Vehicle interior component

Abstract

A component configured to dispense scent in a vehicle interior may comprise a scent-dispensing apparatus configured for at least one scent-dispensing cartridge (removable/replaceable) containing scent media. The apparatus may comprise an actuator operable in a bypass mode or for selection/actuation of a cartridge. A selected cartridge may be actuated from a sealed state to prevent airflow to an unsealed state to allow airflow across/through scent media and into the vehicle interior. The actuator may comprise a mechanism (e.g. slider, cam mechanism); each cartridge may comprise a valve mechanism actuated by the actuator; each mechanism may comprise a spring. The scent-dispensing apparatus may comprise a retainer to retain the scent-dispensing cartridge for use and to release the scent-dispensing cartridge for removal and a plunger to present the scent-dispensing cartridge to facilitate removal. The component may comprise a console, overhead console, floor console, center console, etc.

1 . A component for a vehicle interior configured to dispense scent from at least one scent-dispensing cartridge containing scent media into air in the vehicle interior comprising:
 a scent-dispensing apparatus configured for the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge;   wherein the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge comprises a first scent-dispensing cartridge and a second scent-dispensing cartridge;   wherein the scent-dispensing apparatus comprises an actuator configured (a) to actuate the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge between a sealed state and an unsealed state and (b) to move the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge from the scent-dispensing apparatus to facilitate removal of the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge from the scent-dispensing apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The component of  claim 1  wherein the actuator is configured to operate a cam mechanism configured (a) to actuate the first scent-dispensing cartridge and (b) to actuate the second scent-dispensing cartridge. 
     
     
         3 . The component of  claim 1  wherein the actuator is configured to operate a mechanism configured (a) to facilitate air flow to actuate the first scent-dispensing cartridge and (b) to facilitate air flow to actuate the second scent-dispensing cartridge. 
     
     
         4 . The component of  claim 1  wherein the actuator is configured to operate a cam mechanism configured (a) to rotate in a first direction to actuate the first scent-dispensing cartridge and (b) to rotate in a second direction generally opposite the first direction to actuate the second scent-dispensing cartridge. 
     
     
         5 . The component of  claim 1  wherein the actuator is configured to provide the scent-dispensing apparatus with (a) a bypass state with the first scent-dispensing cartridge in a sealed state and the second scent-dispensing cartridge in a sealed state; (b) a first actuation state actuating the first scent-dispensing cartridge in an unsealed state with the second scent-dispensing cartridge in the sealed state; (c) a second actuation state actuating the second scent-dispensing cartridge in an unsealed state with the first scent-dispensing cartridge in the sealed state. 
     
     
         6 . The component of  claim 1  wherein the scent-dispensing apparatus comprises a cover configured for (a) a first accessible state actuating the first scent-dispensing cartridge in an accessible position for replacement with the second scent-dispensing cartridge in the inaccessible position; (b) a second accessible state actuating the second scent-dispensing cartridge in an accessible position for replacement with the first scent-dispensing cartridge in the inaccessible position. 
     
     
         7 . A component for a vehicle interior configured to dispense scent from at least one scent-dispensing cartridge containing scent media into air in the vehicle interior comprising:
 a scent-dispensing apparatus configured for the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge;   wherein the scent-dispensing apparatus comprises an actuator for a valve assembly configured to actuate the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge between a sealed state and an unsealed state;   wherein the actuator is configured to operate a cam mechanism comprising a slider configured to selectively open and close the valve assembly for the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge;   wherein the slider comprises a cam configured to actuate a follower to open the valve assembly to facilitate air flow for the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge.   
     
     
         8 . The component of  claim 7  wherein the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge comprises a first scent-dispensing cartridge and a second scent-dispensing cartridge; wherein the cam mechanism is configured (a) to translate the slider in a first direction to actuate the first scent-dispensing cartridge and (b) to translate the slider in a second direction generally opposite the first direction to actuate the second scent-dispensing cartridge. 
     
     
         9 . The component of  claim 7  wherein the at least one scent-dispensing cartridge comprises a first scent-dispensing cartridge and a second scent-dispensing cartridge; wherein the actuator is configured (a) to actuate the first scent-dispensing cartridge and (b) to actuate the second scent-dispensing cartridge. 
     
     
         10 . The component of  claim 9  wherein the valve assembly comprises a valve for the first scent-dispensing cartridge and a valve for the second scent-dispensing cartridge; wherein the cam mechanism is configured (a) to open the valve for the first scent-dispensing cartridge to facilitate air flow through the first scent-dispensing cartridge and (b) to open the valve for the second scent-dispensing cartridge to facilitate air flow through the second scent-dispensing cartridge. 
     
     
         11 . The component of  claim 9  wherein the valve assembly comprises a valve for the first scent-dispensing cartridge and a valve for the second scent-dispensing cartridge; wherein the cam mechanism is configured (a) to close the valve for the first scent-dispensing cartridge to obstruct air flow through the first scent-dispensing cartridge and (b) to close the valve for the second scent-dispensing cartridge to obstruct air flow through the second scent-dispensing cartridge. 
     
     
         12 . The component of  claim 9  wherein the valve assembly comprises a valve for the first scent-dispensing cartridge and a valve for the second scent-dispensing cartridge; wherein the cam mechanism is configured (a) to open the valve for the first scent-dispensing cartridge and to close the valve for the second scent-dispensing cartridge to facilitate air flow through the first scent-dispensing cartridge and (b) to close the valve for the first scent-dispensing cartridge and to open the valve for the second scent-dispensing cartridge to facilitate air flow through the second scent-dispensing cartridge. 
     
     
         13 . A component for a vehicle interior configured to dispense scent from a scent-dispensing cartridge containing scent media into air in the vehicle interior comprising:
 a scent-dispensing apparatus comprising a base configured to retain the scent-dispensing cartridge;   a retainer configured to retain the scent-dispensing cartridge in the base of the scent-dispensing apparatus for use and to release the scent-dispensing cartridge from the base of the scent-dispensing apparatus for removal; and   a plunger configured to present the scent-dispensing cartridge to facilitate removal from the base of the scent-dispensing apparatus;   wherein the plunger is configured to present the scent-dispensing cartridge for removal from the base upon release of the scent-dispensing apparatus by the retainer.   
     
     
         14 . The component of  claim 13  wherein the scent-dispensing cartridge comprises a set of scent-dispensing cartridges; wherein the base comprises a compartment for each scent-dispensing cartridge of the set of scent-dispensing cartridges; wherein the retainer comprises a retainer for each scent-dispensing cartridge of the set of scent-dispensing cartridges; wherein the plunger comprises a plunger for each scent-dispensing cartridge of the set of scent-dispensing cartridges. 
     
     
         15 . The component of  claim 13  wherein the latch is configured to be actuated by an arm configured to be moved from a latched position to retain the scent-dispensing cartridge in the base and an unlatched position to release the scent-dispensing cartridge from the base;
 wherein the plunger is configured to present the scent-dispensing cartridge for removal from the base of the scent-dispensing apparatus when the arm for the latch is moved to the unlatched position. 
 
     
     
         16 . The component of  claim 13  wherein the retainer comprises a latch; wherein the latch comprises a spring-actuated latch configured (a) to provide a latched state for use of the scent-dispensing cartridge in the scent-dispensing apparatus and (b) to provide an unlatched state for removal of the scent-dispensing cartridge from the scent-dispensing apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . The component of  claim 13  wherein the plunger comprises a spring-actuated plunger configured to push the scent-dispensing cartridge for removal from the base of the scent-dispensing apparatus. 
     
     
         18 . The component of  claim 13  further comprising a mechanism comprising the latch and the plunger configured to be actuated by an arm for the latch; wherein the arm for the latch is configured to be moved from a latched position and an unlatched position; wherein the mechanism is configured actuate the plunger to present the scent-dispensing cartridge for removal from the scent-dispensing apparatus when the arm for the latch is moved to the unlatched position. 
     
     
         19 . The component of  claim 13  wherein the scent-dispensing apparatus comprises an actuator comprising a cam mechanism configured to actuate the scent-dispensing cartridge to facilitate air flow through the scent-dispensing cartridge to dispense scent from scent media into air in the vehicle. 
     
     
         20 . The component of  claim 13  wherein the set of scent-dispensing cartridges comprises at least one scent-dispensing cartridge comprising a first scent-dispensing cartridge and a second scent-dispensing cartridge; wherein the scent-dispensing apparatus comprises an actuator comprising a cam mechanism configured (a) to actuate the first scent-dispensing cartridge to facilitate air flow through the first scent-dispensing cartridge to dispense scent from scent media into air in the vehicle and (b) to actuate the second scent-dispensing cartridge to facilitate air flow through the scent scent-dispensing cartridge to dispense scent from scent media into air in the vehicle and (c) to bypass air flow through any scent-dispensing cartridge to prevent dispensing scent from scent media into air in the vehicle.