Claims:We Claim:
1. A storage console 200 for a vehicle interior 500, the storage console 200 is arranged slidably between a first position 10 and a second position 20, in the first position 10 the storage console 200 is away from an interior trim part 540 of the vehicle interior,
wherein the vehicle interior 500 comprises a lifting mechanism 100 for lifting the storage console 200 from the second position 20 to a third position 30,
wherein in the third position 30 the storage console 200 integrates with the interior trim part 540 of the vehicle interior 500.

2. The storage console 200 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lifting arrangement 100 includes a motor (80a, 80b, 80c, 80d), a rotating shaft (50a, 50b, 50c, 50d) and a plate member 70a and 70b, wherein upon actuation of the motor (80a, 80b, 80c, 80d) the rotating shaft (50a, 50b, 50c, 50d) rotates in clockwise (or anti-clockwise) direction for moving the plate member 70a and 70b upwards or downwards on the rotating shaft50a, 50b, 50c, 50d.

3. The storage console 200 as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein a slit (60a, 60b) is / are configured on the storage console 200 for engaging the storage console 200 with the plate member (70a and 70b) of the lifting mechanism 100 in the second position 20 of the storage console 200 for moving the storage console 200 from the second position 20 to the third position 30 upon the actuation of the motor (80a, 80b, 80c, 80d).
4. The storage console 200 as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first lid 122 is configured on the top surface of the storage console 200 for providing access to a storage space 126 when the storage console 200 is in the first position 10 and a second lid (124) is configured on the front surface of the storage console 200 for providing access to a storage space 126 when the storage console 200 is in the third position 30.

5. The storage console 200 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lifting arrangement 100 is an L-shaped telescopic member operated by a hydraulic system or a pneumatic system.

6. The storage console 200 as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3 and 5, wherein in the second position 20, the slits (60a, 60b) of the storage console 200 engage with the L-shape telescopic member for moving the storage console 200 from the second position 20 to the third position 30.

7. The storage console 200 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interior trim part 540 is an instrument panel of the vehicle interior 500.

8. The storage console 200 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage console 200 is expandable longitudinally for adjusting the length of the storage console 200 such that when the storage console 200 is in the first position 10, the storage console 200 can be used in the extended configuration and when the storage console 200 is in the third position 30, the storage console 200 is in retracted configuration to integrate the storage console 200 with the interior trim part 540 of the vehicle interior 500.

9. The storage console 200 as claimed in claim 1, wherein a track or a rail 210 is arranged on the floor 520 for moving the storage console 200 in between the first position 10 and second position 20.

10. The storage console 200 as claimed in claims 1 and 9, wherein the track or the rail 210 is having an electromagnet surface 140 and a lower surface of the storage console 200 is having a permanent magnet, upon supplying electric voltage to the electromagnet surface 140, the storage console 200 disengages from electromagnet surface 140 thereby from the track or the rail 210 for moving the storage console 200 from the second position 20 to the third position 30.
, Description:Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a storage console for a vehicle interior. More specifically, the present invention relates to a storage console for an electric vehicle or an autonomous vehicle.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Generally, the consoles are configured between the front rows seats of a vehicle interior and in some cars the console is configure on the side of driver seat i.e. in place of co-driver passenger seat. As the existing consoles are fixed, therefore these consoles are not accessible to the rear row passengers for storing their articles. Further, the glove box is configured on a dashboard, which is not accessible to the rear row passengers for storing the articles.

[0003] Further, there are consoles configured on a floor of the vehicle, which is movable between the front row and the rear row seats of the vehicle. These consoles occupy space even if they are not used.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a storage console, which can overcome few or all the drawbacks of the existing prior art.

Objects of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a storage console for a vehicle interior.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage console for a vehicle interior, which can be moved on a floor of the vehicle and it can be stowed in the instrument panel to increase the space in the vehicle interior.

[0007] Further object of the present invention is to provide a storage console for a vehicle interior, which is cost effective.

[0008] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a storage console for a vehicle interior, which is easy to manufacture and simple in construction.

[0009] One more object of the present invention is to provide a storage console for a vehicle interior, which is robust in construction.

Summary of the invention

[0010] According to the present invention, there is provided a storage console for a vehicle interior. The storage console is arranged slidable between a first position and a second position, in the first position the storage console is away from an interior trim part of the vehicle interior. Also, the vehicle interior comprises a lifting mechanism for lifting the storage console from the second position to a third position and back to the second position and in the third position the storage console integrates with the interior trim part of the vehicle interior. In an embodiment, a track or a rail is arranged on the floor for moving the storage console in between the first position and second position.

[0011] In an embodiment, the lifting arrangement includes a motor, a rotating shaft and a plate member. Upon actuation of the motor, the rotating shaft rotates in clockwise (or anti-clockwise) direction for moving the plate member upwards (or downwards) on the rotating shaft.

[0012] In an embodiment, a slit is configured on the storage console for engaging the storage console with the plate member of the lifting mechanism in the second position of the storage console for moving the storage console from the second position to the third position upon the actuation of the motor.

[0013] In an alternative embodiment, the lifting arrangement is an L-shaped telescopic member operated by a hydraulic system or a pneumatic system. In the second position, the slits of the storage console engage with the L-shaped telescopic member for moving the storage console from the second position to the third position upon the actuation of the motor.

[0014] Further in an embodiment, a first lid is configured on the top surface of the storage console for providing access to a storage space when the storage console is in the first position. A second lid is configured on the front surface of the storage console for providing access to a storage space when the storage console is in the third position.

[0015] Furthermore, the interior trim part is an instrument panel of the vehicle interior. The storage console is expandable longitudinally for adjusting the length of the storage console such that when the storage console is in the first position, the storage console can be used in extended configuration for storing more articles. When the storage console is in the third position, the storage console is in retracted configuration to integrate the storage console with the interior trim part of the vehicle interior.

[0016] Moreover, the track or the rail is having an electromagnet surface and a lower surface of the storage console is having a permanent magnet. Upon supplying electric voltage to the electromagnet surface, the storage console disengages from the track for moving the storage console from the second position to the third position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] The advantages and features of the present invention will be understood better with reference to the following detailed description of some embodiments of the impact energy absorber and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

[0018] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a vehicle with a storage console arranged in a vehicle interior at various positions;

[0019] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the vehicle interior with the storage console in a first position;

[0020] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the vehicle interior with the storage console in a third position;

[0021] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the storage console in an expanded configuration;

[0022] Figure 5a shows a perspective view of a sliding arrangement of the storage console;

[0023] Figure 5b shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the sliding arrangement of the storage console;

[0024] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a lifting mechanism;

[0025] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the lifting mechanism with the storage console;

[0026] Figure 8 shows a perspective view the storage console with two lids in open condition;

[0027] Figure 9 shows another perspective view of the lifting mechanism with the storage console;

[0028] Figure 10 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the storage console in first position; and

[0029] Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the storage console of the figure 10 integrated in the interior trim part.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0030] An embodiment of this invention, illustrating its features, will now be described in detail. The words "comprising, "having, "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.
[0031] The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “an” and “a” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0032] Referring to figures 1, 2, and 3 various positions of a storage console 200 for a vehicle interior 500 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. In the present embodiment, the storage console 200 is slidably arranged on a floor 520 of the vehicle interior 500 between a first position 10 and a second position 20 as shown in figure 1. In the first position 10 as shown in figures 1 and 2, the storage console 200 is on the floor 520 and away from the interior trim part 540. In the second position 20 as shown in figures 1 and 9, the storage console 200 is below the interior trim part 540. In the present embodiment, the interior trim part 540 is an instrument panel of the vehicle interior 500.

[0033] Specifically, in the present embodiment, the first position 10 of the storage console 200 can be between the front row seats 400a and 400b or between the rear row seats 400c and 400d or is configured on the side of driver seat i.e. in place of co-driver passenger seat. For sliding the storage console 200 between the first position 10 and the second position 20 a track or rail 210 is used, thereby sliding the storage console 200 and making it accessible to the passengers seating on the front row seat 400a and 400bor the second-row seat 400c and 400d. The track or rail 210 is arranged longitudinally on a floor 520 of the vehicle interior 500 between a left row seats 400b and 400cand a right row seats 400a and 400d and the storage console 200 slides on the track or rail 210 as shown in figures 2, 3, 5a and 5b. It may be obvious to a person skilled in the art to arrange the track or the rail 210 in another position or orientation.

[0034] Further, the storage console 200 is having a lid configured on either a top portion (not numbered) or/ and a front portion (not numbered) thereof for providing access to a storage space 126 therein as shown in figure 8. In the present embodiment, the storage console 200 is having two lids, a first lid 122 configured on the top portion of the storage console 200and a second lid 124 configured on the front portion of the storage console 200 facing toward the vehicle interior 500 as shown in figure 8. When the storage console 200 is in the first position 10 or second position 20, a storage space 126 (as shown in figure 8) of the storage console 200 can be accessed by operating the first lid 122 configured on the top portion of the storage console 200 for storing or removing the articles therefrom. When the storage console 200 is in the third position 30, the storage space 126 may be accessible by operating the second lid 124 configured on the front side of storage console 200 or the first lid 122 configured on the top portion.

[0035] In another embodiment as shown in figure 4, the storage console 200 is expandable longitudinally along X- Axis of the vehicle for creating more storage space 126 therein. When the storage console 200 is in the first position 10, the storage console 200 can be used in the extended configuration. When the storage console 200 is in third position 30, the storage console 200 is in retracted configuration to integrate the storage console 200 with the interior trim part 540 of the vehicle interior 500.

[0036] Again referring to figures 6, 7 and 9, and in accordance with the present invention, various views a lifting mechanism 100 are shown. In the present embodiment, the lifting mechanism 100 is arranged beneath the interior trim part 540 for lifting the storage console 200 from the second position 20 to a third position 30 and back to the second position 20 as shown in figure 9. In the third position 30, the storage console 200 integrates with the interior trim part 540 of the vehicle interior 500 and hides behind the interior trim part 540 as shown in figure 3.

[0037] In another embodiment, the storage console 200 integrates with the interior trim part 540 of the vehicle interior 500 and configures a glove box as shown in figure 11, which can be accessed by using the second lid 124 configured on the front side of the storage console 200 as shown figure 8. In the present embodiment, the lifting mechanism 100 includes a motor 80a, 80b, 80c and 80d, a rotating shaft 50a, 50b, 50c and 50d and a plate members 70a and 70b. Upon actuation of the motor 80a, 80b, 80c and 80d, the rotating shaft (50a, 50b, 50c and 50d rotates in clockwise (or anti-clockwise) direction for moving the plate members 70a and 70b upwards or downwards on the rotating shaft 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d.

[0038] Further referring to figures 6 and 7,each of the rotating shaft 50a, 50b, 50c and 50d is connected with respective motor 80a, 80b, 80c and 80d for rotating thereof (a single motor can be used to actuate all the rotating shaft). In the second position 20, the storage console 200 engages with the plate members70a and 70b of the lifting mechanism 100. Upon actuation of the motor 80a, 80b, 80c and 80d, the rotating shaft 50a, 50b, 50cand 50d rotates in clockwise (or anti-clockwise) direction for moving the plate members 70a and 70b along with the storage console 200 upwards (or downwards) on the rotating shaft 50a, 50b, 50cand 50d to configure third (or second) position 30 (or 20) of the storage console 200.

[0039] Also, a slit 60a and 60b is/are configured on the storage console 200 for engaging with the plate member 70a and 70b of the lifting mechanism 100. In the present embodiment as shown in figure 5a, the slits 60a and 60b are configured externally on side-bottom portion of the storage console 200 extending longitudinally thereon. The lifting mechanism 100 is configured beneath the interior trim panel 540. Specifically, when the storage console 200 moved to the second position 20, the plate members 70a and 70b of the lifting mechanism 100 engages with the slits 60a and 60b of the storage console 200 as shown in figure 7. Specifically, the storage console 200 in the second position 20 can be disengaged from the plate members 70a and 70b of the lifting mechanism 100 by merely sliding the storage console 200 towards the first position 10.

[0040] In an embodiment, nuts 40a and 40b are secured over the plate members 70a and nuts 40c and 40d are secured over the plate members 70b for engaging the plate members 70a and 70b with the shaft 50a, 50b, 50c and 50d respectively (shown in figure 6 and 7). In an alternate embodiment, the plate member 70a and 70b is having an openings with inner threads (not shown) for engaging the plate members 70a and 70b with the shaft 50a, 50b, 50c and 50d respectively.

[0041] In yet another embodiment, the lifting mechanism 100 is having an L-shaped telescopic member (not shown), which is operated by a hydraulic system or a pneumatic system. In the second position 20, the slits 60a and 60b of the storage console 200 engage with the L- shape telescopic member for moving the storage console 200 from the second position 20 to the third position 30.It may be obvious to a person skilled in the art to configure multiple pairs of telescopic members beneath the interior trim part 540 to the storage console 200 with lifting mechanism 100 in the second position 20.

[0042] In yet another embodiment, the storage console 200 of the present invention can be used as a glove box (as shown in figure 11). In the present embodiment, the storage console 200 is slidably configured between the front of the passenger seat 400a and a space 560 adjacent to the interior trim part 540 (shown in figure 10). When the storage console 200 slides from the second position 20 to the first position 10, the passenger seat 400a moves backwards. Similarly, when the storage console 200 slides from the first position 10 to second position 20, the storage console 200 integrates within the space 560 adjacent to the interior trim part 540. For example, when the storage console 200 is in first position 10, the passenger seat 400a will be moved to the rear seat 400d position (as shown in figure 3) or to stow below the rear seat 400d or inside an opening (not shown) on the floor 520 of the vehicle 1000 and when the storage console 200 is in second position 20, the passenger seat 440a may moves forward and the storage console 200 integrates within the space 560 adjacent to the interior trim part 540 (as shown in figure 11).

[0043] In one embodiment as shown in figure 5b, the track or the rail 210 arranged on the floor 520 of the vehicle interior 500 is having an electromagnet surface 140. The electromagnetic surface 140 slides over the track or the rail 210 and the storage console 200 is mountable over the electromagnetic surface 140. A lower surface of the storage console 200 may be made of permanent magnets such as Alnico, steel and the like. A switch (not shown) may be provided to supply the electric voltage to the electromagnet surface 140. Upon supplying electric voltage to the electromagnet surface 140, the storage console 200 disengages from electromagnetic surface 140 thereby disengaging the storage console 200 from the track or the rail 210. Further, when the electricity supply is turned "OFF", the electromagnet surface 140 of the track or the rail 210 engages with the storage console 200. In an embodiment, the track or rail 210 is an electromagnetic surface. It may be obvious to a person skilled in the art to use any other system or mechanism for engaging and disengaging the storage console 200 from the track or the rail 210 to configure the second position 20 and the third position 30.

[0044] Therefore, the present invention has the advantage of providing the storage console 200 for the vehicle interior 500, which can be moved on the floor 520 of the vehicle 1000 to be used as a table or a tray and also it can be stowed in the interior trim part 540 to increase the space in the vehicle interior 500. The storage console 200 provides more space for storing articles. Further, the storage console 200 is cost-effective. Furthermore, the storage console 200 is easy to manufacture and simple in construction. Moreover, storage console 200 is robust in construction.

[0045] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention.