Locking device and knobless handrail assembly comprising same

Abstract

The present invention provides a locking device operating as a handrail rotates and a handrail assembly including the same. The locking device has a cam member rotatable about a second axis parallel to a first axis, and a rotator contacting the cam member to transmit a force by which the handrail rotates to control rotation of the cam member. If the handrail rotates, the rotator is rotatable about the first axis together with the handrail, so that a locking tooth of the rotator moves through a locking position, and the cam member rotates by a rotation control action of the rotator, so that a locking groove of the cam member is movable through the locking position. If the handrail rotates so that a posture of the handrail is changed to a locking posture, the locking tooth and the locking groove move to the locking position, and the locking tooth operates in a manner to be inserted in the locking groove.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present application relate to a vehicle armrest assembly. BACKGROUND

[0002] A vehicle includes an armrest for the convenience of a passenger such as a driver. The armrest is provided in various forms within the vehicle (indoors). For example, the armrest can be provided in a form constituting a seat of the vehicle, a form constituting a center console disposed between a driver's seat and a front passenger's seat within the vehicle, etc.

[0003] Generally, in the vehicle armrest, an armrest body is rotatable about a shaft, a knob operated by a passenger is provided at a front end side of the armrest body, and a locking device that restricts or allows the rotation of the armrest body in conjunction with the operation of the knob is included.

[0004] Such a vehicle armrest has a problem that the structure of the locking device is very complicated and / or has a problem that the operational relationship of the locking device becomes inaccurate over a long period of use. For this reason, high costs are inevitably required in terms of manufacturing and / or maintenance.

[0005] Also, in order to rotate the armrest body, the knob needs to be operated to release the restriction of the locking device for the armrest body, and for this reason, the hand of the passenger needs to approach the knob, and thus there is a disadvantage that the armrest body can be rotated only by a consistent operation in terms of use.

[0006] Also, in the case where the armrest is in a form constituting a center console between a driver's seat and a front passenger's seat, the armrest body can become an element that restricts or hinders the behavior of a passenger seated on the driver's seat or the front passenger's seat.

[0007] On the other hand, one of the matters required for future vehicles is more diversified seat variation, and the related industry is actively conducting research and development for more effectively embodying the forward and backward movement, left and right movement, and / or swiveling of the seat in order for the seat variation. In this case, the current armrest constituting the center console can greatly hinder the seat variation.

[0008] PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

[0009] PATENT DOCUMENT

[0010] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2002-0043111 (June 8, 2002)

[0011] (Patent Document 2) Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1836472 (March 8, 2018)

[0012] (Patent Document 3) Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2022-0040852 (March 31, 2022)

[0013] (Patent Document 4) Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2022-0055238 (May 03, 2022). SUMMARY

[0014] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle armrest assembly that can accurately control rotation of an armrest through a more simplified structure.

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle armrest assembly that can be more conveniently used.

[0017] Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle armrest assembly that can be used by passengers of front seats (driver seat, co-driver seat) as well as passengers of rear seats. As an example, an armrest serving as a table is provided to rear seats.

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle armrest assembly that is advantageous in terms of seat change.

[0019] The problems to be solved are not limited to the above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0020] METHOD FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0021] According to embodiments of the present invention, an armrest assembly can be provided, the armrest assembly including: an armrest mount; an armrest rotatable in the armrest mount about a first axis and having a posture changed as the armrest is rotated; a cam member rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis; a rotator connected to the armrest and rotated together with the armrest, and contacting the cam member to transfer a force of the rotation of the armrest to the cam member to control the rotation of the cam member, the rotator having a first tooth that passes through a locking position between the first axis and the second axis as the rotator is rotated, the cam member having a locking groove movable through the locking position as the cam member is contact-rotated controlled, the first tooth and the locking groove being moved to the locking position so that the first tooth is inserted into the locking groove if the posture of the armrest is changed to a locking posture.

[0022] The armrest support can be disposed between a driver's seat and a front passenger's seat provided in a front row seat of the vehicle. The armrest support can include a fixed part configured between the driver's seat and the front passenger's seat, a movable part movable in a horizontal direction of the fixed part, and a support provided to the movable part and supporting the armrest to be rotatable about the first axis.

[0023] The first axis can be configured in a left-right direction. The locked posture can be a posture in which the armrest is in a horizontal state.

[0024] The two rotation directions about the first axis can be a first a rotation direction and a first b rotation direction, respectively. The first a rotation direction can correspond to a direction in which the armrest is rotated downward from the locked posture. The two rotation directions about the second axis can be a second a rotation direction and a second b rotation direction, respectively. The second a rotation direction and the second b rotation direction can be the same as the first a rotation direction and the first b rotation direction, respectively.

[0025] The posture of the armrest can be changed to a first posture in which a front end faces a front direction (see Figure 2 ), a second posture in which the armrest faces a downward direction (see Figure 3 ), or a third posture in which the armrest faces a rear direction (see Figure 4 ). The first posture can be the locked posture.

[0026] The armrest can be provided to a passenger of the front row seat when the first posture, can be folded with respect to the support when the second posture, and can be provided to a passenger of a rear row seat when the third posture.

[0027] The armrest can maintain the second posture and the third posture by a stopper. The stopper can have a front stopper and a rear stopper.

[0028] The armrest support can have the front stopper that restricts rotation of the armrest in the first a rotation direction when the armrest is in the second posture, and can have the rear stopper that restricts rotation of the armrest in the first b rotation direction when the armrest is in the third posture.

[0029] When the first tooth has a first a contact side facing the first a rotational 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 rotational direction and a first b inner surface facing the second b rotational direction, and the first tooth is inserted into the locking groove, in the first tooth, the first a contact side can be in contact with the first a inner surface, and the contact end surface can be in contact with the first b inner surface, so that the handrail distributes a force rotating toward the first a rotational direction toward opposite rotational directions by the first a inner surface and the first b inner surface, thereby preventing the cam member from rotating toward the second b rotational direction.

[0030] The contact end surface is formed in an arc shape corresponding to a virtual inscribed circle centered on the first shaft, and when the first tooth is inserted into the locking groove, the first b inner surface is in point contact with the contact end surface outside the inscribed circle, whereby if the handrail is rotated toward the first b rotational direction in the first posture, the first tooth can be separated from the locking groove.

[0031] The cam member can have a first contact cam and a second contact cam, and when rotating, the first contact cam moves through a first contact area having the locking position, and the second contact cam moves through a second contact area opposite to the first contact area with reference to the second shaft.

[0032] The rotator can have the first tooth, a second tooth, and a cam rail in order to move the locking groove in the locking position of the first contact area or away from the locking position by contact-type rotational control of the cam member, the first tooth contacts the first contact cam in the first contact area, moves the second contact cam inward or outward of the second contact area, the second tooth moves through the second contact area and contacts the second contact cam in the second contact area, moves the first contact cam inward or outward of the first contact area, the cam rail 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.

[0033] The first contact cam can include a first a cam and a first b cam adjacent to each other. The first a inner face is formed at the first a cam, and the first b inner face is formed at the first b cam, such that the locking groove is disposed between the first a cam and the first b cam. The first a inner face can be an inner face of the first a cam of the first a cam, and the first b inner face can be an inner face of the first b cam of the first b cam.

[0034] The first a cam can have an outer face of the first a cam facing the second b rotational direction, and the first b cam can have an outer face of the first b cam facing the second a rotational direction. The second contact cam can include a second a cam and a second b cam adjacent to each other. The second a cam can have an inner face of the second a cam facing the second b rotational direction and an outer face of the second a cam facing the second a rotational direction, and the second b cam can have an inner face of the second b cam facing the second a rotational direction and an outer face of the second b cam facing the second b rotational direction. The first tooth can have a first b contact side face facing the first b rotational direction, the second tooth can have a second a contact side face facing the first a rotational direction and a second b contact side face facing the first b rotational direction, and the cam guide can have a first contact rail disposed toward the first a rotational direction side and a second contact rail disposed toward the first b rotational direction side. The second tooth and the cam guide can be disposed opposite each other with the first shaft as a reference. When the handrail is in the first posture, the second a cam can be located in the second contact area, and if the first tooth is separated from the locking groove in the first posture, the second tooth can move toward the second contact area. In the cam guide, if the handrail is rotated in the first a rotational direction, the first contact rail can approach the cam member, and if the handrail is rotated in the first b rotational direction, the second contact rail can approach the cam member.

[0035] If the handrail is rotated by a set angle in the first b-rotational direction in the first posture, so that the first tooth becomes a preparation posture separated from the locking groove, the second tooth can rotate the cam member toward the second b-rotational direction, so that the second b-contact side is in contact with the outer face 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 inside the first contact area. If the handrail of the preparation posture is rotated in the first a-rotational direction, so that the posture of the handrail is changed to the second posture, the first tooth can rotate the cam member toward the second b-rotational direction, so as to move toward the first contact area with the first b-cam, the first a-contact side is in contact with the outer face of the first b-cam, so that the first contact cam is located outside the first contact area, the second contact cam is located outside the second contact area, the cam guide rotates the cam member toward the second a-rotational direction, so that the first contact rail approaches the second b-cam outside the second contact area, and is in contact with the outer face of the second b-cam, so that the first a-cam is located inside the first contact area.

[0036] If the handrail is rotated in the first b-rotational direction in the second posture, and becomes the preparation posture, the first tooth can rotate the cam member toward the second a-rotational direction, so as to move toward the first contact area with the first a-cam, the first b-contact side is in contact with the outer face of the first a-cam, so that the second a-cam is located outside the second contact area, the second b-cam is located inside the second contact area, the second tooth rotates the cam member toward the second b-rotational direction, so as to move toward the second contact area with the second b-cam, the second b-contact side is in contact with the inner face of the second b-cam, so that the first a-cam is located inside the first contact area, and the first b-cam is located outside the first contact area. If the handrail of the preparation posture is rotated in the first a-rotational direction, so that the posture of the handrail is changed to the first posture, the first tooth can rotate the cam member toward the second b-rotational direction, so as to move toward the first contact area with the first a-cam, the first a-contact side is in contact with the inner face of the first a-cam, so that the locking groove moves toward the locking position, and thus is inserted into the locking groove in the locking position.

[0037] If the handrail is rotated in the first b rotational direction in the first posture, such that the first tooth is separated from the locking groove and the posture of the handrail is changed to the third posture, the second tooth can rotate the cam member in the second b rotational direction, such that the second b contact side is in contact with the outer face of the second a cam, the first contact cam is located outside the first contact area, the second contact cam is located outside the second contact area, the cam guide rotates the cam member in the second a rotational direction, such that the second contact rail approaches the first a cam outside the first contact area and is in contact with the outer face of the first a cam, such that the second a cam is located inside the second contact area and the second b cam is located outside the second contact area.

[0038] If the handrail is rotated in the first a rotational direction in the third posture, such that the posture of the handrail is changed to the first posture, the second tooth can rotate the cam member in the second a rotational direction, such that it moves to the second contact area having the second a cam, the second a contact side is in contact with the inner face of the second a cam, such that the first a cam is located inside the first contact area and the first b cam is located outside the first contact area, the first tooth rotates the cam member in the second b rotational direction, such that it moves to the first contact area having the first a cam, the first a contact side is in contact with the inner face of the first a cam, such that the locking groove moves to the locking position, and thus, is inserted in the locking groove in the locking position.

[0039] The vehicle-mounted handrail assembly according to the embodiment of the present application can further include a hinge shaft forming the second shaft. The cam member can be combined with the hinge shaft, and the hinge shaft can have a free-stop function.

[0040] The means for solving the problem will become more specific and explicit through the embodiments, the drawings, etc. described below. And, various solutions other than the solutions mentioned below can be additionally proposed.

[0041] Effects of the Invention

[0042] According to an embodiment of the present application, if the passenger rotates the armrest, the rotator can rotate together with the armrest about the first shaft, so that the locking teeth (first teeth) of the rotator move in a manner passing through the locking position, the cam member can rotate in response to the contact rotation control of the rotator, so that the locking groove of the cam member moves in a manner passing through the locking position. Also, if the armrest is rotated so that the posture of the armrest is changed to the locking posture (first posture), the locking teeth and the locking groove move to the locking position and operate in a manner that the locking teeth are inserted into the locking groove. For this, the posture of the armrest can be accurately and conveniently changed by a simple structure without the conventional operation knob and without an additional driving force or elastic force.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the present application, since the armrest is disposed between the driver seat and the front passenger seat and can be rotated to change the posture to the posture (third posture) protruding toward the rear seat side, the passenger of the rear seat can use the armrest as a table or the like.

[0044] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present application, since the posture of the armrest can be changed to the posture (second posture) folded with respect to the armrest support by rotation, the use convenience of the passenger can be further improved. Further, according to the folded posture (second posture) or the like, the seat change can be more easily performed without interference with the armrest.

[0045] The effects of the present application are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the present description and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0046] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle armrest assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0047] Figures 2 to 4 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the armrest is changed to a first posture, a second posture, and a third posture, respectively, from a left side in the vehicle armrest assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0048] Figure 5 and Figure 6 FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of a state in which the armrest is changed to the second posture and the third posture, respectively, in the vehicle armrest assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0049] Figure 7 FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the vehicle armrest assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0050] Figures 8 to 10 FIG. 5 is a perspective view, a sectional perspective view, and a sectional view from a left side, respectively, showing a locking device of the vehicle armrest assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0051] Figures 11 to 16 In Figure 10 the operation of the locking device is indicated.

[0052] Figures 17 to 20 A diagram showing a posture changing process of a handrail in a vehicle-mounted handrail assembly according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so as to be easily carried out by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present application pertains. However, the present application is not limited to the embodiments described herein but can be embodied in various different forms.

[0054] In describing the embodiments of the present application, specific description of related well-known functions or structures incorporated herein will be omitted when it is determined that such an omission can cause no confusion on the points of the present application. Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be used to refer to like parts.

[0055] Among the terms used in the specification, at least some are defined in consideration of functions in the present application, and thus can be different according to the intention of the user, the operator, customs, etc. Accordingly, such terms should be interpreted on the basis of the contents of the entire specification. Also, in the specification, when it is stated that a certain structure is included, it means that other structural elements are also included unless it is specifically stated to the contrary. Also, when it is stated that a certain part is connected (or coupled) to another part, it includes not only a case where the certain part is directly connected (or coupled) to the other part, but also a case where the certain part is indirectly connected (or coupled) to the other part with another part interposed therebetween.

[0056] On the other hand, in the drawings, the size or shape of a structural element, the thickness of a line, etc. can be exaggerated for the sake of clarity.

[0057] The present application can provide a locking device and a handrail assembly including the same, which can perform rotation control of a handrail disposed in a vehicle without a conventional operation knob, in order to provide convenience to a passenger. Also, the present application can provide a vehicle including such a handrail assembly. The handrail assembly of the present application can be applied to various objects constituting a vehicle interior, but an embodiment of the present application will be described with respect to a case where the handrail assembly is applied to a form between a driver's seat and a front passenger's seat in a vehicle interior.

[0058] Figures 1 to 20 The structure and operation of a handrail assembly according to an embodiment of the present application are shown.

[0059] As Figure 1 , Figure 7As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the armrest assembly according to an embodiment of the present application can 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 can be disposed in a vehicle interior through the armrest bracket 10. Although not shown, the vehicle can include front seats and rear seats disposed with a space left therebetween in a front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) in the interior. The front seats can include a driver seat and a front passenger seat arranged in a left-right direction (X-axis direction). For reference, the front-rear direction can be a direction constituted by a front direction and a rear direction of the vehicle.

[0060] The armrest bracket 10 can be located between the driver seat and the front passenger seat in the interior. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the armrest bracket 10 can include a base 12 disposed in a space between the driver seat and the front passenger seat, a support 14 disposed in an up-down direction (Z-axis direction) from the base 12 and erected, and a fixed bracket 16 fixed in position to an upper end portion of the support 14. Figure 1

[0061] The base 12 can be installed to a floor surface constituting the space between the driver seat and the front passenger seat. Although not shown, the base 12 can include a fixed member and a movable member, the movable member can be slidable in a horizontal direction (a perpendicular direction with respect to the up-down direction) from the fixed member such that a position of the movable member is changed along a moving direction of the movable member, and can further include a locking unit that constrains the movable member with respect to the fixed member to fix the position of the movable member. As an example, the movable member can be slidable in the horizontal direction along the front-rear direction, and the locking unit can include a pressing body that can move in the up-down direction as the movable member moves. The pressing body has a screw structure that is threadedly coupled to the movable member and can move in a rotational direction toward the upper side or the lower side. A lower end of the pressing body can be in close contact (pressed) with an upper surface of the fixed member according to the up-down movement of the pressing body to constrain the movable member, or spaced apart (de-pressed) upward from the upper surface of the fixed member to release the constraint of the movable member.

[0062] An upper end portion of the support 14 can be coupled to the base 12. Specifically, the upper end portion of the support 14 can be coupled to the movable member of the base 12. For example, the support 14 can be provided in a panel structure having a width smaller than a length.

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the armrest bracket 10 can stably support the shaft module 20 using the fixed bracket 16. The fixed bracket 16 can be firmly installed to the upper end portion of the support 14 by a mounting pin 2 or the like and have a fixed position. Figure 5 Figure 6 ​​​

[0064] As shown in Figure 1 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , the shaft module 20 includes a shaft member 22 in which a first shaft Al extending horizontally in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) is formed, and the shaft member 22 can be supported by the fixed support 16. The shaft member 22 can be a fixed shaft maintained in a stopped state, and has a fixed portion 22f and a support portion 22s disposed to the left and right, respectively. In the case of the shaft member 22, the support portion 22s is supported by the fixed support 16, and in a state in which the position is fixed, the fixed portion 22f is firmly installed to the support 14 by means of the fixed panel 24, so that the function of the fixed shaft can be exerted.

[0065] Referring to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 , etc., the armrest 30 can be formed in a predetermined length, and has a front end portion 30a and a base end portion 30b on both sides in the length direction, and the base end portion 30b can be rotated about the first shaft Al. Such an armrest 30 can 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 to the armrest frame 32. Also, as shown in Figure 2 , etc., the armrest 30 can further include a housing 34 that accommodates the fixed support 16, the armrest frame 32, the hinge bracket 36, etc., so as not to be damaged by the outside.

[0066] As shown in Figures 5 to 7 , etc., the hinge bracket 36 is combined with the support portion 22s of the shaft member 22 in a rotatable manner. In the armrest 30, such a hinge bracket 36 can be connected to the base end portion of the armrest frame 32 to be rotated about the first shaft Al. As an example, the hinge bracket 36 can be disposed between the support 14 and the fixed support 16, and integrated with the armrest frame 32. A rotation element that suppresses the acceleration of the rotation speed of the armrest 30 by the frictional force 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 predetermined speed.

[0067] The posture of such an armrest 30 can be changed as the armrest 30 is rotated about the first shaft Al. 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 the front direction (see Figure 1 and Figure 2 ), a second posture in which the front end portion 30a of the armrest 30 faces the downward direction (see Figure 3) or a third posture in which the front end portion 30a of the armrest 30 faces rearward (refer to Figure 4 ). When the first posture and the third posture, the armrest 30 can be unfolded with respect to the armrest support 10, and when the second posture, the armrest 30 can be folded with respect to the armrest support 10. When the first posture and the third posture, the armrest 30 can maintain a horizontal state, and when the second posture, the armrest 30 can maintain a downwardly inclined state (or a vertical state). As a reference, the support 14 can extend in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) in order to secure a space in which the armrest 30 is in a folded state with respect to the armrest support 10 when the posture of the armrest 30 is the second posture, so that the upper end portion can have a height spaced apart by a prescribed distance upward from the base 12.

[0068] Referring to Figures 2 to 4 , when the two rotation directions centered on the first axis Al are respectively taken as a first a rotation direction Rla and a first b rotation direction Rlb, the direction in which the armrest 30 rotates downward in the first posture is the first a rotation direction Rla, and when 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 by 73 degrees in the first a rotation direction Rla from the first posture (0°), and the third posture can be a posture in which the armrest 30 is rotated by 180 degrees in a first b rotation direction Rlb opposite to the first a rotation direction Rla from the first posture.

[0069] As shown in Figure 2 , when the first posture (0°), the armrest 30 can have the upper portion of the armrest face upward between the driver seat passenger and the front passenger. Thereby, the passengers of the front seats can freely use the armrest 30, for example, comfortably lean against the armrest 30 or place arms on the armrest 30, etc.

[0070] As shown in Figure 3 , 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 with respect to the armrest support 10 and retreat from between the driver seat passenger and the front passenger. According to such retreat of the armrest 30, an idle space can be secured between the driver seat passenger and the front passenger. The passengers of the front seats can achieve more free movement or assume a more comfortable posture through the secured idle space.

[0071] As shown in Figure 4 , when the third posture (180°), the armrest 30 can be flipped by 180 degrees from the first posture (0°) so that the lower portion of the armrest faces upward, and the front end portion 30a can protrude from the space between the driver seat and the front seat toward the rear seats side rearward and be provided to the passengers of the rear seats. For this reason, the passengers of the rear seats can use the armrest 30 as a table 30, etc., for example, place an item such as a mobile phone on the lower portion of the armrest facing upward.

[0072] On the other hand, one or more of the seats (front seats, rear seats, etc.) in the vehicle interior can move forward and backward, left and right, and / or rotate for seat change, and the armrest 30 can selectively change to an appropriate one of the first posture (0°), the second posture (-73°), and the third posture (180°) in accordance with the seat change.

[0073] With respect to the armrest 30, the first posture (0°) can be maintained by the locking unit (refer to 40, 50, and 60), the second posture (-73°) can be maintained by the front stopper 18a (refer to Figure 5 ), and the third posture (180°) can be maintained by the rear stopper 18b (refer to Figure 6 ). The front stopper 18a can restrict rotation in the first a rotational direction Rla so that the armrest 30 exceeds the second posture by an angle, and the rear stopper 18b can restrict rotation in the first b rotational direction Rlb so that the armrest 30 exceeds the third posture by an angle. The armrest support 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 to the fixed support 16.

[0074] When the posture of the armrest 30 is changed to the second posture (-73°), the front stopper 18a can come into contact with the armrest frame 32 to stop rotation of the armrest 30, and when the posture of the armrest 30 is changed to the third posture (180°), the rear stopper 18b can come into contact with the armrest frame 32 to stop rotation of the armrest 30. The armrest frame 32 can have a contact portion 38a (refer to Figure 5 ) that comes into contact with the front stopper 18a when the posture of the armrest 30 is the second posture, and a contact portion 38b (refer to Figure 6 ) that comes into contact with the rear stopper 18b when the posture of the armrest 30 is the third posture.

[0075] The locking unit (refer to 40, 50, and 60) can perform a locking operation or an unlocking operation in accordance with rotation of the armrest 30, and 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.

[0076] Refer to Figures 7 to 10The locking unit can include a rotator 40, a cam member 50, and a hinge shaft 60. The hinge shaft 60 can be provided with a second shaft A2 on the first shaft Al side, which extends horizontally along the left-right direction (X-axis direction) so as to be parallel to the first shaft Al, and the cam member 50 can be rotatable about the second shaft A2 close to the first shaft Al. The rotator 40 can be connected to the handrail 30 and rotatable about the first shaft Al together with the handrail 30. Also, the rotator 40 can contactively transmit a force of a passenger rotating the handrail 30 to the cam member 50 to control the rotation of the cam member 50.

[0077] The cam member 50 can have a first contact cam (refer to 52 and 53) and a second contact cam (refer to 54 and 55) in contact with the rotator 40, and a locking groove 51 can be provided at the first contact cam (refer to 52 and 53). The rotator 40 can include a lock 40A having a first tooth 41 in contact with the first contact cam (refer to 52 and 53), a contact element 40B having a second tooth 42 in contact with the second contact cam (refer to 54 and 55), and an operation cam 40C having a cam rail 43 in contact with one selected from the first contact cam (refer to 52 and 53) and the second contact cam (refer to 54 and 55).

[0078] If the posture of the handrail 30 is changed to the first posture (0°), the rotator 40 can rotate the cam member 50 so that the locking groove 51 moves to a locking position, and the first tooth 41 moves to the locking position and is inserted into the locking groove 51 (locking: rotation of the handrail 30 is restricted by restricting the rotation of the cam member 50, refer to Figures 8 to 10 ). Also, in the rotator 40, if the handrail 30 is rotated at the first posture (0°) to change the posture, the first tooth 41 is separated from the locking position and separated from the locking groove 51 (unlocking, refer to Figure 11 and Figure 12 ), and to prevent the first tooth 41 from being inserted into the locking groove 51, etc., the locking groove 51 is moved from the locking position by rotating the cam member 50. Of course, if the posture of the handrail 30 is changed from the second posture (-73°) or the third posture (180°) to the first posture (0°) again, the locking groove 51 can be moved to the locking position for locking, and the first tooth 41 can be moved to the locking position. This is carefully observed as follows.

[0079] The second shaft A2 can be disposed at a position spaced apart upward or downward from the first shaft Al. For example, the second shaft A2 can be spaced apart downward from the first shaft Al, and located forward of the first shaft Al (refer to Figure 10 ).

[0080] The second a-rotation direction R2a and the second b-rotation direction R2b are opposite to each other with respect to the second axis A2. The second a-rotation direction R2a and the second b-rotation direction R2b are the same as the first a-rotation direction R1a and the first b-rotation direction R1b, respectively. When the lock device (40, 50, and 60) is viewed from the left side, the second a-rotation direction R2a and the second b-rotation direction R2b are opposite to each other with respect to the second axis A2. The second a-rotation direction R2a and the second b-rotation direction R2b are the same as the first a-rotation direction R1a and the first b-rotation direction R1b, respectively. When the lock device (40, 50, and 60) is viewed from the left side, the second a-rotation direction R2a and the second b-rotation direction R2b are opposite to each other with respect to the second axis A2. The second a-rotation direction R2a and the second b-rotation direction R2b are the same as the first a-rotation direction R1a and the first b-rotation direction R1b, respectively. Figure 10 The first a-rotation direction R1a and the second a-rotation direction R2a can be the same as the counterclockwise direction (CCW), and the first b-rotation direction R1b and the second b-rotation direction R2b can be the same as the clockwise direction (CW).

[0081] Referring to Figure 10 , the reference numeral 101 can be a first contact region where the first tooth 41 contacts the first contact cam (see 52 and 53), and the reference numeral 102 can be a second contact region where the second tooth 42 contacts the second contact cam (see 54 and 55). The first contact region 101 and the second contact region 102 can be located opposite to each other with respect to the second axis A2. Specifically, the first contact region 101 can be located between the first axis A1 and the second axis A2, and the second contact region 102 can be located opposite to the first contact region 101 with respect to the second axis A2. The first contact region 101 can include the lock position.

[0082] Referring to Figures 8 to 10 , the cam member 50 can have a cam member body located at the second axis A2, and the first contact cam (see 52 and 53) and the second contact cam (see 54 and 55) can be located at one side and the other side of the cam member body, respectively. Specifically, the first contact cam (see 52 and 53) and the second contact cam (see 54 and 55) can be located opposite to each other with respect to the second axis A2.

[0083] The first contact cam (refer to 52 and 53) and the second contact cam (refer to 54 and 55) can protrude from the cam member body, respectively. The first contact cam (refer to 52 and 53) can be provided in a shape that is movable in a manner passing through the first contact area 101 as long as the cam member 50 rotates, and the second contact cam (refer to 54 and 55) can be provided in a shape that is movable in a manner passing through the second contact area 102 as long as the cam member 50 rotates. The first contact cam can include a first a cam 52 and a first b cam 53 adjacent in a manner approaching each other, and the second contact cam can include a second a cam 54 and a second b cam 55 adjacent in a manner approaching each other. The first a cam 52 can be spaced apart from the first b cam 53 in a second b rotational direction (CW) R2b, and the first b cam 53 can be spaced apart from the first a cam 52 in a second a rotational direction (CCW) R2a. The second a cam 54 can be spaced apart from the second b cam 55 in the second a rotational direction R2a, and the second b cam 55 can be spaced apart from the second a cam 54 in the second b rotational direction R2b.

[0084] Referring to Figure 10 , the first contact cam can be provided with a locking groove 51 between the first a cam 52 and the first b cam 53. As Figure 11 indicated, the locking groove 51 can have a first a inner face 521 toward the second a rotational direction (CCW) R2a and a first b inner face 531 toward the second b rotational direction (CW) R2b. In the locking groove 51, the closer from the groove bottom side to the groove entrance side, the farther the interval between the first a inner face 521 and the first b inner face 531, and thus, can be provided in a shape that is enlarged in size from the groove bottom side to the groove entrance side.

[0085] Referring to Figure 11 and Figure 12The first a cam 52 may have an inner surface (refer to 521) facing the second a rotation direction R2a and an outer surface 522 facing the second b rotation direction R2b. The first b cam 53 may have an inner surface (refer to 531) facing the second b rotation direction R2b and an outer surface 532 facing the second a rotation direction R2a. The inner surface of the first a cam 52 may correspond to the inner surface 521 of the first a cam of the locking groove 51, and the inner surface of the first b cam 53 may correspond to the inner surface 531 of the first b cam of the locking groove 51. The protruding tail of the first a cam 52 and the protruding tail of the first b cam 53 are respectively processed into a circular shape. The inner surface (first a inner surface) 521 and the outer surface 522 of the first a cam 52 may respectively include a part (half) of the circularized portion of the first a cam 52 and the remaining part. The inner surface (first b inner surface) 531 and the outer surface 532 of the first b cam 53 may respectively include a part (half) of the circularized portion of the first b cam 53 and the remaining part.

[0086] like Figures 13 to 15 As shown, the second a cam 54 may have an inner surface 541 facing the second b rotation direction (CW) R2b and an outer surface 542 facing the second a rotation direction (CCW) R2a. The second b cam 55 may have an inner surface 551 facing the second a rotation direction R2a and an outer surface 552 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 a circular shape. The inner surface 541 and the outer surface 542 of the second a cam 54 may respectively include a portion (half) and the remainder of the circularized portion of the second a cam 54. Similarly, the inner surface 551 and the outer surface 552 of the second b cam 55 may respectively include a portion (half) and the remainder of the circularized portion of the second b cam 55.

[0087] In the first contact cam, one or both of the first a cam 52 and the first b cam 53 can be positioned in the first contact region 101 as the cam member 50 rotates, and in the second contact cam, one or both of the second a cam 54 and the second b cam 55 can be positioned in the second contact region 102 as the cam member 50 rotates. Of course, the first a cam 52 and the first b cam 53 can be positioned outside the first contact region 101, and the second a cam 54 and the second b cam 55 can be positioned outside the second contact region 102. Also, in the first contact cam, when the posture of the armrest 30 is the first posture (0°), the first a cam 52 can be positioned in the first contact region 101, and the lock groove 51 can be positioned in the lock position of the first contact region 101. Also, in the second contact cam, when the posture of the armrest 30 is the first posture (0°), of the second a cam 54 and the second b cam 55, the second a cam 54 can be positioned in the second contact region 102.

[0088] Referring to Figure 7 , Figure 10 and the like, the lock 40A can be disposed at the first shaft Al, and the contact element 40B and the operation cam 40C can be connected to the lock 40A.

[0089] The first tooth 41 can protrude from one side of the lock 40A and can move along a first path 103 of the first contact region 101 as the armrest 30 rotates, and can contact the first contact cams 52, 53 in the first contact region 101 to control the rotation of the cam member 50. As an example, the first tooth 41 can rotate the cam member 50 by contacting the first contact cams 52, 53, thereby moving the second contact cams 54, 55 inward and outward of the second contact region 102. In the lock 40A, since the first contact region 101 is interposed between the first shaft Al and the second shaft A2, when the posture of the armrest 30 is changed to the first posture (0°) so that the first tooth 41 moves to the lock position of the first contact region 101, the tooth end of the first tooth 41 can be directed to the lower side in the front direction.

[0090] The contact element 40B can have a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to each other. The first end portion of the contact element 40B can be combined with the lock 40A, and the second end portion of the contact element 40B can be disposed opposite to the handrail frame 32 with the first axis Al as a reference. The second tooth 42 can be provided to the second end portion of the contact element 40B. The second tooth 42 can move along a second path 104 of the second contact area 102 along with the rotation of the handrail 30, with a tooth end thereof facing the first axis Al, and contact the second contact cams 54, 55 in the second contact area 102 to control the rotation of the cam member 50. As an example, the second tooth 42 can rotate the cam member 50 by contact with the second contact cams 54, 55, thereby moving the first contact cams 52, 53 inward and outward of the first contact area 101. In the contact element 40B, when the posture of the handrail 30 is the first posture (0°), the second tooth 42 can be disposed to be spaced apart from the first a rotational direction Rla from the second contact cams 54, 55 below the first axis Al.

[0091] The operation cam 40C can be disposed opposite to the second tooth 42 with the first axis Al as a reference. The operation cam 40C can be provided in a shape in which the cam guide 43 extends from the lock 40A, and be combined with the lower portion surface of the handrail frame 32 by the combination member 45C extending from the cam guide 43. In the operation cam 40C, when the posture of the handrail 30 is the first posture (0°), the contact rails 431, 432 of the cam surface of the cam guide 43 can face downward.

[0092] Referring to Figure 11 , Figure 12 , Figure 17 (D) of the description, Figure 19In the process of changing the posture of the handrail 30 from the first posture (0°) to the second posture (-73°) or the third posture (180°) or the like by the passenger rotating the handrail 30, according to the positional relationship between the first tooth 41 and the first contact cam 52, 53 and the positional relationship between the second tooth 42 and the second contact cam 54, 55, the first tooth 41 can not be able to contact the first contact cam 52, 53 or the second tooth 42 can not be able to contact the second contact cam 54, 55. As an example, as the cam member 50 rotates, the first contact cam 52, 53 is located outside the first contact area 101, the second contact cam 54, 55 is also located outside the second contact area 102, the first tooth 41 can not be able to contact the first contact cam 52, 53, and the second tooth 42 can not be able to contact the second contact cam 54, 55. In this case, the cam guide 43 can approach the cam member 50, thereby contacting the first contact cam 52, 53 located outside the first contact area 101, moving the second contact cam 54, 55 from outside the second contact area 102 to inside the second contact area 102, or contacting the second contact cam 54, 55 located outside the second contact area 102, moving the first contact cam 52, 53 from outside the first contact area 101 to inside the first contact area 101.

[0093] Referring to Figure 10 , Figure 11 and the like, the first tooth 41 can 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 handrail 30 is changed to the first posture (0°), 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 can contact the first a cam 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 can contact the first b cam inner surface 531 of the first b cam 53 corresponding to the first b inner surface of the locking groove 51.

[0094] In this manner, based on the structure where, when the first tooth 41 is inserted (locked) into the locking groove 51, the first a contact side 411 contacts the inner surface 521 of the first a cam, and the contact end face 413 contacts the inner surface 531 of the first b cam, the armrest 30 transmits a force rotating in the first a rotation direction R1a to the cam component 50 via the first tooth 41 of the rotator 40. This force is generated by the user's own weight, the passenger's operation, and the passenger's load (the load acting on the armrest when the passenger is using the armrest in the first posture or with their arm placed on it). The force is transmitted through the inner surface of the first a cam (the inner surface of the first a cam in the locking groove). The internal surfaces of the first b cam (the first b internal surface of the locking groove) 531 of the first a cam 52 and the first b cam 53 are dispersed to the first a cam 52 and the first b cam 53. This force acts on the first a cam 52 and the first b cam 53 in opposite rotational directions (acting on the first a cam 52 in the second b rotational direction (CW)R2b, and on the first b cam 53 in the second a rotational direction (CCW)R2a). Therefore, the cam component 50 can be prevented from rotating in the second b rotational direction (CW)R2b, and further, the armrest 30 is restricted from rotating in the first a rotational direction (CCW)R1a, thereby enabling the armrest 30 to be maintained in the first posture (0°).

[0095] like Figure 10 As shown, the contact end face 413 of the first tooth 41 can be inscribed in a virtual inscribed circle 105 centered on the first axis A1, and 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 surface 531 of the first b cam 53 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 inside the first contact area 101, and conversely, the first b cam 53 is located outside the first contact area 101. The contact point between the contact end face 413 and the inner surface 531 of the first b cam can be located within the inscribed circle 105.

[0096] In this way, when the first tooth 41 is inserted into the locking groove 51, according to the structure that the inner surface 531 of the first b cam makes point contact with the contact end surface 413 outside the inscribed circle 105, such as... Figure 11 As shown, if the armrest 30 rotates in the first b rotation direction (CW)R1b in the first posture (0°), the first tooth 41 can move along the first path 103 from inside the first contact area 101 to outside the first contact area 101 without interfering with the locking groove 51, and can be separated from the locking groove 51 (unlocked).

[0097] As described above, in the handrail assembly of the embodiment of the present application, when the posture of the handrail 30 is the first posture, although the rotation of the handrail 30 in the first a rotational direction (CCW) Rla can be restricted in order to allow the passenger to use the handrail, the rotation of the handrail 30 in the first b rotational direction (CW) Rlb can be allowed in order to unlock the handrail 30.

[0098] In the first tooth 41, the handrail 30 can be in contact with the first contact cams 52, 53 in the first contact region 101 in order to contactively transmit the rotational force of the handrail 30 to the cam member 50, according to the positional relationship between the first contact cams 52, 53, etc. (refer to Figure 11 and Figure 12 ). For example, the first tooth 41 can move toward the first contact region 101 along the first path 103 in the first a rotational direction Rla, such that the first a contact side surface 411 of the first tooth 41 is in contact with the first a cam inner surface 521 of the first a cam 52 or the first b cam outer surface 532 of the first b cam 53. Alternatively, the first tooth 41 can move toward the first contact region 101 along the first path 103 in the first b rotational direction Rlb, such that the first b contact side surface 412 of the first tooth 41 is in contact with the first a cam outer surface 522 of the first a cam 52 or the first b cam inner surface 531 of the first b cam 53. Alternatively, the first tooth 41 can be inserted into the locking groove 51, such that the first a contact side surface 411 of the first tooth 41 is in contact with the first a cam inner surface (first a inner surface of the locking groove) 521 of the first a cam 52, and the contact end surface 413 of the first tooth 41 can be in contact with the first b cam inner surface (first b inner surface of the locking groove) 531 of the first b cam 53.

[0099] Referring to Figure 10 , etc., the second tooth 42 can have a second a contact side surface 421 toward the first a rotational direction Rla and a second b contact side surface 422 toward the first b rotational direction Rlb. Referring to Figure 13 and Figure 14In order to contact the cam member 50 to transfer the force of the rotation of the handrail 30 to the cam member 50 to control the rotation of the cam member 50, the second teeth 42 can be in contact with the second contact cams 54, 55 in the second contact region 102 depending on the positional relationship between the second contact cams 54, 55, and the like. For example, the second teeth 42 can move toward the second contact region 102 along the second path 104 in the first a rotational direction R1a so that the second a contact side surface 421 of the second teeth 42 can be in contact with the second a cam inner face 541 of the second a cam 54 or the second b cam outer face 552 of the second b cam 55. Alternatively, the second teeth 42 can move toward the second contact region 102 along the second path 104 in the first b rotational direction R1b so that the second b contact side surface 422 of the second teeth 42 can be in contact with the second a cam outer face 542 of the second a cam 54 or the second b cam inner face 551 of the second b cam 55.

[0100] In the case of such second teeth 42, if the handrail 30 is rotated in the first b rotational direction R1b by a predetermined angle in the first posture (0°) to make the first teeth 41 a posture for changing (preparation posture for changing the posture, and the first teeth 41 are separated from the lock groove 51, and thus, can be regarded as an unlocked posture) (see Figure 11 ) in which the first teeth 41 are separated from the lock groove 51, the second teeth 42 can move toward the second contact region 102 along the second path 104 in the first b rotational direction R1b so that the second b contact side surface 422 can be in contact with the second a cam outer face 542 of the second a cam 54 (see Figure 13 and Figure 17 (B) of FIG. 4). At this time, in the relationship with the cam member 50, the second teeth 42 can rotate the cam member 50 in the second b rotational direction R2b by a predetermined angle while moving the first a cam 52 located in the first contact region 101 outward of the first contact region 101 and moving the first b cam 53 located outward of the first contact region 101 inward of the first contact region 101. For reference, the predetermined angle can be 40 degrees.

[0101] Referring to Figure 10 and the like, the cam guide 43 can have a first contact rail 431 disposed toward the first a rotational direction R1a side and a second contact rail 432 disposed toward the first b rotational direction R1b side. The first contact rail 431 and the second contact rail 432 can form cam faces of the cam guide 43, respectively.

[0102] Referring to Figure 15 and Figure 16The cam guide 43 contacts the first contact cam 52, 53 or the second contact cam 54, 55 according to the positional relationship between the first contact cam 52, 53 or the second contact cam 54, 55, etc.

[0103] For example, if the armrest 30 rotates in the first a rotational direction Rla 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 rotational 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 rotates in the first b rotational direction Rlb 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 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 rotational 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.

[0104] Although not specifically shown, the hinge shaft 60 can have a free stop function, thereby freely maintaining a stop state after rotation regardless of the angle. To this end, the hinge shaft 60 can include a friction shaft and a friction guide. The friction shaft of the hinge shaft 60 can rotate with the fixed bracket 16 and have a friction portion with the coupling portion centered on the second axis A2, and the coupling portion and the friction portion can be arranged in the left-right direction, and the cross-section of the friction portion can be circular. The central portion of the cam member 50 can be coupled to the coupling portion of the hinge shaft 60 and rotate with the hinge shaft 60 centered on the second axis A2. The friction guide of the hinge shaft 60 is provided in the fixed bracket 16 in a stop state and has a friction hole for receiving 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.

[0105] The posture change process of the armrest 30 is shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.In FIGS. 1 to 5, the second contact cams (refer to 54 and 55) are colored to facilitate differentiation from the first contact cams (refer to 52 and 53). The operation of the armrest assembly according to the embodiment of the present application is observed with reference to these drawings. Figures 17 to 20 Figures 17 to 20 The posture change process of the armrest 30 is shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. In FIGS. 1 to 5, the second contact cams (refer to 54 and 55) are colored to facilitate differentiation from the first contact cams (refer to 52 and 53). The operation of the armrest assembly according to the embodiment of the present application is observed with reference to these drawings.

[0106] In order to move from the first posture (0°) (refer to...) Figure 17 The (A) part changes the posture of the handrail 30 to the second posture (-73°), rotating the handrail 30 in the first posture by 40° (set angle) in the first b rotation direction R1b. As the handrail 30 rotates in this way, the first tooth 41 moves in the first b rotation direction R1b and separates from the locking groove 51, thereby making the handrail 30 a ready posture (refer to...). Figure 17 (B) portion), then the second tooth 42 moves in the first b rotation direction R1b, and its second b contact side 422 contacts the outer surface 542 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.

[0107] Then, the handrail 30, which is in the ready position, is rotated in the first rotation direction R1a. At this time, if the rotation of the handrail 30 in the first rotation direction R1a is restricted by the front stop 18a, the position of the handrail 30 becomes the second position (-73°).

[0108] During the transition of the armrest 30 from the ready position to the second position, the second tooth 42 moves in the first a rotation direction R1a and separates from the second contact area 102. Furthermore, the first tooth 41 causes the cam component 50 to rotate in the second b rotation direction R2b, so that it moves towards the first contact area 101 where the first b cam 53 is located, and its first a contact side 411 contacts the outer surface 532 of the first b cam of the first b cam 53 (see reference). Figure 17 (C) section), such 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 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. Moreover, the cam guide rail 43 causes the cam component 50 to rotate in the second a rotation direction R2a (see reference). Figure 17 (E) section), so that the first contact rail 431 approaches the second b cam 55 outside the second contact area 102 (refer to) Figure 17 The (D) portion of the first a cam 52 is in contact with the outer surface 552 of the second b cam 55, such that the first a cam 52 is located within the first contact area 101.

[0109] In order to change the position of the armrest 30 from the second position (-73°) (refer to...) Figure 18The (A) part is changed to the first posture (0°), and the handrail 30 in the second posture is rotated in the first b rotation direction R1b. The handrail 30 is rotated until it becomes the ready posture.

[0110] During the process of the armrest 30 changing from the second posture to the ready posture, the first tooth 41 causes the cam component 50 to rotate in the second a rotation direction R2a, so as to move in the first b rotation direction R1b toward the first contact area 101 where the first a cam 52 is located, and its first b contact side 412 contacts the outer surface 522 of the first a cam of the first a cam 52 (refer to...). Figure 18 (B) portion), such 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 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. Moreover, the second tooth 42 causes the cam component 50 to rotate in the second b rotation direction R2b (see reference). Figure 18 (C) portion), 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 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 inside the first contact area 101 and the first b cam 53 is located outside the first contact area 101.

[0111] Then, if the handrail 30, which is in the ready position, is rotated 40° in the first a rotation direction R1a, the position of the handrail 30 changes to the first position (0°). During this process, the first tooth 41 causes the cam component 50 to rotate in the second b rotation direction R2b, so as to move towards the first contact area 101 where the first a cam 52 is located, and its first a contact side 411 contacts the inner surface 521 of the first a cam of the first a cam 52 (see reference). Figure 18 (D) portion), causing the locking groove 51 to move toward the locking position, thereby inserting into the locking groove 51 (refer to) in the locking position. Figure 18 (E) section). In this way, if the first tooth 41 is inserted into the locking slot 51, the armrest 30 is restricted from rotating in the first rotation direction R1a, thereby ending the change of the armrest 30's posture to the first posture (0°).

[0112] In order to change the posture of the handrail 30 from the first posture (0°) (refer to...) Figure 19 The (A) part is changed to the third posture (180°), causing the handrail 30, which is in the first posture, to rotate 180° in the first b rotation direction R1b. As a result, the posture of the handrail 30 is changed from the preparatory posture to the third posture, and the rotation of the handrail 30 in the first b rotation direction R1b is restricted by the rear stop 18b.

[0113] In the process in which the posture of the armrest 30 is changed from the first posture to the third posture, the process in which the armrest 30 changes to the ready posture (refer to (B) of FIG. 6) is the same as the process in which the armrest 30 changes to the ready posture in the process in which the posture of the armrest 30 is changed from the first posture to the second posture (-73°). Figure 19

[0114] In the process in which the armrest 30 changes from the ready posture to the third posture, the first tooth 41 separated from the locking groove 51 moves in the first b rotational direction R1b and is separated from the first contact region 101, and the second tooth 42 in which the second b contact side surface 422 is in contact with the second a cam of the second a cam 54 moves in the first b rotational direction R1b and is separated from the second contact region 102 (refer to (C) of FIG. 7). Figure 19 Moreover, the cam guide 43 rotates the cam member 50 in the second a rotational direction R2a so that the second contact rail 432 approaches the first a cam 52 outside the first contact region 101 (refer to (D) of FIG. 7), and is in contact with the first a cam of the first a cam 52, so that the second a cam 54 is positioned inside the second contact region 102 and the second b cam 55 is positioned outside the second contact region 102 (refer to (E) of FIG. 7). Figure 19 Figure 19

[0115] In order to change the posture of the armrest 30 from the third posture (180°) (refer to (A) of FIG. 8) to the first posture (0°), the armrest 30 in the third posture is rotated 180° in the first a rotational direction R1a. Thereby, the posture of the armrest 30 changes from the ready posture to the first posture. Figure 20

[0116] In the process in which the armrest 30 changes from the third posture to the ready posture, the first tooth 41 moves in the first a rotational direction R1a. Moreover, the second tooth 42 moves in the first a rotational direction R1a toward the second contact region 102 in which the second a cam 54 is positioned, and the second a contact side surface 421 is in contact with the second a cam of the second a cam 54 (refer to (B) of FIG. 8), so that the cam member 50 is rotated in the second a rotational direction R2a so that the first a cam 52 is positioned inside the first contact region 101 and the first b cam 53 is positioned outside the first contact region 101 (refer to (C) of FIG. 8). Figure 20 Figure 20

[0117] In the process in which the posture of the armrest 30 is changed from the third posture to the first posture, if the armrest 30 changes to the first posture in the ready posture, the second tooth 42 moves in the first a rotational direction R1a and is separated from the second contact region 102.

[0118] ​​​​​​The first tooth 41 moves toward a first contact area 101 where the first a cam 52 is located, in the first a rotational direction Rla, and the first a contact side 411 comes into contact with the first a cam inner face 521 of the first a cam 52 (refer to (D) of FIG. 6). This rotates the cam member 50 in the second b rotational direction R2b, so as to move the locking groove 51 to the locking position, and thereby insert the first tooth 41 into the locking groove 51 (refer to (E) of FIG. 6). If the first tooth 41 is inserted into the locking groove 51, the armrest 30 is restricted from rotating in the first a rotational direction Rla, and thereby the posture change of the armrest 30 to the first posture (0°) is completed. Figure 20 The first tooth 41 moves toward a first contact area 101 where the first a cam 52 is located, in the first a rotational direction Rla, and the first a contact side 411 comes into contact with the first a cam inner face 521 of the first a cam 52 (refer to (D) of FIG. 6). This rotates the cam member 50 in the second b rotational direction R2b, so as to move the locking groove 51 to the locking position, and thereby insert the first tooth 41 into the locking groove 51 (refer to (E) of FIG. 6). If the first tooth 41 is inserted into the locking groove 51, the armrest 30 is restricted from rotating in the first a rotational direction Rla, and thereby the posture change of the armrest 30 to the first posture (0°) is completed. Figure 20 The first tooth 41 moves toward a first contact area 101 where the first a cam 52 is located, in the first a rotational direction Rla, and the first a contact side 411 comes into contact with the first a cam inner face 521 of the first a cam 52 (refer to (D) of FIG. 6). This rotates the cam member 50 in the second b rotational direction R2b, so as to move the locking groove 51 to the locking position, and thereby insert the first tooth 41 into the locking groove 51 (refer to (E) of FIG. 6). If the first tooth 41 is inserted into the locking groove 51, the armrest 30 is restricted from rotating in the first a rotational direction Rla, and thereby the posture change of the armrest 30 to the first posture (0°) is completed.

[0119] The above has described the present application, but the present application is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and the attached drawings, and various modifications can be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the technical idea of the present application. Also, the technical idea described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented independently, or two or more can be combined.

[0120] Explanation of Reference Signs

[0121] 10: armrest support 20: shaft module

[0122] 30: armrest 40: cam member

[0123] 41: first tooth (locking tooth) 42: second tooth

[0124] 43: cam guide rail 50: rotator

[0125] 51: locking groove 52: first a cam

[0126] 53: first b cam 54: second a cam

[0127] 55: second b cam 60: hinge shaft

[0128] 101: first contact area 102: second contact area

[0129] A1: first shaft A2: second shaft

Claims

1. A handrail assembly, characterized by, include: Armrest brackets are positioned between the driver's seat and the front passenger seat in a vehicle; The handrail can rotate around a first axis in the left-right direction in the handrail support, and its posture can change with the rotation to a first posture with the front facing forward, a second posture with the front facing downward, or a third posture with the front facing backward. The cam component is rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis and has a first contact cam, a second contact cam and a locking groove. When rotating, the first contact cam moves via a first contact area between the first axis and the second axis, the second contact cam moves with respect to the second axis via a second contact area opposite to the first contact area, and the locking groove moves via the first contact area. A rotator, connected to and rotating with the armrest, controls the rotation of the cam component by transmitting the rotational force of the armrest to the cam component through contact, and moves the locking groove in a locked position in the first contact area or disengaged from the locked position. As the armrest rotates, a cam guide has a first tooth, a second tooth, and a cam guide rail. The first tooth moves through the first contact area and contacts the first contact cam in the first contact area, causing the second contact cam to move inward and outward from the second contact area. The second tooth moves through the second contact area and contacts the second contact cam in the second contact area, causing the first contact cam to move inward and outward from the first contact area. The cam guide rail approaches and contacts the first contact cam moving outward from the first contact area, causing the second contact cam to move towards the second contact area; or approaches and contacts the second contact cam moving outward from the second contact area, causing the first contact cam to move towards the first contact area. If the handrail changes to the first posture, the first tooth and the locking groove move toward 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 rotational directions centered on the first axis are the first rotational direction a and the first rotational direction b, and the two rotational directions centered on the second axis are the second rotational direction a and the second rotational direction b, where the first rotational direction a is the direction in which the handrail rotates downwards in the first posture, and the first rotational direction a and the second rotational direction a are the same rotational direction. The first tooth has a first contact side facing the first rotation direction a and a contact end face with the tooth tip. The locking groove has a first inner surface a facing the rotation direction of the second a and a first inner surface b facing the rotation direction of the second b. When the first tooth is inserted into the locking groove, in the first tooth, the first a contact side is in contact with the first a inner face, and the contact end face is in contact with the first b inner face, so that the handrail divides the force rotating toward the first a rotational direction by the first a inner face and the first b inner face toward opposite rotational directions, thereby preventing the cam member from rotating toward the second b rotational direction.

3. The handrail assembly according to claim 2, wherein the contact end face is formed in 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 face is in point contact with the contact end face outside the inscribed circle, thereby, if the handrail is rotated toward the first b rotational direction in the first posture, the first tooth is separated from the locking groove.

4. The handrail assembly according to claim 3, wherein the first contact cam includes adjacent first a and first b cams, the first a inner face is formed in the first a cam, the first b inner face is formed in the first b cam, and the locking groove is provided between the first a and first b cams, the first a inner face is a first a cam inner face of the first a cam, and the first b inner face is a first b cam inner face of the first b cam.

5. The handrail assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first a cam has a first a cam outer face toward the second b rotational direction, and the first b cam has a first b cam outer face toward the second a rotational direction, the second contact cam includes adjacent second a and second b cams, the second a cam has a second a cam inner face toward the second b rotational direction and a second a cam outer face toward the second a rotational direction, and the second b cam has a second b cam inner face toward the second a rotational direction and a second b cam outer face toward the second b rotational direction, the first tooth has a first b contact side toward the first b rotational direction, the second tooth has a second a contact side toward the first a rotational direction and a second b contact side toward the first b rotational direction, and the cam rail has a first contact rail disposed toward the first a rotational direction side and a second contact rail disposed toward the first b rotational direction side, the second tooth and the cam rail are disposed opposite each other with the first axis as a reference, when the handrail is in the first posture, the second a cam is located in the second contact region, if the first tooth is separated from the locking groove in the first posture, the second tooth moves toward the second contact region, in the cam rail, if the handrail is rotated toward the first a rotational direction, the first contact rail approaches the cam member, and if the handrail is rotated toward the first b rotational direction, the second contact rail approaches the cam member.

6. The handrail assembly according to claim 5, wherein if the handrail is rotated in the first b-rotation direction by a predetermined angle in the first posture, so that the first tooth becomes a preparation posture in which the first tooth is separated from the locking groove, the second tooth rotates 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 inside the first contact area, if the handrail in the preparation posture is rotated in the first a-rotation direction, so that the posture of the handrail is changed to the second posture, the first tooth rotates the cam member in the second b-rotation direction so as to move 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, the cam rail 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 inside the first contact area.

7. The handrail assembly according to claim 6, wherein if the handrail is rotated in the first b-rotation direction in the second posture and becomes the preparation posture, the first tooth rotates 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 inside the second contact area, the second tooth rotates 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 inside the first contact area and the first b-cam is located outside the first contact area, if the handrail in the preparation posture is rotated in the first a-rotation direction, so that the posture of the handrail is changed to the first posture, the first tooth rotates 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, so that the locking groove moves to the locking position, thereby being inserted in the locking groove.

8. The handrail assembly according to claim 5, wherein if the handrail is rotated 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 handrail is changed to a third posture, then the second tooth rotates the cam member in the second b rotational direction so that the second b contact side comes into contact with the outer face of the second a cam, so that the first contact cam is outside the first contact area, and the second contact cam is inside the second contact area, the cam rail rotates the cam member in the second a rotational direction so that the second contact rail approaches the first a cam outside the first contact area and comes into contact with the outer face of the first a cam, so that the second a cam is inside the second contact area, and the second b cam is outside the second contact area.

9. The handrail assembly according to claim 8, wherein, if the handrail is rotated in the first a rotational direction in the third posture, so that the posture of the handrail is changed to the first posture, then the second tooth rotates the cam member in the second a rotational direction so as to move to the second contact area having the second a cam, and the second a contact side comes into contact with the inner face of the second a cam, so that the first a cam is inside the first contact area, and the first b cam is outside the first contact area, the first tooth rotates the cam member in the second b rotational direction so as to move to the first contact area having the first a cam, and the first a contact side comes into contact with the inner face of the first a cam, so that the locking groove moves to the locking position, whereby the locking tooth is inserted into the locking groove.

10. The handrail assembly according to claim 1, wherein, the handrail support has a front stopper that restricts the rotation of the handrail when the handrail is in the second posture, and a rear stopper that restricts the rotation of the handrail when the handrail is in the third posture.

11. A locking device, characterized in that comprising: a cam member rotatable about a second axis parallel to a first axis that is a rotational center of a vehicle-mounted handrail; a rotator connected to the handrail and rotating together with the handrail, and contactingly transmitting a force by which the handrail rotates to the cam member to control the rotation of the cam member, the rotator has a locking tooth that moves through a locking position between the first axis and the second axis when rotating, and the cam member has a locking groove that is movable through the locking position by contact rotation control of the rotator, if the posture of the handrail is changed to a locked posture by the rotation of the handrail, the locking tooth and the locking groove move to the locking position, so that the locking tooth is inserted into the locking groove.

12. The locking device according to claim 11, wherein, the locked posture is a posture in which the handrail is in a horizontal state, when the double rotation directions centered on the first axis are a first a rotation direction and a first b rotation direction, respectively, and the double rotation directions centered on the second axis are a second a rotation direction and a second b rotation direction, respectively, the first a rotation direction is a direction in which the handrail rotates downward in the locked posture, 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 a rotation direction and a contact end surface in which a tooth end of the locking tooth is provided, 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, when the locking tooth is inserted into the locking groove, in the locking tooth, the contact side surface is in contact with the first a inner surface, and the contact end surface is in contact with the first b inner surface, so that the handrail is distributed with a force rotating in the first a rotation direction by the first a inner surface and the first b inner surface to the cam member in opposite rotation directions.

13. The locking device of claim 11, wherein, Further comprising a hinge shaft that forms the second axis and is combined with the cam member, and has a free stop function.

14. An in-vehicle handrail assembly, characterized by, Comprise: a handrail support; a handrail capable of rotating about a first axis of the handrail support and changing a posture as it rotates; a cam member capable of rotating about a second axis parallel to the first axis; a rotator connected to the handrail and rotating together with the handrail, and contactively transmitting a force by which the handrail rotates to the cam member to control rotation of the cam member, the rotator has a locking tooth that moves through a locking position between the first axis and the second axis when rotating, and the cam member has a locking groove capable of moving through the locking position by contact rotation control of the rotator, if the posture of the handrail is changed to a locked posture, the locking tooth and the locking groove move to the locking position so that the locking tooth is inserted into the locking groove.

15. The vehicle-mounted handrail assembly according to claim 14, wherein the posture of the handrail can be changed to a first posture in which a front end faces forward, a second posture facing downward, or a third posture facing rearward, and the second posture and the third posture are maintained due to rotation restriction of a stopper, the locked posture is the first posture.

16. The vehicle-mounted handrail assembly according to claim 15, wherein the handrail support is disposed between a driver's seat and a front passenger's seat of a front seat, when the first posture, the handrail is provided to an occupant of the front seat, and when the third posture, the handrail is provided to an occupant of a rear seat.

17. The vehicle-mounted handrail assembly according to claim 15, wherein the handrail support includes a support member that supports the handrail in an erected state so that the handrail can rotate about the first axis, when the second posture, the handrail is folded with respect to the support member.

18. The vehicle handrail assembly of claim 14, wherein, the handrail support includes: a fixed member; A movable member is coupled to the fixed member in a manner that the movable member is movable in a horizontal direction. A support member is provided on the movable member and supports the handrail to enable the handrail to rotate about the first shaft.

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