Armrest assembly mounted on a vehicle console

Abstract

An armrest assembly mounted on a console of a vehicle may include: a console body provided with a storage box, a space formed in the storage box, and the console body being mounted between a driver's seat and a passenger seat of the vehicle; an armrest pivotally mounted in the storage box and configured to support an arm of a passenger in the vehicle and to open and close an upper portion of the storage box; a button member mounted in the console body and configured to be operated by the passenger to unlock the armrest; an operating unit that locks the armrest or unlocks the armrest from the console body depending on whether the button member is operated; and a console cover configured to cover a portion of the console body where the button member and the operating unit are mounted and to expose an upper end of the button member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an armrest assembly mounted on a console within a vehicle interior to support a passenger's arm. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an armrest assembly mounted on a console of a vehicle, the armrest assembly being operable to unlock the armrest from the console on the same plane as an upper end of the armrest. Background Art

[0002] An armrest for supporting the passenger's arms is mounted on a console that separates the driver's seat from the passenger seat in the middle of the vehicle's first row of seats.

[0003] In particular, a storage box capable of storing various items is installed in the console, and the armrest serves as a cover for the storage box. In this case, the armrest is locked to the storage box as usual (when the storage box is used as an armrest), and when the storage box is opened, the armrest is unlocked and then pivoted.

[0004] To describe a structure for locking or unlocking the armrest to or from the storage box, a knob for operation is installed at the front end of the armrest, and a lock hook operated due to the operation of the knob is installed.

[0005] Since the knob is installed below the front end of the armrest, a space for the passenger to operate the knob is required. Therefore, the armrest has a shape that is installed on the console, and thus the front end of the armrest cannot be naturally connected to the console, making it difficult to achieve an aesthetically pleasing interior.

[0006] Furthermore, since the knob is located below the front end of the armrest, in order to unlock the armrest, the passenger should excessively bend his or her wrist, thereby making it inconvenient to use. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an armrest assembly mounted on a console of a vehicle, the armrest assembly being operable to unlock the armrest from the console on the same plane as an upper end of the armrest.

[0008] Other purposes and advantages of the present disclosure can be understood through the following description, and other purposes and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent by reference to the embodiments of the present disclosure. Similarly, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the purposes and advantages of the present disclosure can be achieved by the claimed means and combinations thereof.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an armrest assembly mounted on a console of a vehicle is provided, the armrest assembly including: a console body provided with a storage box having a space formed therein, and the console body being mounted between a driver's seat and a passenger seat of the vehicle; an armrest pivotally mounted in the storage box and configured to support an arm of a passenger riding in the vehicle and to open and close an upper portion of the storage box; a button member mounted in the console body and configured to be operated by the passenger to unlock the armrest; an operating unit configured to lock the armrest or unlock the armrest from the console body depending on whether the button member is operated; and a console cover configured to cover a portion in which the button member and the operating unit are mounted in the console body and to expose an upper end of the button member, wherein the upper end of the armrest, a surface of the console cover, and the upper end of the button member are arranged on the same surface from the armrest to the console cover.

[0010] The upper end of the armrest, the surface of the console cover, and the surface on which the upper end of the button member is provided may be curved surfaces.

[0011] The button member is slidably mounted in the console body.

[0012] The armrest assembly may further include a button guide configured to guide sliding movement of the button member in the console body.

[0013] The operating unit may include a lock hook pivotally installed in the console body and configured to lock one side of the armrest and unlock the armrest when an operating force is transmitted from the button member.

[0014] The locking hook may be elastically supported to pivot in a direction to lock the armrest.

[0015] A torsion spring configured to elastically support the lock hook may be installed at a rotation center of the lock hook.

[0016] The lock hook can be installed in the width direction of the vehicle in the form of a lock hook or installed in the width direction of the vehicle in the form of a plurality of lock hooks at intervals, and the armrest assembly can further include a hook connecting rod configured to transmit the operating force of the button member to the one or more lock hooks.

[0017] The hook connecting rod can be pivotally mounted coaxially with the locking hook.

[0018] A pressing portion may be formed on one side of the hook connection lever to come into contact with a lower end of the button member and input an operating force of the button member to the hook connection lever.

[0019] The button member may include: a button member having an upper end exposed from the console cover and configured to be operated by a passenger; and a button lever formed to extend from the button member in a sliding direction of the button member and configured to transmit an operating force input to the button member to the operating unit.

[0020] A hook holding portion to which the end of the lock hook is held and fixed may be formed in the armrest.

[0021] The locking hook and the armrest may be provided in plural in the width direction of the vehicle, and each locking hook may be dedicated to locking each armrest.

[0022] The armrest may be installed to open and close to both left and right sides in a width direction of the vehicle, and lock hooks may be installed at both ends of the hook connection rod.

[0023] A bracket at which the locking hook is hingedly coupled to the hook connecting rod may be formed on an outer side of the storage box.

[0024] The hinge pin may be installed through the locking hook, the hook connecting rod and the bracket.

[0025] A stopper configured to restrict the hook connecting rod and the lock hook from pivoting at a predetermined angle or more may be formed on an outer side of the hook connecting rod.

[0026] A lid mounting bracket, to which the console lid is mounted, may engage the bracket.

[0027] A button guide configured to guide sliding movement of the button member may be mounted on the cover mounting bracket in the console body.

[0028] Meanwhile, the armrest assembly mounted on the console of the vehicle includes: a console body provided with a storage box having a space formed therein, and the console body being mounted between the driver's seat and the passenger seat of the vehicle; an armrest pivotally mounted in the storage box and configured to support an arm of a passenger riding in the vehicle and to open and close an upper portion of the storage box; a console cover configured to cover a portion of the upper portion of the console body; a button member slidably mounted in the console body and configured to be operated by the passenger to unlock the armrest; and a lock hook pivotally mounted on the console The armrest assembly comprises a platform body and is configured to lock one side of the armrest and unlock the armrest when an operating force is transmitted from a button member, wherein the lock hook is installed in the form of one lock hook in the width direction of the vehicle or is installed in the form of multiple lock hooks at intervals in the width direction of the vehicle, and the armrest assembly further includes a hook connecting rod, which can be pivotally installed coaxially with the lock hook and is configured to transmit the operating force of the button member to one or more lock hooks; and a pressing portion, which can be formed on one side of the hook connecting rod to contact the lower end of the button member and input the operating force of the button member into the hook connecting rod. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 A perspective view illustrating a state in which an armrest assembly mounted on a console of a vehicle according to the present disclosure is locked.

[0030] Figure 2 A perspective view illustrating a state in which an armrest assembly mounted on a console of a vehicle according to the present disclosure is unlocked and the armrest is partially pivoted.

[0031] Figure 3 A perspective view showing a portion of an armrest assembly mounted on a console of a vehicle in which a button member is installed according to the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 4 An exploded perspective view showing a portion of an armrest assembly mounted on a console of a vehicle in which a button member is installed according to the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which an armrest assembly mounted on a console of a vehicle according to the present disclosure is locked.

[0034] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which an armrest assembly mounted on a console of a vehicle according to the present disclosure is operated.

[0035] Figure 7 and Figure 8 A perspective view illustrating a button member and a lock hook in an armrest assembly installed on a console of a vehicle according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Hereinafter, an armrest assembly mounted on a console of a vehicle according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The armrest assembly mounted on a console of a vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a storage box 12 having a space formed therein; a console body 11 mounted between a driver's seat and a passenger seat of the vehicle; an armrest 15 pivotally mounted in the storage box 12 and configured to support an arm of a passenger riding in the vehicle and to open and close an upper portion of the storage box 12; a button member 21 mounted in the console body 11 and configured to be operated by the passenger to unlock the armrest 15; an operating unit configured to lock or unlock the armrest 15 to or from the console body depending on whether the button member 21 is operated; and a console cover 13 configured to cover a portion in which the button member 21 and the operating unit are mounted in the console body 11 and to expose an upper end of the button member 21. The upper end of the armrest 15, the surface of the console cover 13, and the upper end of the button member 21 are provided on the same surface from the armrest 15 to the console cover 13.

[0038] The console body 11 is installed between the driver's seat and the passenger seat of the vehicle. The console body 11 separates the driver's seat and the passenger seat, and a gear knob, various operation buttons, etc. are installed in the console body 11, or a storage space such as a cup holder is installed in the console body 11.

[0039] A storage box 12 is mounted in the console body 11 , and a space in which various items can be stored is formed in the storage box.

[0040] The rear cover 14 is preferably provided on one side of the console body 11 .

[0041] The armrest 15 is pivotally mounted relative to the upper portion of the storage box 12. The armrest 15 is formed of a cushioning material. Therefore, the armrest 15 is used to support the passenger's arm and serves as a cover for opening and closing the upper portion of the storage box 12. In other words, since the armrest 15 is locked to one side of the console body 11 as usual, the armrest 15 blocks the upper portion of the storage box 12 while supporting the passenger's arm. When the armrest 15 is unlocked, the armrest 15 pivots relative to the storage box 12 to open the upper portion of the storage box 12, thereby storing items in or removing items from the storage box 12. A pop-up member 15b may be provided in the armrest 15 to absorb the impact generated between the armrest 15 and the storage box 12 when the armrest 15 blocks the storage box 12, and to pop out the armrest 15 when the armrest 15 is unlocked. Furthermore, preferably, a buffer member 15 c formed of an elastic material is provided to absorb a shock generated during locking of the lock hook 23 , which will be described below, and this eliminates a gap between the lock hook 23 and the armrest 15 .

[0042] like Figure 4 As shown, the button member 21 is slidably installed in the console body 11. Since the button member 21 can be vertically raised and lowered, the passenger pushes the button member 21 to operate. When the passenger presses the button member 21, the armrest 15 is unlocked.

[0043] Due to the operating force input to the button member 21 , the operating unit unlocks the armrest 15 from the console main body 11 .

[0044] The console cover 13 is coupled to the upper portion of the console body 11. The console cover 13 is coupled to the upper portion of the console body 11 to cover the upper portion or a portion thereof. Preferably, the console cover 13 covers a portion in which the button member 21 and the operation unit are installed.

[0045] A through hole is formed at one side of the console cover 13 to expose the upper end of the button member 21 .

[0046] In the present disclosure, the upper end of the armrest 15, the surface of the console cover 13, and the upper end of the button member 21 are located on the same surface. Preferably, the upper end of the armrest 15, the surface of the console cover 13, and the surface on which the upper end of the button member 21 is provided are curved surfaces. Since the upper end of the armrest 15, the surface of the console cover 13, and the upper end of the button member 21 are located on the same surface, the front end of the armrest 15 is naturally connected to the console cover 13, creating an aesthetically pleasing interior.

[0047] The button member 21 includes a button piece 21a that can be pushed by a passenger and a button rod 21b formed to extend from the button piece 21a in the sliding direction of the button member 21 and transmit the input operation force to the button piece 21a. The button member 21 is installed in the console body 11 so as to be able to slide in the operation direction of the passenger.

[0048] Furthermore, after the operation, the button member 21 is elastically supported on the button return spring 21 c and the like to return to the original position.

[0049] The upper end of the button member 21a is exposed on the console cover 13. The upper end of the button member 21a is formed on the same surface as the surface of the console cover 13. The upper end of the button member 21a is formed with a predetermined area to allow the passenger to operate. A button return spring 21c is installed on one side of the button member 21a.

[0050] The button lever 21b extends from the lower end of the button member 21a in the operating direction of the button member 21. Since the button member 21 slides substantially in the vertical direction, the button lever 21b extends downward from the lower end of the button member 21a. The lower end of the button lever 21b contacts one side of the operating unit or is located near the operating unit.

[0051] The button guide 22 is installed in the console body 11 to guide the sliding of the button member 21. Since the button rod 21b passes through the button guide 22, the button guide 22 guides the sliding of the button rod 21b. In a state where the button guide 22 is installed in the cover mounting bracket 16 formed and mounted on the bracket 12a of the storage box 12, the button guide 22 is installed on the button member 21, so that the button member 21 is installed in a slidable state in the console body 11.

[0052] The operating unit includes a lock hook 23 that is pivotally installed in the console body 11 and is configured to lock one side of the armrest 15 as usual and unlock the armrest 15 when the button member 21 is operated.

[0053] The lock hook 23 is pivotally installed in the console body 11 , preferably in a bracket 12 a formed on one side of the storage box 12 .

[0054] The middle portion of the lock hook 23 is pivotable relative to the bracket 12a, and the upper end thereof is formed to restrict one side of the armrest 15. In addition, the lock hook 23 is elastically supported so as to pivot in the direction of restricting the armrest 15. Therefore, when no operating force is input, the lock hook 23 is pivoted in the direction of restricting the armrest 15 ( Figure 5 (clockwise in the middle).

[0055] At the same time, a hook catch portion 15a that is locked by the lock hook 23 is formed in the armrest 15. Since the hook catch portion 15a is shaped so as to be caught to the upper end of the lock hook 23 while receiving the upper end thereof, the armrest 15 is locked when the upper end of the lock hook 23 is received in the hook catch portion 15a, and is unlocked when the lock hook 23 is released from the hook catch portion 15a.

[0056] Furthermore, preferably, the operating unit includes a hook connecting rod 24 for transmitting the operating force of the button member 21 to the locking hook 23 .

[0057] The hook connection lever 24 receives an operating force of the button member 21 and transmits the input operating force to the lock hook 23 , so that a plurality of lock hooks 23 can be operated using a single button member 21 .

[0058] The hook connection lever 24 is hingedly coupled to a bracket 12 a formed in the storage box 12 , and when the button member 21 is operated, the hook connection lever 24 pivots.

[0059] A pressing portion 24 a is formed in the hook connection lever 24 to come into contact with the lower end of the button lever 21 b , and thus an operating force is input from the button lever 21 b to the hook connection lever 24 through the pressing portion 24 a .

[0060] When the button member 21 is operated, the hook connecting rod 24 allows multiple locking hooks 23, which are spaced apart from each other, to pivot simultaneously. To this end, the locking hooks 23 are arranged at intervals across the width of the vehicle and connected to each other via the hook connecting rod 24, allowing the multiple locking hooks 23 to operate simultaneously. Therefore, when multiple armrests 15 are arranged across the width of the vehicle, the locking hooks 23 can be used exclusively for each armrest 15. For example, when the armrest 15 is divided into two parts and arranged across the width of the vehicle, and the armrest 15 is installed to be openable and closable to the left and right sides of the vehicle, the locking hooks 23 installed at both ends of the hook connecting rod 24 are used exclusively to lock the armrest 15 installed to be openable and closable to both the left and right sides.

[0061] The lock hook 23 is coupled to the hook connecting lever 24 using a coupling pin 23 a so that the hook connecting lever 24 and the lock hook 23 integrally pivot.

[0062] A stopper 24b is formed on the outer side of the hook connecting rod 24 to restrict the hook connecting rod 24 and the lock hook 23 from pivoting at a predetermined angle or more. The stopper 24b is caught to one side of the console body 11, thereby restricting the hook connecting rod 24 and the lock hook 23 from pivoting at a predetermined angle or more. In a state where the armrest 15 is unlocked and then opened, when the operating force of pressing the button member 21 is removed, the lock hook 23 pivots excessively (along the Figure 5 ), and when the armrest 15 is closed, the button member 21 is pressed by the lower portion of the armrest 15 so that the lock hook 23 may not lock the armrest 15. Therefore, even in a state where the armrest 15 is pivoted, the stopper 24b restricts the pivoting of the hook connecting rod 24 to allow the lock hook 23 to remain as Figure 5 The position shown, whereby the pivoting of the locking hook 23 is also restricted.

[0063] The hinge pin 25 is installed to pass through the bracket 12 a formed in the storage box 12 , the lock hook 23 , and the hook connecting rod 24 , so that the lock hook 23 and the hook connecting rod 24 can pivot around the hinge pin 25 .

[0064] The cover mounting bracket 16 on which the console cover 13 is mounted is engaged with the bracket 12 a . One side of the console cover 13 is mounted on the cover mounting bracket 16 , so that the console cover 13 is mounted on the console body 11 .

[0065] The button guide 22 may be mounted on the cover mounting bracket 16 .

[0066] The operation of the armrest assembly having the above-described construction mounted on the console of the vehicle according to the present disclosure will be described below.

[0067] Figure 5 Shown is the state that armrest 15 is locked. Under the state that locking hook 23 locks armrest 15, armrest 15 can support passenger's arm. In addition, armrest 15 blocks the top of storage box 12.

[0068] Thereafter, when the passenger wants to open the upper portion of the storage box 12 , the passenger presses the button member 21 a to unlock the armrest 15 .

[0069] The armrest 15 is unlocked when the passenger pushes the button member 21a located on the front side of the armrest 15 and on the same surface as the upper end of the armrest 15 in a state where the passenger's arm is leaning on the armrest 15. Since the button member 21a is located on the same surface as the upper end of the armrest 15 at the front side of the armrest 15, it is easy for the passenger to operate the button member 21a by hand.

[0070] like Figure 6 As shown, when the button piece 21 a is pressed, the button member 21 descends while being guided by the button guide 22 .

[0071] When the button member 21 descends, the lower end of the button rod 21 b presses the pressing portion 24 a .

[0072] When the pressing portion 24a is pressed, the hook connecting rod 24 and the lock hook 23 pivot. As the lock hook 23 pivots, the upper end of the lock hook 23 separates from the hook holding portion 15a of the armrest 15, so that the armrest 15 becomes a pivotable state.

[0073] When the armrest 15 is unlocked, the armrest 15 pops up, and the passenger pivots the unlocked armrest 15 to open the upper portion of the storage box 12. When the upper portion of the storage box 12 is opened, items can be inserted into the storage box 12, or items stored in the storage box 12 can be taken out.

[0074] In the present disclosure, the hook connecting rod 24 may be omitted, and the button member 21 may be configured to directly operate the lock hook 23. That is, when the passenger presses the button member 21, in a state where one side of the storage box 12 is pivotally mounted and the lower end of the button rod 21b is mounted in contact with one side of the lock hook 23, the operating force is transmitted to the lock hook 23, so that the lock hook 23 can pivot.

[0075] In this case, when the lock hook 23 is located at the middle position in the width direction of the vehicle and the armrests are opened to both sides, the single lock hook can lock or unlock both armrests at the same time.

[0076] Based on the armrest assembly mounted on the console of a vehicle with the above-mentioned structure according to the present disclosure, the button member for unlocking the armrest operates on the same surface as the upper end of the armrest, so that when the armrest is unlocked, the inconvenience of the wrist being bent can be solved, and the operation becomes easy.

[0077] Furthermore, the upper end of the armrest and the console cover are formed in a continuous surface, thereby making the interior of the vehicle beautiful.

[0078] Although the present disclosure has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, it should be noted that such replacements or modifications fall within the claims of the present disclosure, and the scope of the present disclosure should be interpreted based on the appended claims.

Claims

1. An armrest assembly mounted on a console of a vehicle, comprising: a console body provided with a storage box in which a space is formed, the console body being installed between a driver's seat and a passenger seat of a vehicle; an armrest pivotally connected to the storage box, the armrest configured to support an arm of a passenger riding in the vehicle, and the armrest further configured to open and close an upper portion of the storage box; a button member connected to the console body and configured to be operated by a passenger to unlock the armrest; an operating unit configured to lock the armrest or unlock the armrest from the console body when the button member is operated; as well as a console cover configured to cover a portion of the console body on which the button member and the operating unit are mounted, the console cover further configured to expose an upper end of the button member; wherein the upper end of the armrest, the surface of the console cover and the upper end of the button member are arranged on the same surface from the armrest to the console cover; wherein the operating unit includes a lock hook pivotally mounted in the console body via a hinge pin, and the lock hook is configured to lock one side of the armrest and unlock the armrest when an operating force is transmitted from the button member; wherein the armrest assembly further comprises a hook connecting rod pivotally mounted to the storage box via the hinge pin and configured to transmit an operating force of the button member to one or more locking hooks; wherein the one or more locking hooks are coupled to the hook connecting rod via a coupling pin such that the hook connecting rod and the one or more locking hooks integrally pivot about the hinge pin; and The hinge pin and the coupling pin couple the one or more locking hooks and the hook connecting rod at positions spaced apart from each other.

2. The armrest assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The same surface on which the upper end of the armrest, the surface of the console cover, and the upper end of the button member are provided is a curved surface.

3. The armrest assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The button member is slidably connected to the console body.

4. The armrest assembly according to claim 3, further comprising: A button guide is configured to guide the button member to slide in the console body.

5. The armrest assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The locking hook is elastically supported to pivot in a direction to lock the armrest.

6. The armrest assembly according to claim 5, wherein: The lock hook includes a torsion spring configured to elastically support the lock hook at a rotation center of the lock hook.

7. The armrest assembly of claim 1, wherein: The one or more lock hooks are installed in the form of one lock hook in the width direction of the vehicle or in the form of a plurality of lock hooks installed at intervals in the width direction of the vehicle.

8. The armrest assembly according to claim 1, wherein: A pressing portion is formed on one side of the hook connection lever to come into contact with a lower end of the button member, and the pressing portion inputs an operating force of the button member to the hook connection lever.

9. The armrest assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The button component comprises: a button member having an upper end exposed from the console cover and configured to be operated by a passenger; and A button lever is formed to extend from the button piece in a sliding direction of the button member and is configured to transmit an operating force input to the button piece to the operating unit.

10. The armrest assembly according to claim 1, wherein: A hook holding portion is formed in the armrest, and an end portion of the lock hook is held and fixed on the hook holding portion.

11. The armrest assembly according to claim 7, wherein: The lock hook and the armrest are provided in plural numbers in the width direction of the vehicle; and Each of the locking hooks is dedicated to locking each of the armrests.

12. The armrest assembly of claim 11, wherein: The armrest is installed to open and close toward both left and right sides in the width direction of the vehicle; and The locking hooks are installed at both ends of the hook connecting rod.

13. The armrest assembly according to claim 1, wherein: A bracket is formed on an outer side of the storage box, and the locking hook is hingedly coupled to the hook connecting rod on the bracket.

14. The armrest assembly according to claim 13, wherein: The hinge pin is installed to pass through the locking hook, the hook connecting rod and the bracket.

15. The armrest assembly according to claim 1, wherein A stopper configured to restrict the hook connecting rod and the lock hook from pivoting at a predetermined angle or more is formed on an outer side of the hook connecting rod.

16. The armrest assembly according to claim 13, wherein: A cover mounting bracket is engaged with the bracket, and the console cover is mounted on the cover mounting bracket.

17. The armrest assembly according to claim 16, wherein: A button guide configured to guide sliding movement of the button member is mounted on the cover mounting bracket in the console body.

18. An armrest assembly mounted on a console of a vehicle, comprising: a console body provided with a storage box having a space formed therein, the console body being installed between a driver's seat and a passenger seat of a vehicle; an armrest pivotally connected to the storage box, the armrest configured to support an arm of a passenger riding in the vehicle, and the armrest configured to open and close an upper portion of the storage box; a console cover configured to cover a portion of an upper portion of the console body; a button member slidably connected to the console body and configured to be operated by a passenger to unlock the armrest; as well as a lock hook pivotally mounted in the console body and configured to lock one side of the armrest and unlock the armrest when an operating force is transmitted from the button member, The locking hook is installed in the width direction of the vehicle in the form of one locking hook or in the form of multiple locking hooks installed at intervals in the width direction of the vehicle; The armrest assembly further includes a hook connecting rod pivotally mounted coaxially with the lock hook via a hinge pin and configured to transmit an operating force of the button member to the lock hook; and a pressing portion formed on one side of the hook connecting rod to come into contact with a lower end of the button member and input an operating force of the button member to the hook connecting rod, wherein the locking hook is coupled to the hook connecting rod via a coupling pin such that the hook connecting rod and the locking hook integrally pivot about the hinge pin, and The hinge pin and the coupling pin couple the locking hook and the hook connecting rod at positions spaced apart from each other.

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