Armrest device

Abstract

To obtain an armrest device that allows the position of the armrest body to be adjusted without the need for an electric mechanism. [Solution] The armrest device 10 comprises an armrest body 18, a shaft 32 provided along the armrest body 18, and a case 34 that engages with the shaft 32 and moves together with the armrest body 18. The armrest device 10 also comprises a release lever 36 supported by the case 34 and which restricts the movement of the case 34 relative to the shaft 32 by the frictional force generated between the case 34 and the shaft 32, and an adjustment lever 38 supported by the case 34 and operated by the vehicle occupant. When the vehicle occupant displaces the adjustment lever 38, a force exceeding the frictional force is input from the adjustment lever 38 to the shaft 32, causing the case 34 to move a distance relative to the shaft 32 corresponding to the amount of displacement of the adjustment lever 38.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to an armrest device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses an armrest device that realizes adjustment of the front-rear position of an armrest. The armrest device described in this document includes an armrest movable part and an electric mechanism (drive mechanism part) that drives the armrest movable part. By operating the electric mechanism, the armrest movable part moves steplessly to the front side and the upper side of the vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, it may be considered desirable to realize adjustment of the position of an armrest (an armrest main body part that supports the arm of a vehicle occupant from below) without providing an electric mechanism, but the configuration described in Patent Document 1 above does not consider this point.

[0005] In consideration of the above fact, an object of the present invention is to obtain an armrest device that can adjust the position of the armrest main body part without providing an electric mechanism.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The armrest device of the first embodiment includes an armrest body that supports the arm of a vehicle occupant from below, a fixing member provided along the armrest body, a movable member engaged with the fixing member and moving together with the armrest body, a locking part supported by the movable member and restricting the movement of the movable member relative to the fixing member by the frictional force generated between it and the fixing member, and an adjustment operating part supported by the movable member and operated by a vehicle occupant, wherein when a vehicle occupant displaces the adjustment operating part, a force exceeding the frictional force is input from the adjustment operating part to the fixing member, causing the movable member to move a distance relative to the fixing member by an amount corresponding to the displacement of the adjustment operating part.

[0007] In the first embodiment of the armrest device, the vehicle occupant's arm is supported from below by the armrest body. Here, the armrest body is movable together with a movable member engaged with a fixed member. The movable member is supported by a locking part and an adjustment operating part. The movement of the movable member relative to the fixed member is restricted by the frictional force generated between the locking part and the fixed member. This maintains the position of the armrest body relative to the fixed member. Furthermore, when the vehicle occupant displaces the adjustment operating part, and a force exceeding the frictional force (the frictional force generated between the locking part and the fixed member) is input from the adjustment operating part to the fixed member, the movable member moves a distance relative to the fixed member by the amount of displacement of the adjustment operating part. This changes the position of the armrest body relative to the fixed member. In this way, in the first embodiment of the armrest device, the position of the armrest body can be adjusted without providing an electric mechanism.

[0008] In the second embodiment of the armrest device, the adjustment operation unit is an adjustment operation lever provided to be displaceable along the direction in which the movable member moves, and the movable member moves relative to the fixed member by displacing the adjustment operation lever toward one side in the direction in which the movable member moves.

[0009] In the armrest device of the second embodiment, the movable member moves relative to the fixed member by displacing the adjustment lever toward one side in the direction in which the movable member moves. This allows the position of the armrest body relative to the fixed member to be adjusted.

[0010] The third embodiment of the armrest device is the armrest device of the second embodiment, wherein the locking portion is a release lever provided to be displaceable along the direction in which the movable member moves, and the restriction on the movement of the movable member relative to the fixed member by the locking portion is released by displacing the release lever toward one side in the direction in which the movable member moves.

[0011] In the third embodiment of the armrest device, the restriction on the movement of the movable member relative to the fixed member by the locking mechanism is released by displacing the release lever toward one side of the direction in which the movable member moves. This allows the vehicle occupant to return the armrest body to its original position.

[0012] The fourth embodiment of the armrest device is the armrest device of the third embodiment, wherein the adjustment lever and the release lever are provided adjacent to each other.

[0013] In the armrest device of the fourth embodiment, the adjustment lever and the release lever are provided adjacent to each other, making it easier to operate both levers.

[0014] The fifth embodiment of the armrest device includes an armrest body that supports the arm of a vehicle occupant from below, a fixing member provided along the armrest body, a movable member engaged with the fixing member and moving together with the armrest body, and a locking part supported by the movable member and restricting the movement of the movable member relative to the fixing member by the frictional force generated between the movable member and the fixing member, wherein the restriction on the movement of the movable member relative to the fixing member by the locking part is released when the vehicle occupant operates the locking part.

[0015] In the fifth embodiment of the armrest device, the vehicle occupant's arm is supported from below by the armrest body. Here, the armrest body is movable together with a movable member that is engaged with a fixed member. A locking part is supported on the movable member. The frictional force generated between the locking part and the fixed member restricts the movement of the movable member relative to the fixed member. This maintains the position of the armrest body relative to the fixed member. Furthermore, the vehicle occupant can release the restriction on the movement of the movable member relative to the fixed member by operating the locking part. This allows the vehicle occupant to adjust the position of the armrest body relative to the fixed member. Thus, in the fifth embodiment of the armrest device, the position of the armrest body can be adjusted without providing an electric mechanism.

[0016] The sixth embodiment of the armrest device is the armrest device of the fifth embodiment, wherein the locking portion is a release lever provided to be displaceable along the direction in which the movable member moves, and the restriction on the movement of the movable member relative to the fixed member by the locking portion is released by displacing the release lever toward one side in the direction in which the movable member moves.

[0017] In the sixth embodiment of the armrest device, the restriction on the movement of the movable member relative to the fixed member by the locking mechanism is released by displacing the release lever toward one side in the direction in which the movable member moves. This allows the vehicle occupant to adjust the position of the armrest body relative to the fixed member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The armrest device according to the present invention has the excellent effect of allowing the position of the armrest body to be adjusted without the need for an electric mechanism. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a schematic side view showing a vehicle seat equipped with an armrest device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing an armrest device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view showing a fixed frame, a movable frame, and an adjustment mechanism constituting the armrest device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view of the fixed frame, the movable frame, and the adjustment mechanism constituting the armrest device according to the first embodiment, viewed from a direction different from that in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view showing the fixed frame constituting the armrest device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing the movable frame constituting the armrest device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view showing the adjustment mechanism constituting the armrest device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the adjustment mechanism constituting the armrest device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view showing an armrest device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the adjustment mechanism constituting the armrest device according to the second embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] (First Embodiment) The vehicle seat 12 provided with the armrest device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. In the figures, the arrow FR indicates the front side of the seat, the arrow UP indicates the upper side of the seat, the arrow RH indicates the right side in the seat width direction, and the arrow LH indicates the left side in the seat width direction. Also, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, the front-back, up-down, and left-right directions indicate the front-back in the seat front-back direction, the up-down in the seat up-down direction, and the left-right in the seat width direction.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle seat 12 of this embodiment includes a seat cushion 14 that supports the seated occupant's buttocks from below, a seat back 16 that supports the seated occupant's back from the rear, and an armrest device 10 having an armrest body 18 that supports the seated occupant's arms from below. The vehicle seat 12 of this embodiment is a three-seater vehicle seat installed in the rear seat of a vehicle. The armrest body 18 constitutes a part of the seat back 16 when stored in the seat back 16. When the armrest body 18 is extended forward, it becomes possible to support the arms of the vehicle occupants with the armrest body 18. The configuration of the armrest device 10 of this embodiment can also be applied to an armrest device installed on the side of a single-seater vehicle seat.

[0022] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the armrest device 10 comprises an armrest body 18, a fixed frame 20 that supports the armrest body 18, and an adjustment mechanism 22 provided between the armrest body 18 and the fixed frame 20. In the following description, each direction refers to the direction when the armrest body 18 is extended from the seat back 16 (see Figure 1) and positioned to support the arm of a vehicle occupant from below.

[0023] The armrest body 18 comprises a movable frame 24 that constitutes the framework of the armrest body 18, and an armrest pad 26 and a cup holder 28 supported by the movable frame 24. The surface of the armrest pad 26 is covered by a cover 30.

[0024] As shown in Figure 5, the movable frame 24 includes a movable frame body 24A formed by bending or other processes on a cylindrical member. The movable frame body 24A includes a pair of left and right front and rear frame sections 24B that are spaced apart in the left-right direction and extend in the front-rear direction. The movable frame body 24A also includes a front frame section 24C that connects the front ends of the pair of left and right front and rear frame sections 24B in the left-right direction. The movable frame 24 also includes a rear frame section 24D that connects the rear ends of the pair of left and right front and rear frame sections 24B in the left-right direction, and an intermediate frame section 24E that connects the middle portions of the pair of left and right front and rear frame sections 24B in the front-rear direction in the left-right direction. A recess 24F is formed in the left-right center of the rear frame section 24D to avoid the shaft 32, which will be described later. A case fixing section 24G is formed in the left-right center of the intermediate frame section 24E to which the case 34, which will be described later, is fixed.

[0025] As shown in Figure 6, the fixed frame 20 is spaced apart in the left-right direction and includes a pair of left and right rotating parts 20A that are supported on the seat back 16 (see Figure 1) side so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction as an axial direction. The fixed frame 20 is also fixed to the pair of left and right rotating parts 20A and includes a pair of left and right insertion parts 20B that extend forward from the pair of left and right rotating parts 20A. The insertion parts 20B are formed using cylindrical members. Two O-rings 20C are fixed to the outer circumference of the insertion parts 20B, and the two O-rings 20C are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the insertion parts 20B. The area between the two O-rings 20C on the outer surface of the insertion parts 20B is an area where grease is applied. The fixed frame 20 also includes a fixed connecting part 20D that connects the pair of left and right rotating parts 20A in the left-right direction. A shaft support portion 20E is formed in the center of the fixed connection portion 20D in the left-right direction, where the shaft 32, which will be described later, is supported.

[0026] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the left and right insertion portions 20B of the fixed frame 20 are inserted into the left and right front and rear frame portions 24B of the movable frame 24 from their rear ends. This allows the movable frame 24 to move (slide) in the front and rear direction relative to the fixed frame 20.

[0027] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the adjustment mechanism 22 comprises a shaft 32 as a fixed member, the majority of which is provided inside the armrest body 18 along the front-rear direction, and a case 34 as a movable member, which moves together with the armrest body 18 while engaged with the shaft 32. The adjustment mechanism 22 also comprises a release lever 36 as a locking part supported by the case 34, and an adjustment operation lever 38 as an adjustment operation part supported by the case 34. Furthermore, the adjustment mechanism 22 comprises a first spring 40 and a second spring 42 provided inside the case 34, and a pair of plates 44 provided between the adjustment operation lever 38 and the second spring 42.

[0028] The shaft 32 is formed in an elongated shape, with the left-right direction being the thickness direction and extending in the front-rear direction. This shaft 32 is gently inclined upwards as it approaches the front when viewed from the left-right direction. An elongated hole 32A is formed in the front portion of the shaft 32, passing through the shaft 32 in the left-right direction. The longitudinal direction of this elongated hole 32A coincides with the longitudinal direction of the shaft 32. Furthermore, a first pin 46, which is stretched across a pair of left and right side walls 34D of the case 34 (described later), is inserted through the elongated hole 32A. As a result, the range of movement of the case 34 relative to the shaft 32 is limited to a range corresponding to the length of the elongated hole 32A (the range in which the first pin 46 can move within the elongated hole 32A).

[0029] Case 34 is formed in a box shape with the top open. This case 34 comprises a bottom wall portion 34A that constitutes the bottom surface (lower surface) of case 34, a front wall portion 34B that constitutes the front surface of case 34, a rear wall portion 34C that constitutes the rear surface of case 34, and a pair of left and right side wall portions 34D that constitute both sides of case 34 in the left-right direction. Case 34 also has an intermediate wall portion 34E that divides the space inside case 34 in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, case 34 has a tongue-shaped fixing piece portion 34F that extends forward from the lower part of the front wall portion 34B. As shown in Figure 3, case 34 is fixed to the movable frame 24 by fixing the fixing piece portion 34F to the case fixing portion 24G of the movable frame 24. As shown in Figure 2, the upper part of case 34 is exposed on the upper surface side of the armrest body portion 18. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the front wall portion 34B, the rear wall portion 34C, and the intermediate wall portion 34E are formed with through holes 34G through which the shaft 32 is inserted in the front-rear direction.

[0030] The release lever 36 comprises a first shaft engagement portion 36A positioned between the front wall portion 34B and the intermediate wall portion 34E within the case 34, a first operating portion 36B extending upward from the upper end of the first shaft engagement portion 36A, and a first closing portion 36C extending rearward from the upper end of the first shaft engagement portion 36A. The first shaft engagement portion 36A has a lock hole 36D through which the shaft 32 is inserted. A second pin 48 is provided on the front side of the lower end of the first shaft engagement portion 36A, stretched across a pair of left and right side walls 34D of the case 34. A first spring 40, which is a compression coil spring, is provided in a compressed state between the first shaft engagement portion 36A and the intermediate wall portion 34E of the case 34. The shaft 32 is inserted through this first spring 40. Furthermore, the first shaft engagement portion 36A is biased forward by the first spring 40, so that the lower end of the first shaft engagement portion 36A is pressed against the second pin 48 and the first shaft engagement portion 36A is tilted forward with the second pin 48 as the pivot point. In addition, when the first shaft engagement portion 36A is biased forward by the first spring 40, the upper and lower edges of the lock hole 36D formed in the first shaft engagement portion 36A are in contact with the upper and lower ends of the shaft 32. The frictional force (hereinafter simply referred to as "locking force") generated between the upper and lower edges of the lock hole 36D and the upper and lower ends of the shaft 32 restricts the movement of the case 34 relative to the shaft 32, thereby restricting the movement of the armrest body portion 18 (see Figure 2) relative to the shaft 32.

[0031] The adjustment lever 38 is positioned adjacent to the release lever 36 in the front-rear direction within the case 34. The adjustment lever 38 includes a second shaft engagement portion 38A positioned between the intermediate wall portion 34E and the rear wall portion 34C within the case 34, a second closing portion 38B extending forward and rearward from the upper end of the second shaft engagement portion 38A, and a second operating portion 38C extending upward from the middle of the second closing portion 38B in the front-rear direction. The second shaft engagement portion 38A has a through hole 38D through which the shaft 32 is inserted. The lower end of the second shaft engagement portion 38A is supported so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction as an axial direction by a third pin 50 that spans across a pair of left and right side walls 34D of the case 34. A pair of plates 44 are provided between the second shaft engagement portion 38A and the rear wall portion 34C of the case 34, and a second spring 42, which is a compression coil spring, is provided in a compressed state. The shaft 32 is inserted through the pair of plates 44, and these plates 44 are interposed between the second shaft engagement portion 38A and the second spring 42. The shaft 32 is inserted through the second spring 42. The second shaft engagement portion 38A is biased forward by the second spring 42, causing the second shaft engagement portion 38A to contact the intermediate wall portion 34E, thereby preventing the second shaft engagement portion 38A from rotating around the third pin 50.

[0032] (Operation and effects of this embodiment) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8, in the embodiment described above, when a vehicle occupant presses and displaces the second operating portion 38C of the adjustment operating lever 38 toward the rear, the second shaft engaging portion 38A tilts toward the rear with the third pin 50 as the center of rotation. When the second shaft engaging portion 38A tilts toward the rear with the third pin 50 as the center of rotation, the second shaft engaging portion 38A presses the second spring 42 via the pair of plates 44, compressing the second spring 42 in the front-rear direction. The restoring force resulting from the compression of the second spring 42 in the front-rear direction is input to the case 34 via the third pin 50. When this restoring force exceeds the locking force, the case 34 moves forward relative to the shaft 32 while the upper and lower edges of the lock hole 36D of the release lever 36 and the upper and lower ends of the shaft 32 slide against each other. As a result, the case 34 moves forward together with the armrest body 18, and the position of the armrest body 18 is adjusted. Thus, in this embodiment, each time the second operating part 38C of the adjustment operating lever 38 is moved one stroke in the front-rear direction, the armrest body 18 can be moved forward by a predetermined distance.

[0034] When a vehicle occupant presses and displaces the first operating portion 36B of the release lever 36 toward the rear, the first spring 40 is compressed, and the first shaft engaging portion 36A tilts toward the rear with the second pin 48 as the pivot point. When the first shaft engaging portion 36A tilts toward the rear with the second pin 48 as the pivot point, the upper and lower edges of the lock hole 36D of the release lever 36 and the upper and lower ends of the shaft 32 are separated, resulting in a state where no locking force is generated. In this state, the vehicle occupant can easily displace the armrest body 18 toward the rear together with the case 34. Thus, in the armrest device 10 of this embodiment, the position of the armrest body 18, which has moved toward the front, can be easily returned to its original position by operating the release lever 36.

[0035] As described above, in the armrest device 10 of this embodiment, the position of the armrest body 18 can be adjusted without providing an electric mechanism.

[0036] Furthermore, in the armrest device 10 of this embodiment, the adjustment lever 38 and the release lever 36 are provided adjacent to each other in the front-to-back direction. This configuration makes it easier to operate both levers (adjustment lever 38 and release lever 36) compared to a configuration where the two levers (adjustment lever 38 and release lever 36) are located far apart from each other. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the adjustment lever 38 and the release lever 36 are not provided adjacent to each other in the front-to-back direction.

[0037] (Second Embodiment) Next, an armrest device 52 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. In the armrest device 52 according to the second embodiment, members and parts corresponding to the armrest device 10 according to the first embodiment described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals as the members and parts corresponding to the armrest device 10 according to the first embodiment, and their descriptions may be omitted.

[0038] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the adjustment mechanism 22 that constitutes part of the armrest device 52 of this embodiment is configured similarly to the adjustment mechanism 22 that constitutes part of the armrest device 10 of the first embodiment, except that it does not include an adjustment operation lever 38, a pair of plates 44, and a second spring 42 (see Figure 8).

[0039] As shown in Figure 10, the release lever 36 includes a first shaft engagement portion 36A positioned between the front wall portion 34B and the rear wall portion 34C within the case 34, a first operating portion 36B extending upward from the upper end of the first shaft engagement portion 36A, and first closing portions 36C extending forward and rearward from the upper end of the first shaft engagement portion 36A, respectively. A first spring 40 is provided in a compressed state between the first shaft engagement portion 36A and the rear wall portion 34C of the case 34. Furthermore, through holes 34H are formed in the upper portions of the front wall portion 34B and the rear wall portion 34C of the case 34, through which the front and rear portions of the first closing portion 36C are inserted, respectively.

[0040] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, in the embodiment described above, when a vehicle occupant presses and displaces the first operating portion 36B of the release lever 36 toward the rear, the first spring 40 is compressed and the first shaft engaging portion 36A tilts toward the rear with the second pin 48 as the pivot point. When the first shaft engaging portion 36A tilts toward the rear with the second pin 48 as the pivot point, the upper and lower edges of the lock hole 36D of the release lever 36 and the upper and lower ends of the shaft 32 are separated, resulting in a state where no locking force is generated. In this state, the vehicle occupant can displace the armrest body 18 together with the case 34 in the front-rear direction. Thus, in the armrest device 10 of this embodiment, the front-rear position of the armrest body 18 can be easily adjusted by operating the release lever 36.

[0041] As described above, in the armrest device 52 of this embodiment, the position of the armrest body 18 can be adjusted without providing an electric mechanism.

[0042] In the embodiments described above, examples were given in which an adjustment lever 38 and a release lever 36 were provided to be displaceable along the front-rear direction in which the case 34 moves, but the present invention is not limited to these. For example, it is also possible to use an adjustment operation part and a locking part corresponding to an adjustment operation lever 38 and a release lever 36 that are provided to be displaceable in a different direction than described above.

[0043] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above, and can be implemented in various other ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 10 Armrest device 18 Armrest main body 32. Shaft (fixing member) 34 Case (movable component) 36 Release lever (locking part) 38 Adjustment lever (adjustment control part) 52 Armrest device

Claims

1. The main body of the armrest supports the occupant's arm from below, A fixing member provided along the main body of the armrest, A movable member that engages with the aforementioned fixing member and moves together with the armrest body, A locking portion is supported by the moving member and restricts the movement of the moving member relative to the fixed member by the frictional force generated between it and the fixed member, An adjustment operating unit supported by the aforementioned moving member and operated by the occupants of the vehicle, Equipped with, An armrest device in which, when a vehicle occupant displaces the adjustment operating part, a force exceeding the frictional force is input from the adjustment operating part to the fixed member, causing the movable member to move a distance relative to the fixed member corresponding to the amount of displacement of the adjustment operating part.

2. The adjustment operation unit is an adjustment operation lever that is provided so as to be displaceable in the direction in which the moving member moves. The armrest device according to claim 1, wherein the moving member moves relative to the fixed member by displacing the adjustment lever toward one side in the direction in which the moving member moves.

3. The locking mechanism is provided as a release lever that is displaceable along the direction in which the moving member moves. The armrest device according to claim 2, wherein the restriction on the movement of the movable member relative to the fixed member by the locking portion is released by displacing the release lever toward one side in the direction in which the movable member moves.

4. The armrest device according to claim 3, wherein the adjustment lever and the release lever are provided adjacent to each other.

5. The main body of the armrest supports the occupant's arm from below, A fixing member provided along the main body of the armrest, A movable member that engages with the aforementioned fixing member and moves together with the armrest body, A locking portion is supported by the moving member and restricts the movement of the moving member relative to the fixed member by the frictional force generated between it and the fixed member, Equipped with, An armrest device in which the restriction on the movement of the movable member relative to the fixed member by the locking part is released when the vehicle occupant operates the locking part.

6. The locking mechanism is provided as a release lever that is displaceable along the direction in which the moving member moves. The armrest device according to claim 5, wherein the restriction on the movement of the movable member relative to the fixed member by the locking portion is released by displacing the release lever toward one side in the direction in which the movable member moves.

Images