Rotating shaft lock and vehicle armrest

Abstract

The invention discloses a rotating shaft lock which comprises a rotating shaft component used for linkage and a lock component arranged on the rotating shaft component in a sleeving mode, the lock component clamps and locks the rotating shaft component and / or decouples and unlocks the rotating shaft component through reducing, and the lock component clamps and locks when the rotating shaft component rotates in the first direction. When the rotating shaft part rotates towards the second direction, decoupling and unlocking are carried out; the lock part is connected with a switch, and the switch is used for changing the inner diameter of the lock part so that manual unlocking can be achieved in the first direction. The variable-diameter lock part is used as a core locking element and is matched with the rotating variable-diameter switch to manually control coupling locking / decoupling unlocking of the lock part, and a ratchet wheel locking structure of a traditional structure is eliminated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of rotary shaft locks, and in particular to a rotary shaft lock and a vehicle armrest. Background Art

[0002] The design of the angle adjustment mechanism for a vehicle seat's side armrest directly impacts ride comfort and space utilization. For example, Chinese Invention Patent Publication No. CN119459488A discloses a vehicle seat side armrest adjuster assembly. This technical solution utilizes a traditional ratchet mechanism to achieve angle locking, while providing multi-position adjustment through ratchet engagement.

[0003] However, the machining accuracy of the ratchet teeth directly affects the locking reliability, especially in the confined space of the rotating shaft. Conventional metal stamping processes cannot meet the required pitch accuracy. If fine stamping is used to improve the accuracy, the production cost will be greatly increased. In addition, the rotation angle of the ratchet is limited by the number and length of teeth, making it difficult to achieve a wide range of stepless adjustment (such as continuous rotation exceeding 100 degrees). The gap is easily increased due to tooth surface wear, causing the armrest to shake and make abnormal noises. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0005] A shaft lock includes a shaft component for linkage and a lock component sleeved on the shaft component. The lock component clamps and locks the shaft component and / or decouples and unlocks the shaft component by changing its diameter.

[0006] The locking component clamps and locks when the shaft component rotates toward a first direction, and decouples and unlocks when the shaft component rotates toward a second direction;

[0007] The locking component is connected to a switch, and the switch is used to change the inner diameter of the locking component to achieve manual unlocking in the first direction.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an unlocking holding component is further included, and the switch is a rotary switch arranged coaxially with the rotating shaft component and the locking component. When the rotating shaft component rotates from the first position toward the second position in the first direction, the unlocking holding component limits the rotary switch to keep the locking component in an unlocked state.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rotating shaft component includes a cam mechanism that rotates coaxially with the rotating shaft. When the rotating shaft component rotates between the second position and the third position, the cam mechanism decouples the unlocking and retaining component from the rotary switch, and the locking component drives the rotary switch to reset and clamp the rotating shaft component.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the switch and the cam are respectively coupled to different sides of the unlocking and holding component in the axial direction.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a stator is further provided in the rotary shaft lock, and the stator divides the rotary shaft lock into a first chamber and a second chamber which do not interfere with each other;

[0012] The rotating shaft component further includes a rotor that rotates coaxially and synchronously with the rotating shaft. The lock component, the rotor and the switch are placed in the first cavity, and the cam and the unlocking and maintaining component are placed in the second cavity.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an opening is further provided on the stator, and the switch has a boss extending toward the unlocking and holding component, and the boss passes through the opening and enters the second cavity.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it further comprises a limit cover provided on the switch.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a radially extending convex key is provided on the switch, and a corresponding expansion arc is provided on the limit upper cover for limited movement of the convex key.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking component is a wrap spring, and the switch is connected to an end portion of the wrap spring that spirally extends in the first direction.

[0017] An armrest comprising a shaft lock as described in any one of the above.

[0018] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0019] The present invention provides a rotary shaft lock and vehicle armrest, which use a variable diameter lock component as the core locking element, and cooperate with a rotating variable diameter switch to manually control the coupling locking / decoupling unlocking of the lock component, thus getting rid of the ratchet locking structure under the traditional structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for describing the embodiments or the prior art.

[0021] Figure 1 This is the overall structure diagram of the shaft lock Figure 1 .

[0022] Figure 2 This is the overall structure diagram of the shaft lock Figure 2 .

[0023] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the pivot lock.

[0024] Figure 4 It is a structural diagram of the shell.

[0025] Figure 5 It is a structural diagram of the rotating shaft.

[0026] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the shaft and the housing.

[0027] Figure 7 This is the assembly diagram of the lock component, stator and rotor Figure 1 .

[0028] Figure 8 This is the assembly diagram of the lock component, stator and rotor Figure 2 .

[0029] Figure 9 It is an assembly diagram of the lock component, stator, unlocking holding component, housing and rotor.

[0030] Figure 10 It is a structural diagram of the upper cover.

[0031] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram of the assembly between the rotary switch and the shaft lock.

[0032] Figure 12 It is a structural diagram of the unlocking and holding component.

[0033] Figure 13 It is a schematic diagram of the rotation angle of the seat armrest.

[0034] Figure 14 This is the status of the shaft lock in the first position Figure 1 .

[0035] Figure 15 This is the status of the shaft lock in the first position Figure 2 .

[0036] Figure 16 yes Figure 15 Axonometric view of .

[0037] Figure 17 Schematic diagram of the state of the shaft lock when it is in the second position.

[0038] Figure 18 yes Figure 17 Axonometric view of . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the directions or positional relationships indicated by the terms "up", "down", "left", "right", "inside", "outside", etc. are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. The above description is simplified for the convenience of describing the present invention, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction. Therefore, it cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0040] As used in this specification, the singular forms "a," "an," "said," and "the" include the plural forms unless otherwise expressly stated. The terms "include," "comprise," and "contain" as used in this specification indicate the presence of the claimed features, but do not exclude the presence of one or more additional features. The term "and / or" as used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0041] In the specification, when an element is referred to as being “on,” “fixed” to, “connected to,” or “engaged to,” etc., another element, the element may be directly on, fixed to, connected to, engaged to, or in contact with the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In the specification, when a feature is arranged “adjacent” to another feature, it may mean that the feature has a portion overlapping with the adjacent feature or a portion located above or below the adjacent feature.

[0042] It will be understood that although the terms "first," "second," etc. may be used herein to describe different elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a first element may be referred to as a second element without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

[0043] The following describes exemplary embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the present application can be presented in many different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described below. It should also be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide many additional embodiments. In all figures, the same reference numerals represent the same elements or elements with the same function.

[0044] Figures 1 to 3 The figure shows the overall structure of this rotary shaft lock, which includes a housing 10 and a top cover 70 forming the outer circumference of the lock component, a rotor 50 and a lock component 80, which are sleeved on one end of the rotary shaft 20 and integrally enclosed between the housing 10 and the top cover 70. The stator 30 is separated by stepped fixing columns 11, separating the housing 10 and the top cover 70 into two non-interfering first and second chambers 6 and 7 along the radial direction of the rotary shaft 20. The cam 21, rotor 50, and lock component 80 are respectively positioned on either side of the stator 30.

[0045] Figures 4 to 6 The figure shows the assembly diagram of the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft 20 is a camshaft. The cam 21 is located between its first end 24 and the second end 25. The cam 21 is also provided with limiting steps 22 and 23 for limiting the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 20. A rotating shaft limiting column 12 is correspondingly provided on the inner surface of the shell 10. The second end 25 extends outward through the shell 10. The cam 21 is placed in the shell 10 and limits the maximum rotation angle of the rotating shaft 20 through the two rotating shaft limiting columns 12.

[0046] In some embodiments, the shaft 20 is a one-piece molded structure.

[0047] In some embodiments, the maximum rotation angle of the rotating shaft 20 is 114°.

[0048] Figures 7 to 9 The stator and rotor assembly diagram is shown. After passing through the stator 30, the rotor 50 is restrained by a fixed plate 51 and cannot be axially separated from the stator 30. A locking member 80 is mounted on the outer circumference of the rotor 50. The rotor 50 is coaxial with the first end 24 of the rotating shaft 20 and rotates synchronously. The locking member 80 is variable in diameter. By reducing the inner diameter of the locking member 80, it couples and clamps the rotor 50, preventing it from rotating, or expanding the inner diameter to decouple it from the rotor 50, allowing the rotor 50 to rotate freely, thereby achieving its locking function. The rotor 50 and the locking member 80 mounted on the rotor 50 are disposed within the first cavity 6, and the cam 21 is disposed within the second cavity 7. This allows one end of the locking member 80 to be fixed to the stator 50 without being disturbed by the movement of the cam 21. Furthermore, the rotor 50, the rotating shaft 20, and the cam 21 mounted on the rotating shaft 20 together form a coaxial, synchronously rotating rotating shaft component.

[0049] Figures 10 to 12 The assembly diagram of the rotary switch and the unlocking and retaining component is shown. The rotary switch 60 is coaxially sleeved on the outer circumference of the rotor 50 and extends from a circular hole 71 toward the side away from the rotating shaft 20. A radially outwardly extending arc 72 is formed on one side of the circular hole 71. Correspondingly, the rotary switch 60 has a radially protruding key 61 that moves within the arc 72. A boss 62 extends from the bottom of the rotary switch 60 through the stator opening 31 toward the unlocking and retaining component 40. During the rotation of the rotating shaft 20, the boss 62 does not come into contact with the cam 21. The unlocking and holding component 40 is rotatably disposed within the housing 10 via the unlocking and holding component shaft 13. The unlocking and holding component 40 has a first side 41 for contacting the cam 21 and a second side 42 for contacting the boss 62. The first side 41 is configured as an arc structure, while the second side 42 is configured as a chamfered structure. The back of the unlocking and holding component 40 has a curved surface 43. This design facilitates the cam 21 and / or boss 62 to push the unlocking and holding component 40 away from the back via the curved surface 43. The rotary switch 60 is connected to the lock component 80. Rotating the lock component 80 changes its inner diameter, thereby controlling the locking / unlocking function.

[0050] In some embodiments, the lock component 80 is a wrap spring mounted on the rotor 50, one end of which is fixed to the stator 30. The end of the wrap spring extending in the first direction 4 is connected to the rotary switch 60. Therefore, by rotating the rotary switch 60 in the second direction 5, the wrap spring can be rotated in the opposite direction, thereby increasing the inner diameter of the wrap spring and achieving decoupling from the rotor 50. Furthermore, when the rotor 50 rotates in the second direction 5, it can also promote decoupling of the wrap spring, while rotating in the first direction 4 promotes clamping coupling with the wrap spring. This variable-diameter lock component 80 (wrap spring) serves as the core locking element, and can be locked / unlocked by controlling the rotary switch 60, eliminating the ratchet's reliance on tooth pitch accuracy.

[0051] Figure 13 The pivot lock is shown in the critical rotational positions when used on a rear vehicle armrest, specifically connected to the armrest or vehicle seat backrest via the second end 25. The first position 1 is when the armrest is fully retracted into the backrest, the second position 2 is when the armrest is initially opened but not fully extended, and the third position 3 is when the armrest is fully extended.

[0052] In some embodiments, the angle of the first position 1 is 116°, the angle of the second position 2 is 20°, and the angle of the third position 3 is -28°.

[0053] refer to Figure 14 , showing that when the armrest is in the first position 1, the limiting step 23 contacts the shaft limiting column 12, and the unlocking holding component 40 is in the reset position in contact with the unlocking holding component limiting pin 14. At this time, the locking component 80 clamps the rotor 50 to lock it.

[0054] refer to Figure 15 and Figure 16 When in the first position 1, the rotary switch 60 is rotated to rotate the key 61 from one side of the arc 72 in the first direction 4 (clockwise in the figure) to the other side, switching the lock member 80 from the clamped and locked state to the loose and unlocked state. The boss 62 then pushes the unlocking and holding member 40, which then limits it from returning to the second direction 5 (counterclockwise in the figure). The lock member 80 remains unlocked, and the armrest can be rotated and lowered from the first position 1 in the second direction 5.

[0055] refer to Figure 17 and Figure 18 When the armrest rotates to the second position 2, the cam 21 holds the unlocking retaining member 40 in an upward position. The lock member 80, under the action of the elastic force, returns in the second direction 5, locking the rotor 50. Therefore, between the second position 2 and the third position 3, the lock member 80 always locks the rotor 50 unless the rotary switch 60 is rotated by external force to maintain the unlocked state.

[0056] When the armrest is in the third position 3 and the rotor 50 is rotated toward the first position 1 in the first direction 4, the lock component 80 is unlocked. The lock component 80 only locks and grips when the rotor 50 rotates in the second direction 5, and unlocks when the rotor 50 rotates in the first direction 4. Furthermore, this structure utilizes the helical structure of the wrap spring. When the rotor 50 rotates in the opposite direction of the wrap spring's spiral extension, it drives the wrap spring to rotate in the opposite direction, expanding its inner diameter. When the rotor 50 rotates in the same direction, the position of the rotary switch 60 determines whether the rotor 50 rotates in the same direction.

[0057] This pivot lock structure allows the armrest to hover anywhere between 116° (stowed) and -28° (extended), achieving a wide range of infinite adjustment. The lock component 80 automatically clamps and locks when the rotor 50 rotates in the second direction 5 (armrest lowering), and automatically unlocks when the rotor 50 rotates in the first direction 4 (armrest retracting). Because the frictional contact between the lock component 80 and the rotor 50 is linear, there is no risk of pitting corrosion compared to traditional ratchet structures, further improving the life of the mechanism.

Claims

1. A shaft lock, comprising a shaft component for linkage and a lock component sleeved on the shaft component, wherein the lock component clamps and locks the shaft component and / or decouples and unlocks the shaft component by changing its diameter, characterized in that: The locking component clamps and locks when the shaft component rotates toward a first direction, and decouples and unlocks when the shaft component rotates toward a second direction; The locking component is connected to a switch, and the switch is used to change the inner diameter of the locking component to achieve manual unlocking in the first direction.

2. A rotary shaft lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an unlocking holding component, and the switch is a rotary switch arranged coaxially with the rotating shaft component and the locking component. When the rotating shaft component rotates from the first position toward the second position in the first direction, the unlocking holding component limits the rotary switch to keep the locking component in an unlocked state.

3. A rotary shaft lock according to claim 2, characterized in that: The rotating shaft component includes a cam mechanism that rotates coaxially with the rotating shaft. When the rotating shaft component rotates between the second position and the third position, the cam mechanism decouples the unlocking and holding component from the rotary switch, and the locking component drives the rotary switch to reset and clamp the rotating shaft component.

4. A rotary shaft lock according to claim 3, characterized in that: The switch and the cam are respectively coupled to different sides of the unlocking and holding component in the axial direction.

5. The rotary shaft lock according to claim 3, characterized in that: A stator is also provided in the rotating shaft lock, and the stator divides the rotating shaft lock into a first cavity and a second cavity which do not interfere with each other; The rotating shaft component further includes a rotor that rotates coaxially and synchronously with the rotating shaft. The lock component, the rotor and the switch are placed in the first cavity, and the cam and the unlocking and maintaining component are placed in the second cavity.

6. A rotary shaft lock according to claim 5, characterized in that: An opening is also formed on the stator, and the switch has a boss extending toward the unlocking and holding component, and the boss passes through the opening and enters the second cavity.

7. The rotary shaft lock according to claim 5, characterized in that: It also includes a limit upper cover arranged on the switch.

8. The rotary shaft lock according to claim 7, characterized in that: The switch is provided with a convex key extending in the radial direction, and the limit upper cover is correspondingly provided with an expansion arc for the convex key to move limitedly.

9. A rotary shaft lock according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The locking component is a wrap spring, and the switch is connected to an end portion of the wrap spring that spirally extends along the first direction.

10. Armrest, characterized in that, A rotary shaft lock comprising any one of claims 1 to 9.

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