Vehicle seat with adaptive armrest

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle seat with an adaptive armrest, characterized in that the vehicle seat has a backrest assembly which is pivotably movable relative to a floor in the vehicle and an armrest assembly which is pivotably connected to the backrest assembly relative to the backrest assembly, in the use position of the armrest assembly, the backrest assembly and the armrest assembly can be jointed in a movement transmission manner by means of a first clutch structure, and when the backrest assembly pivots, the armrest assembly can be driven to pivot in the direction opposite to the backrest assembly by an armrest rotating shaft on the backrest assembly side through the first clutch structure, so that the armrest assembly can be kept in the use position; the backrest assembly and the armrest assembly are connected in a movement-transmitting mode by means of a second clutch structure in the folded position of the armrest assembly, and when the backrest assembly pivots, the backrest assembly can drive the armrest assembly to pivot in the same direction through the second clutch structure, so that the armrest assembly can be kept in the folded position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle seat with an adaptive armrest. Background Art

[0002] In conventional vehicle seats, the armrest is usually fixed to the backrest in a non-pivotable manner. When the backrest is in the initial design position, the armrest is in a horizontal position for use; while when the backrest is adjusted forward or backward, the armrest will be driven by the backrest to pivot synchronously in the same direction and tilt downward or upward. This results in the undesirably tilted armrest no longer being comfortable for the occupant when the backrest is adjusted to a comfortable position for the occupant.

[0003] In addition, in some situations, the armrest in the use position is obstructive. For example, for a occupant with a wider body, the body may be uncomfortable due to the lateral compression of the horizontal armrest when sitting.

[0004] The armrests of some vehicle seats are arranged to remain horizontal as the backrest is adjusted, but an independent drive motor and control system need to be provided for the armrests, which increases space requirements and costs. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat with an adaptive armrest, which can solve at least one of the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a vehicle seat with an adaptive armrest, characterized in that the vehicle seat has a backrest assembly that can pivot relative to the vehicle interior floor and an armrest assembly that is connected to the backrest assembly and can pivot relative to the backrest assembly, and the armrest assembly has at least one use position that is pivoted further away from the backrest assembly and a stowed position that is pivoted closer to the backrest assembly.

[0007] In the use position of the armrest assembly, the backrest assembly and the armrest assembly are engaged in a motion-transmitting manner by means of a first clutch structure, and when the backrest assembly pivots, the armrest assembly can be driven to pivot in the opposite direction to the backrest assembly via the armrest shaft on the backrest assembly side via the first clutch structure, so that the armrest assembly can be maintained in the use position, and

[0008] In the stowed position of the armrest assembly, the backrest assembly and the armrest assembly are engaged in a motion-transmitting manner by means of a second clutch structure. When the backrest assembly pivots, the backrest assembly can drive the armrest assembly to pivot in the same direction via the second clutch structure, so that the armrest assembly can be maintained in the stowed position.

[0009] In the present invention, the terms "backrest assembly side" and "armrest assembly side" are not absolutely divided according to the location, but are divided more in consideration of the functional implementation.

[0010] For example, during adjustment of the backrest inclination, the armrest can always remain in the use position for the comfort of the occupant's arms, ie, the armrest is adaptive, or always remain in its stowed position without hindering the occupant.

[0011] Advantageously, in the use position of the armrest assembly, the first clutch structure is in an engaged state and the second clutch structure is in a disengaged state; and in the stowed position of the armrest assembly, the first clutch structure is in a disengaged state and the second clutch structure is in an engaged state.

[0012] Advantageously, the first clutch structure comprises an armrest drive protrusion disposed on the armrest shaft on the backrest assembly side and a drive groove section on the armrest assembly side. In the use position of the armrest assembly, the armrest drive protrusion stops in the drive groove section.

[0013] Advantageously, in the stowed position of the armrest assembly, the armrest drive projection can be moved in a release section on the armrest assembly side without being blocked.

[0014] Advantageously, the first clutch structure is configured as a ratchet and pawl mechanism, which comprises a ratchet wheel arranged on the armrest shaft on the backrest assembly side and a pawl on the armrest assembly side, wherein the ratchet wheel and the pawl are engaged with each other in the use position of the armrest assembly.

[0015] Advantageously, in the stowed position of the armrest assembly, the ratchet and pawl are disengaged from each other.

[0016] Advantageously, the ratchet wheel has a plurality of teeth, and the armrest assembly is placed in different use positions by meshing the ratchet pawl with different teeth.

[0017] Advantageously, the ratchet and pawl mechanism further comprises a paddle overlapped with the ratchet and pivotally movable relative to the ratchet, wherein the paddle can assist the armrest assembly to pivot from the stowed position to the lowest use position.

[0018] Advantageously, a guide groove is provided on one of the paddle and the ratchet, and a guide pin is provided on the other, and as the paddle pivots relative to the ratchet, the guide pin moves from one end of the guide groove to the other end of the guide groove.

[0019] Advantageously, a guide groove is provided on the paddle, and a guide pin is provided on the ratchet. When the armrest assembly is in the lowest use position, the guide pin stops at the upper end position of the guide groove, so as to limit the engagement of the pawl with the lowest tooth of the ratchet by limiting the position of the paddle.

[0020] Advantageously, when the pawl moves to engage with different teeth of the ratchet wheel, the pawl is located below the paddle to urge the paddle to rotate relative to the ratchet wheel.

[0021] Advantageously, after the ratchet and the pawl are disengaged from each other, the pawl can slide along the outer contour surface of the paddle.

[0022] Advantageously, an outer contour surface along which the pawl can slide of the paddle exceeds an outer contour surface of the teeth of the ratchet wheel in radial direction.

[0023] Advantageously, the first clutch structure is configured as a recliner mechanism, which comprises a toothed plate connected to the armrest shaft and a toothed plate connected to the armrest assembly, wherein the two toothed plates are engaged with each other in the use position of the armrest assembly.

[0024] Advantageously, in the stowed position of the armrest assembly, the two toothed plates are disengaged from each other.

[0025] Advantageously, the armrest assembly is placed in different use positions by the meshing of the two toothed plates at different tooth row sections.

[0026] Advantageously, the vehicle seat has a backrest motor, which is used not only for driving the backrest assembly to pivot, but also for synchronously driving the armrest shaft to rotate.

[0027] Advantageously, the backrest motor drives the backrest assembly to pivot via a backrest transmission shaft, and the backrest transmission shaft can transmit its rotational motion to the armrest rotation shaft via a rotational transmission path for transmitting the rotational motion.

[0028] Advantageously, the rotational transmission path comprises a vertical transmission system which transmits the rotational movement in the height direction of the backrest assembly, thereby transmitting the rotational movement from the low point position of the backrest transmission shaft to the high point position at the connection part of the armrest assembly on the backrest assembly.

[0029] Advantageously, the vertical drive train is designed as a chain drive, a belt drive, or a gear-flexible shaft drive.

[0030] Advantageously, the rotation transmission path comprises a reversing mechanism, through which the rotation direction of the armrest rotation shaft is opposite to the rotation direction of the backrest transmission shaft.

[0031] Advantageously, the reversing mechanism is configured as a concentric angle adjuster, which can make its rotation output direction opposite to its rotation input direction.

[0032] Advantageously, the backrest transmission shaft is connected to a backrest angle adjuster of the backrest assembly, and the backrest angle adjuster can make its rotation output direction the same as its rotation input direction.

[0033] Advantageously, the rotational transmission path has a transmission ratio which is designed such that, in the use position of the armrest assembly, when the backrest assembly pivots, the armrest shaft drives the armrest assembly to pivot in the opposite direction via the first clutch structure, so that the armrest assembly can remain in the use position.

[0034] Advantageously, the second clutch structure includes a folding locking shaft on the armrest assembly side and a folding locking groove section on the backrest assembly side. In the folded position of the armrest assembly, the folding locking shaft stops in the folding locking groove section to lock the relative positions of the backrest assembly and the armrest assembly.

[0035] Advantageously, in the use position of the armrest assembly, the stowage locking shaft can be moved in a release section on the backrest assembly side without being blocked.

[0036] Advantageously, the folding locking groove section is formed in a folding locking bracket on the backrest assembly side, and the folding locking bracket is provided with a support stop point hole next to the folding locking groove section, and the support stop point on the support bracket on the backrest assembly side is accommodated in the support stop point hole, and the support bracket is made of a harder material than the folding locking bracket. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with the aid of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the drawings and described in detail below. The accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0038] Figure 1a A partial view schematically shows a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 1b Schematically shown Figure 1a An exploded view of a vehicle seat portion;

[0040] Figure 1c Schematically shown Figure 1a Another exploded view of a portion of a vehicle seat;

[0041] Figure 2 Schematically shown Figure 1a An exploded view of the chain drive assembly in FIG.

[0042] Figure 3a Schematically shown Figure 1a A three-dimensional diagram of the commutator angle adjuster assembly;

[0043] Figure 3b Schematically shown Figure 1a An exploded view of the commutator angle adjuster assembly in FIG.

[0044] Figure 4a A perspective view schematically showing the armrest shaft;

[0045] Figure 4b A side view schematically showing the armrest shaft;

[0046] Figure 5a Schematically shown Figure 1a A three-dimensional diagram of the armrest assembly in FIG.

[0047] Figure 5b Schematically shown Figure 1a Exploded view of the armrest assembly in;

[0048] Figure 6a Schematically shown Figure 1a A three-dimensional view of a portion of the armrest assembly with the outer side panel removed;

[0049] Figure 6b Schematically shown Figure 1a A side view of a portion of the armrest assembly with the outer side panel removed;

[0050] Figure 7a A perspective view schematically showing a handrail drive bracket;

[0051] Figure 7b schematically showing a side view of a handrail drive bracket;

[0052] Figure 8a A perspective view schematically showing a stowed locking bracket;

[0053] Figure 8b schematically showing a side view of a stowed locking bracket;

[0054] Figure 9a Schematically showing another partial view of a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 9b Schematically shown Figure 9a A sectional view of a portion of a vehicle seat at a section line AA;

[0056] Figures 10a to 10c The vehicle seat is schematically shown in the states of the backrest assembly being adjusted forward, the backrest assembly being in the initial position, and the backrest assembly being adjusted backward, respectively, wherein the armrest assembly is in the stowed position;

[0057] Figures 11a to 11c They are schematically shown in Figures 10a to 10c In the corresponding vehicle seat state, the first clutch structure is always in a disengaged state;

[0058] Figures 12a to 12c They are schematically shown in Figures 10a to 10c In the corresponding vehicle seat state, the second clutch structure is always in an engaged state;

[0059] Figures 13a to 13cThe vehicle seat is schematically shown in the states of the backrest assembly being adjusted forward, the backrest assembly being in the initial position, and the backrest assembly being adjusted backward, respectively, wherein the armrest assembly is in the use position;

[0060] Figures 14a to 14c They are schematically shown in Figures 13a to 13c In the corresponding vehicle seat state, the first clutch structure is always in an engaged state;

[0061] Figures 15a to 15c They are schematically shown in Figures 13a to 13c In the corresponding vehicle seat state, the second clutch structure is always in a disengaged state;

[0062] Fig.16a A side view schematically shows an armrest assembly with a ratchet and pawl structure of a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0063] Fig.16b Schematically shown Fig.16a A three-dimensional diagram of the armrest assembly in FIG.

[0064] Fig.17 Schematically shown Fig.16a A three-dimensional diagram of a paddle with a ratchet and pawl structure;

[0065] Fig.18 Schematically shown Fig.16a A three-dimensional diagram of a ratchet wheel of a ratchet pawl structure;

[0066] Fig.19 Schematically shown Fig.16a A three-dimensional diagram of the assembly state of the paddle and the ratchet of the ratchet pawl structure;

[0067] Fig.20a Schematically shown Fig.16a A three-dimensional diagram of a ratchet and pawl structure in which the middle teeth of the ratchet wheel are engaged with the tooth grooves of the pawl;

[0068] Fig.20b Schematically shown Fig.20a Another stereoscopic view of the ratchet and pawl structure in FIG.

[0069] Fig.21a Schematically shown Fig.16a A three-dimensional diagram of a ratchet and pawl structure in which the ratchet and pawl are disengaged;

[0070] Figure 21b Schematically shown Fig.21a Another stereoscopic view of the ratchet and pawl structure in FIG.

[0071] Fig.22a The state of the ratchet and pawl structure when the armrest assembly is in a downwardly tilted use position is schematically shown;

[0072] Figure 22b The state of the ratchet and pawl structure when the armrest assembly is in a horizontal use position is schematically shown;

[0073] Fig.22c The state of the ratchet and pawl structure when the armrest assembly is in an upwardly tilted use position is schematically shown;

[0074] Fig.22d The state of the ratchet and pawl structure when the armrest assembly is in the retracted position is schematically shown;

[0075] Fig.22e The state of the ratchet and pawl structure when the armrest assembly is in the stowed position is schematically shown;

[0076] Fig.23 The schematic diagram shows two armrest assemblies of a vehicle seat in different use positions;

[0077] Fig.24a A partial view schematically shows a vehicle seat according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which a recliner mechanism is used as a first clutch structure;

[0078] Figure 24b Schematically shown Fig.24a An exploded view of a vehicle seat portion;

[0079] Fig.24c Schematically shown Fig.24a Another exploded view of a portion of a vehicle seat;

[0080] Fig.24d Schematically showing another partial view of a vehicle seat according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0081] Fig.24e Schematically shown Fig.24d A sectional view of a portion of a vehicle seat at a section line BB;

[0082] Fig.25a Schematically shown Fig.24a The disengagement state of the inner tooth plate and the outer tooth plate of the recliner mechanism;

[0083] Fig.25b Schematically shown Fig.24a The engagement state of the inner tooth plate and the outer tooth plate of the recliner mechanism;

[0084] Figures 26a to 26c schematically showing the vehicle seat in the states of the backrest assembly being adjusted forward, the backrest assembly being in the initial position, and the backrest assembly being adjusted backward, wherein the two armrest assemblies are in different use positions; and

[0085] Fig. 27A partial view of a vehicle seat according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown, in which a gear-cable shaft mechanism is used instead of a chain drive. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0086] Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described below. In this specification, for the sake of explanation only, various systems, structures and devices are schematically depicted in the accompanying drawings, but all features of the actual systems, structures and devices are not described, such as well-known functions or structures are not described in detail, so as to avoid unnecessary details that make the present invention unclear. Of course, it should be understood that in any practical application, many specific implementation decisions need to be made to achieve the specific goals of the developer or user, and system-related and industry-related restrictions need to be followed, and these specific goals may vary from practical application to practical application. In addition, it should be understood that such specific implementation decisions are complex and time-consuming, but this is a routine task for those of ordinary skill in the art who benefit from the present invention.

[0087] The terms and phrases used herein should be understood and interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the understanding of such terms and phrases by those skilled in the relevant art. Consistent usage of a term or phrase herein is not intended to imply a special definition of the term or phrase, i.e., a definition that is different from the ordinary and customary meaning as understood by those skilled in the art. For terms or phrases that are intended to have a special meaning, i.e., a meaning that is different from that understood by those skilled in the art, such special definition will be explicitly listed in the specification as a definition, directly and unambiguously giving the special definition of the term or phrase.

[0088] Unless required by the context, throughout the following specification, the word "include" and variations such as "comprising" and "having" are to be interpreted in an open, inclusive sense, that is, such as "including but not limited to".

[0089] Figure 1a to Figure 1c The left side of the vehicle seat 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown in different views. The following description will only take the left side of the vehicle seat 1 as an example, but it is also conceivable that the same or similar components can be correspondingly arranged at the right symmetrical position.

[0090] The vehicle may be an automobile, such as a car or a commercial vehicle, etc. Next, a vehicle xyz coordinate system is established according to conventional techniques in the field of automobile engineering, so as to facilitate the subsequent description of the relative positions of various parts in the present invention.

[0091] See also Figure 1a to Figure 1cThe vehicle seat 1 may include components that are already present in a conventional vehicle seat 1: a backrest motor 10 for driving the backrest assembly 50 for tilt adjustment, a backrest drive shaft 20 that can be driven to rotate by the backrest motor 10, a backrest assembly 50 that can be driven to pivot by the backrest drive shaft 20 with the aid of a backrest adjuster 52, and an armrest assembly 70 arranged on the side of the backrest assembly 50.

[0092] In the present invention, the armrest assembly 70 of the vehicle seat 1 can achieve the following functions: Figures 10a to 10c As shown, in the stowed state (or stowed position) of the armrest assembly 70, the armrest assembly 70 can be arranged side by side (or parallel) with the backrest assembly 50 and locked to the backrest assembly 50, and can be driven by the backrest assembly 50 to pivot relative to the seat cushion assembly 80 (or the vehicle interior floor) during the pivoting movement of the backrest assembly 50; Figures 13a to 13c As shown, in the use state (or use position) of the armrest assembly 70, the armrest assembly 70 can maintain itself in the use position during the pivoting movement of the backrest assembly 50, that is, it remains non-pivoting relative to the seat cushion assembly 80 (or the vehicle interior floor).

[0093] For this purpose, in the first embodiment of the vehicle seat 1, a first armrest operating system is added. Figure 1a to Figure 1c , the first armrest operating system generally may include:

[0094] Chain drive assembly 30 on the backrest assembly side;

[0095] The reversing recliner assembly 40 on the backrest assembly side has an armrest shaft 44 that can be driven by the chain drive assembly 30 to rotate, and the armrest shaft 44 has an armrest driving protrusion 44.1;

[0096] An armrest drive bracket 71 on the armrest assembly side, which cooperates with the armrest drive protrusion 44.1 to drive the armrest assembly 70 to pivot in the opposite direction relative to the backrest assembly 50 in the use position of the armrest assembly 70 so that the armrest assembly 70 is adaptively maintained in its use position;

[0097] A support bracket 51 and a stowage locking bracket 60 on the backrest assembly side;

[0098] The stowage locking shaft 72.1 on the armrest assembly side cooperates with the stowage locking bracket 60 to lock the relative position of the armrest assembly 70 with respect to the backrest assembly 50 in the stowed position of the armrest assembly 70 so as to lock the armrest assembly 70 in its stowed position.

[0099] Next, the specific structure, connection relationship and function implementation of each component in the first embodiment are described in detail.

[0100] See also Figures 1a to 1c The original backrest recliner 52 can be arranged at the hinge of the backrest assembly 50 on the seat cushion assembly 80 to constitute its pivot axis. The movable plate of the backrest recliner 52 can be fixed to the backrest assembly 50, so that the backrest assembly 50 can pivot with the rotation of the movable plate. The backrest recliner 52 can usually be constructed eccentrically, so that the backrest assembly 50 will also have displacement in the x-direction and z-direction while pivoting. However, it is also conceivable that the backrest recliner 52 is constructed concentrically, so that the backrest assembly 50 can only pivot.

[0101] The backrest transmission shaft 20 may be at least partially configured as a spline shaft, which may be spline-connected to the backrest recliner 52. Therefore, the backrest motor 10 may drive the movable plate of the backrest recliner 52 to rotate by means of the backrest transmission shaft 20, so as to drive the backrest assembly 50 to pivot relative to the cushion assembly 80. The backrest recliner 52 may generally be configured in a normal manner, so that the rotation direction of the backrest transmission shaft 20 is the same as the rotation direction of the movable plate of the backrest recliner 52, and thus the pivoting direction of the backrest assembly 50. In other embodiments, it is also conceivable that the backrest recliner 52 is reversely installed, so that the rotation direction of the backrest transmission shaft 20 is opposite to the rotation direction of the movable plate of the backrest recliner 52, and thus the pivoting direction of the backrest assembly 50.

[0102] See also Figure 2 The chain drive assembly 30 may include a chain drive mechanism, which may include an upper sprocket 33, a lower sprocket 34, and a chain 32 connecting them, which may be at least partially covered on both sides in the y direction by a cover 31 and a cover 35. In some embodiments, a belt drive mechanism may also be considered, which may include two pulleys and a belt connecting them.

[0103] The chain transmission mechanism can be arranged roughly vertically on the y-direction inner side of the backrest assembly 50, so that the lower sprocket 34 is coaxially arranged with the backrest angle adjuster 52 on the inner side, and the upper sprocket 33 is coaxially arranged with the connection part of the armrest assembly 70 on the backrest assembly 50. The backrest transmission shaft 20 can pass through and be fixed to the central through hole of the lower sprocket 34, for example, a spline hole here, to drive the lower sprocket 34 to rotate. Of course, other fixing methods of the backrest transmission shaft 20 and the lower sprocket 34 are also conceivable, as long as the former can realize the rotational drive of the latter. The rotational movement of the lower sprocket 34 can be transmitted to the upper sprocket 33 through the chain 32. Therefore, the backrest motor 10 and the backrest transmission shaft 20 originally provided can simultaneously drive the backrest angle adjuster 52 and the lower sprocket 34, or can simultaneously drive the pivoting movement of the backrest assembly 50 and the rotational movement of the upper sprocket 33.

[0104] In the case where the backrest recliner 52 is an eccentric recliner, the backrest drive shaft 20 will be driven by the backrest recliner 52 to be displaced in the x-direction and the z-direction when rotating. In order not to damage the chain drive mechanism, the lower sprocket 34 can also be correspondingly designed to be eccentric, that is, the central through hole of the lower sprocket 34 is eccentrically arranged to compensate for the eccentricity of the backrest recliner 52.

[0105] The chain drive assembly 30 may also include a handrail transmission shaft 36, which may pass through the central through hole of the upper sprocket wheel 33 with its inner end in the y direction and be fixed to the upper sprocket wheel 33, so that the upper sprocket wheel 33 can drive the handrail transmission shaft 36 to rotate. Here, the handrail transmission shaft 36 may be configured as a spline shaft, and the outer spline may extend in the entire longitudinal direction of the handrail transmission shaft 36. The central through hole of the upper sprocket wheel 33 may be configured as a spline hole. Of course, other fixing methods of the upper sprocket wheel 33 and the handrail transmission shaft 36 are also conceivable, as long as the former can achieve the rotation transmission of the latter.

[0106] See also Figure 3a and Figure 3b as well as Figure 9b The reversing recliner assembly 40 may include a support sheet metal 41 fixed to the backrest assembly 50, a reversing recliner 42 fixed to the support sheet metal 41 with a fixed plate, an adapter plate 43 fixed to the movable plate of the reversing recliner 42 and capable of being driven to rotate, and an armrest shaft 44 fixed to the adapter plate 43 with an inner end in the y direction and capable of being driven to rotate. Different from the backrest recliner 52, the reversing recliner 42 is concentrically constructed. The armrest transmission shaft 36 may be connected to the reversing recliner 42 with its outer end in the y direction and can drive its movable plate to rotate, thereby driving the armrest shaft 44 to rotate.

[0107] It is important here that the installation method of the reversing angle adjuster 42 is opposite to that of the backrest angle adjuster 52, so that the rotating disks of the two are opposite. For example, in the case where the backrest angle adjuster 52 is installed upright, the reversing angle adjuster 42 is installed reversely. In other words, the reversing angle adjuster 42 is designed so that the rotation directions of the armrest transmission shaft 36 as the input shaft and the armrest rotating shaft 44 as the output shaft are opposite to each other to achieve reversal. In addition, it is conceivable that in addition to using the reversing angle adjuster 42 for reversing, other forms of reversing mechanisms for reversing can also be conceived.

[0108] Here, the rotation direction of the armrest transmission shaft 36 is the same as that of the backrest transmission shaft 20 based on the chain drive, and is the same as the pivot direction of the backrest assembly 50, so the rotation direction of the armrest rotation shaft 44 is opposite to the pivot direction of the backrest assembly 50. This is necessary for the self-retaining adjustment of the armrest assembly 70 in the use position to be described below, because the armrest rotation shaft 44 can drive the armrest assembly 70 to pivot in the opposite direction.

[0109] See also Figure 4a and Figure 4bThe armrest shaft 44 may be provided with a slot 44.2 and a spline section 44.3 on its outer end in the y direction. Figure 5b to Figure 6b The armrest assembly 70 may have an armrest mounting mechanism 73 disposed in the armrest frame 72, and the armrest assembly 70 is pivotally connected to the armrest shaft 44 by means of the armrest mounting mechanism 73, and is axially stopped in the slot 44.2 by a stop ring 73.1 of the armrest mounting mechanism 73, which is an Ω ring in this case. Specifically, the armrest shaft 44 may pass through the frame hole 72.2 disposed on the inner side plate 72.3 of the armrest frame 72 with its spline section 44.3, and then be inserted into the armrest mounting mechanism 73 (but the armrest assembly 70 is not driven to pivot by the spline section 44.3), and then the stop ring 73.1 is snapped into the slot 44.2 to prevent the armrest assembly 70 from axially disengaging from the armrest shaft 44. A specific embodiment of the armrest mounting mechanism 73 can be found in the prior utility model patent (CN217396326U) of the present applicant, and its disclosure constitutes part of the content of the present invention patent by reference.

[0110] See also Figure 4a and Figure 4b The armrest shaft 44 may be provided with an armrest drive protrusion 44.1 in the lateral direction at a substantially middle position in the y direction. The armrest drive protrusion 44.1 is configured to protrude laterally from the armrest shaft peripheral wall. In the use position of the armrest assembly 70, the armrest shaft 44 may drive the armrest assembly 70 to pivot by means of its armrest drive protrusion 44.1. This will be described in more detail below.

[0111] See also Figure 5a and Figure 5b The armrest assembly 70 may be fixedly provided with an armrest drive bracket 71, for example made of elastic plastic, on the inner side of the inner side plate 72.3 of the armrest frame 72 at the frame hole 72.2, which may cooperate with the armrest drive protrusion 44.1 of the armrest shaft 44. Figure 7a and Figure 7b The handrail drive bracket 71 may be provided with a cavity 71.3 through which the handrail shaft 44 passes, and the cavity 71.3 is defined by a shaped circumferential inner contour. The circumferential inner contour may have a drive groove section 71.1, see Figures 14a to 14c In the use position of the armrest assembly 70, the armrest drive protrusion 44.1 of the armrest shaft 44 can be accommodated in the drive groove section 71.1 and stopped on both sides in the drive groove section 71.1, so that the armrest shaft 44 can drive the armrest drive bracket 71 and the armrest assembly 70 to which it is fixed to rotate together when rotating.

[0112] Since the rotation direction of the armrest shaft 44 is opposite to the pivot direction of the backrest assembly 50, when the occupant moves the backrest assembly 50 of the vehicle seat 1 from Fig.13bThe backrest design position shown (or backrest initial position) is adjusted or pivoted forwards, for example, by 10° to Fig.13a During the process of adjusting the forward position shown, the backrest motor 10 drives the backrest assembly 50 to pivot forward, for example, 10°, and the backrest assembly 50 drives the armrest assembly 70 to pivot downward, for example, 10°, but at the same time, the backrest motor 10 drives the armrest shaft 44 to rotate in the opposite direction through the chain drive assembly 30 and the reversing angle adjuster assembly 40, and the armrest shaft 44 then drives the armrest assembly 70 to pivot upward again, for example, 10°, thereby offsetting the downward pivoting movement of the armrest assembly 70 along with the backrest assembly 50, so that the armrest assembly 70 remains in a horizontal use position.

[0113] Similarly, when the occupant moves the backrest assembly 50 of the vehicle seat 1 from Fig.13b The backrest design position shown is adjusted or pivoted backwards, for example, by 28° to Fig.13c During the process of the rearward adjustment position shown, the backrest motor 10 drives the backrest assembly 50 to pivot rearward, for example, 28°, and the backrest assembly 50 will drive the armrest assembly 70 to pivot upward, for example, 28°, but at the same time, the backrest motor 10 drives the armrest shaft 44 to rotate in the opposite direction through the chain drive assembly 30 and the reversing angle adjuster assembly 40, and the armrest shaft 44 then drives the armrest assembly 70 to pivot downward, for example, 28°, thereby offsetting the upward pivoting movement of the armrest assembly 70 along with the backrest assembly 50, so that the armrest assembly 70 remains in a horizontal use position, avoiding the unsightly position of the armrest assembly 70 "sky rocket".

[0114] Here, since the pivoting movement of the backrest assembly 50 and the opposite pivoting movement of the armrest assembly 70 are driven by the same backrest motor 10 and the backrest transmission shaft 20, the transmission ratio of the two transmission paths can be set by setting the diameter ratio of the upper sprocket 33 and the lower sprocket 34 of the chain transmission assembly 30, that is, the ratio of the pivoting speed of the backrest assembly 50 and the opposite pivoting speed of the armrest assembly 70 is set, so that during the pivoting movement of the backrest assembly 50, the armrest assembly 70 is always maintained in the same use position with a constant angle relative to the seat cushion assembly 80 through the reverse drive of the armrest shaft 44, for example, an approximately horizontal use position. It is also conceivable that the ratio of the pivoting speeds of the two can be related to the transmission ratio design of the backrest recliner 52 and the reversing recliner 42 themselves.

[0115] See also Figure 7a and Figure 7bThe circumferential inner contour of the armrest drive bracket 71 may also have a release section 71.2, the radial distance between the release section 71.2 and the longitudinal axis of the armrest shaft 44 is greater than the radial distance between the radial outermost side of the armrest drive protrusion 44.1 of the armrest shaft 44 and the longitudinal axis of the armrest shaft 44, so that when the armrest drive protrusion 44.1 of the armrest shaft 44 is in the release section 71.2 (at this time the armrest assembly 70 is in its stowed position), the armrest drive protrusion 44.1 can rotate freely in the release section 71.2 without being stopped by the release section 71.2, so that the rotational movement of the armrest shaft 44 will not drive the armrest assembly 70 to pivot.

[0116] See Figures 10a to 10c In the stowed position, the armrest assembly 70 is substantially against the side of the backrest assembly 50 over its entire length, or the two are substantially arranged side by side or in parallel. Figures 10a to 10c Corresponding to Figures 11a to 11c As can be seen in the figure, in each stowed position of the armrest assembly 70, the armrest drive protrusion 44.1 of the armrest shaft 44 can be in the release section 71.2 and can move freely in the release section 71.2 during the pivoting movement of the backrest assembly 50 without being stopped by the armrest drive bracket 71, thereby achieving the decoupling of the movement of the armrest shaft 44 and the armrest assembly 70. The armrest assembly 70 in the stowed position is only driven by the backrest assembly 50 to pivot together, which will be described below.

[0117] See also Figure 1c A substantially bowl-shaped support bracket 51 made of metal, for example, can be fixedly connected to the outer side of the backrest assembly 50, for example, by screws, and the armrest shaft 44 can pass through its central through hole, so that the armrest shaft 44 can be strongly supported by the support bracket 51. The support bracket 51 can be provided with a support stop point 51.1 configured as a hard stop point on its outer side.

[0118] The stowage locking bracket 60, which is made of elastic plastic, for example, can be fitted onto the support bracket 51 from the outside and can be fixedly connected to the outside of the backrest assembly 50, for example, by the same screws. Figure 8a and Figure 8b The stowed locking bracket 60 may have a support stop point hole 62 for accommodating the support stop point 51.1. The support stop point 51.1 of the metal material may be accommodated in the support stop point hole 62 and reinforce the plastic material around the hole 62.

[0119] In cooperation with the stowed locking bracket 60, see Figure 5a and Figure 5b A stowage locking shaft 72.1 extending toward the stowage locking bracket 60 may be fixedly disposed on the armrest frame 72 at the radially outer side of the frame hole 72.2. Figure 8a and Figure 8b The stowage locking bracket 60 may be provided with a recessed cavity 63 through which the armrest shaft 44 passes, and the recessed cavity 63 is defined by a shaped circumferential inner contour. The circumferential inner contour may have a stowage locking groove section 61 that cooperates with the stowage locking shaft 72.1. Figures 11a to 11c In the folded position of the armrest assembly 70, the folding locking shaft 72.1 on the armrest frame 72 can be accommodated in the folding locking groove section 61 of the folding locking bracket 60 on the backrest assembly 50 and stopped on both sides in the folding locking groove section 61, so that the armrest frame 72 is locked on the backrest assembly 50 and cannot pivot relative to each other, and can drive the armrest assembly 70 to pivot when the backrest assembly 50 pivots.

[0120] Thus, in the stowed position of the armrest assembly 70, due to the stop of the stowage locking shaft 72.1 fixed to the armrest frame 72 in the stowage locking groove section 61 of the stowage locking bracket 60 fixed to the backrest assembly 50, when the occupant moves the backrest assembly 50 of the vehicle seat 1 from Fig.10b The backrest design position shown is adjusted or pivoted forwards, for example, by 10° to Fig.10a During the process of adjusting the forward position shown in FIG. 1 , the backrest assembly 50 drives the armrest assembly 70 to adjust forward or pivot, for example, 10°; similarly, when the occupant moves the backrest assembly 50 of the vehicle seat 1 from Fig.10b The backrest design position shown is adjusted or pivoted backwards, for example, by 28° to Fig.10c During the process of adjusting the position backward shown, the backrest assembly 50 drives the armrest assembly 70 to adjust backward or pivot, for example, 28°. Therefore, in each stowed position of the armrest assembly 70, the backrest assembly 50 and the armrest assembly 70 can always keep the relative position unchanged.

[0121] Also, see Figures 12a to 12c In the stowed position of the armrest assembly 70, the support stop point hole 62 of the stowed locking bracket 60 is arranged next to the path of the stowed locking shaft 72.1 continuing to rotate counterclockwise relative to the stowed locking bracket 60, so that the metal support stop point 51.1 accommodated in the support stop point hole 62 can auxiliary support to prevent the stowed locking shaft 72.1 from continuing to rotate counterclockwise relative to the stowed locking bracket 60, that is, to prevent the armrest assembly 70 in the stowed position from undesirably pivoting backward away from the stowed position when continuing to be forced backward.

[0122] See also Figure 8a and Figure 8bThe circumferential inner contour of the stowed locking bracket 60 may also have a release section 64, the radial distance of the release section 64 from the longitudinal axis of the armrest shaft 44 (or the frame hole 72.2) is greater than the radial distance of the stowed locking shaft 72.1 or its radial outermost side from the longitudinal axis of the armrest shaft 44, so that the stowed locking shaft 72.1 can rotate freely in the release section 64 without being stopped by the stowed locking bracket 60. Figures 15a to 15c In each use position of the armrest assembly 70 , the stowage locking shaft 72 . 1 is always in the release section 64 and does not enter the stowage locking groove section 61 .

[0123] Therefore, it can be summarized as follows: in the first embodiment, there are two sets of clutch structures. The first clutch structure includes the armrest driving protrusion 44.1 of the armrest rotating shaft 44 on the backrest assembly side and the driving groove section 71.1 of the armrest driving bracket 71 on the armrest assembly side, which can be engaged with and disengaged from each other; the second clutch structure includes the stowage locking shaft 72.1 on the armrest assembly side and the stowage locking groove section 61 of the stowage locking bracket 60 on the backrest assembly side, which can be engaged with and disengaged from each other.

[0124] The two sets of clutch mechanisms have different clutch states in the stowed position and the use position of the armrest assembly 70. Specifically:

[0125] In the stowed position of the armrest assembly 70, see Figures 11a to 11c , the first clutch structure, i.e., the armrest drive protrusion 44.1 of the armrest shaft 44 and the drive groove section 71.1 of the armrest drive bracket 71 are always disengaged from each other, thereby achieving that the rotational movement of the armrest shaft 44 does not drive the pivotal movement of the armrest assembly 70, that is, the armrest shaft 44 idles here; and see Figures 12a to 12c , the second clutch structure, i.e., the stowage locking shaft 72.1 on the armrest assembly 70 and the stowage locking groove section 61 of the stowage locking bracket 60 on the backrest assembly 50 are always engaged with each other, thereby achieving the relative fixation of the armrest assembly 70 on the backrest assembly 50, i.e., they cannot pivot relative to each other. It is conceivable that in the process of the armrest assembly 70 pivoting upward from the horizontal use position to the stowed position, the stowage locking shaft 72.1 rotates clockwise from the release section 64 of the stowage locking bracket 60 to the stowage locking groove section 61 and locks therein. Here, the support stop point 51.1 accommodated in the support stop point hole 62 provides an auxiliary support force to prevent the armrest assembly 70 from undesirably pivoting further backward relative to the backrest assembly 50 from the stowed position.

[0126] In the use position of the armrest assembly 70, see Figures 14a to 14cThe first clutch structure, i.e., the armrest drive protrusion 44.1 of the armrest shaft 44 and the drive groove section 71.1 of the armrest drive bracket 71 are engaged with each other, thereby realizing that the armrest shaft 44 can drive the armrest assembly 70 to pivot together during the rotation movement, so that the armrest assembly 70 pivots in the opposite direction during the pivot movement of the backrest assembly 50 and always maintains a horizontal use position; and referring to Figures 15a to 15c The second clutch structure, i.e., the folding locking shaft 72.1 on the armrest assembly 70 and the folding locking groove section 61 of the folding locking bracket 60 on the backrest assembly 50 are always disengaged from each other, thereby allowing relative pivotal movement of the armrest assembly 70 relative to the backrest assembly 50.

[0127] Figures 16a to 23 A vehicle seat 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. In the second embodiment of the vehicle seat 1, a second armrest operating system can be used instead of the first armrest operating system in the first embodiment. In the second armrest operating system, instead of the configuration of the first clutch structure in the first armrest operating system (i.e., the armrest drive protrusion 44.1 of the armrest shaft 44 and the drive groove section 71.1 of the armrest drive bracket 71), the first clutch structure uses a ratchet pawl mechanism.

[0128] The second armrest operating system can generally include:

[0129] Chain drive assembly 30 on the backrest assembly side;

[0130] The reversing recliner assembly 40 on the backrest assembly side has an armrest shaft 44 that can be driven by the chain drive assembly 30 to rotate, and the armrest shaft 44 has a ratchet 90;

[0131] A pawl 91 on the armrest assembly side cooperates with the ratchet 90 to drive the armrest assembly 70 to pivot in the opposite direction relative to the backrest assembly 50 in the use position of the armrest assembly 70 so that the armrest assembly 70 is adaptively maintained in its use position;

[0132] A support bracket 51 and a stowage locking bracket 60 on the backrest assembly side;

[0133] The stowage locking shaft 72.1 on the armrest assembly side cooperates with the stowage locking bracket 60 to lock the relative position of the armrest assembly 70 with respect to the backrest assembly 50 in the stowed position of the armrest assembly 70 so as to lock the armrest assembly 70 in its stowed position.

[0134] The following mainly introduces the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment. For other similarities or differences, reference may be made to the description of the first embodiment.

[0135] The ratchet and pawl mechanism may have a pawl 91 pivotably fixed to the inner side plate 72.3 of the armrest frame 72. The pawl 91 may have two teeth and a tooth groove 91.1 therebetween at its meshing end. The pawl 91 may replace the armrest drive bracket 71 in the first embodiment.

[0136] The ratchet pawl mechanism may include a ratchet 90 that cooperates with the pawl 91, and the ratchet 90 may be mounted on and fixed to the handrail shaft 44 in a non-rotatable manner. The ratchet 90 may replace the handrail drive protrusion 44.1 in the first embodiment. Fig.18 The ratchet wheel 90 may have a plurality of teeth 90.1 arranged successively at its lower part, here three teeth 90.1. Each tooth 90.1 may be engaged with a tooth groove 91.1 of the ratchet pawl 91, thereby forming three engagement positions of the two, which respectively correspond to three different use positions of the armrest assembly 70 that can be adjusted by the occupant.

[0137] Fig.22a The initial engagement position or the lowest engagement position of the ratchet 90 and the pawl 91 is shown, which may correspond to the downwardly inclined use position of the armrest assembly 70. In the downwardly inclined use position of the armrest assembly 70, the armrest assembly 70 may be slightly tilted downward, for example, 6° to 10°.

[0138] Fig.16a , Fig.16b and Figure 22b An intermediate meshing position of the ratchet 90 and the pawl 91 is illustrated, which may correspond to a horizontal use position of the armrest assembly 70. In the horizontal use position of the armrest assembly 70, the armrest assembly 70 may be oriented substantially horizontally.

[0139] Fig.22c The highest meshing position of the ratchet 90 and the pawl 91 is shown, which may correspond to the upwardly tilted use position of the armrest assembly 70. In the upwardly tilted use position of the armrest assembly 70, the armrest assembly 70 may be slightly tilted upward, for example, 6° to 10°.

[0140] The above three use positions of the armrest assembly 70 can be personalized according to the preferences of the passengers. In each use position, the pawl 91 can be firmly supported on the ratchet 90, so that as the armrest shaft 44 where the ratchet 90 is fixed rotates, the armrest assembly 70 is driven to pivot together. Therefore, in each use position of the armrest assembly 70, as in the first embodiment, the backrest motor 10 can simultaneously drive the backrest assembly 50 to pivot and the armrest assembly 70 to pivot in the opposite direction, so that during the pivoting process of the backrest assembly 50, the armrest assembly 70 can always be maintained in the set use position. It is conceivable that more use positions can also be set, for example, by setting more teeth 90.1 on the ratchet 90.

[0141] As in the first embodiment, the ratio of the pivoting speed of the backrest assembly 50 and the opposite pivoting speed of the armrest assembly 70 can be set by setting the diameter ratio of the upper sprocket 33 and the lower sprocket 34 of the chain drive assembly 30, so that the armrest assembly 70 always remains in any one of the three use positions during the pivoting movement of the backrest assembly 50. It is also conceivable that the ratio of the pivoting speeds of the two can be related to the transmission ratio design of the backrest recliner 52 and the reversing recliner 42 themselves.

[0142] See also Fig.22e , the armrest assembly 70 is shown in its stowed position. It can be seen here that the armrest assembly 70 has driven the pawl 91 to move until it is disengaged from the ratchet wheel 90. Therefore, in the stowed position of the armrest assembly 70, as in the first embodiment, the armrest shaft 44 can idle, that is, its rotational movement can no longer drive the armrest assembly 70 to pivot.

[0143] To assist in the adjustability of the armrest assembly 70 for different use positions, see Fig.17 , a paddle 92 may be provided, which may be mounted on the armrest shaft 44 in an overlapping manner with the ratchet 90, but may be rotatable relative to the armrest shaft 44 and thus the ratchet 90. The paddle 92 may be provided with an arc-shaped guide groove 92.1 on the side, which may be penetrated by a guide pin 90.2 provided on the side of the ratchet 90, so that the range in which the paddle 92 can rotate relative to the ratchet 90 is limited by the length of the guide groove 92.1, i.e., the guide pin 90.2 is stopped at the two end positions of the guide groove 92.1. It is conceivable that the guide groove 92.1 may also be provided on the ratchet 90, and the guide pin 90.2 may be provided on the paddle 92. In addition, see Fig.20b and Figure 21b The diameter of the paddle 92 may be greater than the diameter of the ratchet 90 , that is, the paddle 92 radially protrudes from the ratchet 90 .

[0144] Next, combine Figures 22a to 22eThe selection process of different usage positions of the armrest assembly 70 is described.

[0145] Fig.22a The armrest assembly 70 is shown in a downwardly tilted use position, where the lowermost tooth 90.1 of the ratchet wheel 90 is engaged in the tooth groove 91.1 of the pawl 91. At this time, the paddle 92 rotates downward to laterally cover the middle tooth 90.1 and the uppermost tooth 90.1 of the ratchet wheel 90, the guide pin 90.2 stops at the upper end position of the guide groove 92.1, and the paddle 92 is pressed against the upper side of the pawl 91.

[0146] The armrest assembly 70 is lifted upward so that the middle tooth 90.1 of the ratchet wheel 90 is engaged with the tooth groove 91.1 of the pawl 91, and the armrest assembly 70 can be adjusted to Figure 22b At this time, the paddle 92 is lifted by the ratchet 90 to only cover the uppermost tooth 90.1 of the ratchet 90 laterally, the guide pin 90.2 moves a certain distance toward the lower end position of the guide slot 92.1, and the paddle 92 is still pressed against the top of the pawl 91.

[0147] Continue to lift the armrest assembly 70 upward so that the uppermost tooth 90.1 of the ratchet wheel 90 engages with the tooth groove 91.1 of the pawl 91, and the armrest assembly 70 can be adjusted to Fig.22c At this time, the paddle 92 is lifted by the ratchet 90 to no longer laterally cover any teeth 90.1 of the ratchet 90, the guide pin 90.2 moves a further distance toward the lower end position of the guide slot 92.1, and the paddle 92 is still pressed against the top of the pawl 91.

[0148] At this point, the armrest assembly 70 is adjusted successively from the lowest use position to the horizontal use position and then to the highest use position. That is to say, in this second embodiment, the use position of the armrest assembly 70 is adjustable in stages.

[0149] Continue to lift the armrest assembly upwards 70 to enter Fig.22d In the retracted position shown, the ratchet 90 and the pawl 91 are now out of engagement. Since the guide pin 90.2 has stopped at the lower end position of the paddle 92, the paddle 92 cannot be driven by the pawl 91, but the pawl 91 can continue to slide along the outer edge or outer contour surface of the paddle 92.

[0150] Continue to lift the armrest assembly upwards 70 and finally reach Fig.22eIn the stowed position shown, the ratchet wheel 90 is disengaged from the pawl 91, and the tooth groove 91.1 of the pawl 91 is also far enough away from the tooth 90.1 of the ratchet wheel 90. The pawl 91 is still on the outer edge of the paddle 92. In the stowed position of the armrest assembly 70, during the process of adjusting the inclination angle of the backrest assembly 50, since the ratchet wheel 90 is disengaged from the pawl 91, the armrest shaft 44 is idle, that is, it does not drive the armrest assembly 70 to pivot.

[0151] In addition, the handrail assembly 70 needs to be Fig.22e When the stowed position shown is pivoted downward to the use position, it is necessary to first pivot the paddle 92 to the Fig.22a Here, when the armrest assembly 70 is pivoted downward, the pawl 91 can firstly drive the paddle 92 to pivot downward due to the friction force until the guide pin 90.2 stops at the upper end position of the guide groove 92.1, at which time the paddle 92 has laterally covered the middle tooth 90.1 and the uppermost tooth 90.1 of the ratchet wheel 90, and then the armrest assembly 70 is further pivoted downward, and the pawl 91 can overcome the friction force and continue to slide outside the paddle 92 until the lowermost tooth 90.1 of the ratchet wheel 90 is engaged with the tooth groove 91.1 of the pawl 91, thereby the armrest assembly 70 reaches Fig.22a The lowest position is shown. It can then be adjusted step by step to the two upper positions as required.

[0152] See for example Fig.23 It can be seen that the left armrest assembly 70 of the vehicle seat 1 is adjusted to a horizontal use position, while the right armrest assembly 70 is adjusted to an upwardly inclined use position, and during the adjustment of the inclination angle of the backrest assembly 50, the two armrest assemblies 70 can be kept in their own use positions without changing. That is, in the second embodiment, the left and right armrest assemblies 70 can be adjusted step by step and can be kept in different use positions, which greatly improves the personalized adjustment needs of the occupants.

[0153] Figures 24a to 26c A vehicle seat 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. In the third embodiment of the vehicle seat 1, a third armrest operating system can be used instead of the first armrest operating system in the first embodiment. In the third armrest operating system, instead of the configuration of the first clutch structure in the first armrest operating system (i.e., the armrest drive protrusion 44.1 of the armrest shaft 44 and the drive groove section 71.1 of the armrest drive bracket 71), the first clutch structure uses a recliner mechanism 75.

[0154] The third armrest operating system can generally include:

[0155] Chain drive assembly 30 on the backrest assembly side;

[0156] The reversing recliner assembly 40 on the backrest assembly side has an armrest shaft 44 that can be driven by the chain drive assembly 30 to rotate, and the armrest shaft 44 has a spline section 44.3;

[0157] The recliner mechanism 75 on the armrest assembly side cooperates with the spline section 44.3 to drive the armrest assembly 70 to pivot in the opposite direction relative to the backrest assembly 50 in the use position of the armrest assembly 70 so that the armrest assembly 70 is adaptively maintained in its use position;

[0158] A support bracket 51 and a stowage locking bracket 60 on the backrest assembly side;

[0159] The stowage locking shaft 72.1 on the armrest assembly side cooperates with the stowage locking bracket 60 to lock the relative position of the armrest assembly 70 with respect to the backrest assembly 50 in the stowed position of the armrest assembly 70 so as to lock the armrest assembly 70 in its stowed position.

[0160] The following mainly introduces the differences between the third embodiment and the first embodiment. For other similarities or differences, reference may be made to the description of the first embodiment.

[0161] The recliner mechanism 75 may have a housing, which may be fixed to the inner side of the armrest frame 72 by means of a flange threaded connection. The housing may be provided with a stowage locking shaft 72.1 fixed on its inner side toward the stowage locking bracket 60, and the stowage locking shaft 72.1 is used to lock the armrest assembly 70 in the stowed position as in the first and second embodiments.

[0162] Combined with this Fig.25a and Fig.25b The working principle of the recliner mechanism 75 is described as an example. Fig.25a and Fig.25b The recliner mechanism 75 has an outer tooth plate 104, which can be fixed to the housing of the recliner mechanism 75 and thus the armrest assembly 70. The outer tooth plate 104 has a clearance hole 141, and a tooth row 142 is provided on a part of the hole wall of the clearance hole 141.

[0163] The recliner mechanism 75 has a circular dial 103, which has a central spline hole, and the armrest shaft 44 can be connected to the spline hole of the dial 103 through a spline transmission with its spline section 44.3. The dial 103 is axially offset from the clearance hole 141, and the dial 103 is arranged on the axial inner side of the clearance hole 141 in the figure.

[0164] The recliner mechanism 75 has an inner tooth plate 107 with a tooth row 174, which is stacked on the outer side of the dial 103 and is arranged in the clearance hole 141 coplanar with the outer tooth plate 104. The dial 103 is fixed with an inner tooth plate shaft 131, which passes through the hole 171 stacked on the inner tooth plate 107, so that the inner tooth plate 107 can rotate with the rotation of the dial 103, thereby realizing the engagement and disengagement of the teeth of the tooth row 174 of the inner tooth plate 107 and the tooth row 142 of the outer tooth plate 104.

[0165] Fig.25a The diagram shows the disengagement state of the tooth row 174 of the inner tooth plate 107 and the tooth row 142 of the outer tooth plate 104, in which the armrest assembly 70 can be in its stowed position. At this time, during the pivoting movement of the backrest assembly 50, although the armrest shaft 44 drives the dial 103 and the inner tooth plate 107 to rotate in a small range at the same time, since the teeth are always in a disengaged state, the outer tooth plate 104 and thus the armrest assembly 70 will not be driven to pivot, that is, the armrest shaft 44 is idle at this time.

[0166] Fig.25b The diagram shows the toothed locking state of the toothed row 174 of the inner toothed plate 107 and the toothed row 142 of the outer toothed plate 104, where the armrest assembly 70 is in one of the use positions. At this time, the toothed row 174 is already in a relative position range capable of engaging with the toothed row 142. The M-shaped spring 109 presses the inner toothed plate 107 to pivot around the inner toothed plate shaft 131 until the toothed row 174 and the toothed row 142 are engaged and locked. At this time, during the pivoting movement of the backrest assembly 50, the armrest shaft 44 drives the dial 103 to rotate together with the inner toothed plate 107, and based on the toothed locking state of the toothed row 174 and the toothed row 142, the outer toothed plate 104 and thus the armrest assembly 70 are driven to pivot. Similarly, the pivoting movement of the backrest assembly 50 and the pivoting movement of the armrest assembly 70 are opposite to each other, so that the armrest assembly 70 always remains in the use position.

[0167] In addition, the occupant can actively adjust to different use positions of the armrest assembly 70 by pivoting the armrest assembly 70 in a small range. When the occupant actively pivots the armrest assembly 70, the armrest assembly 70 drives the outer tooth plate 104 to rotate a small angle counterclockwise (or clockwise) relative to the inner tooth plate 107, but is still in the relative position range where the tooth row 174 and the tooth row 142 can mesh, so the teeth are still meshed with each other, but the teeth on different tooth sections of the tooth row 174 and the tooth row 142 are meshed. This can basically reach different use positions steplessly. In these different use positions, the teeth are always meshed and locked.

[0168] In general, in the use position of the armrest assembly 70, the adaptive pivoting movement of the armrest assembly 70 is achieved by the tooth meshing and locking between the two toothed tooth plates 103, 104 in the recliner mechanism 75. In addition, the different use positions of the armrest assembly 70 can be adjusted steplessly by adjusting the meshing of different tooth portions between the two tooth plates 103, 104. In the stowed position of the armrest assembly 70, the two tooth plates 103, 104 are disengaged.

[0169] See also for example Figures 26a to 26c It can be seen that the left armrest assembly 70 of the vehicle seat 1 is adjusted to an upwardly tilted use position, while the right armrest assembly 70 is adjusted to a horizontal use position, and during the tilt adjustment process of the backrest assembly 50, the two armrest assemblies 70 can be kept in their own use positions without changing. That is, in the third embodiment, the left and right armrest assemblies 70 can be adjusted and kept in different use positions steplessly to improve the personalized adjustment requirements to a greater extent.

[0170] For the first, second and third embodiments described above, the corresponding first armrest operating system, second armrest operating system and third armrest operating system all have two sets of clutch structures. The second clutch structure may be unchanged, that is, it includes the stowage locking shaft 72.1 fixed on the armrest assembly 70 and the stowage locking groove section 61 of the stowage locking bracket 60 fixed on the backrest assembly 50, which can be engaged with and disengaged from each other. The first clutch structure adopts different construction methods, namely, in the first embodiment, it includes the armrest driving protrusion 44.1 of the armrest shaft 44 on the backrest assembly side and the driving groove section 71.1 of the armrest driving bracket 71 on the armrest assembly side, which can engage and disengage with each other; in the second embodiment, it includes the ratchet 90 on the backrest assembly side and the pawl 91 on the armrest assembly side of the ratchet and pawl mechanism, which can engage and disengage with each other; in the third embodiment, it includes the inner tooth plate 107 on the backrest assembly side of the recliner mechanism 75 and the outer tooth plate 104 on the armrest assembly side, which can engage and disengage with each other.

[0171] The armrest operating system in each embodiment may further include a rotation transmission path for driving the armrest assembly 70 to perform reverse pivoting motion by means of the first clutch structure in the engaged state of the first clutch structure. The rotation transmission path may include a vertical transmission system and a transverse transmission system, wherein the vertical transmission system may extend vertically at the height of the backrest assembly 50, and is used to transmit the rotational motion from the low point position where the backrest transmission shaft 20 is located to the high point position at the connection part of the armrest assembly 70 on the backrest assembly 50, which may include the chain transmission mechanism or belt transmission mechanism described above. The transverse transmission system may extend laterally or in the y direction on the width of the backrest assembly 50, and is used to transmit the rotational motion laterally from the backrest assembly side to the armrest assembly side, that is, to the first clutch structure, and may include the armrest transmission shaft 36, the reversing angle adjuster 42, the adapter plate 43 and the armrest rotating shaft 44 described above in a transversely successive manner.

[0172] For the vertical transmission system, instead of the chain drive assembly 30 or the belt drive mechanism, Fig. 27 The fourth embodiment of the vehicle seat shown uses a gear-flexible shaft structure, which may include an upper gear box 200 and a lower gear box 201 arranged at intervals and a vertically arranged flexible shaft 203 that connects the two in a transmission manner. The lower gear box 201 with a gear set can replace the lower sprocket 34 of the chain transmission structure, the upper gear box 200 with a gear set can replace the upper sprocket 33, and the flexible shaft 203 can replace the chain 32 for long-distance rotation transmission. The backrest transmission shaft 20 can serve as the input shaft of the lower gear box 201, and the armrest transmission shaft 36 can serve as the output shaft of the upper gear box 200. It can be imagined that the gear-flexible shaft structure in the fourth embodiment can arbitrarily replace the chain transmission structure of the first to third embodiments to form a new armrest control system.

[0173] Finally, it should be pointed out that the above embodiments are only used to understand and explain the present invention, and do not limit the protection scope of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, modifications or recombinations can be made based on the above embodiments, and they do not depart from the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat with an adaptive armrest, characterized in that: The vehicle seat has a backrest assembly that is pivotally movable relative to a vehicle interior floor and an armrest assembly that is pivotally movable relative to the backrest assembly and connected to the backrest assembly, wherein the armrest assembly has at least one use position that is pivotally movable away from the backrest assembly and a stowed position that is pivotally movable closer to the backrest assembly. In the use position of the armrest assembly, the backrest assembly and the armrest assembly are engaged in a motion-transmitting manner by means of a first clutch structure, and when the backrest assembly pivots, the armrest assembly can be driven to pivot in the opposite direction to the backrest assembly via the armrest shaft on the backrest assembly side via the first clutch structure, so that the armrest assembly can be maintained in the use position, and In the stowed position of the armrest assembly, the backrest assembly and the armrest assembly are engaged in a motion-transmitting manner by means of a second clutch structure. When the backrest assembly pivots, the backrest assembly can drive the armrest assembly to pivot in the same direction via the second clutch structure, so that the armrest assembly can be maintained in the stowed position.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that In the use position of the armrest assembly, the first clutch structure is in an engaged state and the second clutch structure is in a disengaged state; and in the stowed position of the armrest assembly, the first clutch structure is in a disengaged state and the second clutch structure is in an engaged state.

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that The first clutch structure includes an armrest driving protrusion arranged on the armrest rotating shaft on the backrest assembly side and a driving groove section on the armrest assembly side. In the use position of the armrest assembly, the armrest driving protrusion is stopped in the driving groove section.

4. The vehicle seat according to claim 3, characterized in that In the stowed position of the armrest assembly, the armrest drive projection can be moved in a release section on the armrest assembly side without being blocked.

5. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that The first clutch structure is configured as a ratchet and pawl mechanism, which includes a ratchet wheel disposed on the armrest shaft on the backrest assembly side and a pawl on the armrest assembly side. In the use position of the armrest assembly, the ratchet wheel and the pawl are engaged with each other.

6. The vehicle seat according to claim 5, characterized in that In the stowed position of the armrest assembly, the ratchet and pawl are disengaged from each other.

7. The vehicle seat according to claim 5, characterized in that The ratchet wheel has a plurality of teeth, and the armrest assembly is in different use positions by meshing the ratchet pawl with different teeth.

8. The vehicle seat according to claim 7, characterized in that The ratchet and pawl mechanism further includes a paddle overlapped with the ratchet and pivotally movable relative to the ratchet, wherein the paddle can assist the armrest assembly to pivot from the stowed position to the lowest use position.

9. The vehicle seat according to claim 8, characterized in that A guide groove is arranged on one of the paddle and the ratchet, and a guide pin is arranged on the other. As the paddle pivots relative to the ratchet, the guide pin moves from one end of the guide groove to the other end of the guide groove.

10. The vehicle seat according to claim 9, characterized in that A guide groove is provided on the paddle, and a guide pin is provided on the ratchet. When the armrest assembly is in the lowest use position, the guide pin stops at the upper end position of the guide groove, so as to limit the engagement of the pawl with the lowest tooth of the ratchet by limiting the position of the paddle.

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