CN110290974B

CN110290974B - Mechanical device for adjusting the distance between two elements

Info

Publication number: CN110290974B
Application number: CN201680092087.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 贾伊库马·布哈塔德; 罗希特·坎谢蒂
Original assignee: Faurecia India Pvt Ltd
Current assignee: Faurecia India Pvt Ltd
Priority date: 2016-12-21
Filing date: 2016-12-21
Publication date: 2022-03-29
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-21
Also published as: CN110290974A; DE112016007537T5; WO2018116309A1

Abstract

A mechanical device for adjusting the distance between the two elements. The present invention provides a mechanical device for adjusting the distance between a first element and a second element. The first element is a support and the second element is a arm rest of the armrest. The mechanical device includes a rotating member, an engaging member, a locking device, and an operating member. A rotating member is rotatably provided on the first element, the rotating member having a spiral guide portion provided with a plurality of latching grooves. Further, the engaging member is engaged with the spiral guide, and when the rotating member is rotated, the engaging member moves along the spiral guide to move the second element. The locking means engages the slot for locking with the rotating member to thereby restrict movement of the second component. At least one biasing member is disposed between the first element and the second element. The at least one biasing member moves the second component when the locking device is released from the slot.

Description

Mechanical device for adjusting the distance between two elements

Technical Field

The invention relates to a height adjusting mechanical device. More particularly, the invention relates to a mechanical device for adjusting the distance between two elements.

Background

Armrests are typically used to comfortably position the arms of an occupant. Currently, these armrests are adjustable; in particular, the height of the armrest can be adjusted according to the requirements of the passenger. The height can be adjusted using any biasing member and lock that locks the armrest once a comfortable height is achieved. But these mechanisms are difficult and expensive to implement. Furthermore, frontal impacts to these mechanisms can lead to failure of the mechanisms. Multiple positioning of the height is also a challenge.

Therefore, there is a need for a mechanism for adjusting the height of a handrail that addresses the shortcomings of current mechanisms.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical device for adjusting the distance between two elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanical device for adjusting the distance between two elements, in particular for adjusting the height of a handrail, which reduces frontal impacts by absorbing impacts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanical device for adjusting the distance between two elements, in particular the height of an armrest, which is structurally economical.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanical device for adjusting the distance between two elements, in particular the height of an armrest, which is easy to manufacture and easy to install.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanical device for adjusting the distance between two elements, in particular the height of a handrail, which is easy to operate.

According to the present invention, a mechanical device for adjusting the distance between a first element and a second element is provided. The first element is a support for supporting the mechanical device, and the second element is a shelf disposed on the armrest. The mechanical device includes a rotating member, an engaging member, a locking device, and an operating member. The rotating member is rotatably provided on the first element. The rotating member has a spiral guide portion provided with a plurality of latching grooves. An engaging member extends from the second component for engaging with the helical guide, the engaging member moving along the helical guide when the rotating member is rotated, thereby moving the second component. The locking device engages with one of a plurality of latching grooves provided on the rotating member to lock the rotating member, thereby restricting the movement of the armrest. In particular, the locking device comprises a locking member, a locking guide and an operating member.

When the passenger moves the operating member, the locking member is locked in the groove of the plurality of latching grooves. The locking member slides back and forth along the locking guide to engage or disengage the locking member through one of the plurality of locking slots. The at least one biasing member is disposed on the first element. The at least one biasing member moves the second component away from the first component when the locking device is released from one of the plurality of slots.

Drawings

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following detailed description and appended claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like reference numerals and wherein:

figure 1 shows an exploded view of a mechanical device for adjusting the distance between a first element and a second element according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a rotating member of the mechanical device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a locking member of the mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows an engagement member of the mechanism of FIG. 1;

figures 6 and 7 show various height adjustable positions of the armrest during operation of the mechanism according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention and the features illustrated. The terms "comprising," "having," "containing," "including," and other forms thereof are intended to be equivalent in meaning and open ended, and reference to one or more items following any one of these terms is not intended to be an exhaustive list of such items, nor is it intended to be limited to only the listed items.

The terms "first," "second," and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms "a" or "an" do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms.

The present invention provides a mechanism for adjusting the distance between two elements, such as an armrest, in a variety of positions. Mechanical devices reduce frontal impacts by absorbing impacts. The mechanism is economical in construction. Moreover, the mechanical device is easy to manufacture and easy to install. Furthermore, the mechanism is easy to operate.

Referring now to fig. 1 and 2, there is shown a mechanical device 100 for adjusting the distance between a first element 200 and a second element 300 according to the present invention, wherein the first element 200 is a support and the second element 300 is a rest for a passenger to rest his arm. Specifically, the mechanical device 100 is disposed in an armrest 400 of an automobile. The top of the armrest 400 is provided with a cushion 410. One skilled in the art may use the mechanical device 100 to adjust the distance between any two elements, such as the height of a seat, etc.

The armrest 400 has a first sidewall 210 and a second sidewall 310. The first sidewall 210 extends from the first member 200 and toward the second member 300, and the second sidewall 310 extends toward the first member 200 and telescopically engages the first sidewall 310 to form an enclosure (not numbered). The telescopic movement of the first and

second sidewalls

210 and 310 may reduce or increase the space of the housing. The first sidewall 210 has an opening 220 disposed thereon. In addition, the first sidewall 210 and the second sidewall 310 help to maintain the alignment of the armrest 400.

Further, the mechanism 100 includes a rotating member 110, an engaging member 120, a locking device 130, and at least one biasing member, in this embodiment four biasing members are shown, a first biasing member 140, a second biasing member 142, a third biasing member 144, and a fourth biasing member 146. The rotating member 110 is rotatably provided on the first element 200. In particular, the rotating member 110 is provided with a bearing 112, the bearing 112 being arranged on the first element 200 for reducing friction between the two during rotation. The first element 200 is also a support for the first side wall 210 of the armrest 400.

Referring again to fig. 1, 2 and 3, the rotary member 110 has a helical guide 114 disposed along a side surface thereof. The spiral guide portion 114 is provided with a predetermined spiral angle in a spiral manner. In the present embodiment, the rotating member 110 is a drum shaft. Any other obvious arrangement may be used by those skilled in the art to configure the rotating member 110.

In addition, the vertical movement of the first, second, third and fourth biasing

members

140, 142, 144, 146 facilitates the movement of the engagement member 120 to rotate the rotation member 110. The engagement member 120 is an extension extending from the second element 300 to the first element 200. Thus, rotation of the rotation member 110 may move the engagement member 120, thereby moving the second element 300 toward or away from the first element 200.

Referring now to fig. 3, the rotating member 110 further includes a plurality of latching grooves 116 aligned in parallel with the spiral guide 114. The plurality of latch slots 116 provide a plurality of positions for adjusting the height of the armrest 400. The engagement member 120 engages with the helical guide 114 to provide rotational movement to the rotational member 110. The engaging member 120 is provided with a projection 120a engageable with the screw guide 114. In one embodiment, the protrusion 120a is a helical follower. The protrusion 120a is engaged with the screw guide 114 to rotate the rotating member 110, thereby moving the engaging member 120 and the second element 300 toward or away from the first element 200. In this embodiment, clockwise rotation of the engagement member 120 moves the second element 300 toward the first element 200, thereby lowering the height of the armrest 400, while counterclockwise rotation of the engagement member 120 moves the second element 300 away from the first element 200, thereby raising the height of the armrest 400. To raise or lower the height of the armrest 400, it is apparent that the rotating member 110 may be rotated in the opposite direction by turning the direction of the helical guide 114.

Referring again to fig. 1 and 2, a locking device 130 is provided to lock the movement of the rotary member 110. The locking device 130 engages with one of the plurality of latching grooves 116 provided on the rotating member 110. The locking device 130 is locked with the rotation member 110 to restrict the movement of the armrest 400. In addition, the locking device 130 includes a locking member 132, a locking guide 134, an operating member 136, and at least one resilient member. The at least one resilient member is disposed between the lock guide 134 and the lock member 132. Further, the at least one resilient member may be provided on the pivoting portion of the operating member 136.

In this embodiment, two resilient members are provided on the locking mechanism 130, for example, a first resilient member 138a and a second resilient member 138 b. The locking member 132 is an "L" shaped structure for engaging and disengaging one of the plurality of slots 116, as shown in fig. 4. The locking member 132 includes an elongated member 132a extending from the end 132d toward the rotating member 110 and a groove 132b provided on the other end 132 e. The elongated member 132a engages one of the plurality of locking slots 116 for adjusting the height of the armrest 400. The groove 132b is for engagement with the operating member 136. In addition, the locking member 132 has a channel 132c disposed at the top to provide sliding movement to the locking member 132. Channel 132c is a flat shaped cavity through which locking member 132 slides over locking guide 134.

In addition, the locking guide 134 is an elongated tab extending from a portion of the second sidewall 310, as shown in FIG. 2. The locking guide 134 is slidably engaged with the locking member 132. Locking member 132 slides over locking guide 134 to engage and disengage one of the plurality of locking slots 116. Specifically, locking guide 134 slides along channel 132c, moving locking member 132 back and forth to engage and disengage, respectively, one of the plurality of latching slots 116. A first resilient member 138a is disposed between the lock member 132 and the lock guide 134 for biasing the lock member 132 toward the rotation member 110. Specifically, the first resilient member 138a is disposed on the channel 132c to connect the lock guide 134 to the lock member 132. In this embodiment, the first resilient member 138a is a compression spring. The first resilient member 138a can be configured from any known material that provides a resilient action by one skilled in the art.

Referring to fig. 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7, the operating member 136 includes a pivot pin 154, the pivot pin 154 being for pivotally connecting the operating member 136 to a portion of the second side wall 310 (see fig. 5). Specifically, the operating member 136 is pivotally connected to one of the second side walls 310 by the second resilient member 138 b. Also, the operating member 136 is connected to the locking member 132. Specifically, the operating member 136 is connected to the lock member 132 by a roller joint 150. The roller joint 150 is disposed at one end of the operating member 136. The roller joint 150 rotates within the groove 132b of the lock member 132 to move the lock member 132 toward or away from the rotating member. In the present embodiment, the operating member 136 is manually operated.

The operating member 136 has a handle 152 extending through the opening 220 and away from the second sidewall 310 to enable an occupant to manually operate the operating member 136. The operating member 136 is operated to move from the idle position to disengage the locking member 132 from one of the plurality of latching slots 116. In the idle position, the locking member 132 engages one of the plurality of locking slots. The first and second

resilient members

138a, 138b return the operating member 136 to the idle position, engaging the locking member 132 with one of the plurality of latch slots 116 in the absence of any external force. In this embodiment, the second resilient member 138b is a torsion spring. The second resilient member 138b can be configured by one skilled in the art with any known element that provides a resilient action.

Referring again to fig. 1 and 2, each of the first, second, third and fourth biasing

members

140, 142, 144 and 146 is disposed on the first element 200 to movably mount the second element 300. Each of the first, second, third and fourth biasing

members

140, 142, 144 and 146 may move the second component 300 away from the first component 200 once the locking device 130 is released from any one of the plurality of latching slots 116. Each of the first, second, third and fourth biasing

members

140, 142, 144 and 146 is supported by vertical guides provided on the first element 200. In the present embodiment, four vertical guides, for example, a first vertical guide 160, a second vertical guide 162, a third vertical guide 164, and a fourth vertical guide 166 are provided. Further, as shown in fig. 2, the first vertical guide 160, the second vertical guide 162, the third vertical guide 164, and the fourth vertical guide 166 are all retractable. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth

vertical guides

160, 162, 164, and 166 prevents each of the first, second, third, and fourth biasing

members

140, 142, 144, and 146 from swinging when the armrest 400 is moved toward the first element 200 or away from the first element 200. In this embodiment, the at least one biasing member is a compression spring. In an alternative embodiment, the

vertical guides

160, 162, 164, and 166 and at least one biasing member are gas springs.

With further reference to fig. 1, 2, 6 and 7, and particularly in this embodiment, when the occupant pulls up the handle 152 of the operating member 136 from the idle position, the roller joint 150 precisely moves with the groove 132b to move the locking member 132 toward the locking guide 134 to disengage the elongated member 132a from one of the plurality of slots 116. Once disengaged from the elongated member 132a, the rotating member 110 rotates with the engaging member 120, thereby moving the engaging member 120 away from the first element 200 and the second element 300 and increasing the height of the armrest 400. The occupant can selectively select one of the plurality of latch slots 116 to adjust the height of the armrest 400. When the occupant releases the handle 152, the first and second

resilient members

138a, 138b resiliently return the handle 152 to the idle position, moving the locking member 132 away from the lock guide 134 to engage the elongated member 132a in one of the plurality of latch slots 116 to lock the height of the armrest 400.

To lower the height of the armrest 400, the occupant must raise the handle 152 and push the second member 300 toward the first member 200. Once the occupant's comfort level is reached, the handle 152 can be released, locking the elongated member 132a in one of the plurality of latch slots 116, thereby locking the height of the armrest 400.

Therefore, the mechanical device 100 for adjusting the distance between the first member 200 and the second member 300 of the present invention has an advantage of adjusting the height of the armrest 400 at a plurality of positions. The mechanical device 100 reduces frontal impacts by absorbing impacts. Moreover, the mechanical device 100 is economical in construction and easy to manufacture. Furthermore, the mechanical device 100 is easy to operate.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It should be understood that various omissions and substitutions of like equivalents may be made as circumstances warrant, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of this invention.

Claims

1. A mechanism for adjusting the distance between a first member and a second member, the mechanism comprising:

a rotating member rotatably provided on the first element, the rotating member having a spiral guide portion provided with a plurality of latching grooves arranged in parallel with the spiral guide portion;

an engaging member extending from the second element for engaging with the helical guide, the engaging member moving along the helical guide to move the second element when the rotating member is rotated;

a locking device engaged with one of a plurality of latching grooves provided on the rotation member to lock the rotation member, thereby restricting the movement of the second element;

at least one biasing member disposed between the first component and the second component, the at least one biasing member moving the second component when the locking device is released from one of the plurality of slots.

2. The mechanical device of claim 1, wherein the locking device comprises:

a locking member for engaging and disengaging with one of the plurality of slots;

a locking guide extending from a portion of the second component and slidably coupled to a locking member that slides on the locking guide to engage and disengage one of the plurality of latching slots;

an operating member pivoted to a portion of the second element and connected to the lock member, the operating member being adapted to move from an idle position to disengage the lock member from one of the plurality of latching slots; and

at least one resilient member for engaging the locking member with one of the plurality of locking slots in the idle position.

3. A mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the operating member is pivoted to a part of the second element by a resilient member.

4. The mechanism of claim 2, wherein a resilient member is disposed between the locking member and the locking guide for biasing the locking member.

5. A mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the resilient member is a torsion spring.

6. A mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the resilient member is a compression spring.

7. The mechanism of claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first resilient member disposed between the operating member and a portion of the armrest and a second resilient member disposed between the locking member and the locking guide.

8. The mechanical device of claim 2, wherein the operating member is coupled to the locking member by a roller joint.

9. A machine arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the rotating member is provided with a bearing arranged on the first element for reducing friction between the two.

10. The mechanical device of claim 1, wherein the rotating member is a drum shaft.

11. The mechanical device of claim 1, wherein the at least one biasing member is supported by a vertical guide disposed on the first element.

12. The mechanical device according to claim 11, characterized in that said vertical guides are telescopic.

13. The mechanical device of claim 1, wherein the at least one biasing member is a gas spring.

14. The mechanical device of claim 11, wherein the vertical guide is a gas spring.

15. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first element is a mount for holding the mechanism and the second element is a rest for resting an arm of an occupant.

16. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first member has a first sidewall extending toward the second member, the second member has a second sidewall extending toward the first member, the first sidewall and the second sidewall being telescopically coupled to maintain alignment.

17. The mechanical device of claim 16, wherein the locking device comprises: a locking member for engaging and disengaging with one of the plurality of slots; an operating member pivoted to a portion of the second element and connected to the lock member, the operating member being adapted to move from an idle position to disengage the lock member from one of the plurality of latching slots; and the mechanical device is enclosed in a housing arranged between the respective first and second side walls of the first and second elements, the housing being arranged with an opening for extending the operating member for manual operation.

18. A mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the locking member is "L" shaped having an elongate member extending from one end towards the rotatable member and a recess provided on the other end for engagement with the operating member.

19. The mechanism of claim 2, wherein the locking member has a channel disposed at the top for engaging and sliding over the locking guide.

20. The mechanical device of claim 19, wherein the resilient member is disposed on the channel to couple the locking guide to the locking member.

21. A machine arrangement according to claim 2, characterised in that the operating member has a handle extending away from the armrest for operating the operating member.