DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to a modular center console assembly for a vehicle.

PRIOR ART OF THE INVENTION:
The Automotive Vehicles have become an important integral part of the modern life. The Vehicle is required to provide an interior arrangement to adapt a comfortable seating arrangement and having a center console arrangement equipped with storage compartments or cavities compatible with the driver and passenger’s storage or utility requirement in a convenient way.
The center console which is sandwiched between the front seats should be convenient for use as an armrest, table, cup holder, mobile or other utility holders. It is well known to provide a conditioned air to the passengers located in the rear seats in a vehicle by providing an air distribution vent to a center console being located between the front seats and front seat backs. The modular center console assembly also comprises an accommodation space for mounting gear shift modules, accommodation boxes, arm rests, cup holders, cooling compartment, parking brakes etc.
In the vehicle manufacturing industry, the air ducts and other structural part of the console assembly are usually designed at separate construction departments to mount packing of said air ducts and structural part together with the gear shift modules, parking brake lever, arms rests, accommodation space boxes and cup holders. The structural parts such as soft arm rest, hard arm rest also helps the driver or passengers by mitigating the forces applied onto the center console, arm rest forces and forces applied while handling the gear shift modules, operating the parking levers and while using the different cup holders, boxes and the storage arrangements provided in the center console.
It has been observed that the compartment or packaging formed in the center console is designed on the basis of the configuration of the vehicle to incorporate different specifications of manual transmission, automatic transmission, manual parking brake, electronic parking brake, cruise control, and the like, based on the particular specification of the vehicle. Accordingly, the center console is separately designed for each specification of the vehicles specified generally as Manual Transmission type vehicle or an Automatic transmission type vehicle. Accordingly, the manufacturing and assembly of the center console is carried out separately for each vehicle. Furthermore, to add a new compartment or console the time and the manufacturing cost also increases. Though the chassis, frame, design of the vehicle is same, however, the modular center console assembly configuration is different which increases the manufacturing costs and further requires more time and maneuver of the technicians during fitting of the console.
Furthermore, it has also been observed that the existing assemblies of the center console require numerous parts for assembling the unit which consequently increases the complexities and the manufacturing costs. Further, the existing center console assemblies due to their structural limitations are unable to adapt new compartment or packaging as required by the user driver of the vehicle.
Traditionally, vehicles with a gear stick have placed this control where the two areas of console and tunnel merge, or at the rear-most end of the console in front-wheel-drive vehicles without transmission tunnels. In some modern vehicles, the gear stick is mounted in the front, more vertical part of the center console to be within better reach of the driver without requiring a long stalk mounted on the steering column. Therefore, as per requirement, a design of the console assembly varies for different vehicle which is time consuming and associates design cost and other expenses. Further, the conventional design of the console assembly includes limited parts which limits variations and modifications in the console assembly as per requirement.
Thus, there is a need of an improved design of the console assembly to overcome at least one of the abovementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
According to the present invention, an modular center console assembly for a vehicle is provided. The modular center console assembly includes a carrier having a top wall. The top wall having a top cavity. The modular center console assembly also includes a top finisher disposed on the top wall of the carrier. The top finisher having one or more top slots to accommodate one or more first components of the vehicle on the carrier. The modular center console assembly further includes a rear cover disposed on a rear wall of the carrier. The modular center console assembly includes a pair of side covers disposed on a pair of side wall of the carrier. The modular center console assembly also includes an armrest assembly disposed proximate to the top finisher. The carrier provides modularity of the first component and the arm rest assembly within the modular center console assembly.
According to the present invention, the top wall includes a front edge, a rear edge, and a pair of side edges. The front edge is integral to a dashboard of the vehicle. A rear wall extends from the rear edge, the rear wall having a rear cavity. A pair of side walls each extends from the corresponding side edge of the top wall.
According to the present invention, the transmission knob includes at least one of a manual transmission knob and an automatic transmission knob.
According to the present invention, the parking brake actuator includes at least one of a manual parking brake lever and an electronic parking brake switch.
According to the present invention, the rear cover includes one or more rear slots to accommodate one or more second components of the vehicle on the carrier.
According to the present invention, the second components include a plurality of air vents, a plurality of sockets, and at least one mobile holder.
According to the present invention, the arm rest includes at least one of a soft arm rest and a hard arm rest.
According to the present invention, the arm rest includes at least one of a slidable arm rest and a non-slidable arm rest.
According to the present invention, the armrest assembly includes at least one of a cooling bin and a non-cooling bin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an modular center console assembly for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the modular center console assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a carrier of the modular center console assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4A illustrates a side view of a slidable arm rest associated with the modular center console assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4B illustrates a side view of a non-slidable arm rest associated with the modular center console assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of a cooling bin, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective view of a non-cooling bin, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of the modular center console assembly, according to first embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective view of the modular center console assembly, according to second embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 6C illustrates a perspective view of the modular center console assembly, according to third embodiment of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 6D illustrates a perspective view of the modular center console assembly, according to fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts. Wherever possible, corresponding, or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
FIG. 1 illustrates a modular center console assembly (100) for a vehicle (not shown). The modular center console assembly (100) refers to one or more control-bearing surfaces in a center of a front of a vehicle interior. The term is applied to an area beginning in a dashboard (not shown) and continuing beneath it, and often merging with a transmission tunnel (not shown) which runs between front driver's and passenger's seats of the vehicles. The modular center console assembly (100) is sandwiched between the front seats (not shown).
Referring to FIG. 2, the modular center console assembly (100) includes a carrier (102) having a top wall (104). The top wall (104) includes a front edge (106), a rear edge (108), and a pair of side edges (110). The top wall (104) having a top cavity (112). More particularly, the front edge (106), the rear edge (108), and the pair of side edges (110) define the top cavity (112) of the top wall (104). The front edge (106) is integral to the dashboard of the vehicle. A rear wall (114) extends from the rear edge (108). The rear wall (114) having a rear cavity (116). A pair of side walls (118) each extends from the corresponding side edge (110) of the top wall (104). In an embodiment, the carrier (102) defines a rectangular box shape structure (as shown in FIG. 3). In another embodiment, the carrier (102) may define any shape, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure.
The modular center console assembly (100) also includes a top finisher (120) disposed on the top wall (104) of the carrier (102). The top finisher (120) having one or more top slots (121) to accommodate one or more first components (122, 124, 126, 128, 130) of the vehicle on the carrier (102). The first components (122, 124, 126, 128, 130) include at least one of a transmission knob (122, 124), a cruise control switch (126), and a parking brake actuator (128, 130). The transmission knob (122, 124) includes at least one of a manual transmission knob (122) (as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B) and an automatic transmission knob (124) (as shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D). The modular modular center console assembly (100) provides a structural assembly which has universal application and is adaptable to be fitted in different type of vehicle accommodating the different configurations of the transmission i.e. manual transmission vehicle and automatic transmission vehicle. The structure of present assembly is adaptable to accommodate different configuration of manual transmission console or packaging and automatic transmission in a single unit.
The parking brake actuator (128, 130) includes at least one of a manual parking brake lever (128) (as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6C) and an electronic parking brake switch (130) (as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6D). Further, the top finisher (120) includes a common mounting arrangement (not shown) for mounting the top finisher (120) to the carrier (102). The top finisher (120) of the modular center console assembly (100) further includes compartments for mounting a coin holder, cup holder, parking brake boot, boot ring, shifter bezel, and like, which are assembled by means of screws, rib locks, snaps, and the like.
The modular center console assembly (100) further includes a rear cover (132) disposed on the rear wall (114) of the carrier (102). The rear cover (132) includes one or more rear slots to accommodate one or more second components (134, 136, 138) of the vehicle on the carrier (102). The second components (134, 136, 138) include a plurality of air vents (134), a plurality of sockets (136), and at least one mobile holder (138).
The modular center console assembly (100) includes a pair of side covers (140) disposed on the pair of side wall (118) of the carrier (102). The side cover (140) may be identical or non-identical based on application requirement. The modular center console assembly (100) may include brackets, rear ducts, gap hider, applique, and the like, which is assemble to carrier (102) by means of screws, rib lock, and the like.
The modular center console assembly (100) also includes an arm rest assembly (142, 144, 146, 148) disposed proximate to the top finisher (120). The arm rest assembly (142, 144, 146, 148) includes at least one of a soft arm rest (142) and a hard arm rest (144). The arm rest assembly (142, 144, 146, 148) includes at least one of a slidable arm rest (146) (as shown in FIG. 4A) and a non-slidable arm rest (148) (as shown in FIG. 4B). It has also been designed in such a way that no different design is required while packaging of the soft arm rest (142) and hard arm rest (144), arm rest with friction hinge and without friction hinge, slidable arm rest (146) and non-slidable arm rest (148). The arm rest assembly (142, 144, 146, 148) includes at least one of a cooling bin (150) (as shown in FIG. 5A) and a non-cooling bin (152) (as shown in FIG. 5B). Further, the cooling bin (150) includes a chiller knob (154) to adjust air flow therein. The non-cooling bin (152) includes a plastic cap (156) which restricts air flow inside the non-cooling bin (152).
The modular center console assembly (100) further includes a first console duct (158) disposed proximate the front edge (106) of the carrier (102) and a second console duct (160) disposed proximate the rear edge (108) of the carrier (102). A rear end of the first console duct (158) and a front end of the second console duct (160) are removably coupled to each other. The console duct (158, 160) extends throughout a length of the modular center console assembly (100). A conditioned air is passes through the console duct (158, 160).
In accordance with the present invention, the modular center console assembly (100) includes at least one air vent (134) to rear seat row and a structural part for mounting the gear shift modules. The console duct (158, 160) may be integrated in the geometry of the structural part of the transmission. The assembly may include further cavity or compartment or console extending along the longitudinal axis of the modular center console assembly (100). In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention one, two, three, four or more tubular air ducts may be adapted inside the modular center console assembly (100).
FIG. 6A illustrates first embodiment of the modular center console assembly (100). The modular center console assembly (100) includes the manual transmission knob (122) and the manual parking brake lever (128). The modular center console assembly (100) also includes the hard arm rest (144) and the single cup holder. The modular center console assembly (100) further includes the air vent (134) disposed on the rear cover (132).
FIG. 6B illustrates second embodiment of the modular center console assembly (100). The modular center console assembly (100) includes the manual transmission knob (122) and the electronic parking brake switch (130). The modular center console assembly (100) also includes the hard arm rest (144) and the double cup holder. The modular center console assembly (100) further includes the air vent (134) disposed on the rear cover (132).
FIG. 6C illustrates third embodiment of the modular center console assembly (100). The modular center console assembly (100) includes the automatic transmission knob (124) and the manual parking brake lever (128). The modular center console assembly (100) also includes the soft arm rest (142) and the single cup holder. The modular center console assembly (100) further includes the air vent (134) disposed on the rear cover (132).
FIG. 6D illustrates fourth embodiment of the modular center console assembly (100). The modular center console assembly (100) includes the automatic transmission knob (124) and the electronic parking brake switch (130). The modular center console assembly (100) also includes the soft arm rest (142) and the double cup holder. The modular center console assembly (100) further includes the air vent (134) disposed on the rear cover (132).
The present invention provides the modular center console assembly (100) in which variations and modifications are possible. The carrier (102) provides modularity of the first component (122, 124, 126, 128, 130) and the arm rest assembly (142, 144, 146, 148) within the modular center console assembly (100). More particularly, the carrier (102) allows permutation and combination of the first components (122, 124, 126, 128, 130), the second components (134, 136, 138), and the arm rest assembly (142, 144, 146, 148) as per requirement. The carrier (102) allows modularity of the transmission knob (122, 124), the cruise control switch (126), the parking brake actuator (128, 130), the air vents (134), the sockets (136), the mobile holder (138), the soft arm rest (142), the hard arm rest (144), the slidable arm rest (146), the non-slidable arm rest (148), the cooling bin (150), the non-cooling bin (152), and the like. Further, the modular center console assembly (100) is designed in such a way that same design can be used for different models of the vehicle, thus, eliminating time and cost associated with design. Furthermore, the carrier (102) of the modular center console assembly (100) can be used for different types of vehicles with no to minimum changes in the design aspect of the modular center console assembly (100). The modular center console assembly (100) is modular in construction and is of universal application. Moreover, the modular center console assembly (100) provides a modularity during servicing of the vehicle.
In accordance with the present invention, the modular center console assembly (100) provides good ergonomic factor for adapting the arm rest assembly (142, 144, 146, 148) which can be of fixed type of sliding type enhancing the user comfort. The modular assembly increases the space for mounting the storage console or compartments into the assembly.
In accordance with the present invention, the modular center console assembly (100) requires lesser components while assembling the center console which reduces the manufacturing costs and time.
In accordance with the present invention, the modular center console assembly (100) is adaptable to receive one or more additional console or compartment without changing the size of the assembly. With a common form factor, the modular center console assembly (100) is configurable as different modules with different functionality which may be inserted as per the different models of the same vehicle and no separate manufacturing is required thereof.
While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems, and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.
,CLAIMS:
1. A modular center console assembly (100) for a vehicle, the modular center console assembly (100) comprising:
a carrier (102) having a top wall (104), the top wall (104) having a top cavity (112);
a top finisher (120) disposed on the top wall (104) of the carrier (102), the top finisher (120) having one or more top slots (121) to accommodate one or more first component (122, 124, 126, 128, 130) of the vehicle on the carrier (102);
a rear cover (132) disposed on a rear wall (114) of the carrier (102);
a pair of side covers (140) disposed on a pair of side wall (118) of the carrier (102); and
an arm rest assembly (142, 144, 146, 148) disposed proximate to the top finisher (120),
the carrier (102) provides modularity of the first component (122, 124, 126, 128, 130) and the arm rest assembly (142, 144, 146, 148) within the modular center console assembly (100).

2. The modular center console assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top wall (104) comprises:
a front edge (106) integral to a dashboard of the vehicle;
a rear edge (108), a rear wall (114) extends from the rear edge (108), the rear wall (114) having a rear cavity (116); and
a pair of side edges (110), a pair of side walls (118) each extends from the corresponding side edge (110) of the top wall (104).

3. The modular center console assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first component (122, 124, 126, 128, 130) include at least one of a transmission knob (122, 124), a cruise control switch (126), and a parking brake actuator (128, 130).

4. The modular center console assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the transmission knob (122, 124) includes at least one of a manual transmission knob (122) and an automatic transmission knob (124).

5. The modular center console assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the parking brake actuator (128, 130) includes at least one of a manual parking brake lever (128) and an electronic parking brake switch (130).

6. The modular center console assembly (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the rear cover (132) includes one or more rear slots to accommodate one or more second component (134, 136, 138) of the vehicle on the carrier (102).

7. The modular center console assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second component (134, 136, 138) include a plurality of air vents (134), a plurality of sockets (136), and at least one mobile holder (138).

8. The modular center console assembly (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the arm rest assembly (142, 144, 146, 148) includes at least one of a soft arm rest (142) and a hard arm rest (144).

9. The modular center console assembly (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the arm rest assembly (142, 144, 146, 148) includes at least one of a slidable arm rest (146) and a non-slidable arm rest (148).

10. The modular center console assembly (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the arm rest assembly (142, 144, 146, 148) includes at least one of a cooling bin (150) and a non-cooling bin (152).