CN110001486B

CN110001486B - Armrest assembly

Info

Publication number: CN110001486B
Application number: CN201810012353.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 柳中; 森永义一; 吉内秀人; 方劲; 彭成; 吴小忠; 毛正达
Original assignee: Honda Technology Research Industry China Investment Co ltd; Lear Corp
Current assignee: Honda Motor China Investment Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-01-05
Filing date: 2018-01-05
Publication date: 2021-06-04
Anticipated expiration: 2038-01-05
Also published as: CN110001486A

Abstract

The present invention provides an armrest assembly that includes an armrest that is movable relative to a mount. The armrest assembly also includes a table attached to the armrest for relative movement between a table storage position and a table use position. The locking assembly is operable to prevent the armrest from moving relative to the mount when the table is in the table use position.

Description

Armrest assembly

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a vehicle armrest having a foldable table and to an armrest locking assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to a vehicle armrest movable relative to a seat, a table movable to a use position relative to the armrest, and a locking assembly that prevents movement of the armrest when the table is in the use position.

Background

Vehicles such as passenger cars often include armrests that are comfortable for the passengers. Passenger car rear seats are typically bench seats that include a central armrest between two passenger seats. The armrest may be pivotable relative to the seat between a stowed position and a use position.

The center armrest may include additional functions that are comfortable and convenient for the vehicle occupants. Some armrests include a storage compartment with a cover that can be moved into a position where it can be used by an occupant as a table or tray. Other armrests include a dedicated table that can be moved into position for use by the occupant as a table or tray.

In either case, it is often desirable to stabilize the armrest relative to the seat so that items placed on the table are not disturbed by movement of the armrest. This may be accomplished by moving the table into engagement with the front console of the vehicle and latching the table to the front console. However, even when the table is engaged with the front console, the armrest may be raised by an external force applied to the underside of the armrest. It would be advantageous to provide an improved way to stabilize the armrest relative to the seat even with the table engaged with the front console, as shown in fig. 15.

Additionally, as shown in fig. 16, the occupant may stow the armrest and table in an unexpected manner, so the occupant should be advised to stow the table before stowing the armrest as shown in fig. 16 a. This is because once the occupant stows the armrest and table in the reverse order, problems may arise, such as the armrest not being fully stowed or the table hitting the roof, as shown in fig. 16 b. It would therefore also be advantageous to provide an improved way of preventing passengers from stowing the armrest and table in the wrong manner.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a handrail assembly. The armrest assembly includes an armrest movable relative to a mount. The armrest assembly also includes a table attached to the armrest for relative movement between a table storage position and a table use position. The locking assembly is operable to prevent the armrest from moving relative to the mount when the table is in the table use position.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to an armrest assembly that includes an armrest movable relative to a mount. The table is attached to the armrest for relative movement between the table storage position and the table use position via the intermediate position. The armrest assembly includes a locking assembly. The locking assembly includes a switch mounted for movement with the table. The actuator can be operated by a switch. The lock is operable by the actuator to prevent the armrest from moving relative to the mount when the table is in the table use position.

Various aspects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior art vehicle seat having an armrest including a movable table. The prior art armrest and the prior art table are shown in their respective stowed positions.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the prior art vehicle seat shown in FIG. 1, showing the prior art armrest in a use position and the prior art table in a stowed position.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the prior art vehicle seat shown in FIG. 1, showing the prior art armrest and the prior art table both in their respective use positions.

Fig. 4 is a side view of a vehicle seat having an armrest including a movable table in accordance with the present invention. The armrest and the table are shown in their respective stowed positions.

Fig. 5 is a side view of the vehicle seat shown in fig. 4, with the armrest shown in the use position and the table shown in the stowed position.

Fig. 6 is a side view similar to fig. 5 showing the table in an intermediate position.

Fig. 7 is a side view similar to fig. 5 showing the table in a use position.

Fig. 8 is a top view of the armrest frame and its table, showing the table in the use position.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the armrest frame, taken along line 9-9 of figure 8.

Fig. 10 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the winch and bowden cable taken along line 10-10 of fig. 9, shown with the table in the use position.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view similar to fig. 9, shown with the table in an intermediate position, showing only the winch and the bowden cable.

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view similar to fig. 11 shown when the table is in the stowed position.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the locking pin taken along line 13 of fig. 8.

Fig. 14 is a view similar to fig. 13 shown when the table has been moved to the storage position.

Figure 15 shows a configuration for stabilizing the armrest relative to the seat with the table engaged with the front console as in the prior art.

Figure 16a shows the armrest and table stowed in the correct order and figure 16b shows the armrest and table stowed in the wrong order.

Detailed Description

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a side view of a prior art bench seat, generally indicated at 10, for a vehicle having a prior art armrest 12. The prior art armrest 12 is a central armrest located on the bench seat 10 and is pivotable relative to the seat 10 about an armrest axis 14. The prior art armrest 12 is movable between an armrest stowed position, shown in fig. 1, and an armrest use position, shown in fig. 2. The prior art armrest 12 includes a prior art table 16 mounted thereon. The prior art table 16 is able to pivot about a table axis 18 relative to the prior art armrest 12. The prior art table 16 is movable between a table storage position shown in fig. 2 and a table use position shown in fig. 3. The prior art table 16 includes a latch 20, the latch 20 selectively locking the prior art table 16 relative to a front console 22 when the prior art table 16 is in the use position. The prior art table 16 is locked to the front console 22 to prevent the prior art table 16 from moving relative to the seat 10 while being used by an occupant of the bench seat 10.

Referring now to fig. 4, there is shown a side view of a vehicle bench seat, generally indicated at 24, including an armrest, generally indicated at 26, in accordance with the present invention. The armrest 26 is a central armrest on the bench seat 24, but may be attached to any desired seat or any desired type of seat. The illustrated armrest 26 is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the seat 24 about an armrest axis 28. The armrest 26 is movable relative to the seat 24 between an armrest stowed position, shown in fig. 4, and an armrest use position, shown in fig. 5. The armrest 26 includes a table 30 mounted for relative movement thereon. The illustrated table 30 is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the armrest 26 about a table axis 32. The table axis 32 is shown as being parallel to the armrest axis 28, but may have any desired orientation. The table axis 32 is shown generally at an end of the armrest 26 opposite the armrest axis 28, but may be located at any desired location on the armrest 26. The table 30 is movable relative to the armrest 26 between a table storage position, shown in fig. 5, and a table use position, shown in fig. 7, via an intermediate position therebetween, shown in fig. 6.

The illustrated table 30 is a table that is movable to a table use position for use by vehicle occupants to place items. The illustrated table 30 includes a finishing side 34 and an opposing support side 36. The support side 36 is positioned adjacent the armrest 26 when the table 30 is in the table storage position. When the table 30 is in the table use position, the support side 36 is oriented upwardly for use by an occupant. However, the table 30 may have any desired orientation when in the table storage position and the table use position. The illustrated table 30 also serves as a cover for a storage compartment 38 positioned in the armrest 26. The table 30 hides the storage compartment 38 when in the table storage position, and the occupant may access the storage compartment 38 by moving the table 30 away from the table storage position.

The illustrated armrest 26 includes a shell 40 made of foam with a decorative layer. However, the handrail 26 can be made of any desired material and can have any desired finish. The support side 36 of the illustrated table 30 is made of plastic and may be made of any desired material. The finished side 34 of the table 30 may be made of any desired material and may have any desired decoration or appearance.

Referring now to fig. 8, a top view of the armrest 26 and the table 30 is shown. The armrest 26 is shown in the armrest use position and the armrest 26 is shown with the housing 40 removed to make the armrest frame 42 visible. The table 30 is shown in the table use position. The illustrated table 30 includes an optional latch 44, the latch 44 allowing the table 30 to be selectively connected to a front console 46 (shown in fig. 7). The illustrated armrest frame 42 includes two steel longitudinal members 48, but the armrest frame 42 may be made of any desired material and may have any desired shape and configuration.

The armrest 26 includes an armrest pivot 50 fixed to the longitudinal member 48. The pivot 50 is connected to a mount comprising two brackets 52 for relative rotational movement, and the brackets 52 are fixed relative to the seat 24 (not shown in fig. 8). A detent plate 54 is connected to each bracket 52 and engages a stop rod 56 on the armrest 26 to limit movement of the armrest 26 relative to the brackets 52, as is well known in the art.

The table 30 includes a table axle 58 that is fixed relative to the table 30. The table axle 58 is positioned on the table axis 32 and connected to the longitudinal member 48 for relative rotational movement. The table shaft 58 rotates relative to the armrest frame 42 as the table 30 moves between the table storage position and the table use position.

The armrest 26 includes a locking assembly, generally indicated at 60. The locking assembly 60 includes a switch 62, an actuator 64, and a locking member 66. The components of the locking assembly 60 are described in more detail below, but the operation of the locking assembly 60 will be described first. The locking assembly 60 operates to prevent the armrest 26 from moving from the armrest use position when the table 30 is in the table use position. As previously described, the armrest 26 is movable relative to the seat 24 from the armrest stowed position shown in fig. 4 to the armrest use position shown in fig. 5. The table 30 is movable relative to the armrest 26 from a table storage position, shown in fig. 5, to a table use position, shown in fig. 7. When the table 30 is moved from the table storage position to the table use position, the lock 66 is activated to prevent the armrest 26 from moving relative to the seat 24. Further, when the table 30 is moved from the table use position to the table stowed position, the lock 66 is released to allow the armrest 26 to move relative to the seat 24.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lock 66 is actuated when the table 30 is between the intermediate position and the table use position, and the lock 66 is released when the table 30 is between the intermediate position and the table storage position. However, the lock 66 may be actuated and released at any desired position of the table 30 relative to the armrest 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate position is reached when the table 30 moves an angle 67 relative to the armrest 26. The illustrated angle 67 is approximately 55 degrees. However, the intermediate position may be any desired position of the table 30 relative to the armrest 26.

Referring to FIG. 9, an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 is shown. The cross-sectional view shown in fig. 9 is taken through switch 62. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of fig. 9. In the illustrated embodiment, the switch 62 is a winch mounted on the table shaft 58 and fixed relative to the table 30. The winch 68 will rotate about the table axis 32 relative to the armrest frame 42 as the table is moved between the table storage position and the table use position. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 64 is a bowden cable 70. The cable housing 72 of the bowden cable 70 is mounted to the armrest frame 42 and fixed relative to the armrest frame 42.

The illustrated capstan 68 includes an internal groove 74. The illustrated inner slot 74 has an arcuate shape and extends from a first end 74a to a second end 74 b. The illustrated inner slot 74 is concentric with the table shaft 58. However, inner groove 74 may have any desired shape and positioning. Capstan 68 includes an optional insertion opening 76 that extends between inner groove 74 and an outer surface 78 of capstan 68. Capstan 68 also includes a cable slot 80 that extends between inner groove 74 and outer surface 78 of capstan 68. Cable trough 80 extends from a first end 80a to a second end 80b, and cable trough 80 is longer than inner trough 74. However, cable trough 80 may have any desired relative dimensions.

The illustrated bowden cable 70 includes an inner cable 82 connected to a stopper 84. The stop 84 is positioned in the inner groove 74 of the capstan 68 and is movable within the inner groove 74 relative to the capstan 68. The inner cable 82 of the bowden cable 70 passes through the cable groove 80 to the stopper 84. As shown in fig. 10, cable trough 80 is narrower than inner trough 74, and inner cable 82 can pass through cable trough 80 but not stop 84. The insertion opening 76 is large enough to allow the stop 84 to be inserted into the inner groove 74 and assist in the assembly of the locking assembly 60.

As shown in fig. 9, the winch 68 is shown with the table 30 in the table use position shown in fig. 7. When the table 30 is moved away from the table use position toward the table storage position, the winch 68 is moved in the closing direction 86 relative to the armrest frame 42. As previously described, the stop 84 is movable within the inner groove 74, and as the winch 68 moves relative to the stop 84, the stop 84 maintains a position relative to the armrest frame 42.

Referring to fig. 11, a view similar to fig. 9 is shown, but showing only winch 68 and bowden cable 70. Fig. 11 shows the table 30 having moved to near the intermediate position shown in fig. 6. At this point, the stop 84 engages the first end 74a of the inner groove 74. As the table 30 is moved further toward the table stowed position relative to the armrest 26, the winch 68 will move in the closing direction 86 relative to the armrest frame 42. Since the stop 84 is engaged with the first end 74a that is not movable relative to the winch 68, the stop 84 also moves in the closing direction 86 as the winch does. This causes the inner cable 82 of the bowden cable 70 to be pulled out relative to the cable housing 72. Referring to fig. 12, a view similar to fig. 11 is shown when the table 30 has been moved to the table storage position. As shown, the winch 68 has moved in the closing direction 86 relative to the armrest frame 42, and the stop 84 has moved with the winch 68. This causes the inner cable 82 to be pulled out relative to the cable jacket 72.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a cross-sectional view taken along line 13 of FIG. 8 is shown. The cross-sectional view shown in fig. 13 is taken through the locking element 66. The illustrated locking member 66 includes a locking member housing 90 and a locking pin 92 biased relative to the locking member housing 90 by a spring 94. The locking pin 92 is biased into the locking opening 96 of one of the brackets 52. When the locking pin 92 is positioned in the locking opening 96, the locking pin 92 will engage the bracket 52 when a force is applied to move the armrest 26 relative to the bracket 52. This engagement prevents the armrest 26 from moving relative to the seat 24. Thus, when the table 30 is in the table use position, the lock 66 will prevent the armrest 26 from moving relative to the seat 24. The locking member 66 is shown positioned on the armrest 26 proximate the armrest pivot 50, but may be positioned at any desired location. Further, the locking member 66 may be any type of mechanism that prevents movement of the armrest 26 relative to the seat 24.

Referring to fig. 14, a cross-sectional view similar to that shown in fig. 13 is shown illustrating the lock 66 when the table 30 has moved away from the table use position (shown in fig. 7) through the intermediate position (shown in fig. 6) toward the table storage position (shown in fig. 5). As previously described with reference to fig. 11 and 12, when the table 30 moves past the intermediate position, the winch 68 pulls the inner cable 82 of the bowden cable 70 relative to the cable housing 72. As shown in fig. 14, the opposite end of the inner cable 82 is connected to a locking pin 92. When the inner cable 82 is pulled relative to the cable housing 72, the inner cable 82 pulls the locking pin 92 out of the locking opening 96 against the force of the spring 94. With the locking pin 92 in this position, the armrest 26 may move relative to the seat 24 and the locking pin 92 does not engage the bracket 52. Thus, the armrest 26 may be moved from the armrest use position (shown in fig. 5) to the armrest storage position (shown in fig. 4).

When the table 30 is moved from the table storage position to the table use position, the process described previously is reversed. When the table 30 is in the table stowed position (shown in fig. 5) relative to the armrest 26, the winch 68 will cause the inner cable 82 of the bowden cable 70 to be pulled out (shown in fig. 12) relative to the cable housing 72 and the inner cable 82 will keep the locking pin 92 out of the locking opening 96 (shown in fig. 14). With the table 30 in the table stowed position, the armrest 26 is movable relative to the seat 24 between an armrest use position and an armrest stowed position. When the table 30 is moved from the table storage position to the table use position (shown in fig. 7), the winch 68 will move relative to the armrest frame 42 and the force exerted on the inner cable 82 is released (shown in fig. 9), and the locking pin 92 is pushed back into the locking opening 96 by the spring 94. With the table 30 in the table use position, the armrest 26 is locked in the armrest use position relative to the seat 24.

The locking assembly 60 on the armrest 26 is operable such that the switch 62 uses the actuator 65 to activate the locking member 66 to prevent movement of the armrest relative to the mount. The lock 66 is activated when the table 30 is moved from the table storage position to the table use position, and the lock 66 is released when the table is moved from the table use position to the table storage position.

Referring back to fig. 9, the illustrated armrest 26 also includes an optional table restraint, generally indicated at 98. The table restraint is used to retain the table 30 in the table storage position relative to the armrest frame 42. The illustrated table restraint 98 includes a locking spring 100 mounted on the armrest frame 42. Capstan 68 includes a locking tab 102 as an extension from the body of capstan 68. As best understood with reference to fig. 11 and 12, the locking tab 102 engages the deflected locking spring 100 as the table 30 is moved from the table use position to the table storage position. When the table 30 is in the table stowed position, the locking spring 100 engages the locking tab 102 to prevent the winch 68 from moving against the closing direction 86. The table 30 is thus held in the table storage position. The occupant may apply a force to the table to cause the winch 68 to move against the closing direction 86, which causes the locking spring 100 to deflect allowing the winch 68 to move relative to the armrest frame 42. The illustrated table restraint 98 maintains the table 30 in the stowed position relative to the armrest frame 42, but may maintain the table 30 in any desired position relative to the armrest frame 42. Further, the armrest 26 may include a plurality of table restraints to maintain the table 30 in a plurality of positions, if desired.

The principles and modes of operation of the present invention have been described and illustrated in the preferred embodiments. However, it should be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.

Claims

1. An armrest assembly, comprising:

a handrail movable relative to the mount;

a table attached to the armrest for relative movement between a table storage position and a table use position; and

a locking assembly, the locking assembly comprising: a switch that is activated when the table is moved from the table storage position to the table use position; and an actuator connected to a lock and operated by the switch to prevent movement of the armrest relative to the mount when the table is in the table use position,

wherein the switch is a capstan fixed relative to the table and comprises an inner slot having an arcuate shape,

the actuator includes a stop positioned in the inner groove of the capstan and movable within the inner groove relative to the capstan.

2. The armrest assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking assembly is operable to allow the armrest to move relative to the mount when the table is in the table stowed position.

3. The armrest assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking assembly is operable to prevent movement of the armrest relative to the mount when the table is moved from the table storage position to the table use position.

4. The armrest assembly of claim 3, wherein the lock assembly is released to allow the armrest to move relative to the mount when the table is moved from the table use position to the table storage position.

5. The armrest assembly of claim 4, wherein the table is movable relative to the armrest from the table storage position through an intermediate position to the table use position; wherein the locking assembly is actuated when the table is between the intermediate position and the table use position and is released when the table is between the intermediate position and the table storage position.

6. The armrest assembly of claim 1, wherein the switch is mounted to move with the table.

7. The armrest assembly of claim 6, wherein the locking member is biased into engagement with the mount and the actuator is operable to disengage the locking member from engagement with the mount.

8. The armrest assembly of claim 7, wherein the actuator is a tension member pulled by the switch.

9. An armrest assembly according to claim 6 comprising a table restraint that retains the table in the table stowed position relative to the armrest.

10. The armrest assembly of claim 9, wherein the table restraint comprises a locking spring mounted on the armrest, the locking spring engaging the switch when the table is in the table stowed position.

11. An armrest assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a table restraint that retains said table in said table receiving position relative to said armrest.

12. The armrest assembly of claim 1, the table being relatively movable relative to the armrest through an intermediate position between a table storage position and a table use position,

the switch is mounted for movement with the table, the lock being operable by the actuator to prevent movement of the armrest relative to the mount when the table is in the table use position.

13. The armrest assembly of claim 12, wherein the stop moves relative to the inner slot as the table moves between the table use position and the intermediate position; and the stop moves with the inner slot when the table moves between the table receiving position and the intermediate position.

14. The armrest assembly of claim 13, the switch comprising a cable channel through which a cable passes, wherein the cable connects the stop to the lock.

15. An armrest assembly according to claim 12 comprising a table restraint that retains the table in the table stowed position relative to the armrest.

16. The armrest assembly of claim 15, wherein the table restraint comprises a locking spring mounted on the armrest, the locking spring engaging the switch when the table is in the table stowed position.