Movable vehicle equipment part with locking device

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle equipment part having a base (11) and a holding part (12) which is mounted on the base (11) by means of a bearing device (20) so as to be movable relative to the base (11) between a first position and a second position and which can be locked in at least one position by means of a locking device (30), wherein the base (11) or the holding part (12) has a fixedly connected first bolt structure (19) and the respective other one of the base (11) or holding part (12) comprises a second bolt structure (23) which is mounted so as to be translationally and rotatably movable, interacts with the first bolt structure (19) and can be moved between a bolting position and a releasing position.

Description

[0001] Vehicle equipment part

[0002] The invention relates to a movable vehicle equipment part with a locking device.

[0003] Vehicle equipment components such as pivoting headrests or armrests are well known in the art. The adjusted pivot position is often locked with a complex locking device.

[0004] From DE 10 2013 010 705 B4 a headrest is known which has a headrest part which is mounted so as to be movable in the x-direction and has a toothed structure with which a latch which is movable transversely to the headrest part can be engaged in order to lock the headrest part in one of several x-positions.

[0005] DE 10 2020 201 484 B4 describes a headrest in which a headrest is pivotably mounted on a cross member of a support bar. Also firmly connected to the cross member is a toothed structure with which a latch pivotably mounted on the headrest can be releasably engaged.

[0006] The object of the invention was to create a vehicle equipment part with a locking device that is advantageous in terms of manufacturing effort and costs. Furthermore, the locking device should take up minimal space.

[0007] The object was achieved by a vehicle equipment part with the features of claim 1. The vehicle equipment part comprises a base and a holding part which is mounted on the base and is movable relative to the base between a first position and a second position. The holding part is, for example, translationally movable or pivotable relative to the base. The holding part can be locked by a locking device in at least one position, in particular in a plurality of positions relative to the base. The locking device comprises a first locking structure which is fixedly connected to the base and a second locking structure which is mounted on the holding part and is movable relative to the holding part and which cooperates with the first locking structure to prevent movement of the holding part relative to the base with respect to a direction of movement.

[0008] The locking device is movable between a locking position and a release position by engaging or disengaging the first locking structure and the second locking structure. A loading device loads the second locking structure into the locking position. The locking device is configured such that, in the locking position, it allows movement of the retaining part in a first direction and prevents movement in a second direction when the first locking structure and the second locking structure are engaged. In the release position, the first locking structure and the second locking structure are disengaged, so that the retaining part is freely movable in the first direction and the second direction.

[0009] During a ratcheting movement into a desired position in which the first locking structure and the second locking structure are in contact, the locking device is in the locking position within the meaning of the invention.

[0010] The locking device has a first control structure configured to move and hold the second locking structure out of engagement with the first locking structure when the holding part is moved into a first end region of its movement path. A second control structure configured to move the second locking structure into engagement with the first locking structure is formed at a second end region of the movement path of the holding part.

[0011] When the second locking structure is engaged with the first locking structure, it is arranged, for example, in a locking seat. When the second locking structure is disengaged from the first locking structure, it is arranged, for example, in a reset seat. In the reset seat, the second locking structure, in particular a movable lock, is only permitted to move parallel to a spatial axis. When the second locking structure is moved out of the locking seat, it can be movable, for example, in a translational and rotational direction.

[0012] While the first locking structure and the second locking structure are engaged, the retaining part can be moved in one direction for adjustment, while the movement of the retaining part is blocked with respect to an opposite second direction. Only in the first end range of the movement are the first and second locking structures disengaged by the first control structure and held disengaged until the retaining part has been moved far enough in the second direction until, in the second end range of the movement of the retaining part, the first locking structure and the second locking structure are moved back into engagement.

[0013] The second locking structure comprises a bolt mounted on the holding part for translational and rotational movement. The translational and rotational movement is formed, for example, by a slotted hole in one of the parts and a pin on the other part that engages in the slotted hole. For example, the movable bolt has a slotted hole, and the holding part or the base has a pin. According to an alternative, the slotted hole could also be formed in the holding part or in the base, and the pin could be formed on the bolt.

[0014] The first and second locking structures, for example, comprise cooperating tooth structures that are engaged in the locking position and disengaged in the release position. The tooth structures can be configured to prevent movement in one direction and block movement in the opposite direction.

[0015] For translational and rotational mounting of the second locking structure, it forms, for example, an elongated hole through which a pin in the base or the holding part passes. Alternatively, the second locking structure could also form the pin, which is guided in an elongated hole in the base or the holding part. The second locking structure then has degrees of freedom in the translational direction and in the rotational direction. These enable the second locking structure to move between the locking position and the release position. For example, the second locking structure comprises a lock with a tooth structure that can be moved translationally into engagement with a first tooth structure of the first locking structure.

[0016] The second locking structure, in particular a lock of the second locking structure, is movable, for example, into a locking seat and into a return seat. When the lock is in the locking seat, the first locking structure and the second locking structure are engaged. The lock has, for example, only one degree of freedom with respect to one spatial direction in the locking seat. If the lock is arranged in the return seat, the first locking structure and the second locking structure are disengaged. The locking seat and / or the return seat are designed, for example, such that the lock cannot be accidentally released from the respective seat. When the second locking structure is in the locking seat, it has, for example, only one degree of freedom in one direction. The second locking structure then has a defined position relative to the first locking structure in every position of the holding part.This applies with the proviso that the latch can move slightly in the direction of this degree of freedom during the ratcheting movement.

[0017] The first locking structure and / or the second locking structure is, for example, at least partially made of metal. If at least one of the locking structures is made of metal, high forces can be transmitted to the base via the locking structures.

[0018] The second bar structure can be formed from a sheet metal part, for example. In this case, the second bar structure can be easily manufactured, for example, by punching.

[0019] The loading device comprises, for example, at least one tension spring and / or compression spring. Tension and compression springs take up very little space in the vehicle's equipment. These springs can exert sufficient forces on the latch. Alternatively, any other suitable type of spring, such as a spiral spring, leaf spring, spring wire, or torsion spring, could also be used.

[0020] The movable bar is formed, for example, by a plate whose extension into a first spatial dimension and into a second spatial dimension is large relative to its extension into a third spatial dimension. In other words, the bar has a small thickness relative to its surface area.

[0021] For example, the holding part is formed by the head part of a headrest, and the base is formed by at least one support rod on which the holding part is movably mounted. The holding part of the headrest is pivotally mounted relative to the base, for example. For example, the holding part is pivotally mounted on the cross member of a base in the form of a support rod bracket.

[0022] The holding part is alternatively formed, for example, by a headrest support part, which is movably mounted relative to a base part held on at least one base in the form of a support rod. In this case, the holding part is mounted, for example, in a translational manner.

[0023] According to a further alternative, the holding part is formed, for example, by an armrest that is pivotally or translationally movable relative to the base and can be locked in different positions by means of the locking device. One locking structure can, for example, be rigidly connected to the base, and the other locking structure is mounted on the armrest so that it can move relative to the armrest. According to an alternative embodiment, one of the locking structures is rigidly connected to the armrest and immobile relative to it. The other of the locking structures is mounted on the base so that it can move relative to the base.

[0024] According to a further alternative, for example, the holding part is formed by an armrest which is translationally movable relative to the base and which can be locked in different translation positions by means of the locking device.

[0025] Furthermore, the locking device of the vehicle equipment part according to the invention can be used, for example, in adjustable comfort elements on armrests, headrests, consoles, door armrests or in wings of a headrest or a neck support.

[0026] Embodiments of the invention are described in the following

[0027] The description of the figures, also with reference to the drawings, is described by way of example. For the sake of clarity, even where different embodiments are concerned, identical or comparable parts, elements, or areas are designated by identical reference symbols, sometimes with the addition of lowercase letters.

[0028] Features described only with reference to one embodiment may also be provided in any other embodiment of the invention within the scope of the invention. Such modified embodiments are encompassed by the invention, even if they are not shown in the drawings.

[0029] All disclosed features are essential to the invention in themselves. The disclosure of the application hereby fully incorporates the disclosure content of the associated priority documents (copy of the prior application), as well as the cited publications and the described prior art devices, also for the purpose of incorporating individual or multiple features of these documents into one or more claims of the present application.

[0030] They show:

[0031] Fig. 1a a perspective view of an equipment part - here in the form of a headrest - from the front,

[0032] Fig. 1 b a front view of the equipment part,

[0033] Fig. 2 is a sectional view along section line A - A in Fig. 2, wherein a holding part of the equipment part is arranged in a first position and a locking device is arranged in the locking position,

[0034] Fig. 3 is a sectional view along section line B - B in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a sectional view based on Fig. 2, wherein the head part is locked in an intermediate position between the first position and a second position,

[0035] Fig. 5a is a sectional view along section line C - C in Fig. 4,

[0036] Fig. 5b is a sectional view along section line D - D in Fig. 4,

[0037] Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 4, with the head part in the second position and arranged in the locking position,

[0038] Fig. 7 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 6, with the locking device in the release position,

[0039] Fig. 8 is a sectional view according to Fig. 7, wherein the head support part is arranged in the first position and the locking device is arranged in the release position,

[0040] The equipment component according to the invention for a vehicle is, in the embodiment shown in the figures, a headrest for a vehicle seat. Alternatively, the equipment component could also be a headrest with a headrest element movable relative to a head box in the x-direction, or an armrest with a base and an armrest movable relative to the base.

[0041] According to Fig. 1a, the equipment part is shown in a perspective view obliquely from the front and is designated overall by the reference numeral 10. The equipment part 10 comprises a base 11, which here is designed in the form of a support rod bracket with free end regions 13a and 13b, and a holding part 12, which in this example is designed as the head part of the headrest. The holding part 12 has a head support surface 14, which is formed by a housing 15 of the holding part 12. The housing 15 has two interconnected half-shells 47a and 47b, which form an interior space, which is not visible in Fig. 1a.

[0042] Fig. 1b shows a front view of the holding part 12. Recesses 16 for screws connecting the half-shells 47a and 47b of the housing 15 are visible.

[0043] Fig. 2 shows a sectional view along section line A-A in Fig. 1b. The holding part 12 is movable, in this example pivotable, relative to the base 11 between a first position shown in Fig. 2 and a second position shown in Fig. 6. According to an alternative embodiment, however, the holding part could also be movable in translation relative to the base 11. The holding part 12 is mounted on the base 11 by means of a bearing device 20 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis a1. In this example, the holding part 12 is pivotably mounted on a cross member 18 connecting the end regions 13a and 13b of the base 11 formed by a holding rod bracket.

[0044] According to Fig. 2, an interior space 17 of the housing 15 can be seen, in which a locking device 30 is arranged. With the locking device 30, the holding part 12 can be locked in the first position according to Fig. 2, in the second position according to Fig. 6 and in several intermediate positions between the first position and the second position. The locking device 30 comprises a first locking structure 19 firmly connected to the base 11. The first locking structure 19 has a locking plate 21 immovably connected to the cross member 18 and having a support structure 37 which forms a locking structure 22. Instead of the locking plate 21, however, another formation can also form the locking structure 22. A second locking structure 23 is assigned to the holding part 12. It comprises a bolt 24 which is movable in the directions z1 and z2 and pivotable about a pivot axis a2 in the directions w1 and w2.In this example, the mobility in the directions z1 and z2 as well as the pivotability about the pivot axis a2 is realized by means of an elongated hole 25 formed in the bolt 24, which is supported by a pin.

[0045] 26 of the housing 15 is penetrated. The latch 24 of the second latch structure 23 is provided with a tooth structure 27 that can be brought into engagement with the first latch structure 19 in order to lock the holding part 12 in the adjusted position. In this example, the tooth structure

[0046] 27 is formed on a free end region 48 of the bolt 24 opposite the elongated hole 25.

[0047] According to Fig. 2, the bolt 24 is arranged in a locking position in a locking seat 41. A loading device 40 loads the bolt 24 in direction z2, so that its contact surface 31 bears against a stop surface 32 of the locking seat 41 of the housing 15. The pin 26 is located at a first end region of the elongated hole 25.

[0048] An end face 28 of the latch 24 rests against a contact surface 29 of the housing 15. A side surface 52 of an extension 44 of the latch 24 also rests against a counter surface 53 of the housing 15. For this reason, the latch 24 has no degree of freedom to pivot relative to the pivot axis a2. In other words, the latch 24 can only move in direction z1 from the position shown in Fig. 2. The loading device 40 comprises - as can be seen in Fig. 2 - in this example a compression spring 34 which loads the latch 24 in direction z2. According to Fig. 2, the locking structure 22 of the first latch structure 19 is in a locking position in engagement with a primary recess 33 of the tooth structure 27. The holding part 12 is arranged in its first position. The tooth structure 27 is designed in such a way that it forms a form-direction locking mechanism, ie that the holding part 12 is movable from the position according to Fig. 2 in the direction u1, but not in the direction u2.Forces F acting on the contact surface 14 are transferred from the holding part 12 via the first locking structure 19 to the base 11 when a force F is applied to the contact surface 14.

[0049] When the holding part 12 moves in the direction u1, a force in the direction z1 is exerted on the latch 24 due to the tooth shape of each tooth 35 of the tooth structure 27, so that the latch 24 moves against the force of the loading device 40 from the latch position in the direction z1 and can thus skip the adjacent tooth 35. After overcoming the tooth 35, the latch 24 is moved back in the direction z2 by the loading device 40 so that the locking structure 22 engages with a recess located adjacent to the skipped tooth 35. In this way, the holding part 12 can be adjusted in the direction u1 into the desired position, with the locking structure 22 skipping one or more teeth 35 and moving into engagement with a recess between two teeth 35. A movement of the holding part 12 in the direction u2 is not possible in the latch position.

[0050] The latch 24 has a bearing opening 49 (see Fig. 2), which serves to attach a speed-dependent damper device 36, visible in Fig. 3, which is attached to the housing 15 by another end region. The damper device 36 dampens the movement of the latch 24 and thereby reduces the noise generated when the second latch structure 23 engages the first latch structure 19. According to an alternative embodiment, the damper device 36 could also be omitted.

[0051] According to Fig. 4, the retaining member 12 has been adjusted to a middle position between the first position and the second position. The locking structure 22 engages a central recess of the tooth structure 27, which is located between the primary recess 33 and a secondary recess 38. The locking device 30 is in the locking position.

[0052] When comparing Fig. 2 and 4, it can be seen that the bolt 24 does not move out of the locking seat 41 when the locking structure 22 is in engagement with a recess in the tooth structure 27 located between two teeth 35. During the ratcheting movement of the holding part 12 in direction u1, the bolt 24 is only moved slightly in direction z1, but then lowers again in direction z2 into the locking seat 41 - caused by the loading device 40. When skipping over a tooth 35 - when the holding part 12 is moved in direction u1 - the bolt 24 only moves so far in direction z1 that a lower surface 51 of the extension 44 is not displaced beyond the level of a shoulder surface 43 of a return seat 42.In other words, the latch 24 is arranged between the contact surface 29 and the counter surface 53 of the housing 15 in such a way that it can only move in the direction z1 to ratchet over at least one tooth 35 and is then moved again in the direction z2 by the loading device.

[0053] Fig. 5a shows a sectional view along section line c-c in Fig. 4. From Fig. 4 it can be seen that the locking device 30 takes up very little space in the equipment part 10. The extension of the bolt 24 in the directions y1 and y2, i.e. its thickness, is relatively small in relation to its extension in the directions x1 and x2 and y1 and y2 (see Fig. 4). Furthermore, Fig. 5a shows a spring 54 formed coaxially with the cross member 18, which loads the holding part 12 in the direction u2 and thus holds the locking structure 22 on the tooth flank of the tooth 35 which is effective for locking the movement of the holding part 12 in the direction u2.

[0054] In the sectional view according to Fig. 5b, the small installation space of the bolt 24, in particular its small extension in the directions y1 and y2, can also be seen.

[0055] Fig. 6 shows the holding part 12 in its second end position in the locking position, in which the locking structure 22 engages with the secondary recess 38. Upon further movement of the holding part 12 in the direction u1, the locking structure 22 comes into contact with the inclined surface 39 of a first control structure 45. Due to this contact, forces in the directions z1 and x2 act on the bolt 24. Since the bolt 24 is located in the locking seat 41, it initially only has one degree of freedom in the direction z1. The inclined surface 39 is designed such that the interaction of the forces between the locking structure 22 and the inclined surface 39 lifts the bolt 24 from its locking seat 41 against the force of the spring 34 in the direction z1 to such an extent that a lower surface 51 of the extension 44 is moved above the z-level of the shoulder surface 43 of the housing 15. The force acting on the bolt 24 in direction x2 causes a pivoting movement of the bolt 24 in direction w1.

[0056] The lower surface 51 of the extension 44 moves into engagement with the shoulder surface 43 of the reset seat 42 and is held in this reset seat 42 by the loading device 40 (see Fig. 7), even when the force on the holding part 12 in direction u1 is removed. The frictional force generated by the loading device 40, as well as a resulting force in direction x2 caused by the loading device 40 and the support of the bolt 24 on the shoulder surface 43, prevent, in this example, release from the reset seat, i.e., movement in the directions z1 and w2.

[0057] According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the shoulder surface 43 could be designed as an undercut inclined surface and the lower surface 51 could be designed complementarily in order to prevent unintentional release of the bolt 24 from the return seat 42.

[0058] In Fig. 7, it can be seen that the first locking structure 19 is disengaged from the second locking structure 23 when the lock 24 is located in the reset seat 42. The pin 26 is located at a second end region of the elongated hole 25, opposite the first end region with respect to a longitudinal center axis. In other words, in relation to this exemplary embodiment, this means that the locking structure 22 and the tooth structure 27 are spaced apart sufficiently far enough that the holding part 12 can be moved in the direction u2. The locking device 30 is in the release position.

[0059] The holding part 12 is now moved in direction u2 until the locking arrangement 21 comes into contact with a projection 46 of a second control structure 50 (see Fig. 8). Upon further movement in direction u2, the locking member 24 is pivoted relative to the housing 15 in direction w2 about the pivot axis a2, whereby the extension 44 is moved out of engagement with the shoulder surface 43 of the return seat 42 and the end surface 28 is moved into contact with the contact surface 29. The loading device 40 moves the locking member 24 in direction z2 into the locking seat 41 according to Fig. 2. The locking structure 22 is then again located in the primary recess 33. The holding part 12 can be adjusted again in direction u1 into the desired position.

Claims

A n s p r ü c h e 1. A vehicle equipment part comprising a base (11) and a holding part (12) mounted on the base (11) and movable relative to the base (11) between a first position and a second position, which holding part can be locked in at least one position by a locking device (30), wherein the base (11) has a fixedly connected first locking structure (19), and the holding part (12) comprises a second locking structure (23) which cooperates with the first locking structure (19) and is movable between a locking position and a release position, wherein a loading device (40) loads the second locking structure (23) into the locking position, wherein the locking device (30) is designed such that, in the locking position, it allows movement of the holding part (12) in a first direction (u1) and prevents movement in a second direction (u2), wherein a first control structure (45) is formed on an end region of the toothing,which moves the second locking structure (23) out of engagement with the first locking structure (19), and wherein a second control structure (50) is formed at a second end region of the toothing, which moves the second locking structure (30) into engagement with the first locking structure (19), characterized in that the second locking structure (23) comprises a lock (24) which is mounted so as to be translationally movable and rotatably movable.

2. Vehicle equipment part according to claim 1, characterized in that the first locking structure (19) and the second locking structure (23) have cooperating tooth structures (22, 27).

3. Vehicle equipment part according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second locking structure (23) has a movable locking bar (24).

4. Vehicle equipment part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second locking structure (23) forms an elongated hole (25) for translational and rotational mounting, through which a pin (26) of the base (11) or of the holding part (12) passes, or in that the second locking structure (23) forms a pin (26) which engages in an elongated hole (25) of the base (11) or of the holding part (12).

5. Vehicle equipment part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second locking structure (23) is arranged in a locking seat (41) in the locking position and in a return seat (42) in the release position.

6. Vehicle equipment part according to claim 5, characterized in that the latch (24), when it is located in the locking seat (41), has only one degree of freedom in one direction (z1).

7. Vehicle equipment part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first locking structure (19) and / or the second locking structure (23) are at least partially formed from metal.

8. Vehicle equipment part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second locking structure (23) is formed by a sheet metal part.

9. Vehicle equipment part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the loading device (40) has at least one tension spring (36) and / or compression spring (34).

10. Vehicle equipment part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bar (24) is plate-shaped.

11. Vehicle equipment part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding part (12) is formed by a head part of a headrest and the base (11) is formed by at least one holding rod on which the holding part (12) is movably mounted.

12. Vehicle equipment part according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the holding part (12) is formed by a head support part of a headrest, which is mounted so as to be movable relative to a base part held on at least one base (11) in the form of a holding rod.

13. Vehicle equipment part according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the holding part (12) is formed by an armrest which is pivotable or translationally movable relative to the base (11) and which can be locked in different pivoting positions or translational positions by means of the locking device (30).

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