Armrest for a motor vehicle door

Abstract

Armrest (1) for a door, in particular for a side door or a door panel (2) of a motor vehicle, which armrest (1) comprises an upper and lower shell (4, 5) in which an inner crash element is arranged, characterized in that the armrest (1) as a crash element has an inner support with a crash structure (10) which comprises cross-shaped crash elements (9) having recesses (8) surrounding a wall (W) and a plurality of crash elements (9) are designed as a connected one-piece structure, wherein the crash elements (9) are joined together by means of externally projecting forms (11, 12) of the walls (W).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an armrest for a door, in particular for a side door or a door panel of a motor vehicle with an inner crash element according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] From DE 16 55 007 A, a vehicle armrest with a cell structure of intersecting vertical walls forming openings between them and which is covered on the outside by a flexible filling material extending to an outer shell of the vehicle armrest is known.

[0003] Furthermore, from DE 10 2011 101 574 A1 an armrest for a side door of a motor vehicle has become known, which is provided inside with an energy absorption element which is designed as a folding structure which can absorb impact energy in the event of an impact of the vehicle in the transverse direction of the vehicle on the side door.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide an armrest on a side door or on a door panel of a motor vehicle which enables load absorption in the event of a side impact of the vehicle in order to protect the occupants from increased force peaks.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. Further advantageous features are contained in the subclaims.

[0006] The main advantages achieved by the invention are that a crash element with a special crash structure is integrated into the armrest, which protects an occupant from the armrest penetrating the passenger compartment in the event of a side impact. This is achieved according to the invention in that the armrest has a crash structure as an inner support. This crash structure comprises cross-shaped crash elements with recesses or openings surrounded by a wall, which are designed as a coherent, one-piece structure with a plurality of crash elements.

[0007] The crash elements are each joined together via externally protruding projections on the walls. In particular, the invention provides that the cross-shaped recesses or openings in the crash elements of the crash structure are formed from two elongated openings intersecting at right angles, each of which has a rounded portion on the inside, which forms the externally protruding projections in the walls, via which the crash elements are joined together. The crash structure is preferably arranged approximately centrally on the armrest in a horizontal plane between an inner and an outer armrest support.

[0008] This arrangement and design of the crash structure within the armrest ensures energy absorption and targeted cushioning in the event of a side impact. The crash structure can collapse or deform under the impact of force.

[0009] The crash structure is preferably integrated into at least one armrest support. Furthermore, the crash structure can be made of a molded plastic material or a metallic material.

[0010] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and is described in more detail below.

[0011] They show: Fig. 1 a diagrammatic representation of the crash structure integrated into the armrest and Fig. 2 a cross-section through the armrest in the vertical plane according to Fig. 1.

[0012] An armrest 1 of a motor vehicle is arranged on the inside of a door or on a door trim 2 of a vehicle door and preferably comprises two shells 4 and 5 enclosing a hollow space. A crash element is arranged between these shells 4 and 5. The armrest 1 has, as a crash element, an inner support with a special crash structure 10, which comprises a plurality of crash elements 6 having cross-shaped recesses 8 or openings. A plurality of these crash elements 6 preferably form a coherent structure and represent a one-piece crash structure 10. The coherence of the structure of the crash structure 10 is achieved by formations 11, 12 protruding on the outside of the crash elements 9 on the walls W, which are integrally joined together.

[0013] The crash elements 9 of the crash structure 10 each have intersecting elongated openings 14, 15, which are arranged at right angles to one another. The intersection point is preferably located in the center of each elongated recess 8 or opening. At their free ends, the elongated openings 14, 15 are each provided with a rounded portion, which forms the externally projecting projections 11, 12 on the walls W, via which the individual crash elements 9 of the crash structure 10 are joined together.

[0014] The crash structure 10 is preferably arranged approximately centrally of the armrest 1 in a horizontal plane between an inner and an outer armrest support 16, 17. The crash structure 10 can be integrated into at least one armrest support. Above the crash structure 10, within the upper shell 4 of the armrest 1, a filling foam element 18 is arranged, which fills the entire upper cavity 19 between the crash structure 10 and the upper shell 4. A decorative layer 20, which preferably forms the upper shell 4, is arranged on the outside of the foam element 8.

[0015] The crash structure 10 can be formed from a plastic material or also consist of a metallic material.

Claims

[1] Armrest (1) for a door, in particular for a side door or a door trim (2) of a motor vehicle, which armrest (1) comprises an upper and lower shell (4, 5) in which an inner crash element is arranged, characterized by that the armrest (1) has, as a crash element, an inner support with a crash structure (10), which comprises crash elements (9) having cross-shaped recesses (8) surrounded by a wall (W), and a plurality of crash elements (9) are designed as a coherent, one-piece structure, wherein the crash elements (9) are connected to one another via outwardly projecting formations (11, 12) of the walls (W). [2] Armrest according to claim 1, characterized by that a foam element (18) is arranged above the crash structure (10) in the upper shell (4), which extends up to an upper decorative layer (20) of the armrest (1). [3] Armrest according to claims 1 or 2, characterized by that the cross-shaped recesses (8) in the crash elements (9) of the crash structure (10) are formed from two elongated openings (14, 15) in the surrounding walls (W) which intersect at right angles and which each have a rounded portion at their ends, which form the outwardly projecting formations (11, 12) via which the crash elements (9) can be joined together. [4] Armrest according to claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized by that the crash structure (10) is arranged approximately centrally of the armrest in a horizontal plane between an inner and an outer armrest support (16, 17). [5] Armrest according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized by that the crash structure (10) is integrated in at least one armrest support (16 or 17). [6] Armrest according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the crash structure (10) consists of a molded plastic material or a metallic material.

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