Armrest device

Abstract

To provide an armrest device that can adequately secure space for the installation of the tray and wire harness. [Solution] The armrest device 4 has a vertically elongated hollow box-shaped armrest support part 4A positioned on the side of the seat. The armrest support part 4A has a tray storage part 4C from which a tray 6A can be inserted and removed vertically through an opening at the top, a harness routing part 4D through which a wire harness WH is routed, and a partition 4E that separates the harness routing part 4D from the tray storage part 4C.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an armrest device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an armrest device having a vertically long hollow box-shaped armrest support portion disposed on a seat side portion.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vertically long box-shaped armrest device disposed on a seat side portion. This armrest device has a vertically long hollow box shape that allows a tray to be inserted and removed vertically through an upper opening.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when a wire harness is routed inside the box of the armrest device, it is necessary to separate the wire harness and the tray so that they do not interfere with each other. However, if the separation space is made too large, the installation space for each will be narrowed. Therefore, the present invention provides an armrest device capable of appropriately securing the installation spaces for the tray and the wire harness.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] As means for solving the above problems, the armrest device of the present invention takes the following means.

[0006] In other words, the first invention of the present invention is an armrest device having a vertically elongated hollow box-shaped armrest support portion arranged on the side of a seat, wherein the armrest support portion has a tray storage portion from which a tray can be inserted and removed vertically through an opening at the top, a harness routing portion for routing a wire harness, and a partition separating the harness routing portion from the tray storage portion.

[0007] According to the first invention, by providing a partition, even if the tray storage area and the harness routing area are placed close to each other, the problem of the tray and wire harness coming into contact is eliminated. Therefore, a larger installation space can be secured for each.

[0008] The second invention of the present invention is an armrest device in which, in the first invention described above, the partition is a frame member that distributes the load applied to the armrest support portion.

[0009] According to the second invention, the partition can be rationally provided as a reinforcing member to increase the structural strength of the armrest support.

[0010] The third invention of the present invention is an armrest device in which, in the second invention described above, the partition is connected between the upper frame of the armrest device and a support frame that supports the armrest device from below.

[0011] According to the third invention, the partition can more appropriately increase the structural strength of the armrest support.

[0012] The fourth aspect of the present invention is an armrest device in which, in the third aspect of the present invention, the partition comprises a partition member connected to the upper frame and extending downward, and a bracket connected between the partition member and the support frame.

[0013] According to the fourth invention, by dividing the partition into a partition member and a bracket, it is possible to optimize the structure by making the bracket on the base side, which is prone to bending loads, a structurally strong structure, and making the partition member, which is not, lighter.

[0014] The fifth invention of the present invention is an armrest device in which the partition is a channel-type frame, in any of the second to fourth inventions described above.

[0015] According to the fifth invention, the partition can more appropriately increase the structural strength of the armrest support.

[0016] The sixth invention of the present invention is an armrest device in which, in any of the first to fourth inventions described above, the harness routing section is positioned in front of the tray storage section, and the partition is provided vertically so as to be tilted forward.

[0017] According to the sixth invention, the front part of the armrest support can be configured to be easily pulled backward towards the feet. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the armrest device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the tray stored in the armrest support. [Figure 3] This is a side view showing the internal structure of the armrest device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0020] 《First Embodiment》 (Outline configuration of armrest device 4) First, the configuration of the armrest device 4 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. In the following description, when indicating directions such as front, rear, up, down, left, and right, the respective directions shown in each figure shall be referred to. The directions shown in each figure are the directions as viewed from the seated passenger on the seat 1. Also, when indicating each direction with "seat" attached, such as "seat width direction", it shall refer to the direction based on the seat 1.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the armrest device 4 according to the present embodiment is a device attached to the seat 1 mounted on an aircraft. The seat 1 is configured as a seat row in which seats for three passengers are integrated side by side in a row. The seat 1 has a seat back 2 that forms the backrest of each seat and a seat cushion 3 that forms the seating portion.

[0022] The armrest devices 4 are provided so as to be arranged separately on both sides of each seat. Specifically, the armrest devices 4 are provided so as to be arranged one by one on the outside of the end seats and between two adjacent seats. That is, each armrest device 4 provided between two adjacent seats is to be commonly used by the seated passengers of each seat.

[0023] Each armrest device 4 is connected to each support frame 5 (spreader) that extends in an inverted L shape in side view along the side portion of the seat cushion 3 of each seat to the side portion of the seat back 2. Each armrest device 4 is formed in a plate shape that rises upward from a portion extending along the side portion of the seat cushion 3 of the corresponding support frame 5.

[0024] Among each armrest device 4, a seat table 6 that can be used by the seated passengers of each seat is attached to each armrest device 4 arranged on the right side of each seat of the seat 1. Each seat table 6 has a flat tray 6A that serves as a loading surface and a support arm 6B that supports the tray 6A from below.

[0025] Tray 6A has a structure that allows it to be folded in half. Specifically, when Tray 6A is in use lying horizontally, it can be opened to widen the table width to the left or closed to narrow it to the right.

[0026] Furthermore, each seat table 6 has a first rotating shaft portion 6C that connects the base end of the support arm 6B to the front of the top plate of the corresponding armrest device 4 so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the front-rear direction of the seat. In addition, each seat table 6 has a second rotating shaft portion 6D that connects the first rotating shaft portion 6C, which supports the support arm 6B, to the front of the top plate of the armrest device 4 so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the width direction of the seat.

[0027] Each seat table 6 is configured to allow the tray 6A to be rotated around the first rotation axis 6C relative to the corresponding armrest device 4 between a standby state where it is raised upward (shown by the dashed line) and a usage state where it is tilted horizontally. This rotation of raising or lowering the tray 6A is performed with the tray 6A folded in half.

[0028] Furthermore, each seat table 6 can be housed inside the hollow interior of the armrest device 4 by dropping a foldable tray 6A, which is positioned upright, into the rear of the seat around the second pivot axis 6D. With this configuration, each seat table 6 can be housed inside the corresponding armrest device 4 by folding the tray 6A in half, or it can be pulled out from the armrest device 4 and deployed in front of the seated occupant.

[0029] Each armrest device 4 has an armrest support portion 4A that is a vertically elongated hollow box shape extending in the front-to-back direction of the seat, and an armrest 4B provided on top of it. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each armrest support portion 4A has a tray storage portion 4C formed in the rear region of its hollow interior, a harness routing portion 4D formed in the front region of its hollow interior, and a partition 4E separating these.

[0030] Each armrest 4B can be opened and closed by hinges (not shown) provided on the side edges of the upper part of each armrest support 4A. As a result, when the upper armrest 4B of each armrest support 4A is opened, the hollow interior of each armrest support 4A is opened upward.

[0031] As a result, the trays 6A of each corresponding seat table 6 can be vertically stored in the tray storage section 4C by rotating them around the second rotating shaft section 6D, or the stored trays 6A can be pulled upward from the tray storage section 4C. A wire harness WH for transmitting operation signals from seat operation switches (not shown) and detection signals from sensors is routed in the harness routing section 4D.

[0032] Each armrest support 4A has an upper frame 4F that extends along its upper edge in the front-rear direction of the seat. The rear end of each upper frame 4F is connected to the upper end of the corresponding support frame 5. In addition, the front end of each upper frame 4F is connected to the front of the corresponding support frame 5 via a partition 4E so as to be supported from below.

[0033] The partition 4E consists of two components: a partition member E1 that is connected to the upper frame 4F and extends downward, and a bracket E2 that is connected between the partition member E1 and the support frame 5. The partition member E1 is made of a metal channel-type (U-shaped) frame. The bracket E2 is made of a pair of left and right metal plate-shaped frames. Each bracket E2 is made of a thicker, structurally stronger material than the partition member E1.

[0034] Each bracket E2 is set so as to overlap from both the left and right sides on the front of the support frame 5 and is integrally connected by bolt fastenings inserted in the sheet width direction (first connection part B1). The partition member E1 is set so that each U-shaped overhang portion that extends forward of the sheet at its top overlaps in the sheet width direction with a pair of left and right overhang portions that hang down from the front of the upper frame 4F and is integrally connected by bolt fastenings inserted in the sheet width direction (second connection part B2).

[0035] Furthermore, the partition member E1 is set so that each U-shaped projection extending forward from its lower part towards the front of the sheet overlaps in the sheet width direction with the projection extending diagonally upward and rearward from each bracket E2, and is integrally connected by bolt fastening inserted in the sheet width direction (third connecting part B3). Through these connections, the partition 4E is integrally provided between them so as to support the upper frame 4F from below with respect to the support frame 5.

[0036] As a result, the partition 4E, the upper frame 4F, and the support frame 5 form a structure that is assembled in a rectangular frame shape when viewed from the side. This allows the load applied to the upper frame 4F to be widely distributed to the support frame 5 through the partition 4E. In addition, by providing the partition 4E, even if the tray storage section 4C and the harness routing section 4D are placed close to each other, the problem of the tray 6A and the wire harness WH coming into contact with each other is eliminated.

[0037] More specifically, partition 4E consists of a partition member E1 made of a channel-type frame that is resistant to bending loads, and a bracket E2 with high structural strength that connects the base end of partition member E1 to the support frame 5. As a result, partition 4E can appropriately distribute the loads from above and from the side that are applied to the armrest support part 4A.

[0038] The partition 4E is configured such that the partition member E1, which consists of a channel-type frame, extends to partition most of the area between the upper frame 4F and the support frame 5 from front to back. More specifically, the partition 4E is configured such that the partition member E1 extends diagonally downward and rearward from the connection point with the upper frame 4F (second connection point B2) and is connected to each bracket E2.

[0039] With this configuration, the partition 4E can partition the tray storage area 4C so that when the tray 6A is stored, the gap between the partition member E1 and the support arm 6B, which is stored in a position extending diagonally downward and rearward from the second rotation axis portion 6D, does not become too large. As a result, the partition can be set up to secure a wide space for the harness routing portion 4D located in front of the partition 4E.

[0040] In conjunction with the fact that this partition 4E is positioned to tilt forward, the front part of the armrest support 4A is shaped to slope backward towards the footrest. As a result, the armrest support 4A has a configuration that provides ample legroom, making it less likely for the seated occupant's legs to interfere with the support even when they spread their legs.

[0041] The partition 4E protrudes so that its left and right sides substantially abut against the left and right inner surfaces of the armrest support 4A. As a result, the partition 4E is positioned so as not to form any gaps on either side between it and the armrest support 4A that would allow the wire harness WH of the harness routing section 4D to enter.

[0042] In summary, the armrest device 4 according to this embodiment has the following configuration. The reference numerals in parentheses below correspond to the respective components shown in the above embodiment.

[0043] In other words, the armrest device (4) has a vertically elongated, hollow box-shaped armrest support (4A) positioned on the side of the seat. The armrest support (4A) has a tray storage section (4C) from which a tray (6A) can be inserted and removed vertically through an opening at the top, a harness routing section (4D) through which a wire harness (WH) is routed, and a partition (4E) separating the harness routing section (4D) from the tray storage section (4C).

[0044] In this way, by providing a partition (4E), even if the tray storage area (4C) and the harness routing area (4D) are placed close to each other, the problem of the tray (6A) and the wire harness (WH) coming into contact with each other is eliminated. Therefore, a larger installation space can be secured for each.

[0045] Furthermore, the partition (4E) is a frame member that distributes the load applied to the armrest support (4A). In this way, the partition (4E) can be rationally provided as a reinforcing member that increases the structural strength of the armrest support (4A).

[0046] Furthermore, the partition (4E) is connected between the upper frame (4F) of the armrest device (4) and the support frame (5) that supports the armrest device (4) from below. With the above configuration, the partition (4E) can more appropriately increase the structural strength of the armrest support section (4A).

[0047] Furthermore, the partition (4E) includes a partition member (E1) that is connected to the upper frame (4F) and extends downward, and a bracket (E2) that is connected between the partition member (E1) and the support frame (5). By dividing the partition (4E) into a partition member (E1) and a bracket (E2) in this way, it is possible to optimize the structure by making the bracket (E2) on the base side, which is prone to bending loads, a structurally strong structure, and making the partition member (E1), which is not, lighter.

[0048] Furthermore, the partition (4E) is a channel-type frame. With the above configuration, the partition (4E) can more appropriately increase the structural strength of the armrest support (4A).

[0049] Furthermore, the harness routing section (4D) is positioned in front of the tray storage section (4C). The partition (4E) is installed vertically so as to tilt forward. With the above configuration, the front part of the armrest support section (4A) can be easily pulled backward towards the feet.

[0050] Regarding other embodiments: Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above using one embodiment, the present invention can be implemented in various forms other than those described above.

[0051] 1. The armrest device of the present invention can be applied not only to aircraft seats but also to seats used in other vehicles such as automobiles, trains, and ships. Furthermore, the armrest device can be applied to seats used in vehicles other than automobiles.

[0052] 2. The partition does not function as a frame member that distributes the load on the armrest support, but may simply function as a partition between the harness routing section and the tray storage section. In other words, it may not have the strength or rigidity of a frame member. Furthermore, the harness routing section and the tray storage section separated by the partition may be arranged in reverse front-to-back or side-to-side.

[0053] Partitions may consist of a partition member and a bracket, a single member, or a combination of three or more members. Partitions may also consist of frame materials other than channel types, such as H-shaped or L-shaped frames, square pipes, or round pipes. Partitions may be installed approximately vertically between the upper frame and support frame of the armrest support without being tilted forward or backward. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 sheet 2 seatbacks 3 Seat cushions 4. Armrest device 4A Armrest support 4B Armrest 4C Tray storage section 4D harness routing section 4E partition E1 Partition Member E2 bracket 4F Upper Frame 5. Support frame 6-seat table 6A Tray 6B Support Arm 6C First Rotating Shaft Section 6D Second Rotation Axis WH Wire Harness B1 1st connection part B2 2nd connection part B3 Third Connection Section

Claims

1. An armrest device having a vertically elongated, hollow, box-shaped armrest support portion positioned on the side of the seat, The aforementioned armrest support portion is A tray storage compartment that allows trays to be inserted and removed vertically from the top opening, A harness routing section where the wire harness is routed, An armrest device having a partition separating the harness routing section from the tray storage section.

2. The armrest device according to claim 1, An armrest device in which the partition serves as a frame member that distributes the load applied to the armrest support.

3. The armrest device according to claim 2, An armrest device in which the partition is connected between the upper frame of the armrest device and a support frame that supports the armrest device from below.

4. The armrest device according to claim 3, The armrest device comprises a partition member connected to the upper frame and extending downward, and a bracket connected between the partition member and the support frame.

5. An armrest device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, The aforementioned partition is an armrest device with a channel-type frame.

6. An armrest device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The harness routing section is positioned in front of the tray storage section. An armrest device is provided in which the aforementioned partition is installed vertically so as to tilt forward.

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