Armrest device for a vehicle interior

Abstract

Armrest device (1, 1a) for a vehicle interior, comprising a base part (3, 3a) fixedly arranged in the vehicle in the mounted operating state, and an armrest part (2, 2a) mounted so as to be vertically displaceable relative to the base part (3, 3a), and a locking device which is provided for locking a vertical displacement position of the armrest part (2, 2a) relative to the base part (3, 3a), and a manually operable actuating device associated with the locking device which controls the locking device between a release position and a locking position, wherein a mechanical lifting drive is associated with the armrest part (2, 2a) which drives the armrest part (2, 2a) in an upward direction, characterized in that a viewing panel (4, 4a) is associated with the armrest part (2, 2a) which is connected to the armrest part (2, 2a).2a) is permanently connected and conceals functional components of the mechanical lifting drive and the locking device regardless of the height displacement position of the armrest part (2, 2a).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an armrest device for a vehicle interior according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such an armrest device is known from DE 10 2008 050 953 A1. The known armrest device has a base part that is fixed to the vehicle in the mounted operating state, on which an armrest part is guided so as to be vertically adjustable. To secure different vertical adjustment positions of the armrest part relative to the base part, a locking device is provided which can be released by a manually operated actuator.

[0003] DE 10 2016 006 230 A1 discloses an armrest with an arm support which is vertically adjustable and held on a vehicle structure by means of an adjustment device. The adjustment device has a guide with at least one guide track associated with the vehicle structure, on which at least one runner associated with the arm support is vertically guided.

[0004] Another armrest device is known from DE 10 2014 210 134 B4. The known armrest device has an armrest section that is pivotally mounted relative to a base section in the form of a center console about a pivot axis extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle. By pivoting the armrest section accordingly, it can be moved into different height positions. In order to lock the armrest section relative to the base section in different height positions, a locking brake is associated with the pivot axis of the armrest section, which can be released or locked via an actuating device. The actuating device can be activated by means of a manually operated, mechanical control element and acts on a final coil of the locking brake to release corresponding coils of the locking brake relative to sections of the pivot axis.An elastic preload of the sway brake ensures that, after the load is removed by the actuating device, the sway brake is inevitably moved back into its locking position, which positively engages the axle sections of the pivot axis.

[0005] The object of the invention is to create an armrest device of the type mentioned above which enables comfortable operation using simple means.

[0006] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1. The mechanical lifting drive supports an upward movement of the armrest component, i.e., in the upward direction. The mechanical lifting drive is designed either such that the armrest component is automatically moved upwards after the locking device releases the blockage, or the lifting drive is designed such that the armrest component is at least held in equilibrium after the blockage is released. The mechanical lifting drive therefore has a lifting force that is equal to or greater than the weight of the armrest component. Consequently, the solution according to the invention makes lifting the armrest component by an operator considerably more convenient compared to the prior art.In particular, an armrest located in the center console of a passenger car between two front seats has at least one storage compartment in which items of considerable weight can be stowed. The solution according to the invention allows for easy and convenient lifting of the armrest, regardless of its weight. Preferably, the armrest is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis extending transversely to the vehicle to achieve upward or downward height adjustment. However, according to the invention, it is also possible for the armrest to be movably mounted along a linear guide or a curved guide in the vertical direction.The solution according to the invention is particularly advantageous in the interior of a passenger car, with the armrest device arranged between the driver's and front passenger's seats. The solution according to the invention can also be provided in the same way in the area between the rear seats of a rear bench seat. The armrest device according to the invention can also be used in other vehicles, such as trucks, commercial vehicles, especially buses, or rail vehicles. The same applies to watercraft and aircraft; the armrest device according to the invention can also be used there. According to the invention, a cover is associated with the armrest part, which is fixedly connected to the armrest part and conceals functional components of the mechanical lifting drive and the locking device regardless of the height position of the armrest part.This design increases the safety of vehicle occupants, as the privacy screen prevents access to moving functional components of the armrest device. Furthermore, the privacy screen is designed to prevent these functional components from becoming soiled. The privacy screen can be dimensionally stable and telescopically adjustable within a corresponding bracket in the base unit. Alternatively, the privacy screen can be made of a flexible material, particularly in the form of a bellows.

[0007] In this embodiment of the invention, the mechanical lifting drive comprises a spring motor that relaxes in the upward direction of the armrest section and compresses in the downward direction. During the upward relaxation, the spring motor releases force that is used to lift the armrest section. Because the spring motor is inevitably re-compressed in the downward direction, it is automatically always in the desired pre-tension state for lifting the armrest section again as soon as the armrest section is moved downwards from an upper height position.

[0008] In a further embodiment of the invention, the mechanical lifting drive comprises a rack and pinion drive, wherein the spring motor is associated with a rotatable pinion of the rack and pinion drive. The rotatable pinion is associated either with the base part or the armrest part. Conversely, at least one rack meshing with the at least one pinion is associated with the armrest part or the base part. Advantageously, the spring motor is arranged coaxially with an axis of rotation of the pinion and is formed in particular by at least one torsion spring, preferably a helical spring.

[0009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the locking device includes a sling brake arranged coaxially to the pinion of the rack and pinion drive. The basic design of the sling brake corresponds to a sling brake known from DE 10 2014 210 134 B4. Advantageously, the sling brake is formed by a helical coil spring whose coils encircle both a floating bearing section and a coaxial fixed bearing section, the floating bearing section being associated with at least one pinion and the fixed bearing section with the base part. The coils of the coil spring surrounding the floating bearing section and the fixed bearing section contract in one winding direction and expand in the opposite winding direction. This achieves the function of locking and releasing a vertical displacement of the armrest part.The armrest section is pivotally mounted on the base section to allow for height adjustment around a pivot axis. The anti-sway brake is positioned at a distance from, but preferably parallel to, this pivot axis, so that the corresponding fixed and floating bearing sections are also aligned parallel to the pivot axis.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the actuating device comprises a mechanical actuating element coupled to the sling brake and connected to a manually operable actuating handle. Activation of the actuating element causes the sling brake to open, thereby allowing the fixed and floating bearings to move freely relative to each other, so that the lifting drive becomes effective.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the operating handle is mounted on the base part. This allows the armrest part to be designed relatively simply, since the operating device is integrated into the base part.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the operating handle is mounted on the armrest part. In this embodiment, unlike the previously described embodiment, the operating device is associated with the armrest part. In this embodiment, the pinion of the rack and pinion drive is rotatably mounted on the armrest part. The anti-sway brake is also associated with the armrest part. This allows the base part to be designed simply and cost-effectively, since the base part only has at least one stationary rack of the rack and pinion drive, which is at least largely aligned in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0013] The mounting of the operating handle on the base part or the armrest part depends on which of these two functional parts the anti-sway brake and the at least one rotatable pinion of the rack and pinion drive are assigned to. If the pinion and anti-sway brake are assigned to the armrest part, the operating device is also assigned to the armrest part. Conversely, if the pinion and anti-sway brake are assigned to the base part, the operating device is also assigned to the base part. Both variants have advantages and are selected by a specialist depending on the specific requirements of the respective vehicle interior.

[0014] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below and illustrated with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of an armrest device according to the invention in two different height displacement positions, Fig. 3 a top view of the armrest device according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, Fig. 4 a front view of the armrest device according to the Fig. 1 to 3, Fig. 5 in enlarged view a rear view of the armrest device according to the Fig. 1 to 4, Fig. 6 in a side view the armrest device according to Fig. 2 omitting a housing wall of a base part, Fig. 7 a longitudinal section through the armrest device according to the Fig. 1 to 6 at the level of an actuating device for a sway brake, Fig. Figure 8 shows an enlarged cross-section through functional components of a lifting drive and the sway brake of the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 7, Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 in a side view a further embodiment of an armrest device according to the invention in two different height displacement positions, Fig. 11. Enlarged view of a rear view of the armrest device according to the Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, Fig. 12 a top view of the armrest device according to the Fig. 9 to 11, Fig. 13. Enlarged view of a side view of the armrest device according to the Fig. 9 to 12 omitting one housing wall of the base part, Fig. 14 a longitudinal section through the armrest device according to Fig. 13 at the level of an operating device and Fig. 15 in enlarged view a cross-section through the armrest device according to Fig. 14 at the level of functional components of a mechanical lifting drive and a sling brake of the armrest device according to Fig. 9 to 14.

[0015] An armrest device 1 according to the Fig. The armrest device 1, comprising parts 1 to 8, is designed for the interior of a passenger car and is positioned between two front seats. The armrest device 1 has a base part 3 that is fixed to the vehicle in its ready-to-use state, and an armrest part 2 that is pivotally mounted relative to the base part 3 about a pivot axis extending transversely to the vehicle. The armrest part 2 has a frame and a support body mounted on the frame. The support body is pivotally mounted relative to the frame. The frame forms a storage compartment for items to be stowed, though this is not shown in detail. Although the support body and the frame are movable relative to each other, the unit consisting of the support body and frame will be referred to below as the armrest part 2, without further discussion of its two-part construction.

[0016] The pivot axis S ( Fig. 7), by means of which the armrest part 2 is pivotally mounted relative to the base part 3, is provided at a rear end region of the armrest device 1 – viewed in the normal direction of travel of the passenger car. The privacy screen 4 is part of the armrest part 2 and is pivotally movable together with the armrest part 2 about the pivot axis S. Based on the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows that the viewing panel 4, in an upper, end-adjusted vertical position of the armrest part 2, covers a resulting wedge-shaped gap between a housing wall of the base part 3 and the armrest part 2. In a lower, end-adjusted vertical position, the armrest part 2 is aligned parallel to the base part 3, as shown. Fig. 1 is removable.

[0017] In order to move the armrest part 2 vertically relative to the base part 3 and thus pivot it about the vehicle-fixed pivot axis S, a mechanical lifting drive is provided, which consists of a rack and pinion drive 7, 8 on the one hand and a spring motor 16 on the other hand ( Fig. 8) is composed. In the case of the armrest device 1 according to the Fig. 1 to 8 the rack and pinion drive has two racks 7 extending essentially in the vehicle's vertical direction, curved concentrically in a circular arc to the pivot axis S, which are provided in a stationary position relative to the base part 3 and are aligned parallel to each other at a distance.

[0018] Each of the two fixed racks 7 meshes with a pinion 8 designed as a spur gear. The two pinions 8 are fixedly mounted on a common shaft 13, which extends parallel to the pivot axis S and is rotatably mounted at opposite end faces in two bearing parts 12, which are rigidly connected to the frame of the armrest part 2. Both the two racks 7 and the pinions 8 are arranged in the area of ​​a front end region of the armrest device 1 opposite the pivot axis S.

[0019] A spring motor 16, designed as a helical torsion spring, drives the shaft 13 and thus the pinions 8 continuously in a direction of rotation that corresponds to the pinions 8 climbing up along the racks 7. For this purpose, the spring motor 16 is supported against rotation on one side by the shaft 13 and one of the pinions 8, and on the other side by a housing section 17 that is rigidly connected to the armrest part 2. The spring motor 16 is aligned coaxially with the axis of rotation of the shaft 13.

[0020] To the center, to the side next to the spring motor 16 ( Fig. 8) A floating bearing 15 is rotationally fixed to the shaft 13 and surrounds the shaft 13 in a sleeve-like manner. The floating bearing 15 is designed coaxially with the axis of rotation of the shaft 13. The floating bearing 15 is partially mounted for rotation in a fixed bearing 14, which is fixedly arranged on the arm support part 2. The fixed bearing 14 and the floating bearing 15 are surrounded by a sling brake 9, the sling brake 9 having coiled spring coils that partially engage a cylindrical outer shell of the fixed bearing 14 and partially a cylindrical outer shell of the floating bearing 15. The coils of the sling brake 9 are pre-tensioned such that the sling brake 9 blocks the fixed bearing 14 and the floating bearing 15 relative to each other.

[0021] To release the sling brake 9, at least one preferably end-side winding of the sling spring windings of the sling brake 9 is twisted in the opening direction, which inevitably also causes the integrally adjacent windings to widen and releases a relative movement between the loose bearing 15 and the fixed bearing 14.

[0022] For this purpose, an actuating device 10, 11 is provided. The actuating device 10, 11 has a release lever 11 which is mechanically coupled to at least one coil of the sling brake 9 and which is mounted so as to be rotatably coaxial relative to the axis of rotation of the shaft 13. The release lever 11 is rotated by a lever joint of the actuating device 10 to release the sling brake 9. The lever joint of the actuating device 10 is moved by an actuating handle 5, in this case in the form of a push button, which is mounted so as to be linearly movable on the armrest part 2. The actuating handle 5 is actuated against the compressive force of a compression spring (not otherwise specified) which is located in Fig. 7 is recognizable. The lever joint of the actuating device 10 is pivotally mounted on the armrest part 2 at a distance above the shaft 13 about a pivot axis which is aligned parallel to the pivot axis S of the armrest part 2.

[0023] The armrest part 2 is shown in the illustration according to the Fig. Figures 6 to 8 show the armrest in its upper, end-positioned height adjustment. The pivoting range of the armrest section 2 is limited in this upper, end-positioned height adjustment by an end stop (not shown) relative to the base section 3. When the operating handle 5 is positioned as shown in the illustration... Fig. Unless manually actuated, the sling brake 19 is in its locking position, which firmly couples the fixed bearing 14 and the floating bearing 15. When the actuating handle 5 is pressed, the lever joint of the actuating device 10 exerts a contact force and consequently a torque on the release lever 11, causing the release lever 11 to rotate the sling brake 9 into its release position. Now, by simply pressing manually from above, the armrest part 2 can be moved into its lower, end-end height adjustment position according to... Fig. 1 or into an intermediate position above, whereby the pinions 8 inevitably move downwards along the racks 7. This inevitably tensions the spring motor 16. As soon as the operating handle 5 is released again in the lower height adjustment position by a suitable operator, the compression spring pushes the lever joint 10 into the Fig. The armrest returns to the starting position shown in Figure 7. This moves the lever joint 10 away from the release lever, causing the anti-sway brake 9 to retract into its clamping position. This inevitably locks the armrest section 2 in its lower height adjustment position. To move the armrest section 2 upwards from this lower position, the actuating handle 5 is simply pressed again. This inevitably releases the anti-sway brake 9 and activates the spring motor 16, causing the pinions 8 to move upwards along the racks 7. The force of the spring motor 16 is designed to overcome the weight of the armrest section 2. The armrest section 2 therefore moves upwards automatically until the actuating handle 5 is released, at which point the anti-sway brake 9 inevitably retracts into its locking position.

[0024] The armrest device 1a according to the Fig. 9 to 15 essentially corresponds to the armrest device 1 according to the Fig. 1 to 8. Functionally identical parts or sections of the armrest device 1a are designated with the same reference numerals with the addition of the letter a. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the descriptions of the armrest device 1 according to the following. Fig. Reference is made to sections 1 to 8. The differences of the armrest device 1a are explained below.

[0025] The essential difference in the armrest device 1a is that the mechanical lifting drive for pivoting the armrest part 2a relative to the base part 3a is different from the mechanical lifting drive of the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 8 exhibits a kinematically reversed function. In this embodiment as well, the mechanical lifting drive is arranged at a distance from the pivot axis S of the armrest part 2a, which is provided for the pivot mounting of the armrest part 2a on the base part 3a.

[0026] In the armrest device 1a, corresponding racks 7a are rigidly connected to the armrest part 2a, while the pinions 8a are rotatably mounted in vehicle-mounted bearing blocks 12a on the base part 3a about a corresponding vehicle-mounted axis of rotation. Similarly, the fixed bearing 14a is provided in a housing part 17a of the base part 3a, and the fixed bearing 14a is rigidly connected to the base part 3a. The floating bearing 15a is rotationally fixed to the shaft 13a, as are the pinions 8a. The shaft 13a, including the two pinions 8a, is rotatably mounted in the bearing blocks 12a, which are rigidly connected to the base part 3a.

[0027] Each pinion 8a is associated with a rack 7a, which, unlike the racks 7 of the armrest device 1, are arranged behind the pinions 8a and are therefore convexly curved in a circular arc, rather than concavely, as is the case with the racks 7 of the armrest device 1. Each rack 7a meshes with one of the two rotatably mounted pinions 8a. Each rack 7a is rigidly connected to a housing section of the armrest part 2a.

[0028] The sway brake 9a is analogous to the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 8 are also arranged approximately centrally to the shaft 13a and encircle the fixed bearing 14a and the floating bearing 15a analogously to the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 8. The sling brake 9a is moved from its locked position to its released position by an actuating device 10a, which has a release lever 11a acting on the sling brake 9a and a lever linkage that interacts with an actuating handle 5a movably mounted on the base part 3a. The actuating handle 5a is designed as a push button movably mounted in the upward direction. The actuating handle 5a is held in its initial position by a spring device (not shown). As soon as the actuating handle 5a is pressed downwards, the release lever 11a is pivoted via the lever linkage of the actuating device 10a in a direction relative to the axis of rotation of the shaft 13a that corresponds to a release of the sling brake 9a. The release lever 11a is analogous to the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 8 are mechanically coupled to at least one turn of the sling brake 9a in order to open this turn and thereby also elastically expand the adjacent turns into an open position. After the sling brake 9a is released, the spring motor 16a can set the shaft 13a and thus the pinions 8a into rotational motion, which inevitably moves the racks 7a, rigidly connected to the armrest part 2a, upwards. An upper, end-end height displacement position of the armrest part 2a and the racks 7a is determined by the Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 recognizable.

[0029] As long as the operating handle 5a remains depressed, the spring motor 16a moves the armrest section 2a to its upper end position. After the pressure on the operating handle 5a is removed, the anti-sway brake 9a automatically retracts into its locking position. To lower the armrest section 2a from its upper height position, the operating handle 5a is pressed, which opens the anti-sway brake 9a into its release position. Now, the armrest section 2a can be moved downwards again against the opposing torque of the spring motor 16a by applying downward pressure from above, until the operating handle 5a is released. This automatically returns the release lever 11a to its initial position, in which the anti-sway brake 9a again locks the fixed bearing 14a and the floating bearing 15a relative to each other.

Claims

[1] Armrest device (1, 1a) for a vehicle interior with a base part (3, 3a) fixedly arranged in the vehicle in the mounted operating state, and with an armrest part (2, 2a) mounted so as to be vertically displaceable relative to the base part (3, 3a), and with a locking device which is provided for locking a vertical displacement position of the armrest part (2, 2a) relative to the base part (3, 3a), and with a manually operable actuating device associated with the locking device which controls the locking device between a release position and a locking position, wherein a mechanical lifting drive is associated with the armrest part (2, 2a) which drives the armrest part (2, 2a) in an upward direction, characterized by, that a viewing panel (4, 4a) is assigned to the armrest part (2, 2a), which is firmly connected to the armrest part (2, 2a) and conceals functional components of the mechanical lifting drive and the locking device regardless of the height displacement position of the armrest part (2, 2a). [2] Armrest device (1, 1a) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the mechanical lifting drive has a spring motor (16, 16a) which relaxes in the upward direction of the armrest part (2, 2a) and tightens in the downward direction. [3] Armrest device (1, 1a) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the mechanical lifting drive has a rack and pinion drive, wherein the spring motor (16, 16a) is associated with a rotatable pinion (8, 8a) of the rack and pinion drive. [4] Armrest device (1, 1a) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the locking device has a sway brake (9, 9a) which is arranged coaxially to the pinion (8, 8a) of the rack and pinion drive. [5] Armrest device (1, 1a) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the actuating device has a mechanical actuating element coupled to the sling brake, which is coupled to a manually operable actuating handle (5, 5a). [6] Armrest device (1a) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the operating handle (5a) is mounted on the base part. [7] Armrest device (1) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the operating handle (5) is mounted on the armrest part (2).

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