least one grill member as shown in Fig. 3 which allows air flow to a second row of passenger cabin.
[0027] Fig.4 depicts a bottom view of the sliding console assembly in a forward position, according to the first embodiment as disclosed herein. The sliding console assembly 100 includes the sliding mechanism 110 which is provided between the main body and the BIW (body in white) of the vehicle. The sliding mechanism 110 is provided such that main body 102 slides in a forward position and a backward position relative to the BIW of the vehicle. The sliding mechanism 110 includes the lower LH rail assembly 110a and the lower RH rail assembly 110b mounted on the BIW of said vehicle. Further, the sliding mechanism 110 includes the upper LH rail assembly 112a and the upper RH rail assembly 112b slidably engaged with the lower LH rail assembly 110a and the lower RH rail assembly 110b. Furthermore, the sliding mechanism 110 includes the lever slot mechanism 114. In an embodiment, the lever slot mechanism 114 is provided such that a lever (not shown) is connected to one of the upper LH rail assembly 112a or upper RH rail assembly 112b. The lever of the lever slot mechanism 114 is configured to engage with one of a plurality of holes defined in a metal strip connected to one of the lower LH rail assembly 110a or the lower RH rail assembly 110b as shown in Figs 3 and 5. The main body is connected to the upper LH rail assembly 112a and the upper RH rail assembly 112b using plurality of fasteners. Further, the lower LH rail assembly 110a and the lower RH rail assembly 110b are mounted on the BIW of the vehicle using plurality of fasteners. In an embodiment, the fastener is at least a bolt and nut assembly.
[0028] Fig. 6 depicts a bottom view of the sliding console assembly in a backward position, according to the first embodiment as disclosed herein and Fig. 7 depicts a sectional view of the sliding console assembly in backward position, taken along sectional line B-B on fig. 6, according to the first embodiment as disclosed herein. The sliding console assembly 100 further includes the flexible duct 108 which is disposed between the first opening 104 and the second opening 106 of the main body 102. The flexible duct 108 is disposed within the interior space 102i of the main body 102. In first embodiment, the flexible duct 108 is configured to one of expand and retract, when the main body 102 is shifted to the backward position and the forward position, respectively. The flexible duct 108 is connected between the HVAC unit of the vehicle towards the front end 102f and the HVAC vent 106v towards the rear end 102r of the main body 102. In an embodiment, the flexible duct 108 includes a first tubular section 108f connected to the front end 102f, a second bellow section (or a mid-section) 108b, and a third tubular section 108t connected to the HVAC vent 106v. The bellow section 108b is configured to expand or retract corresponding to the forward and backward movement of the main body 102.
[0029] Fig. 8 depicts a representation of the sliding console assembly in forward position, according to a second embodiment as disclosed herein and Fig. 9 depicts a representation of the sliding console assembly in backward position of sliding duct, according to the second embodiment as disclosed herein. In an alternate (second) embodiment, the sliding console assembly 100 includes a telescopic duct arrangement 122 disposed between the first opening 104 and the second opening 106 as shown in Fig. 8. The telescopic duct arrangement 122 is disposed within the interior space 102i of the main body 102. The telescopic duct arrangement 122 includes a second duct 126 which slides over a first duct 124, when the main body 102 is moved between the backward position and the forward position, respectively. Further, the first duct 124 has a larger diameter than the second duct 126. The first duct 124 is connected to the HVAC vent 106v at one end and connected to the second duct 126 at the other end, while the second duct 126 is connected to the HVAC unit of the vehicle at one end. The first duct 124 includes a plurality of convex profiles for locking the second duct 126. The second duct 126 includes a concave profile at one end and a ball pin mechanism disposed within the concave profile as shown in Fig. 10. The ball pin mechanism includes a spherical ball 128 and cylindrical spring 130 which is configured to push the spherical ball 128 towards the first duct 124. Further, the telescopic duct arrangement 122 includes O-ring 132 which is disposed within the second duct 126. The O-ring forms a leak-proof sealing between the first duct 124 and the second duct 126.
[0030] Further, the sliding console assembly 100 includes a flap mechanism which is provided towards the front end 102f of the main body 102. The flap mechanism includes a flap 116 and a cable 118 connecting the flap 116 with the lever slot mechanism 114. The flap 116 is operated manually by an operator of the vehicle to shift the sliding console assembly 100 to a desired position. Further, the cable 118 engaged with the lever slot mechanism 114 is pulled when the flap 116 is operated such that the lever engaged in one of the plurality of holes is disengaged from the corresponding hole, thereby providing free movement to the main body 102.
[0031] The technical advantages provided by the embodiments herein includes providing, comfort and ergonomics, easy movement of console, easy to manufacture and assemble and inexpensive.
[0032] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
, C , Claims:1. A sliding console assembly 100 for a vehicle, comprising:
a main body 102, said main body 102 having a front end 102f and a rear end 102r and defines an interior space 102i;
at least one first opening/cutout 104 and a second opening/cutout 106 defined towards said front end 102f and said rear end 102r of said main body 102, respectively;
a flexible duct 108 disposed between said first opening 104 and said second opening 106, said flexible duct 108 disposed within said interior space 102i of said main body 102; and
a sliding mechanism 110 connecting said main body 102 to a BIW (body in white) of said vehicle
wherein:
said sliding mechanism 110 is configured to provide a forward and a backward movement to said main body 102 relative to said BIW of said vehicle; and
said flexible duct 108 is configured to one of expand and retract, when said main body 102 is shifted to a backward position and a forward position, respectively.
2. The sliding console assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one HVAC vent 106v is assembled to said second opening 106.
3. The sliding console assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible duct 108 is connected between a HVAC unit of said vehicle towards said front end 102f and said HVAC vent 106v towards said rear end 102r of said main body 102.
4. The sliding console assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible duct 108 includes a first tubular section 108f connected to said front end 102f, a second bellow section 108b, and a third tubular section 108t connected to said HVAC vent 106v, said bellow section 108b is configured to expand or retract corresponding to said forward and backward movement of said main body 102.
5. The sliding console assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sliding mechanism includes:
a lower LH (left hand side) rail assembly 110a and a lower RH (right hand side) rail assembly 110b mounted on said BIW of said vehicle;
an upper LH rail assembly 112a and an upper RH rail assembly 112b slidably engaged with said lower LH rail assembly 110a and said lower RH rail assembly 110b; and
a lever slot mechanism 114 connected to one of said lower LH rail assembly 110a and said lower RH rail assembly 110b.
6. The sliding console assembly 100 as claimed in claim 5, wherein said main body is connected to said upper LH rail assembly 112a and said upper RH rail assembly 112b using plurality of fasteners, said lower LH rail assembly 110a and said lower RH rail assembly 110b is mounted on said BIW of said vehicle using plurality of fasteners, said fastener is at least a bolt and nut assembly.
7. The sliding console assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sliding console assembly 100 includes a flap mechanism which is provided towards said front end 102f of said main body 102, said flap mechanism includes a flap 116 and a cable 118 connecting said flap 116 with said lever slot mechanism 114.
8. The sliding console assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible duct 108 is at least a telescopic duct arrangement 122 disposed between said first opening 104 and said second opening 106, said telescopic duct arrangement 122 disposed within said interior space 102i of said main body 102, wherein said telescopic duct arrangement 122 includes a second duct 126 which slides over a first duct 124, when said main body 102 is moved between a backward position and a forward position, respectively.
9. The sliding console assembly 100 as claimed in claim 8, wherein said telescopic duct arrangement 122 includes:
said first duct 124 having a larger diameter than said second duct 126; and
said first duct 124 is connected to a HVAC vent 106v at one end and connected to said second duct 126 at the other end, said second duct 126 is connected to said HVAC unit of said vehicle.
10. The sliding console assembly 100 as claimed in claim 9, wherein said telescopic duct arrangement 122 includes:
said first duct 124 having a plurality of convex profiles for locking said second duct 126;
said second duct 126 having a concave profile at one end and a ball pin mechanism disposed within said concave profile; said ball pin mechanism includes a spherical ball 128 and cylindrical spring 130 which is configured to push said spherical ball 128 towards said first duct 124; and
a O-ring 132 disposed within said second duct 126, said O-ring forms a leak-proof sealing between said first duct 124 and said second duct 126.