Powered armrest for a vehicle

Abstract

An armrest for a seat having a seatback and a seat bottom includes a housing rotatable relative to the seatback and a motor disposed within the housing, the motor configured to maintain a position of the housing relative to the seat bottom during movement of the seatback relative to the seat bottom.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to armrests for vehicles and, more particularly, to powered armrests that move synchronously with a vehicle seat back. Background Art

[0002] The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally presenting the background of the present disclosure. To the extent described in this section, the work of the presently named inventors, as well as aspects of the description that may not qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither explicitly nor implicitly admitted to be prior art with respect to the present disclosure.

[0003] Vehicle seats typically include one or more armrests extending from the vehicle seat back. The armrests typically extend from the seat back in a direction toward the front of the vehicle seat to allow passengers sitting at the seat bottom of the vehicle seat to support their arms when seated.

[0004] Conventional armrests may be pivotally attached to the seat back to allow the armrest to rotate between an extended position and a stowed position. In the extended position, the armrest extends away from the seat back in a direction toward the front of the vehicle seat to allow a passenger seated at the bottom of the seat to comfortably engage the armrest. When entering or exiting the vehicle seat, a force may be applied to the armrest to rotate the armrest from the extended position to the stowed position to provide clearance for entering or exiting the vehicle seat. Specifically, one or more armrests may be rotated relative to the seat back so that the longitudinal axis of the armrest is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the seat back. In this way, the armrest no longer extends away from the seat back and does not substantially hinder the occupant from entering or exiting the vehicle seat.

[0005] While the armrest may be moved from the extended position to the stowed position when an occupant enters or exits the vehicle seat, the armrest may also be moved to the stowed position when the seat back is folded onto the seat bottom and / or when the seat back and seat bottom are rotated from a use or upright position to a stowed or folded position. Moving the armrest to the stowed position prevents the armrest from obstructing rotation of the seat back relative to the seat bottom to the folded position.

[0006] Although conventional armrests are sufficient to support the passenger's arms during use and can also be selectively moved between an extended position and a stowed position, the armrest is fixed at an angle relative to the seat back when the armrest is in the extended position. Therefore, when the seat back is rotated relative to the seat bottom to adjust the angular position of the seat back relative to the seat bottom, the armrest does not remain substantially parallel to the vehicle floor, but rather, depending on the angle of the seat back relative to the seat bottom, the armrest is generally angled upward or downward relative to the floor. As a result, the armrest may not be positioned at an ideal angle for a passenger sitting on the vehicle seat. Summary of the invention

[0007] In one configuration, an armrest for a seat having a seat back and a seat bottom is provided, the armrest including a housing rotatable relative to the seat back and a motor disposed within the housing configured to maintain a position of the housing relative to the seat bottom during movement of the seat back relative to the seat bottom.

[0008] The armrest may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, the first sensor may be configured to detect the number of revolutions of the motor. In one configuration, the first sensor may be a Hall effect sensor.

[0009] A screw may extend from and be driven by the motor, the screw being configured to rotate a lever in contact with the seat back to adjust the position of the housing relative to the seat back. The screw and the lever may be disposed within the housing. Additionally or alternatively, the lever may define a first stop and a second stop that cooperate to limit the range of motion of the armrest relative to the seat back.

[0010] A vehicle may include an armrest.

[0011] In another configuration, a seat is provided that includes a seat bottom, a seat back rotatably attached to the seat bottom, an armrest rotatably attached to the seat back, and an actuator configured to move the armrest relative to the seat back when the seat back moves relative to the seat bottom to maintain a position of the armrest relative to the seat bottom.

[0012] The seat may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, the actuator may be disposed within the housing of the armrest and / or may include a motor. Additionally or alternatively, the actuator may include a screw extending from and driven by the motor, the screw being configured to rotate a lever in contact with the seat back to adjust the position of the housing relative to the seat back.

[0013] In one configuration, the seat back position sensor may be configured to detect a position of the seat back relative to the seat bottom, and the armrest position sensor may be configured to detect a position of the armrest relative to the seat back. At least one of the seat back position sensor and the armrest position sensor may include a Hall effect sensor.

[0014] A vehicle may include a seat.

[0015] In yet another configuration, a system for controlling a position of an armrest relative to a seat having a seat back and a seat bottom is provided, the system comprising a first motor configured to adjust the position of the armrest relative to the seat back and a second motor configured to adjust the angular position of the seat back relative to the seat bottom, the seat back being movable between a plurality of angular positions relative to the seat bottom by the second motor. The system also comprises an armrest control module configured to synchronize operation of the first motor with operation of the second motor to maintain the position of the armrest relative to the seat bottom during and after movement of the seat back relative to the seat bottom between the plurality of angular positions.

[0016] The system may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, a first motor may be disposed within a housing of the armrest. A first sensor may be configured to detect a position of the armrest relative to a seat back, and a second sensor may be configured to detect a position of the seat back relative to a seat bottom. The first sensor may monitor the first motor, and the second sensor may monitor the second motor. At least one of the first sensor and the second sensor may be a Hall effect sensor.

[0017] A vehicle may include the system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected configurations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 is used with Figure 1 a rear perspective view of a vehicle seat for use with a vehicle;

[0021] Figure 3A yes Figure 2 A side view of a vehicle seat with an armrest according to the principles of the present disclosure in an extended position;

[0022] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A an enlarged view of an armrest with a portion of the housing removed to show the internal components of the armrest in the extended position;

[0023] Figure 4A is in a tilted position Figure 2 A side view of a vehicle seat;

[0024] Figure 4B yes Figure 3A An enlarged view of the armrest with part of the housing removed to show the position of the armrest when the vehicle seat is in Figure 4A The inner parts of the armrest in the tilted position;

[0025] Figure 5A yes Figure 2 A side view of a vehicle seat, wherein Figure 3A The armrest is in the stowed position;

[0026] Figure 5B yes Figure 3A an enlarged view of an armrest of with a portion of the housing removed to illustrate the internal components of the armrest when the armrest is in the stowed position; and

[0027] Figure 6 is used to make Figure 3A The movement of the armrests Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a system for synchronizing the movement of a vehicle seat back.

[0028] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be implemented in many different forms, and that the specific details and exemplary configurations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0030] The terms used herein are only for describing specific exemplary configurations, not for limiting. As used herein, the singular articles "a", "an" and "the" may also be intended to include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprise", "include", "contain" and "have" are inclusive, thus specifying the presence of features, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or groups thereof. The method steps, processes and operations described herein should not be interpreted as necessarily requiring them to be performed in the specific order discussed or shown, unless specifically identified as an execution order. Additional or alternative steps may be adopted.

[0031] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on another element or layer," "engaged to," "connected to," "attached to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached to, or coupled to another element or layer, or there may be intermediate elements or layers. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on another element or layer," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," "directly attached to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intermediate elements or layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0032] The terms first, second, third, etc. can be used here to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts. These elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish each element, component, region, layer or part. Terms such as "first", "second" and other numerical terms do not imply order or sequence unless the context clearly indicates. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer or part discussed below can be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer or part, without departing from the teaching of the example configuration.

[0033] In this application, including the definitions below, the term module may be replaced by the term circuit. The term "module" may refer to or be part of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC); a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital discrete circuit; a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital integrated circuit; a combinational logic circuit; a field programmable gate array (FPGA); a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code; a memory (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by the processor; other suitable hardware components that provide the functionality; or a combination of some or all of the above, such as in a system on a chip.

[0034] The term code used above may include software, firmware and / or microcode, and may refer to a program, a routine, a function, a class and / or an object. The term shared processor includes a single processor that executes some or all of the code from multiple modules. The term group processor includes a processor that executes some or all of the code from one or more modules in combination with an additional processor. The term shared memory includes a single memory that stores some or all of the code from multiple modules. The term group memory includes a memory that stores some or all of the code from one or more modules in combination with an additional memory. The term memory may be a subset of the term computer-readable medium. The term computer-readable medium does not include transient electrical signals and electromagnetic signals propagated through the medium and can therefore be considered to be tangible non-transitory memory. Non-limiting examples of non-transitory memory include tangible computer-readable media, including non-volatile memory, magnetic memory, and optical memory.

[0035] The apparatus and methods described in this application may be implemented in part or in whole by one or more computer programs executed by one or more processors. The computer program includes processor executable instructions stored on at least one non-transitory tangible computer readable medium. The computer program may also include and / or rely on stored data.

[0036] Software applications (i.e., software resources) may refer to computer software that enables a computing device to perform tasks. In some examples, software applications may be referred to as "applications," "apps," or "programs." Example applications include, but are not limited to, system diagnostic applications, system management applications, system maintenance applications, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, messaging applications, media streaming applications, social networking applications, and gaming applications.

[0037] Non-transitory memory can be a physical device used to temporarily or permanently store programs (e.g., instruction sequences) or data (e.g., program state information) for use by a computing device. Non-transitory memory can be volatile and / or non-volatile addressable semiconductor memory. Examples of non-volatile memory include, but are not limited to, flash memory and read-only memory (ROM) / programmable read-only memory (PROM) / erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) / electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) (e.g., commonly used for firmware, such as bootloaders). Examples of volatile memory include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), phase change memory (PCM), and disk or tape.

[0038] These computer programs (also referred to as programs, software, software applications, or code) include machine instructions for a programmable processor and may be implemented in high-level procedural and / or object-oriented programming languages ​​and / or assembly / machine languages. As used herein, the terms "machine-readable medium" and "computer-readable medium" refer to any computer program product, non-transitory computer-readable medium, apparatus, and / or device (e.g., disk, optical disk, memory, programmable logic device (PLD)) for providing machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term "machine-readable signal" refers to any signal for providing machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor.

[0039] Various implementations of the systems and techniques described herein can be realized in digital electronic and / or optical circuits, integrated circuits, specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various implementations may include implementations in one or more computer programs executable and / or interpretable on a programmable system comprising at least one programmable processor, which may be special purpose or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from a storage system, and to send data and instructions to the storage system.

[0040] The processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed by one or more programmable processors, also known as data processing hardware, executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating outputs. These processes and logic flows can also be performed by dedicated logic circuits, such as FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays) or ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits). For example, processors suitable for executing computer programs include general-purpose and special-purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Typically, the processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The basic elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more storage devices for storing instructions and data. Typically, a computer will also include or be operably connected to one or more large-capacity storage devices for storing data, such as magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks, to receive data from the large-capacity storage device or to transmit data to it, or both. However, a computer does not need to have such a device. Computer-readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media and storage devices, including, for example, semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and memory may be supplemented by or incorporated in special purpose logic circuitry.

[0041] To provide interaction with a user, one or more aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented on a computer having a display device for displaying information to the user, such as a CRT (cathode ray tube), LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, or touch screen, and an optional keyboard and pointing device, such as a mouse or trackball, through which the user can provide input to the computer. Other types of devices may also be used to provide interaction with the user; for example, the feedback provided to the user may be any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user may be received in any form, including sound, voice, or tactile input. In addition, the computer may interact with the user by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device used by the user; for example, by sending a web page to a web browser on a user's client device in response to a request received from the web browser.

[0042] Referring to the drawings, a vehicle 10 is provided that includes a plurality of seats 12 disposed in a cabin 14 of the vehicle 10. Figure 2As shown, the seat 12 includes a seat bottom 16, a seat back 18 rotatably attached to the seat bottom 16, and an armrest 20 pivotally attached to the seat back 18. As will be described, the movement of the armrest 20 is synchronized with the movement of the seat back 18 so that the armrest 20 remains substantially parallel to the floor 22 ( ) of the vehicle 10 regardless of the angular position of the seat back 18 relative to the seat bottom 16. Figure 3A ) and / or seat bottom 16.

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, the armrest 20 is attached to the seat back 18 at the side wall 24 of the seat back 18. The armrest 20 is pivotally attached to the side wall 24 to allow the armrest 20 to be in an extended position ( Figure 2 , 3A , 4A) and stowed position ( Figure 5A ). In addition, when adjusting the angular position of the seat back 18 relative to the seat bottom 14 in an effort to keep the armrest 20 substantially parallel to the floor 22 of the vehicle 10 and / or the seat bottom 16, the position of the armrest 20 relative to the seat back 18 can be adjusted. Specifically, when adjusting the angular position of the seat back 18 relative to the seat bottom 14 in an effort to maintain the armrest 20 substantially parallel to the floor 22 of the vehicle 10 and / or the seat bottom 16, the position of the armrest 20 relative to the seat back 18 can be adjusted. Figure 4A The view shown rotates the seat back 18 in a clockwise (CW) direction to move the seat back 18 from the upright position ( Figure 3A ) to the tilted position ( Figure 4A ), the handrail 20 is relative to Figure 4A The illustrated view is automatically rotated in a counterclockwise (CCW) direction in an effort to maintain the longitudinal axis L of the armrest 20. AR Substantially parallel to floor 22 and / or seat bottom 16 .

[0044] The armrest 20 includes a housing 26, a linear actuator assembly 28, and a lever 30. The linear actuator assembly 28 and the lever 30 are supported by and located within the housing 26 so that when the housing 26 moves or rotates relative to the seat back 18, the linear actuator assembly 28 and the lever 30 move with the housing 26. The housing 26 may be formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as steel and / or plastic, and may include an outer foam layer covered by fabric upholstery and / or leather that defines an outer surface 32 of the armrest 20.

[0045] The actuator assembly 28 includes a motor 34, a screw or rod 36 extending from a housing 38 of the motor 34, and an armrest position sensor 40 configured to detect the position of the screw 36 relative to the housing 38. In one configuration, the motor 34 is an electric motor and is configured to rotate the screw 36 in a clockwise (CW) direction or a counterclockwise (CCW) direction to extend or retract the screw 36. For example, in one configuration, rotating the screw 36 in the CCW direction may cause the screw 36 to extend further from the housing 38, while rotating the screw 36 in the CW direction may cause the screw 36 to retract into the housing 38. The degree to which the screw 36 extends from the housing 38 is directly controlled by the degree to which the motor 34 rotates the screw 36 and in what direction (i.e., CW versus CCW). For example, referring to Figure 3B and 4B , since the motor 34 causes the screw 36 to rotate in the CCW direction, Figure 3B The screw 36 shown in FIG. 1 extends from the housing 38 to a greater extent than Figure 4B Medium is bigger.

[0046] The screw 36 includes a first end 42 housed within the housing 38 of the motor 34, a second end 44 rotatably attached to the lever 30, and a series of threads 46 disposed between the first end 42 and the second end 44. The threads 46 are driven by a threaded shaft (not shown) that is threadedly engaged with the threads 46 of the screw 36. Specifically, the threaded shaft is driven or rotated by the motor 34, and due to the engagement between the threads of the threaded shaft (not shown) and the threads 46 of the screw 36, the screw 36 is caused to rotate relative to the housing 38. As previously described, depending on the direction of rotation of the screw 36, the screw 36 will extend from or retract into the housing 38. The direction of rotation is controlled by the direction in which the motor 34 rotates the threaded shaft.

[0047] The armrest position sensor 40 can count the number of revolutions of the threaded shaft, the screw 36, and / or the number of revolutions of the rotor (not shown) of the motor 34 to determine the position of the screw 36 relative to the housing 38. For example, in one configuration, the armrest position sensor 40 includes a Hall effect sensor that detects the number of revolutions of the threaded shaft, the screw 36, and / or the rotor to determine the position of the screw 36 relative to the housing 38. Although the armrest position sensor 40 is described as including a Hall effect sensor, the armrest position sensor 40 can be any sensor capable of determining the number of revolutions of one or more of the aforementioned components, such as an optical sensor. The sensor 40 is referred to as an armrest position sensor 40 because the position of the screw 36 relative to the housing 38 determines the position of the armrest 20 relative to the seat back 18, which will be described in more detail below.

[0048] The second end of the screw 36 is rotatably attached to the lever 30 to allow the screw 36 to be moved relative to the housing 38 when the screw 36 is extended from or retracted into the housing 38. Figure 3B The views are shown in a clockwise (CW) direction or relative to Figure 3B The view shown rotates the lever in a counterclockwise (CCW) direction. The lever 30 may be a bell crank and includes a body 48 and a protrusion 50 extending from the body 48. The body 48 includes a hole 52 that is rotatably attached to an axis 54 of the seat back 18 to allow the lever 30 to rotate relative to the seat back 18 about the axis 54. The body 48 also includes a groove 56 that defines an arcuate path 58. The arcuate path 58 extends between a first end face 60 and a second end face 62, which define a first stop 64 and a second stop 66, respectively. Although the body 48 is described as including the groove 56 that defines the arcuate path 58, the groove 56 may be replaced by a slot (not shown) formed through the thickness of the body 48, whereby the ends of the slot define the first stop 64 and the second stop 66, respectively.

[0049] In one configuration, the groove 56 is formed by bending the material of the body 48 into the shape of the arcuate path 58. Thus, the first stop 64 and the second stop 66 are formed at opposite ends of the arcuate path 58 and are produced by bending a portion of the body 48 into the shape of the arcuate path 58. Figure 3B , 4B 5B. The groove 56 accommodates a shaft 68 that is fixed to move with the seat back 18. Therefore, when the armrest 20 rotates relative to the seat back 18, the shaft 68 passes through the groove 56 between the first stop 64 and the second stop 66, which cooperate to limit the range of motion of the armrest 20 relative to the seat back 18, which will be described in more detail below.

[0050] In operation, the seat back 18 may initially be in a generally upright position, such as Figure 3A In this position, the armrest 20 is positioned so that the longitudinal axis L of the armrest 20 AR The armrest 20 is substantially parallel to the floor 22 of the vehicle 10. When in this position, the armrest 20 is prevented from moving relative to the seat back 18 due to the engagement between the shaft 68 of the seat back 18 and the first stop 64 of the lever 30. Figure 3B The view shown is further rotated in a counter-clockwise (CCW) direction relative to the seat back 18 .

[0051] When the seat back 18 is rotated or tilted relative to the seat bottom 16, the seat back 18 moves to Figure 4A As shown, due to the cooperation between the linear actuation assembly 28 and the lever 30, the armrest 20 is maintained in a position substantially parallel to the floor 22 and / or the seat bottom 16 of the vehicle 10. Specifically, when the seat back 18 is rotated relative to the seat bottom 16, the seat back position sensor 70 ( Figure 6) can detect the amount and in what direction the seat back 18 is rotated relative to the seat bottom 16. That is, the seat back 18 can be powered by a seat back motor (not shown) and, therefore, when energized, can move the seat back 18 relative to the seat bottom 16. Like the armrest position sensor 40 associated with the linear actuator assembly 28, the seat back position sensor 70 can include a Hall effect sensor that determines the degree to which the seat back 18 is rotated relative to the seat bottom 16 by monitoring the seat back motor. Although the seat back position sensor 70 can include a Hall effect sensor, the seat back position sensor 70 can include any sensor configured to detect the direction of rotation of the seat back 18 and the amount by which the seat back 18 is rotated relative to the seat bottom 16, such as an optical sensor.

[0052] The armrest position sensor 40 and the seat back position sensor 70 may communicate with the armrest control module 72 and may provide position data of the armrest 20 relative to the seat back 18 and the seat back 18 relative to the seat bottom 16, respectively, to the armrest control module 72. The armrest control module 72 may be executed by a body control module (BCM) 74 of the vehicle 10, whereby the armrest control module 72 is stored on memory hardware 76 of the BCM 74 and executed by data processing hardware 78 of the BCM 74.

[0053] When the seat back 18 is Figure 3A Rotate from upright position shown to Figure 4A In the tilted position shown, the seat back position sensor 70 determines the direction and degree or amount of rotation of the seat back 18 relative to the seat bottom 16. This information is transmitted to the armrest control module 72 of the BCM 74 for the armrest control module 72 to determine whether to retract or extend the screw 36 from the housing 38 to maintain the armrest 20 at the longitudinal axis L of the armrest 20. AR The position of the screw 36 is substantially parallel to the floor 22 and / or seat bottom 16 of the vehicle 10. The armrest control module 72 can determine whether to retract or extend the screw 36 from the housing 38 based on information received from the armrest control module 72 and from the armrest position sensor 40 that identifies the current position of the armrest 20 (i.e., by identifying the current position of the screw 36 relative to the housing 38).

[0054] Once the armrest control module 72 receives information about the position of the seat back 18 relative to the seat bottom 16 from the seat back position sensor 70, the armrest control module 72 can determine how to adjust the position of the screw 36 relative to the housing 38 to ensure that the armrest 20 remains substantially parallel to the floor 22 and / or the seat bottom 16.

[0055] like Figure 3A As shown, when the seat back 18 is in the upright position, the support post 68 contacts the first stop 64, which prevents the armrest 20 from being moved relative to the Figure 3B Rotate in a counterclockwise (CCW) direction. Figure 3A Move to the position shown Figure 4A When the armrest control module 72 is in the position shown, the motor 34 will be activated to rotate the screw 36 in a clockwise (CW) direction, thereby retracting the screw 36 into the housing 38. In this way, due to the rotatable connection between the second end 44 and the protrusion 50, the second end 44 of the screw 36 exerts a force on the protrusion 50 of the lever 30. The force exerted on the lever 30 causes the lever 30 to move relative to the housing 38. Figure 3B and 4B The view shown is rotated in the CW direction about the axis 54. The rotation of the lever 30 in the CW direction causes the first stop 64 to also move in the CW direction, which in turn moves relative to Figure 3A The illustrated position of first stop 64 changes the position of first stop 64. The extent of rotation of lever 30 in the CW direction is determined by the amount screw 36 is retracted into housing 38 and is based on the amount and direction of rotation of seat back 18 relative to seat bottom 16.

[0056] like Figure 6 As shown, both the armrest position sensor 40 and the seat back position sensor 70 communicate with the armrest control module 72. Therefore, the armrest control module 72 is able to simultaneously receive data from both sensors 40, 70 to control and coordinate the movement of the armrest 20 in real time with the movement of the seat back 18. For example, when the seat back position sensor 70 indicates that the seat back 18 is moving relative to the seat bottom 16 (i.e., tilting, such as Figure 4A ), the armrest control module 72 can energize the motor 34 to cause simultaneous movement of the screw 36 and the lever 30. In this way, the armrest control module 72 can adjust the position of the first stop 64 in an effort to maintain the armrest 20 in a position substantially parallel to the floor 22 and / or the seat bottom 16.

[0057] When the lever 30 and the first stopper 64 are relative to Figure 3B and 4B When the view shown is rotated in the CW direction, the armrest 20 rotates in the CCW direction relative to the seat back 18. Specifically, the weight of the armrest 20 biases the armrest 20 so that it rotates relative to the seat back 18. Figure 3B and 4BThe view shown is rotated in the CCW direction. Thus, when the first stop 64 is rotated in the CW direction, the armrest 20 is allowed to rotate in the CCW direction due to the change in the position of the first stop 64. In practice, when the shaft 68 of the seat back 18 moves in the CW direction due to the movement of the seat back 18 relative to the seat bottom 16 in the CW direction, the position of the lever 30 and the first stop 64 must also move to allow the armrest 20 to maintain a parallel relationship with the floor 22 throughout the movement of the seat back 18 relative to the seat bottom 16. It should be noted that although the weight of the armrest 20 is described as biasing the armrest 20 in the CCW rotational direction, a biasing member such as a spring (not shown) may be additionally implemented to further bias the rotation of the armrest 20 in the CCW direction.

[0058] Once the seat back position sensor 70 detects that the seat back 18 is no longer moving relative to the seat bottom 16, the armrest control module 72 will stop the rotation of the screw 36 by stopping the motor 34. In this way, the armrest control module 72 ensures that accurate rotation of the lever 30 in the CW direction is achieved to allow the armrest 20 to remain substantially parallel to the floor 22 and / or seat bottom 16 throughout the movement of the seat back 18 relative to the seat bottom 16.

[0059] The foregoing example is provided for the case where the seat back 18 is rotated (i.e., tilted) in the CW direction relative to the seat bottom 16. When the seat back 18 is rotated in the CCW direction relative to the seat bottom 16, the armrest control module 72 simply changes the rotation direction of the screw 36 to rotate the lever 30 in the CCW direction, thereby maintaining the armrest 20 in a parallel relationship with the floor 22 and / or the seat bottom 16.

[0060] Specific reference Figure 5A and 5B , the armrest 20 will be described in detail from the extended position ( Figure 3A and 4A ) to the stowed position ( Figure 5A When a passenger wishes to stow the armrest 20 to facilitate entry or exit from the vehicle seat 10 or to fold the seat back 18 onto the seat bottom 16, the passenger can move relative to the armrest 20. Figure 5A and 5B The view shown exerts a force in the CW direction on the armrest 20. Thus, the armrest 20 rotates in the CW direction relative to the seat back 18 and overcomes the CCW rotational bias exerted on the armrest 20 by its own weight.

[0061] Due to the interaction of the shaft 68 and the groove 56, the armrest 20 is allowed to rotate in the CW direction. Specifically, the rotation of the armrest 20 in the CW direction causes the lever 30 to also rotate in the CW direction. In this way, the first stop 64 is effectively disengaged and moved away from the shaft 68 of the seat back 18, and the shaft 68 remains stationary. Movement of the armrest 20 in the CW direction is allowed until the armrest 20 achieves a full range of movement relative to the seat back 18. Specifically, movement of the armrest in the CW direction is allowed until the second stop 66 engages the shaft 68, thereby preventing further movement of the armrest 20 in the CW direction. The armrest 20 can be returned to the extended position by rotating the armrest 20 in the CCW direction relative to the seat back 18 until the first stop 64 again engages the shaft 68 of the seat back 18.

[0062] As described above, the armrest control module 72 coordinates movement of the armrest 20 with movement of the seat back 18 relative to the seat bottom 16 to ensure that the armrest 20 remains parallel to the floor 22 and / or seat bottom 16 throughout movement of the seat back 18 .

[0063] Many embodiments have been described. However, it should be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, other embodiments are also within the scope of the following claims.

[0064] The foregoing description has been provided for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but where applicable, they are interchangeable and can be used in a selected configuration even if not specifically shown or described. This can also be varied in a variety of ways. Such variations should not be considered a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An armrest for a seat having a seat back and a seat bottom, the armrest comprising: a housing rotatable relative to a seat back; as well as A motor is disposed within the housing and is configured to maintain a position of the housing relative to the seat bottom during movement of the seat back relative to the seat bottom. 2 . The armrest according to claim 1 , further comprising a first sensor configured to detect the number of rotations of the motor.

3. The handrail according to claim 2, wherein: The first sensor is a Hall effect sensor.

4. The armrest of claim 1, further comprising a screw extending from and driven by the motor, the screw being configured to rotate a lever in contact with the seat back to adjust a position of the housing relative to the seat back.

5. The handrail according to claim 4, wherein: The screw rod and the lever are disposed in the housing.

6. The handrail according to claim 4, wherein: The lever defines a first stop and a second stop that cooperate to limit a range of motion of the armrest relative to the seat back.

7. The handrail according to claim 6, wherein: The lever includes a groove defining the first stop and the second stop.

8. The handrail according to claim 7, wherein: The groove slidably receives a shaft fixed for movement with the seat back, and movement of the lever between a first position where the shaft contacts the first stop and a second position where the shaft contacts the second stop defines a range of movement of the armrest relative to the seat back.

9. The handrail according to claim 4, wherein: The screw includes a first end extending from the motor and a second end disposed at an end of the screw opposite to the first end, the second end being pivotably coupled to the lever.

10. A vehicle comprising the armrest according to claim 1 and a seat.

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