Interior materials for vehicles

Abstract

The present invention provides interior materials for vehicles that can reduce the protrusion width of the armrest into the vehicle interior. [Solution] The armrest 20 has a plate-shaped top surface portion 21 that intersects with the trim body portion 11, and a protruding portion 25 that protrudes from the lower surface of the top surface portion 21. It is rotatable around a pivot axis 24 that extends in the front-rear direction along the interior surface of the trim body portion 11. A support base 30 is attached to the trim body portion 11 to support the protruding portion 25 from below. The support base 30 has an inclined support surface 31 that is tilted in the front-rear direction, and is movable in the front-rear direction relative to the trim body portion 11. As the support base 30 moves in the front-rear direction, the protruding portion 25 moves relative to the support surface 31, causing the armrest 20 to rotate around the pivot axis 24.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] ,

[0006] , , , , , ,

[0005] , , ,

[0003] , , , , ,

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to interior materials for vehicles.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, as a door trim that constitutes the interior surface of a vehicle door, one provided with an armrest is known. The armrest has a shape that protrudes from the trim main body, which is the main body of the door trim, toward the interior side, and its upper surface serves as an armrest surface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a conventional door trim, the armrest is fixed at a predetermined position of the trim main body. Therefore, when a passenger gets on and off the vehicle, especially when there is not enough space to fully open the vehicle door, there is a problem that the armrest protruding toward the interior side gets in the way and makes it difficult to get on and off.

[0005] The technology disclosed in this specification has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an interior material for a vehicle capable of reducing the protrusion width of the armrest into the vehicle interior.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The technology disclosed herein, completed to solve the above problems, is an interior material for a vehicle comprising a trim body that forms the main part of the interior surface of a vehicle door, and an armrest disposed on the interior side of the trim body, wherein the armrest has a plate-shaped top surface portion that is disposed to intersect with the trim body and constitutes an armrest surface for the occupant, and a projection portion that protrudes from the lower surface of the top surface portion, and is configured to be rotatable about a pivot axis that extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle along the interior surface of the trim body, and a support base having a support surface that supports the projection portion from below is attached to the trim body, the support base is inclined so that the support surface is inclined in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and is movable in the front-rear direction relative to the trim body, and as the support base moves in the front-rear direction the projection portion moves relative to the inclined support surface, the armrest rotates about the pivot axis.

[0007] With the above configuration, the top surface of the armrest can be rotated to either raise or fold relative to the trim body by moving the support base. Therefore, when using the armrest, the support base can be moved to raise the top surface almost perpendicular to the trim body, making it easier to rest your arm. Also, for example, when opening a vehicle door, the support base can be moved to rotate the top surface in a folding direction relative to the trim body, making it less likely for the armrest to get in the way when getting in or out of the vehicle.

[0008] The vehicle door is provided with an inside handle for opening it from the inside, the inside handle being connected to a lock release member of a locking device that locks the vehicle door in a closed position by a lock release wire, the first end of the support base where the support surface is positioned relatively high in the front-rear direction is connected to the lock release wire via a first wire, and as the inside handle is operated, the lock release wire pulls the lock release member toward the inside handle, causing the support base to be pulled toward the first end via the first wire, thereby moving the support base relative to the trim body.

[0009] According to the above configuration, when opening the vehicle door from the inside, operating the inside handle pulls the support base toward the first end, causing the protruding part of the armrest to move toward a relatively lower direction on the support surface, and the armrest automatically rotates in the direction of folding. In other words, the occupant does not need to directly fold the armrest (move the support base) when disembarking, improving convenience.

[0010] The second end of the support base, where the support surface is positioned relatively low in the front-rear direction, is connected via a second wire to an engaging portion of a locking device that engages with an engaging portion provided on the vehicle body side when the vehicle door is closed, thereby locking the vehicle door in a closed position. When the vehicle door is closed, the engaging portion is displaced from an unengaged position to an engaged position by the engaging portion, and as a result, the support base is pulled towards the second end via the second wire, causing the support base to move relative to the trim body.

[0011] According to the above configuration, when the vehicle door is closed, the support base is pulled towards the second end, causing the protruding part of the armrest to move in a relatively higher direction on the support surface, and the armrest automatically rotates in a direction that rises up relative to the trim body. In other words, the occupant does not need to directly raise the armrest (move the support base) when getting in, improving convenience. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The technology disclosed herein provides an interior material for vehicles that can reduce the protrusion width of the armrest into the vehicle interior. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Perspective view of a door trim according to one embodiment [Figure 2] Enlarged longitudinal section view of the door trim in the vehicle width direction (with the armrest raised). [Figure 3] Figure 2: Enlarged longitudinal section of the main part [Figure 4] Enlarged longitudinal section view of the door trim in the vehicle width direction (with the armrest folded). [Figure 5] Enlarged perspective view of a portion of the door trim showing the armrest's rotation mechanism (armrest in the raised position). [Figure 6] Enlarged perspective view of a portion of the door trim showing the armrest's rotation mechanism (armrest in the folded position). [Figure 7] Perspective view of the support base [Figure 8] Enlarged front view of a portion of the door trim with the armrest in the raised position (section II in Figure 2) [Figure 9] Enlarged view of the locking mechanism [Figure 10] Partially enlarged longitudinal section view of the door trim in the vehicle width direction of another embodiment [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] An embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. In this embodiment, a door trim (an example of a vehicle interior material) 10 that constitutes the interior surface of a side door (an example of a vehicle door) of an automobile will be described. In the figures, the arrow direction FR is the front (front of the vehicle), the arrow direction RR is the rear (rear of the vehicle), the arrow direction UP is the upper side, the arrow direction DW is the lower side, the arrow direction IN is the vehicle interior side, and the arrow direction OUT is the vehicle exterior side.

[0015] The side door is configured to open and close in such a manner that the rear end side is displaced in the vehicle interior-exterior direction with the front end side as a rotation axis. When the side door is in the closed state, the occupant operates an inside handle 14 described later to release the locked state, and the side door is slightly displaced toward the vehicle exterior side to open the door. Then, the side door is opened by the occupant gripping a gripping portion or the like and displacing it greatly toward the vehicle exterior side.

[0016] The door trim 10 that constitutes the interior surface of the side door includes a trim main body portion 11 that forms most of it and is formed by molding a resin such as polypropylene into a plate shape, and an armrest 2 which can be placed by the occupant.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the trim main body portion 11 includes an upper board 12 arranged on the upper side and a lower board 13 arranged below the upper board 12. An inside handle housing portion 15 for housing an inside handle 14 for opening the side door from the vehicle interior side is provided on the front side of the center in the front-rear direction of the trim main body portion 11. The armrest 20 is provided on the rear side of the center in the front-rear direction of the trim main body portion 11 and between the upper board 12 and the lower board 13 (the central portion in the up-down direction). The armrest 20 is arranged in a direction rising toward the vehicle interior side with respect to the trim main body portion 11 when the side door is closed.

[0018] Hereinafter, taking the state where the side door is closed as a reference, the armrest 20 extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 2, it includes a top surface portion 21 for a seated occupant to place their arm, a first side surface portion 22 arranged on the vehicle interior side of the top surface portion 21, and a second side surface portion 23 arranged on the vehicle exterior side. The top surface portion 21 has a surface that extends substantially in the vehicle width direction, and the first side surface portion 22 and the second side surface portion 23 have surfaces that extend substantially in the vertical direction. The armrest 20 is configured such that the vehicle interior side end of the top surface portion 21 and the upper end of the first side surface portion 22 are continuously connected while curving, and the vehicle exterior side end of the top surface portion 21 and the upper end of the second side surface portion 23 are continuously connected so as to intersect at a substantially right angle. As a result, the armrest 20 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section that is flat as a whole, and its top surface portion 21 is arranged in a direction intersecting the interior surface of the trim main body portion 11 that extends in the vertical direction.

[0019] The armrest 20 is provided with a rotation shaft 24 that extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction along the interior surface of the trim main body portion 11 at the lower end of the second side surface portion 23. Both ends of the rotation shaft 24 extend in the front-rear direction from both ends of the second side surface portion 23, and are rotatably supported by bearing portions 16 that project inward from the trim main body portion 11 (see FIG. 5). As a result, the armrest 20 is configured such that the interior side end thereof is rotatable around the rotation shaft 24 (see FIGS. 4 and 6).

[0020] On the other hand, a pair of support bases 30 for supporting the top surface portion 21 from its back surface side (downward) are attached to the trim main body portion 11 (see FIG. 5). The support bases 30 are movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the trim main body portion 11. Specifically, a pair of support wall portions 17 that rise upward toward the interior side and extend in the front-rear direction are provided side by side in the front-rear direction on the trim main body portion 11, and rib-shaped rails 18 that extend in the front-rear direction are provided on the upper surfaces of the respective support wall portions 17 (see FIG.​​​Next, the support base 30 will be described. Hereinafter, the support base 30 located at the front of the pair of support bases 30 may be referred to as the front support base 30F, and the support base 30 located at the rear may be referred to as the rear support base 30R.

[0022] First, let's describe the front support base 30F. As shown in Figure 7, the front support base 30F is a roughly box-shaped, hollow structure that is slightly elongated in the front-to-back direction. A mounting recess 32 for attaching the support base 30 to the rail 18 is provided on its lower surface, extending in the front-to-back direction. The front support base 30F is movable in the front-to-back direction (along the rail 18) by the rail 18 fitted into the mounting recess 32.

[0023] The upper surface of the front support base 30F is a curved support surface 31, in which the cross-section in the direction of the vehicle interior and exterior (vehicle width direction) bulges upward in an arc shape. This support surface 31 is sloped, with the front side being lower and the rear side being higher. In other words, the front support base 30F is roughly box-shaped, with the front side being lower and the rear side being higher. Hereinafter, the lower part of the support base 30 may be referred to as the low-profile section 33, and the higher part as the high-profile section 34.

[0024] On the rear side of the front support base 30F, the opposing surface (an example of the first end) 35 facing the rear support base 30R is provided with a first insertion hole 36 for inserting the first wire 42, which will be described later. On the other hand, on the front side of the front support base 30F, the opposite surface (an example of the second end) 37 facing the opposite side of the aforementioned opposing surface 35 is provided with a second insertion hole 38 for inserting the second wire 43, which will be described later.

[0025] On the other hand, the rear support base 30R is symmetrical to the front support base 30F in the front-rear direction. The rear support base 30R is the same shape and size as the front support base 30F, and its support surface 31 is mounted so as to be movable along the rail 18 in a sloping manner, with the front side being higher and the rear side lower (see Figure 8).

[0026] A first wire 42 is inserted through a first insertion hole 36 provided on the opposing surface 35 of each support base 30. The first wire 42 is attached to the support base 30 by a wire end (not shown) formed by a knot or the like on one end, which is pulled outwards from the opposing surface 35. The first wire 42 is branched from a connecting wire (an example of a release wire) 41 that connects the inside handle 14 and the release lever (an example of a release member, not shown) of the side door locking device 40 (see Figure 5). As the connecting wire 41 is pulled towards the inside handle 14 based on the pull operation of the inside handle 14 (door opening operation), the pair of support bases 30 are pulled towards their opposing surfaces 35 (see Figure 6). In other words, when the side door is opened, the pair of support bases 30 move toward each other by the first wire 42.

[0027] Furthermore, a second wire 43 is inserted through a second insertion hole 38 provided on the opposite side 37 of each support base 30. The second wire 43 is attached to the support base 30 by a wire end formed on one end by a knot or the like, which is pulled out from the opposite side 37. The second wire 43 is directly or indirectly connected to a latch (an example of an engaging part) 44 provided on the side door locking device 40 (see Figure 9), and when the side door is closed, the second wire 43 is pulled toward the locking device 40 based on the rotational movement of the latch 44 (side door locking operation) by a striker (an example of an engaged part) 50 provided on the vehicle body side, thereby pulling the pair of support bases 30 toward their opposite sides 37. In other words, when the side door is closed, the pair of support bases 30 move toward each other by the second wire 43. Note that in some figures, for convenience, parts of the first wire 42 and the second wire 43 may be omitted.

[0028] For example, as shown in Figures 2 and 8, the top surface portion 21 of the armrest 20 is provided with a pair of columnar projections 25 arranged in the front-to-back direction, which extend almost vertically from the back surface (bottom surface) of the top surface portion 21 and contact (are supported by) the support surface 31 of the support base 30. Specifically, the front projection 25F, which is located at the front of the projection 25, is capable of contacting the support surface 31 of the front support base 30F. The rear projection 25R, which is located at the rear of the projection 25, is capable of contacting the support surface 31 of the rear support base 30R (see Figure 8). The projection dimension of the projection 25 from the top surface portion 21 is smaller than the projection dimension of the second side portion 23 from the top surface portion 21 (see Figures 2 to 4).

[0029] In this type of armrest 20, when the side door is closed, each protrusion 25 abuts against the support surface 31 of the high back portion 34 of each support base 30, and the top portion 21 is positioned approximately horizontally (see Figure 2). When the inside handle 14 is pulled to open the side door from this state, the connecting wire 41 connected to the lock release lever of the side door locking device 40 (a lever that releases the engagement between the latch 44 and the striker 50) is pulled towards the inside handle 14, and the first wire 42 is pulled towards the connecting wire 41, causing the pair of support bases 30 to be pulled towards the opposing surfaces 35. In other words, the pair of support bases 30 move toward each other (see Figures 5 and 6).

[0030] As a result, the protrusion 25 on the armrest 20 (top surface portion 21) moves relative to the support surface 31 from the high back portion 34 to the low back portion 33 of the support base 30 as the support base 30 moves. This causes the support surface 31 to be in a relatively lower position, so the armrest 20 (top surface portion 21) is displaced downward around the pivot axis 24 at its interior end. In other words, the armrest 20 rotates in a direction that folds relative to the trim body portion 11 (see Figure 4).

[0031] In this way, when the side door is open, the armrest 20 is folded towards the trim body 11, reducing its protrusion into the passenger compartment. Therefore, even when there is not enough space to fully open the side door, the armrest 20 is less likely to get in the way when getting in and out of the vehicle.

[0032] When the occupant releases their hand from the inside handle 14, the connecting wire 41 returns to its original position, and the tension of the first wire 42 against the support base 30 (opposite surface 35) is released. However, since the support base 30 is configured to be pullable in only one direction by the wire end of the first wire 42, the support base 30 does not return to its original position. In other words, the armrest 20 remains folded.

[0033] On the other hand, when the side door is closed, the striker 50 provided on the vehicle body side enters the striker entry groove 45 of the locking device 40 based on the side door closing operation, and as the latch 44 is rotated, the second wire 43 connected to the latch 44 is pulled toward the locking device 40 (see Figure 9). As a result, the pair of support bases 30 are each pulled toward the opposite side 37 and move toward each other.

[0034] As a result, the protrusions 25 on the armrest 20 (top surface portion 21) move relative to each support base 30 from the lower back portion 33 to the higher back portion 34 on the support surface 31, causing the support surface 31 to be in a relatively higher position. This causes the interior end of the armrest 20 (top surface portion 21) to be displaced upward around the pivot axis 24, so that the armrest 20 rotates in a direction that rises up relative to the trim body portion 11. Thus, when the side door is closed, the top surface portion 21 of the armrest 20 is positioned with its plate surface facing approximately vertically, making it easy to rest your arm on (see Figure 2).

[0035] Next, I will explain the effects and benefits. The door trim 10 of this embodiment comprises a trim body portion 11 that forms the main part of the interior surface of the side door, and an armrest 20 disposed on the interior side of the trim body portion 11. The armrest 20 has a plate-shaped top surface portion 21 that is arranged to intersect with the trim body portion 11 and constitutes an armrest surface for the occupant, and a protruding portion 25 that protrudes from the lower surface of the top surface portion 21. It is configured to be rotatable around a pivot axis 24 that extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle along the interior surface of the trim body portion 11. A support base 30 having a support surface 31 that supports the protruding portion 25 from below is attached to the trim body portion 11. The support base 30 is inclined so that the support surface 31 is inclined in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and is movable in the front-rear direction relative to the trim body portion 11. As the support base 30 moves in the front-rear direction, the protruding portion 25 moves relative to the inclined support surface 31, causing the armrest 20 to rotate around the pivot axis 24.

[0036] With the above configuration, by moving the support base 30, the top surface portion 21 of the armrest 20 can be rotated in a direction that raises it or folds it relative to the trim body 11. Therefore, when using the armrest 20, by moving the support base 30 to raise the top surface portion 21 to a position that is almost perpendicular to the trim body 11, it becomes easier to rest your arm on it. Also, for example, when opening a side door, by moving the support base 30 to rotate the top surface portion 21 in a direction that folds it relative to the trim body 11, the armrest 20 can be made less likely to get in the way when getting in or out of the vehicle.

[0037] Furthermore, the door trim 10 is equipped with an inside handle 14 for opening the side door from the interior side. The inside handle 14 is connected to a lock release lever of a locking device 40 that locks the side door in the closed position by a connecting wire 41. The side of the support base 30 facing the support surface 35, where the support surface 31 is positioned relatively higher in the front-rear direction, is connected to the connecting wire 41 via a first wire 42. When the inside handle 14 is operated, the connecting wire 41 pulls the lock release lever toward the inside handle 14, and as a result, the support base 30 is pulled toward the facing surface 35 via the first wire 42, causing the support base 30 to move relative to the trim body 11.

[0038] According to the above configuration, when opening the side door from the interior, operating the inside handle 14 pulls the support base 30 toward the opposing surface 35, causing the protruding portion 25 of the armrest 20 to move toward a relatively lower direction on the support surface 31, and the armrest 20 automatically rotates in the direction of folding. In other words, the occupant does not need to directly fold the armrest 20 (move the support base 30) when getting out of the vehicle, improving convenience.

[0039] Furthermore, the opposite side 37 of the support base 30, where the support surface 31 is positioned relatively lower in the front-rear direction, is connected via a second wire 43 to a latch 44 of a locking device 40 that engages with a striker 50 provided on the vehicle body side when the side door is closed, thereby locking the side door in the closed position. When the side door is closed, the latch 44 is displaced from the unengaged position to the engaged position by the striker 50, and as a result, the support base 30 is pulled towards the opposite side 37 via the second wire 43, causing the support base 30 to move relative to the trim body 11.

[0040] According to the above configuration, when the side door is closed, the support base 30 is pulled toward the opposite side 37, causing the protruding portion 25 of the armrest 20 to move toward a relatively higher direction on the support surface 31, and the armrest 20 automatically rotates in a direction that rises relative to the trim body 11. In other words, the occupant does not need to directly raise the armrest 20 (move the support base 30) when getting in, improving convenience.

[0041] As described above, with the door trim 10 of this embodiment, the armrest 20 is positioned in an upright position relative to the trim body 11 when the side door is closed, rotates to automatically fold when the side door is opened, and automatically rises when the side door is closed. In other words, when the vehicle is in motion, the armrest 20 is fixed in an upright position relative to the trim body 11 at a predetermined angle, which has the advantage of making it easier to implement safety measures for the armrest 20 in the event of a side collision.

[0042] <Other Embodiments> The technologies disclosed herein are not limited to the embodiments described above in the description and drawings, but also include, for example, the following embodiments.

[0043] (1) In the above embodiment, the armrest 20 is shown to be automatically folded or raised based on the opening and closing operation of the side door, but the armrest may be configured such that at least one of the raising operation and the folding operation is performed by rotating the support base by manually operating it.

[0044] (2) In the above embodiment, the armrest 20 was shown to be folded downward from an upright position relative to the trim body 11, but the armrest may also be shown to be folded upward.

[0045] (3) In the above embodiment, the support base 30 is shown to be moved in the front-rear direction by rails 18 provided on the support wall portion 17 that rises from the trim body portion 11 toward the interior side, but the mechanism for moving the support base is not limited to the above embodiment. Also, the shape of the rail is not limited to the above embodiment, and for example, it can be the shape of rail 118 shown in Figure 10.

[0046] (4) In the above embodiment, the configuration shown is in which the two support bases 30 facing each other have a taller back portion 34, but the configuration may also be in which the two opposing sides have a shorter back portion. In such a case, the second wire 43 connected to the latch 44 should be attached to the opposing surfaces facing each other, and the first wire 42 connected to the connecting wire 41 should be attached to the opposite surface opposite the opposing surfaces. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0047] 10: Door trim (interior material for vehicles) 11: Trim body 14: Inside handle 17: Support wall 18: Rail 20: Armrest 21: Top surface 22: First side surface 23: Second side surface 24: Pivot axis 25: Protrusion 30: Support base 31: Support surface 32: Mounting recess 33: Low back section 34: High back section 35: Opposing surface (first end) 37: Opposite surface (second end) 40: Locking device 41: Connecting wire (unlocking wire) 42: First wire 43: Second wire 44: Latch (engaging part) 50: Striker (engaged part)

Claims

1. A vehicle interior material comprising a trim body that forms the main part of the interior surface of a vehicle door, and an armrest disposed on the interior side of the trim body, The aforementioned armrest is A plate-shaped top surface portion is arranged to intersect with the trim body portion and constitutes the armrest surface for the occupant, It has a protruding portion that extends from the lower surface of the top portion, The trim body is configured to be rotatable around a pivot axis that extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle along the interior surface of the trim body, A support base having a support surface that supports the protruding portion from below is attached to the trim body. The support base is designed so that its support surface is inclined in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and is movable in the front-rear direction relative to the trim body. An interior material for a vehicle, wherein the protruding portion moves relative to the inclined support surface as the support base moves in the front-rear direction, causing the armrest to rotate around the pivot axis.

2. The vehicle door is provided with an inside handle for opening it from the inside, and the inside handle is connected to a lock release member and a lock release wire of a locking device that locks the vehicle door in the closed position. The first end of the support base, where the support surface is positioned relatively high in the front-rear direction, is connected to the unlock wire via a first wire. The interior material for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein when the inside handle is operated, the release wire pulls the release member toward the inside handle, and as a result, the support base is pulled toward the first end via the first wire, causing the support base to move toward the trim body.

3. The second end of the support base, where the support surface is positioned relatively low in the front-rear direction, is connected via a second wire to an engagement portion of a locking device that engages with an engagement portion provided on the vehicle body side when the vehicle door is closed, thereby locking the vehicle door in a closed position. The interior material for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the vehicle door is closed, the engaging portion is displaced from the unengaged position to the engaged position by the engaged portion, and as a result, the support base is pulled toward the second end via the second wire, causing the support base to move relative to the trim body.

Images