Armrest device for a vehicle interior

Abstract

Armrest device for a vehicle interior, with a base part (2) arranged fixedly to the vehicle, and with an armrest part (1) pivotally mounted on the base part (2) between two end positions in the region of a pivot bearing (5), and with a braking device for blocking a pivoting movement of the armrest part (1) in at least one end position, characterized in that the braking device is operatively connected to the pivot bearing (5) by means of a mechanical reduction gear.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an armrest device for a vehicle interior, comprising a base part fixed to the vehicle, and an armrest part pivotably mounted on the base part between two end positions in the region of a pivot bearing, and comprising a braking device for blocking a pivoting movement of the armrest part in at least one end position.

[0002] Such an armrest device is known from DE 10 2014 210 134 B4. The known armrest device is intended for the interior of a passenger car and comprises an armrest part that is pivotally mounted between an armrest position and a non-use position. The armrest part is mounted on a base part fixed to the vehicle by means of a pivot bearing. A braking device comprising a wrap brake is provided coaxially to the pivot bearing. The wrap brake is operatively connected to the armrest part in such a way that the armrest part is released during a pivoting movement toward the non-use position and blocked during a reverse pivoting movement toward the armrest position. The wrap brake enables continuous variation of the pivot angle of the armrest part relative to the base part.

[0003] DE 10 2017 221 768 A1 discloses a gear transmission for an armrest device that serves as a braking device. A large gear is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a pivotable armrest part. A stationary locking unit is provided, which has a rack section that serves as a braking element and is mounted for stroke movement radially relative to the pivot axis of the gear that rotates with the armrest part. A drive device is provided for this purpose. Furthermore, freely rotatable gear pinions are provided, which mesh with the gear when the locking unit is in a release position.

[0004] From DE 11 2009 005 491 T5 a brake pin is known which is radially offset from a pivot pin.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide an armrest device of the type mentioned above which combines simple operation with good crash safety.

[0006] This object is achieved in that the braking device is operatively connected to the pivot bearing by means of a mechanical reduction gear. The braking device operates frictionally or positively. The solution according to the invention enables good braking action despite the relatively small braking forces applied by the braking device. The mechanical reduction gear amplifies the blocking forces acting on the armrest. This ensures that, in the event of a vehicle impact, the armrest is effectively secured in at least one end position in which the braking device is effective. Preferably, the armrest can be easily pivoted in one pivoting direction.The solution according to the invention is suitable both for use in the area of ​​a pivoting center armrest of a backrest arrangement of a rear bench seat and in the area of ​​an armrest device arranged between the front seats and assigned to a center console between the front seats. When used in the area of ​​a center armrest, a support part fixed to the body in the area of ​​a backrest arrangement is preferably provided as the base part. When used as an armrest device arranged between the front seats, a center console part fixed to the vehicle can also be provided as the base part, which is preferably provided with a storage compartment. According to the invention, it is also possible to provide the gearing only in the pivoting range of at least one end position of the armrest part, preferably in both end positions.Between these end positions, however, the reduction gear is interrupted, allowing the armrest to pivot freely within a pivot angle range between the two end positions without any braking action on the armrest. In the end positions, however, the pivoting movement of the armrest is absorbed by the engagement of a gear in the reduction gear, which inevitably activates the braking function.

[0007] In an embodiment of the invention, the braking device is arranged radially offset relative to a pivot axis of the pivot bearing. The radial offset of the braking device relative to the pivot bearing enables increased design freedom for the armrest device, since design space is available coaxial to the pivot axis. According to the invention, it is also provided for the braking device to be arranged radially offset relative to a pivot axis of the pivot bearing, but not to couple the braking device to the pivot bearing in the form of an operative connection by means of a mechanical reduction gear. This is because the radial offset of the braking device also allows the braking device to be dimensioned for higher braking forces, since installation space coaxial to the pivot bearing is not used by the braking device.The braking device can be designed either to frictionally or positively block the pivoting movement of the armrest part.

[0008] In a further embodiment of the invention, the reduction gear is designed as a toothed gear. This achieves a positive torque transmission, which enables at least largely backlash-free power transmission.

[0009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the braking device is coupled to a brake pinion mounted on an output shaft, the rotational axis of which is aligned parallel to the pivot axis, and the brake pinion meshes with a circular-arc-shaped toothed section coaxial with the pivot axis. The brake pinion, together with the toothed section, forms the mechanical reduction gear, with a pitch radius of the toothed section being significantly larger than a pitch radius of the brake pinion. The pivot bearing for the armrest part forms the drive shaft, and the output shaft, equipped with the brake pinion, together with the pivot bearing, defines the reduction gear, since the rotational speed of the output shaft is significantly higher than the rotational speed of the pivotable armrest part and thus the rotational speed in the area of ​​the pivot bearing.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the braking device has a wrap brake which interacts with the output shaft of the brake pinion. The wrap brake is designed such that it tightens helically in one direction of rotation and consequently develops a blocking effect, while it widens helically in the other direction of rotation and consequently permits a smooth rotary movement of the output shaft. The wrap brake is preferably designed such that when the armrest part pivots from a downwardly pivoted armrest position towards an upwardly pivoted non-use position, the corresponding turns of the wrap brake are released, so that a smooth upward pivoting is achievable, but in the opposite direction, i.e. from the non-use position towards the armrest position, a blocking is achieved by the wrap brake.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the braking device is assigned an actuating device for releasing or locking the braking device. The actuating device is preferably electrically or manually operable. Manual operation of the actuating device is particularly cost-effective and functionally reliable.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the actuating device comprises an actuating handle and a mechanical remote transmission unit that couples the actuating handle to a functional element of the braking device, in particular to the wrap brake, in order to transfer the latter into a release position or to enable it for a braking function. The actuating handle enables manual operation of the actuating device. A pawl can be provided as a functional element in a positively acting braking device. In a frictionally acting braking device, a wrap brake is preferably provided. The actuating device is particularly advantageous if, despite the blocking function provided by the wrap brake, the armrest part is to be pivoted downwards from an upwardly pivoted intermediate or end position into the armrest position.By manually operating the operating handle, the braking function of the wrap brake can be released and the armrest can be pivoted downward. The operating handle is preferably spring-loaded by a spring device such that the operating handle automatically returns to its original position after manual pressure is removed. This inevitably causes the wrap brake to contract again to exert a blocking effect. The operating handle can have a single operating element or multiple operating elements, which can then be operated independently of one another and each act on the remote transmission unit.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the base part has two spaced-apart support arms, between which the armrest part is received, and the pivot bearing has two pivot bearing sections for the armrest part, which are assigned to the spaced-apart support arms. Each pivot bearing section is thus assigned to one of the two support arms. This embodiment enables a pivotable articulation of the armrest part to the base part without the pivot bearing having to extend across the width of the armrest part. The division into two spaced-apart pivot bearing sections ensures additional installation space for the armrest part between the pivot bearing sections.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the braking device is assigned to at least one of the pivot bearing sections. For adequate braking, it is sufficient if the braking device is assigned to only one of the two pivot bearing sections. However, it is also advantageous if the braking device is assigned to both pivot bearing sections and can therefore exert a synchronous braking effect on both pivot bearing sections.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, each of the pivot bearing sections is assigned a mechanical reduction gear, which is coupled to each other by means of a synchronization mechanism. This results in a particularly uniform torque transmission to both pivot bearing sections. This enables a particularly stable pivot bearing of the armrest part.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the output shaft extends parallel to the pivot axis between the two pivot bearing sections and the two reduction gears. The output shaft carries a brake pinion at each opposite end, which meshes with the respective gear section of the respective reduction gear. Because each pivot bearing section is assigned a gear, a particularly balanced synchronization is achieved between the opposing pivot bearing sections. The output shaft is part of the synchronization mechanism and serves as the synchronization shaft.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one pivot bearing section is provided with a support extension for rotatably supporting the output shaft, and the wrap brake is effective between the support extension and the output shaft. This ensures a particularly space-saving combination of the braking function with the transmission of the braking force to the reduction gear.

[0018] Further advantages and features of the invention emerge from the claims and from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated by the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an armrest device according to the invention in a downwardly pivoted armrest position, Fig. 2 the armrest device according to Fig. 1 in its upwardly pivoted non-use position, Fig. 3 shows an enlarged view of a section of functional parts of the armrest device according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, Fig. 4 shows an enlarged longitudinal section through the functional arrangement according to Fig. 3, Fig. 5 in an enlarged perspective view the armrest device according to the Fig. 1 to 4 omitting a padding body of the armrest part, Fig. 6 the representation according to Fig. 5, but from a different perspective, Fig. 7 an enlarged section of the functional arrangement according to the illustration in Fig. 6 and Fig. 8 schematically shows a detail of a further embodiment of an armrest device according to the invention with a positively acting braking device.

[0019] An armrest device according to the Fig. 1 to 7 is designed as a center armrest in the area of ​​a backrest arrangement of a rear seat bench of a passenger car. The armrest device has an armrest part 1, which is fixed to a base part 2 fixed to the vehicle between a Fig. 1 shown armrest position and one in Fig. 2. In the non-use position, the armrest part 1 is inserted into a recess in the backrest assembly of the rear bench seat and is mounted flush with the backrest assembly. In the armrest position according to Fig. 1, the armrest part 1 projects forward in the vehicle's longitudinal direction approximately parallel to a seat surface of the rear bench seat. For pivotally mounting the armrest part 1 on the base part 2, a pivot bearing 5 is provided, which defines a pivot axis S extending in the vehicle's transverse direction for the armrest part 1 relative to the base part 2. The base part 2 is firmly connected to a body support structure of the passenger car and projects forward in the vehicle's longitudinal direction from a dimensionally stable rear wall of the backrest arrangement. The base part 2 has two support arms spaced apart from one another in the vehicle's transverse direction, which flank the armrest part 1 on both sides. Each support arm is assigned a pivot bearing section of the pivot bearing 5.

[0020] As shown by the Fig. 5 and Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 6, the armrest part 1 comprises a dimensionally stable support frame, which is surrounded by an armrest body (not further described). The armrest body comprises padding and a cover. Furthermore, a container holder 3 ( Fig. 1) is embedded, which is connected to the support frame of the armrest part 1. The support frame has two essentially parallel frame profiles 4, which are each pivotably mounted on the respective support arm of the base part 2 via a pivot bearing section of the pivot bearing 5 about the pivot axis S. The two frame profiles 4 are firmly connected to one another via a cross member arrangement (not further specified), forming the support frame. Each frame profile 4 is designed as a sheet metal construction.

[0021] In the area of ​​the pivot bearing 5 in the area of ​​the armrest position, the frame profiles 4 are assigned a stop (not further specified) in order to limit the pivoting mobility of the support frame of the armrest part 1 in an end position forming the armrest position.

[0022] A braking device, described in more detail below, and a reduction gear are assigned to the pivot bearing 5, wherein the braking device is coupled to the pivot bearing and thus to the support frame of the armrest part 1 by means of the reduction gear.

[0023] For this purpose, each support arm of the base part 2, which flanks the respective frame profile of the support frame 4 on the outside, has a stationary toothed section 7 on the inside of the respective frame profile 4, which is thus firmly connected to the respective support arm of the base part 2. The toothed section 7 is designed in the manner of a quarter-circle gear section and has a circular-arc-shaped spur gear toothing extending concentrically to the pivot axis S, which extends over a pivot angle relative to the pivot axis S that corresponds at least to the pivot range of the arm support part 1 relative to the base part 2. A brake pinion 9 meshes with each toothed section 7, which is also provided with spur gear toothing and has a pitch circle radius of its toothing that is significantly smaller than a pitch circle radius of the respective toothed section 7.The two brake pinions 9 are held in a rotationally fixed manner on opposite end regions of an output shaft 8. The opposing toothed sections 7 and the respectively associated, opposing brake pinions 9 are designed identically to one another.

[0024] The output shaft 8 is radially offset, but parallel to the pivot axis S around a rotation axis D ( Fig. 3) are rotatably mounted in two support extensions 6, which are connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the support frame and thus to a frame profile 4 each. Each support extension 6 is designed as a Z-shaped bearing leg, which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the respective frame profile 4 in the area of ​​the respective pivot bearing section of the pivot bearing 5. The output shaft 8 is designed as a polygonal shaft. For the rotatable mounting of the output shaft 8 in the respective support extension 6, each brake pinion 9, as shown in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, is provided with a polygonal receptacle 9c matched to the polygon of the output shaft 8. In addition, the brake pinion 9 has a hollow cylindrical bearing extension 9d coaxial with the polygonal receptacle 9c and thus coaxial with the rotational axis D, which is rotatably received in the support extension 6 and extends through a corresponding bearing receptacle of the support extension 6 toward the center of the armrest part 1. The output shaft forms a synchronization shaft between the transmission gear parts formed by the brake pinion 9 and the toothed sections 7 on both sides of the support frame.

[0025] As shown by the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 is clearly visible, the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, a braking device comprising a wrap brake 10 is assigned to the left side of the armrest device. The wrap brake 10 has a plurality of helical windings that, coaxially to the rotational axis D, encompass a partial section of the support extension 6 on the one hand and a cylindrical support section 9a of the brake pinion 9 on the other. The wrap brake 10 corresponds in its construction to a wrap brake as described in DE 10 2014 210 134 B4.

[0026] When the wrap brake 10, with its helical windings, non-positively encloses both the corresponding cylindrical section of the support extension 6, which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the support frame of the armrest part 1, and the cylindrical support section 9a of the brake pinion 9, the support extension 6 and the brake pinion 9 are non-rotatably coupled to one another. The brake pinion 9 additionally has a front section 9b, which penetrates a recess of the respective frame profile 4 coaxially to the rotation axis D with play.

[0027] In this clamping position of the wrap brake 10, the output shaft 8 cannot rotate relative to the support extension 6, whereby the brake pinions 9 are blocked on the fixed toothed sections 7 of the base part 2.

[0028] The wrap brake 10 automatically opens its helical windings in one direction of rotation, while the wrap brake 10 automatically contracts the windings in the opposite direction of rotation, creating a frictional connection with the corresponding lateral surfaces of the support extension 6 and the support section 9a. In the embodiment shown here, the wrap brake 10 opens automatically as soon as the armrest part 1 is pivoted from its armrest position toward the non-use position. In the correspondingly opposite pivoting direction, the wrap brake 10 closes and thus blocks a reverse pivoting movement of the armrest part 1 from the non-use position downward toward the armrest position.

[0029] The reduction gear defined by the brake pinions 9 and the toothed sections 7 makes it possible to use a wrap brake 10 with a comparatively low wrap force and still achieve a good blocking function for the armrest part 1.

[0030] In order to nevertheless be able to pivot the armrest part 1 from the non-use position or any intermediate position towards the lower end position, i.e. the armrest position, the armrest device is assigned an actuating device which comprises an actuating handle G movably mounted on the armrest part 1 on the one hand and a mechanical remote transmission unit F on the other. When the actuating handle G is actuated, the remote transmission unit F mechanically exerts an opening force on the wrap brake 10, whereby the windings open and release a pivoting movement of the armrest part 1. Preferably, the remote transmission unit F is formed by a pull or push rod which is articulated on the one hand to an end winding of the wrap brake 10 and on the other hand to the actuating handle G.By pressing or pulling the actuating handle G, the corresponding end winding of the wrap brake 10 can be opened, which inevitably transmits this opening movement to the further helical windings integrally connected to the end winding.

[0031] In addition, a reset device is assigned to the actuating device in a manner not shown in detail, which resets the actuating handle G and / or the remote transmission unit F to an unloaded initial position as soon as a manual load on the actuating handle is removed.

[0032] The armrest device, as shown in detail in accordance with Fig. 8, corresponds in terms of its basic structure with a pivotable armrest part relative to a vehicle-fixed base part of the armrest device according to the Fig. 1 to 7. The armrest device according to Fig. 8 is designed as a center armrest in the area of ​​a backrest arrangement of a rear seat bench of a passenger car. To avoid repetition, the basic structure and arrangement of the armrest device is described in Fig. 8 to the description of the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 7. The armrest part is analogous to the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 7 are provided with a dimensionally stable support frame, which has two frame profiles 4a spaced apart essentially parallel to one another, of which in Fig. 8 one can be seen. The frame profile 4a shown is mounted around the pivot axis S on a corresponding support arm of the base part. The two frame profiles 4a are analogous to the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 7 are firmly connected to each other via a crossbeam arrangement. Each frame profile 4a is constructed from sheet metal.

[0033] The merely indicated pivot bearing for the support frame and thus the two frame profiles 4a is assigned a positively acting braking device 10a, which is arranged radially offset from the pivot axis S. The positively acting braking device 10a blocks the pivoting movement in one pivoting direction of the support frame and thus of the frame profiles 4a and releases the pivoting movement in an opposite pivoting direction. The braking device 10a has a stationary toothing Z, which is firmly connected to the base part and thus held fixed to the vehicle. In addition, the braking device 10a has a locking pawl K, which rotates about a rotational axis D ais pivotally mounted on the support frame. The locking pawl K is assigned a spring device in a manner not shown in detail, which permanently applies torque to the locking pawl K in the engagement direction relative to tooth gaps in the toothing Z. The tooth flanks of corresponding teeth of the toothing Z shown are designed in such a way that when the locking pawl K is engaged, in one pivoting direction of the support frame and thus of the frame profiles 4a, the locking pawl K is pulled into its locking position, and in the other pivoting direction the locking pawl K is pressed out of engagement by the corresponding tooth of the toothing Z in a manner of a freewheel function. As a result, the braking device 10a locks the support frame and thus the armrest part in one pivoting direction. In the opposite pivoting direction, the braking device 10a releases the armrest part and the support frame for a pivoting movement.

[0034] The pawl K is a remote transmission unit F a which is analogous to the remote transmission unit F according to the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 7 can be actuated. When a tensile load is applied to the remote transmission unit F in the direction of the arrow, either manually or by a drive device, the locking pawl K disengages from the toothing Z. As soon as the tensile load is removed, the spring device (not shown) inevitably presses the locking pawl K back into engagement with the toothing Z.

[0035] The basic structure and the basic function of the braking device 10a of the armrest device according to Fig. 8 The structure and function of the armrest device correspond to the Fig. 1 to 7. The main difference is that in the embodiment according to Fig. 8 a reduction gear is missing, and that the braking device 10a, in contrast to the frictional function of the wrap brake 10 in the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 7 in this embodiment according to Fig. 8 is positively effective. In order to reduce the holding forces that occur, the positively effective braking device 10a according to Fig. 8 a reduction gear may be connected upstream in a manner not shown in detail.

Claims

[1] Armrest device for a vehicle interior, with a base part (2) fixed to the vehicle, and with an armrest part (1) pivotably mounted on the base part (2) between two end positions in the region of a pivot bearing (5), and with a braking device for blocking a pivoting movement of the armrest part (1) in at least one end position, characterized by that the braking device is operatively connected to the pivot bearing (5) by means of a mechanical reduction gear. [2] Armrest device according to claim 1, characterized by that the braking device is arranged radially offset relative to a pivot axis (S) of the pivot bearing (5). [3] Armrest device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the reduction gear is designed as a gear transmission. [4] Armrest device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the braking device is coupled to a brake pinion (9) held on an output shaft (8), the axis of rotation (D) of which is aligned parallel to the pivot axis (S), and that the brake pinion (9) meshes with a toothed section (7) which is coaxial to the pivot axis (S), circular-arc-shaped and stationary. [5] Armrest device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the braking device has a wrap brake (10) which cooperates with the output shaft (8) of the brake pinion (9). [6] Armrest device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the braking device is assigned an actuating device for releasing or blocking the braking device. [7] Armrest device according to claim 6, characterized bythat the actuating device has an actuating handle (G) and a mechanical remote transmission unit (F) which couples the actuating handle (G) to a functional element of the braking device, in particular to the wrap brake (10), in order to transfer the latter into a release position or to release it for a braking function. [8] Armrest device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the base part (2) has two support arms spaced apart from one another, between which the armrest part (1) is received, and that the pivot bearing (5) for the armrest part (1) has two pivot bearing sections which are assigned to the spaced-apart support arms. [9] Armrest device according to claim 8, characterized by that the braking device is assigned to at least one of the pivot bearing sections. [10] Armrest device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized bythat each of the two pivot bearing sections is assigned a mechanical reduction gear, which are coupled to each other by means of a synchronization mechanism. [11] Armrest device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the output shaft (8) extends parallel to the pivot axis (S) between the two pivot bearing sections and the two reduction gears, and that the output shaft (8) carries a brake pinion (9) at each of the opposite end regions, which brake pinion meshes with the respective toothed section (7) of the respective reduction gear. [12] Armrest device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one pivot bearing section is provided with a support extension (6) for rotatably supporting the output shaft (8), and that the wrap brake (10) is effective between the support extension (6) and the output shaft (8).

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