Armrest

Abstract

The present invention relates to an armrest which comprises a base and an armrest rest portion. The armrest rest portion can be translated along a movement track between a first position and a second position relative to the base in mutually opposite movement directions. The armrest comprises guiding means which comprise a first guiding mechanism assigned to the base and a second guiding mechanism assigned to the armrest rest portion. Each guiding mechanism is formed with cooperating guiding surfaces which are movable relative to each other and define the movement of the armrest rest portion relative to the base in at least one direction perpendicular to the movement direction. A gap is formed between the first guiding mechanism and the second guiding mechanism. In the case of loading by means of a force acting on the armrest rest portion, the guiding surfaces of the first guiding mechanism and the second guiding mechanism come into contact. It is characterized in that the guiding means comprise at least one elastic element which loads the first guiding mechanism against the second guiding mechanism in such a way that the contact remains in the case of unloading.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a handrail. Background Art

[0002] Such an armrest is known, for example, from DE 10 2007 013 081. The armrest of the armrest is guided on a guide tube in a movable manner between a first position and a second position. In this way, the position of the armrest can be adjusted according to the needs of the seat occupant.

[0003] In such handrails in the prior art, each guide tube can usually be guided in two plain bearings, wherein the plain bearings consist of elastically deformable plastic rings, in particular of a material such as BASF. The armrest is made of a ring. Due to the elastic deformability, the ring yields when loaded until the guide tube rests on a rigid receiving element in which the ring is arranged. The displacement of the armrest due to the elastic deformation of the ring causes the user to feel a noticeable gap. This gap can be eliminated by ramps in the end positions. In the intermediate positions, this is not possible (especially when the armrest is not lockable) and is therefore particularly annoying for the user. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide an armrest with an armrest which is displaceable between a first position and a second position and which is virtually free of play when loaded.

[0005] The object is achieved by an armrest, which includes a base and an arm rest, wherein the arm rest can be moved translationally along a movement trajectory between a first position and a second position relative to the base through an intermediate position in opposite movement directions, the armrest also includes a guiding device, which includes a first guiding mechanism assigned to the base and a second guiding mechanism assigned to the arm rest, the first guiding mechanism and the second guiding mechanism forming guiding surfaces that cooperate and are movable relative to each other, the first guiding mechanism and the second guiding mechanism limiting the movement of the arm rest relative to the base in at least one direction perpendicular to the movement direction, wherein a gap is formed between the first guiding mechanism and the second guiding mechanism, and when loaded with a force acting on the arm rest, the guiding surfaces of the first guiding mechanism and the second guiding mechanism contact each other, the force being directed in a defined direction that is consistent with the normal loading of the arm rest, and characterized in that the guiding device includes at least one elastic element, which loads the first guiding mechanism against the second guiding mechanism in such a way that the contact is maintained when unloading.

[0006] The armrest comprises a base and an armrest, wherein the armrest can be moved relative to the base between a first position and a second position along a movement trajectory in opposite movement directions. The armrest can be moved to any intermediate position between the first position and the second position. The armrest can be moved translationally along the movement trajectory. The movement trajectory can be designed as a straight line or a curved line, or can have at least one straight line section and at least one curved section.

[0007] The armrest further comprises a guide device, which comprises a first guide mechanism assigned to the base and a second guide mechanism assigned to the armrest. The first guide mechanism is, for example, directly or indirectly fixed to the base or formed in one piece with the base. The second guide mechanism is, for example, directly or indirectly fixed to the armrest or formed in one piece with the armrest. The first guide mechanism and the second guide mechanism form cooperating guide surfaces, which are movable relative to each other. The guide mechanism limits the movement of the armrest in at least one direction pointing perpendicularly to the displacement direction.

[0008] A gap is formed between the guide means. When a force F acts on the arm resting part, the guide surfaces of the first guide means and the second guide means come into contact. The guide device comprises an elastic element, which keeps the first guide means in contact with the second guide means even when the arm resting part is unloaded. "Contact" in the sense of the present invention should not be understood only as direct contact, but also as indirect contact of the cooperating guide means.

[0009] The elastic element loads the first guide or the second guide in a first loading direction relative to the respective other guide, i.e., in a relative position corresponding to the first guide relative to the second guide during a defined loading. For the armrest, this is, for example, a loading situation in which the armrest is loaded downwards, because the seat occupant is supported on the armrest. In other words, the elastic element loads the cooperating guide into a relative position that is adjusted to a relative position based on the supporting loading of the seat occupant. In the actual loading situation, a relative movement of the armrest relative to the base in this loading direction does not then occur.

[0010] When loading in a second loading direction pointing opposite to the first loading direction, for example when the arm rest is pivoted from a position with an approximately horizontal orientation of the longitudinal center axis to an approximately vertical orientation, the play is also less problematic because the arm rest is damped by the elastic element. Furthermore, the loading is usually so small that the elastic element also prevents play or dampens it. When loading in this way, the play can also be influenced by making the elastic element more rigid or less rigid.

[0011] The elastic element itself can be elastically deformed or can be loaded by a spring, for example. The elastic element can be made of plastic, for example plastic foam, for example.

[0012] The cooperating guide surface is designed to be essentially non-deformable. The guide surface is made of, for example, rigid plastic, metal or a composite material. "Non-deformable" in the sense of the invention means that the guide surface does not deform or only deforms slightly under the loads that usually occur.

[0013] The first guide mechanism and / or the second guide mechanism comprises at least one supporting element, which can be fixed directly or indirectly to the base or to the arm rest. The supporting element limits the movement of the arm rest along at least one direction pointing perpendicularly to the displacement direction. The supporting element can, for example, limit the movement of the arm rest along two spatial directions pointing perpendicularly to the displacement direction.

[0014] The support member is, for example, substantially non-deformable. The support member is, for example, made of rigid plastic or metal. The support member can be a sliding bearing, a ball bearing or a roller bearing.

[0015] The elastic element is assigned to the support component, for example. The elastic element can be fixed on the support component, for example. In this way, the support component together with the elastic element can be easily assembled according to the load position of the cooperating guide mechanism.

[0016] The supporting member is configured as a ring, for example. The ring, for example, at least partially surrounds the rod of the guide mechanism. In other words, the ring does not have to be closed, it can be a disconnected ring that partially surrounds the rod. According to an alternative embodiment, the ring can also completely surround the rod.

[0017] The first guide mechanism or the second guide mechanism comprises, for example, at least one pair of spaced-apart support members. When the arm rest is loaded, for example outside the intermediate space between the two support members, for example a tilting moment may occur about one of the two support members. Each of the two support members is then loaded in opposite directions to one another.

[0018] The cooperating guide mechanism comprises, for example, a rod which forms a guide assembly with at least one receptacle. The rod is guided on the receptacle, for example, or the receptacle is guided on the rod. The rod is movable in translation relative to the receptacle. The rod can be made of plastic, metal or a composite material, for example.

[0019] For example, the rod is assigned to the armrest and the receptacle is assigned to the base. According to an alternative, for example, the rod is assigned to the base and the receptacle is assigned to the armrest. For example, the rod is fixed to the armrest or the base or is formed in one piece with the armrest or the base. For example, the receptacle is fixed to the base or the armrest or is formed in one piece with the base or the armrest.

[0020] The guide device comprises, for example, two rods. Each rod cooperates, for example, with at least one receiving portion. Each rod is, for example, arranged in parallel. The longitudinal axis of the rod points, for example, in the direction of movement. Each rod cooperates, for example, with at least one supporting member.

[0021] Each support element can be arranged in a separate receptacle. Alternatively, for example, two support elements cooperating with a rod can be arranged in one receptacle. According to another alternative, for example, each rod is guided in two support elements, wherein four support elements are arranged in one receptacle. The receptacle can be assigned to the base or the arm rest.

[0022] The rod is, for example, cylindrical, in particular round-cylindrical, and the receptacle is designed to be complementary. This enables simple production and ensures a non-jamming guidance.

[0023] The arm rest can for example be pivotable about a pivot axis between a primary position and a secondary position. For example, the primary position is a substantially horizontal position of use, and the secondary position is a substantially vertical non-use position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Further advantages of the invention are obtained by means of the description of the exemplary embodiments schematically shown in the drawings. In particular:

[0025] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the armrest from the front, wherein the armrest of the armrest is in the rear position,

[0026] Figure 2 Shown in accordance with Figure 1 an armrest, wherein the armrest is displaced into a forward position,

[0027] Figure 3 shows a side view of the armrest, wherein the armrest is arranged in the rear position,

[0028] Figure 4 shows a side view of the armrest, wherein the armrest is arranged in a central position,

[0029] Figure 5 shows a side view of the armrest, wherein the armrest is arranged in the front position,

[0030] Figure 6 Shown in accordance with Figure 1 A perspective view of an armrest from the front, wherein the housing of the armrest is not shown,

[0031] Figure 7 Show handrails according to Figure 3 Front view of observation arrow VII in,

[0032] Figure 8A longitudinal sectional view of a handrail in the prior art is shown,

[0033] Fig. 9 The handrail according to the present invention is shown in Figure 7 The longitudinal section view of the center section line IX-IX,

[0034] Fig.10 Shown in accordance with Fig. 9 an armrest, wherein the armrest is arranged in a central position and hatching is not shown for reasons of clarity,

[0035] Fig.11 Shown in accordance with Fig. 9 an armrest, wherein the armrest is arranged in the front position and hatching is not shown for reasons of clarity,

[0036] Fig.12 Shown in accordance with Fig. 9 sectional view along the section line XII-XII in FIG. 1 , wherein the hatching of the section plane is not shown for reasons of clarity,

[0037] Fig.13 Shown in accordance with Fig. 9 sectional view along the section line XIII-XIII in FIG. 1 , wherein the hatching of the section plane is not shown for reasons of clarity,

[0038] Fig.14 shows a perspective exploded view of the receiving part including the support, viewed from the front,

[0039] Fig.15 Reference showing support Fig.14 An arrangement in which the receiving portion is not shown,

[0040] Fig.16 A schematic diagram of the principle of the handrail according to the first embodiment is shown in a longitudinal sectional view,

[0041] Fig.17 An alternative embodiment of the armrest is shown in longitudinal section, corresponding to Fig.16 Schematic diagram of the principle, wherein hatching is not shown for reasons of clarity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The armrest is denoted in each of the figures by the reference numeral 10. The same reference numerals in the different figures denote corresponding parts, even if a lower case letter is appended or omitted.

[0043] According to Figures 1 to 7 and Figures 9 to 16 In the first embodiment shown, the armrest 10 comprises a base 11 and an armrest 12 with a rest surface 13. A user can rest on the rest surface 13. The armrest 12 can be moved relative to the base 11 in a direction x.1 and x 2 Sports. Figure 1 and Figure 3 In the embodiment, the arm rest portion 12 is arranged in a rear position. Figure 4 in the center and in Figure 2 and Figure 5 The center position corresponds to the middle position. In this way, the position of the armrest 12 can be optimally adapted to the seat occupant.

[0044] In this embodiment, the base 11 includes a pivot axis a fixed to the vehicle. 1 and about the pivot axis a 1 The arm 14 and thus the arm rest 12 can be pivoted about a pivot axis a 1 Along the pivot direction u 1 and u 2 The arm rest portion can be pivoted in direction u 1 from Figure 3 The position shown (the longitudinal axis a of the arm resting portion 12 2 approximately horizontally arranged in this position) is pivoted into a position not shown (longitudinal axis a 2 is arranged approximately vertically in this position). This position is Figure 4 Through the dotted line a 2‘ Indicates that the dotted line is parallel to the direction z 1 and z 2 constitute.

[0045] The pivot joint can be formed, for example, between a base (not shown) and arm 14. The region 16 of arm 14 on the pivot axis side forms a projection 17 which is provided with an opening 19 for engagement by a bearing mechanism at a bearing region 18. Arm 14 also has a free end 20.

[0046] Figure 6 The armrest 10 is shown, but the housing 15 of the armrest 12 is not shown here. The arm 14 is fixedly connected to a receiving part 21, in which two recesses 22a and 22b are formed in the form of straight holes. The recess 22a is penetrated by a rod 23a, and the recess 22b is penetrated by a rod 23b. The rods 23a and 23b are fixedly held on the armrest 12. The longitudinal center axes of the recesses 22a and 22b and the longitudinal center axes of the rods 23a and 23b are parallel to the longitudinal axis a of the armrest. 2 .

[0047] The arm resting portion 12 is arranged along the direction x 1 or x 2During the movement, the rods 23a and 23b move in the recesses 22a and 22b relative to the receiving portion 21. In the present embodiment, the rods 23a and 23b and the recesses 22a and 22b are cylindrically configured. However, they may alternatively have other shapes.

[0048] exist Figure 8 The armrest known from the prior art is shown in FIG. Figure 8 The prior art with two annular supports L a and L b The two annular supports are made of an elastically deformable material. When loaded with force F, the supports deform until the rods 23a and 23b come into contact with the soffit of the recesses 22a and 22b. This causes the user of the handrail to feel a noticeable gap. Since the center of gravity of the force F is in the direction x under normal loading conditions, 1 Located at support L a The arm rest 12 is thus inclined relative to the receptacle 21 in the region of the play between the rods 23 a and 23 b in the direction v in the recesses 22 a and 22 b .

[0049] According to the purpose of the present invention, this gap should be avoided.

[0050] As in Fig. 9 , 12 As can be seen from Figures 1 and 13, the handrail 10 according to the present invention has a support seat at the end side of the recess 22b, and the support seat is provided with an annular support member 24, which serves as a sliding support portion for the rods 23a and 23b. Fig.12 and Fig.13 As can be seen from the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 , a total of four bearing seats 25a, 25b, 25c and 25d are formed in the housing 21. The rod 23a is supported by means of a bearing member 24 arranged in the bearing seats 25a and 25b, and the rod 23b is supported by means of a bearing member 24 arranged in the bearing seats 25c and 25d. The bearing member 24 limits the movement of each rod 23a and 23b in the YZ plane, which is indicated by the direction arrow y 1 and 2 and z 1 and z 2 get.

[0051] When the armrest 12 is loaded with a force F, which corresponds to the main loading situation by supporting the user's arm, the rods 23a and 23b rest on the soffit 27 of each support element 24. Due to the inclination of the armrest 12, the rods 23a and 23b rest in the support seats 25a and 25c on the recesses 22a and 22b or the lower side 28 of the support element 24 and in the support seats 25b and 25d on the upper side 29 of the recess or support element (see Fig.12 and Fig.13 ).

[0052] Each support 24 is designed, for example, as a closed or broken ring and is provided with an elastic element 26. The ring is formed, for example, of relatively rigid plastic. The elastic element 26 is formed only on a circumferential partial area of ​​the support 24. In this way, the elastic element 26 loads the rods 23a and 23b against the side of the soffit 27 (in particular the soffit 27 of the ring) which is radially opposite to the elastic element 26. Fig.12 and Fig.13 As can be seen in the figure, the support member 24 is arranged relative to the receiving portion 21 so that the rods 23a and 23b are supported by the elastic elements 26 of the supporting parts 25a and 25c in the direction z. 2 The elastic element 26 loaded and supported by the bearing parts 25b and 25d is moved in the direction z 1 Loading, which corresponds to the relative position of the rods 23 a and 23 b relative to the receptacle 21 when a force F is applied to the arm rest 12 , in particular to the rest surface 13 .

[0053] The arm rest 12 therefore remains in the same position relative to the receiving portion 21 after the force F has been removed. The user does not feel a play when loading or unloading the arm rest 12 .

[0054] Fig.14 The assembly comprising the receiving portion 21 and the support 24 is shown. Fig.15 The support member 21 arrangement shown in Fig.14 The same is true in FIG. 1 , wherein the receptacle 21 is not shown for reasons of clarity.

[0055] exist Fig.16 The first embodiment is shown again as a schematic diagram of the principle. The elastic element 26 loads the rod 23b according to the loading direction of the force F, which corresponds to the main loading situation by supporting the user's arm, wherein the arm rest is inclined in the direction v. The support 24 of the support point 25c is tilted in the direction z. 2 Loading, and the support member 24 of the support position 25d is loaded in the direction z 1 load.

[0056] exist Fig.17 1 shows a schematic diagram of the principle of a second embodiment of the armrest 10, which differs from the first embodiment only in that the receiving portion 21 is fixedly connected to the armrest portion 12, and the rods 23a and 23b are fixedly connected to the arm 14. In this case, the rods 23a and 23b are elastically connected by the elastic elements 26 of the bearing parts 15a and 25c in the direction z. 1 The elastic elements 26 loaded and supported by the bearings 15b and 15d are arranged in the direction z. 2 Loading, which corresponds to the loading situation when a force F acts.

Claims

1. Armrest, the armrest includes a base (11) and an armrest placement part (12), and the armrest placement part can move translationally along a movement trajectory between a first position and a second position relative to the base (11) through an intermediate position in opposite movement directions (x 1 , x 2 ), and the armrest further includes guiding means, the guiding means includes a first guiding mechanism arranged for the base (11) and a second guiding mechanism arranged for the armrest placement part (12), the first guiding mechanism and the second guiding mechanism are formed with cooperating guiding surfaces that are movable relative to each other, and the first guiding mechanism and the second guiding mechanism define the movement of the armrest placement part (12) relative to the base (11) in at least one direction perpendicular to the movement direction. Wherein, a gap is formed between a first guiding mechanism and a second guiding mechanism, one of the guiding mechanisms includes at least one rod (23a, 23b), and the other guiding mechanism includes a receiving part (21), and when loaded by a force (F) acting on the arm rest part, the guiding surface areas of the first guiding mechanism and the second guiding mechanism are in contact, the force points in a defined direction, which is consistent with the normal loading of the arm rest part (12), and it is characterized in that the guiding device includes at least one elastic element (26), the elastic element is only formed on the circumferential partial area of the receiving part (21), and the elastic element loads the first guiding mechanism against the second guiding mechanism so that the contact of the guiding surface areas is still maintained in the case of unloading. Wherein, at least one front support seat (25a, 25c) and at least one rear support seat (25b, 25d) are formed in the receiving part (21), and the rods (23a, 23b) are loaded by the elastic elements (26) of the front support seats (25a, 25c) in a first direction (z2, z1) and are loaded by the elastic elements (26) of the rear support seats (25b, 25d) in a second direction (z1, z2), the first direction is opposite to the second direction, so that the arm rest part (12) remains in the same position relative to the receiving part (21) after the downward loading force (F) is removed.

2. The armrest according to claim 1, characterized in that, the cooperating guiding surfaces are formed substantially non-deformably.

3. The armrest according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the first guiding mechanism or the second guiding mechanism includes at least one supporting member (24) that can be fixed to the base (11) or can be fixed to the arm rest part (12).

4. The armrest according to claim 3, characterized in that, the elastic element (26) is assigned to the supporting member (24).

5. The armrest according to claim 3, characterized in that, the supporting member (24) is formed as a ring.

6. The armrest according to claim 3, characterized in that, the first guiding mechanism or the second guiding mechanism includes at least a pair of spaced-apart supporting members (24).

7. The armrest according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the rods (23a, 23b) are assigned to the arm rest part (12) and the receiving part (21) is assigned to the base (11), or the rods (23a, 23b) are assigned to the base (11) and the receiving part (21) is assigned to the arm rest part (12).

8. The armrest according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the guiding device includes two rods (23a, 23b), and the two rods cooperate with at least one receiving part (21).

9. The armrest according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the rods are formed as cylindrical, and the receiving part is formed complementarily.

10. The armrest according to claim 9, characterized in that, the rods are formed as cylindrical.

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