DE102011114443B4 - Center armrest with lock - Google Patents

Abstract

Central armrest (01) for use in a vehicle with an armrest (03) pivotable about a pivot axis (13) between a lower use position and an upper rest position, with a console part (08) which can be directly or indirectly fastened to the vehicle body (22) Armrest (03) with the console part (08) by means of bearing pin (12) is connected, and with a locking device which at least one of the armrest (03) arranged locking element (15) and arranged on the armrest (03) actuating element (20) comprising, wherein by means of the actuating element (20), the locking element (15) is adjustable between an engagement position with an abutment on an abutment (09) and a disengaged position, wherein the abutment (09) on the console part (08) is arranged, and wherein the locking element (15) is mounted in a linear guide in the armrest (03) and / or that the locking element (15) with a guide element (16) is connected, which in e iner linear guide in the armrest (03) is mounted, characterized in that the linear guide extends parallel to the pivot axis (13).

Description

The invention relates to a center armrest according to the preamble of claim 1 for use in a vehicle comprising a pivotable between an upper rest position and a lower use position armrest. To ensure the upper rest position, the center armrest has a locking device.

Center armrests for use in vehicles are well known in various designs from the prior art. In the case of swiveling armrests, they have the problem that, in the event of a crash, the armrest can swing freely out of the rest position - if there is no safety device - to the front. To prevent this, it is known to use interlocking devices in the center armrests. These are also known in various embodiments from the prior art, wherein on the armrest, a closing part of the locking device and on a vehicle-related component, the associated closing part is arranged. As a rule, an actuating handle or the like is integrated in the armrest, by means of which a locking element can be moved as a closing part. For this purpose, the locking element is slidably mounted at rest in the upper end of the armrest. To secure the armrest against unintentional pivoting down the locking element locks in a recess on the vehicle-related component surrounding the armrest. This is in the usual case a carrier of the rear seat or backrest. By this type of locking a pivoting of the armrest can be reliably prevented in the event of a crash.

Exemplary for this is the DE 10 2007 049 763 A1 named, in which engages a locking lever in the armrest on the raised position of the armrest in a belonging to the rear seat console part. Unlocking takes place with the aid of a multiply deflected drawstring with handle loop at the end.

Although the known embodiment has been highly appreciated in use and reliably prevents pivoting down of the armrest, but in the vote of the armrest relative to the complementary not belonging to the center armrest component, d. H. usually to the support of the backrest of the rear seat, a considerable effort. As is known, all components, especially in assembly, are subject to tolerance fluctuations, which can lead to impermissible values in the summation. This may result in the latch not functioning properly as required; d. H. either the locking element can not be locked reliably or does not reliably remain in the lock. Therefore, it is necessary in the prior art that before a series production initially a complex tuning process is performed in order to compensate for the deviations resulting from the individual tolerances can.

To solve this problem proposes the font DE 36 19 944 A1 to insert in the armrest along the armrest adjustable locking bolt, which in this case can come into engagement in recesses on both-sided console parts in the bearing axles. As a result, the effort to tune the lock compared to the previously known versions is significantly reduced. The adjustment of the locking pin from a locking position into a pivoting position by means of a push rod connected push button, the provision is automatically effected upon reaching the end positions by means of a tension spring.

Object of the present invention is to provide a center armrest with a lock, which provides an alternative to the previous embodiment with the aim of higher reliability with improved operability.

This object is achieved by an embodiment according to the invention according to claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

A generic center armrest initially serves for use in a vehicle. Although the term center armrest suggests that the armrest is located midway between two seats, the center armrest may also be associated laterally with a seat. At least this serves in an obvious way to support an arm in a seat. Here, the generic center armrest is equipped with a pivotable between an upper rest position and a lower use position about a pivot armrest. The structure of the armrest in terms of use as an armrest or in the second possible use in the upper rest position is initially irrelevant.

At least the center armrest as part of a console part, wherein the armrest is connected to the console part by means of bearing bolts. It is obvious that the bearing pin also defines the pivot axis for the armrest. It is irrelevant here whether a single, two arranged on the outer sides or a plurality of bearings are available. Likewise, it is irrelevant whether the console part is a single one-piece component or here from a Consists of a plurality of assembled components. Likewise, it is irrelevant whether the bearing pin is a single continuous bearing pin or bearing a separate bearing pin is available per bearing. At least it is ensured that the armrest about the pivot axis - defined by the bearing pin - can be pivoted on the standing console part. Thus it is also obvious that for the generic embodiment it is imperative that the console part is already part of the center armrest.

For mounting in the vehicle, the console part can be attached directly or indirectly to the vehicle body. In this respect, it is conceivable that the console part is bolted directly to the vehicle body. Likewise, it is also possible that the console part is mounted on another support part, which in turn is connected to the vehicle body. This may be, for example, the support part of a backrest of a rear seat. This can be both firmly mounted in the vehicle body as well as designed to be pivotable.

Furthermore, the generic center armrest on a locking device, which comprises at least one arranged on the armrest locking element. To adjust the locking element for this purpose, the armrest further comprises an actuating element, by means of which the locking element can be adjusted. The locking function requires in this regard an abutment on which the locking element can come to rest. In this engaged position with contact of the locking element on the abutment pivoting of the armrest is prevented. By contrast, in a disengaged position, a free pivoting of the armrest is made possible by the fact that the locking element is adjusted so that no abutment can take place on the abutment.

Furthermore, the abutment is arranged on belonging to the center armrest console part. This embodiment makes it possible to completely integrate the locking device in the center armrest.

The advantage of the generic embodiment is, first, that it now requires no coordination with a vehicle-related not belonging to the center armrest support part of the vehicle. By this embodiment, a significant advantage in terms of tolerance chain and hereby the otherwise necessary before series production tuning effort is achieved. Due to the located within the center armrest latch with locking element and the abutment just no tolerance chain, which otherwise has to consider the installation of the center armrest in the vehicle with. Furthermore, the vote of the locking device can be made entirely by the manufacturer of the center armrest, without any need for coordination with the vehicle manufacturer and the manufacturer of the support member to which the center armrest is mounted needs. Thus, in particular a considerable time advantage for the realization of a series-ready functionally reliable locking is achieved.

To ensure a reliable adjustment of the locking element between the disengaged position and the engaged position, this is mounted by means of a linear guide. This ensures that the locking element can move only in a linear predetermined guideway. Thus, it can not happen that the locking element moves so that the engagement position is no longer reliably made. The type of linear guide is generic in this case initially arbitrary. In this respect, it is possible, for example, to guide the locking element itself in the armrest, preferably directly next to the locking point, by means of a linear guide.

An improved guide is achieved when the locking element is connected to a guide element, wherein the locking element is adjusted simultaneously with the guide element. This can for example be arranged centrally between two locking points, to which a common locking element is connected. Alternatively or in addition to the direct guidance of the locking element in the armrest, the guide element in the armrest can be displaceably mounted in a linear guide in this case.

According to the invention, the orientation of the linear guide is now substantially parallel to the pivot axis. In this case, the movement of the locking element leads to a movement parallel to the bearing pin. In particular, in the use of two symmetrically arranged locking elements, this means that the two locking elements are moved toward each other for unlocking and are moved on both sides to the outside for locking in the engaged position. As a result, the space of the armrest is advantageously used and there is no relevant impairment of a possible upholstery to be feared.

Although initially the embodiment of the console part and the position of the locking element and the abutment are arbitrary, it is particularly advantageous if the console part can be limited to a shape corresponding to the usual size and is not unnecessarily increased because of the lock. In general, a console part has a U-shape with forwardly directed tabs, on which the storage of the center armrest is attached, and a connecting part, which is intended for attachment to the vehicle-related carrier, on. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate the locking device with an abutment on the console part in an advantageous embodiment of the arrangement of the abutment in spatial proximity to the pivot axis. Here, it is important to find a compromise with regard to the smallest possible distance to the pivot axis, so that the console part must not be unnecessarily larger than required for storage, and the largest possible distance to increase the effective lever arm of the lock.

In the implementation, it has proved to be particularly advantageous if the distance between the pivot axis and the abutment corresponds to a maximum of a quarter of the largest dimension of the armrest. The largest dimension of the armrest measures perpendicular to the pivot axis along the armrest, d. H. in the lower working position this is the horizontally measured length of the armrest.

Various arrangements are available for the arrangement of the actuating element, it being advantageous if, in the rest position, the actuating element is arranged at the upper end of the armrest. In this respect, a lowering of the armrest is at the same time allows for actuation of the actuating element. It is particularly advantageous if the actuating element is a hand or finger loop. Here, an elastic flexible member can be selected, which allows the use in the rest position of the armrest as a back pad without affecting the comfort.

With regard to the adjustment of the locking element between the engagement position and the disengaged position, it is particularly advantageous if, in the resting state without actuation of the actuating element, the locking element is in the engaged position. This is advantageously realized by means of a spring force, in particular by means of a tension or compression or leg spring. Thus, it is necessary for locking the locking device in the rest position no actuation of the actuating element, as rather that by means of the spring force, the locking element is automatically pulled or pressed into the engaged position with a system on the abutment.

For symmetrical force distribution, it is particularly advantageous if a symmetrical structure is selected in terms of locking. In this regard, according to the console part two over the center of the armrest symmetrically arranged abutment available, on each of which a locking element or a common locking element can come to rest. Thus, it is ensured in the event of a crash that an angular momentum about the pivot axis is supported evenly on two spaced abutments and no additional torsional forces or other transverse forces occur.

To realize the required spring force to return the locking element from the disengaged position to the engaged position, a leg spring can be used in a particularly advantageous manner when using a pivotable locking element. Here, one leg rest on the locking element and the other leg are supported on a component of the armrest, wherein the component in the armrest must be stationary and this should have a necessary rigidity. It is advantageous insofar as the support takes place directly at the pivot axis of the armrest or in a supporting frame member within the armrest.

To connect the actuating element with the locking element, a tension element is used in an advantageous embodiment. This may be a cable pull and / or a drawstring. At least the tension element allows the spatial deflection of the movement of the actuating element to the necessary movement for adjusting the locking element from the engagement position to the disengaged position. Since, in an advantageous embodiment, the actuating element is arranged at the upper end of the armrest and the locking element is positioned in the vicinity of the bearing axis, a connection between the elements is required. Especially in the arrangement of, for example, cup holders in the armrest or other fixtures, this leads to the need for the deflection by the connecting element. Here a tension element is accordingly suitable, whereby a flexible continuous connection around obstacles is made possible. It should be noted here only that the tension element has the lowest possible elasticity, so that actuation of the actuating element leads directly to a release of the locking element from the engagement position. Not required here is the compressive stiffness of the tension element, whereby a cable or a drawstring can be used.

In an advantageous manner, a pivot lever pivotally mounted in the armrest is used to move the locking element. Here, the tension element is connected at one end of the pivot lever. Thus, when pulling the pulling element at the same time the pivot lever is actuated. This in turn can cause an adjustment of the locking element from the engagement position to the disengaged position. To implement the implementation of the movement of the pivot lever for adjusting the locking element, various designs are available.

In an advantageous variant of the pivot lever is pivotally mounted at its in relation to the connection of the tension element other end. It is not necessary here that a fixed bearing point is present, but it is sufficient if the end of the pivot lever can be supported in a bearing shell or the like. Between the bearing point of the pivot lever and the other end with the tension element, the pivot lever engages the locking element directly or indirectly via, for example, a guide element and can thereby cause an adjustment of the locking element in the pulling direction when pulling on the tension element via the support at the other end of the pivot lever. The pulling direction here refers to the movement of the tension element in the point of action on the pivot lever, it being obvious that the pulling direction of the tension element and the movement of the locking element need not have exactly the same direction, but rather are oriented only approximately in the same direction.

In an alternative alternative to the previous variant, the pivot lever is advantageously pivotally mounted between its two ends in the armrest. With respect to the connection of the tension member other end of the pivot lever of the pivot lever when pulling the tension element, the locking element directly or indirectly depress, for example, a guide element and thereby cause an adjustment of the locking element against the pulling direction. Likewise, in this embodiment, the pulling direction refers to the movement of the tension member in the point of attack on the pivot lever and also the directions do not have to match exactly.

It when the pivoting back of the center armrest from the use position in the rest position, no actuation of the actuating element is required is particularly advantageous. This is realized in an advantageous manner in that a sliding surface is present on the console part, on which the locking element slides, at least in regions, directly or indirectly during the pivoting movement. This means that when the armrest is pivoted, at least over a region of the pivoting path, a sliding movement takes place such that in this case the locking element is held or guided in a desired position. It is necessary that, in order to avoid actuation of the actuating element, the locking element occupies the disengaged position at least immediately before the rest position. Thus, it is also obvious that the sliding movement must begin at least at the end of the pivotal movement before reaching the rest position. By ensured by the sliding movement of the locking element in the disengaged position and the holding of the locking element in the disengaged position ensures that when folding the armrest in the upper rest position no operation is required and still the locking element in the rest position of the disengaged position to the engaged position can change and thus the locking takes place.

It is advantageous if the actuating element by means of a spring force without further actuation after unlocking and at the latest with the re-locking of the locking element is moved back to its original position. Thus, further handling is unnecessary before reuse of the actuator. In this case, for example, the actuating element, the tension element and / or an existing pivot lever may be connected to a spring.

However, it is particularly advantageous if the actuating element is moved back into its initial position at the same time as the locking element is moved from the disengaged position into the engaged position. Here, this adjustment of the elements is effected by means of at least one spring force, wherein advantageously a spring for adjusting the locking element in the engaged position at the same time can adjust the actuating element.

In this embodiment, it is also advantageous if only in the rest position, a provision of the locking element in the engaged position and a provision of the actuating element takes place.

It is furthermore particularly advantageous if the actuating element has an optical marking which is not visible in the engaged position and is visible in the disengaged position. Thus, the user recognizes directly on the actuator, whether the lock is given or not. This can be advantageously made possible in that the sliding surface holds the locking element over the entire travel in the disengaged position or at least outside the engaged position.

In the following figures, an exemplary embodiment of a center armrest is sketched.

Show it:

1 a perspective view of a center armrest 01 in cultivation on a rear bench carrier 22 ;

2 a side view of a center armrest 01 in upper rest position as well as lower support position;

3 an exploded view of the center armrest 01 omitting a padding;

4 a detailed view of the storage of the center armrest 01 with the locking device;

5 a side view of the storage and locking at the center armrest 01 ,

In the 1 Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an exemplary center armrest 01 in attachment to a rear bench carrier 22 shown. Evident is the swiveled in lower utility armrest 03 ,

This shows the 2a the center armrest 01 in the side view with befindlichem in the upper rest position armrest 03 , where in the 2 B the armrest 03 outlined in the lower use position. You can see the console part 08 , on which by means of a bearing pin 12 the armrest on the pivot axis 13 is stored. The pivoting of the armrest 03 is here in the rest position of the locking element 15 prevented. By actuating the actuating element 20 in the manner of a finger loop, the locking element 15 be adjusted from the engaged position and thus is the pivoting of the armrest 03 allows. Integrated on the console is the abutment 09 on which the locking element 15 can come to the plant. To use the center armrest 01 in the vehicle becomes the console part 08 at an exemplary backbone carrier 22 assembled. Here is the console part 08 Part of the center armrest 01 while the backbone carrier 22 Part of the rest of the vehicle and this is connected to the vehicle body.

In the 3 is an exploded view of the structure of the center armrest 01 outlined by omitting the padding. It can be seen in this exemplary embodiment, first the console part 08 , which for attachment to the rear bench carrier 22 is determined. This takes the bearing pin 12 on which over two bearings with the armrest 03 is connected. In this respect, thereby at the same time the pivot axis 13 Are defined. To ensure the necessary stability of the armrest 03 this has a stiffening frame 04 and one with the stiffening frame 04 associated armrests 05 , The surrounding padding is not shown.

In this case, the locking device initially comprises the locking element 15 which is movable in the armrest 03 is stored and on the abutment 09 of the console part 08 can come to the plant. The locking element 15 is again in this embodiment with a guide element 16 connected, which in a linear guide in the armrest carrier 05 is stored. To ensure the engagement position or the adjustment of the disengaged position into the engaged position without an actuation of the actuating element 20 is between the armrest carrier 05 and the guide element 16 a compression spring 17 arranged. The actuation takes place here by means of the finger loop 20 , which with a drawstring 19 connected is. The drawstring 19 gets off the armrest carrier 05 guided and is with its other end with a swivel lever 18 connected. This in turn is at its second end also in the armrest carrier 05 stored or pivotally supported and engages the center of the guide element 16 at. By pulling on the finger loop 20 is transmitted by means of the drawstring 19 the pivot lever 18 and thereby at the same time the guide element 16 raised, causing the lifting of the locking element 15 causes.

The assembly in the engaged position is from the 4a apparent, with a better visibility on the armrest carrier 05 was waived. You can see the arrangement of the console part 08 with the bearing pin 12 and pivotally mounted on the stiffening frame 04 the armrest 03 , Furthermore, the guide element 16 to recognize which in the armrest carrier 05 (not shown) is mounted linearly displaceable. The guide element 16 lies with a nose on the pivot lever 18 on. When pulling on the drawstring 19 becomes the pivot lever 18 and thus the guide element 16 raised. This also leads to the lifting of the locking element 15 from the illustrated engagement position. The locking element 15 is complementarily in a longitudinal groove (see. 3 ) in the armrest carrier 05 guided and the power transmission in the engaged position there is a support of the locking element 15 at the stiffening frame 04 , In the locked position now a crash movement leads to a forward displacement of the armrest 03 with an angular momentum about the pivot axis 13 , A noticeable movement of the armrest 03 is now by the in the armrest 03 mounted latch element 15 This prevents the stiffening frame 04 together with the armrest carrier 05 on the locking element 15 supported and this in turn on the console part 08 supported.

The pivoting movement is, however, made possible by pulling on the finger loop 20 , leading to a lifting of the drawstring 19 - as shown in 4b - leads. With the lifting of the swivel lever 18 becomes at the same time the guiding element 16 raised and thus the herein stored locking element 15 , This is now in the disengaged position no longer in contact with the abutment 09 of the console part 08 , A free pivoting about the pivot axis 13 is thus possible.

The sequence of figures 5a . 5b and 5c shows the different positions of the locking element 15 , You can see the center armrest 01 in the side section with the armrest carrier 05 , which over the bearing pin 12 with the console part 08 connected is. In the engaged position of the locking bolt is located 15 on the abutment 09 on, and thus is a pivoting movement about the pivot axis 13 prevented. After raising the locking element 15 in the disengaged position, however, the armrest 03 free around the swivel axis 13 be panned. Immediately after leaving the upper rest position can in this case the actuator 20 be released, in this embodiment, the locking element 15 on a sliding surface 10 comes to the plant. This sliding surface 10 is intended to swing back the armrest 03 in the rest position the locking element 15 from a lower position in turn automatically raise into the disengaged position, so that upon reaching the upper rest position, the locking element 15 automatically switches to the engaged position due to the spring force.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

01

center armrest

03

armrest

04

stiffening Rahmenn

05

armrest support

08

console part

09

abutment

10

sliding surface

12

bearing bolt

13

swivel axis

15

locking element

16

guide element

17

compression spring

18

pivoting lever

19

tieback

20

finger loop

22

Back seat carrier

Claims (11)

Center armrest ( 01 ) for use with a vehicle having one between a lower use position and an upper rest position about a pivot axis ( 13 ) swivel armrest ( 03 ), with one on the vehicle body ( 22 ) directly or indirectly attachable console part ( 08 ), whereby the armrest ( 03 ) with the console part ( 08 ) by means of bearing bolts ( 12 ), and with a locking device, which at least one on the armrest ( 03 ) arranged locking element ( 15 ) and one on the armrest ( 03 ) arranged actuating element ( 20 ), wherein by means of the actuating element ( 20 ) the locking element ( 15 ) between an engagement position with an abutment on an abutment ( 09 ) and a non-engagement position is adjustable, wherein the abutment ( 09 ) on the console part ( 08 ), and wherein the locking element ( 15 ) in a linear guide in the armrest ( 03 ) is mounted and / or that the locking element ( 15 ) with a guide element ( 16 ), which in a linear guide in the armrest ( 03 ) is mounted, characterized in that the linear guide parallel to the pivot axis ( 13 ). Center armrest ( 01 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance between the pivot axis ( 13 ) and the abutment ( 09 ) not more than one quarter of the largest dimension of the armrest ( 03 ) corresponds. Center armrest ( 01 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating element ( 20 ) at the rest of the upper end of the armrest ( 03 ) is arranged, wherein in particular the actuating element ( 20 ) a hand or finger loop ( 20 ). Center armrest ( 01 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking element ( 15 ) at least in the rest position by means of a spring force, in particular by means of a tension or pressure ( 17 ) or leg spring, is adjusted or held in the engaged position. Center armrest ( 01 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that on the console part ( 08 ) two over the middle of the armrest ( 03 ) symmetrically arranged abutments ( 09 ) are present, on which a locking element ( 15 ) can come to the plant. Center armrest ( 01 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that between the actuating element ( 20 ) and the locking element ( 15 ) a tension element, in particular a cable pull and / or a tension band ( 19 ) is arranged. Center armrest ( 01 ) according to claim 6, characterized in that in the armrest ( 03 ) a pivotally mounted pivoting lever ( 18 ) is arranged, at one end of the tension element ( 19 ), wherein when pulling on the tension element ( 19 ) the pivot lever ( 18 ) the locking element ( 15 ) can adjust. Center armrest ( 01 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the pivot lever ( 18 ) at the other end in the armrest ( 03 ) is mounted and when pulling the pivot lever ( 18 ) this the locking element ( 15 ) pulls in the pulling direction, or that the pivot lever is mounted between the two ends in the armrest and when pulling on the pivot lever this presses the locking element against the pulling direction away. Center armrest ( 01 ) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the console part ( 08 ) a sliding surface ( 10 ), on which the locking element ( 15 ) slides directly or indirectly at least partially in the pivoting movement, wherein the locking element ( 15 ) without Actuation independently to complete the pivoting movement to the rest position from the disengaged position to the engaged position changes. Center armrest ( 01 ) according to claim 9, characterized in that the sliding surface ( 10 ) is designed such that only in the rest position the locking element ( 15 ) can assume the engaged position and the actuating element ( 20 ) is automatically moved back into a starting position by means of spring forces. Center armrest ( 01 ) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that on the actuating element ( 20 ) is arranged an optical marking, which is not visible in the engaged position and otherwise visible.

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