Support device for body part of user for arrangement in motor vehicle

Abstract

The utility model relates to a support device for a body part of a user for arrangement in a motor vehicle. The utility model relates to a support device (2) for supporting a body part of a user and for this purpose has a support element (8) for placing the body part and an adjusting component (10), by means of which the support element (8) can be adjusted into a support position and can be fixed in the support position. According to the invention, the adjusting component (10) is designed with an elastic overload protection device (16) in such a way that the supporting element (8) is retracted from the supporting position into the de-loading position against a spring force when a predetermined loading boundary of the supporting element (8) is exceeded.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a support device for a user's body parts and is configured for installation in a motor vehicle. The support device has an adjusting member and a support element, wherein the support element can be adjusted to a support position by means of the adjusting member and can be fixed in the support position by means of the adjusting member. Background Technology

[0002] The preferred support element is a foot pedal; alternatively, the support element may also be an armrest or so-called footrest for the rear seat of a motor vehicle.

[0003] The support element is typically adjusted by means of, in particular, an electrically driven actuator, and is held in the supported position in a suitable manner after the adjustment movement. To prevent damage to the support element or adjusting mechanism in the event of excessive mechanical load, overload protection can be provided, for example, with a releasable mechanical lock. In the event of an overload, this mechanical lock is thus unlocked, allowing the support element to move from the supported position to an unloaded (safe) position.

[0004] However, this overload protection is quite complex. In particular, it requires a locking mechanism after an overload event to allow for normal adjustment of the support components again. Utility Model Content

[0005] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to describe a support device with overload protection, which has a simple mechanical design and allows for normal adjustment movement, especially after an overload.

[0006] According to this invention, the task is solved by a support device for the user's body parts, configured for placement in a motor vehicle and in a final assembled configuration. The support device has a support element configured to allow the body parts to be placed on it. Specifically, the support element is a footrest. Alternatively, the support element could be an armrest or footrest in the rear seat of the motor vehicle.

[0007] The support device also has an adjustment member by means of which the support element can be controlled to be adjusted to at least one support position and can also be fixed in that support position by the adjustment member. This is understood to mean that the support element is held in that support position, i.e., in particular until a preset load boundary is reached, i.e. until a preset force is reached on the support element.

[0008] The adjusting component is configured as a resilient overload protection device, such that when the load exceeds a preset load boundary, the support element retracts from the support position to the deloaded (protected) position against the spring force.

[0009] The position of the adjusting component where there is no overload is currently referred to as the normal position, which is different from the retracted or deloaded position under overload conditions.

[0010] Overload protection is generally achieved by adjusting the elastic recoil of at least a portion of the component, which has several advantages:

[0011] On the one hand, therefore, there is no need for a releasable mechanical lock, and it is preferable to also abandon such a mechanical lock.

[0012] Furthermore, the smooth movement is achieved through elastic retraction because, even under overload conditions, the support element is moved to a safe, unloaded position, but this is done against the spring force, preventing sudden positional changes. Thus, the overall load on the adjusting component remains small under overload conditions. This also reduces the risk of injury or accidents for the user. For example, the risk of jamming or falling is reduced compared to sudden positional changes under overload conditions.

[0013] According to the preferred design, the flexible overload protection device is generally designed such that after an overload condition, i.e., when the excessive load and therefore excessive force disappear again, the spring force returns the support element to its previously occupied normal position automatically and solely due to the spring force. Therefore, it automatically returns to its previously occupied normal position (especially the support position). No supplementary measures are provided.

[0014] Therefore, overall, a mechanically simple design is achieved through a flexible overload protection device, where the load under overload conditions is very small. This also ensures high user comfort, as the support elements are automatically returned to their normal position.

[0015] The adjusting member typically has an adjusting mechanism for controlled adjustment of the support element. Here, adjustment is performed between a rest position or a deactivated position and at least one support position. In principle, multiple different support positions can also be provided. These positions respectively form the normal position.

[0016] Furthermore, the adjusting member has a spring unit for overload protection to provide elasticity. Normal, controlled adjustment of the support element is particularly achieved by means of an actuator. This actuator can be a manually operated actuator, for example, actuated by a handwheel. However, it is preferably an electric actuator. The actuator is typically connected to the support element via adjusting elements. Here, these adjusting elements particularly constitute articulated arm mechanisms and / or lever mechanisms, and are, for example, levers with one or more mechanically rigid members (e.g., in the form of linkages), wherein different levers are also hinged to each other. Alternatively or additionally, a cable traction mechanism is constituted, for example, by adjusting elements.

[0017] A drive typically has an electric motor that is appropriately connected to the adjusting element for manipulating and adjusting it. For example, the drive is constructed as a spindle drive with a spindle linkage and a spindle nut through which longitudinal motion is transmitted to the adjusting element, and in particular to the articulated arm mechanism.

[0018] According to a preferred first embodiment, the spring unit is part of the adjustment mechanism. For example, the spring unit is integrated into a lever mechanism or articulated arm mechanism, depending on the type of damper. For example, the spring unit is arranged between the actuator and the adjustment element. In this embodiment, the actuator is preferably fixedly mounted on a corresponding fastening structure, such as a vehicle seat, particularly a seat support. The adjustment element and, consequently, the support element are spring-supported on the actuator and can be adjusted relative to the actuator by retraction.

[0019] According to the preferred alternative design, the adjusting mechanism is generally elastically supported by spring units. Specifically, the driver, i.e., the motor, is not fixedly fastened to the fastening structure, but is elastically supported on it by spring units. Therefore, the entire adjusting mechanism retracts relative to the fastening structure via the spring units and is elastically supported on it. This design has the particular advantage that no changes need to be made to the design of the adjusting mechanism. Only one mechanical hinge point is required, at which the adjusting mechanism is supported elastically on the fastening structure and by the spring units.

[0020] In the preferred design, and particularly in this variant, the actuator is secured to the spring unit such that when a preset load boundary is exceeded, the actuator retracts relative to the securing structure. Therefore, the actuator is not fixedly positioned.

[0021] In a suitable design, the spring unit has a swing arm that can elastically pivot about a swing axis. The swing arm is connected to an adjusting mechanism. For the elastic support of the swing arm, a suitably constructed spring element is typically provided. Here, the spring element can be, for example, a helical spring or a disc spring, which is supported in or on the support point of the swing arm, or acts there, so as to apply the elastic restoring force of the spring to the swing arm. Alternatively, the spring element acting on the swing arm is arranged, in particular, spaced apart from the support point. Here, the spring element is, for example, a tension spring or a compression spring.

[0022] Mechanical springs are generally preferred as spring elements. However, depending on the type of damper, hydraulic or pneumatic spring elements may also be used as spring elements.

[0023] As an alternative to a design with a swing arm, the adjustment mechanism is, for example, fastened to a linear unit, which is part of a spring unit. For instance, the adjustment mechanism is mounted on a spring-supported bracket that supports linear movement against the spring force of the spring element.

[0024] In a suitable design, the spring force of the resilient overload protection device is typically set and designed such that the spring force holds the support element in the supported position with the desired force. Therefore, the holding force for the support element is applied solely by the spring force. Thus, the spring force, especially the spring force associated with a suitable mechanical design of the adjusting mechanism, is set such that the support element is held in the desired normal position (support position) until a preset load boundary is reached, and then retracts only if exceeded. Therefore, no additional, particularly mechanical, holding element is arranged to hold the support element in the supported position.

[0025] Furthermore, the spring force and, consequently, the spring unit are set and designed such that the resilient overload protection device and, consequently, the spring unit constitute a support for the adjusting force of the actuator. For normal, controlled adjustment, it is typically required that the adjusting mechanism be supported on the support, which is usually achieved through a fastening position on the fastening structure. This support is now formed by the spring unit, i.e., preferably by spring units only.

[0026] In a suitable design, a first mechanical stop is provided. When the support element is in the supported position and normally in its normal position, the elements of the adjusting member press against the first mechanical stop by spring force. Therefore, the stop limits the adjusting stroke and thus the adjusting movement performed by the spring force, ensuring that the support element occupies a defined normal position, such as the supported position. Preferably, the stop restricts the movement of the spring unit, i.e., in particular, restricts the movement of the swing arm.

[0027] In a preferred improvement, an additional second mechanical stop is provided, which restricts the retraction stroke of the support element under overload conditions. Therefore, under overload conditions, the second mechanical stop restricts the adjusting movement of the adjusting member and creates an obstruction to that element. Preferably, the second mechanical stop also restricts the movement of the spring unit, specifically the movement of the swing arm.

[0028] Therefore, the maximum adjustment stroke or spring stroke of the spring unit is specifically limited by these two stops, and the maximum pivot angle of the swing arm is also specifically limited.

[0029] As already mentioned, the support elements, especially the foot pedals, are fastened to the vehicle seat by adjusting components, and particularly to the seat support of the vehicle seat. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below with the aid of the only accompanying drawing.

[0031] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates, in a schematic and simplified manner, a support device for adjusting the support elements, fastened to a vehicle seat. Detailed Implementation

[0032] exist Figure 1 The support device 2 shown is fastened to the vehicle seat 4, which is only shown by the dashed outline of the seat cushion. In this embodiment, the support device 2 is fastened to the vehicle seat 4 via two hinge points 6A and 6B.

[0033] The support device 2 typically has a support element 8, which can be controlled and adjusted by means of an adjusting member 10. In this embodiment, the support device is configured as a footrest pivotally secured to the vehicle seat 4.

[0034] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates two states: the normal state, in which the support element 8 is in its normal position, more precisely, in its displaced support position, and the retracted deloaded position under overload conditions. The adjusting member 10 is shown by a thick line in the normal position and by a thin line in the deloaded position.

[0035] In this embodiment, the adjusting member 10 typically has an adjusting mechanism 12 and a spring unit 14, with the adjusting mechanism 12 spring-supported on the spring unit. Through the spring unit 14 and its special design and arrangement, it generally constitutes an elastic overload protection device 16.

[0036] The adjustment mechanism 12 also includes an electric actuator 18, through which the articulated arm mechanism 20 can be adjusted in a targeted and controlled manner, for example. The articulated arm mechanism 20 has a plurality of articulated arms arranged at an angle to each other and / or hingedly supported to each other. The support element 8 is fastened to the articulated arm mechanism 20.

[0037] In this embodiment, the drive 18 has a motor 22 and an adjustment element 24, particularly configured as a spindle drive, through which the adjustment movement is applied to the articulated arm mechanism 20. The adjustment element is shown by a dotted line connected to the motor 22 to illustrate the ability to perform longitudinal adjustment in the direction of the indicated double arrows. The articulated arm mechanism 20 is pivotally secured to the vehicle seat 4 via a hinge point 6A. Through the adjustment and pivoting movement about the hinge point 6A initiated by the drive 18, the support element 8 can typically pivot from a rest position to a supported position.

[0038] The adjusting member 10, and especially the drive 18 and the electric motor 22, are supported, particularly hingedly supported, on the spring unit 14. The spring unit 14 is in turn hingedly fastened to the vehicle seat 4 at another hinge point 6B.

[0039] The spring unit 14 typically applies an elastic restoring force to the adjusting mechanism 12, and holds the adjusting mechanism in its normal position as long as no overload exceeding the load boundary occurs. This normal position is shown by thick lines.

[0040] In this embodiment, the spring unit 14 has a swing arm 28 pivotally supported about an additional hinge point 6B and thus about a swing axis 26, the swing arm being supported against the spring force of the spring element 30. The spring element 30 is shown only as an example. The spring element is supported by its spring ends on a fastening structure, particularly the vehicle seat 4.

[0041] In addition, the adjusting member 10 has a first stop 32 and a second stop 34, which restrict the movement of the swing rod 28 and, consequently, the spring unit 14.

[0042] The functions of support device 2 are as follows:

[0043] Under normal circumstances, when the load boundary of the support element 8 is not reached, normal, controlled adjustment movements are performed by means of the actuator 18. By removing the adjusting element 24, the articulated arm mechanism moves from the resting position (where the support element 8 is in the resting position) to the desired support position. The posture of moving out to the support position is shown in bold lines in the accompanying drawings. The support element 8 can be adjusted back to its resting position from this posture through controlled adjustment movements.

[0044] In an overload situation, when an excessive force F is applied to the support element 8 and thus exceeds a preset load boundary, this force F is transmitted to the spring unit 14 via the adjusting mechanism 12. The spring unit 14, particularly the spring unit connected to the articulated arm mechanism 20, is configured such that the support element 8 remains in its normal position until the preset load boundary is reached. However, if the load boundary is exceeded, the spring unit 14 retracts, causing the entire adjusting mechanism 12 (particularly comprising the actuator 18, the articulated arm mechanism 20, and the support element 8) to retract to the deloaded position shown by the thin line. The retraction stroke is limited here by the second stop 34.

[0045] Once the force decreases and falls below the load boundary, the support element is automatically and solely compressed from the unloaded position toward its normal position, particularly the support position of the support element 8, by the spring force of the spring unit 14. In other words, once the load is removed from the support element 8, the previously occupied position is automatically reoccupied.

[0046] List of reference numerals

[0047] 2 Support device

[0048] 4 vehicle seats

[0049] 6A and 6B hinge points

[0050] 8 support elements

[0051] 10 Adjustment Components

[0052] 12 regulating mechanisms

[0053] 14 spring units

[0054] 16 Flexible overload protection devices

[0055] 18 drives

[0056] 20 articulated arm mechanism

[0057] 22 electric motors

[0058] 24 Adjustment elements

[0059] 26. Swing axis

[0060] 28. Swing rod

[0061] 30 Spring elements

[0062] 32 First stop section

[0063] 34 Second stop section

[0064] F force

Claims

1. A support device (2) for a user's body part installed in a motor vehicle, the support device having a support element (8) for accommodating the body part and an adjustment member (10), wherein the support element (8) can be adjusted to a support position and fixed in the support position by the adjustment member (10), wherein, The adjusting member (10) is configured to have an elastic overload protection device (16) such that when the load exceeds a preset load boundary of the support element (8), the support element retracts from the support position to the deload position against the spring force.

2. The support device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic overload protection device (16) is configured such that, after an overload, the spring force automatically returns the support element (8) to its previously occupied position.

3. The support device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The adjusting member (10) has an adjusting mechanism (12) for controlled adjustment of the support element (8) and a spring unit (14) for the elastic overload protection device (16), wherein the adjusting mechanism (12) has a driver (18) for controlled adjustment of the support element (8), the driver being connected to the support element (8) for this purpose.

4. The support device (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The driver (18) is an electric driver (18), and the driver (18) is connected to the support element (8) via an adjustment element.

5. The support device (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The spring unit (14) is part of the adjustment mechanism (12).

6. The support device (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The adjustment mechanism (12) is elastically supported by the spring unit (14).

7. The support device (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The actuator (18) is fastened to the spring unit (14) so ​​that the actuator retracts when a preset load boundary is exceeded.

8. The support device (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The spring unit (14) has a swing rod (28) that can pivot elastically about a swing axis (26), wherein the adjustment mechanism (12) is connected to the swing rod (28).

9. The support device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The spring force of the elastic overload protection device (16) is set such that the overload protection device uses the preset spring force to fix the support element (8) in the support position.

10. The support device (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The spring force is set such that the elastic overload protection device (16) constitutes a support for the adjusting force of the actuator (18).

11. The support device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A first mechanical stop (32) is provided, and the elements of the adjusting member (10) are pressed by spring force against the first mechanical stop, thereby fixing the support element (8) in the support position.

12. The support device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A second mechanical stop (34) is provided, which restricts the retraction stroke of the support element (8).

13. The support device (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that, Two stops (32, 34) restrict the movement of the spring unit (14).

14. The support device (2) according to claim 8, characterized in that, Two stops (32, 34) restrict the movement of the swing rod (28).

15. The support device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The support element (8) is a foot pedal, which is fastened to the vehicle seat by the adjusting member (10).

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