# US 2021/0276466 A1 · Vehicle console with modular accessories

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- Number: US 2021/0276466 A1
- Document ID: US20210276466A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/807,894
- Filed: 2020-03-03
- Published: 2021-09-09
- Earliest claimed: 2020-03-03
- Assignees: Faurecia Interior Systems, Inc.
- Applicants: Faurecia Interior Systems, Inc.
- Inventors: Cedric KETELS; Thomas DESSAPT; Davide DI CENSO; Abdelkarim CHAIBLAINE; Andreos KAPLANOV; Robert FITZPATRICK
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210276466A1

## CPC

- B60N 2/79: {Adaptations for additional use of the arm-rests}
- B60N 2/5657: {blown towards the seat surface}
- B60N 2/78: {post or panel mounted}
- B60N 2/787: {detachable}
- B60N 3/00: Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for (of radio sets, television sets, telephones, {stowing or holding appliances} , safety belts or the like B60R)
- B60N 3/103: {detachable}
- B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A removable console for use in a row of vehicle seating includes a base and receptacles formed along the base. One of a plurality of interchangeable and accessory modules can be attached to the console base in each receptacle and optionally powered by the console base when installed. A latch holds each installed accessory module in the respective receptacle. Each latch can include electrical contacts to power an installed module.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A console for use in a passenger cabin of a vehicle, the console comprising:
a console base configured for removable attachment in the passenger cabin of the vehicle;
a receptacle formed along the console base and configured for removable attachment of a plurality of interchangeable accessory modules; and
a power transmitter for providing electrical power from a power source to an installed one of the accessory modules,
wherein at least one of the interchangeable accessory modules comprises a power receiver for receiving electrical power from the power source when installed in the receptacle.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The console of claim 1, further comprising a latch that holds an installed one of the accessory modules in the receptacle and an actuator that moves the latch to permit the installed accessory module to be removed.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The console of claim 2, wherein the latch is biased toward a position that holds the installed accessory module in the receptacle.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The console of claim 2, wherein the latch is located along the receptacle.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The console of claim 4, wherein the power transmitter is located along the latch.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The console of claim 1, further comprising a power connector configured for electrical coupling with a vehicle power source to provide electrical power at the power transmitter.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The console of claim 1, wherein the console base is supported by a vehicle seat of when attached to the vehicle.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The console of claim 7, wherein the console base is attached to the vehicle by a fastener extending through a bite line of the vehicle seat.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The console of claim 1, wherein the console attaches to the vehicle such that a backrest of a vehicle seat supports the console over a seat bottom of the vehicle seat.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The console of claim 9, further comprising an attachment arm extending from the console base, wherein the attachment arm is configured to extend along the backrest and over a top end of the backrest to attach the console to the vehicle seat.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The console of claim 1, wherein each accessory module is held in the receptacle via a friction fit when installed in the receptacle.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The console of claim 1, wherein the power transmitter comprises a console contact positioned in the receptacle to engage a corresponding module contact of the power receiver of the at least one accessory module when the respective module is installed in the receptacle.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The console of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is configured to receive a non-powered accessory module such that the power transmitter does not transmit power when the non-powered accessory module is installed in the receptacle.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The console of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is one of a plurality of receptacles formed along the console base, each receptacle being configured for removable attachment of each of the plurality of interchangeable accessory modules such that more than one of the accessory modules is simultaneously powered by the console base when installed in different receptacles.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The console of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is one of a plurality of receptacles formed along the console base, each receptacle being configured for removable attachment of each of the plurality of interchangeable accessory modules, and wherein at least one pair of the accessory modules overlap when installed in different receptacles.