WO2012147086A1

WO2012147086A1 - Multi-interface vehicle console

Info

Publication number: WO2012147086A1
Application number: PCT/IN2011/000299
Authority: WO
Inventors: Firoz SIDDIQUI
Original assignee: Faurecia Interior System India Pvt. Ltd.
Priority date: 2011-04-29
Filing date: 2011-04-29
Publication date: 2012-11-01

Abstract

Apparatus (800) and methods for mounting one or more service units (804) in the interior of a vehicle, such that an interface to a selected service unit is accessible, for example, in a console. This is achieved by housing the one or more service units in a rotatable member (802), such that an interface portion of one of the service units housed in the rotatable member is accessible. To select the interface to a different service unit, the rotatable member is move into a retracted position, rotated until the interface to the selected service unit faces an opening through which it may be accessed, and then extended so that the interface portion of the selected service unit is accessible in the opening. In some embodiments, numerous such rotatable members can be used, and one of these rotatable members may be selected to be retracted, rotated, and extended to select an interface to a service unit housed in that rotatable member to be accessed.

Description

MULTI-INTERFACE VEHICLE CONSOLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Embodiments of the invention relate to the placement of interfaces for devices, such as infotainment devices, in a vehicle interior, notably in a console.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The central console of a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle, typically provides access to numerous devices and infotainment gadgets. For example, in a typical automobile, the center console may include controls for a heating and air conditioning system, a navigation system, and a radio/CD changer.

[0003] In a typical automobile, the central console, which is usually understood to be the area between the glove box and the instrument cluster, will include a limited area in which the variety of interfaces and devices that are installed in the vehicle may be located. In some instances, these interfaces may be built into the console, so that they are always present. In other cases, the console may include one or more "slots" or openings of a standard size, so that a selection of devices that are designed to fit in such an opening can be mounted in the central console.

[0004] With the increase in the variety and availability of electronic devices, the limited space available in the central console of a vehicle may limit the number of devices and interfaces that can be mounted there. In most automobiles, no more than five or six interfaces or devices will fit into the space provided by the center console. These devices typically include items like a clock, controls for heating and air conditioning, a storage compartment or space for retractable cup holders, a radio, and/or a CD player.

[0005] A conventional approach to increasing the space available in a central console has been to increase the amount of space on the central console. Of course, this has limits, and may not be possible in small vehicles. Another approach to l adding more devices into the limited space that is available has been to combine the interfaces for numerous devices. For example, on some high-end vehicles, the screen that is used for the navigation system may also be used to control entertainment devices, such as a digital music player or CD changer. A difficulty with this approach is that limited interoperability of devices limits a consumer's choice of which interfaces to combine. Additionally, such combined devices or interfaces tend to be expensive, and may not be a viable option in lower-cost vehicles.

[0006] Other solutions have also been attempted. For example, US Patent 6,158,795 describes numerous embodiments in which devices are placed in a rotating drum assembly. In some of these embodiments, the drum assembly is rotated about a generally vertical axis to reveal a selected device. In another embodiment, the console assembly includes a drum-type carrousel that rotates about a generally horizontal axis, the carrousel containing numerous storage modules, each of which may contain a device, such as a radio receiver, a CD player, a cell phone, HVAC controls, and open compartments for storage. The carrousel rotates around the horizontal axis to bring one of these storage modules in line with an opening in the console, so that it can be physically accessed.

[0007] Similarly, US Patent 5,102,181 describes a device that rotates around a vertical access for concealing a piece of electronic equipment within a dashboard of a motor vehicle. Electronic equipment is placed within one or more compartments in a cylindrical console that is mounted in the dashboard. The cylindrical console may be rotated around a vertical axis in one direction to conceal the equipment, and in the other direction to expose the equipment. A similar system is described in German Patent DE 4445826, which describes a casing configured to receive various units. The casing is at least partly located within a wall region, in which there is an aperture through which one of the units may be accessed. The casing can be turned manually or by a motor around a vertical axis to select which of the units is accessible through the aperture. [0008] As a practical matter, these rotating systems provide only a partial solution. While they permit numerous devices to share a single opening in the center console of a vehicle, by rotating a desired device into place, they do not generally permit the use of "standard" devices, unless an undesirable gap is left at the edges of the opening through which the devices are accessed. Most standard devices have controls that protrude from the device. Without large gaps, these protruding controls would prevent the devices from being rotated behind the opening. Similarly, most "standard" devices have a substantially flat front panel, rather than a curved front panel, which would further hinder the ability to mount such devices in a rotating system as described in the art, while preserving the ability for such a system to rotate. While special devices having flat controls and/or curved profiles could be designed for use with such rotating systems, this would limit the choice of devices available, and might require higher cost specialized devices for use in such a system. All these solutions use one unique rotation axis and all devices turn together. Thus, the size of the devices needs to be standard, and some devices would not be available while rotating.

SUMMARY

[0009] Embodiments of the invention provide apparatus and methods for mounting one or more service units (i.e., devices or other vehicle controls or accessories) in a vehicle interior, such that an interface to a selected service unit is accessible, for example in a console. This is achieved in various embodiments by housing the one or more service units in a rotatable member, such that an interface portion of one of the service units housed in the rotatable member is accessible, for example in an opening in a console. To select the interface to a different service unit, the rotatable member is moved into a retracted position, rotated until the interface to the selected service unit faces the opening, and then extended so that the interface portion of the selected service unit is accessible for use in the opening. In some embodiments, numerous such rotatable members can be used, and one of these rotatable members may be selected to be retracted, rotated, and extended to select an interface to a service unit housed in that rotatable member to be accessed for use. [0010] Some embodiments provide a mechanism for mounting one or more service units in a vehicle interior, wherein the mechanism includes a first rotatable member including one or more radially arranged openings, each opening configured to house a service unit. The mechanism further includes a first actuator configured to move the first rotatable member between an extended position, in which an outward-facing portion (e.g., an interface portion) of a selected service unit is accessible for use, and a retracted position, in which the first rotatable member is retracted and configured for rotation. A second actuator is configured to selectively rotate the first rotatable member around a central axis of the first rotatable member when the first rotatable member is in the retracted position, to position the selected service unit so that it is accessible for use when the first rotatable member is moved to the extended position.

[0011] In some embodiments, the mechanism includes a beam that is moved by the first actuator, the beam configured so that the first actuator adjusts a position of the beam along a first axis to move the first rotatable member between the extended position and the retracted position. In some such embodiments, the first actuator moves the beam along a first guide rail.

[0012] The beam may include an engagement portion that selectively engages with the first rotatable member, such that adjusting a position of the beam moves the first rotatable member between the extended position and the retracted position when the engagement portion is engaged with the first rotatable member. In some embodiments, the second actuator may be disposed within the engagement portion, such that the second actuator is able to rotate the first rotatable member when the engagement portion is engaged with the first rotatable member.

[0013] In some embodiments, the mechanism includes a third actuator that moves the beam along a second axis. In some embodiments, this second axis may be substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The third actuator may move both the first guide rail and the beam along the second axis. To move these elements along the second axis, the third actuator may move these elements along a second guide rail that runs along the second axis. Moving the beam along the second axis may be used to engage and disengage the engagement portion with the first rotatable member, or (as discussed in greater detail below) to select a rotatable member in embodiments that include multiple rotatable members.

[0014] In some embodiments, the mechanism may include a second (or further) rotatable member, including one or more radially arranged openings, wherein each opening is configured to house a service unit. The second rotatable member is movable between the extended position, in which an outward facing portion of a second selected service unit is accessible for use, and a retracted position, in which the second rotatable member is retracted and configured for rotation. Some embodiments may include still further rotatable members.

[0015] In such embodiments, the second actuator may be configured to selectively rotate the second rotatable member around a central axis of the second rotatable member when the second rotatable member is in the retracted position, to position the second selected service unit so that it is accessible for use when the second rotatable member is moved to the extended position. The first actuator may also be configured to selectively move the second rotatable member between the extended position and the retracted position. In any of these embodiments that include more than one rotatable member, the third actuator may move the beam along the second axis, so that the beam is moved into a position along the second axis such that the engagement portion can selectively engage with a selected rotatable member (e.g., either the first rotatable member or the second rotatable member, in a system that includes two rotatable members).

[0016] In some embodiments, the service units may include an infotainment system, such as a radio, a CD player, a CD changer, a DVD player, a navigation system, an assistance system, a mobile telephone, a digital music player, or a digital media player. The service units may include a control panel (i.e., an interface) for a function of the vehicle. For example, such a control panel may control an HVAC system, a mirror position, cruise control, window opening and closing, door locks, door opening, sunroof opening and closing, trunk opening and closing, vehicle roof retraction, heated seats and/or interior lighting. In some embodiments, the service units may include a device such as a storage compartment, a retractable cup holder, an ashtray, a cigarette lighter, a blank panel, and/or an electrical outlet.

[0017] In some embodiments, the mechanism discussed above may be controlled by a switch that is operable by a user of the vehicle. This switch may be located, for example, on the steering wheel of the vehicle.

[0018] Embodiments of the invention also provide a method for providing access to an interface for a selected service unit in a vehicle interior. The method includes housing one or more service units in a rotatable member, such that an interface portion of at least one of the one or more service units is accessible in an opening, for example, in a console (note that the opening may be covered, for example while the rotatable member is retracted and being rotated). To select a service unit, the method further includes retracting the rotatable member by at least a predetermined distance, rotating the rotatable member until the interface portion of a selected service unit is positioned in a front position of the rotatable member that faces the opening, and extending the rotatable member into the opening, so that the interface portion of the selected service unit is accessible for use in the opening.

[0019] In some embodiments, rotating the rotatable member includes rotating the rotatable member by a predetermined angle. In these embodiments, retracting the rotatable member, rotating the rotatable member, and extending the rotatable member may be repeated until the interface portion of a desired service unit is accessible for use.

[0020] In some embodiments, the method may include selecting a rotatable member from among one or more rotatable members that house service units. In these embodiments, retracting the rotatable member, rotating the rotatable member, and extending the rotatable member are all performed on the selected rotatable member. Selecting a rotatable member from among one or more rotatable members may include moving a mechanism into a position to engage the selected rotatable member, the mechanism being able to retract the selected rotatable member, rotate the selected rotatable member, and extend the selected rotatable member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the following description, various embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle console, including various controls and infotainment devices;

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a rotatable member in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, into which multiple devices can be mounted;

[0024] FIG. 3 shows a side cross-sectional view of a console that includes a rotatable member according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0025] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a console including numerous rotatable members;

[0026] FIG. 5 shows an example embodiment of a switch for controlling selection of a rotatable member and/or service unit;

[0027] FIGs. 6A and 6B show flowcharts of methods for selecting a service unit and making an interface portion of the selected service unit accessible in the console;

[0028] FIG. 7 shows an example of a console including an opening for a single service unit, and a mechanism for selecting the service unit that is accessible in the opening;

[0029] FIG. 8 shows a view of a mechanism for selecting a service unit to be accessible in the console; [0030] FIG. 9 shows the mechanism of FIG. 8, with a beam of the mechanism in an engaged position, for retracting, rotating, and extending a rotatable member; and

[0031] FIG. 10 shows a mechanism similar to that shown in FIG. 8, with multiple rotatable members.

DESCRIPTION

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a view of a typical center console in a vehicle, such as an automobile. The center console 100 includes service units 102a - 102d, which may be controls or electronic devices, such as infotainment systems, controls for an HVAC system, or other such systems. For example, service unit 102a may be the display for a clock and thermometer, service unit 102b may be a display for a voice- activated mobile telephone, service unit 102c may be a combined radio and CD player, and service unit 102d may be a screen for a navigation system. These devices are merely examples, and the actual service units mounted in the center console of a vehicle may vary according to the model of the vehicle and the preferences of the vehicle's owner.

[0033] Some of the service units in the center console 100 may conform to standard dimensions. For example, service unit 102c may be a standard "1 DIN" device, meaning a device that has a standard panel size of 180mm wide by 50mm high (7 inches wide by 2 inches high in the US). Service unit 102d may be a standard "double DIN" unit, having a panel size of 180mm wide by 100mm high (7 inches wide by 4 inches high in the US).

[0034] As discussed above, because the center console has only a limited amount of space, only a few devices may be mounted there and accessed by a user of the vehicle. However, there may be considerable space available behind the center console. In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, this space behind a console, such as the center console, may be used to house a rotating system for one or more of the openings in the console, permitting numerous service units to share a single such opening. This means that several such service units may be made selectively available in the console space that formerly would have been used by only a single service unit.

[0035] Because the service units generally include protruding controls, and "standard" devices designed to fit within 1 DIN and double DIN slots typically have control panels that are not particularly curved or otherwise designed to be rotated within an opening, various embodiments of the invention include the ability to retract a service unit from the console before rotating a rotatable member on which several units are mounted. The selected unit is rotated into place, and then extended back into a position where it is visible and accessible in the console.

[0036] Referring now to FIG. 2, a typical rotatable member for use in some embodiments of the invention is described. The rotatable member 200 includes four radially arranged openings 202a - 202d, each of which is designed to house a 1 DIN service unit, such as the 1 DIN service unit 204 that is shown as an illustrative example in FIG. 2. As will be described in detail below, in operation, one of the four openings 202a - 202d will be rotated into a position where the service unit mounted in the opening will be accessible, while the other service units mounted in the rotatable member will be inaccessible, for example behind the center console.

[0037] It will, of course, be understood that the dimensions and number of openings in the rotatable member 200, as well as its precise design are only for illustrative purposes. Rotatable members used in a system in accordance with embodiments of the invention may accept devices of various sizes, such as 1 DIN, double DIN, or non-standard sizes. Additionally, such rotatable members may include more or fewer than four radially arranged openings. Further, rotatable members may be made according to varying designs, according to the particular requirements of the embodiment. In some embodiments, the rotatable member may be generally disc shaped, as is shown in FIG. 2, but other designs may also be used in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows an illustrative side cross-sectional view of a console that includes a rotatable member according to an embodiment of the invention. As can be seen, the rotatable member 302 is disposed in the console 300 and rotated in such a way that the service unit 304a is accessible in an opening 306 in a front portion of the console 300. The service unit 304b is rotated into an inaccessible position behind the console 300. Wires 308 from the service units 304a and 304b are routed through a central portion 310 of the rotatable member 302.

[0039] As seen in FIG. 4, which shows a cross-sectional view of a console 400, the console 400 may include numerous rotatable members 402a - 404e. In some embodiments, each of the rotatable members 402a - 402e may house service units having different sizes or configurations, and each may rotate around a different center axis 404a - 404e (shown as dashed lines in the figure). Additionally, each of the rotatable members 402a - 402e may house different numbers of service units (not shown). Behind the rotatable members 402a - 402e in the console may be the mechanism that retracts, extends, and rotates the rotatable members (not shown), which will be described in greater detail below, ducts for the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system 406, electrical cables (not shown), and concealed portions of other vehicle systems (not shown).

[0040] The service units housed in the rotatable members 402a - 402e may be any of a large variety of types. For example, the service units may be infotainment devices, such as a radio, a CD player, a CD changer, a DVD player, a navigation system, an assistance system, a mobile telephone, a digital music player, a digital media player, or other types of electronic information or entertainment systems that may be used in a vehicle. The service units may be interfaces or control panels that control functions of the vehicle, such as controls for an HVAC system, for side-view mirror positioning, cruise control, window opening and closing, door locks, door opening, sunroof opening and closing, trunk opening and closing, vehicle roof retraction, interior lighting, heated seats, or other functions of the vehicle. Since one or more of these controls may be rotated into an inaccessible position at any given time, it may be preferable to use the rotatable members to house controls for non- critical functions of the vehicle (such as the HVAC system, heated seats, or sunroof opening and closing), or for functions that are not frequently used (such as side-view mirror positioning, or vehicle roof retraction). The service units may further include storage or other miscellaneous items, such as a storage compartment (preferably with a slant, lip, or door, so that stored items are not able to easily fall out behind the front console, e.g., during vehicle deceleration or turning), a retractable cup holder, an ashtray, a cigarette lighter, an electrical outlet, a blank panel (which may be used to make the other service units inaccessible for security reasons), or other items that may traditionally be found on the center console or other consoles of a vehicle.

[0041] With numerous rotatable members, each able to house several service unit, the center console of a vehicle could house fifteen or more service units - compared to the practical maximum of five or six that are typically included on a conventional center console. It will also be apparent that similar systems employing rotatable members could be used in other consoles or interior spaces of vehicles, such as a console used by back-seat passengers, side consoles, portions of a floor console, or other locations where controls, infotainment devices, or other service units may be located in a vehicle.

[0042] Controlling one or more such rotatable members can be done by a switch, for example located on a steering wheel of the vehicle, as is shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, a switch 502 is integrated into the steering wheel 504 of the vehicle. If the switch controls only one rotatable member, then the switch may be a single switch, which causes the rotatable member to retract and rotate in a single direction, or a two-way switch, which causes the rotatable member to retract and rotate in a selected direction - clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on the direction in which the switch is pressed. If the switch controls multiple rotatable members, then the switch may be, for example, a two way switch, in which pressing the switch in one direction is used to cycle through the rotatable members to select a rotatable member, and pressing the switch in the other direction causes the selected rotatable member to be retracted and rotated in a single direction to select a service unit. Alternatively, a four way switch may be used to select a rotatable member (e.g., using an x-axis of the switch), and retract and rotate the selected rotatable member either clockwise or counterclockwise to select a service unit on the selected rotatable member (e.g., using a y-axis of the switch).

[0043] It will be understood that although the switch is shown as being on the steering wheel for ease of access by the driver, the switch that controls console service unit selection may be located in a variety of places, such as on a central floor console, on the center console, on a door handle, or in any other location where the switch may be accessed by the intended user. Additionally, there may be multiple switches, each or which can control the configuration of the console, so that, e.g., the driver and the passenger can both control the devices in the center console. Switches located within reach of the back-seat passengers may be used to control a rotatable member located in a back-seat console. It will further be understood that although the control is described in terms of switches, a variety of other control mechanisms, such as push buttons, knobs, touch panels, sliders, a touch pad, a touch screen, or other known controls may be used to select a rotatable member and to rotate the selected rotatable member to select a service unit.

[0044] The service units that are housed in the rotatable members may have front panels that would prevent the rotatable member from being rotated in place, for example due to the shape of the front panel or controls that protrude from the front panel. Because of this, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, the rotatable member is retracted by a predetermined distance into the console prior to rotation, and then extended back into place in the console once a selected service unit has been rotated into place.

[0045] This method is shown for a single rotatable member unit in the flowchart of FIG. 6A. The method 600 of selecting a service unit includes a step 602 of retracting the rotatable member by a predetermined distance from the console. Next, in step 604, the rotatable member is rotated until a selected service unit is positioned at the front of the rotatable member, meaning that an interface portion of the selected service unit faces an opening (e.g., in the console) in which the interface portion is accessed for use. Finally, in step 606, the rotatable member is extended back into its original position in the opening (e.g., in the console), with the selected service unit accessible in the opening. Alternatively, step 604 may rotate the rotatable member by a single position (i.e., by a predetermined angle, that depends on the number of service units that can be housed in the rotatable member), in which case the entire process may be repeated as necessary to provide access to the selected service unit.

[0046] The flowchart of FIG. 6B shows a method 650 for use with a multi- rotatable member system. First, in step 652, a rotatable member is selected. Next, in step 654, the selected rotatable member is retracted by a predetermined distance (e.g., into the console), to facilitate rotation. Next, in step 656, the selected rotatable member is rotated to position a selected service unit to the "front" of the rotatable member. Finally, in step 658, the rotatable member is moved back into its original extended position, so that the selected service unit is accessible (e.g., in the console). As in the method 600, alternatively, step 656 may rotate the selected rotatable member by a single position, in which case steps 654, 656, and 658 may be repeated as necessary to provide access to the selected service unit.

[0047] In some embodiments, the process of retracting, rotating, and extending a rotatable member - whether it is a single rotatable member or a selected rotatable member in a multi-rotatable member system - should take no longer than approximately 2 - 5 seconds. Longer movement and rotation times, while still usable in accordance with embodiments of the invention, may test the patience of some users.

[0048] FIG. 7 shows an example of a center console 700 that includes a single opening 702 for a service unit 704. Behind the center console is an internal mechanism 706, for moving a rotatable member containing the service unit 704 between a retracted position and an extended position, and for rotating the rotatable member to select another service unit. The details of this internal mechanism are discussed below.

[0049] FIG. 8 shows a view of this internal mechanism. The mechanism 800 includes a rotatable member 802, as discussed above, which houses a service unit 804. Although only one such service unit 804 is shown in this drawing and later drawings of the internal mechanism for the sake of simplicity, it will be understood that numerous service units may be housed in the rotatable member 802.

[0050] The rotatable member 802 is housed in an outer housing element 806, which includes a central opening 808, through which the rotatable member 802 may be engaged. In some embodiments, the outer housing element 806 may be connected to a sliding support rail 810, which allows the entire assembly, including the outer housing element 806, and the rotatable member 802 (including the service unit 804) to be moved along a first axis so that the assembly may be moved between an extended position and a retracted position. In some embodiments, the sliding support rail 810 may be attached to the interior of the console, to provide support for the assembly. In some embodiments, the sliding support rail may act as a stop, to indicate where the beam 812 (see below) should stop in order to be in the correct position for an engagement portion to engage with the rotatable member 802 through the central opening 808. In some embodiments, the sliding support rail 810 may provide a stop that indicates how far the assembly should be retracted prior to rotation of the rotatable member 802. Although the sliding support rail 810 may provide some support for the assembly and service units, in some embodiments additional support may be provided by one or more shelves (not shown) or rails (not shown) attached to an interior surface of the console (not shown).

[0051] The mechanism 800 further includes a beam 812 that moves under the control of an actuator (not shown) along guide rails 814a and 814b, so that the beam moves along the first axis (which will typically be substantially horizontal, but is not so limited) to engage with the assembly and move the assembly between the extended and retracted positions. The beam 812 includes an engagement portion 816 that engages with the rotatable member 802 through the central opening 808. The engagement portion 816 is also able to rotate the rotatable member 802, and may include an actuator (not shown) to accomplish this. [0052] Additionally, the mechanism 800 includes guide rails 818a-818d. In some embodiments, the beam 812 and rails 814a and 814b may be moved along a second axis (which will typically be substantially vertical, but is not so limited) by an actuator (not shown). Moving the beam 812 and rails 814a and 814b along the guide rails 818a-818d is used to move the engagement portion 816 of the beam 812 into an engaged position, in which the engagement portion 816 contacts the rotatable member 802 through the central opening 808, and into a non-engaged position, in which the beam 812 can be moved along the rails 814a and 814b without also moving the assembly. As will be seen below, in some embodiments, the beam 812 is moved along the guide rails 818a-818d to position the beam 812 to engage with a selected rotatable member from among multiple rotatable members. By moving the beam 812 and rails 814a and 814b between multiple rotatable members, a single actuator can be used to retract and extend numerous rotatable members, and a single actuator can be used to rotate numerous rotatable members, reducing the cost of the mechanism 800.

[0053] It will be understood that the actuators used for moving the beam 812 along the rails 814a and 814b, for moving the beam 812 and rails 814a and 814b along the guide rails 818a-818d, and for rotating the rotatable members are standard, commercially available parts, such as motors.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 9, the beam 812 is shown in an engaged position, in which the engagement portion 816 is engaged with the rotatable member 802 through the central opening 808 (not visible in FIG. 9). In this position, the entire assembly, including the rotatable member 802, service unit 804, and outer housing element 804 can be moved into a retracted position by moving the beam 812 along the guide rails 814a and 814b. Once in the retracted position (not shown), the engagement portion 816 can be used to rotate the rotatable member 802.

[0055] In use, the mechanism 800 is moved into the engaged position shown in FIG. 9 from the non-engaged position shown in FIG. 8 by moving the beam 812 along the rails 814a and 814b (i.e., along the first axis) until the engagement portion 816 is positioned over the central opening 808. In some embodiments, the sliding support rail 810 may provide a stop to indicate that this position has been reached. Next, the beam 812 and rails 814a and 814b are moved along the guide rails 818a- 818d (i.e., along the second axis), until a part of the engagement portion 816 is moved through the central opening 808 to engage with the rotatable member 802.

[0056] Once in the engaged position, the assembly may be moved into the retracted position by moving the beam 812 along the rails 814a and 814b, pulling the assembly with the beam 812. In the retracted position, the engagement portion 816 may be used to rotate the rotatable member 802. After the rotatable member 802 has been rotated to the selected position, the assembly may be moved back into the extended position by moving the beam 812 back along the rails 814a and 814b.

[0057] It should be noted that in some embodiments, and in particular in some embodiments having only one rotatable member, the beam 812 and engagement portion 816 may optionally be fixed in the engaged position as shown, for example, in FIG. 9. In such embodiments, there is no need for an actuator to be used to move the beam 812 and rails 814a and 814b along the guide rails 818a-818d, which may also be omitted in some such embodiments.

[0058] FIG. 10 shows a mechanism 1000, having multiple rotatable members. The mechanism 1000 includes multiple rotatable members 1002a- 1002c, as discussed above, which house service units 1004a- 1004c. Although only one such service unit is shown in each of the rotatable members in this drawing for the sake of simplicity, it will be understood that numerous service units may be housed in each of the rotatable members 1002a- 1002c.

[0059] The rotatable members 1002a- 1002c are housed in outer housing elements 1006a- 1006c, which include central openings (not shown), through which the rotatable members 1002a- 1002c may be engaged. In some embodiments, the outer housing elements 1006a- 1006c may be connected to sliding support rails 1010a- 1010c. In some embodiments, the sliding support rails lOlOa-lOlOc may be attached to the interior of the console, to provide support for the assemblies. In some embodiments, the sliding support rails may act as stops, to indicate where the beam 1012 (see below) should stop in order to be in the correct position for an engagement portion to engage with one of the rotatable members 1002a- 1002c. In some embodiments, the sliding support rails 1010a- 1010c may provide stops that indicate how far an assembly should be retracted prior to rotation of one of the rotatable members 1002a- 1002c. Although the sliding support rails lOlOa-lOlOc may provide some support for the assemblies and service units, in some embodiments additional support may be provided by shelves (not shown) or rails (not shown) attached to an interior surface of the console (not shown).

[0060] The mechanism 1000 further includes a beam 1012 that moves under the control of an actuator (not shown) along guide rails 1014a and 1014b, so that the beam moves along a first axis (which will typically be substantially horizontal, but is not so limited) to engage with the assembly and move the assembly between the extended and retracted positions. The beam 1012 includes an engagement portion 1016 that engages with one of the rotatable members 1002a- 1002c. For illustrative purposes, FIG. 10 shows the engagement portion 1016 in an engaged position, engaged with the rotatable member 1010a. The engagement portion 1016 is also able to rotate one of the rotatable member 1002a- 1002c at a time, and may include an actuator (not shown) to accomplish this.

[0061] The mechanism 1000 also includes guide rails 1018a-1018d. In some embodiments, the beam 1012 and rails 1014a and 1014b may be moved along a second axis (which will typically be substantially vertical, but is not so limited) by an actuator (not shown). Moving the beam 1012 and rails 1014a and 1014b along the guide rails 1018a-1018d is used to move the engagement portion 1016 of the beam 1012 between the engaged position and non-engaged positions for one of the rotatable members 1002a-1002c. Additionally, the beam 1012 and rails 1014a and 1014b are moved along the guide rails 1018a-1018d to position the beam 1012 to engage with a selected rotatable member from among the rotatable members 1002a- 1002c. By moving the beam 1012 and rails 1014a and 1014b between multiple rotatable members, a single actuator can be used to retract and extend numerous rotatable members, and a single actuator can be used to rotate numerous rotatable members, reducing the cost of the mechanism 1000.

[0062] It should also be noted that in some embodiments, the guide rails 1018a- 1018d may be omitted, and a separate moving beam, similar to moving beam 1012 and guide rails similar to rails 1014a and 1014b may be included for each of the rotatable members in a mechanism that includes multiple rotatable members. The moving beams in such an embodiment would also each include an engagement section, each of which may be fixed in an engaged position with one of the rotatable members, and each of which would include an actuator to rotate one of the rotatable members. These embodiments would generally use two actuators per rotatable member - one to move the rotatable member between an extended and a retracted position, and one to rotate the rotatable member. As a result of this, such embodiments may be more costly than an embodiment such as that shown in FIG. 10, which uses only three actuators, regardless of the number of rotatable members. These actuators include one to move the beam and rails along the second axis into a position to select one of the rotatable members, one to move the beam along the first axis (i.e., along the rails) to engage a rotatable member and move the rotatable member between the extended and retracted positions, and one to rotate the selected rotatable member.

[0063] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In particular, the mechanism could be located in another vehicle interior equipment like a dashboard, a seat back rest, etc. The scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A mechanism (800, 1000) for mounting one or more service units (204, 804, 1004a, 1004b, 1004c) in a vehicle interior, the mechanism comprising:

a first rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) including one or more radially arranged openings (202a, 202b, 202c, 202d), each opening configured to house a service unit (204, 804, 1004a, 1004b, 1004c);

a first actuator configured to move the first rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) between an extended position, in which an outward-facing portion of a selected service unit (204, 804, 1004a, 1004b, 1004c) is accessible for use, and a retracted position, in which the first rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) is retracted and configured for rotation; and

a second actuator configured to selectively rotate the first rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) around a central axis (404a, 404b, 404d, 404e) of the first rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) when the first rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) is in the retracted position, to position the selected service unit so that it is accessible for use when the first rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) is moved to the extended position.

2. The mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a beam (812, 1012) that is moved by the first actuator, the beam (812, 1012) configured so that the first actuator adjusts a position of the beam (812, 1012) along a first axis to move the first rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) between the extended position and the retracted position.

3. The mechanism of claim 2, wherein the first actuator moves the beam (812, 1012) along a first guide rail (814a, 814b, 1014a, 1014b).

4. The mechanism of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the beam (812, 1012) includes an engagement portion (816, 1016) that selectively engages with the first rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c), such that adjusting a position of the beam (812, 1012) moves the first rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) between the extended position and the retracted position when the engagement portion (816, 1016) is engaged with the first rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c).

5. The mechanism of claim 4, wherein the second actuator is disposed within the engagement portion (816, 1016), and wherein the engagement portion (816, 1016) is configured so that the second actuator is able to rotate the first rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) when the engagement portion is engaged with the first rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c).

6. The mechanism of any of claims 2-5, further comprising a third actuator that moves the beam (812, 1012) along a second axis.

7. The mechanism of claim 6, wherein the third actuator moves both the first guide rail (814a, 814b, 1014a, 1014b) and the beam (812, 1012) along the second axis.

8. The mechanism of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the third actuator moves the beam (812, 1012) along a second guide rail (818a, 818b, 818c, 818d, 1018a, 1018b, 1018c, 1018d).

9. The mechanism of any of claims 6-8, wherein moving the beam (812, 1012) along the second axis is used to engage and disengage the engagement portion (816, 1016) with the first rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c).

10. The mechanism of any of the preceding claims, further comprising:

a second rotatable member (200, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c), including one or more radially arranged openings (202a, 202b, 202c, 202d), each opening configured to house a service unit (204, 1004a, 1004b, 1004c), the second rotatable member (200, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) being movable between the extended position, in which an outward facing portion of a second selected service unit is accessible for use, and a retracted position, in which the second rotatable member (200, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) is retracted and configured for rotation.

11. The mechanism of claim 10, wherein the second actuator is further configured to selectively rotate the second rotatable member (200, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) around a central axis of the second rotatable member (200, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) when the second rotatable member (200, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) is in the retracted position, to position the second selected service unit (204, 1004a, 1004b, 1004c) so that it is accessible for use when the second rotatable member (200, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) is moved to the extended position.

12. The mechanism of claim 10 or 11, wherein the first actuator is further configured to selectively move the second rotatable member (200, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) between the extended position and the retracted position.

13. The mechanism of any of the preceding claims, wherein the third actuator moves the beam (812, 1012) along the second axis, the beam (812, 1012) configured to move into a position along the second axis such that the engagement portion (816, 1016) can selectively engage with either the first rotatable member (200, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) or the second rotatable member (200, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c).

14. The mechanism of any of the preceding claims, wherein the service unit (204, 804, 1004a, 1004b, 1004c) comprises an infotainment system.

15. The mechanism of claim 14, wherein the infotainment system comprises one of a radio, a CD player, a CD changer, a DVD player, a navigation system, an assistance system, a mobile telephone, a digital music player, and a digital media player.

16. The mechanism of any of claims 1-13, wherein the service unit (204, 804, 1004a, 1004b, 1004c) comprises a control panel for a function of the vehicle.

17. The mechanism of claim 16, wherein the control panel controls one of an HVAC system, a mirror position, cruise control, window opening and closing, door locks, door opening, sunroof opening and closing, trunk opening and closing, vehicle roof retraction, heated seats and interior lighting.

18. The mechanism of any of claims 1-14, wherein the service unit (204, 804, 1004a, 1004b, 1004c) comprises one of a storage compartment, a retractable cup holder, an ashtray, a cigarette lighter, a blank panel, and an electrical outlet.

19. The mechanism of any of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanism is controlled by a switch (502) operable by a user of the vehicle.

20. The mechanism of claim 19, wherein the switch (502) is located on a steering wheel (504) of the vehicle.

21. A method for providing access to an interface for a selected service unit (204, 804, 1004a, 1004b, 1004c) in a vehicle interior, the method comprising:

housing one or more service units (204, 804, 1004a, 1004b, 1004c) in a rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c), such that an interface portion of at least one of the one or more service units (204, 804, 1004a, 1004b, 1004c) is accessible for use in an opening (306, 702);

retracting the rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) by at least a predetermined distance;

rotating the rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) until the interface portion of a selected service unit is positioned in a front position of the rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) that faces the opening (306, 702) through which the selected service unit (204, 804, 1004a, 1004b, 1004c) is to be accessed; and

extending the rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) into the opening (306, 702), so that the interface portion of the selected service unit is accessible for use.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein rotating the rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) comprises rotating the rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) by a predetermined angle, and wherein retracting the rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c), rotating the rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c), and extending the rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) are repeated until the interface portion of a desired service unit (204, 804, 1004a, 1004b, 1004c) is accessible.

23. The method of claim 21 or claim 22, further comprising selecting a rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) from among one or more rotatable members (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) that house service units (204, 804, 1004a, 1004b, 1004c), wherein retracting the rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c), rotating the rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c), and extending the rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) are all performed on the selected rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c).

24. The method of claim 23, wherein selecting a rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) from among one or more rotatable members (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c) further comprises moving a mechanism (812, 1012, 816, 1016) into a position to engage the selected rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c), the mechanism (812, 1012, 816, 1016) being able to retract the selected rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c), rotate the selected rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c), and extend the selected rotatable member (200, 802, 1002a, 1002b, 1002c).