Equipment part for a vehicle

Abstract

Equipment component for a vehicle with a base (11) forming a pivot axis (a) and with a first pivot device (20) and a second pivot device (30) on which a pivot element (13) is held, wherein the pivot devices (20, 30) are pivotable about a pivot axis (a) and movable relative to each other, characterized in that the first pivot device (20, 20') and the second pivot device (30, 30') are pivotably mounted separately on a physical axis (a) and that the first pivot device (20, 20') can be locked relative to the second pivot device (30, 30') in at least two different relative positions by means of a locking device (40, 40') which is movable between a locking position and a release position, wherein the locking device (40, 40') has a movable locking bolt and a matrix (44, 44') of at least two recesses (45, 45') includes the bar (42,42') of a swivel device (30, 30') and the matrix (44, 44') of the other swivel device (20, 20') is assigned, the first swivel device (20, 20') can detachably support itself on a support surface (32, 32') of the base (11).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a component for a vehicle. For the purposes of this invention, a vehicle can be a land, air, or water vehicle. Such a component is, for example, an armrest or a lid for a storage compartment in a center console, which can be used as an armrest.

[0002] The accessory component comprises a swivel element which is pivotally mounted on a base. The swivel element, e.g., an armrest, can be locked in several positions by means of a locking device. The armrest can be swivelled from any position into a non-position. Such an accessory component in the form of an armrest is known from EP 3 188 929 A1.

[0003] An adjustable armrest is known from DE 10 2014 000 026 A1. A base plate is formed from a first and a second plate part, which are pivotably mounted about a common axis of rotation. The two plate parts are detachably connected to each other, so that the second plate part can be detached from the first. The first plate part is provided with means for fixing it in different pivot positions, which allow the base plate, i.e., the coupled plate parts, to be pivoted continuously or in steps from a specific initial position or pivot position of the armrest and fixed at a desired angular height or in a desired pivot position. From this pivot position, one plate part can be detached and pivoted out. Means for fixing the first plate part are known, for example, from WO 2003 / 082 626 A1.

[0004] DE 10 2018 200 187 A1 discloses an armrest arrangement for a motor vehicle seat with a stationary support structure and an armrest structure that is pivotable relative to the support structure between a functional position and a non-functional position about a pivot axis. A tilt adjustment device has a rotatable and rotatable actuating element that is supported on the support structure in the functional position. The actuating element is movable relative to the armrest structure about an actuating axis such that the tilt of the armrest structure in the functional position relative to the support structure can be adjusted by means of an actuating movement of the actuating element. The guide track for supporting the actuating element can be formed directly on the support structure 4 or on a component manufactured separately from the support structure.

[0005] DE 10 2016 217 849 A1 relates to an armrest with an arm support 2 and a bearing device 3 with which the arm support 2 can be fixed. The arm support is held on a swivel arm 4 of the bearing device 3, which in turn is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis by means of a mounting element 5, which serves for mounting on the vehicle. The swivel arm 4 can be locked in different pivot positions by means of a locking device. The locking device 7 comprises a pawl 8 and a detent 9.

[0006] WO 2016 / 127 970 A1 relates to an armrest, in particular for a vehicle seat, comprising a support arm which is pivotable about a pivot axis between at least one working position and at least one non-working position and which can be locked in at least one position by means of a locking device which is movable between a locking position and a release position. The locking device comprises at least one lever which interacts with the support arm and which is movably mounted relative to the support arm, wherein the lever is provided with first retaining means which can be releasably engaged with second retaining means which are connected to the vehicle structure in order to lock the movement of the support arm in at least one direction and in at least one locking position.

[0007] German patent application DE 10 2014 000 026 A1 discloses an adjustable armrest for a vehicle. This armrest comprises a base plate with a first plate section and a second plate section. The plate sections are pivotally mounted on a vehicle part about a common axis of rotation. The second plate section can be connected to and disconnected from the first plate section to pivot it independently of the first. The first plate section is provided with means for fixing it in various pivot positions.

[0008] WO 2003 / 082 626 A1 discloses a vehicle armrest. The armrest is pivotable about a pivot axis from a non-use position to at least one use position and is held in the intended position by a retaining device. When subjected to an overload torque, an overload device releases the armrest so that it can be pivoted into an overload position.

[0009] The purpose of the invention was to create a piece of equipment that has a simple structure but offers the function of locking the swivel part in several operating positions and easily moving it from the operating position to a non-operating position.

[0010] The problem was solved by a component with the features of claim 1.

[0011] The accessory is designed for a vehicle. It comprises a base that forms a pivot axis. The base is formed, for example, by a console frame or at least one support leg, which is firmly connected to the vehicle body. A first pivot device and a second pivot device are rotatable about the pivot axis. Both pivot devices move about the same geometric pivot axis. They can be mounted on different or the same physical pivot axis. A pivot element is attached to the second pivot device.

[0012] The first swivel device and the second swivel device can be swivelled into different relative positions relative to each other.

[0013] The second pivoting device can be fixed relative to the first pivoting device in at least two different relative positions by means of a locking device. The locking device is movable between a locking position and a release position. In the locking position, the first and second pivoting devices are fixed relative to each other. That is, relative movement is not possible. In the release position, the locking mechanism is released, and relative movement between the first and second pivoting devices can occur.

[0014] The first swivel device can rest against a support surface of the base. When the swivel element is in one of its operating positions, a counter surface of the first swivel device rests against the support surface of the base. Because the second swivel device can rest against the first swivel device in different relative positions, multiple operating positions are defined.

[0015] Since the first swivel device is not fixed relative to the base, the motion unit, consisting of the first swivel device, the second swivel device, and the swivel element, can be swiveled together from any position into a non-use position when the fixing device is in the fixed position. The non-use position is formed, for example, by the contact of the stop surfaces of the second swivel device or the swivel element on the one hand and the base on the other.

[0016] The pivoting element is, for example, rigidly connected to the second pivoting device or formed as a single unit. In this case, the pivoting element and the second pivoting device always pivot together. In the locking position of the locking device, the motion unit consisting of the pivoting element, the first pivoting device, and the second pivoting device pivots. In the unlocked position, the motion unit consisting of the pivoting element and the second pivoting device pivots relative to the first pivoting device.

[0017] For the purposes of the invention, a fixing device is any device for releasably blocking a relative movement between the first pivoting device and the second pivoting device. The fixing device comprises first blocking means on the first pivoting device, and the second pivoting device comprises second blocking means which can be releasably engaged to prevent a relative movement.

[0018] The fixing device comprises, for example, a locking means in the form of a movable bolt, as well as other locking means in the form of a matrix of at least two recesses, wherein the bolt is assigned to one of the pivot devices and the matrix to the other pivot device. In this way, a positive-locking, functionally reliable locking mechanism can be ensured. Alternatively, other locking mechanisms or fixings are also possible under the invention, with which the first pivot device and the second pivot device can be locked in the set relative position in such a way that relative movement is prevented even when a supporting force is applied to the pivot element.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the first and second locking means comprise clamping means that interact with other locking means comprising clamping surfaces. In the fixed position of the fixing device, the clamping means are in such a clamping relationship with the clamping surfaces that relative movement between the first and second pivoting devices is not possible. In the released position, relative movement is possible.

[0020] The fixing device can be moved between a fixing position and a release position, for example, by means of an actuating device. The actuating device includes, for example, a handle that can be adjusted by a user. The actuating device can, for example, include several handles or a handle with multiple adjustment functions. For example, one handle can be provided for adjusting the fixing device between a fixing position and a release position.

[0021] In addition, a further handling mechanism may be provided to adjust a locking device between a locking position and a release position, in the event that, for example, the swiveling part is a cover of a console, which is intended for locking a free end of the cover.

[0022] Alternatively, the locking and securing devices can also be operated using a single handle. In this case, the adjustments are performed sequentially, for example in a cascade-like fashion, as the handle is moved further.

[0023] The actuating device includes, for example, a transmission device with which the movement of the handle can be transferred to a fixing element, such as a latch. If, for example, the accessory is an armrest, the handle can be positioned, for example, at a free front end of the armrest. The fixing element is positioned, for example, at an end near the pivot axis. The transmission device allows the movement of the handle to be transferred to the remote fixing element.

[0024] A spring can, for example, bias any actuating device into the unactuated position. Alternatively or additionally, the locking device and / or the latching device can be biased into a position, for example, by means of at least one spring. The locking device is, for example, biased into the locking position.

[0025] The relative movement between the first and second pivoting devices is limited, for example, by a limiting device. The first and second pivoting devices can then only move relative to each other within certain limits. For example, the limiting device is formed by a recess in which a pin can move. The recess can be, for example, a slot or a groove. The pin is then assigned to one of the pivoting devices, and the recess to the other pivoting device.

[0026] The first swivel device is biased relative to the second swivel device in a swivel direction by means of a spring. In particular, the spring is attached to the first swivel device and to the second swivel device in such a way that the first swivel device is biased against a support surface of the base.

[0027] The relative movement between the first and second pivoting devices is dampened, for example, by a braking device. Sudden movement of a pivoting device is prevented if it is spring-loaded. This reduces unwanted noise. The braking device can, for example, be a grease brake. This brake can, for example, include a gear connected to one of the pivoting devices, with the gear meshing with teeth located on the other pivoting device.

[0028] The first swivel device and / or the second swivel device, for example, has two spaced-apart arms. The arms save space because the area between them can be used for the mechanics of the accessory or as storage space. Furthermore, this solution offers a weight saving.

[0029] The arms of the first swivel mechanism and / or the arms of the second swivel mechanism are synchronized with each other. This increases the locking security of the armrest. Furthermore, noise levels can be reduced because the switching and engagement noises of the locking mechanism occur simultaneously, rather than sequentially.

[0030] The contact surface is associated with an energy storage device, which stores the energy applied by the first pivoting device and releases it back to the first pivoting device. Before reaching the base's support surface, the first pivoting device comes into contact with a portion of the energy storage device and moves this portion until the first pivoting device makes contact with the support surface. Energy is stored during this movement, which can then be released to the first pivoting device, for example, after a console cover is unlocked. This assists the pivoting movement of the cover.

[0031] The component is, for example, an armrest or a console. The swivel component is, for example, a swiveling armrest support or a swiveling lid with an armrest surface for a storage compartment in the console.

[0032] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in the following description of the figures, also with reference to the drawings. For the sake of clarity, identical or comparable parts, elements, or areas are designated with the same reference numerals, sometimes with the addition of lowercase letters, even where different embodiments are concerned.

[0033] Features described only in relation to one embodiment can also be provided in any other embodiment of the invention. Such modified embodiments are included in the invention, even if they are not shown in the drawings.

[0034] All disclosed features are essential to the invention. The disclosure of this application hereby fully incorporates the disclosure content of the associated priority documents (copy of the prior application) as well as the cited publications and the described devices of the prior art, also for the purpose of including one or more features of these documents in one or more claims of the present application.

[0035] They show: Fig. 1. A perspective view of the equipment section from a slanted front view, Fig. 2 a side view of the equipment part according to view arrow A in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a top view of the equipment part according to view arrow B in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 a section view according to section line C - C in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 a section view according to section line D - D in Fig. 3, Fig. 6 a side view according to Fig. 2, wherein a locking device is unlocked, Fig. 7 a side view according to Fig. 2, wherein the locking device and a fixing device are unlocked, Fig. 8 a sectional view according to Fig. 3, wherein the fixing device and the locking device are unlocked, Fig. 9 a side view according to Fig. 2, wherein the swivel element is in a different operating position, Fig. 10 a sectional view according to Fig. 4, wherein the swivel element is in a different operating position, Fig. 11 a sectional view according to Fig. 5, wherein the swivel element is in a different operating position, Fig. 12 a side view according to Fig. 2, wherein the swivel element is in a non-use position, Fig. 13 a sectional view according to Fig. 4, wherein the swivel element is in the non-use position, Fig. 14 a sectional view according to Fig. 5, wherein the swivel element is in the non-use position, Fig. 15 a sectional view of a second embodiment of the equipment part according to the invention.

[0036] The accessory part, here a lid of a console which can be used as an armrest, is generally designated in the figure by reference numeral 10.

[0037] Equipment part 10 includes, according to Fig. Figure 1 comprises a base 11, a first pivoting device 20, and a second pivoting device 30 with a pivoting element 13. The base 11 is formed here by a foot that can be attached to the vehicle body. Alternatively, it could also be formed by other body-fixed components of the vehicle. The first pivoting device 20 includes arms 21a and 21b. The second pivoting device 30 includes arms 31a and 31b. The arms 21a and 21b, as well as the arms 31a and 31b, are pivotable in parallel planes about the pivot axis a. The pivoting element 13 is held on the pivoting device 30 and is pivotably mounted on the base 11 about a pivot axis a by means of the pivoting device 30. The pivot axis a is formed here by physical pivot axes 12. The pivoting element 13 could also be formed integrally with the second pivoting device 30.

[0038] In this embodiment, the pivoting element 13 is the cover of a console, which has a support surface 37 and can therefore be used as an armrest.

[0039] In the present embodiment, arms 21a and 21b are not synchronized, but can be synchronized according to an alternative embodiment. They are movable within limits relative to arms 31a and 31b, which move synchronously. The limitation of the relative movement is ensured by a limiting device 38, which in the present example is formed by a recess 22 (see Figure 1). Fig. 5) is formed in which a pin 23 is movable. In the present embodiment, the recess 22 is assigned to the first pivoting device 20 and the pin 23 to the second pivoting device 30. However, the assignment could also be reversed.

[0040] The relative movement between the first pivoting device 20 and the second pivoting device 30 can be locked by means of a first fixing device 40. The fixing device 40 comprises a bolt 42 which is translatably slidably held on the pivoting element 13 and which interacts with a matrix 44 of recesses 45 formed on the arms 21a and 21b. The fixing device 40 can be moved between a fixing position, in which the bolt 42 engages with one of the recesses 45, and a release position, in which the bolt 42 is disengaged from the matrix 44.

[0041] With at least one spring 19, which is in Fig. Since 1 is not recognizable, the first swivel device 20 is loaded relative to the second swivel device in direction u2 in contact with the support surface 32.

[0042] To prevent a sudden movement of the second swivel device 30 relative to the first swivel device 20 into the lowest operating position when the first fixing device 40 is released, gear teeth 25 are formed on the arms 21a and 21b, which engage with a gear 26 that is connected to a grease brake 27. In this way, the relative movement of the first swivel device 20 and the second swivel device 30 is dampened, thus preventing disruptive noise.

[0043] A locking device 41, which is not essential to the invention, allows a free end region of the pivoting element 13 to be locked to a wall 28 of the vehicle, here to a frame of a console. The locking device 41 is movable between a locked position and a released position.

[0044] The fixing device 40 and the locking device 41 can be operated by an actuating device 50. That is, the fixing device 40 is movable between the fixing position and the release position, and the locking device 41 is movable between the locking position and the release position. In this embodiment, the actuating device 50 is designed such that the locking device 41 is actuated first, and then the fixing device 40. Alternatively, separate actuating devices could be provided for the fixing device 40 and the locking device 41.

[0045] In the side view according to Fig. 2 is a bolt 43 of the locking device 41 with an axis 46 engaged. The locking device 41 is in the locked position. The pivoting element 13 is in its lowest operating position.

[0046] In the top view of armrest 10 according to Fig. Figure 3 shows that arms 21a and 21b as well as arms 31a and 31b are spaced apart from each other transversely to a longitudinal central axis m of the pivoting element 13.

[0047] In the sectional views according to the Fig. 4 and Fig. In figure 5, the second pivoting device 30 is in a primary position relative to the first pivoting device 20. The pivoting element 13, which is fixedly attached to extensions 29 of the arms 31a and 31b, is supported by the second pivoting device 30, which in turn is supported by the fixing device 40 on the first pivoting device 20. The first pivoting device 20 rests with a counter surface 16 against the contact surface 14 of an energy storage device 18, which can be pressed in up to a support surface 32, which forms a fixed stop. The energy stored in this way can be released back to the first pivoting device 20. The energy storage device 18 is not essential to the invention. Alternatively, the first pivoting device 20 can also come into direct contact with the support surface 32.

[0048] According to the Fig. 4 and Fig. In section 5, the fixing device 40 is in the fixing position and the locking device 41 is in the locking position. If a different operating position is to be set, the locking device 41 can be moved into the release position by actuating the actuating device 50, whereby the locking bar 43 disengages from the axis 46 (see figure 5). Fig. 6).

[0049] With further actuation of the actuating device 50, the fixing device 40 moves into the release position (see the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8). The bar 42 is located according to Fig. 8 out of engagement with the matrix 44 of recesses 45. The second pivoting device 30 can now be moved, for example, with the pivoting element 13 relative to the first pivoting device 20 from a primary position to a secondary position (see the Fig. 9, Fig. 10 to Fig. 11) When the force on the actuating device 50 decreases, the fixing device 40 moves automatically, e.g. by the spring 47, into the fixing position.

[0050] Alternatively, a position in an intermediate position between the primary and secondary positions would also be conceivable.

[0051] During the movement of the second pivoting device 30 relative to the first pivoting device 20 from the primary position to the secondary position, the pin 23 of the limiting device 38 moves from a first end region 33 to a second end region 34 of the recess 22 (see Fig. 11). The counter surface 16 of the arms 21a and 21b of the first pivoting device 20 continues to rest against the support surface 32 of the base 11.

[0052] Furthermore, the gear 26 of the brake device 24 (in Fig. (11 not visible) relative to the toothing 25 from a first end region 35 to a second end region 36. The spring 19 was tensioned in the direction u1 during the movement of the second pivoting device 30 relative to the first pivoting device 20.

[0053] From any position of use, i.e., from the position of use of Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 to Fig. 8, the usage position of the Fig. 9, Fig. 10 to Fig. 11 or an intermediate operating position - if the first fixing device 40 is in the locking position - the movement unit consisting of the first pivoting device 20 and the second pivoting device 30 can be pivoted into a non-operating position, which is located in the Fig. 12, Fig. 13 to Fig. Figure 14 shows that in the non-use position, according to... Fig. 13 a counter surface 17 of the arms 31a and 31b on a stop surface 15 of the base 11. An additional pivoting movement of the pivoting element 13 in the direction u1 is not possible.

[0054] If the swivel element 13 is moved from the position according to Fig. When the first swivel device 20 and the second swivel device 30 are pivoted in the direction of u2, the unit moves in the direction of u2 until the counter surface 16 rests against the support surface 32. The second swivel device 30 with the swivel element 13 then returns to its previously set operating position, which is thus retained (so-called memory function).

[0055] Regarding the first embodiment, it should be mentioned that the brake device 24, the energy storage device 18 and the second locking device 41 are special features of this embodiment that are in no way essential to the invention.

[0056] A second embodiment is described in Fig. Figure 15 shows comparable structures. These were provided with the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, but these were marked with an apostrophe.

[0057] The second embodiment relates to a fitting 10' in the form of an armrest with a pivoting element 13' in the form of a pivotable armrest. The pivoting element 13' is integrally connected to the second pivoting device 30'. A first pivoting device 20' and the second pivoting device 30' are pivotably mounted about a pivot axis a, which is formed by a physical pivot axis 12' held at a base. A stop with a support surface 32' is also fixed to the base.

[0058] A matrix 44' of recesses 45', which is part of a fixing device 40', is rigidly connected to the second pivoting device. The fixing device 40' also includes a latch 42', which, in a latched position of the fixing device 40', engages with one of the recesses 45' and, in the released position, disengages from the matrix 44'.

[0059] The bolt 42' can be disengaged by an actuating device 50'. A spring (not shown) biases the bolt 42' in engagement with one of the recesses 45'. The actuating device 50' can be moved into the release position by rotating a two-armed lever about a pivot axis a1 in the direction of p1. When released, it is automatically returned to the illustrated home position in the direction of p2. In the release position, which is shown in Fig.Not shown in Figure 15, the second pivoting device 30' can be pivoted relative to the first pivoting device 20' in either direction u1 or u2 to set a different operating position. In the operating position, a counter surface 16' of the first pivoting device 20' rests against the support surface 32' of the base.

[0060] From any operating position, the pivoting element 13' can be moved in the direction u1 to a non-operating position, which is also not shown here. A return pivoting motion from the non-operating position in the direction u2 to the operating position is possible until the counter surface 16' is again in contact with the support surface 32'. The previously set operating position is retained even after the movement to the non-operating position.

Claims

[1] Equipment component for a vehicle comprising a base (11) forming a pivot axis (a) and comprising a first pivot device (20) and a second pivot device (30) on which a pivot element (13) is held, wherein the pivot devices (20, 30) are pivotable about a pivot axis (a) and movable relative to each other, characterized by, that the first pivoting device (20, 20') and the second pivoting device (30, 30') are pivotably mounted separately on a physical axis (a) and that the first pivoting device (20, 20') can be locked relative to the second pivoting device (30, 30') in at least two different relative positions by means of a locking device (40, 40') which is movable between a locking position and a release position, wherein the locking device (40, 40') comprises a movable bolt and a matrix (44, 44') of at least two recesses (45, 45'), wherein the bolt (42, 42') is assigned to one pivoting device (30, 30') and the matrix (44, 44') to the other pivoting device (20, 20'), the first pivoting device (20, 20') being mounted on a support surface (32, 32') of the base (11) can be supported in a detachable manner. [2] Equipment component according to claim 1, characterized by, that the pivoting element (13, 13') is rigidly connected to the second pivoting device (30, 30') or is formed in one piece. [3] Equipment component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the fixing device (40, 40') comprises first locking means on one pivoting device from the first pivoting device (20, 20') or the second pivoting device (30, 30') and the other pivoting device comprises second locking means which can be releasably engaged to prevent relative movement. [4] Equipment component according to claim 3, characterized by , that the first blocking means are formed by clamping means and the second blocking means by clamping surfaces. [5] Equipment component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the fixing device (40, 40') can be moved between a locking position and a release position by means of an actuating device (50, 50'). [6] Equipment component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the relative movement between the first pivoting device (20, 20') and the second pivoting device (30, 30') is limited by a limiting device (38). [7] Equipment component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first swivel device (20, 20') is loaded relative to the second swivel device (30, 30') by means of a spring (19) in a swivel direction (u2). [8] Equipment component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the relative movement between the first pivoting device (20, 20') and the second pivoting device (30, 30') is braked by a braking device (24). [9] Equipment component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first pivoting device (20, 20') and / or the second pivoting device (30, 30') is formed by two spaced-apart arms (21a, 21b, 31a, 31b). [10] Equipment component according to claim 9, characterized by , that the pivoting movement of the arms (21a, 21b) of the first pivoting device (20, 20') and / or the pivoting movement of the arms (31a, 31b) of the second pivoting device (30, 30') are synchronized with each other. [11] Equipment component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the support surface (32, 32') is associated with an energy storage device (18) with which energy applied by the first pivoting device (20, 20') can be stored and released back to it. [12] Equipment component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the piece of equipment is an armrest or a lid of a center console.

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