WO2018153689A1

WO2018153689A1 - Rear arm rest back panel connection socket

Info

Publication number: WO2018153689A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/053268
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexandru SPATAREANU
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
Priority date: 2017-02-23
Filing date: 2018-02-09
Publication date: 2018-08-30
Also published as: GB2560302A; GB201702882D0

Abstract

A rear centre arm rest arrangement (10) for a vehicle comprising a base assembly (14) and an arm rest member (12). The arm rest member (12) is movably mounted to the base assembly (14) and is movable between a storage position and a deployed position. The base assembly (14) is provided with a connection socket (38) positioned on the base assembly (14) such that it is accessible to a user when the arm rest member (12) is in the deployed position, and is inaccessible to a user when the arm rest member (12) is in the storage position and wherein the base assembly (14) includes a substantially planar facia panel which, in use, is exposed and thus accessible to a user when the arm rest member (12) is in the deployed position, and wherein the connection socket (38) is provided in a housing which is located in an aperture (34) of the facia panel (24).

Description

REAR ARM REST BACK PANEL CONNECTION SOCKET

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a rear centre arm rest back panel connection socket. Aspects of the invention relate to a rear centre arm rest arrangement for a vehicle, a rear seat arrangement for a vehicle which includes the rear centre arm rest arrangement, and a vehicle having a rear seat arrangement which includes the rear centre arm rest arrangement.

BACKGROUND

The rear seat arrangement of a vehicle may typically comprise a seat base extending substantially across the width of the rear passenger compartment and two seat backs. Such a rear seat arrangement may also typically be provided with a rear arm rest arrangement having a rear arm rest member that is movable between a storage position and a deployed position. The rear arm rest arrangement is typically provided at a substantially central position on the rear seat arrangement such that, in the deployed position, the rear arm rest overlies the middle of the seat base and is accessible by passengers seated on either side thereof.

The arm rest member may be provided with features intended for use by rear seat passengers when the arm rest member is in the deployed position. Such features may include, for example, beverage holders and storage recesses. There is an increasing need to provide electrical and/or data connection sockets for rear seat passengers, for example to allow charging of personal electronic devices such as mobile telephones or to permit data interface with the entertainment system of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a rear centre armrest arrangement, a rear seat arrangement for a vehicle which includes the rear armrest arrangement, and a vehicle having a rear seat arrangement which includes the rear centre arm rest arrangement as claimed in the appended claims. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a rear centre arm rest arrangement for a vehicle, the rear centre arm rest arrangement comprising a base assembly and an arm rest member, wherein the arm rest member is movably mounted to the base assembly and is movable between a storage position and a deployed position, wherein the base assembly is provided with a connection socket, the connection socket being positioned on the base assembly such that it is accessible to a user when the arm rest member is in the deployed position, and is inaccessible to a user when the arm rest member is in the storage position and wherein the base assembly includes a substantially planar facia panel which, in use, is exposed and thus accessible to a user when the arm rest member is in the deployed position, and wherein the connection socket is provided in a housing which is located in an aperture of the facia panel.

By providing the connection socket in the base assembly the need to route the wiring loom through the movable mounting of the arm rest member to the base assembly is removed. Provision of the connection socket in the base assembly further frees up space on the armrest for the provision and positioning of features and accessories intended for use by rear seat passengers. Providing the connection socket in a housing located in an aperture of the facia panel allows differently configured sockets to be provided during the assembly of either different vehicles having the rear centre arm rest assembly or differently equipped versions of the same vehicle.

The connection socket may be selected from the group comprising an electrical power connection socket, a data transfer connection socket, and a combined electrical power and data transfer connection socket. An electrical power connection socket is provided for the convenience of a passenger to power and or recharge a personal electronic apparatus such as, for example, a mobile telephone or a tablet computer. Such powering and or recharging of a personal electronic apparatus may be undertaken via an appropriately configured cable connected to the socket. A data transfer connection socket is provided to enable a passenger to connect to the entertainment system of the vehicle for the purpose of playing media stored on a personal electronic apparatus or a dedicated data carrier. The facia panel may be provided with a recess, and the aperture of the facia panel which receives the housing may be located in a wall of the recess. A portion of the facia panel adjacent the recess may be inclined relative to the general plane of the planar surface of the facia panel and thus project outwardly with respect to the general plane of the planar surface of the facia panel. The aforementioned portion of the facia panel has the appearance of a ramp which rises from the planar surface and to the edge of the recess.

The combination of the recess and the ramp-like portion of the facia panel enables the housing having the connection socket to be positioned such that it is easily accessible to a user, and also to provide a space in front of the socket.

The connection socket housing may include a face within which the connection socket is provided, wherein said face of the connection socket is inclined relative to the general plane of the planar surface of the facia panel.

Inclination of the socket housing face can provide a visual indication to a passenger as to the location of the socket. Inclination of the socket housing face can also facilitate the easy connection of a cable or data carrier to the socket. The arm rest member may include a beverage holder having a well configured to receive a beverage container, wherein the connection socket housing is positioned on the facia panel so as to face the well of the beverage holder when the arm rest member is in the storage position. Configuring the connection socket housing to face the well of the beverage container allows at least part of the connection socket to project from the general plane of the facia panel and not contact the arm rest member when the arm rest member is in the storage position. This configuration can also prevent the fouling of cables or data carriers fitted to the socket by the arm rest member when the arm rest member is in the storage position. The facia panel in the region of the connection socket may be recessed such that a space is defined between the facia panel and the arm rest member when the arm rest member is in the storage position. This space is provided to allow accommodation of an item in the connection socket when the arm rest member is in the closed position. The base assembly may include a sub frame underlying the facia panel having a pair of spaced frame legs, the sub frame including a reinforcing member extending between frame legs, wherein the reinforcing member is a plate which overlies the frame legs. A rear portion of the connection socket housing may be positioned between the frame legs.

The use of a plate overlying the frame legs is provided in place of a reinforcing member extending between opposing edges of the frame legs. This change provides space to receive the rear portion of the connection socket housing within the base assembly while maintaining the required strength and structural integrity of the base assembly.

The arm rest member may be pivotably connected to the base assembly and the armrest member may thus be pivotable about a pivot axis between the storage and deployed positions. The thickness of the end of the arm rest member distal to the pivot axis may be less than the thickness of the arm rest member proximal to the pivot axis. In one embodiment of the present invention the arm rest member may taper on one side in the direction of the end distal to the pivot axis.

This tapering of the arm rest member ensures that there is a space defined between the arm rest member and the facia panel of the base assembly when the arm rest member is in the storage position. This space is provided to allow an item fitted to the connection socket, for example a cable or data carrier, to remain connected when the arm rest member is in the storage position.

The face of the connection socket housing may be aligned substantially perpendicular to the taper of the arm rest member when the arm rest member is in the storage position.

A lower portion of the base assembly below the pivot axis may be provided with a resiliently deformable trim portion, and said resiliently deformable trim portion may include a recess or aperture configured to receive therethrough a portion of a wiring loom which extends to the connection socket housing.

Location of the connection socket in a non-movable portion of the arm rest assembly means that the path of the portion of the vehicle wiring loom, which extends to the connection socket, is not required to negotiate the movable connection between the arm rest member and the base assembly. Provision of a dedicated aperture or recess for the wiring loom through the lower trim portion of the base assembly ensures consistency in the path of the wiring loom to and from the rear centre arm rest arrangement.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a rear seat arrangement for a vehicle, the rear seat having a seat base and two seat backs separated by a rear centre armrest arrangement in accordance with the preceding aspect of the present invention.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided vehicle having a rear seat arrangement in accordance with the preceding aspect

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pair of rear seat backs of a vehicle having a rear arm rest arrangement according to the present invention where the rear arm rest member of the rear arm rest arrangement is shown in a deployed position;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the rear arm rest arrangement of the present invention where the rear arm rest member is shown in a storage position;

Figure 3 shows a front view of the rear arm rest arrangement where the rear arm rest member is shown in a storage position;

Figure 4 shows the cross-sectional view of the rear arm rest arrangement as indicated by arrows A-A on figure 3; Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of the detail indicted on figure 4;

Figure 6 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a rear arm rest member;

Figure 7 shows a partial exploded view of the rear arm rest arrangement;

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a portion of a wiring loom connected to a connection socket of the rear arm rest arrangement;

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a beverage holder of a rear arm rest arrangement; and Figure 10 shows a vehicle having the rear arm rest arrangement of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the figures there is shown a rear centre arm rest arrangement generally designated 10 and herein referred to as a "rear arm rest arrangement". The rear arm rest arrangement 10 includes a rear arm rest member 12 and a base assembly 14. The rear arm rest member 12 is movable between a deployed position (figure 1 ) and a storage position (figures 2 to 5). In the embodiment shown, the arm rest member 12 is pivotably connected to the base assembly 14 and is pivotable between the deployed and storage positions about a pivot axis X-X. It will be appreciated that other kinematic arrangements may be provided in order to facilitate the movement of the arm rest member 12 between the storage and deployed positions.

In use, the rear arm rest arrangement 10 is incorporated into a rear seat back arrangement, generally designated 16, of a vehicle 17 which includes a pair of seat backs 18. The rear seat of the vehicle further includes a seat base (not shown). In the deployed position, as shown in figure 1 , the rear arm rest member 12 extends from the general plane of the seat backs 18 and overlies the seat base. In the storage position, the rear arm rest member 12 is aligned with general plane of the seat backs 18. As such, it will be understood that the rear arm rest member 12 in the storage position can function as seat back for a middle passenger of the rear seat of the vehicle 17. The rear seat back arrangement 16 may also be configured to be pivotable as a whole so as to lie substantially flat against the seat base. Such pivoting of the rear seat back arrangement 16 may be utilised to increase the load carrying space of the vehicle 17.

The rear arm rest member 12 is provided with a beverage holder 20 which is exposed and accessible when the rear arm rest member 12 is in the deployed position. The beverage holder 20 is hidden from view, and is thus inaccessible, when the rear arm rest member 12 is in the storage position. The base assembly 14 of the rear armrest arrangement 10 includes a sub frame 22, a generally planar facia panel 24 and a rear panel 26. The base assembly 14 further includes upper and lower fixed trim portions 28, 30 which conform to the shape and configuration of the seat backs 18. The trim portions 28, 30 are resiliency deformable.

The base assembly 14 of the rear arm rest arrangement 10 is provided with a connection socket housing 32. The connection socket housing 32 is located within a recess 25 of the facia panel 24. The connection socket housing 32 is provided within an aperture 34 of the facia panel 24. The aperture 34 is provided within a wall 27 of the recess 25. The facia panel 24 is further provided with an inclined portion 23 which extends from the general plane of the facia panel 24 to the edge of the recess 25. The inclined portion 23 of the facia panel 24 thus has the appearance of a ramp.

A wiring loom 36 is provided to enable connection of the connection socket housing 32 to the power and data infrastructure of the vehicle 17. The connection socket housing 32 includes two sockets 38. The sockets 38 may be electrical power connection sockets, data transfer connection sockets, or combined electrical power and data transfer connection sockets.

The sockets 38, depending upon their function, may be used to power or recharge personal electronic devices, or to supply data to the vehicle 17 from personal electronic devices or dedicated data carriers. The data supplied to the vehicle 17 may be in the form of one or more media files which can be played on the entertainment system of the vehicle 17. The sockets 38 may be USB sockets. Figures 4, 5 and 8 show data carriers in the form of USB storage devices 40 fitted to the sockets 38. It will be understood that appropriately configured cables may also be used to connect personal electronic devices or data carriers to the sockets 38. The connection socket housing 32 has a substantially planar face 42 within which the connection sockets 38 are provided. The plane of the face 42 of the connection socket housing 32 is inclined relative to the general plane of the planar facia member 24 such that it faces the upper trim portion 28 of the base assembly 14. The plane of the face 42 of the connection socket housing 32 is substantially perpendicular to the inclined portion 23 of the fascia panel 24.This inclination of the connection socket housing face 42 acts to "present" the connection sockets 38 to rear seat passengers. This provides both a visual indication as to the location of the connection sockets 38 to rear seat passengers, and enables easy connection and disconnection of items to and from the sockets 38. The connection socket housing 32 is positioned in the facia member 24 at a location that opposes the beverage holder 20 when the arm rest member 12 is in the storage position. As can be seen from figures 4 and 5, the portion of the facia member 24 having the connection socket housing 32 is partially received in the beverage holder 20 when the arm rest member 12 is in the storage position.

As can be seen from the cross-sectional views shown in figures 4, 5 and 6, the distal end 44 of the arm rest member 12 is tapered 46. The term distal is construed with reference to the pivot axis X-X. This taper 46, in conjunction with the adjacent recessed configuration 48 of the facia panel 24, defines a space 50 between the arm rest member 12 and the recess 25 of the facia panel 24 when the arm rest member 12 is in the storage position. As can be seen from figure 5 in particular, the face 42 of the connection socket housing 32 lies substantially perpendicular to the taper 46 of the arm rest member 12 when the arm rest member 12 is in the storage position. The space 50 is provided so as to allow items, and in particular data carriers 40, to remain connected to the sockets 38 when the arm rest member 12 is in the storage position. It will be understood that having data carriers 40 connected to the sockets 38 when the arm rest member 12 is in the storage position is not advised. The space 50 is thus provided so as to accommodate data carriers 40 which have been accidentally or inadvertently left connected to the sockets 38 when the arm rest member 12 is moved to the storage position. The data carriers 40 are thus prevented from contacting the arm rest member 12 which could in turn lead to damage to the data carriers 40 and/or the sockets 38. In the embodiment shown, the distal edge 52 of the beverage holder 20 is tapered so as to follow the taper 46 of the distal end 44 of the arm rest member 12.

As noted above, the base assembly 14 includes a sub frame 22. The sub frame 22 includes a pair of frame legs 54 and a reinforcing plate 56. The reinforcing plate 56 overlies the frame legs 54 as opposed to extending between the frame legs 54. The space between the frame legs 54 is thus free to accommodate a rear portion 58 of the connection socket housing 32. As described above, a wiring loom 36 is provided to enable connection of the connection socket housing 32 to the power and data infrastructure of the vehicle 17. The wiring loom 36 extends from the rear portion 58 of the connection socket housing 32 towards the lower trim portion 30 in a space defined between the facia panel 24 and the rear panel 26. The lower trim panel 30 is provided with a through aperture, identified by broken lines 60, which allows the passage of the wiring loom 36 to the exterior of the base assembly 44. The routing of the wiring loom 36 through the lower trim portion 30 also reduces the possibility of kinking, stretching or other damage to the wiring loom 36 in instances where the rear seat back arrangement 16 is folded flat against the rear seat base. It will be understood that in the present invention the wiring loom 36 is required to accommodate reciprocal manipulation about only a single axis (i.e. the axis about which the rear seat back arrangement rotates) as opposed to two axes (i.e. the axis about which the rear seat back arrangement rotates, and the axis about which the arm rest member 12 rotates).

Claims

1 . A rear centre arm rest arrangement for a vehicle, the rear centre arm rest arrangement comprising a base assembly and an arm rest member, wherein the arm rest member is movably mounted to the base assembly and is movable between a storage position and a deployed position, wherein the base assembly is provided with a connection socket, the connection socket being positioned on the base assembly such that it is accessible to a user when the arm rest member is in the deployed position, and is inaccessible to a user when the arm rest member is in the storage position and wherein the base assembly includes a substantially planar facia panel which, in use, is exposed and thus accessible to a user when the arm rest member is in the deployed position, and wherein the connection socket is provided in a housing which is located in an aperture of the facia panel.

2. A rear centre arm rest arrangement for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the connection socket is selected from the group comprising an electrical power connection socket, a data transfer connection socket, and a combined electrical power and data transfer connection socket.

3. A rear centre arm rest arrangement for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the facia panel is provided with a recess, and the aperture of the facia panel is located in a wall of the recess.

4. A rear centre arm rest arrangement for a vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein a portion of the facia panel adjacent the recess is inclined relative to the general plane of the planar surface of the facia panel and thus projects outwardly with respect to the general plane of the planar surface of the facia panel.

5. A rear centre arm rest arrangement for a vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the connection socket housing includes a face within which the connection socket is provided, wherein said face of the connection socket housing lies substantially perpendicular to the inclined portion of the facia panel and thus is inclined towards a user of the connection socket housing, in use.

6. A rear centre arm rest arrangement for a vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the arm rest member includes a beverage holder having a well configured to receive a beverage container, wherein the connection socket housing is positioned on the facia panel so as to face the well of the beverage holder when the arm rest member is in the storage position.

7. A rear centre arm rest arrangement for a vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base assembly includes a sub frame underlying the facia panel having a pair of spaced frame legs, the sub frame including a reinforcing member extending across the frame legs, wherein the reinforcing member is a plate which overlies the frame legs.

8. A rear centre arm rest arrangement for a vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein a rear portion of the connection socket housing is positioned between the frame legs.

9. A rear centre arm rest arrangement for a vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the arm rest member is pivotably connected to the base assembly and the armrest member is pivotable about a pivot axis (X-X) between the storage and deployed positions.

10. A rear centre arm rest arrangement for a vehicle as claimed in claim 9 wherein the thickness of the end of the arm rest member distal to the pivot axis (X-X) is less than the thickness of the arm rest member proximal to the pivot axis (X-X).

1 1 . A rear centre arm rest arrangement for a vehicle as claimed in claim 9 wherein the arm rest member tapers on one side in the direction of the end distal to the pivot axis (X-X).

12. A rear centre arm rest arrangement for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 1 when dependent upon claim 5, wherein the face of the connection socket housing is aligned substantially perpendicular to the taper of the arm rest member when the arm rest member is in the storage position.

13. A rear centre arm rest arrangement for a vehicle as claimed in any of claims 9 to 12, wherein a lower portion of the base assembly below the pivot axis is provided with a trim portion, and wherein said trim portion includes a recess or aperture configured to receive therethrough a portion of a wiring loom which extends to the connection socket housing.

14. A rear seat arrangement for a vehicle, the rear seat arrangement having a seat base and two seat backs separated by a rear centre armrest arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim.

A vehicle having a rear seat arrangement as claimed in claim 14.