One-way damper and seat armrest

Abstract

The embodiment of the application relates to a one-way damper and a seat armrest, the one-way damper comprising a one-way bearing and a damping spring, the damping spring being sleeved with the one-way bearing to rotate; when the internal structure of the one-way bearing is in a self-locking position, the one-way bearing can rotate relative to the damping spring to generate a damping force for limiting rotation of the one-way bearing; when the internal structure of the one-way bearing is in an unlocking position, the relative position of the one-way bearing and the damping spring is unchanged, and the damping force disappears. The embodiment of the application utilizes the structure that a one-way friction pair is formed between the one-way bearing and the damping spring to generate the damping force, the falling speed of the armrest when being unfolded downward is improved, and the operation smoothness and operation quality are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of hardware tools, and in particular to a one-way damper and a seat armrest. Background Technology

[0002] To increase the comfort of car passengers, small armrests are installed on both sides of the independent seats in the front or middle and rear rows. When in use, the armrests are flipped down from the storage position parallel to the backrest to the use position to provide support for the occupants' arms. When not in use, the armrests are flipped up to the storage position. In actual use, the small armrests are frequently flipped open and closed.

[0003] Small armrests typically use an armrest hinge mechanism to open, close, and adjust positions. When the armrest hinge mechanism is a ratchet structure, the ratchet structure only provides position adjustment and the function of locking the storage position.

[0004] Because the ratchet-structured armrest hinge mechanism lacks damping, when the small armrest is folded down from its stowed position, it falls rapidly due to its own weight, lacking smoothness and tactile feedback. It also produces abnormal noises upon falling, which negatively impacts operational comfort. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present application provides a one-way damper and a seat armrest to solve at least one problem existing in the prior art.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a unidirectional damper, which includes:

[0007] One-way bearing;

[0008] A damping spring, which is sleeved with the one-way bearing;

[0009] When the internal structure of the one-way bearing is in the self-locking position, the one-way bearing can rotate relative to the damping spring to generate a damping force that restricts the rotation of the one-way bearing; when the internal structure of the one-way bearing is in the unlocked position, the relative position of the one-way bearing and the damping spring remains unchanged, and the damping force disappears.

[0010] Optionally, the one-way bearing includes: a fixed part and a movable part;

[0011] The self-locking position of the internal structure of the one-way bearing means that when subjected to an external force in a preset direction, the movable part cannot rotate relative to the fixed part, and the movable part and the fixed part rotate together.

[0012] The term "unlocked position" refers to the situation where, when subjected to an external force in the opposite direction to a preset direction, the movable part rotates relative to the fixed part.

[0013] Optionally, the unidirectional damper further includes a positioning ring, which has a contoured inner hole, and the damping spring is adapted to fit into the contoured inner hole.

[0014] Optionally, the damping spring has a protruding portion, and the positioning ring has a limiting groove. The protruding portion is located in the limiting groove to restrict the damping spring from moving circumferentially along the inside of the positioning ring.

[0015] Optionally, the damping spring has an opening, and the positioning ring has a first protrusion. The first protrusion is inserted into the opening to assist the limiting groove in controlling the symmetry.

[0016] Optionally, the damping spring includes a coil spring.

[0017] Optionally, the unidirectional damper further includes a base plate, the base plate being provided with a positioning through hole and a second protrusion, the positioning ring being provided with the protrusion, and the damping spring being provided with a through hole. The base plate and the positioning ring are fixedly connected through the positioning through hole and the protrusion, and the base plate and the damping spring are fixedly connected through the second protrusion and the through hole.

[0018] Optionally, the one-way damper further includes a positioning washer, which is coaxially distributed with the one-way bearing and located between the one-way bearing and the base plate.

[0019] Optionally, the unidirectional damper further includes a housing, which together with the base plate forms a receiving cavity, and the positioning ring is located within the receiving cavity.

[0020] Secondly, embodiments of this application also provide a seat armrest, including the one-way damper described above.

[0021] The embodiments of this application have the following technical effects:

[0022] The one-way damper provided in this application embodiment utilizes a damping spring and a one-way bearing in a sleeved configuration. When the internal structure of the one-way bearing is in a self-locking position, relative rotation between the one-way bearing and the damping spring is achieved, thereby generating damping force. When the internal structure of the one-way bearing is in an unlocked position, the one-way bearing rotates in the opposite direction within the damping spring, the relative position of the one-way bearing and the damping spring remains unchanged, and the damping force disappears. When applied to seat armrests, the damping force generated by the one-way friction pair formed between the one-way bearing and the damping spring can reduce the descent speed of the seat armrest when it is folded down, and improve the problem of abnormal noise when the seat armrest falls, thus enhancing the smoothness and operational feel of the one-way damper. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of the unidirectional damper in an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a front view of the unidirectional damper according to an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a top view of the unidirectional damper according to an embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a left view of the unidirectional damper according to an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 5 This is an exploded view from top to bottom of the unidirectional damper according to an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 6 This is an exploded view from bottom to top of the unidirectional damper according to an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a one-way bearing according to an optional embodiment of this application.

[0030] Numbering on the map:

[0031] 1. One-way bearing; 11. Fixed part; 111. Outer ring; 12. Moving part; 121. Inner ring; 122. Roller; 123. Spring;

[0032] 2. Damping spring; 21. Protruding part; 22. Opening part; 23. Through hole;

[0033] 3. Positioning ring; 31. Contoured inner hole; 32. Protrusion; 33. First protrusion; 34. Limiting groove;

[0034] 4. Base plate; 41. Positioning through hole; 42. Second protrusion;

[0035] 5. Positioning washers;

[0036] 6. Cover; 61. Receiving cavity. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To make the technical solutions and beneficial effects of the embodiments of this application more apparent and understandable, a detailed description is provided below by listing specific embodiments. Unless otherwise defined, the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those in the technical field to which this application pertains.

[0038] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly limited, the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "height", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. They are only for the purpose of simplifying the description of the embodiments of this application and are not intended to indicate that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. That is, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this application.

[0039] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating the relative importance of the indicated features or the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature specified as "first" or "second" can explicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" means at least two; "several" means at least one; unless otherwise expressly defined.

[0040] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise explicitly defined, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," "setting," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral molding; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can also refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0041] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise explicitly defined, the terms "above," "on top of," "above," "over," "below," "below," "below," or "below" for "first feature above second feature" can refer to the first and second features being in direct contact, or to the first and second features being in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "above," and "over" for "first feature above second feature" can mean the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than the horizontal height of the second feature. Similarly, "below," "below," and "below" for "first feature below second feature" can mean the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than the horizontal height of the second feature.

[0042] In the embodiments of this application, "upper" and "lower" refer to... Figure 5 The markings in the text shall prevail.

[0043] The following is based on Figures 1 to 7 This application describes in detail the unidirectional damper of the embodiments.

[0044] The one-way damper includes a one-way bearing 1 and a damping spring 2. The one-way bearing 1 is sleeved on a positioning shaft (not shown in the figure), and the damping spring 2 is sleeved on the one-way bearing 1. When the two rotate relative to each other, they form a friction pair to provide a stable damping force; for example Figure 6 As shown, when the positioning shaft (not shown in the figure) rotates in the direction of the arrow, the internal structure of the one-way bearing 1 is in the self-locking position, and the positioning shaft (not shown in the figure) can drive the one-way bearing 1 to rotate relative to the damping spring 2 to generate a damping force that restricts the rotation of the one-way bearing 1; when the positioning shaft (not shown in the figure) rotates in the opposite direction of the arrow, the internal structure of the one-way bearing 1 is in the unlocked position, the relative position of the one-way bearing 1 and the damping spring 2 remains unchanged, and the damping force disappears.

[0045] The damping spring 2 is sleeved with the one-way bearing 1. When the internal structure of the one-way bearing 1 is in the self-locking position, the one-way bearing 1 and the damping spring 2 rotate relative to each other, thereby generating damping force. When the internal structure of the one-way bearing 1 is in the unlocked position, the one-way bearing 1 rotates in the opposite direction inside the damping spring 2, and the relative positions of the one-way bearing 1 and the damping spring 2 remain unchanged, and the damping force disappears. This structure, which utilizes the one-way friction pair formed between the one-way bearing 1 and the damping spring 2 to generate damping force, improves the smoothness and operating feel of the one-way damper.

[0046] In one embodiment of this application, the seat armrest (not shown) is connected to a one-way damper via fasteners, allowing it to be axially pressed into a positioning shaft (not shown). When the seat armrest (not shown) moves downward, it drives the positioning shaft (not shown) to rotate in the direction of the arrow. At this time, the internal structure of the one-way bearing 1 is in a self-locking position, and the positioning shaft (not shown) can drive the one-way bearing 1 to rotate relative to the damping spring 2, thereby generating a damping force that restricts the rotation of the one-way bearing 1. The damping force counteracts the torque generated by the weight of the seat armrest (not shown), preventing it from falling quickly and improving the operational feel. When the seat armrest (not shown) moves upward, it drives the positioning shaft (not shown) to rotate in the opposite direction of the arrow. At this time, the internal structure of the one-way bearing 1 is in an unlocked position, and the relative position of the one-way bearing 1 and the damping spring 2 remains unchanged. The damping force disappears, avoiding the problem that the weight of the seat armrest (not shown) plus the damping requires a large amount of force to lift.

[0047] In some embodiments, such as Figure 7 As shown, the one-way bearing 1 includes a fixed part 11 and a movable part 12. When the one-way bearing 1 is subjected to an external force in a preset direction, the movable part 12 cannot rotate relative to the fixed part 11, and the movable part 12 and the fixed part 11 rotate together. At this time, the internal structure of the one-way bearing 1 is in a self-locking position. When the one-way bearing 1 is subjected to an external force in the opposite direction to the preset direction, the movable part 12 rotates relative to the fixed part 11. At this time, the internal structure of the one-way bearing 1 is in an unlocked position.

[0048] Among them, such as Figure 6 As shown, the preset direction is the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure, which is the direction in which the seat armrest moves downward. Correspondingly, the opposite of the preset direction is the opposite direction indicated by the arrow in the figure, which is the direction in which the seat armrest moves upward.

[0049] The one-way bearing 1 can be any unidirectional axial bearing known to those skilled in the art. Exemplarily, the one-way bearing 1 has the following structure: Figure 7 As shown, the one-way bearing 1 is a ramp roller type one-way bearing. The fixed part 11 includes an outer ring 111 with a ramp, and the movable part 12 includes an inner ring 121, a roller 122, and a spring 123. The roller 122 is always in contact with the inner ring 121 and the outer ring 111, and the spring 123 is in contact with the roller 122. When the positioning shaft (not shown in the figure) is subjected to an external force in a preset direction, it rotates in the direction of the arrow, causing the inner ring 121 of the one-way bearing 1 to rotate. At this time, the roller 122 is in the uphill position, and the uphill position is relatively narrow, so the roller 122 is stuck. Therefore, the inside of the one-way bearing 1 is locked, that is, the inner ring 121 cannot rotate relative to the outer ring 111. The one-way bearing 1 as a whole (including the inner ring 121 and the outer ring 111) can rotate relative to the damping spring 2, generating a damping force. Conversely, when the positioning shaft (not shown in the figure) is subjected to an external force in the opposite direction of the preset direction, it rotates in the opposite direction of the arrow, causing the inner ring 121 of the one-way bearing 1 to rotate. At this time, the roller 122 is in the downhill position, and the space at the downhill position is large, so the roller 122 will not be affected. Therefore, the inside of the one-way bearing 1 is in the unlocked state, and the inner ring 121 can rotate relative to the outer ring 111. The position of the outer ring 111 and the damping spring 2 remains unchanged, and the damping force disappears.

[0050] In addition, the one-way bearing 1 can also be a wedge-type structure.

[0051] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the unidirectional damper also includes a positioning ring 3, which, exemplarily, is annular in shape, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the main body of the unidirectional damper is roughly disc-shaped. The positioning ring 3 is provided with a contoured inner hole 31, which is set according to the shape of the outer surface of the damping spring 2, and the damping spring 2 is adapted to fit inside the contoured inner hole 31. The shape of the contoured inner hole 31 is the same as the shape of the damping spring 2, so that the two fit more tightly and prevent the damping spring 2 from swaying back and forth inside the contoured inner hole 31.

[0052] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the damping spring 2 is C-shaped. The damping spring 2 has a protruding part 21 on the back of the C-shape. The positioning ring 3 has a limiting groove 34. The protruding part 21 and the limiting groove 34 are connected in a fit. The outer peripheral surface of the protruding part 21 is in close contact with the inner surface of the limiting groove 34. The fit between the two restricts the damping spring 2 from moving circumferentially inside the positioning ring 3.

[0053] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the damping spring 2 is provided with an opening 22, and the positioning ring 3 is provided with a first protrusion 33. The first protrusion 33 is inserted into the opening 22 to assist the limiting groove 34 in controlling the symmetry and ensuring that the overall structure of the damping spring 2 and the positioning ring 3 maintains a certain degree of symmetry.

[0054] Furthermore, the opening portion 22 is engaged with the first protrusion 33, wherein the outer surface of the first protrusion 33 is in close contact with the opening portion 22, and the engagement between the two restricts the damping spring 2 from moving circumferentially within the positioning ring 3.

[0055] In some embodiments, the damping spring 2 can be a snap ring or a coil spring, both of which can provide positive pressure on the outer diameter of the one-way bearing 1. For example... Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the damping spring 2 is a coil spring.

[0056] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the unidirectional damper also includes a base plate 4, which has a positioning through hole 41 and a second protrusion 42. The positioning ring 3 has a protrusion 32, and the damping spring 2 has a through hole 23. The base plate 4 and the positioning ring 3 are fixedly connected via the positioning through hole 41 and the protrusion 32, and the base plate 4 and the damping spring 2 are fixedly connected via the second protrusion 42 and the through hole 23. Fixing both the positioning ring 3 and the damping spring 2 to the base plate 4 restricts the axial movement of the damping spring 2, further strengthening the mutual connection between the positioning ring 3, the damping spring 2, and the base plate 4, making the structure of the unidirectional damper more compact.

[0057] In this embodiment, as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the base plate 4 is provided with 3 positioning through holes 41, and correspondingly, the positioning ring 3 is provided with 3 protrusions 32. The protrusions 32 can be inserted into the corresponding positioning through holes 41 to realize the mutual cooperation and connection between the protrusions 32 and the positioning through holes 41, making the connection between the two more secure.

[0058] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the one-way damper also includes a positioning washer 5, which is coaxially distributed with the one-way bearing 1 and located between the one-way bearing 1 and the base plate 4. The positioning washer 5 mainly reduces the shaking and collision between parts, thus reducing the noise generated by the one-way damper during operation.

[0059] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the unidirectional damper also includes a housing 6, which, together with the base plate 4, forms a receiving cavity 61. The positioning ring 3, damping spring 2, unidirectional bearing 1, and positioning washer 5 are all located within the receiving cavity 61. This design makes the internal structure of the unidirectional damper more compact.

[0060] In this embodiment, as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the base plate 4 and the cover 6 are fixed together by a snap-fit ​​connection. Correspondingly, fasteners can also be used to pass through the base plate 4 and the cover 6 to achieve a fixed connection between the base plate 4 and the cover 6.

[0061] In some embodiments, mirroring the structure of a unidirectional damper can produce a unidirectional damper with opposite damping forces. This approach can be used to provide symmetrical armrests on both sides of a seat.

[0062] In one embodiment of this application, Figure 5 The unidirectional damper in the image is mirrored from top to bottom, which yields... Figure 6 The one-way damper in the middle has a mirror image structure and opposite damping forces, and can be used as a hinge structure on both sides of a seat armrest.

[0063] Furthermore, the damping force of the damping spring 2 can be adjusted according to the weight of the seat armrest, the distance between the center of gravity, and the customer's operating force requirements to meet the needs of different customers.

[0064] This application embodiment also provides a seat armrest, including the one-way damper, positioning shaft (not shown in the figure), and armrest bracket (not shown in the figure) as described above.

[0065] In one embodiment of this application, a positioning shaft (not shown in the figure) is provided inside the seat. The positioning shaft (not shown in the figure) is fixed inside the seat (not shown in the figure) and serves to position and support the one-way damper. The armrest bracket (not shown in the figure) is connected to the one-way damper by fasteners, so that it is pressed into the positioning shaft (not shown in the figure) axially. When the armrest bracket needs to be folded down, the one-way damper can provide a certain amount of buffering damping force to counteract the rapid sag caused by the weight of the armrest bracket, resulting in a smoother operating feel. When the armrest bracket is retracted upwards, the damping force disappears, allowing the occupant to retract the armrest bracket upwards with less force, resulting in a more relaxed operating feel. It can be understood that folding the armrest bracket down is the same as folding the seat armrest down, and retracting the armrest bracket upwards also refers to retracting the seat armrest upwards.

[0066] Without conflict, different embodiments or different technical features of this disclosure can be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments.

[0067] It should be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and are not intended to encompass all possible implementations included in the claims. Various modifications and changes can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Similarly, the various technical features of the above embodiments can be arbitrarily combined to form other embodiments of this application that may not be explicitly described. Therefore, the above embodiments only illustrate several implementation methods of the embodiments of this application and do not limit the scope of protection of the patent embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A unidirectional damper, characterized in that, include: One-way bearing (1); Damping spring (2), the damping spring (2) is sleeved with the one-way bearing (1); When the internal structure of the one-way bearing (1) is in the self-locking position, the one-way bearing (1) can rotate relative to the damping spring (2) to generate a damping force that restricts the rotation of the one-way bearing (1); when the internal structure of the one-way bearing (1) is in the unlocked position, the relative position of the one-way bearing (1) and the damping spring (2) remains unchanged, and the damping force disappears. It also includes a positioning ring (3), which has a contoured inner hole (31), and the damping spring (2) is adapted to fit into the contoured inner hole (31); the damping spring (2) has a protrusion (21), and the positioning ring (3) has a limiting groove (34), the protrusion (21) is located in the limiting groove (34) to restrict the damping spring (2) from moving circumferentially along the inside of the positioning ring (3); the damping spring (2) has an opening (22), and the positioning ring (3) has a first protrusion (33), the first protrusion (33) being inserted into the opening (22); It also includes a base plate (4), which is provided with a positioning through hole (41) and a second protrusion (42), a positioning ring (3) is provided with a protrusion (32), and a damping spring (2) is provided with a through hole (23). The base plate (4) and the positioning ring (3) are fixedly connected through the positioning through hole (41) and the protrusion (32), and the base plate (4) and the damping spring (2) are fixedly connected through the second protrusion (42) and the through hole (23).

2. The unidirectional damper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The one-way bearing (1) includes: a fixed part (11) and a movable part (12); The self-locking position of the internal structure of the one-way bearing (1) means that when subjected to an external force in a preset direction, the movable part (12) cannot rotate relative to the fixed part (11), and the movable part (12) and the fixed part (11) rotate together. The internal structure of the one-way bearing (1) being in the unlocked position means that when subjected to an external force in the opposite direction to the preset direction, the movable part (12) rotates relative to the fixed part (11).

3. A unidirectional damper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The damping spring (2) includes a coil spring.

4. A unidirectional damper according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a positioning washer (5), which is coaxially distributed with the one-way bearing (1) and located between the one-way bearing (1) and the base plate (4).

5. A unidirectional damper according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a cover (6), which together with the base plate (4) forms a receiving cavity (61), and the positioning ring (3) is located in the receiving cavity (61).

6. A type of armrest for a seat, characterized in that, The seat armrest includes the one-way damper as described in any one of claims 1-5.

Images