Double latch locking mechanism for split wing armrest

Abstract

Locking arrangement for a vehicle armrest, comprising: a pair of pawls fixed on opposite sides of a coupler, each pawl including a projection at each end thereof, and a pair of paddles each engaging one of the pawls and configured to cause inward displacement of at least one of the pawls in response to actuation on one of the paddles, wherein inward displacement of one pawl via the coupler causes inward displacement of the other pawl to disengage the projections from a bracket.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Double pawl locking mechanism assemblies are disclosed herein. BACKGROUND

[0002] Vehicles often include a center console located between the driver and passenger seats. The console may include an armrest that can be adjusted according to a user's preferences. Such armrests may be movable in a longitudinal direction to allow access to compartments within the console. The armrests may also pivot about an axis and be opened to store items.

[0003] DE 199 35 144 A1 discloses a locking arrangement with a pair of blades and a pair of paddles. The pawls are fixed on opposite sides of a coupler, and the paddles each engage one of the pawls. DE 10 2011 005 702 A1 discloses a locking arrangement with a single pawl. SUMMARY

[0004] According to the invention, a locking arrangement according to claim 1, an armrest arrangement according to claim 8 and a latch arrangement according to claim 14 are proposed. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0005] A locking assembly for a vehicle armrest may include a pair of pawls fixed on opposite sides of a coupler, each pawl including a projection at each end thereof and a pair of paddles each engaging one of the pawls and configured to cause inward displacement of at least one of the pawls in response to actuation on one of the paddles, wherein inward displacement of one pawl via the coupler causes inward displacement of the other pawl to disengage the projections from a bracket.

[0006] An armrest assembly for a vehicle armrest may include a pair of armrests spaced apart from one another and disposed on either side of a center console, each armrest including a pawl fixed to opposite sides of a coupler and a pair of paddles each engaging a pawl and configured to cause inward displacement of both pawls via the coupler in response to actuation on one of the paddles.

[0007] A latch assembly for a vehicle armrest may include a pair of latches coupled to each side of a coupler and a pair of paddles each engaging one of the latches, the paddles being rotatable about a pivot such that actuation on one of the paddles is configured to cause inward displacement of a respective latch, and inward displacement of the respective latch via the coupler causes inward displacement of the other latch. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The embodiments of the present disclosure are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. However, other features of the various embodiments will become more apparent and understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a center console; Fig. 2 a top view of the console of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a perspective view of an armrest arrangement of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 a rear view of an armrest arrangement of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 a cross-sectional view of the part of the console of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a locking arrangement; Fig. 7 is a side view of part of the locking arrangement of Fig. 6; Fig. 8A-8B Cross-sectional views of the locking arrangement of Fig. 6 in various states; Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B Side views of the part of the locking assembly of Fig. 6; and Fig. 10 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the armrest assembly of Fig. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] While detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, as required, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. The specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are, therefore, not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[0010] Vehicles often include center consoles between the driver and front passenger seats. These consoles may provide storage, as well as armrests integrated into a storage compartment lid to increase comfort for the driver and front passenger and provide coverage for the storage compartment. These armrests may include a single armrest lid and a locking mechanism located in the center of the lid. When a lock is activated, an armrest lid can rotate on a pivot, granting a user access to a storage compartment beneath the armrest. In some situations, dual armrests integrated into a single lid may be provided, allowing both the driver and front passenger to enjoy their own armrest provided by the center console.An example console may include a "split-wing" armrest, providing left and right armrests with a center panel flush with the front / rear panels of the console. The armrest lid may be raised relative to a center panel. The armrests and the center panel between them may be raised to provide a user with access to the storage compartment below.

[0011] In the split-wing arrangement, the locking mechanism configured to release the armrest assembly from the console may be disposed within the armrest assembly to enable the flush panel between and below the armrest. That is, the locking mechanism may not be disposed between the two armrests, but rather within and below the armrests. This locking mechanism may provide rotary actuation paddles in each of the armrests that independently actuate the locking mechanism. Upon actuation of each paddle, the armrest assembly may be disengaged from the console, allowing the armrest to pivot for access to allow access to the storage compartment in an unsecured state.

[0012] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a center console 100. The center console 100 may be disposed in a vehicle. In the example of a motor vehicle, such as a car, the console 100 may be disposed between a driver's seat and a passenger seat. The console 100 may also be disposed between two rear seats. The console 100 may be configured to provide enclosed storage within the vehicle and may include at least one storage bin 104. The center console 100 may include an armrest assembly 102 (as best shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4). The armrest assembly may include at least two armrests 110a, 110b, collectively referred to herein as armrests 110. The armrests 110 may each include an upper portion 112a, 112b, collectively referred to herein as upper portions 112. In one example, the upper portions 112 may be configured to be actuated about an axis such that the upper portions 112 may open and close to gain access to an interior of the respective armrest 110, collectively referred to herein as an interior.

[0013] The armrests 110 may define a space 116 between them and may be elevated from the console 100. The space 116 may provide unobstructed access to a panel 120 disposed between the armrests 110 on the console 100. The panel 120 may be flush with the flaps 106 and / or a front portion 122 of the console 100. The armrests 110 may form a split wing arrangement such that the armrests 110 are elevated above a flush center panel (e.g., panel 120).

[0014] The armrest assembly 102 may be pivotable about the console 100 to an open state to allow access to the storage bin 104. The armrests 110 may each include at least one release mechanism 118a, 118b, collectively referred to herein as release mechanism 118. Upon actuation of one of the release mechanisms 118, the armrest assembly 102 may be released from a locked position by the console 100 and may be moved about a pivot pin, thereby allowing access to the storage bin 104 in the console 100. The release mechanism 118 is described below with reference to Fig. 10 described in more detail.

[0015] Fig. 2 shows a top view of the console 100 of Fig. 1. As explained above, a pair of raised armrests 110 may be spaced apart from each other. The panel 120 may be disposed within the space 116 and may be flush with the front and rear portions 122, 124 of the console 100. One or more flaps 106 may be disposed in the console 100 to provide access to the receptacle 104.

[0016] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the armrest assembly 102 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows a rear view of the armrest assembly of Fig. 1. The portion of the console just below the panel 120 is referred to herein as the panel housing 126. The panel housing 126 may be located just below the armrests 110.

[0017] The armrest assembly 102 may include a latch projection 128a, 128b on each side of the armrest assembly 102, collectively referred to as latch projections 128. The latch projections 128 may be retracted into the armrest assembly in response to an actuation on one of the release mechanisms 118. Retraction of the latch assembly 128 may release the armrest assembly 102 from a locked position with the console 100. This will be described below with reference to Fig. 10 described in more detail.

[0018] Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the panel housing 126 of the console 100 of Fig. 4. The panel housing 126 may receive a locking assembly 130. The locking assembly 130 may be configured to hold the upper portion 112 of the armrests 110 in a closed position. The locking assembly 130 may include the latch projections 128.

[0019] Fig. Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the locking assembly 130. The locking assembly 130 may include a first portion 132 disposed within the first armrest 110a and a second portion 134 disposed within the second armrest 110b. The first portion 132 may include a first locking paddle 138a and a first locking pivot 140a disposed therethrough. The paddle 130a may be disposed within the armrest 110a and may be configured to be actuated or rotate about the pivot 140a.

[0020] The paddle 138a may be coupled to a first shaft 144a of a first pawl 148a via a cam surface. Upon rotation of the first paddle 138a about the first pivot 140a, the first paddle 138a may cause the shaft 144a to move linearly downward, as shown in Fig. 6. That is, the rotational movement of the first paddle 138 can cause a linear displacement of the first shaft 144a. This is due, in part, to the fact that the paddle 138a is splined to the shaft.

[0021] After the first shaft 144a is displaced, the first pawl 148a can then be displaced inwardly in response to the linear vertical displacements of the first shaft 144a. Because the first pawl 148a is splined to the first shaft 144a, the first pawl 148a remains horizontal during rotation. Thus, the rotation of the first paddle 138a is converted into a horizontal displacement of the first pawl 148a.

[0022] The second portion 134 may include corresponding parts to the first portion 132. For example, the second portion 134 may include a second locking paddle 138b, a second locking pivot 140b, a second shaft 144b, and a second pawl 148b. The parts may be collectively referred to as paddles 138, pivots 140, shafts 144, and pawls 148.

[0023] The first pawl 148a and the second pawl 148b may be connected to and secured to a coupler 150. The coupler 150 may be a cylindrical coupler disposed at a center of the panel housing 126 between the pawls 148. The coupler 150 may cooperate with each of the pawls 148 such that each of the pawls 148 is fixedly coupled to the coupler 150 at first and second mounting jaws 136a, 136b, collectively referred to herein as mounting jaws 136. Each of the mounting jaws 136 may be retractable into the coupler 150. The coupler 150 may include a gear mechanism therein (not shown) configured to couple to each of the jaws 136. The gear mechanism may include a pair of gears coupled together and each connected to one of the jaws 136.

[0024] The gear mechanism can enable mirror reactions at each of the jaws 136. For example, when one of the jaws 136 moves inward, the gear mechanism also pulls the other jaw 136 inward. For example, when a pawl 148 is displaced horizontally inward in response to an actuation on a respective paddle 138, the coupler 150 can also pull the opposite pawl 148 inward. That is, when the first pawl 148a is displaced horizontally inward, so is the second pawl 148b. Thus, the pawls 148 are configured to act as both master and slave with respect to one another. The first paddle 138a is configured so that, for example, when the first paddle 138a is actuated, it acts as the master, and the second paddle 138b is configured to act as the slave, and vice versa.

[0025] When the latches 148 are moved inward, so are the latch projections 128. When the latch projections 128 are moved inward, the armrest assembly 102 is released from the locked position relative to the console. Thus, actuation of a paddle 138 can cause each of the latch projections 128 to retract into the panel housing 126, thereby releasing the armrest assembly 102.

[0026] Fig. Figure 7 shows a side view of a portion of the locking assembly 130 of Fig. 6. Each shaft 144 may include an angular slope 142a, 142b, collectively referred to herein as angular slope 142, as best shown in Fig. 6. The angular slope 142 may form a keyway 154 or a follower. Further, the paddle 138 may include a paddle projection 156 or a paddle cam 156 configured to engage the keyway 154. The cam 156 may be received by the follower such that the cam 156 is retained and slidable in a track formed by the follower. When the paddle 138 is rotated downward, the projection 156 may slide within the keyway 154. The paddle projection 156 may maintain a lateral position during downward rotation. In doing so, the pawl 148 may be forced inward toward the coupler 150 as the projection 156 moves laterally downward within the keyway 154.

[0027] That is, as the paddle 138 rotates downward, the projection 156 is further pushed downward within the keyway 154. The shaft 144 can thus move inward as the projection 156 moves downward to accommodate the downward movement of the projection. The angular slope 142 that accommodates the keyway 154 guides the pawl 148 inward. Thus, the shaft 144 of the pawl 148 moves inward in response to actuation of the paddle 138.

[0028] The Fig. 8A-8B show cross-sectional views of the locking assembly 130 of Fig. 6 in an actuated or released state. Fig. As described above, Figure 6 shows the locking assembly 130 in a normal, intended position or in a locked state. In the normal position, the latch projections 128 may be biased outward, and the armrest assembly 102 may be in a locked position relative to the console 100.

[0029] Fig. Figure 8A shows the latch assembly 130 in an actuated position in which the first paddle 138a is actuated. In response to the first paddle 138a being actuated, the first pawl 148a is displaced inwardly toward the coupler 150. Due to the dual-pawl arrangement and the coupler 150, the second pawl 148b is subsequently also displaced inwardly toward the coupler 150. Both pawl projections 128 are pulled inward with the pawls 148 to release the armrest assembly 102 from the console 100.

[0030] Fig. Figure 8B shows the locking assembly 130 in an actuated position in which the second paddle 138b is actuated. In response to the second paddle 138b being actuated, the second pawl 148b is displaced inwardly toward the coupler 150. Due to the dual-pawl arrangement, the first pawl 148a is subsequently also displaced inwardly toward the coupler 150.

[0031] Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B show side views of the part of the locking assembly 130 of Fig. 6 in the actuated states. Fig. 9A shows the first paddle 138a being actuated, and Fig. Figure 9B shows the second paddle 138b being actuated.

[0032] Furthermore, in the Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B shows the keyway 154 defined for receiving the paddle projection 156 in the shaft 144.

[0033] Fig.10 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the armrest assembly 102. As shown, the locking assembly 130 may be included within the armrest assembly 102. The console 100 may include a frame 160 defining a recess 162a, 162b on each side of the armrest assembly, collectively referred to herein as recesses 162. The recess 162 may be configured to receive the latch projections 128 during the locked state and retain the armrest assembly 102 to the console 100. In the released state, the latch projections 128 may be pulled inward and therefore removed from the recesses 162, thereby allowing release of the armrest assembly 102 from the console 100.

[0034] Although exemplary embodiments are described above, these embodiments are not intended to describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the terms used in the description are for the purpose of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the features of various implementation embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.

Claims

[1] A locking arrangement for a vehicle armrest, comprising: a pair of pawls fixed on opposite sides of a coupler, each pawl including a projection at each end thereof, and a pair of paddles each engaging one of the pawls and configured to cause inward displacement of at least one of the pawls in response to actuation on one of the paddles, wherein inward displacement of one pawl via the coupler causes inward displacement of the other pawl to disengage the projections from a bracket. [2] The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the pawls includes a shaft portion having an angular inclination, the angular inclination defining a follower. [3] The locking assembly of claim 2, wherein the paddle includes a paddle cam configured to be received by and slidably supported by the follower. [4] A locking assembly according to claim 3, wherein an actuation on the paddle is adapted to cause the paddle cam to slide laterally downwardly within the driver, thereby forcing the pawl to move inwardly as the paddle cam slides down the angular slope. [5] The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein each paddle is rotatable about a pivot in an armrest. [6] The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein each paddle is disposed in one of a pair of armrests, the armrests being spaced apart from each other. [7] The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking assembly is configured to disengage an armrest assembly from a closed position relative to the console to permit access to a compartment therein. [8] Armrest assembly for a vehicle armrest, comprising: a pair of armrests spaced apart from each other and disposed on each side of a center console, each armrest including a latch fixed to opposite sides of a coupler, each latch including at least one projection at each end thereof and a shaft portion having an angular inclination defining a follower, and a pair of paddles each engaging a pawl and configured to cause, via the coupler, inward displacement of both pawls in response to an actuation on one of the paddles. [9] The armrest assembly of claim 8, wherein the bracket is configured to engage the projection in a secured state. [10] The armrest assembly of claim 9, wherein the projection is configured to disengage the console in response to lateral displacement of the latches. [11] The armrest assembly of claim 8, wherein the follower is configured to receive a paddle cam disposed on the paddle. [12] The armrest assembly of claim 11, wherein an actuation on the paddle is configured to cause the paddle cam to slide laterally downwardly within the follower to force the pawl to move inwardly as the paddle cam slides down the angular slope. [13] The armrest assembly of claim 12, further comprising at least one release mechanism configured to actuate the paddle. [14] A latch assembly for a vehicle armrest, comprising: a pair of jacks coupled to each side of a coupler, and a pair of paddles each engaging one of the pawls, the paddles being rotatable about a pivot such that actuation on one of the paddles is configured to cause inward displacement of a respective pawl, and wherein inward displacement of the respective pawl causes inward displacement of the other pawl via the coupler, the paddle including a paddle cam configured to be received by a driver on a shank of each pawl. [15] The latch assembly of claim 14, wherein the paddle cam is configured to slide laterally downward on the follower in response to actuation of the paddle. [16] A pawl assembly according to claim 15, wherein the lateral displacement of the paddle cam is adapted to be converted into an inward displacement of the pawl with respect to the coupler. [17] The latch assembly of claim 16, wherein the coupler is configured to cause inward displacement of the other latch in response to inward displacement of the latch.

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