Vehicle seat armrest system

Abstract

The invention relates primarily to an armrest system (1) that is continuously adjustable along one direction of rotation over an angular range of operating positions (5), but locked in rotation in the other direction between a lowered position (A) and a raised position (B). Furthermore, the armrest system (1) is free to rotate in both directions once engaged and up to a retracted position (C), and can then be disengaged once returned to its lowered position (A). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle seat armrest system. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of equipment present in motor vehicles.

[0002] The present invention relates more specifically to a retractable armrest system, particularly for a motor vehicle. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In motor vehicles, it is known to have an armrest between the two front seats of said vehicle, allowing the driver or passenger to rest their elbow during the journey.

[0004] In a known manner, this armrest is mobile by rotation between two extreme positions, one called low to allow the driver or passenger to rest their elbow, and the other in which the armrest is retracted.

[0005] For improved comfort, to adapt to the body shape of the driver or passenger, the armrest is movable within an angular range of operating positions from the lowest position to a high position, which is located between the lowest and retracted positions. Particularly advantageously, the driver or passenger can choose any position of the armrest between the lowest and highest positions.

[0006] The systems enabling this are generally ratchet systems cooperating with a toothed wheel. These systems ensure the free movement of the armrest from the lowered position to the upper position, but lock the rotation from a position between the lowered and upper positions when a force is applied to the armrest tending to return it to its lowered position. The user must then press a trigger provided for this purpose to disengage the ratchet and allow the armrest to return to its lowered position.

[0007] This type of system has the disadvantage of being noisy, emitting a characteristic rattle, but also of only allowing the armrest to adopt a determined number of usage positions, depending on the size of the teeth of the wheel cooperating with the ratchet.

[0008] The invention thus aims to overcome the above drawbacks by proposing a quieter and more ergonomic armrest system. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In this context, the invention relates to a vehicle seat armrest system (1) comprising an armrest (2) having a rigid structure (3) which is mounted movably for rotation about a main axis of rotation (4) on the vehicle seat between an angular range of operating positions (5) extending from a first lowest position of the armrest (A) to a second highest position (B), up to a retracted position (C), characterized in that it comprises a continuous angular adjustment device (6) of the armrest (2) within the angular range of operating positions, a continuous accompaniment device (7) of the armrest (2) from the second highest position (B) to the retracted position (C), and a reset device (8) of said continuous angular adjustment device (6) when the armrest (2) is returned to its lowest position (A), which system (1) comprises a gear train (9) which is connected to the rigid structure (3) of the armrest, which is driven in a closed loop and activated by the rotation of the armrest (2) relative to the seat, and which includes an irreversible gear (10),the continuous angular adjustment device (6) comprising first means for transmitting force through the irreversible gear (10) which are activated when the armrest (2) is brought to its highest position (B) within the angular range of operating positions (5) so that the armrest (2) can adopt all positions between the lowest position (A) and the highest position (B), and means for stopping the transmission of force through the irreversible gear (10) which are activated when a force (Fl) is applied to the armrest (2) towards its lowest position (A) from any position of the armrest (2) within the angular range of operating positions (5), so that the armrest (2) is locked in that position,the continuous support device (7) for the armrest (2) from the second highest position (B) to the retracted position (C) comprising means for releasing the force transmission stop means through the irreversible gear (10) configured to be activated when the armrest (2) is raised beyond the highest position (B) of the angular range of operating positions (5), and second means for transmitting force through said irreversible gear (10) which are activated when the armrest is raised between the second highest position (B) and the retracted position (C) or lowered from any position between the second highest position (B) and the retracted position (C) to the lowest position (A) of the angular range of operating positions (5), and , The reset device (8) includes means for engaging force transmission stop means through the irreversible gear (10) when force (Fl) is applied to the armrest (2) towards its lowest position (A) from any position of the armrest (2) within the angular range of operating positions (5), configured to be activated when the armrest (2) reaches its lowest position (A).

[0010] The armrest system of the invention may also include the following optional features, considered individually or in all possible technical combinations: The irreversible gear (10) is an assembly consisting of a worm (11) associated with a pinion (12), the angle of the helix (13) of the worm (11) being less than 6°. The pinion (12) of the irreversible gear (10) is in drive connection with the main axis of rotation (4) of the armrest (2), in that the worm gear (11) is mounted rigidly on a main shaft (14), and in that a first toothed wheel (15), in drive connection with the main axis of rotation (4) of the armrest (2), is coaxially butted, via a butting base (16), to the main shaft (14), alternately in rotational connection with said main shaft (14) and disengaged from the main shaft (14). The first means for transmitting force through the irreversible gear (10) and the means for stopping the transmission of force through the irreversible gear (10) of the continuous angular adjustment device (6) comprise a free angular sector (17) between respective longitudinal faces (18, 19) opposite the butt base (16) of the first gear (15) and the main shaft (14), the position of the free angular sector (17) relative to the main shaft (14) and the length of its arc being configured so that the rotation of the first gear (15), driven by the application of a force on the armrest (2) towards its lowest position (A) from any position of the armrest (2) within the angular range of operating positions (5),does not rotate the worm gear (11) and ensures that the gear train (9) is immobilized before the longitudinal face (18) of the butt end (16) of the first gear (15) reaches the longitudinal face (19) opposite the main shaft (14). The means for releasing the force transmission stopping means through the irreversible gear (10) and the second means for transmitting force through said irreversible gear (10) of the continuous support device (7) comprise a disengagement ring (20) in rotatable connection with the main shaft (14), free in translation on said main shaft (14) and mounted between the worm gear (11) and the first toothed wheel (15), and means for securing the disengagement ring (20) with the first toothed wheel (15) which are configured to be activated when the armrest (2) is raised beyond the highest position (B) of the angular range of operating positions (5),and deactivated when the armrest (2) is brought back to its lowest position (A) from any position between the second highest position (B) and the retracted position (C) by forming the means for engaging the means for stopping the transmission of force through the irreversible gear (10) of the reset device (8), in combination with the relative positioning of the respective longitudinal faces (18, 19) opposite the butt base (16) of the first gear (15) and the main shaft (14) which defines the free angular sector (17). The means for securing the disengagement ring (20) with the first gear (15) comprise an annular guide track (21) formed on the perimetric circumference of the disengagement ring (20) and in which is engaged a guide pin (22) integral with a support (23) of said system (1) on which the gear train (9) is mounted, the annular guide track (21) has a first track (24a) on the side of the worm gear (11) which forms a means for activating the means for securing the disengagement ring (20) with the first gear (15) when the guide pin (22) is engaged therein, and a second adjacent track (24b) which forms a means for deactivating the means for securing the disengagement ring (20) with the first gear (15) when the guide pin (22) is engaged therein,the disengagement ring (20) has a first passage (25a) of the guide pin (22) from the second track (24b) to the first track (24a) ensuring the engagement of the disengagement ring (20) with the first toothed wheel (15), and a second passage (25b) from the first track (24a) to the second track (24b) ensuring the disengagement of the disengagement ring (20) from the first toothed wheel (15), the respective positions of the first (25a) and second (25b) passages on the guide track (21) being configured so that the passage of the guide pin (22) from the second track (25b) to the first track (25a) takes place when the armrest (2) is raised beyond the highest position (B) of the angular range of operating positions (5),and so that the passage of the guide pin (22) from the first track (25a) to the second track (25b) occurs when the armrest (2) is returned to its lowest position (A) from any position between the second highest position (B) and the retracted position (C). - The first pass (25a) is configured so that the guide pin (22) automatically moves from the second track (24b) to the first track (24a) when the rotation of the disengagement ring (20) brings said first pass (25a) to the level of the guide pin (22). - The system includes means for transferring the guide pin (22) from the first track (24a) to the second track (24b) of the guide rail (21), which comprise a cam (27) formed on a second toothed wheel (28) integral with the rigid structure (3) of the armrest (2) engaged with the first toothed wheel (15) and which is directed towards the disengagement ring (20), and a stud (29) provided on the disengagement ring (20), the relative position of the cam (27) and the stud (29) respectively on the second toothed wheel (28) and on the disengagement ring (20) being configured so that said cam (27) and said stud (29) are in contact support when the armrest (2) is brought back to its lowest position (A) from any position between the second highest position (B) and the retracted position (C), the cam (27) applying a force on the stud (29) causing the passage of the guide pin (22) from the first track (24a) to the second track (24b) of the guide track (21). - The support (23) of the system (1) includes a ramp (30) for the passage of the stud (29) of the disengagement ring (20). - The pinion (12) of the irreversible gear (10) is connected to the main axis of rotation (4) of the armrest (2) by a conical gear (31) comprising a first conical wheel (32) fixed to the pinion (12) of the irreversible gear (10) and a second conical wheel (33) mounted on the axis of rotation (4) of the armrest (2).

[0011] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0012] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description, with reference to the attached figures, which illustrate: [Fig.1] The [Fig.1] is a perspective representation of an armrest according to the invention, illustrating its different angular ranges of positions; [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a schematic perspective representation of the armrest system of the invention when the armrest is in its lowest position; [Fig.3] Fig.3 is a schematic perspective representation of the armrest system of the invention and of the direction of force flow when the armrest is mounted from its lowest position to its highest position within the angular range of operating positions; [Fig.4] Fig.4 is a schematic perspective representation of the armrest system of the invention and of the direction of force flow when attempting to lower the armrest within the angular range of operating positions; [Fig.5] Fig.5 is a schematic perspective representation of the armrest system of the invention and of the direction of force flow when the armrest is mounted from its highest position within the angular range of operating positions to its retracted position; [Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective representation of the armrest system of the invention and the direction of force transmission when the armrest is lowered from its retracted position to its lowest position within the angular range of operating positions; [Fig.7] The [Fig.7] is a schematic perspective representation of the irreversible gearing of the armrest system of the invention shown without the disengagement ring; [Fig.8] The [Fig.8] is a schematic perspective representation of the disengagement ring shown in a position detached from the main shaft of the irreversible gear; [Fig.9] The [Fig.9] is a schematic perspective representation of the disengagement ring shown in a position fixed to the main shaft of the irreversible gear; [Fig. 10] The [Fig. 10] is a schematic side view representation of the clutch ring illustrating the annular guide track and the first passage of the guide pin from the second track to the first track of the guide track; [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a schematic front view of the clutch ring; and [Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a schematic representation of the passage ramp of the second stud of the disengagement ring provided on the fixed support of the armrest system of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] It is first specified that in the figures, the same references designate the same elements regardless of the figure in which they appear and regardless of the form of representation of these elements. Similarly, if elements are not specifically referenced in one of the figures, their references can easily be found by referring to another figure.

[0014] It is also specified that the figures essentially represent one embodiment of the invention, but that other embodiments may exist that meet the definition of the invention. In particular, the figures and examples described below relate to an armrest system mounted between the two front seats of a motor vehicle, but can be applied to any type of furniture.

[0015] The invention relates to an armrest system 1 for a vehicle seat 34. With reference to [Fig. 1], the armrest system 1 comprises an armrest 2 having a rigid structure 3 (visible in particular in Figures 2 to 7) which is mounted to rotate about a main axis of rotation 4 relative to the vehicle seat 34 between an angular range of operating positions 5 extending from a first lowest position of the armrest A to a second highest position B, up to a retracted position C. The rigid structure 3 comprises an arm 35 on which is exerted the force to put said structure 3 - and therefore the armrest 2 to which it is attached - into rotational motion around the main axis 4.

[0016] With reference to [Fig.2], the armrest system 1 comprises a support 23 having a flat plate 36 attached to the seat 34. The support 23 further comprises rotational connecting means 37 to the rigid structure 3 around the main axis of rotation 4, which connecting means 37 protrude from the flat plate 36 of the support 23.

[0017] The armrest system 1 further includes a gear train 9, rotationally connected to the rigid structure 3 and to the rotational linkage means 37 of the support 23. This gear train 9 is driven in a closed loop and activated by the rotation of the armrest 2, and therefore by the rotation of the rigid structure 3 around the main axis 4.

[0018] With reference to figures 2 to 9, the gear train 9 comprises an irreversible gear 10 having a worm gear 11 fixed to a main shaft 14 ([Fig.7]), which main shaft 14 is movable in rotation about a secondary axis 38 ([Fig.7]) parallel to the main axis of rotation 4.

[0019] The irreversible gear 10 also includes a pinion 12 which meshes with the worm gear 11. The irreversible nature of the gear 10 - that is to say that the worm gear 11 is able to drive the pinion 12, but the pinion 12 cannot drive the worm gear 11 - is ensured by the angle of the helix 13 of the worm gear 11 which must be less than or equal to 6°.

[0020] Advantageously and to reinforce the irreversible nature of the irreversible gear 10, the teeth 39 of the pinion 12 are also helical and have an angle less than or equal to 6°.

[0021] The gear train 9 comprises a first gear 15 (see in particular Figures 7 to 9) which meshes with a second gear 28 fixed to the rigid structure 3. The first gear 15 is driven by the main axis of rotation 14 of the armrest 2, and is coaxially butted, via a butt plate 16, to the main shaft 14. Furthermore, the butt plate 16 comprises a longitudinal face 18 which is opposite a longitudinal face 19 of the main shaft 14, the two longitudinal faces 18, 19 being spaced apart to form a free angular sector 17 separating said longitudinal faces 18, 19. The butt plate 16 comprises a second opposite longitudinal face (not shown) which is in contact with the main shaft 14.

[0022] The presence of this angular sector 16 on one side of the base 16 of the first gear 15 and the fact that the opposite side of the base 16 of the first gear 15 is in contact with the main shaft 14 allows alternatively the rotational connection of the first gear 15 with said main shaft 14 and the disengagement of the first toothed wheel 15 from the main shaft 14, depending on the direction of rotation of the rigid structure 3 and the armrest 2.

[0023] With reference to figures 2 to 6 and 8 to 11, the armrest system 1 further comprises a disengagement ring 20 in rotatable connection with the main shaft 14 and free in translation on said main shaft 14. This ring 20 is mounted on the main shaft 14 between the worm gear 11 and the first toothed wheel 15. The rotatable connection is ensured by the engagement of tenons (not shown) projecting from the main shaft 14 in grooves 40 ([Fig. 11]) formed in the inner face of the disengagement ring 20.

[0024] The disengagement ring 20 also includes an axial notch 41 ([Fig. 11]) configured to cooperate with an axial dog 42 (figures 7 and 8) integral with the first toothed wheel 15. This dog 42 and this notch 41 form part of the means for securing the disengagement ring 20 with the first toothed wheel 15.

[0025] The disengagement ring 20 is movable on the main shaft 14 between a disengaged position and an engaged position.

[0026] In its engaged position, the dog clutch 42 of the first gear 15 is engaged in the notch 41 of the disengagement ring. Under these conditions, the ring 20 and the first gear 15 are rotationally linked. However, since the ring 20 is rotationally linked to the main shaft 14, it follows that the first gear 15 is fully rotationally linked to the main shaft 14 when the ring 20 is in its engaged position.

[0027] In its disengaged position, the dog clutch 42 of the first gear 15 is disengaged from the notch 41 of the disengagement ring 20. The ring 20 and the first gear 15 are no longer fully rotationally linked. Under these conditions, the first gear 15 is alternately rotationally linked with the main shaft 14 and disengaged from the main shaft 14, depending on the direction of rotation of the rigid structure 3 and the armrest 2.

[0028] With reference to Figures 8 to 10, the disengagement ring 20 also includes an annular guide track 21 formed in the outer face of the ring 20 and forming the other part of the means for securing the ring 20 to the first gear 15. This track 21 is designed to cooperate with a guide pin 22 projecting from the flat plate 36 of the support 23 and comprises two parallel paths: a first path 24a on the side of the worm gear 11 and a second path 24b on the side of the first gear 15. The guide track 21 further includes a first passage 25a of the guide pin 22 from the second path 24b to the first path 24a, ensuring the movement of the ring 20 to its engaged position. This first passage 25a has the form of an inclined ramp, and a second passage 25b of the first path 24a to the second track 24b ensuring the movement of the ring 20 towards its disengaged position.The first channel 24a thus forms a means of activating the means of . securing the release ring 20, while the second path 24b forms a means for deactivating the means for securing the release ring 20.

[0029] The ring 20 finally includes a stud 29 projecting radially from the annular body of the ring 20, which stud 29 is configured to cooperate with a cam 27 projecting from the rigid structure 3. Furthermore, the flat plate 36 of the support 23 includes a ramp 30 for the stud 29 of the release ring 20.

[0030] The armrest system 1 includes a bevel gear 31 having a first bevel gear 32 fixed to the pinion 12 of the irreversible gear 10 and a second bevel gear 33 mounted on the fixed structure 3, on the main axis of rotation 4 of the armrest 2. These bevel gears 32, 33 thus allow the pinion 12 of the irreversible gear 10 to be connected to the main axis of rotation 4 of the armrest 2, ensuring the closed-loop drive of the gear train 9.

[0031] Advantageously, the second conical wheel 33 is rotationally linked to the rigid structure 3 when said rigid structure 3 moves towards its retracted position C, and is free to rotate with said rigid structure 3 when the latter moves rotationally towards its lower position A. This makes it possible to provide mechanical play in the closed drive loop of the gear train 9 and to prevent the armrest system 1 from blocking.

[0032] The operation of the armrest system 1 of the invention will now be described.

[0033] The rigid structure 3 is in its lowest position A. In these conditions, the disengagement ring 20 is disengaged from the first toothed wheel 15, and the guide pin 22 is engaged in the second track 24b of the guide track 21. Furthermore, the cam 27 of the rigid structure 3 is in contact with the stud 29 of the ring 20.

[0034] When a first force Fl is applied to the arm 35 of the rigid structure 3 to move it to its upper position B – the rigid structure 3 remaining within the angular range of operating position 5 ([Fig. 3]) – the second gear 28 drives the first gear 15, which, in turn, drives the worm gear 11 with which it is rotationally linked. The worm gear 11 then drives the pinion 12, which in turn drives the first bevel gear 32. The first bevel gear 32, in turn, drives the second bevel gear 33 to complete the transmission of force through the gear train 9. The system 1 thus comprises first means for transmitting force through the irreversible gear 10, activated when the armrest 2 is brought to its highest position B within the angular range of operating positions 5.

[0035] When the application of this first force Fl is stopped, the rigid structure 3 – therefore the armrest system 1 and the armrest 2 – are found in an angular position between the lower position A and the upper position B. In the range If a second opposing force F2 is applied to the arm 35 ([Fig. 4]) tending to return the rigid structure 3 to its lowest position A, then the first gear 15 can no longer drive the worm gear 11. In this direction of rotation, and when the ring 20 is disengaged, the first gear 15 cannot rotate the main shaft 14 (because of the angular sector 17 which prevents rotational connection between the first gear 15 and the main shaft 14), and the force F2 applied to the armrest 2 is therefore directed towards the pinion 12 engaging the worm gear 11. However, since this gear is irreversible, the pinion 12 cannot drive the worm gear 11. The armrest 2 is therefore locked and remains in its position between the lower position A and the upper position B, as long as it is within the angular range of positions 5. usage 5.System 1 thus includes means for stopping the transmission of force through the irreversible gear 10.

[0036] The armrest 2 can thus occupy any position within the angular range of usage positions 5, and is systematically locked when the user presses on the armrest 2. The system 1 of the invention thus comprises a continuous angular adjustment device 6 within the angular range of usage positions 5, which includes the first means for transmitting force through the irreversible gear 10 and the means for stopping the transmission of force through the irreversible gear 10.

[0037] Conversely, the movement of the rigid structure towards the upper position B remains free. If the movement in this direction continues, following the application of the first force Fl, the rigid structure 3 reaches the upper position B as shown in [Fig. 5]. At the instant when the rigid structure 3 passes the upper position B ([Fig. 6]) towards the retracted position C, the guide pin 22, projecting from the support 23 and traveling in the second track 24b, passes through the first passage 25a to arrive in the first track 24a. This first passage 25a is positioned so as to be at the level of the guide pin 22 when the rigid structure 33 is in its upper position B.

[0038] Simultaneously, the disengagement ring 20 moves along the main shaft 14 from its disengaged position to its engaged position with the first gear 15: the dog clutch 42 of the first gear 15 engages in the notch 41 formed in the ring 20. In other words, the means for securing the ring 20 to the first gear 15 are activated. At this moment, the engaged ring 20 allows rotational connection between the first gear 15 and the main shaft 14, regardless of the direction of rotation of the armrest 2. The system 1 of the invention thus includes means for releasing the force transmission stopping means through the irreversible gear 10 when the rigid structure 3 is raised beyond the upper position B.

[0039] Under these conditions, the second gear 28 drives the first gear 15 which, in turn, drives the worm gear 11, regardless of the direction of rotation of the rigid structure 3 and the armrest 2: from the moment the ring 20 is engaged, The armrest 2 is free to rotate in both directions between the retracted position C and the lowered position A (without, however, reaching this lowered position A). The system 1 of the invention thus comprises secondary means for transmitting force through the irreversible gear 10, in both directions of rotation and regardless of the angular position of the armrest 2 except for the lowest position A.

[0040] In addition, to prevent the stud 29 of the disengagement ring 20 from hitting the flat plate 36 of the support 23 when the armrest 2 moves to its retracted position C, the flat plate 36 includes a ramp 30 for the stud 29 to pass through said plate 36. This also makes the armrest system 1 more compact.

[0041] The armrest system 1 thus includes a continuous support device 7 which includes the means for releasing the means for stopping the transmission of force through the irreversible gear 10 and the second means for transmitting force through the irreversible gear 10.

[0042] It is interesting to note that the value of the angle formed between the flat base 36 of the support 23 and the arm 35 of the rigid structure 3 in its high position B can be adjusted according to the positioning of the dog 42 on the first toothed wheel 15, the notch 41 and the first passage 25a on the disengagement ring 20. Typically and without limitation, this angle is on the order of 30° when the rigid structure 3 is in its high position B.

[0043] Finally, when the armrest 2 (the ring 20 being engaged) continues its movement towards the lower position A and reaches said lower position A, the cam 27 of the rigid structure 3 comes into contact with the stud 29 of the ring 20: the cam 27 exerts a force against the stud 29 and causes the translational movement of the disengagement ring 20 along the main shaft 14 and the disengagement of said ring 20 (by moving away) from the first toothed wheel 15. In other words, the means of securing the ring 20 to the first toothed wheel 15 are deactivated. Simultaneously, the guide pin 22 passes, via the second passage 25b, from the first track 24a to the second track 24b of the guide track 21. This second passage 25b is positioned so as to be at the level of the guide pin 22 when the cam 27 is in contact with the stud 29 of the disengagement ring 20.The stud 29 and the cam 27 then form means of passage 26 of the guide pin 22 of the first track 24a to the second track 24b of the guide track 21 of the disengagement ring 20. .

[0044] The cam 27 and the pin 29, in cooperation, then form means for engaging the means for stopping the transmission of force through the irreversible gear 10, which engagement means are part of a reset device 8 of the armrest system 1 of the invention. The armrest 2 is again ready to adopt any angular position within the angular range of use positions 5, while being locked in a position between the low position A and the high position B when a force Fl tending to return the rigid structure 3 to its low position A is applied to the arm 35 of the rigid structure 3.

Claims

1. Demands Vehicle seat armrest system (1) comprising an armrest (2) having a rigid structure (3) which is mounted movably for rotation about a main axis of rotation (4) on the vehicle seat between an angular range of operating positions (5) extending from a first lowest position of the armrest (A) to a second highest position (B), up to a retracted position (C), characterized in that it comprises a continuous angular adjustment device (6) for the armrest (2) within the angular range of operating positions, a continuous support device (7) for the armrest (2) from the second highest position (B) to the retracted position (C), and a reset device (8) for said continuous angular adjustment device (6) when the armrest (2) is returned to its lowest position (A), which system (1) comprises a gear train (9) which is connected to the rigid structure (3) of the armrest,which is driven in a closed loop and activated by the rotation of the armrest (2) relative to the seat, and which includes an irreversible gear (10), the continuous angular adjustment device (6) having first means for transmitting force through the irreversible gear (10) which are activated when the armrest (2) is brought to its highest position (B) within the angular range of operating positions (5) so that the armrest (2) can adopt all positions between the lowest position (A) and the highest position (B), and means for stopping the transmission of force through the irreversible gear (10) which are activated when a force (Fl) is applied to the armrest (2) towards its lowest position (A) from any position of the armrest (2) within the angular range of operating positions (5), so that the armrest (2) is locked in that position,the continuous support device (7) of the armrest (2) from the second highest position (B) to the retracted position (C) comprising means for releasing the force transmission stopping means through the irreversible gear (10) configured to be activated when the armrest (2) is raised beyond the highest position (B) of the angular range of operating positions (5), and the second transmission means, force transmission through said irreversible gear (10) which are activated when the armrest is raised between the second highest position (B) and the retracted position (C) or lowered from any position between the second highest position (B) and the retracted position (C) to the lowest position (A) of the angular range of operating positions (5), and the reset device (8) comprising means for engaging means for stopping force transmission through the irreversible gear (10) when force (Fl) is applied to the armrest (2) towards its lowest position (A) from any position of the armrest (2) in the angular range of operating positions (5), configured to be activated when the armrest (2) reaches its lowest position (A).

2. Armrest system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the irreversible gear (10) is an assembly formed of a worm screw (11) associated with a pinion (12), the angle of the helix (13) of the worm screw (11) being less than 6°.

3. System (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the pinion (12) of the irreversible gear (10) is in drive connection with the main axis of rotation (4) of the armrest (2), in that the worm gear (11) is mounted rigidly on a main shaft (14), and in that a first toothed wheel (15), in drive connection with the main axis of rotation (4) of the armrest (2), is coaxially butted, via a butting base (16), to the main shaft (14), alternately in rotational connection with said main shaft (14) and disengaged from the main shaft (14).

4. System (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first means for transmitting force through the irreversible gear (10) and the means for stopping the transmission of force through the irreversible gear (10) of the continuous angular adjustment device (6) comprise a free angular sector (17) between respective longitudinal faces (18, 19) opposite the butt base (16) of the first gear (15) and the main shaft (14), the position of the free angular sector (17) relative to the main shaft (14) and the length of its arc being configured so that the rotation of the first gear (15), driven by the application of a force on the armrest (2) towards its lowest position (A) from any position of the armrest (2) within the angular range of operating positions (5), does not cause the worm gear (11) to rotate and ensures the immobilization of the gear train (9) before the longitudinal face (18) of the butt base (16) of the first gear (15) reaches the longitudinal face (19) opposite the main shaft (14).

5. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the means for releasing the force transmission stopping means through the irreversible gear (10) and the second means for transmitting force through said irreversible gear (10) of the continuous support device (7) comprise a disengagement ring (20) in rotatable connection with the main shaft (14), free in translation on said main shaft (14) and mounted between the worm gear (11) and the first toothed wheel (15), and means for securing the disengagement ring (20) with the first toothed wheel (15) which are configured to be activated when the armrest (2) is raised beyond the highest position (B) of the angular range of operating positions (5),and deactivated when the armrest (2) is returned to its lowest position (A) from any position between the second highest position (B) and the retracted position (C) by forming the means for engaging the means for stopping the transmission of force through the irreversible gear (10) of the reset device (8) in combination with the relative positioning of the respective longitudinal faces (18, 19) opposite the butt base (16) of the first toothed wheel (15) and the main shaft (14) which defines the free angular sector (17).

6. System (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the means for securing the disengagement ring (20) with the first gear (15) comprise an annular guide track (21) formed on the perimetric circumference of the disengagement ring (20) and in which a guide pin (22) is engaged, the guide pin being integral with a support (23) of said system (1) on which the gear train (9) is mounted, in that the annular guide track (21) has a first channel (24a) on the side of the worm gear (11) which forms a means for activating the means for securing the disengagement ring (20) with the first gear (15) when the guide pin (22) is engaged therein, and a second adjacent channel (24b) which forms

7.

8. means of deactivating the means of securing the disengagement ring (20) with the first toothed wheel (15) when the guide pin (22) is engaged therein, and in that the disengagement ring (20) has a first passage (25a) of the guide pin (22) from the second track (24b) to the first track (24a) ensuring the engagement of the disengagement ring (20) with the first toothed wheel (15), and a second passage (25b) from the first track (24a) to the second track (24b) ensuring the disengagement of the disengagement ring (20) from the first toothed wheel (15), the respective positions of the first (25a) and second (25b) passages on the guide track (21) being configured so that the passage of the guide pin (22) from the second track (25b) to the first track (25a) takes place when the armrest (2) is raised beyond the highest position (B) of the angular range of operating positions (5),and so that the passage of the guide pin (22) from the first track (25a) to the second track (25b) occurs when the armrest (2) is returned to its lowest position (A) from any position between the second highest position (B) and the retracted position (C). System (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first pass (25a) is configured so that the guide pin (22) automatically moves from the second track (24b) to the first track (24a) when the rotation of the disengagement ring (20) brings said first pass (25a) to the level of the guide pin (22).System (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises means for the passage (26) of the guide pin (22) from the first track (24a) to the second track (24b) of the guide rail (21), which include a cam (27) formed on a second toothed wheel (28) integral with the rigid structure (3) of the armrest (2), meshing with the first toothed wheel (15) and directed towards the release ring (20), and a stud (29) formed on the release ring (20), the relative position of the cam (27) and the stud (29) respectively on the second toothed wheel (28) and on the release ring (20) being configured such that said cam (27) and said stud (29) are in contact when the armrest (2) is returned to its lowest position (A) from any position between the second highest position (B) and the retracted position (C), the cam (27) applying a force on the stud (29) causing the passage. from the guide pin (22) of the first track (24a) to the second track (24b) of the guide track (21).

9. System (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the support (23) of the system (1) has a ramp (30) for the passage of the stud (29) of the disengagement ring (20).

10. System (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the pinion (12) of the irreversible gear (10) is connected to the main axis of rotation (4) of the armrest (2) by a bevel gear (31) comprising a first bevel wheel (32) integral with the pinion (12) of the irreversible gear (10) and a second bevel wheel (33) mounted on the axis of rotation (4) of the armrest (2).

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