Door element for a motor vehicle, method for operating a door element and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a door element (10) for a motor vehicle comprising an interior trim element (12) and a backrest body (14) projecting from it, on which at least one support element (16) is formed, designed to support an upper user extremity, and which is arranged on a side (18) of the backrest body (14) that differs from a side (20) facing the interior trim element (12), with an elastic backrest chamber (24) arranged under an outer surface (22) of the support element (16), which can be filled with a fluid by means of a supply element (26) so that a dimension and / or position of the support element (16) and / or a further support element (16) can be varied. The invention further relates to a method for operating a door element (10) and a motor vehicle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a door element for a motor vehicle comprising an interior trim element and a backrest body projecting from it, according to claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a door element for a motor vehicle and a corresponding motor vehicle, according to claims 8 and 9.

[0002] Motor vehicles, especially passenger cars or trucks, generally have backrests projecting into the interior on the door panels for a particularly high level of user comfort, which are used especially as armrests.

[0003] DE 198 11 615 A1 discloses an armrest with a pneumatically height-adjustable support in the area of ​​the door trim of a passenger car and a matching airbag system.

[0004] DE 10 2021 002 469 A1 shows a vehicle with a vehicle seat comprising a seat cushion forming a seat surface and a seat back with at least one side area of ​​the seat back, while at least one air cushion with at least one gas-fillable and empty air chamber is arranged to form an armrest and this has at least one air chamber at least one additional air chamber section that is separated in normal operation, unpressurized and fluidically coupled to at least one gas generator, whereby a side airbag can essentially be formed by the vehicle seat.

[0005] In addition, reference is made to the noteworthy publications DE 10 2007 026 380 A1, DE 10 2005 052 526 A1 and JP 2018-149 910 A, which all reveal the respective door elements as state of the art.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a door element, a method and a motor vehicle which can provide a particularly high level of ergonomics for an armrest and thus comfort for a user of the motor vehicle.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0008] A first aspect of the invention relates to a door element for a motor vehicle comprising an interior trim element and a backrest body projecting from it, that is to say, in particular, protruding or projecting from it. At least one support element is formed on the backrest body of the door element according to the invention, which is designed or provided for supporting an upper user extremity and is arranged on a side of the backrest body that differs from the side facing the interior trim element.According to the invention, an elastic backrest chamber is arranged under an outer surface of the support element, which can be filled with a fluid, for example gas, in particular air, by means of a supply element, in particular reversibly, and is thus in particular inflatable, whereby a dimension, in particular an outer dimension, and / or a position of the support element, in particular in relation to the backrest body, and / or of a further support element can be varied.

[0009] The backrest body and the interior trim element can, for example, be directly connected, so that the backrest body is attached directly to the interior trim element, for instance by means of screws, or both the interior trim element and the backrest body can be held, for example, by a door frame or door body. Furthermore, the interior trim element and the backrest body can be formed together, particularly as a single piece. In addition, a bracket, which serves in particular to create a gap between the interior trim element and the backrest body, can be used to position and fix the backrest body relative to the interior trim element.The backrest body has several sides, with at least one side facing the interior trim element or being adjacent to the interior trim element, such that the remaining sides of the backrest body are not adjacent to the interior trim element. The backrest body is dimensionally stable and has an area where the support element is formed, which may, for example, be a cushion element. This area is specifically designed to be ergonomically positioned for a vehicle user in a user position of the door element and thus of the backrest body, allowing the user to easily rest their arm on the support element.In this arrangement, at least one support element, when in use and thus within the motor vehicle (which may be a passenger car), is oriented upwards in the vertical direction of the vehicle and / or laterally towards the vehicle's center or interior, and thus particularly on a side opposite the interior trim element. The backrest chamber is designed, in particular, as a bladder, bellows, and / or balloon. The supply element may also be designed, for example, as a bellows or balloon. Additionally or alternatively, the supply element may, for example, include a compressor through which air, as a fluid, can be pneumatically filled into the backrest chamber.Due to its elasticity, the backrest chamber can change its volume by being filled with a fluid, thus, for example, moving and / or enlarging the support element relative to the backrest body.

[0010] In other words, an extendable armrest for a door panel is presented, the functionality of which is based on the integration of one or two air springs within the armrest. These air springs are located in the vehicle's transverse and / or vertical direction, specifically beneath an elastic cover. This allows the armrest to be extended vertically and / or laterally, for example, by a few centimeters, and in particular by up to half a centimeter. This improves the ergonomic comfort of the armrest by increasing the surface area for resting the upper limb. The armrest chamber can be actuated, for example, by manually pumping the additional or second air spring and / or by connecting it to a pneumatic pump located in the vehicle. The pumping frequency can be adjusted to achieve different heights.In particular, a control element, such as a button, may be provided for draining the filled seat cushion chamber. The filling and / or draining of the fluid can also be combined in the button or controlled, for example, via a user interface (such as the user interface of the infotainment system).

[0011] The door element according to the invention can be integrated into an existing package volume. It can be installed vertically, horizontally, or both, thus allowing for particularly advantageous adaptation to specific application requirements.

[0012] The door element according to the invention offers the advantage of improved ergonomics for the armrest. A further advantage is that it also enhances the perceived ergonomics for the vehicle user.

[0013] It is also provided according to the invention that the supply element is designed as a manually operated bellows. In other words, the supply element is operated analogously to a pump or a bellows, so that by compressing the bellows, air is moved into the backrest chamber via a corresponding line and / or valve element, thereby filling it. The bellows can be formed analogously to a bladder and / or, for example, from rubber or another elastic material, so that it can be deformed particularly easily by a user. This has the advantage that the door element can be designed to be particularly simple and thus, for example, particularly low-maintenance and / or cost-effective. At the same time, the manual operation allows the user particularly advantageous gradual control.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the supply element, in particular the manually operated bellows, is formed on and / or in the backrest body and / or positioned such that the fluid can be conveyed into the backrest chamber by deformation, for example, by pressing a part of the backrest body. In other words, for example, a recess or space is provided in the backrest body in which the supply element can be placed, so that it forms, for example, at least partially, one side of the backrest body, in particular the side adjacent to the inner lining element. Thus, by grasping the backrest body with their hand, a user can manually actuate the supply element by pressing on the adjacent side, so that fluid, in particular a gas or a liquid, is conveyed into the backrest chamber.This results in the advantage of a particularly simple and intuitive design of the door element.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the supply element is designed as a pneumatic pump. In other words, the supply element is actuated by means of an actuator, whereby air is compressed and / or at least conveyed and thereby enters the backrest chamber. This has the advantage that the backrest chamber can be automatically filled with the fluid.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a control element is arranged on one side of the backrest body, particularly on the side facing the inner trim element. This control element serves, in particular, to drain the fluid from the backrest element. In other words, a control element, for example a button, is provided which is formed directly on the backrest body and serves to drain the fluid from the backrest chamber, thereby allowing the support area to be returned to its original position and / or dimensions. The control element can, for example, include or actuate a valve through which the fluid can escape from the backrest chamber. This offers the advantage that the door element can be designed to be particularly simple and / or easy to operate.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, one or the outer surface of the support element is formed by an elastic material which is stretched when the backrest chamber is filled or is already stretched when the backrest chamber is filled. In other words, the support element is formed at least partially by an elastic covering over the backrest chamber, so that when the elastic backrest chamber expands, the elastic material of the outer surface of the support element is simultaneously stretched, and thus the support element undergoes essentially the same dimensional change as the part of the backrest chamber that expands under and together with the elastic material. This offers the advantage that the support element can be designed to be particularly simple and therefore require few components and / or little maintenance.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a dimensionally stable support is arranged between the support element and the backrest chamber. In other words, a rigid base support is provided on which the support element, for example in the form of an armrest, is formed and, in particular, fixed. The backrest chamber is arranged and / or attached to the side of the support opposite the support element, so that when the backrest chamber is filled with fluid, the rigid base support moves together with the armrest. This offers the advantage that the support element can change its position particularly uniformly while, for example, its dimensions remain constant.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the backrest chamber is supported relative to the backrest body by means of at least one support. In other words, at least one, and in particular, for example two, supports are located on an outer surface of the backrest body, on which the backrest chamber is supported. This offers the advantage that the support element can be moved relative to the backrest body particularly easily.

[0020] A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a door element for a motor vehicle, wherein the door element comprises an interior trim element and a backrest body projecting from it. In the method according to the invention, at least one support element is formed on the backrest body, which is designed or serves to support an upper extremity and which is arranged on a side of the backrest body that differs from the side facing the interior trim element, wherein an elastic backrest chamber arranged under an outer surface of the support element is filled with a fluid by means of a supply element, thereby varying a dimension and / or position of the support element and / or a further support element.

[0021] Advantageous embodiments and further developments, as well as advantages of the first aspect of the invention, are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments and further developments, as well as advantages of the second aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0022] A third aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle with a door element according to the first aspect of the invention and / or with a door element which can be operated by means of a method according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0023] Advantageous embodiments and further developments, as well as advantages of the first and second aspects of the invention, are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments and further developments, as well as advantages of the third aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0024] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those mentioned below in the figure description and / or shown in the figures alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0025] This shows: Fig. 1 a schematic sectional view through a first embodiment of a door element for a motor vehicle with an interior trim element and a backrest body in which at least one backrest chamber is formed; Fig. 2 another schematic sectional view of the embodiment of the Fig. 1, wherein at least one backrest body is exposed to a fluid; Fig. 3 a sectional view of a second embodiment of the door element; Fig. 4 a schematic side view along the transverse direction of the vehicle of a further embodiment of the backrest chamber and a support element; Fig. 5 a schematic side view of the embodiment of the Fig. 4 with the backrest chamber supplied with fluid; Fig. 6 a schematic side view along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle embodiment of the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5.

[0026] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a door element 10 for a motor vehicle, illustrated here by means of the door element 10. The door element 10 comprises an interior trim element 12 and a backrest body 14 projecting from it, on which at least one support element 16 is formed, designed to support an upper limb of a user of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the at least one support element 16 is arranged on a side 18 of the backrest body 14, which differs from the side 20 facing the interior trim element 12.An elastic backrest chamber 24 is provided under an outer surface 22 of the at least one support element 16, which can be filled or pressurized with a fluid by means of a supply element 26, so that a dimension and / or a position of the support element 16 and / or of a further or the second support element 16 shown here can be varied.

[0028] The embodiments of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 and the Fig. Figure 3 each shows a variant with two support elements 16 and correspondingly two backrest chambers 24, wherein the first of the two support elements 16 is oriented upwards in the vehicle vertical direction or along the z-axis and the second support element 16 is oriented inwards along the vehicle transverse direction or along the y-axis.

[0029] The difference between Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is that Fig. Figure 1 shows the first embodiment of the door element 10, in which the two backrest chambers 24 are not pressurized or filled with the fluid and in Fig. 2 the two backrest chambers 24 are filled by the fluid, which changes an outer contour of the backrest body 14, which is bounded by the support elements 16, so that the dimensions of the two support elements 16 and, for example, a corresponding position of their outer surfaces 22 are varied, as can be seen in particular by comparing the Fig. 1 with Fig. 2 is made clear.

[0030] In order for the respective backrest chamber 24 to be filled with the fluid, which can be, for example, a gas and in particular ambient air, but can also be a liquid, the supply element 26 in the first embodiment of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 designed as a manually operated bellows. This bellows is connected to the backrest chambers 24 via respective lines 28.

[0031] This is how the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows the supply element 26 in the form of the manually operable bellows partially formed on and in the backrest body, wherein the supply element 26 is positioned such that by pressing or deforming a part of the backrest body or its side 20, which faces the inner lining element 12, the fluid can be conveyed into the backrest chamber 24 or is conveyed.

[0032] Furthermore, an operating element 30 is provided on side 20, but can also be formed on another side 18, which serves in particular to drain the fluid from the backrest chambers 24 or to empty the backrest chambers 24. Advantageously, the outer surface 22 of the support element 16, or of the respective support element 16, can also be formed by an elastic material which expands in accordance with the elastic backrest chamber 24 when it is filled, so that a suitably smooth surface can be achieved for the armrest formed by the backrest body 14 and the backrest chamber 24 as well as support elements 16 on the door element 10.

[0033] The second embodiment of the door element 10 shows Fig. 3, which differs from the first embodiment in particular in the type and positioning of the supply element 26, the supply element 26 is designed as a pneumatic pump 32. The Fig. 3 the backrest chambers 24 are pressurized with fluid.

[0034] The Fig. Figures 4 to 6 show a support element 16, which is connected to the backrest chamber 24 via a dimensionally stable beam 34. The figures show... Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 the corresponding support element in the direction of view along the transverse direction of the vehicle and the Fig. 6 the same support element in the direction of view along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This shows Fig. 6 furthermore, that the backrest chamber 24 is supported against the backrest body 14 by means of at least one support 36, here with two supports 36, or can be supported on it via the supports 36.

[0035] In addition to the motor vehicle, a method for operating the door element will also be presented here, in which the backrest chamber 24 or backrest chambers 24 are filled with a fluid by means of the supply element 26, whereby a dimension and / or position of the support element 16 or the two support elements 16 is varied.

[0036] The air bellows or the corresponding backrest chamber 24 of the Fig. For example, the extension of the armrest (4 to 5) can be changed by 5 mm, allowing the upper armrest surface of the support element (16) to be moved upwards by 5 mm and thus adjusted along the vehicle's vertical axis to suit user needs. This results in an innovative solution for an extended armrest, enabling a particularly high level of user comfort.

Claims

[1] Door element (10) for a motor vehicle with an interior trim element (12) and with a backrest body (14) projecting from it, on which at least one support element (16) is formed, which is designed to support an upper user extremity and which is arranged on a side (18) of the backrest body (14) which is different from a side (20) facing the interior trim element (12), with an elastic backrest chamber (24) arranged under an outer surface (22) of the support element (16), which can be filled with a fluid by means of a supply element (26) so that a dimension and / or position of the support element (16) and / or of a further support element (16) can be varied, characterized by , that the supply element (26) is designed as a manually operated bellows. [2] Door element (10) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the supply element (26), namely the manually operated bellows, is formed on and / or in the backrest body (14) and / or is positioned such that by deforming a part of the backrest body (14) encompassing the supply element (26) the fluid can be conveyed into the backrest chamber (24). [3] Door element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the supply element (26) is designed as a pneumatic pump (32). [4] Door element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that on one of the sides (18, 20) of the backrest body (14), namely the side (20) facing the inner lining element (12), an operating element (30) is arranged which serves to drain the fluid from the backrest chamber (24). [5] Door element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the outer surface (22) of the support element (16) is formed by an elastic material which is stretched when the backrest chamber (24) is filled. [6] Door element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a dimensionally stable support (34) is arranged between the support element (16) and the backrest chamber (24). [7] Door element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the lean chamber (24) is supported by means of at least one support (36) relative to the lean body (14). [8] Method for operating a door element (10) for a motor vehicle comprising an interior trim element (12) and a backrest body (14) projecting from it, on which at least one support element (16) is formed, which serves to support an upper user extremity and which is arranged on a side (18) of the backrest body (14) which is different from the side (20) facing the interior trim element (12), with an elastic backrest chamber (24) arranged under an outer surface (22) of the support element (16), which is filled with a fluid by means of a supply element (26), thereby varying a dimension and / or position of the support element (16) and / or a further support element (16), characterized by , that the supply element (26) is operated as a manually operated bellows. [9] Motor vehicle with a door element (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7 and / or with a door element (10) which is operable by means of a method according to claim 8.

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