Swiveling armrest, especially center armrest for a motor vehicle

Abstract

A pivotable armrest (2), wherein the armrest (2) is mounted on a center console (1) of a motor vehicle via a pivot bearing (4), characterized in that a pivotable pawl (9) is arranged in the area of ​​the pivot bearing (4), which interacts with a rack (11), wherein the pawl (9) remains engaged with the rack (11) up to a limit angle when the armrest (2) is pivoted and disengages from the rack (11) above the limit angle, wherein the axis of rotation (4) is arranged in a rear area of ​​the armrest (2) and that a button (6) is arranged in a front area of ​​the armrest (2), which is connected to the pawl (9) via a connecting rod (7), and wherein a bolt element (13) is arranged on the pawl (9), which runs along a fixed guide (14) when the armrest (2) is pivoted.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a pivotable armrest, in particular a center armrest for a motor vehicle.

[0002] Generally, swiveling center armrests for motor vehicles are known to only allow sequential adjustment of the armrest for the driver, for example, in a range of 0° to 90°. So, if the driver has swiveled the armrest to approximately 60°, they must first swivel it to 90° to return to the starting position (here, 0°).

[0003] Furthermore, designs are known that allow for direct, stepless adjustment of the armrest by means of a button at its front end. However, the problem here is that the originally set position is difficult to return to, as there is no locking mechanism during the adjustment. In this case, the armrest would have to be swiveled to its stop while pressing the button. The problem, however, is that the stop does not necessarily correspond to the desired starting position.

[0004] DE 199 57 523 A1 discloses an adjustment mechanism for a pivotable adjustment element, in particular for an armrest of a motor vehicle. The device shows an adjustment mechanism for an adjustment element with two pivoting elements that are pivotable relative to each other, wherein a first pivoting element has at least one engagement profile. A locking lever with a locking profile, which interacts with the engagement profile in the manner of a ratchet or pawl, is mounted on a second pivoting element. A cam guide for the locking lever, with at least one lift-off profile and at least one return profile, is attached to the first pivoting element.

[0005] EP 0 786 372 A2 discloses a swiveling armrest for motor vehicle seats. It features locking teeth arranged concentrically around the swivel axis. An actuable counter-locking element, operatively connected to the locking teeth, is provided on the armrest support for swiveling the armrest support.

[0006] US 2002 / 0096928 A1 discloses a comfort armrest for motor vehicles with a mounting shaft and a mechanical adjustment mechanism located between the two ends of the armrest. The adjustment mechanism comprises an adjustment knob, an adjustment rod, a sector, a cam, and a locking pawl.

[0007] The familiar armrests thus make handling more difficult for the driver, which negatively impacts driving and operating comfort.

[0008] Based on this prior art, the object of the present invention is to create a pivotable armrest which, upon reaching a certain angle of inclination, enables stepless adjustment of the inclination by means of a movement-inherent locking mechanism and does not require sequential feedback to the initial position or basic position of the armrest, but rather the armrest can be returned directly to the initial position.

[0009] This problem is solved according to the invention in a pivotable armrest, in particular a center armrest for a motor vehicle, wherein the armrest is mounted on a center console of the motor vehicle via a pivot bearing, by arranging a pivotable pawl in the area of ​​the pivot bearing which interacts with a rack, and by ensuring that the pawl remains engaged with the rack when the armrest is pivoted up to a limit angle and disengages from the rack above the limit angle.

[0010] This design has the particular advantage that no prescribed angular position needs to be locked during the swiveling of the armrest before it can be swivelled back to the starting position, i.e., the uppermost locking position of the armrest does not need to be reached beforehand.

[0011] If, for example, the driver needs to briefly reach into a storage compartment under the armrest while driving, to put something down or take something out, it is perfectly sufficient to swivel the armrest to approximately 60°. The driver can then return the armrest directly to its original position, for example, to operate the controller for the driver information system (FIS), and does not remain at the highest locking position, but rather in a design-defined comfort position. However, the driver can also freely select the angle setting by pressing a button and does not necessarily have to swivel it back to its original position.

[0012] The dependent claims include advantageous further developments and embodiments of the invention.

[0013] According to the invention, the axis of rotation is arranged in a rear area of ​​the armrest, and a push button is arranged in a front area of ​​the armrest, which is connected to the latch via a connecting rod. The push button integrated into the front area of ​​the armrest enables the tilt adjustment of the armrest according to a snap-in or locking principle.

[0014] Preferably, when the button is pressed, the latch performs a pivoting movement away from the rack.

[0015] To achieve the movement of the latch according to the invention, a bolt element is arranged on the latch according to the invention, which runs along a fixed guide when the armrest is pivoted. This guide is designed such that it keeps the latch engaged with the rack when the armrest is pivoted up to a limit angle and disengages it from the rack above this limit angle.

[0016] Further details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a side view of an armrest according to the invention, Fig. 2 a longitudinal section through the armrest according to the invention Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a further longitudinal section through the armrest according to the invention in the area of ​​the pivot bearing, and Fig. 4 to 7 different perspective views of the armrest according to the invention.

[0017] The figures only show the parts of the swiveling armrest that are of interest here; all other elements have been omitted for the sake of clarity.

[0018] Fig. Figure 1 shows a center console 1 of a vehicle, which has a swiveling armrest 2 at its rear. A support leg 3 extends upwards from the center console 1, which carries a pivot bearing 4. This pivot bearing 4 forms an articulated connection between the center console 1 and the armrest 2.

[0019] The entire arrangement is designed so that when the driver rests their right hand on the armrest 2 in its initial position, a controller 5 for a driver information system, located in the front area of ​​the center console 1, is optimally accessible. The operation of the controller 5 is thus ergonomically tailored to the initial position of the armrest 2.

[0020] In order to be able to adjust the armrest 2 as desired and, in the course of adjusting the tilt angle, to immediately swivel back into the starting position after turning by approx. 60°, the pivot bearing 4 or the armrest 2 is designed in the manner described below.

[0021] As can be seen in particular from Fig. As shown in Figure 2, a button 6 is arranged in the front area of ​​the armrest 2, which is connected to a connecting rod 7. The connecting rod 7 runs in the lower area of ​​the armrest 2 and ends in the area of ​​the pivot bearing 4, where it is connected to a bolt 8. The bolt 8 is part of a latch 9, which is arranged inside the pivot bearing 4 (see Figure 2). Fig. 4).

[0022] The latch 9 can be arranged on only one side or - as shown in the figures - also on both sides of the pivot bearing 4 in the area of ​​its end faces.

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, the pawl 9 has two arcuate sections which are arranged in the region of the end faces of the rotary bearing 4 and are provided in one end region with a radially outwardly directed toothing 10. This toothing 10 can engage with an arcuately curved rack 11 which is arranged on the outer circumference of the rotary bearing 4 in the region of its end faces and has radially inwardly directed teeth.

[0024] At its other end, the pawl 9 has an axis 12, which is mounted in the end faces of the pivot bearing 4 such that the pawl 9 is pivotable. In the area of ​​one end face of the pivot bearing 4, the pawl 9 extends beyond the axis 12. At the end of this extended part of the pawl 9, the bolt 8 is mounted, extending parallel to the axis 12 and connected to the connecting rod 7.

[0025] In the area of ​​the toothing 10, the pawl 9 has a bolt element 13 which interacts with a fixed guide 14, which does not move when the armrest 2 is pivoted, such that the pawl 9 remains in the position when the armrest 2 is pivoted. Fig. 3 in the direction indicated by a circular arrow up to a limit angle with the rack 11 remains engaged and above the limit angle disengages from the rack 11.

[0026] When the driver presses button 6 on armrest 2 with their right arm resting on it, a tensile force is applied to the connecting rod 7. Since the end of the connecting rod 7 is connected to the bolt 8 of the latch 9, the latch 9 is lifted via a lever principle (see also Fig. 4).

[0027] If the driver then pulls the armrest 2 upwards in addition to pressing the button, a further torque is generated via the pivot bearing 4, allowing the armrest 2 to be swivelled into any desired angular position. During this process, the latch 9 is moved upwards in a circular motion.

[0028] As a result of the interaction between bolt element 13 and guide 14, the teeth 10 of the pawl 9 initially remain engaged with the rack 11, allowing the armrest 2 to pivot in a stepped motion. However, as soon as the pawl 9 is moved beyond a certain angular threshold (e.g., above 15°), a transition occurs from the stepped motion to a stepless motion, since the teeth 10 of the pawl 9 are lifted out of the rack 11 by the bolt element 13 sliding along the guide 14.

[0029] Since the bolt element 13 of the latch 9 is guided along a precisely defined path on the guide 14, the driver can immediately return the armrest 2 to its original starting position after an opening operation (e.g., to access items stored under the armrest 2); no button press is necessary. The bolt element 13 is moved via the guide 14 towards the teeth of the rack 11. Upon reaching the predefined threshold angle, the blade 9 automatically engages the intended stepped position (e.g., 2 teeth engaged, which corresponds to a hypothetical absolute starting position of 10°). Thus, the armrest 2 can be pivoted from its starting position and then immediately returned to it.

[0030] The preceding description of the present invention serves only for illustrative purposes and not to limit the invention. Various changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention and its equivalents. Reference symbol list 1 Center console 2 armrests 3 support legs 4 swivel bearings 5 Controller 6 buttons 7 Stabilizer link 8 bolts 9 handle 10 gear teeth 11 Rack and pinion 12-axis 13 bolt element 14 Leadership

Claims

[1] Swiveling armrest (2) wherein the armrest (2) is mounted on a center console (1) of a motor vehicle via a pivot bearing (4), characterized by , that a pivotable pawl (9) is arranged in the area of ​​the pivot bearing (4), which interacts with a rack (11), wherein the pawl (9) remains engaged with the rack (11) up to a limit angle when the armrest (2) is pivoted, and disengages from the rack (11) above the limit angle, wherein the axis of rotation (4) is arranged in a rear area of ​​the armrest (2), and that a button (6) is arranged in a front area of ​​the armrest (2), which is connected to the pawl (9) via a connecting rod (7), and wherein a bolt element (13) is arranged on the pawl (9), which runs along a fixed guide (14) when the armrest (2) is pivoted. [2] Swiveling armrest (2) according to claim 1, characterized by, that a spring-loaded bolt (13) engages and moves in an explicitly specified path after a defined rotation angle of the armrest (2), wherein the path is designed such that the bolt (13) disengages at a structurally definable point and thereby engages the latch (9) in the toothing. [3] Swiveling armrest (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the latch (9) performs a pivoting movement away from the rack (11) when the button (6) is pressed.

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