Locking device and knob-free armrest assembly comprising same

Abstract

The invention provides a locking device operating with rotation of an armrest and an armrest assembly including the same. The lock device includes: a cam member rotatable about a second axis parallel to a first axis; and a rotator for transmitting the force of rotation of the armrest to the cam member in a contact manner to control the rotation of the cam member. When the armrest rotates, the rotator can rotate together with the armrest around the first shaft, so that the locking teeth of the rotator move through the locking position, and the cam member rotates along with the rotation control action of the rotator, so that the locking groove of the cam member can move through the locking position. When the armrest rotates and the posture of the armrest is changed to the locking posture, the locking teeth and the locking grooves move to the locking position, and the locking teeth are inserted into the locking grooves to operate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a vehicle armrest assembly. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles include armrests for the convenience of drivers and other passengers. The armrests are provided in various forms in the vehicle (indoor). For example, the armrests can be provided in the form of a vehicle seat, a center console disposed between a driver's seat and a passenger seat in the vehicle, and the like.

[0003] Generally, in a vehicle armrest, the armrest body can rotate around an axis, and a knob operated by a passenger is provided on the front end side of the armrest body, and includes a locking device, which is linked to the operation of the knob to restrict or allow the rotation of the armrest body.

[0004] Such vehicle-mounted armrests have the problem that the structure of the locking device is very complicated and / or have the problem that the running relationship of the locking device becomes inaccurate during long-term use. For this reason, high costs are necessarily required in terms of manufacturing and / or maintenance.

[0005] Furthermore, if the armrest body is to be rotated, the knob needs to be operated to release the restraint of the locking device on the armrest body. To this end, the passenger's hand needs to be close to the knob. Therefore, there is the inconvenience that the armrest body can only be rotated by a conventional operation in terms of use.

[0006] Furthermore, when the armrest is in the form of a center console between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat, the armrest body may become an element that restricts or hinders the behavior of the passenger sitting in the driver's seat or the front passenger seat.

[0007] On the other hand, one of the things that future vehicles need is more diverse seat variations, and the relevant industry is actively conducting research and development to more effectively realize the front-back movement, left-right movement and / or swiveling of the seat for seat variations. In this case, the current armrest constituting the center console can greatly hinder the seat variation. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0008] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2002-0043111 (June 8, 2002) (Patent Document 2) Korean Registered Patent Gazette No. 10-1836472 (March 8, 2018) (Patent Document 3) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2022-0040852 (March 31, 2022) (Patent Document 4) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2022-0055238 (May 3, 2022). Summary of the invention Problem to be solved

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle armrest assembly that can accurately control the rotation of an armrest through a more simplified structure.

[0010] The embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle armrest assembly that is more convenient to use.

[0011] The embodiment of the present invention provides an in-vehicle armrest assembly that can be used by passengers in front seats (driver's seat, front passenger seat) and passengers in rear seats. As an example, an armrest used as a table is provided for rear seats.

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle armrest assembly that facilitates seat changes.

[0013] The problems to be solved are not limited to these, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by ordinary technicians from the following description. Solutions to the problem

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an armrest assembly can be provided, and the armrest assembly includes: an armrest mount; an armrest that can rotate around a first axis in the armrest mount, and whose posture changes with the rotation; a cam member that can rotate around a second axis parallel to the first axis; a rotator that is connected to the armrest and rotates together with the armrest, and transmits the force of the rotation of the armrest to the cam member in a contact manner to control the rotation of the cam member, the rotator having a first tooth (locking tooth), and when rotating, the first tooth passes through a locking position between the first axis and the second axis, the cam member having a locking groove, and the locking groove can move through the locking position in a manner of being controlled by the contact rotation of the rotator, and if the posture of the armrest is changed to a locked posture, the first tooth and the locking groove move to the locking position so that the first tooth is inserted into the locking groove.

[0015] The armrest bracket may be arranged between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat of the vehicle. The armrest bracket may include: a fixed component arranged between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat; a movable component that can move horizontally on the fixed component; and a support member (support) arranged on the movable component and supporting the armrest so that the armrest can rotate around the first axis.

[0016] The first axis may be arranged in a left-right direction. The locking posture may be a posture in which the armrest is in a horizontal state.

[0017] The dual rotation directions centered on the first axis are respectively a first rotation direction a and a first rotation direction b, and the first rotation direction a may correspond to the direction in which the armrest rotates downward in the locked position. The dual rotation directions centered on the second axis may be respectively a second rotation direction a and a second rotation direction b, and the second rotation direction a and the second rotation direction b may be respectively the same rotation directions as the first rotation direction a and the first rotation direction b.

[0018] The posture of the armrest can be changed to a first posture with the front end facing forward (refer to Figure 2 ), the second posture facing downward (refer to Figure 3 ) or the third position facing backward (refer to Figure 4 ). The first posture may be the locking posture.

[0019] In the first position, the armrest can be provided for passengers in the front seats, in the second position, the armrest can be folded relative to the support, and in the third position, the armrest can be provided for passengers in the rear seats.

[0020] The armrest may maintain the second posture and the third posture by a stopper. The stopper may include a front stopper and a rear stopper.

[0021] When the armrest is in the second posture, the armrest bracket may have the front stopper for limiting the rotation of the armrest toward the first rotation direction a, and when the armrest is in the third posture, the armrest bracket may have the rear stopper for limiting the rotation of the armrest toward the first rotation direction b.

[0022] When the first tooth has a first a contact side surface facing the first a rotation direction and a contact end surface forming a tooth end of the first tooth, the locking groove has a first a inner surface facing the second a rotation direction and a first b inner surface facing the second b rotation direction, and the first tooth is inserted into the locking groove, in the first tooth, the first a contact side surface can contact the first a inner surface, and the contact end surface can contact the first b inner surface, so that the handrail distributes the force of rotating toward the first a rotation direction in the opposite rotation direction through the first a inner surface and the first b inner surface, thereby preventing the cam component from rotating toward the second b rotation direction.

[0023] The contact end face is formed into an arc shape corresponding to a virtual inscribed circle centered on the first axis. When the first tooth is inserted into the locking groove, the first b inner surface makes point contact with the contact end face outside the inscribed circle. Thus, if the armrest rotates in the first b rotation direction in the first posture, the first tooth can be separated from the locking groove.

[0024] The cam component may include a first contact cam and a second contact cam. When rotating, the first contact cam moves via a first contact area having the locking position, and the second contact cam moves via a second contact area opposite to the first contact area with respect to the second axis.

[0025] The rotator can be provided with a first tooth, a second tooth and a cam rail in order to move the locking groove to the locking position located in the first contact area or to be separated from the locking position through contact rotation control of the cam component. As the armrest rotates, the rotator has a first tooth, a second tooth and a cam rail, wherein the first tooth contacts the first contact cam in the first contact area to move the second contact cam inward or outward of the second contact area, the second tooth moves via the second contact area and contacts the second contact cam in the second contact area to move the first contact cam inward or outward of the first contact area, and the cam rail approaches and contacts the first contact cam moving outward of the first contact area to move the second contact cam toward the first contact area.

[0026] The first contact cam may include a first a cam and a first b cam adjacent to each other. The first a inner surface is formed on the first a cam, and the first b inner surface is formed on the first b cam, so that the locking groove is arranged between the first a cam and the first b cam. The first a inner surface may be an inner surface of the first a cam of the first a cam, and the first b inner surface may be an inner surface of the first b cam of the first b cam.

[0027] The first a-cam may have an outer surface of the first a-cam facing the second b-rotation direction, and the first b-cam may have an outer surface of the first b-cam facing the second a-rotation direction. The second contact cam may include adjacent second a-cams and second b-cams. The second a-cam may have an inner surface of the second a-cam facing the second b-rotation direction and an outer surface of the second a-cam facing the second a-rotation direction, and the second b-cam may have an inner surface of the second b-cam facing the second a-rotation direction and an outer surface of the second b-cam facing the second b-rotation direction. The first tooth may have a first b-contact side surface facing the first b-rotation direction, the second tooth may have a second a-contact side surface facing the first a-rotation direction and a second b-contact side surface facing the first b-rotation direction, and the cam guide may have a first contact rail arranged on the first a-rotation direction side and a second contact rail arranged on the first b-rotation direction side. The second tooth and the cam guide may be arranged opposite to each other with the first axis as a reference. When the armrest is in the first posture, the second a cam can be located in the second contact area, if the first tooth is separated from the locking groove in the first posture, the second tooth can move to the second contact area, and in the cam guide rail, if the armrest rotates in the first a rotation direction, the first contact rail can approach the cam component, and if the armrest rotates in the first b rotation direction, the second contact rail can approach the cam component.

[0028] If the armrest is rotated in the first position in the first b rotation direction by a set angle so that the first tooth is in a preparation position to be separated from the locking groove, the second tooth can rotate the cam member in the second b rotation direction so that the second b contact side surface contacts the outer surface of the second a cam so that the first a cam is located outside the first contact area and the first b cam is located in the first contact area. If the armrest in the preparation position is rotated in the first a rotation direction so that the position of the armrest is changed to the second position, the first tooth can rotate the cam member in the second b rotation direction so that it moves to the first contact area having the first b cam, the first a contact side surface contacts the outer surface of the first b cam so that the first contact cam is located outside the first contact area and the second contact cam is located outside the second contact area, and the cam guide rotates the cam member in the second a rotation direction so that the first contact rail approaches the second b cam outside the second contact area and contacts the outer surface of the second b cam so that the first a cam is located in the first contact area.

[0029] If the armrest rotates in the first b rotation direction in the second posture and becomes the preparation posture, the first tooth can rotate the cam member in the second a rotation direction so as to move to the first contact area having the first a cam, the first b contact side surface contacts the outer surface of the first a cam so that the second a cam is located outside the second contact area and the second b cam is located within the second contact area, and the second tooth can rotate the cam member in the second b rotation direction so as to move to the second contact area having the second b cam, the second b contact side surface contacts the inner surface of the second b cam so that the first a cam is located within the first contact area and the first b cam is located outside the first contact area. If the armrest in the preparation posture rotates in the first a rotation direction so that the posture of the armrest is changed to the first posture, the first tooth can rotate the cam member in the second b rotation direction so as to move to the first contact area having the first a cam, the first a contact side surface contacts the inner surface of the first a cam, and the lock groove moves to the lock position, thereby being inserted into the lock groove at the lock position.

[0030] If the armrest rotates in the first b rotation direction in the first posture, so that the first tooth is separated from the locking groove and the posture of the armrest is changed to the third posture, the second tooth can cause the cam component to rotate in the second b rotation direction so that the second b contact side surface contacts the outer surface of the second a cam, so that the first contact cam is located outside the first contact area and the second contact cam is located outside the second contact area, and the cam guide causes the cam component to rotate in the second a rotation direction so that the second contact rail approaches the first a cam outside the first contact area and contacts the outer surface of the first a cam, so that the second a cam is located in the second contact area and the second b cam is located outside the second contact area.

[0031] If the armrest rotates in the first a rotation direction in the third posture so that the posture of the armrest is changed to the first posture, the second tooth can cause the cam component to rotate in the second a rotation direction so as to move toward the second contact area having the second a cam, the second a contact side surface contacts the inner surface of the second a cam, so that the first a cam is located within the first contact area, and the first b cam is located outside the first contact area, the first tooth causes the cam component to rotate in the second b rotation direction so as to move toward the first contact area having the first a cam, the first a contact side surface contacts the inner surface of the first a cam, so that the locking groove moves toward the locking position, thereby being inserted into the locking groove at the locking position.

[0032] The vehicle armrest assembly of the embodiment of the present invention may further include a hinge shaft forming the second axis. The cam component may be combined with the hinge shaft, and the hinge shaft may have a free-stop function.

[0033] The means for solving the problem will become more specific and clear through the following embodiments, drawings, etc. In addition, multiple solutions other than the solutions mentioned below can be proposed. Effects of the Invention

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, if a passenger rotates the armrest, the rotator can rotate together with the armrest around the first axis, so that the locking tooth (first tooth) of the rotator moves through the locking position, and the cam component can rotate along with the contact rotation control of the rotator, so that the locking groove of the cam component moves through the locking position. Moreover, if the armrest rotates so that the posture of the armrest is changed to the locking posture (first posture), the locking tooth and the locking groove move to the locking position and operate in a manner in which the locking tooth is inserted into the locking groove. To this end, the posture of the armrest can be accurately and conveniently changed through a simple structure without the previous operating knob and without additional driving force or elastic force.

[0035] According to the embodiment of the present invention, since the armrest is arranged between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat and can change its posture to a posture protruding toward the rear seat side (third posture) as it rotates, passengers in the rear seats can use the armrest as a table or the like.

[0036] In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the posture of the armrest can be changed to a posture (second posture) folded relative to the armrest bracket as it rotates, the convenience of use for passengers can be further improved. Furthermore, according to the folded posture (second posture), etc., the seat change can be performed more easily without interfering with the armrest.

[0037] The effects of the invention are not limited thereto, and a person skilled in the art can clearly understand other effects not mentioned from this specification and the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1 The figure is a three-dimensional diagram showing a vehicle armrest assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 2 to 4 The diagrams are schematic diagrams showing the armrest in the vehicle armrest assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention being changed to a first posture, a second posture, and a third posture as viewed from the left side. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The following are perspective views of a portion of the vehicle armrest assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing the armrest in the second position and the third position. Figure 7 The figure is an exploded perspective view showing a part of a vehicle armrest assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 8 to 10 The three-dimensional view, the cross-sectional three-dimensional view and the cross-sectional view observed from the left side respectively show the locking device of the vehicle armrest assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figures 11 to 16 by Fig.10 The locking device is indicated as operating. Figures 17 to 20The figure shows the posture change process of the armrest in the vehicle armrest assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described therein, but can be embodied in many different forms.

[0040] In the process of describing the embodiments of the present invention, if it is judged that the detailed description of the relevant well-known functions or structures may unnecessarily confuse the essence of the present invention, it will be omitted, and the same figure marks will be used for parts that produce similar functions or effects throughout the drawings.

[0041] Among the terms used in the specification, at least a part is defined in consideration of the function in the present invention, and therefore, may be different according to the intention, convention, etc. of the user or operator. Therefore, these terms should be interpreted based on the content of the entire specification. Moreover, in the specification, when it is indicated that a certain structure is included, as long as there is no special record to the contrary, it means that other structural elements are also included, rather than excluding other structural elements. Moreover, when it is indicated that a certain part is connected (or, combined) with other parts, this includes not only the case of direct connection (or, combination), but also the case of indirect connection (or, combination) with other parts in the middle.

[0042] On the other hand, in the drawings, the size or shape of components, the thickness of lines, etc. may be slightly exaggerated for easier understanding.

[0043] In order to provide convenience for passengers, the present invention can provide a locking device and an armrest assembly including the same, which can perform rotation control on the armrest arranged in the vehicle without the previous operating knob. In addition, the present invention can also provide a vehicle including such an armrest assembly. The armrest assembly of the present invention can be applied to various objects constituting the vehicle, but the embodiment of the present invention observes the form in which the armrest assembly is applied between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat in the vehicle.

[0044] Figures 1 to 20 The structure and operation of the armrest assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown.

[0045] like Figure 1 , Figure 7As shown in the figures, the armrest assembly of the embodiment of the present invention may include an armrest bracket 10, a shaft module 20, an armrest 30 and a locking unit (refer to 40, 50 and 60). The armrest assembly may be arranged in the vehicle through the armrest bracket 10. Although not shown in the figure, the vehicle may include front seats and rear seats arranged with intervals in the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction) in the room, and the front seats may include a driver's seat and a co-driver's seat arranged in the left-right direction (X-axis direction). For reference, the front-to-back direction may be a direction consisting of a front direction and a rear direction toward the vehicle.

[0046] The armrest bracket 10 can be located between the driver's seat and the passenger seat in the vehicle. Figure 1 As shown, the armrest bracket 10 may include: a base 12, which is configured in the space between the driver's seat and the co-driver's seat; a support member 14, which is arranged and erected in the upward and downward directions (Z-axis direction) of the base 12; and a fixed bracket 16, which is fixed at the upper end portion of the support member 14.

[0047] The base 12 can be installed on the bottom surface of the space between the driver's seat and the passenger seat. Although not shown in the figure, the base 12 may include a fixed part and a movable part, and the movable part can slide in the horizontal direction (vertical direction relative to the up and down direction) on the fixed part, so that the position of the movable part changes along the moving direction of the movable part, and may also include a stop unit, which constrains the movable part relative to the fixed part to fix the position of the movable part. As an example, the movable part can slide in the horizontal direction along the front-back direction, and the stop unit may include a pressurizing body, which can move in the up and down direction on the movable part. The pressurizing body has a bolt structure that is threadedly connected to the movable part, and can move upward or downward along the rotation direction. The lower end of the pressurizing body can be in close contact with the upper surface of the fixed part (compression) according to the up and down movement of the pressurizing body to approximate the movable part, or be separated from the upper surface of the fixed part to the upper side (release the compression) to release the constraint of the movable part.

[0048] The lower end portion of the support member 14 may be combined with the base 12. Specifically, the lower end portion of the support member 14 may be combined with a movable component of the base 12. For example, the support member 14 may be configured as a panel structure having a width smaller than a length.

[0049] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 The armrest bracket 10 can stably support the shaft module 20 by using the fixing bracket 16. The fixing bracket 16 can be firmly mounted on the upper end portion of the support member 14 by means of a mounting pin 2 or the like, and the position can be fixed.

[0050] like Figure 1 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown in the figures, the shaft module 20 includes a shaft component 22, in which a first axis A1 extending horizontally along the left-right direction (X-axis direction) is formed, and the shaft component 22 can be supported by a fixed bracket 16. The shaft component 22 can be a fixed shaft maintained in a stopped state, and has a fixed portion 22f and a support portion 22s respectively arranged to the left and right. As for the shaft component 22, the support portion 22s is supported by the fixed bracket 16, and in a state where the position is fixed, the fixed portion 22f is firmly mounted on the support member 14 by means of a fixed panel 24, so that the function of a fixed shaft can be exerted.

[0051] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 The armrest 30 can be formed with a predetermined length and has a front end portion 30a and a base end portion 30b on both sides of the length direction, and the base end portion 30b can rotate around the first axis A1. The armrest 30 may include: an armrest frame 32 having a front end portion and a base end portion corresponding to the front end portion 30a and the base end portion 30b of the armrest 30, respectively; and a hinge bracket 36 provided on the armrest frame 32. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the armrest 30 may further include a housing 34 for housing the fixing bracket 16 , the armrest frame 32 , the hinge bracket 36 , etc. to protect them from external damage.

[0052] like Figures 5 to 7 As shown in the figures, the hinge bracket 36 is rotatably connected to the support portion 22s of the shaft member 22. In the armrest 30, such a hinge bracket 36 can be connected to the base end portion of the armrest frame 32 and rotate around the first axis A1. As an example, the hinge bracket 36 can be arranged between the support member 14 and the fixed bracket 16, and can be formed as an integral part with the armrest frame 32. The rotation element that uses friction to suppress the acceleration of the rotation speed of the armrest 30 can be interposed between the support portion 22s of the shaft member 22 and the hinge bracket 36 of the armrest 30. The rotation element can guide the armrest 30 to rotate at a specified speed.

[0053] The posture of the armrest 30 can be changed as the armrest 30 rotates around the first axis A1. Specifically, the posture of the armrest 30 can be changed to a first posture in which the front end portion 30a of the armrest 30 faces forward (see Figure 1 and Figure 2 ), the front end portion 30a of the armrest 30 is facing downward (refer to the second posture Figure 3) or the third posture in which the front end portion 30a of the armrest 30 faces rearward (refer to Figure 4 ). When in the first posture and the third posture, the armrest 30 can be unfolded relative to the armrest bracket 10, and when in the second posture, the armrest 30 can be folded relative to the armrest bracket 10. When in the first posture and the third posture, the armrest 30 can maintain a horizontal state, and when in the second posture, the armrest 30 can maintain a downwardly inclined state (or, a vertical state). For reference, the support member 14 can extend in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) in order to ensure a space for the armrest 30 to be in a folded state relative to the armrest bracket 10 when the armrest 30 is in the second posture, so that the upper end portion can have a height spaced a predetermined distance upward from the base 12.

[0054] Reference Figures 2 to 4 When the double rotation directions centered on the first axis A1 are respectively taken as the first a rotation direction R1a and the first b rotation direction R1b, the direction in which the armrest 30 rotates downward in the first posture is the first a rotation direction R1a, and the angle of the armrest 30 when the posture of the armrest 30 is the first posture is taken as 0, the second posture can be a posture in which the armrest 30 is rotated 73 degrees in the first posture (0°) in the first rotation direction R1a, and the third posture can be a posture in which the armrest 30 is rotated 180 degrees in the first posture in the first b rotation direction R1b opposite to the first a rotation direction R1a.

[0055] like Figure 2 As shown, when in the first posture (0°), the armrest 30 can make the upper part of the armrest face upward between the driver's seat passenger and the front passenger's seat passenger of the front seat. Thus, the passenger in the front seat can freely use the armrest 30, for example, comfortably lean on the armrest 30 or place his arm on the armrest 30, etc.

[0056] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , if the posture of the armrest 30 is changed from the first posture (0°) to the second posture (-73°), the armrest 30 can be folded relative to the armrest bracket 10 and retracted from between the driver's seat passenger and the front passenger seat passenger. With the retraction of the armrest 30, a free space can be secured between the driver's seat passenger and the front passenger seat passenger. The front seat passenger can move more freely or take a more comfortable posture by using the secured free space.

[0057] like Figure 4 As shown, when in the third posture (180°), the armrest 30 can be turned 180 degrees in the first posture (0°), so that the lower surface of the armrest faces upward, and the front end portion 30a can protrude from the space between the driver's seat and the passenger seat to the rear rear seat side and provide for the passengers in the rear seats. To this end, the passengers in the rear seats can use the armrest 30 as a table 30, for example, to place items such as mobile phones on the lower surface of the armrest facing upward.

[0058] On the other hand, one or more of the seats in the vehicle (front seats, rear seats, etc.) can be moved forward and backward, left and right, and / or rotated for seat changes, and the armrest 30 can be selectively changed to a suitable posture among the first posture (0°), the second posture (-73°), and the third posture (180°) as the seat changes.

[0059] As for the armrest 30, the first posture (0°) can be maintained by the locking unit (refer to 40, 50 and 60), and the front stopper 18a (refer to Figure 5 ) maintains the second posture (-73°), which can be controlled by the rear stopper 18b (refer to Figure 6 ) maintains the third posture (180°). The front stopper 18a can limit the rotation in the first a rotation direction R1a so that the armrest 30 exceeds the angle of the second posture, and the rear stopper 18b can limit the rotation in the first b rotation direction R1b so that the armrest 30 exceeds the angle of the third posture. The armrest bracket 10 can have such a front stopper 18a and a rear stopper 18b. As an example, the front stopper 18a and the rear stopper 18b can be provided on the fixed bracket 16.

[0060] When the posture of the armrest 30 is changed to the second posture (-73°), the front stopper 18a can contact the armrest frame 32 to prevent the rotation of the armrest 30. When the posture of the armrest 30 is changed to the third posture (180°), the rear stopper 18b can contact the armrest frame 32 to prevent the rotation of the armrest 30. The armrest frame 32 may have a contact portion 38a (see FIG. 3 ) that contacts the front stopper 18a when the posture of the armrest 30 is the second posture. Figure 5 ) and the contact portion 38b (refer to Figure 6 ).

[0061] The locking unit (see 40 , 50 , and 60 ) can perform a locking operation or an unlocking operation as the armrest 30 rotates. When the posture of the armrest 30 is changed to the first posture (0°), the armrest 30 is maintained in the first posture by the locking operation.

[0062] Reference Figures 7 to 10The locking unit may include a rotator 40, a cam component 50 and a hinge shaft 60. The hinge shaft 60 may be provided with a second axis A2 on the side of the first axis A1, and the second axis A2 extends horizontally along the left-right direction (X-axis direction) so as to be parallel to the first axis A1, and the cam component 50 may be able to rotate around the second axis A2 close to the first axis A1. The rotator 40 may be connected to the armrest 30 and rotate together with the armrest 30 around the first axis A1. In addition, the rotator 40 transmits the force of the passenger rotating the armrest 30 to the cam component 50 in a contact manner to control the rotation of the cam component 50.

[0063] The cam member 50 may have a first contact cam (refer to 52 and 53) and a second contact cam (refer to 54 and 55) contacting the rotator 40, and the first contact cam (refer to 52 and 53) may be provided with a locking groove 51. The rotator 40 may include a lock 40A having a first tooth 41 contacting the first contact cam (refer to 52 and 53), a contact element 40B having a second tooth 42 contacting the second contact cam (refer to 54 and 55), and an operating cam 40C having a cam rail 43 contacting one selected from the first contact cam (refer to 52 and 53) and the second contact cam (refer to 54 and 55).

[0064] If the posture of the armrest 30 is changed to the first posture (0°), the rotator 40 can rotate the cam member 50 to move the locking groove 51 to the locking position, and the first tooth 41 moves to the locking position and is inserted into the locking groove 51 (locking: limiting the rotation of the armrest 30 by limiting the rotation of the cam member 50, see Figures 8 to 10 ). In addition, in the rotator 40, if the armrest 30 is rotated in the first posture (0°) to change the posture, the first tooth 41 is disengaged from the locked position and separated from the locking groove 51 (unlocked, see Fig.11 and Fig.12 ), and in order to prevent the first tooth 41 from being inserted into the locking groove 51, the locking groove 51 is moved from the locking position by rotating the cam member 50. Of course, if the posture of the armrest 30 is changed from the second posture (-73°) or the third posture (180°) to the first posture (0°), the locking groove 51 can be moved to the locking position to achieve locking, and the first tooth 41 can be moved to the locking position. This is carefully observed as follows.

[0065] The second axis A2 may be disposed at a position spaced apart from the first axis A1 in the vertical direction. For example, the second axis A2 may be spaced apart from the first axis A1 in the downward direction and may be located in front of the first axis A1 (see Fig.10 ).

[0066] The dual rotation directions centered on the second axis A2 are the second a rotation direction R2a and the second b rotation direction R2b, respectively. The cam member 50 can rotate in the second a rotation direction R2a and the second b rotation direction R2b opposite to the second a rotation direction R2a centered on the second axis A2. The second a rotation direction R2a and the second b rotation direction R2b are the first a rotation direction R1a and the same rotation direction as the first b rotation direction R1b, respectively. When the locking device (40, 50 and 60) is viewed from the left side, Fig.10 For timing, the first a rotation direction R1a and the second a rotation direction R2a may be rotation directions corresponding to the counterclockwise (CCW) direction, and the first b rotation direction R1b and the second b rotation direction R2b may be rotation directions corresponding to the clockwise (CW) direction.

[0067] Reference Fig.10 , reference numeral 101 may be a first contact region where the first tooth 41 contacts the first contact cam (refer to 52 and 53), reference numeral 102 may be a second contact region where the second tooth 42 contacts the second contact cam (refer to 54 and 55), and the first contact region 101 and the second contact region 102 may be located opposite to each other with the second axis A2 as a reference. Specifically, the first contact region 101 may be between the first axis A1 and the second axis A2, and the second contact region 102 may be located opposite to the first contact region 101 with the second axis A2 as a reference. The first contact region 101 may include a locking position.

[0068] Reference Figures 8 to 10 The cam member 50 may include a cam member body disposed on the second axis A2, and the first contact cam (refer to 52 and 53) and the second contact cam (refer to 54 and 55) may be disposed on one side and the other side of the cam member body, respectively. Specifically, the first contact cam (refer to 52 and 53) and the second contact cam (refer to 54 and 55) may be disposed opposite to each other with the second axis A2 as a reference.

[0069] The first contact cam (refer to 52 and 53) and the second contact cam (refer to 54 and 55) may protrude from the cam member body, respectively. The first contact cam (refer to 52 and 53) may be configured to be movable in a manner passing through the first contact region 101 as long as the cam member 50 rotates, and the second contact cam (refer to 54 and 55) may be configured to be movable in a manner passing through the handrail of the second contact region 102 as long as the cam member 50 rotates. The first contact cam may include a first a cam 52 and a first b cam 53 adjacent to each other in a manner close to each other, and the second contact cam may include a second a cam 54 and a second b cam 55 adjacent to each other in a manner close to each other. The first a cam 52 may be spaced from the first b cam 53 in the second b rotation direction (CW) R2b, and the first b cam 53 may be spaced from the first a cam 52 in the second a rotation direction (CCW) R2a. The second a cam 54 may be spaced from the second b cam 55 in the second a rotation direction R2a, and the second b cam 55 may be spaced from the second a cam 54 in the second b rotation direction R2b.

[0070] Reference Fig.10 , the first contact cam may be provided with a locking groove 51 between the first a cam 52 and the first b cam 53. Fig.11 As shown, the locking groove 51 may have a first a inner surface 521 facing the second a rotation direction (CCW) R2a and a first b inner surface 531 facing the second b rotation direction (CW) R2b. In the locking groove 51, the distance between the first a inner surface 521 and the first b inner surface 531 increases as the groove bottom side approaches the groove entrance side, and thus, the locking groove 51 may be configured to have a shape that increases in size from the groove bottom side toward the groove entrance side.

[0071] Reference Fig.11 and Fig.12The first a-cam 52 may have an inner surface of the first a-cam facing the second a-rotation direction R2a (refer to 521) and an outer surface 522 of the first a-cam facing the second b-rotation direction R2b, and the first b-cam 53 may have an inner surface of the first b-cam facing the second b-rotation direction R2b (refer to 531) and an outer surface 532 of the first b-cam facing the second a-rotation direction R2a. The inner surface of the first a-cam of the first a-cam 52 may correspond to the first a-inner surface 521 of the locking groove 51, and the inner surface of the first b-cam of the first b-cam 53 may correspond to the first b-inner surface 531 of the locking groove 51. The protruding tail portion of the first a cam 52 and the protruding tail portion of the first b cam 53 are respectively processed into circular shapes, and the inner surface of the first a cam (first a inner surface) 521 and the outer surface 522 of the first a cam of the first a cam 52 may respectively include a part (half) and the remaining part of the circular processed portion of the first a cam 52, and the inner surface of the first b cam (first b inner surface) 531 and the outer surface 532 of the first b cam 53 may respectively include a part (half) and the remaining part of the circular processed portion of the first b cam 53.

[0072] like Figures 13 to 15 As shown, the second a-cam 54 may have an inner surface 541 of the second a-cam facing the second b-rotation direction (CW) R2b and an outer surface 542 of the second a-cam facing the second a-rotation direction (CCW) R2a, and the second b-cam 55 may have an inner surface 551 of the second b-cam facing the second a-rotation direction R2a and an outer surface 552 of the second b-cam facing the second b-rotation direction R2b. The protruding tail of the second a-cam 54 and the protruding tail of the second b-cam 55 are respectively processed into circular shapes, and the inner surface 541 of the second a-cam and the outer surface 542 of the second a-cam 54 may respectively include a part (half) and the remaining part of the circular processed part of the second a-cam 54, and the inner surface 551 of the second b-cam and the outer surface 552 of the second b-cam 55 may respectively include a part (half) and the remaining part of the circular processed part of the second b-cam 55.

[0073] In such a first contact cam, as the cam member 50 rotates, one or both of the first a-cam 52 and the first b-cam 53 can be located in the first contact region 101, and in the second contact cam, as the cam member 50 rotates, one or both of the second a-cam 54 and the second b-cam 55 can be located in the second contact region 102. Of course, the first a-cam 52 and the first b-cam 53 can both be located outside the first contact region 101, and the second a-cam 54 and the second b-cam 55 can also be located outside the second contact region 102. Moreover, in the first contact cam, when the posture of the armrest 30 is the first posture (0°), the first a-cam 52 can be located in the first contact region 101, and the locking groove 51 can be located in the locking position of the first contact region 101. Moreover, in the second contact cam, when the posture of the armrest 30 is the first posture (0°), in the second a-cam 54 and the second b-cam 55, the second a-cam 54 can be located in the second contact region 102.

[0074] Reference Figure 7 , Fig.10 Etc., the lock 40A may be disposed on the first axis A1, and the contact element 40B and the operating cam 40C may be connected to the lock 40A.

[0075] The first tooth 41 may protrude from one side around the lock 40A, and may move along the first path 103 passing through the first contact region 101 as the armrest 30 rotates, and may contact the first contact cams 52 and 53 in the first contact region 101 to control the rotation of the cam member 50. As an example, the first tooth 41 may rotate the cam member 50 by contacting the first contact cams 52 and 53, thereby causing the second contact cams 54 and 55 to move inward and outward of the second contact region 102. In the lock 40A, since the first contact region 101 is between the first axis A1 and the second axis A2, when the posture of the armrest 30 is changed to the first posture (0°), so that the first tooth 41 moves to the locked position of the first contact region 101, the tooth tip of the first tooth 41 may face the lower side in the front.

[0076] The contact element 40B may have a first end and a second end facing each other. The first end of the contact element 40B may be combined with the lock 40A, and the second end of the contact element 40B may be arranged opposite to the armrest frame 32 with the first axis A1 as a reference. The second tooth 42 may be provided at the second end of the contact element 40B. The second tooth 42 may move along the second path 104 through the second contact region 102 as the armrest 30 rotates, with the tooth end thereof facing the first axis A1, and contact the second contact cams 54 and 55 in the second contact region 102 to control the rotation of the cam member 50. As an example, the second tooth 42 may rotate the cam member 50 by contacting the second contact cams 54 and 55, thereby moving the first contact cams 52 and 53 inward and outward of the first contact region 101. In the contact element 40B, when the posture of the armrest 30 is the first posture (0°), the second tooth 42 may be arranged below the first axis A1 to be spaced from the second contact cams 54 and 55 in the first rotation direction R1a.

[0077] The operating cam 40C can be arranged opposite to the second tooth 42 with reference to the first axis A1. The operating cam 40C can be provided in a shape in which the cam guide 43 extends from the lock 40A, and is coupled to the lower surface of the armrest frame 32 via a coupling member 45C extending from the cam guide 43. In the operating cam 40C, when the posture of the armrest 30 is the first posture (0°), the contact rails 431 and 432 forming the cam surface of the cam guide 43 can face downward.

[0078] Reference Fig.11 , Fig.12 , Fig.17 Part (D) of Fig.19(D) portion, etc., during the process of changing the posture of the handrail 30 by rotating the handrail 30 by the passenger so that the posture of the handrail 30 changes from the first posture (0°) to the second posture (-73°) or the third posture (180°), etc., the first tooth 41 may not contact the first contact cams 52, 53 or the second tooth 42 may not contact the second contact cams 54, 55 according to the positional relationship between the first tooth 41 and the first contact cams 52, 53 and the positional relationship between the second tooth 42 and the second contact cams 54, 55. As an example, as the cam member 50 rotates, the first contact cams 52, 53 are located outside the first contact area 101, and the second contact cams 54, 55 are also located outside the second contact area 102, and the first tooth 41 may not contact the first contact cams 52, 53, and the second tooth 42 may not contact the second contact cams 54, 55. In this case, the cam guide 43 can approach the cam component 50, thereby contacting the first contact cams 52, 53 located outside the first contact area 101, causing the second contact cams 54, 55 to move from outside the second contact area 102 to inside the second contact area 102, or contacting the second contact cams 54, 55 located outside the second contact area 102, causing the first contact cams 52, 53 to move from outside the first contact area 101 to inside the first contact area 101.

[0079] Reference Fig.10 , Fig.11 The first tooth 41 may have a first a contact side surface 411 facing the first a rotation direction R1a, a first b contact side surface 412 facing the first b rotation direction R1b, and a contact end surface 413 forming a tooth end of the first tooth 41 between the first a contact side surface 411 and the first b contact side surface 412. When the posture of the armrest 30 is changed to the first posture (0°), when the first tooth 41 is inserted into the locking groove 51 at the locking position of the first contact area 101, the first a contact side surface 411 may contact the inner surface 521 of the first a cam 52 corresponding to the first a inner surface of the locking groove 51, and the contact end surface 413 may contact the inner surface 531 of the first b cam 53 corresponding to the first b inner surface of the locking groove 51.

[0080] In this way, according to the structure in which the first a contact side surface 411 contacts the inner surface 521 of the first a cam and the contact end surface 413 contacts the inner surface 531 of the first b cam when the first tooth 41 is inserted (locked) into the locking groove 51, the armrest 30 transmits the force of rotation in the first a rotation direction R1a caused by its own weight, the operation of the passenger, the load of the passenger (the load acting on the armrest when the passenger leans on the armrest in the first posture or places his arm on the armrest) to the cam member 50 in a contact manner, and the transmission of this force is transmitted through the inner surface of the first a cam (the first a inner surface of the locking groove). )521 and the inner surface of the first b cam (the first b inner surface of the locking groove) 531 are dispersed to the first a cam 52 and the first b cam 53, and the force acts on the first a cam 52 and the first b cam 53 in opposite rotation directions (acting on the first a cam 52 in the second b rotation direction (CW) R2b, and acting on the first b cam 53 in the second a rotation direction (CCW) R2a). Therefore, the cam component 50 can be prevented from rotating in the second b rotation direction (CW) R2b, and further, the armrest 30 is restricted from rotating in the first a rotation direction (CCW) R1a, so that the armrest 30 can be maintained in the first posture (0°).

[0081] like Fig.10 As shown in FIG. 1 , the contact end face 413 of the first tooth 41 can be inscribed in a virtual inscribed circle 105 centered at the first axis A1, and can be formed into an arc shape corresponding to the inscribed circle 105. Moreover, when the first tooth 41 is inserted into the locking groove 51, the inner face 531 of the first b-cam 53 of the first b-cam can make point contact with the contact end face 413 outside the inscribed circle 105. For this purpose, the first a-cam 52 is located in the first contact area 101, and on the contrary, the first b-cam 53 is located outside the first contact area 101, and the contact point between the contact end face 413 and the inner face 531 of the first b-cam can be located on the inscribed circle 105.

[0082] As such, when the first tooth 41 is inserted into the locking groove 51, the inner surface 531 of the first b-cam makes point contact with the contact end surface 413 outside the inscribed circle 105, as shown in FIG. Fig.11 As shown in the figure, if the armrest 30 rotates in the first rotation direction b (CW) R1b in the first posture (0°), the first tooth 41 can move from the inside of the first contact area 101 to the outside of the first contact area 101 along the first path 103 without interfering with the locking groove 51, and can be separated from the locking groove 51 (unlocked).

[0083] As described above, in the armrest assembly of the embodiment of the present invention, when the posture of the armrest 30 is the first posture, although the armrest 30 can be restricted from rotating in the first a rotation direction (CCW) R1a in order to allow the passenger to use the armrest, the armrest 30 can be allowed to rotate in the first b rotation direction (CW) R1b in order to unlock the armrest 30.

[0084] In the first tooth 41, the armrest 30 can contact the first contact cams 52 and 53 in the first contact area 101 according to the positional relationship between the first contact cams 52 and 53, in order to transmit the rotational force to the cam member 50 in a contact manner to control the rotation of the cam member 50 (see Fig.11 and Fig.12 ). For example, the first tooth 41 may move toward the first contact region 101 along the first path 103 in the first a rotation direction R1a, so that the first a contact side surface 411 of the first tooth 41 contacts the inner surface 521 of the first a cam of the first a cam 52 or the outer surface 532 of the first b cam of the first b cam 53. Alternatively, the first tooth 41 may move toward the first contact region 101 along the first path 103 in the first b rotation direction R1b, so that the first b contact side surface 412 of the first tooth 41 contacts the outer surface 522 of the first a cam of the first a cam 52 or the inner surface 531 of the first b cam of the first b cam 53. Alternatively, the first tooth 41 is inserted into the locking groove 51, so that the first a contact side surface 411 of the first tooth 41 contacts the inner surface 521 of the first a cam of the first a cam 52 (the first a inner surface of the locking groove), and the contact end surface 413 of the first tooth 41 may contact the inner surface 531 of the first b cam of the first b cam 53 (the first b inner surface of the locking groove).

[0085] Reference Fig.10 The second tooth 42 may have a second a-contact side surface 421 facing the first a-rotation direction R1a and a second b-contact side surface 422 facing the first b-rotation direction R1b. Fig.13 and Fig.14In order to transmit the force of the rotation of the armrest 30 to the cam member 50 in a contact manner to control the rotation of the cam member 50, the second tooth 42 may contact the second contact cams 54 and 55 in the second contact area 102 according to the positional relationship between the second contact cams 54 and 55. For example, the second tooth 42 may move toward the second contact area 102 along the second path 104 in the first a-rotation direction R1a, so that the second a-contact side surface 421 of the second tooth 42 may contact the inner surface 541 of the second a-cam of the second a-cam 54 or the outer surface 552 of the second b-cam of the second b-cam 55. Alternatively, the second tooth 42 may move toward the second contact area 102 along the second path 104 in the first b-rotation direction R1b, so that the second b-contact side surface 422 of the second tooth 42 may contact the outer surface 542 of the second a-cam of the second a-cam 54 or the inner surface 551 of the second b-cam of the second b-cam 55.

[0086] With respect to the second tooth 42, when the armrest 30 is rotated in the first rotation direction b R1b by a set angle in the first posture (0°), the first tooth 41 is in a ready posture (a ready posture for changing the posture, and the first tooth 41 is separated from the locking groove 51, so it can be regarded as an unlocked posture) (refer to Fig.11 ), then move toward the second contact area 102 along the second path 104 in the first b rotation direction R1b, so that the second b contact side surface 422 can contact the outer surface 542 of the second a cam 54 (refer to Fig.13 and Fig.17 At this time, in the relationship with the cam member 50, the second tooth 42 can rotate the cam member 50 in the second b rotation direction R2b by a predetermined angle, and move the first a cam 52 located in the first contact area 101 to the outside of the first contact area 101, while moving the first b cam 53 located outside the first contact area 101 to the inside of the first contact area 101. For reference, the set angle can be 40 degrees.

[0087] Reference Fig.10 The cam guide 43 may include a first contact rail 431 disposed toward the first a rotation direction R1a side and a second contact rail 432 disposed toward the first b rotation direction R1b side. The first contact rail 431 and the second contact rail 432 may form cam surfaces of the cam guide 43 , respectively.

[0088] Reference Fig.15 and Fig.16In order to transmit the force of the rotation of the armrest 30 to the cam component 50 in a contact manner to control the rotation of the cam component 50, the cam guide 43 can contact the first contact cam 52, 53 or the second contact cam 54, 55 according to the positional relationship between them and the first contact cam 52, 53 or the second contact cam 54, 55.

[0089] For example, if the armrest 30 rotates in the first a-rotation direction R1a to change the posture from the first posture (0°) to the second posture (-73°), the first contact rail 431 can approach the cam member 50 and contact the outer surface 552 of the second b-cam 55 located outside the second contact area 102. At this time, the first contact rail 431 can rotate the cam member 50 in the second a-rotation direction R2a, thereby moving the first a-cam 52 located outside the first contact area 101 into the first contact area 101. Alternatively, if the armrest 30 is rotated in the first b rotation direction R1b in order to change the posture from the first posture (0°) to the third posture (180°), the second contact rail 432 can approach the cam member 50 and contact the outer surface 552 of the first a cam of the first a cam 52 located outside the first contact area 101. At this time, the second contact rail 432 can rotate the cam member 50 in the second a rotation direction R2a, thereby moving only the second a cam 54 of the second a cam 54 and the second b cam 55 located outside the second contact area 102 into the second contact area 102.

[0090] Although not specifically shown, the hinge shaft 60 may have a free stop function so that after rotation, it can freely maintain a stopped state at any angle. To this end, the hinge shaft 60 may include a friction shaft and a friction guide. The friction shaft of the hinge shaft 60 can rotate on the fixed bracket 16 and has a friction portion with a coupling portion centered on the second axis A2, and the coupling portion and the friction portion are arranged in the left and right directions, and the cross-section of the friction portion may be circular. The central portion of the cam component 50 may be coupled to the coupling portion of the hinge shaft 60 and rotate together with the hinge shaft 60 with the second axis A2 as the center. The friction guide of the hinge shaft 60 is set on the fixed bracket 16 in a stopped state, and has a friction hole for accommodating the circular friction portion of the friction shaft, and if the friction shaft rotates, the inner periphery of the friction hole can be in friction contact with the outer periphery of the friction portion of the friction shaft.

[0091] exist Figures 17 to 20 The posture change process of the armrest 30 is shown in FIG. Figures 17 to 20 In the figure, the second contact cam (refer to 54 and 55) is colored for the convenience of distinguishing it from the first contact cam (refer to 52 and 53). The operation of the armrest assembly of the embodiment of the present invention is observed with reference to these drawings.

[0092] In order to change from the first position (0°) (refer to Fig.17 The armrest 30 is changed to the second posture (-73°) by rotating the armrest 30 in the first posture in the first rotation direction b R1b by 40° (set angle). As the armrest 30 rotates in this way, the first tooth 41 moves in the first rotation direction b R1b and separates from the locking groove 51. As a result, when the armrest 30 is in the ready posture (refer to Fig.17 (B) part), the second tooth 42 moves in the first b rotation direction R1b, and its second b contact side surface 422 contacts the outer surface 542 of the second a cam of the second a cam 54, thereby causing the cam component 50 to rotate in the second b rotation direction R2b, so that the first a cam 52 is located outside the first contact area 101, and the first b cam 53 is located inside the first contact area 101.

[0093] Then, the armrest 30 in the preparation position is rotated in the first rotation direction a R1a. At this time, if the rotation of the armrest 30 in the first rotation direction a R1a is restricted by the front stopper 18a, the position of the armrest 30 becomes the second position (-73°).

[0094] In the process of changing the armrest 30 from the ready position to the second position, the second tooth 42 moves in the first a-rotation direction R1a and is separated from the second contact area 102. Furthermore, the first tooth 41 rotates the cam member 50 in the second b-rotation direction R2b so as to move toward the first contact area 101 where the first b-cam 53 is located, and the first a-contact side surface 411 thereof contacts the outer surface 532 of the first b-cam 53 (see FIG. 1 ). Fig.17 (C) portion), so that the first contact cams 52 and 53 are located outside the first contact area 101, and the second contact cams 54 and 55 are located outside the second contact area 102. After the first a contact side surface 411 contacts the outer surface 532 of the first b cam, the first tooth 41 continues to move in the first a rotation direction R1a and is separated from the first contact area 101. In addition, the cam guide 43 causes the cam member 50 to rotate in the second a rotation direction R2a (refer to Fig.17 (E) portion), so that the first contact rail 431 approaches the second b cam 55 outside the second contact area 102 (refer to Fig.17 (D) part), and contacts the outer surface 552 of the second b-cam 55, so that the first a-cam 52 is located in the first contact area 101.

[0095] In order to change the posture of the armrest 30 from the second posture (-73°) (refer to Fig.18The armrest 30 is changed to the first posture (0°) and the armrest 30 in the second posture is rotated in the first b-rotation direction R1b. The armrest 30 is rotated until it reaches the ready posture.

[0096] During the process of changing the armrest 30 from the second posture to the ready posture, the first tooth 41 causes the cam member 50 to rotate in the second a-rotation direction R2a so as to move toward the first contact area 101 where the first a-cam 52 is located and in the first b-rotation direction R1b, and the first b-contact side surface 412 thereof contacts the outer surface 522 of the first a-cam 52 (see Fig.18 (B) portion), so that the second a cam 54 is located outside the second contact area 102, and the second b cam 55 is located inside the second contact area 102. After the first b contact side surface 412 contacts the outer surface 522 of the first a cam, the first tooth 41 continues to move in the first b rotation direction R1b and is separated from the first contact area 101. In addition, the second tooth 42 causes the cam member 50 to rotate in the second b rotation direction R2b (refer to Fig.18 (C) part) so as to move toward the second contact area 102 where the second b cam 55 is located, in the first b rotation direction R1b, and its second b contact side surface 422 contacts the inner surface 551 of the second b cam of the second b cam 55, so that the first a cam 52 is located in the first contact area 101 and the first b cam 53 is located outside the first contact area 101.

[0097] Then, if the armrest 30 in the ready position is rotated 40° in the first a-rotation direction R1a, the position of the armrest 30 is changed to the first position (0°). In this process, the first tooth 41 rotates the cam member 50 in the second b-rotation direction R2b so as to move toward the first contact area 101 where the first a-cam 52 is located, and the first a-contact side surface 411 thereof contacts the inner surface 521 of the first a-cam 52 (see FIG. 1 ). Fig.18 (D) portion), so that the locking groove 51 moves to the locking position, thereby inserting the locking groove 51 (refer to Fig.18 (E) portion). In this way, when the first tooth 41 is inserted into the locking groove 51, the armrest 30 is restricted from rotating in the first rotation direction a R1a, thereby completing the posture change of the armrest 30 to the first posture (0°).

[0098] In order to change the posture of the armrest 30 from the first posture (0°) (refer to Fig.19 The armrest 30 in the first position is changed to the third position (180°) by rotating the armrest 30 in the first rotation direction b by 180°. Thus, the armrest 30 is changed to the third position through the preparation position, and the rear stopper 18b restricts the armrest 30 from rotating in the first rotation direction b by 180°.

[0099] In the process of changing the posture of the armrest 30 from the first posture to the third posture, the process of changing the armrest 30 to the ready posture (see Fig.19 (B) of the figure is the same as the process in which the posture of the armrest 30 is changed from the first posture to the second posture (-73°) and the process in which the armrest 30 is changed to the ready posture.

[0100] During the process of changing the armrest 30 from the ready position to the third position, the first tooth 41 separated from the locking groove 51 moves in the first b rotation direction R1b and is separated from the first contact area 101, while the second tooth 42 whose second b contact side surface 422 is in contact with the outer surface 542 of the second a cam 54 moves in the first b rotation direction R1b and is separated from the second contact area 102 (see Fig.19 (C) part). Furthermore, the cam guide 43 rotates the cam member 50 in the second a rotation direction R2a so that the second contact rail 432 approaches the first a cam 52 outside the first contact area 101 (refer to Fig.19 (D) portion), and contacts the outer surface 522 of the first a cam 52, so that the second a cam 54 is located in the second contact area 102, and the second b cam 55 is located outside the second contact area 102 (refer to Fig.19 (E) of the .

[0101] In order to change the posture of the armrest 30 from the third posture (180°) (refer to Fig. 20 The armrest 30 in the third posture is rotated 180 degrees in the first rotation direction R1a. Thus, the posture of the armrest 30 is changed to the first posture through the preparation posture.

[0102] In the process of changing the armrest 30 from the third posture to the ready posture, the first tooth 41 moves in the first a-rotation direction R1a. Furthermore, the second tooth 42 moves in the first a-rotation direction R1a toward the second contact area 102 where the second a-cam 54 is located, and the second a-contact side surface 421 contacts the inner surface 541 of the second a-cam 54 (see Fig. 20 (B) portion), so that the cam member 50 rotates in the second a rotation direction R2a, so that the first a cam 52 is located in the first contact area 101, and the first b cam 53 is located outside the first contact area 101 (side Fig. 20 (C) of the .

[0103] In the process of changing the posture of the armrest 30 from the third posture to the first posture, if the armrest 30 is changed from the preparation posture to the first posture, the second teeth 42 move in the first rotational direction R1a and are spaced apart from the second contact region 102 .

[0104] The first tooth 41 moves toward the first contact area 101 where the first a-cam 52 is located, and moves in the first a-rotation direction R1a, and the first a-contact side surface 411 contacts the inner surface 521 of the first a-cam 52 (see Fig. 20 (D) portion), the cam member 50 is rotated in the second rotation direction b R2b so that the locking groove 51 moves to the locking position, thereby inserting the locking groove 51 (refer to Fig. 20 When the first tooth 41 is inserted into the locking groove 51, the armrest 30 is restricted from rotating in the first rotation direction a R1a, thereby completing the posture change of the armrest 30 to the first posture (0°).

[0105] The present invention is described above, but the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and the attached drawings, and can be implemented by ordinary technicians in various ways without departing from the technical concept of the present invention. In addition, the technical concept described in the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented independently or in combination of two or more. Description of Reference Numerals

[0106] 10: Handrail bracket 20: Axis module 30: Armrest 40: Cam part 41: First tooth (locking tooth) 42: Second tooth 43: Cam guide 50: Rotator 51: Locking groove 52: First a cam 53: First b cam 54: Second a cam 55: Second b cam 60: Hinge shaft 101: first contact area 102: second contact area A1: First axis A2: Second axis

Claims

1. An armrest assembly, characterized in that: include: An armrest bracket is arranged between the driver's seat and the co-driver's seat of the vehicle; An armrest, which can rotate around a first axis in the left-right direction in the armrest bracket, and the posture can be changed to a first posture with the front end facing forward, a second posture facing downward, or a third posture facing backward as the armrest bracket rotates; A cam member capable of rotating about a second axis parallel to the first axis, and comprising a first contact cam, a second contact cam and a locking groove, wherein when rotating, the first contact cam moves in a manner passing through a first contact area between the first axis and the second axis, the second contact cam moves in a manner passing through a second contact area opposite to the first contact area with reference to the second axis, and the locking groove moves in a manner passing through the first contact area; A rotator is connected to the armrest and rotates together with the armrest. In order to control the rotation of the cam member by contact-transmitting the force of the rotation of the armrest to the cam member, and to move the locking groove to a locked position in the first contact area or to be separated from the locked position, the rotator has a first tooth, a second tooth and a cam guide as the armrest rotates. The first tooth moves in a manner of passing through the first contact area and contacts with the first contact cam in the first contact area, so that the second contact cam moves inward and outward of the second contact area. The second tooth moves in a manner of passing through the second contact area and contacts with the second contact cam in the second contact area, so that the first contact cam moves inward and outward of the first contact area. The cam guide approaches and contacts the first contact cam moving outward of the first contact area, so that the second contact cam moves toward the second contact area, or approaches and contacts the second contact cam moving outward of the second contact area, so that the first contact cam moves toward the first contact area. When the posture of the armrest is changed to the first posture, the first tooth and the locking groove move to the locking position so that the first tooth is inserted into the locking groove.

2. The armrest assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the two rotation directions centered on the first axis are respectively the first a rotation direction and the first b rotation direction, and the two rotation directions centered on the second axis are respectively the second a rotation direction and the second b rotation direction, the first a rotation direction is the direction in which the armrest rotates downward in the first posture, and the first a rotation direction and the second a rotation direction are the same rotation direction, The first tooth has a first contact side surface facing the first rotation direction a and a contact end surface provided with a tooth end of the first tooth, The locking groove has a first inner surface a facing the second rotation direction a and a first inner surface b facing the second rotation direction b, When the first tooth is inserted into the locking groove, in the first tooth, the first a contact side surface contacts the first a inner surface, and the contact end surface contacts the first b inner surface, so that the armrest distributes the force of rotating toward the first a rotation direction in opposite rotation directions through the first a inner surface and the first b inner surface, thereby preventing the cam component from rotating toward the second b rotation direction.

3. The armrest assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The contact end surface is formed into an arc shape corresponding to a virtual inscribed circle centered on the first axis, When the first tooth is inserted into the locking groove, the first inner surface b makes point contact with the contact end surface outside the inscribed circle. Thus, when the armrest is rotated in the first rotation direction b in the first posture, the first tooth is separated from the locking groove.

4. The armrest assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first contact cam includes a first a cam and a first b cam adjacent to each other, The first a inner surface is formed on the first a cam, the first b inner surface is formed on the first b cam, and the locking groove is provided between the first a cam and the first b cam. The first a-inner surface is the inner surface of the first a-cam of the first a-cam, and the first b-inner surface is the inner surface of the first b-cam of the first b-cam.

5. The armrest assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first a-cam has an outer surface of the first a-cam facing the second b-rotation direction, and the first b-cam has an outer surface of the first b-cam facing the second a-rotation direction, The second contact cam includes adjacent second a cam and second b cam, the second a cam having an inner surface of the second a cam facing the second b rotation direction and an outer surface of the second a cam facing the second a rotation direction, the second b cam having an inner surface of the second b cam facing the second a rotation direction and an outer surface of the second b cam facing the second b rotation direction, The first tooth has a first b contact side surface facing the first b rotation direction, the second tooth has a second a contact side surface facing the first a rotation direction and a second b contact side surface facing the first b rotation direction, and the cam guide rail has a first contact rail arranged toward the first a rotation direction side and a second contact rail arranged toward the first b rotation direction side, The second tooth and the cam guide are arranged opposite to each other with the first axis as a reference. When the armrest is in the first posture, the second a-cam is located in the second contact area, If the first tooth is separated from the locking groove in the first posture, the second tooth moves toward the second contact area. In the cam guide, when the armrest rotates in the first a-rotation direction, the first contact rail approaches the cam member, and when the armrest rotates in the first b-rotation direction, the second contact rail approaches the cam member.

6. The armrest assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: If the armrest is rotated in the first rotation direction b by a set angle in the first posture so that the first tooth is in a ready posture to be separated from the locking groove, Then the second tooth causes the cam member to rotate in the second b rotation direction, so that the second b contact side surface contacts the outer surface of the second a cam, so that the first a cam is located outside the first contact area and the first b cam is located within the first contact area. If the armrest in the ready position is rotated in the first rotation direction a so that the position of the armrest is changed to the second position, Then the first tooth causes the cam member to rotate in the second b rotation direction so as to move toward the first contact area having the first b cam, and the first a contact side surface contacts the outer surface of the first b cam, so that the first contact cam is located outside the first contact area and the second contact cam is located outside the second contact area. The cam guide causes the cam member to rotate in the second a rotation direction so that the first contact rail approaches the second b cam outside the second contact area and contacts the outer surface of the second b cam, so that the first a cam is located in the first contact area.

7. The armrest assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: If the armrest rotates in the first rotation direction b in the second posture and becomes the ready posture, Then the first tooth causes the cam member to rotate in the second a rotation direction so as to move toward the first contact area with the first a cam, and the first b contact side surface contacts the outer surface of the first a cam, so that the second a cam is located outside the second contact area and the second b cam is located within the second contact area. The second tooth rotates the cam member in a second b rotation direction so as to move toward the second contact region having the second b cam, the second b contact side surface contacts the inner surface of the second b cam, so that the first a cam is located within the first contact region and the first b cam is located outside the first contact region. If the armrest in the ready posture is rotated in the first a rotation direction so that the posture of the armrest is changed to the first posture, the first tooth causes the cam component to rotate in the second b rotation direction so as to move toward the first contact area having the first a cam, and the first a contact side surface contacts the inner surface of the first a cam, so that the locking groove moves toward the locking position, thereby being inserted into the locking groove at the locking position.

8. The armrest assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: If the armrest is rotated in the first rotation direction b in the first posture, so that the first tooth is separated from the locking groove and the posture of the armrest is changed to the third posture, Then the second tooth causes the cam member to rotate in the second b rotation direction so that the second b contact side surface contacts the outer surface of the second a cam, so that the first contact cam is located outside the first contact area and the second contact cam is located outside the second contact area. The cam guide causes the cam component to rotate in the second a rotation direction so that the second contact rail approaches the first a cam outside the first contact area and contacts the outer surface of the first a cam, so that the second a cam is located within the second contact area and the second b cam is located outside the second contact area.

9. The armrest assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that: If the armrest rotates in the first rotation direction a in the third posture so that the posture of the armrest changes to the first posture, Then the second tooth causes the cam member to rotate in the second a rotation direction so as to move toward the second contact area having the second a cam, and the second a contact side surface contacts the inner surface of the second a cam, so that the first a cam is located in the first contact area and the first b cam is located outside the first contact area. The first tooth causes the cam component to rotate in the second b rotation direction so as to move toward the first contact area having the first a cam, and the first a contact side surface contacts the inner surface of the first a cam, so that the locking groove moves toward the locking position, thereby being inserted into the locking groove at the locking position.

10. The armrest assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The armrest bracket has a front stopper and a rear stopper. When the armrest is in the second posture, the front stopper restricts the rotation of the armrest. When the armrest is in the third posture, the rear stopper restricts the rotation of the armrest.

11. A locking device, characterized in that: include: a cam member rotatable about a second axis parallel to a first axis forming a rotation center of the vehicle-mounted armrest; The rotator is connected to the armrest and rotates together with the armrest, and transmits the force of the rotation of the armrest to the cam component in a contact manner to control the rotation of the cam component. The rotator has a locking tooth that moves through a locking position between the first shaft and the second shaft when rotating, and the cam member has a locking groove that can move through the locking position in accordance with the contact rotation control of the rotator. When the posture of the armrest is changed to a locked posture due to the rotation of the armrest, the locking tooth and the locking groove move to the locked position so that the locking tooth is inserted into the locking groove.

12. The locking device according to claim 11, characterized in that: The locking posture is a posture in which the armrest is in a horizontal state. When the two rotation directions centered on the first axis are respectively the first a rotation direction and the first b rotation direction, and the two rotation directions centered on the second axis are respectively the second a rotation direction and the second b rotation direction, the first a rotation direction is the direction in which the armrest rotates downward in the locked position, and the first a rotation direction and the second a rotation direction are the same rotation direction, The locking tooth has a contact side surface facing the first rotation direction a and a contact end surface where the tooth end of the locking tooth is arranged, The locking groove has a first inner surface a facing the second rotation direction a and a first inner surface b facing the second rotation direction b, When the locking tooth is inserted into the locking groove, in the locking tooth, the contact side surface contacts the first inner surface a, and the contact end surface contacts the first inner surface b, so that the armrest distributes the force of rotating in the first rotation direction a to the cam component in the opposite rotation direction through the first inner surface a and the first inner surface b.

13. The locking device according to claim 11, characterized in that: A hinge shaft is also included, which forms the second shaft and is combined with the cam component to have a free stop function.

14. A vehicle-mounted armrest assembly, characterized in that: include: Handrail bracket; An armrest capable of rotating about a first axis on the armrest support and changing its posture as it rotates; a cam member capable of rotating about a second axis parallel to the first axis; The rotator is connected to the armrest and rotates together with the armrest, and transmits the force of the rotation of the armrest to the cam component in a contact manner to control the rotation of the cam component. The rotator has a locking tooth that moves through a locking position between the first shaft and the second shaft when rotating, and the cam member has a locking groove that can move through the locking position in accordance with the contact rotation control of the rotator. If the posture of the armrest is changed to a locked posture, the locking tooth and the locking groove move to the locked position so that the locking tooth is inserted into the locking groove.

15. The vehicle armrest assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that: The posture of the armrest can be changed to a first posture with the front end facing forward, a second posture facing downward, or a third posture facing backward, and the second posture and the third posture are maintained due to the rotation restriction of the stopper. The locking posture is the first posture.

16. The vehicle armrest assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that: The armrest bracket is arranged between the driver's seat and the co-driver's seat of the front seat. In the first posture, the armrest is provided to the passengers of the front seats, and in the third posture, the armrest is provided to the passengers of the rear seats.

17. The vehicle armrest assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that: The armrest bracket includes a support member, which supports the armrest in an upright state so that the armrest can rotate around the first axis. When in the second position, the armrest is folded relative to the support.

18. The vehicle armrest assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that: The armrest bracket comprises: Fixed parts; A movable part, coupled to the fixed part in a manner capable of moving in a horizontal direction; The support member is arranged on the movable component and supports the armrest so that the armrest can rotate around the first axis.

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