Storage device for a pivoting armrest of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Bearing device for a pivotable armrest (2) of a motor vehicle, comprising a dimensionally stable support structure (3) that can be mounted fixedly to the vehicle, as well as a pivot bearing (5) for the armrest (2) that is fastened to the support structure (3), and a blocking device (9) that is intended to block a pivoting movement of the armrest during strong vehicle acceleration, wherein the blocking device (9) has a support component (8) that moves into a pivoting path of a force-transmitting armrest section (4) as a function of centrifugal force such that the support component (8) is positioned in a blocking position in a form-fitting manner between the armrest section (4) and the support structure (3) so as to transmit force against the force acting on the armrest section (4), characterized in that the armrest section (4) is arranged in a position concentric with the pivot axis (S) of the pivot bearing (5),circular arc-shaped guide slot (7) of the support structure (3) is guided in the pivoting plane, and that the support component (8) is displaced into the guide slot (7) in the blocking position depending on centrifugal force in such a way that the support component (8) is supported in a form-fitting manner on an edge of the guide slot (7) and blocks pivoting of the armrest section (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mounting device for a pivotable armrest of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to an armrest arrangement in a motor vehicle with a pivotable armrest and a mounting device for the armrest, as described above.

[0002] DE 10 2016 214 520 A1 discloses an armrest device for a motor vehicle. The armrest device comprises a rigid support structure that can be mounted on the vehicle and on which an armrest is pivotably mounted by means of a pivot bearing. A centrifugal pendulum is provided to lock the armrest in place. This pendulum allows pivoting of the armrest in a release position and prevents pivoting of the armrest in a blocking position. The centrifugal pendulum is held in a standby position, moved from its natural rest position, by a support device.

[0003] DE 10 2016 219 339 A1 discloses another armrest device for a motor vehicle, wherein a pivotable armrest is pivotably mounted relative to a support structure mounted on the vehicle by means of a support shaft. An emergency locking device is provided to lock the armrest in place. The device comprises a centrifugal pendulum that is pivotably mounted on a support disk mounted on the support shaft, which is non-rotatably mounted on the support structure.

[0004] DE 10 2016 011 331 A1 relates to a vehicle equipment device in which an equipment part is mounted on a vehicle-mounted base for translational and / or rotational movement. A locking device with a pivotally mounted latch pivots from a release position to a locking position in the event of vehicle acceleration. A pivot joint of the latch is formed by a bearing spindle mounted in a slot. The bearing spindle can be positioned in two different positions in the slot.

[0005] Another armrest arrangement in a motor vehicle is known from DE 10 2014 226 472 A1. The armrest arrangement has an armrest integrated into the backrest of a rear seat bench. The armrest is pivotally mounted by means of a pivot bearing between a rest position aligned with the backrest and a functional position folded forward and downward. To secure the armrest in its rest position, a locking lever is pivotally mounted on the armrest and can be locked to a support profile of the vehicle body. The locking lever is supported in the locked position on the support profile by means of a mass pendulum, with the mass pendulum being mounted on the armrest parallel to the locking lever and pivoting about a pivot axis. The mass pendulum rests on the locking lever from below, which extends upward into a corresponding locking receptacle in the support profile fixed to the vehicle, located above the locking lever.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a storage device and an armrest arrangement of the type mentioned above, which enables improved securing of the armrest in its rest position in the event of a vehicle impact or a similar, strong vehicle acceleration.

[0007] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1. The support component thus blocks the armrest section and rests on the support structure on the side opposite the armrest section. The solution according to the invention enables particularly secure securing of the armrest in a pivoted-up initial or rest position, even one that can withstand very high forces. This extremely reliably prevents the risk of injury to vehicle occupants. Because the armrest reliably remains in the rest position even in the event of a vehicle impact or similar, strong acceleration or deceleration, the armrest cannot pivot uncontrollably within the vehicle interior and thus cause injuries to vehicle occupants. The solution according to the invention is particularly advantageously suited for use in center armrests in the area of ​​rear seat arrangements in passenger cars.In the same way, however, the solution according to the invention can also be used for other vehicles in the air, on water, and on land, in particular in the passenger transport compartment of aircraft, rail vehicles, or buses. Displacement of the support component only occurs in the event of strong negative vehicle acceleration, namely vehicle deceleration, in particular due to a vehicle impact. According to the invention, the armrest section is guided in the pivot plane in a circular-arc-shaped guide slot of the support structure, which is concentric with the pivot axis of the pivot bearing, and in the blocking position, the support component is displaced into the guide slot depending on centrifugal force in such a way that the support component is positively supported on an edge of the guide slot and blocks pivoting of the armrest section. The support component is movable in the same plane in which the guide slot is aligned.The edge of the guide slot forms the supporting contour for the force dissipation on the support structure side, since the support component rests on this edge in the blocking position.

[0008] In an embodiment of the invention, the support structure has a stationary support contour located in a pivoting plane of the armrest section, and the support component is mounted coplanar with the pivoting plane between a rest position and the support position. The forces acting from the armrest section on the support component in the blocking position are diverted into the support contour. Since this support contour is fixed to the vehicle and thus stationary, the forces are inevitably transmitted to corresponding vehicle structural components. The movable mounting of the support component coplanar with the pivoting plane can be designed as a linearly movable mounting, a pivoting mounting, or a mounting along a curved path.

[0009] In a further embodiment of the invention, a movement path of the support component between the rest position and the blocking position is designed such that the pivoting path of the armrest section and the movement path of the support component intersect in the region of the blocking position. As soon as the support component is moved into the blocking position, a pivoting movement of the armrest section is reliably prevented. The armrest section is a dimensionally stable structural section of the armrest, preferably a part of a dimensionally stable support structure inside the armrest, which is surrounded by padding and optionally a cover and further sections or components such as, in particular, a cup holder. The support structure advantageously has a dimensionally stable frame that is connected to the pivot bearing of the armrest in a force-transmitting manner. The armrest section then advantageously forms such a section of the support structure.The support structure is preferably made of metal.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the support component is pivotally mounted on the support structure by means of a pivot arm. The structural design of the pivot arm is possible in many variations. It is crucial that the pivot arm has the function of pivotally mounting the support component, with a pivot axis for the pivotally mounting of the support component by means of the pivot arm preferably being spaced vertically from the support component, either above or below the support component. This ensures that the support component is inevitably transferred to the blocking position depending on centrifugal force during vehicle impact loads.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the support component is made of a deformation-resistant material, in particular a steel alloy. This design ensures that the armrest section is rigidly supported when the support component is in the locked position.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the pivot arm carries the support component, and the support component is designed as a solid block. This block is preferably made of steel.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the pivot arm is made of a material that is more flexible to deformation than the material of the support component, in particular plastic, and the support component is at least partially surrounded by a material sheath, in particular a plastic sheath, which is part of the pivot arm. Because the support component transfers the forces acting on the armrest section in the event of a vehicle impact directly to the edge of the guide slot of the support structure, no forces are introduced into the pivot bearing of the pivot arm, so that the pivot arm itself and its associated bearings do not have to meet high rigidity requirements.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the guide slot of the support structure has a pocket that is matched to an outer contour of the support component and is open toward the guide slot. The pivot arm is mounted on the support structure in such a way that the support component is positioned in the pocket in the rest position and pivoted into the guide slot in the blocking position. The pocket is designed such that the support component is completely accommodated in the pocket in its rest position, so that the pivoting mobility of the armrest section within the guide slot is not impeded.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the guide slot and the pocket are provided in a plate section of the support structure, and the pivot arm has two arm sections flanking the plate section on opposite sides, which jointly support the support component, which is pivotable coplanar with the plate section. This ensures symmetrical mounting of the support component by the pivot arm. Furthermore, it is ensured that the support component is aligned with its central longitudinal plane coplanar with the guide slot and the plate section. Advantageously, the plate section is at least largely vertically aligned in the position of the support structure when mounted on the vehicle.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, a spring device is assigned to the support component, which holds the support component in its rest position when unloaded. The spring device is preferably permanently preloaded when the support component is in its rest position. The spring device can be implemented as a leg spring in the area of ​​the pivot bearing of the pivot arm or - at a distance from the pivot bearing - as a simple tension or compression spring in the form of a helical spring, which is hinged to the support structure on the one hand and to the support component on the other. The spring force of the spring device is significantly smaller than the weight of the support component, so that despite the permanently acting spring device, it is ensured that the support component is inevitably pivoted into the blocking position in the event of severe vehicle deceleration.

[0017] For the armrest arrangement in a motor vehicle, the object underlying the invention is achieved by a pivotable armrest and a mounting device for this armrest, wherein the mounting device is designed according to the features described above. The armrest arrangement comprises the armrest and the support structure on which the armrest is pivotally mounted, as well as all features associated with the mounting device. The armrest arrangement is preferably a center armrest arrangement of a rear seat bench of a passenger car.

[0018] Further advantages and features of the invention emerge from the claims. A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below and illustrated with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of an armrest arrangement according to the invention in a rest position, Fig. 2 the armrest arrangement according to Fig. 1 in a blocking position of the armrest, Fig. 3 shows an enlarged section of the armrest arrangement according to Fig. 1, Fig. 4 in enlarged view the section according to Fig. 3, but in the position of the armrest arrangement according to Fig. 2, Fig. 5 an embodiment of a storage device according to the invention for a pivotable armrest of the armrest arrangement according to the Fig. 1 to 4, Fig. 6 a functional device of the storage device according to Fig. 5 with a support component and a swivel arm, Fig. 7 a side view of the functional unit according to Fig. 6, Fig. 8 a side view of the storage device according to Fig. 5 in the rest position according to Fig. 3, Fig. 9 the storage device in a side view according to Fig. 8, but in a blocking position according to Fig. 4, and Fig. 10 a rear view of the functional unit according to the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 in the direction of arrow X.

[0019] A passenger car has, in a manner not shown in detail, a rear seat bench in a vehicle interior, the backrest area of ​​which is provided with an armrest arrangement 1 according to the Fig. 1 to 4. The armrest arrangement 1 is designed as a center armrest arrangement and is located centrally in the backrest area of ​​the vehicle interior.

[0020] The armrest arrangement 1 has an armrest 2 which is pivotable about a pivot axis S extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle on a support structure 3 between a starting position flush with the backrest area according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 and a functional position pivoted forward and downward in the vehicle interior. The armrest 2 is pivotally mounted about the pivot axis S by means of a pivot bearing 5 on the support structure 3. In the functional position, the armrest 2 is pivoted forward by slightly more than 90° from the rest position, so that the armrest 2 is aligned approximately horizontally forward and largely parallel to a seat surface of the rear bench seat.

[0021] The support structure 3 is attached to vehicle-side structural components. For this purpose, the support structure 3 is designed as a dimensionally stable sheet metal construction, preferably made of sheet steel, with two plate sections 6 that are aligned in the vertical direction of the vehicle and in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle when the support structure 3 is firmly mounted on the vehicle. These plate sections 6 protrude forward from a rear support section T as lateral legs of an overall U-shaped design of the support structure 3. The support section T is firmly connected to a vehicle-fixed body profile area at the rear of the backrest area of ​​the rear seat bench by mechanical fastening means (not shown). The lateral plate sections 6 protrude forward from this support section T as integrally formed U-legs bent forward. The plate sections 6 carry a pivot bearing 5 for the armrest 2.

[0022] The armrest 2 has a dimensionally stable frame structure (not shown in detail) which is surrounded by upholstery and a cover. The frame structure is provided with an armrest section 4 designed as a transverse profile, which extends across a width of the armrest 2 at a parallel distance from the pivot axis S of the pivot bearing 5. The armrest section 4 forms, in the illustrated embodiment, as the Fig. 1 to 5 and 8, 9, a cylindrical cross-section. The opposite end regions of this armrest section 4 are guided in circular-arc-shaped guide slots 7 of the plate sections 6 of the support structure 3. The opposite guide slots 7 in the plate sections 6 are designed identically to one another and each extend concentrically to the pivot axis S in an angular range of slightly more than 90°. The upper and lower end sections of the guide slots 7 form end stops for limiting the pivoting mobility of the armrest 2, since the armrest section 4 strikes these end sections when the armrest 2 is pivoted between the rest position and the functional position.

[0023] In order to prevent an unwanted pivoting of the armrest 2 from its rest position towards the functional position in the event of a strong vehicle deceleration, in particular a vehicle impact, the armrest is provided with a centrifugal force-dependent blocking device 9, which is described below with the aid of the illustrations according to the Fig. 5 to 10 are described in more detail.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, the blocking device 9 is arranged on one of the two lateral plate sections 6. The blocking device 9 has a support component 8 designed as a solid block body made of steel, which is pivotally mounted on the plate section 6 of the support structure 3 about a pivot bearing 11 by means of a pivot arm 13. The pivot bearing 11 defines a pivot axis that runs parallel to the pivot axis S and is positioned at a distance above and behind the guide slot 7 - relative to an orientation of the support structure 3 in the vehicle-mounted state. The pivot arm 13 has two arm sections that flank the support component 8 on opposite sides. The pivot arm 13 is also provided at its lower end, i.e. below the support component 8, with a dovetail-shaped centering groove 15, the function of which is described in more detail below.The pivot bearing 11 of the blocking device 9 is connected to the plate section 6 in such a way that a bearing pin of the pivot bearing 11 penetrates the plate section 6. The two arm sections 13 are positioned on opposite sides of the plate section 6, so that one arm section is arranged on the inside and the other arm section on the outside of the plate section 6. A distance between the two arm sections is selected such that one arm section can pivot in the area of ​​the inside and the other arm section in the area of ​​the outside parallel to the plane formed by the plate section 6. The support component 8 can be moved by means of the pivot arm 13 between a rest position (. Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. 8) and a blocking position ( Fig. 4 and Fig. 9) is pivotally mounted. In the rest position, the support component 8 is received in a pocket 10, which is designed as a recess in the plate section 6 and is open towards the guide slot 7. An edge contour of the pocket 10 designed as a recess is largely matched to an outer edge contour of the support component 8. In the rest position within the pocket 10, an edge of the support component 8 facing the guide slot 7 is therefore aligned with a circular arc-shaped outer edge of the guide slot 7, so that pivoting of the armrest section 4 about the pivot axis S is not impeded by the support component.

[0025] In the blocking position, the support component 8 projects into the guide slot 7. The support component 8 is aligned by the pivot arm 13 with its two arm sections coplanar to the guide slot 7 and the plate section 6 such that the support component 8 projects into the plane of the guide slot 7 in the blocking position. The support component 8 has in the region of its upper side, i.e., on its edge facing the pivot bearing 11, a circular arc-shaped edge curvature which is concentric with the pivot axis formed by the pivot bearing 11. Complementary to this, the pocket 10 has a corresponding circular arc-shaped edge curvature at its upper transition to the outer edge of the guide slot 7. In the forwardly pivoted blocking position of the support component 8, the support component 8 rests with a lower front edge against a front edge region of the guide slot 7, as Fig. 9. At the same time, an upper edge curvature of the support component 8 rests against the transition-side edge curvature between the pocket 10 and the guide slot 7, which forms a stationary support contour in the sense of the invention.

[0026] If the armrest section 4 is now positioned according to the illustration Fig. 4 and Fig. 9 due to a centrifugal force-induced acceleration of the armrest 2 moves from below against the support component 8, which has also been pivoted forward due to centrifugal force, the armrest section 4 comes into contact with the underside of the support component 8. Corresponding compressive forces of the armrest section 4 inevitably act tangentially to the circular arc path that the armrest section 4 follows. The support component 8 is supported in an extension of the tangential force direction in the region of its upper edge curvature on the transition-side edge curvature (the support contour) between the pocket 10 and the guide slot 7, so that forces acting on the armrest section 4 are introduced via the support component 8 directly into the plate section 6 and thus into the support structure 3. The pivot arm 13 of the blocking device 9 itself is not loaded as a result.In particular, the pivot bearing 11 for the pivot arm 13 is not loaded as a result, since the forces act directly on the support component 8 and from there are inevitably and directly diverted into the support structure 3.

[0027] For this reason, it is sufficient, and in the illustrated embodiment, also provided, for the pivot arm 13 to be made of plastic. The plastic material also encloses the steel body of the support component 8 in a jacket-like manner, so that the support component 8 is integrally integrated into the plastic pivot arm 13.

[0028] In order to hold the swivel arm 13 in its rest position within the pocket 10 in the unloaded state, a spring device 12 in the form of a helical tension spring acts on the swivel arm 13, which is hinged to a rear retaining hook 14 of the swivel arm 13 on the one hand and to a retaining receptacle of the plate section 6 of the support structure 3 on the other hand. The dovetail-shaped centering groove 15 according to Fig. 10 serves to ensure that the support component 8 remains coplanarly centered in the pocket 10 when transferred into the pocket 10. Corresponding edge regions of the centering groove 15 overlap a lower edge region of the pocket 10 on the inside and outside - relative to the plate section 6.

[0029] When the armrest arrangement 1 is in operation within a passenger car, the following movements occur in the event of a frontal vehicle impact: Due to the lower mass compared to the armrest 2, the support component 8 pivots very quickly into the blocking position according to the centrifugal force, contrary to the spring device 12, which only exerts a slight return force. Fig. 4 and Fig. 9, before the armrest 2 is moved from the rest position according to Fig. 1 is pivoted forwards significantly. The support component 8 is therefore already in the blocking position when the armrest section 4 moves upwards in the guide slot 7. The armrest section 4 then strikes the lower edge of the support component 8, whereby the corresponding forces are introduced upwards via the support component 8 directly into the plate section 6 of the support structure 3. The armrest 2 is therefore stably supported in a position pivoted forwards only slightly, as can be seen from the Fig. 2 and Fig.4 is visible. This prevents injuries to vehicle occupants in the rear seat bench caused by the armrest 2 being thrown forward.

Claims

[1] A mounting device for a pivotable armrest (2) of a motor vehicle, comprising a dimensionally stable support structure (3) that can be mounted on the vehicle, and a pivot bearing (5) for the armrest (2) that is fastened to the support structure (3), and a blocking device (9) that is intended to block a pivoting movement of the armrest during strong vehicle acceleration, wherein the blocking device (9) has a support component (8) that moves into a pivoting path of a force-transmitting armrest section (4) in a centrifugal force-dependent manner such that the support component (8) is positioned in a blocking position between the armrest section (4) and the support structure (3) in a force-transmitting manner, counter to the force acting on the armrest section (4). characterized bythat the armrest section (4) is guided in the pivoting plane in a circular arc-shaped guide slot (7) of the support structure (3) which is concentric with the pivot axis (S) of the pivot bearing (5), and that the support component (8) is displaced into the guide slot (7) in the blocking position as a function of centrifugal force in such a way that the support component (8) is supported in a form-fitting manner on an edge of the guide slot (7) and blocks pivoting of the armrest section (4). [2] Storage device according to claim 1, characterized by that the support structure (3) has a stationary support contour which lies in a pivoting plane of the armrest section (4), and that the support component (8) is mounted coplanar to the pivoting plane between a rest position and the blocking position. [3] Storage device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat a movement path of the support component (8) between the rest position and the blocking position is designed such that the pivoting path of the armrest section (4) and the movement path of the support component (8) intersect in the region of the blocking position. [4] Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the support component (8) is pivotally mounted on the support structure (3) by means of a pivot arm (13). [5] Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the support component (8) is made of a deformation-resistant material, in particular of a steel alloy. [6] Storage device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by that the pivot arm (13) carries the support component (8), and that the support component (8) is designed as a solid block body. [7] Storage device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized bythat the pivot arm (13) is made of a material which is more deformable than the material of the support component, in particular of plastic, and that the support component is at least partially surrounded by a material sheath, in particular a plastic sheath, which is part of the pivot arm. [8] Storage device according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized by that the guide slot (7) of the carrier structure (3) has a pocket (10) which is matched to an outer contour of the support component (8) and is open towards the guide slot (7), and that the pivot arm (13) is mounted on the carrier structure (3) in such a way that the support component (8) is positioned in the pocket (10) in the rest position and is pivoted into the guide slot (7) in the blocking position. [9] Storage device according to claim 8, characterized bythat the guide slot (7) and the pocket (10) are provided in a plate section (6) of the support structure (3), and that the pivot arm (13) has two arm sections flanking the plate section (6) on opposite sides, which jointly carry the support component (8) which is pivotable coplanar to the plate section (6). [10] Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the support component (8) is assigned a spring device (12) which holds the support component (8) in its rest position in the unloaded state. [11] Armrest arrangement (1) in a motor vehicle with a pivotable armrest (2) and a storage device for the armrest (2) according to one of the preceding claims.

Images