Reconfigurable vehicle door panel system
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsKi Hyun Ahn, Joseph F. Szczerba, Bobin Kil
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A reconfigurable vehicle door trim panel system. A vehicle has a body defining an exterior and an interior with a door that opens to expose the interior to the exterior. When closed, the door has an interior side and an exterior side. A panel is provided on the interior side of the door. A linkage connects the panel to the door. The panel is configured to move, via the linkage, from a position stowed in the door to a position deployed from the door. When in the stowed position, the panel is configured to provide the interior side of the door with a uniform appearance. When in the deployed position, the panel is configured to serve a functional purpose.
Claims20
A vehicle having a body defining an exterior and an interior and comprising:
- a door that selectively opens to expose the interior to the exterior, wherein the door has an interior side and an exterior side;
- a panel system with a panel on the interior side of the door;
- and
- a linkage connecting the panel to the door,
- wherein the panel is configured to move, via the linkage, from a stowed position in the door to a deployed position moved away from the door,
- wherein, when in the stowed position, the panel is configured to provide at least a part of the interior side of the door that is substantially continuous and, when in the stowed position, the panel includes a first side facing into the door and a second side on an opposite side of the panel from the first side and facing outward from the door,
- wherein the panel, when in the deployed position, is reversible between a first state where the first side faces up and the second side faces down, and a second state where the second side faces up and the first side faces down,
- wherein, when in the deployed position, the panel is configured to serve a functional purpose, including presenting as a work surface when the first side faces up in the first state and presenting as a seating surface when the second side faces up in the second state.
A vehicle having a body defining an exterior and an interior and comprising:
- a door that selectively opens to expose the interior to the exterior, wherein the door has an interior side and an exterior side;
- a panel system with a panel on the interior side of the door, the panel system defining an interior trim system of the door;
- and
- a linkage connecting the panel to the door,
- wherein the panel is configured to move, via the linkage, from a stowed position in the door to a deployed position moved away from the door,
- wherein, when in the stowed position, the panel is configured to provide the interior side of the door that is substantially continuous and, when in the stowed position, the panel includes a first side facing into the door and a second side on an opposite side of the panel from the first side and facing outward from the door,
- wherein the panel, when in the deployed position, is reversible between a first state where the first side faces up and the second side faces down, and a second state where the second side faces up and the first side faces down,
- wherein, when in the deployed position, the panel is configured as a platform to serve a functional purpose, including presenting as a work surface when the first side faces up in the first state and presenting as a seating surface when the second side faces up in the second state.
A vehicle having body defining an exterior and an interior and comprising:
- a door that is selectively opens the body to expose the interior to the exterior, wherein the door has an interior side and an exterior side, wherein the door is a side door of the vehicle;
- a panel system with a panel on the interior side of the door, the panel system defining an interior trim system of the door;
- and
- a linkage connecting the panel to the door, the linkage configured to allow the panel to rotate and to move relative to the door,
- wherein the panel is configured to move, via the linkage, from a stowed position in the door to a deployed position moved away from the door,
- wherein, when in the stowed position, the panel is configured to provide the interior side of the door with a substantially continuous trim appearance,
- wherein, when in the deployed position, the panel is configured as a platform to serve a functional purpose,
- wherein, when in the deployed position, a cavity is exposed in the door into which the panel is stowable,
- wherein a seat back is stowed in the door above the cavity and is deployable straight out of the door and is deployable separate from the panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.