Automotive center armrest module

Abstract

The invention relates to a center armrest module (1) for a motor vehicle comprising a main portion (4) adapted to support at least one elbow (6) of a driver and a front portion (5) adapted to support at least part of one forearm (7) of the driver, said front portion (5) being pivotally mounted on the main portion (4) about a transverse axis between a rest position in which the front portion (5) extends in line with the main portion (4) and a raised position in which said front portion (5) is inclined upwards from the rear to the front. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle with a user interface, such as a touchscreen (3), and such a center armrest module (1). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Central armrest module for motor vehicles

[0001] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles.

[0002] The invention relates more specifically to a central armrest module intended to be installed in a motor vehicle, in particular when the latter is equipped with a user interface, such as a touch screen, integrated into the central part of the dashboard.

[0003] In such vehicles, the lack of support for the driver's forearm when using the touchscreen leads to discomfort and driver fatigue and can reduce the precision of the controls. These problems are exacerbated when the touchscreen is positioned high on the dashboard.

[0004] Also, a problem which arises and which the present invention aims to solve is to improve the comfort and precision of use of a user interface which is integrated into the central part of the dashboard.

[0005] In order to solve this problem, and according to a first object, a central armrest module for a motor vehicle is proposed, comprising a main portion suitable for supporting at least one elbow of a driver and a front portion suitable for supporting at least part of a forearm of the driver, said front portion being pivotally mounted on the main portion along a transverse axis between a rest position in which the front portion extends in line with the main portion and a raised position in which said front portion is inclined upwards, from back to front.

[0006] Thus, when the front portion is in the raised position, said center armrest module takes on an angled configuration, which allows the driver to rest his forearm on the front portion, which is likely to improve comfort and precision of use of the user interface.

[0007] According to embodiments, such a central armrest module may include one or more of the following characteristics.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the front portion pivots between the rest position and the raised position by a range of motion between 10 and 45.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the central armrest module includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the front portion in the rest position and in the raised position.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the locking mechanism comprises: - at least one locking device which is mounted movably on the front portion between a locked position and a released position; - a movable operating member between a locking position and an unlocking position, the operating member being connected to the locking member by means of a motion transmission device so as to move the locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position when the operating member moves from the locking position to the unlocking position and, conversely, from the unlocked position to the locked position, when the operating member moves from the unlocking position to the locking position; and - at least two locking orifices provided in the rear portion and configured to accommodate the locking member in the locked position, respectively when the front portion is in the rest position and in the raised position.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the motion transmission device is a cable linked to the operating member and to at least one locking member.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the operating member is a handle mounted pivotally about a transverse axis.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the handle is mounted movably within a recess formed at a free end of the front portion. Thus, said handle is easily accessible and does not affect the overall dimensions of the central armrest module.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the front portion includes a tab that projects rearward beyond the transverse pivot axis of the front portion and is housed in a recess formed in the main portion; at least one locking member being mounted on said tab and the locking holes opening into said recess. Thus, the locking mechanism is concealed inside the center armrest and is thereby better protected against damage or unauthorized tampering.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the locking mechanism comprises two locking members and two pairs of locking ports configured to receive the locking members in the locked position, respectively when the front portion is in the rest position and in the raised position.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the two locking members are arranged laterally on either side of the front portion's tab.

[0017] According to one embodiment, at least one locking member comprises a pin mounted movable in a cavity provided in the front portion, the locking mechanism further comprising a return member configured to return said pin from the released position to the locked position.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the front portion is pivotally mounted on the main portion by means of a film hinge. Such a pivot joint is inexpensive, lightweight, and quiet.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the upper surface of the main portion is horizontal or substantially horizontal, that is to say forms an angle with the horizontal of less than 5°.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the front portion has a length between 1 / 6 and 2 / 5 of the total length of the central armrest module, corresponding to the sum of the lengths of the main portion and the front portion.

[0021] According to a second object, a motor vehicle is also proposed comprising a dashboard, a user interface fixed to the dashboard in a central portion of the motor vehicle and a central armrest module of the aforementioned type.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the user interface is a touch screen having a lower edge and the front portion has an upper surface which extends in a plane (P), passing through the lower edge of the touch screen or at a distance of less than 10 cm from said lower edge, and preferably at a distance of less than 5 cm.

[0023] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of example but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024] [Fig.1] is a perspective view of the front of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle equipped with a central armrest module according to one embodiment.

[0025] [Fig.2] is a schematic side view representing an arm and forearm of the driver as well as a central armrest module with its front portion in a resting position.

[0026] [Fig.3] is a view similar to [Fig.2], in which the front portion of the module The central armrest is in a raised position.

[0027] [Fig.4] is a schematic side view of the armrest module with its front portion in the rest position and representing its pivot joint as well as its locking mechanism.

[0028] [Fig.5] is a view similar to [Fig.4], in which the front portion of the module The central armrest is in the raised position.

[0029] [Fig.6] is a schematic top view of the front portion of the armrest module representing the locking elements of the locking mechanism in a released position.

[0030] [Fig.7] is a schematic top view of the front portion of the armrest module representing the locking elements of the locking mechanism in a locked position.

[0031] [Fig-8] is a schematic front view of the main portion representing the two pairs of locking orifices respectively intended to receive the locking elements of the locking mechanism when the front portion is in the rest position and in the raised position.

[0032] [Fig.9] is a schematic lateral view of the front portion representing the organ of operation of the locking mechanism in the locked position.

[0033] [Fig. 10] is a schematic side view of the front portion representing the operating member of the locking mechanism in the unlocked position.

[0034] The orientations expressed in the description are given with reference to an orthonormal XYZ frame, shown in the figures, in which X represents the longitudinal direction, oriented from the front to the rear of the vehicle, Y the transverse direction oriented towards the right of the vehicle, and Z the vertical direction oriented towards the top of the vehicle in usual position, resting on its wheels.

[0035] Figure 1 shows the front of a motor vehicle passenger compartment equipped with a central armrest module 1 according to one embodiment. The motor vehicle includes a dashboard 2 and a user interface, such as a touchscreen 3, which is fixed to the dashboard 2 in a central portion of the vehicle.

[0036] The central armrest module 1 comprises at least two parts articulated relative to each other, namely a main portion 4 and a front portion 5. The front portion 5 is pivotally mounted on the main portion 4 between a rest position, illustrated in particular on [Fig.2], and a raised position, illustrated in particular on [Fig.3].

[0037] The main portion 4 is intended to support the driver's elbow 6 while the front portion 5 is intended to support the driver's forearm 7 when said front portion 5 is in the raised position, in particular while the driver is manipulating the touch screen 3. The front portion 3 has, for example, a length between 1 / 6 and 2 / 5, and for example of the order of 1 / 3 of the total length of the central armrest module 1.

[0038] In the embodiment shown, the main portion 4 is fixed. In another embodiment, not shown, the main portion 4 is movable to allow access to a storage compartment positioned below the central armrest module 1. In this case, the main portion 4 is equipped with a hinge allowing it to pivot around a transverse axis between a closed position and an open position, in which it allows access to the storage compartment.

[0039] The upper surface 8 of the main portion 4, i.e., the one intended to support the driver's elbow, is flat. Furthermore, said upper surface 8 extends horizontally or substantially horizontally, i.e., its longitudinal direction forms an angle with the horizontal of less than 5°.

[0040] In the rest position, illustrated in [Fig.2], the front portion 5 extends in line with the main portion 4. In the embodiment shown, in this rest position, the upper surface 9 of the front portion 5 is slightly inclined downwards, from the back to the front.

[0041] In the raised position, illustrated in [Fig. 3], the front portion 5 is inclined relative to the horizontal and raised upwards. In other words, the front portion 5 is inclined upwards, from the rear to the front. The support surface of the center armrest module 1 thus has an angled configuration.

[0042] The angle of movement of the front portion 5 between the rest position and the raised position is advantageously between 10 and 45°, and for example in the order of 20°. In the raised position, the front portion 5 is thus able to support at least a portion of the driver's forearm 7, which improves the comfort and precision of use of the touch screen 3.

[0043] The angle of movement of the front portion 5 relative to the main portion 4 is determined according to the position of the touchscreen 3, this angle increasing with the height at which the touchscreen 3 is positioned. Advantageously, in the raised position, the upper surface 9 of the front portion 5 extends in a plane P, schematically represented by a dashed line in [Fig. 3], which passes through the lower edge 10 of the touchscreen 3 or passes at a distance of less than 10 cm, and preferably less than 5 cm, from said lower edge 10. Such an arrangement further optimizes the ease of use of the touchscreen 3.

[0044] The articulation of the front portion 5 with respect to the main portion 4 is a pivot joint. In the embodiment shown, the pivot joint is a film hinge 11. The film hinge 11 comprises two flaps connected to each other by a central flexural area, one of which is fixed to the front end of the main portion 4, on an upper surface thereof, and the other of which is fixed to the rear end of the front portion 5, on an upper surface thereof.

[0045] Furthermore, advantageously, the central armrest module 1 is advantageously equipped with a locking mechanism which will be described below in relation to figures 4 to 10. The locking mechanism allows the front portion 5 to be locked in either of the two positions mentioned above, namely the rest position and the raised position.

[0046] The locking mechanism comprises: - at least one locking member 12, 13 which is movably mounted on the front portion 5 between a locked position and a released position; - a movable operating member 14 between a locked position and an unlocked position, allowing the locking member 12, 13 to be moved between the locked position and the unlocked position; and - at least two locking holes 15, 16; 17, 18 provided in the rear portion 4 and which are configured to accommodate the locking member 12, 13 when it is in the locked position, respectively when the front portion 5 is in the rest position and in the raised position.

[0047] In the embodiment shown, the locking mechanism comprises two locking members 12, 13 and two pairs of locking ports 15, 16; 17, 18 configured to receive the locking members 12, 13, respectively when the front portion 5 is in the rest position and in the raised position.

[0048] The locking members 12, 13 are mounted on a tab 19 of the front portion 5, shown in particular in Figures 6 and 7. The tab 19 projects rearward beyond the film hinge 11 and is housed in a recess 20 provided in the main portion 4. The locking orifices 15, 16; 17, 18 open into said recess 20, as shown in [Fig.8].

[0049] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the two locking members 12, 13 comprise pins 21, 22 which are respectively mounted movably, in a transverse direction, in cavities 23, 24 formed laterally on either side of the lug 19. The locking mechanism further comprises return members 25, 26, such as helical springs, each of which is interposed between one of the cavities 23, 24 and the respective pin 21, 22. The return members 25, 26 are thus configured to return said pin 21, 22 transversely, outwards from the front portion 5, from the released position, shown in [Fig. 6], to the locked position, shown in [Fig. 7].

[0050] The locking holes 15, 16 of one of the pairs are configured to house the pins 21, 22 when they are in the locked position and the front portion 5 is in the rest position, thus preventing the front portion 5 from pivoting towards the raised position. The locking holes 17, 18 of the other pair are configured to house the pins 21, 22 when they are in the locked position and the front portion 5 is in the raised position, thus preventing the front portion 5 from pivoting towards the rest position.

[0051] When the pins 21, 22 are moved to their released position, they are then dislodged from said locking holes 15, 16; 17; 18, thus allowing the movement of the front portion 5 towards the other position.

[0052] In the embodiment shown, the operating member 14 comprises a handle 27 which is pivotally mounted about a transverse axis on the front portion 5. The handle 27 is movably mounted within a recess formed at the free end of the front portion 5. The handle 27 is movable between a locked position, shown in [Fig. 9], and an unlocked position, shown in [Fig. 10]. It is connected to the pins 21, 22 by a motion transmission device. which allows the pawns 21, 22 to be moved towards their released position when the handle 27 is moved towards the unlocked position and, conversely, to be moved towards their locked position when the handle 27 is moved towards the locked position.

[0053] The motion transmission device is, in the variant shown, a cable 28, one end of which is fixed to the handle 27 and the other end of which is fixed to the pins 21, 22. The cable 28 is fixed to the handle 27 so that it exerts a pulling force on the pins 21, 22 (schematized by the arrows in Figures 6 and 10), pushing them back into the cavity 23, 24, against the restoring force exerted by the restoring members 25, 26, when the handle 27 is moved towards the unlocking position ([Fig. 10]). Conversely, when the handle is moved to the locking position ([Fig.9]), the cable 27 is released, allowing the locking pins 21, 22 to return to the locked position under the effect of the restoring force exerted by the restoring members 26, 27.

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment, the handle 27 is equipped with a return means, such as a torsion spring, not shown, allowing it to be automatically returned to the locking position.

[0055] In the embodiment shown, the vehicle has only one central armrest module 1 positioned between the driver's seat and the passenger's seat at the front of the vehicle. It is thus intended to serve as an armrest for both the driver's and passenger's seats. In other embodiments not shown, the motor vehicle may also be equipped with two central armrest modules. In this case, at least the central armrest module 1 adjacent to the driver's seat has a front portion 5 that is movable between the resting position and the raised position, as described above, while the one adjacent to the passenger's seat may or may not have such an arrangement.

[0056] Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is clearly evident that it is by no means limited to them and that it includes all technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims.

[0057] The use of the verb "comprise", "comprendre" or "include" and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those stated in a claim.

[0058] In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses shall not be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

Demands

1. A center armrest module (1) for a motor vehicle comprising a main portion (4) capable of supporting at least one elbow (6) of a driver and a front portion (5) capable of supporting at least one part of a forearm (7) of the driver, said front portion (5) being pivotally mounted on the main portion (4) about a transverse axis between a rest position in which the front portion (5) extends in line with the main portion (4) and a raised position in which said front portion (5) is inclined upwards, from back to front.

2. Central armrest module (1) according to claim 1, wherein the front portion (5) pivots between the rest position and the raised position by a range of motion between 10 and 45°.

3. Center armrest module (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the front portion (5) in the rest position and in the raised position.

4. A center armrest module (1) according to claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism comprises: - at least one locking member (12, 13) which is movably mounted on the front portion (5) between a locked position and a released position; - an operating member (14) movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the operating member (14) being connected to the locking member (12, 13) by means of a motion transmission device (28) so as to move the locking member (12, 13) from the locked position to the released position when the operating member (14) moves from the locked position to the unlocked position and, conversely, from the released position to the locked position, when the operating member (14) moves from the unlocked position to the locked position; and - at least two locking orifices (15, 16;17, 18) provided in the rear portion (4) and configured to accommodate the locking member (12, 13) in the locked position, respectively when the front portion (5) is in the rest position and in the raised position.;

5. A center armrest module (1) according to claim 4, wherein the front portion (5) has a tab (19) which projects rearward beyond the transverse pivot axis of the front portion (5) and is housed in a recess (20) formed in the main portion (4); at least one locking member (12, 13) being mounted on said tab (19) and the locking orifices (15, 16; 17, 18) opening into said recess (20).

6. Center armrest module (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the locking mechanism comprises two locking members (12, 13) and two pairs of locking ports (15, 16; 17, 18) configured to receive the locking members (12, 13) in the locked position, respectively when the front portion (5) is in the rest position and in the raised position.

7. A center armrest module (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein at least one locking member (12, 13) comprises a pin (21, 22) mounted movably in a cavity (23, 24) provided in the front portion (5), the locking mechanism further comprising a return member (25, 26) configured to return said pin (21, 22) from the released position to the locked position.

8. Central armrest module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the front portion (5) is pivotally mounted on the main portion (4) by means of a film hinge (H).

9. Motor vehicle comprising a dashboard (2), a user interface fixed to the dashboard (2) in a central portion of the motor vehicle and a central armrest module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Motor vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the user interface is a touch screen (3) having a lower edge (10) and wherein the front portion (5) has an upper surface which extends in a plane (P), passing through the lower edge (10) of the touch screen (3) or at a distance of less than 10 cm from said lower edge (10).