EP2109802B1 - Cable control mechanism with reduced overall dimensions, to be integrated in a seat armrest and provided with means for spontaneous locking in rest position - Google Patents

Abstract

The mechanism has a control lever (1) with a latch (7) interposed between the lever and a load-bearing structure (2) for locking the lever and the structure with each other. The latch is handled toward a locking position under effect of effort exerted by deformable units (8) constituted of a torsion spring (9) to oppose stress of the units and toward an inverse unlocking position releasing the lever from its locking position under the effect of maintaining movement of an operator on a monostable unit (11) of the stress of the units coupling with the latch by a mechanical connection (14).

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

The invention is in the field of cable control mechanisms of a remote body to maneuver, including applicable to civil engineering machinery or similar devices. It relates to such a cable control device with a small footprint, which is integrable into the armrest of a seat and / or is equipped with spontaneous locking means in the rest position.

State of the art

The control mechanisms by cable, rod or the like of a remote body to maneuver, implement a control lever which is manipulable by an operator and which is connected via one or more cables to organs remote to maneuver. The control is transmitted from the mobility of the joystick whose movements printed by the operator are transmitted to the cable, which in turn manipulates the remote body. These mechanisms are particularly applied to civil engineering machinery or similar machinery, such as forestry or agricultural machinery. The handle is more particularly articulated on a frame or a housing housing the mechanism, and has at its proximal end a gripping handle by the operator for its manipulation. The cable or cables are anchored on the handle, so that a movement printed on the handle by the operator causes traction on a corresponding cable, which in turn manipulates the remote body. Depending on the desired control capabilities, the joystick is articulated in one or more directions on the housing, or omnidirectionally. The controller is connected to different cables which are respectively assigned to each of the mobility directions of the joystick.

To optimize the control capabilities of the mechanism, it has been proposed to articulate the handle omnidirectionally on the housing and to connect to a plurality of operating cables of a respective remote member. The cables are maneuvered by the controller depending on the direction of its handling. Incidentally, the mechanism is completed by control means of the electromechanical, electropneumatic and / or electronic type, to multiply the number of orders offered. For example, we can refer to the document FR2857762 (BIGNON ) which describes such a cable control mechanism.

The document DE 196 21 023 C1 discloses a cable control mechanism according to the preamble of claim 1.

A general problem posed lies in an organization of the cable control mechanisms with limited space to facilitate their integration into any site, without impairing their ability to control and / or securing their use.

According to a specific problem raised, it is desirable that the cable control mechanism can be integrated within the armrest of a seat, to improve the working conditions of the operator. The advantage of such integration is to bring the mechanism of the operator's hand comfortably installed in the seat. It is common for this purpose to use electromechanical or electronic control mechanisms, whose small size is used to facilitate the integration of the control mechanism inside the armrest. However, such control mechanisms are expensive, or are unsuitable for some applications.

The size of the cable control mechanisms makes it difficult to integrate them inside the armrest. This size implies not only a volume of the armrest made consequent, which is not ergonomic, but also involves specific arrangements that are likely to constitute an inconvenience for access to the seat by the operator. In particular, the cables are oriented vertically from the lever to the floor of the vehicle, with the consequence of having to arrange the armrest column housing the mechanism. Such a column is an obstacle to easy access to the seat by the operator, as described by US4040499 (INT HARVESTER CO). To avoid such discomfort, it has been proposed to articulate the column on the floor and the armrest to allow its retraction and landing at the obstacle it constitutes against easy access to the seat, such as described by GB2390415 (BAMFORD EXCAVATORS LTD). However, the ergonomics of this solution is not satisfactory. It has also been proposed by JP58030849 (KOMATSU MFG CO LTD) a cable control mechanism, or similarly by rods, which is housed inside an armrest. The handle is articulated in a monodirectional manner on the armrest, and the rods extend horizontally from the lever towards the rear of the seat, zone in which the column is arranged. A return device is placed inside the column, the latter housing rods which extend vertically from the return device to the floor. The control possibilities offered by this mechanism are limited, and the manner of articulation of the joystick and the rods on the armrest imply a significant size of the mechanism, and specific arrangements of the armrest which are binding with regard to freedom offered for its layout.

According to another specific problem raised, it is desirable that the articulation of the lever on the housing is performed so that the operator can maneuver in the working position to at least one of the directions corresponding to a movement of the cables, and so that in the absence of such a maneuver, the joystick is spontaneously placed in the rest position. It is common to make such a setting in the rest position of the lever from the operation of return means, such as a resilient member or the like.

It is for example known to secure the use of the mechanism by equipping it with locking means of the handle in the rest position. Such locking means are operable by the operator when he no longer wishes to use the mechanism, to lock the handle in the rest position to prevent accidental operation.

It is also known control mechanisms of another type, such as electronically controlled, the structure of which can easily organize such security. For example, it is known electronic control mechanisms exploiting the principle of "dead man", according to which an absence of maintenance of the joystick by an operator involves a stop command of the operation of remote organs to maneuver. Such electronic control mechanisms have the advantage of optimizing their functionality for a small footprint, and in this case to allow easy securing of their use. However, these electronic control mechanisms are more expensive than cable control mechanisms. It follows from the standpoint of competitiveness an economic choice between an electronic control mechanism whose security is optimized, and a cable control mechanism whose conditions for securing their use are commonly reduced to a voluntary locking by the operator of the handle in the rest position.

If the security of the cable control mechanism deserves to be improved on the basis of an approach overcoming prejudices, the modalities of this securing must not affect its competitiveness with regard to similar control mechanisms of another type.

Object of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a control mechanism by at least one cable of at least one remote maneuvering member which is assigned to this cable, the available control and / or securing possibilities are optimized and whose organization gives it a small footprint structure that facilitates its implementation in any installation site.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a cable control mechanism that is easily integrated into the armrest of a seat without being a cause of discomfort against easy access to the seat by an operator, this armrest is likely to be of any arrangement, including a thin armrest which is placed in elevation distant from the plane d seat and / or which is retractable towards the back of the seat.

The objectives mentioned are achieved by means of a cable control lever having the features of claim 1.

Preferably, the anchoring member of a cable is linked in mobility with a respective guide member, and is equipped with a return member of the guide member in the rest position. Such a rest position corresponds for example to a middle position of the lever between two operating directions in the same direction of tilting. The link in mobility between the anchoring member and the guide member to which it is assigned is indifferently a direct or indirect connection by means of an intermediate member, such as the pivot axis of the guide member.

According to a preferred embodiment, the mobility connection means between a first anchoring member and the first guide member are of the type by joining. The mobility connection means between a second anchoring member and the second guide member are in turn sliding key type to allow mobility of the handle and the corresponding anchoring member according to the first direction of tilting assigned to the first guide member.

The return member is preferably a compression spring interposed in opposing axial support between the anchoring member and the frame. According to an advantageous form optimizing the operation of the different mobilities of the handle, the return member is threaded onto a shouldered finger that includes the anchoring member. This finger secured to the anchoring member advantageously takes a bearing spherical bearing against the frame, including a support omnidirectional range, so that the mechanism is preserved from any risk of buckling of the pivot axes while allowing to minimize the masses of the moving bodies, such as in particular the guide members and the pivot pins.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the supporting structure is provided with means for integration into the armrest of a seat. The arrangements provided by the present invention allow a free and easy adaptation of the support structure for its installation inside such an armrest, including for a thin armrest placed at a distance overhanging the seating plane of the seat and free of junction column of the armrest on the ground and / or the seat placed in front of the seat cushion. More particularly and thanks to the proposed methods of articulation of the lever on the frame, the cables in relation to the latter can be easily oriented coplanarly and concurrently, orthogonally in particular, with respect to the general axis of extension of the remote.

The means for the integration of the mechanism inside an armrest are for example constituted by a housing. This housing is indifferently a receiving housing of the carrier structure, or is constitutive of the carrier structure and more particularly of the chassis. This housing is provided with connecting means with an internal structure of the armrest, and cable guiding sheaths inside the armrest according to extension orientations contained in the same guide plane. The internal structure of the armrest is likely to be an armature, or even a cohesive mass of a cellular material, such as foam, inside which is embedded the casing provided with the sleeves preferentially extended by inserts for the sliding reception of the cables. The described modes of mobility of the lever on the chassis are advantageously exploited for the integration of the mechanism in an armrest along which runs the cable or cables to the rear of the seat.

The limited space requirement and the organization of the support structure facilitate its installation in any installation site, and in particular in an armrest for a seat. More particularly, such an armrest is capable of being thin by being placed in overhang and away from the seat plan of the seat, without requiring the use of a column before joining the armrest to the ground, or equivalent way of the armrest to the seating plane of the seat. The provisions of the present invention allow to give the armrest a small footprint, or even a retractable character, to prevent it constitutes an inconvenience for access to the seat by an operator. The cables can extend inside the armrest, being preferentially housed inside the protective sheaths, from the front to the back of the seat, and then be returned to the ground in s' extending inside a non-interfering rear column located at the rear of the seat.

According to a first embodiment, the cable guide plane is orthogonal to the extension axis of the handle and is parallel to a plane containing a plurality of pivot axes of the handle on the carrier structure. Such an alternative embodiment is adapted to an integration of the cable control mechanism inside a column-free armrest before connecting it to the ground and / or to the seat.

However, the compactness of the cable control mechanism is likely to be used for any other application and to allow its integration and / or easy installation on any site. More particularly and according to a second variant embodiment, the cable guide plane is parallel to the extension axis of the handle and is orthogonal to a plane containing a plurality of pivot axes of the handle on the support structure. Such a mechanism The control panel may be installed inside an armrest comprising a front column for joining the floor and / or the seat, this front connecting column housing the cables that extend vertically out of the supporting structure.

The organization of the supporting structure allows easy modification of the orientation of the cable guide plane. According to an advantageous embodiment facilitating the installation of the cable control mechanism on any implantation site, the sleeves are carried by the housing by means of a plate provided with reversible fixing means on the housing according to alternative positions corresponding to one or the other orientations of the guide plane offered by the sleeves for the cables.

It will be understood that if appropriate and according to the configuration of the installation site of the cable control mechanism, one or more anchoring members are interchangeable among a set of anchoring members adapted conformations, the general organization of the bearing structure remaining unchanged.

The present invention also relates to an armrest incorporating a cable control mechanism according to claim 10.

The armrest of the present invention incorporates a cable control mechanism whose handle is oriented orthogonal to the direction of extension of the cables at the output of the armrest, this direction of extension of the cables corresponding to the extension direction of the armrest. the armrest between the front and rear areas of the seat, so that the armrest is able to be free of front connecting column with the floor and / or the seat as arranged at the front of the seat cushion.

The incorporation of the control mechanism in the armrest is advantageously formed from an organization of the armrest according to which the cable control mechanism is embedded in a mass of cellular material constituting the armrest and preferably provided with means fixing on a seat frame.

The organization of the cable control mechanism integrated into the armrest allows a mobility of the armrest between a position of use in which it is placed above the seating plane of the seat, and a retracted position, by sliding and / or tilting for example, wherein the armrest is clear of the lateral space to the seat. More particularly and according to an advantageous embodiment of the armrest of the present invention, it is movably mounted on the seat between a retracted position towards the rear of the seat and a position of use overhanging the plane of the seat. seat.

Incidentally, the mechanism may be equipped with auxiliary control means, such as electrical and / or electronic and / or electropneumatic and / or electromechanical control means implemented by the operator from control buttons integrated into the mechanism and more especially to gripping handle, or even mechanical control means capable of implementing an auxiliary control cable. The controller can also be used for the implementation of additional control means different from those assigned to its switching maneuver. For example, the handle can be rotatably mounted about its general axis of extension on the support structure, for the actuation of actuators or similar control members placed at its periphery. For example still, the handle can be mounted on the support structure axially movable in translation along its axis of extension for the operation of a cable and / or an actuator.

The installation site of the cable control mechanism inside an armrest without a front floor and / or seat junction column is particularly advantageous. However, it will be understood that the organization of the control mechanism of the present invention and the advantages it affords allow its easy and space-saving installation on any site, including an armrest provided with a column before junction with the ground .

Description of the figures.

• Les fig.1 à fig.3 sont des illustrations d'un mécanisme de commande par câble intégré dans un accoudoir pour siège selon un exemple de réalisation de la présente invention, respectivement sur la fig.1 en perspective assemblée, sur la fig.2 de côté et sur la fig.3 en perspective éclatée.
• Les fig.4 à fig.8 sont des illustrations en perspective d'un mécanisme de commande par câble selon une première forme de réalisation de la présente invention, suivant diverses étapes d'assemblage des éléments le composant.
• Les fig.9 et fig.10 sont des illustrations en perspective d'un mécanisme de commande par câble selon une deuxième forme de réalisation de la présente invention, suivant diverses étapes d'assemblage des éléments le composant.
• Les fig.11 à fig.13 sont des illustrations en perspective d'un mécanisme de commande par câbles selon une troisième forme de réalisation, respectivement en vue éclatée, en vue assemblée en position de verrouillage, et en vue assemblée en position de déverrouillage.
• La fig.14 est une vue en coupe d'un volant constitutif du mécanisme représenté sur les fig.11 à fig.13.
• Les fig.15 à fig.17 sont des illustrations en perspective d'un mécanisme de commande par câbles selon une quatrième forme de réalisation, respectivement en vue éclatée, en vue assemblée en position de verrouillage, et en vue assemblée en position de déverrouillage.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the description which will be made of exemplary embodiments, in relation to the figures of the appended plates in which:

• The fig.1 to fig.3 are illustrations of a cable control mechanism integrated into a seat armrest according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively on the fig.1 in perspective assembled, on the fig.2 aside and on the fig.3 in exploded perspective.
• The fig.4 to fig.8 are perspective illustrations of a cable control mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention, according to various steps of assembling the component elements.
• The fig.9 and fig.10 are perspective illustrations of a cable control mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention, according to various steps of assembling the component elements.
• The fig.11 to fig.13 are perspective illustrations of a cable control mechanism according to a third embodiment, respectively in exploded view, in assembled view in the locking position, and in assembled view in the unlocked position.
• The fig.14 is a sectional view of a constituent flywheel of the mechanism represented on the fig.11 to fig.13 .
• The fig.15 to fig.17 are perspective illustrations of a cable control mechanism according to a fourth embodiment, respectively exploded view, assembled view in locking position, and assembled view in unlocked position.

On the fig.1 to fig.3 , a cable control mechanism is integrated in the armrest 1 of a seat 2. This armrest 1 is thin and is arranged overhanging the seat plane P0 of the seat 2. The mounting of the armrest 1 on the seat 2 is made in the rear area of the latter, and more particularly on the backrest 3 and / or on a rear column 4 of vertical extension placed at the rear of the seat 5 of the seat 2. On the example illustrated embodiment, the armrest 1 is fixed on the seat 2 by means of a frame 6 integral with the seat 2. Such a configuration of the armrest 1 implies that it is free of front column located in the front zone of the seat. seat 2 for joining it and / or the ground. Such an armrest 1 has the advantage of not preventing easy access to the seat 5 of the seat 2 by an operator, and in particular to leave a side space available to the seat. The armrest 1, to the extent that it is not connected to the ground and / or the seat by a front connecting column, is likely to be retractable between a position of use in which it is placed above the plane seat P0 seat 2 as shown, and a retracted position in which the armrest 1 is clear of the lateral space of the seat 5 of the seat 2 to facilitate access to the latter by the operator . Such retraction of the armrest 1 is obtainable from its sliding mounting on a frame, such as 6, of the seat 2, and / or from its tilting towards the rear of the seat 2. tilting is obtained by a pivoting mounting of the armrest 1 and / or the armature 6 on the seat 2, about a tilt axis located at the rear on a carrier frame. Such a carrier frame can be by example integrated in the backrest 3 of the seat 2 or consist of the rear column 4.

The control mechanism comprises a control lever 7 which emerges from a casing 8 constituting a carrier structure 9. This handle 7 is axially extended and is movably mounted on the carrier structure 9 along a plurality of pivot axes. The handle 7 has at its proximal end a gripping handle 10 by an operator, for its switching maneuvering in respective directions monodirectional and concurrent B1 and B2. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the lever 7 is operable in two concurrent switching directions B1, B2 and in two directions of operation for each of these switching directions B1, B2. At each of the switching directions B1, B2 corresponds to a movement of a cable 11, 12, with a view to controlling the implementation of a remote member assigned to this cable 11, 12. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the handle 7 is also rotatable R on itself, for the actuation of actuators placed at its periphery for example, and comprises on the handle 10 of the control knobs 13 of actuators. Such actuators, not shown, are incidentally connected to the cable control mechanism of the present invention, in order to multiply the available control possibilities. It will be understood that if the mechanism can be equipped with such actuators, the present invention finds its object in the arrangements of organization of the mechanism for the operation of the cables 11,12.

The compactness of the carrier structure 9 as described on the fig.4 to fig.10 allows to confer on the housing 8 a limited space allowing its integration inside the armrest 1, in its front area relative to the seat 2. The housing 8 is provided with sleeves 14,15 for guiding the cables 11,2 which define a cable guide plane P1 which is oriented orthogonally to the extension axis A0 of the lever 7 and parallel to the seat plane P0 of the seat 2. The cables 11, 12 are contained in the same plane P1 guide corresponding to the extension of the armrest 1 between the front and rear zones of the seat 2. These arrangements are such that the cable control mechanism of the present invention can be easily integrated into the front area of a thin armrest 1, as shown, whereby the presence of a front column is rendered unnecessary to at least partially house the control mechanism and the cables 11,12 vertically from the control mechanism to the ground.

The rear column 4 advantageously houses a return device 32 of the cables 11, 12 from a horizontal orientation corresponding to the extension of the armrest 1 between the front and the rear of the seat 2 and the seating plane P0 of the seat 2. Such return means are likely to be simple in structure and to be organized in any manner known to those skilled in the art.

On the exemplary embodiment shown on the fig.1 to fig.3 the control mechanism is advantageously embedded in a mass of cellular material, such as based on a natural and / or synthetic material expanded. The housing 8 constitutes a protective enclosure of the supporting structure 9 on which is articulated the handle 7, and the sleeves 14,15 extended by the sleeves constitute a protective enclosure cables 11,12 allowing their mobility despite the integration of the mechanism inside the cell mass. This mass of cellular material is attached to the seat 2 by means of fastening means 16 which it incorporates and / or of which it is equipped, such as a fixable plate on the frame 6 of the seat 2 by the intermediate of at least one fastener, such as screw or the like.

On the fig.4 to 10 , the control mechanism comprises the supporting structure 9 which is composed of several guide members 17,18 tilting of the lever 7. These guide members 17,18 are individually articulated on a frame 19, such as constituted by at least one part of the housing 8, or analogously constituted by an element 19 provided with fixing means on the housing 8, or directly on a reinforcement integrated to the armrest 1 or a reinforcement integrated into any body of an installation site of the mechanism.

The handle 7 is pivotally mounted in a first direction of tilting B1 on a first guide member 17. In the illustrated embodiment, the distal end of the handle 7 is provided with a body 20 which is pivotally assembled on the first guide member 17, such as for example by means of a journal rotatably mounted in a housing. The journal and the housing are indifferently arranged on one or the other of the lever 7 and the first guide member 17. The pivoting mounting of the handle 7 on the first guide member 17 constitutes connecting means in one-way mobility between them. More particularly, the handle 7 is pivotally mounted about an axis A1 on the first guide member 17, so that they are connected to each other in the first direction of tilting B1, and so that the handle 7 is free to move in at least the second direction of tilting B2. The first guide member 17, directly carrying the handle 7, is itself hingedly pivoted on the frame 19 around a first pivot axis A2 of the handle 7 relative to the carrier structure 9. It will be noted that the relative positions of the axis A1 of pivoting of the handle 7 on the first guide member 17, and the axis A2 of pivoting of the first guide member 17 on the frame 19 are independent of one another. However, it is advantageously possible to place the pivot axes A1 and A2 in the same plane P2 orthogonal to the extension axis A0 of the lever 7 to reduce the overall size of the mechanism, in particular reduction along the extension axis A0 of the joystick 7 and in the case of application illustrated on the fig.1 to fig.3 following the thickness E of the armrest 1.

The first guide member 17 is housed inside a cage formed by a second guide member 18, itself articulated on the frame 19 around a second axis A3 of pivoting of the handle 7 on the supporting structure 9. This second guide member 18 comprises a window 21 for passage of the handle 7 therethrough, this window extending transversely to the first axis of pivoting A2 to form a circulation corridor of the lever 7 allowing its mobility and that of the first guide member 17 in the first direction failover B1. The lateral edges 22 of the window 21 constitute support members of the lever 7 in the second direction of tilting B2 around the second pivot axis A3. It will be understood that the pivot axis A1 and the pivot axis A3 are necessarily oriented parallel to each other, either offset from the extension axis A0 of the lever 7, or advantageously in a coaxial manner as illustrated. This coaxial character of the pivot axis A1 and of the pivot axis A3 is authorized thanks to the arrangement of the second guide member 18 in the receiving cage of the first guide member 17.

The set of pivot axes of the handle 7 on the supporting structure 9, and more particularly the pivot axis A1 of the handle 7 on the first guide member 17, the first pivot axis A2 of the first guide member 17 on the frame 19, and the second pivot axis A3 of the second guide member 18 on the frame 19 are arranged in the same plane P2 which is transverse to the axis A0 of extension of the lever 7, and more particularly which is orthogonal to the axis A0 extending the lever 7 in the rest position. The reduction in the size of the control mechanism is optimized along the axis A0 of extension of the joystick 7, and it is facilitated an implementation of the mechanism at any site, or even its adaptation to any installation site and in particular its integration inside the armrest 1 of a seat 2 without column before joining the armrest 1 with the floor and / or the seat.

The guide members 17, 18 are in connection with anchoring members 23, 24 of a respective cable 11, 12, with which they are respectively linked in mobility. These anchoring members 23,24 are each equipped with a return member 25 of the corresponding guide member 17,18 in the rest position, which corresponds for example to a median position between two directions of tilting of the joystick 7 following the same direction of changeover B1, B2. According to the ergonomics sought for the mechanism and its installation situation on a site, armrest 1 in particular, the middle position of the lever 7 corresponds more particularly to a position in verticality with respect to the ground and / or relative to the plane of seated P0 of the seat 2, without such a position being restrictive as to the scope of the present invention. The return member 25 consists of a compression spring which is axially interposed between the anchoring member 23,24 and the frame 19, or in a similar manner between the anchoring member 23,24 and an element frame integral with the housing 8, or the housing 8 itself. The return member 25 is threaded onto a stepped finger 26, particularly visible on the fig.9 , which comprises the corresponding anchoring member 23,24. This finger 26 takes a support whose bearing on the frame 19 is spontaneously modifiable according to the orientation of the corresponding guide member 17,18 around its pivot axis A2, A3 on the frame 19, such as a support spherical bearing. These provisions make it possible to reinforce the robustness of the mechanism by avoiding a cantilever of the guiding members 17, 18 on the chassis, whatever the forces applied on the cables 11, 12.

The anchoring members 23, 24 are shaped as lever arms which are linked in mobility to the guide members 17, 18 via heels 27, 28 respectively integral with the corresponding guide member 17, 18. This link mobility is such that a pivoting of a guide member 17,18 induces a tilting of the heel 27,28 and causes a pivoting of the corresponding anchoring member 23,24. On the fig.8 and fig.10 , the cables 11, 12 are guided at the housing outlet 8 by means of the sleeves 14, 15, which are mounted on the housing 8 via a plate 31. This plate 31 is provided with easily reversible fixing means on the housing 8, so that its position is advantageously interchangeable according to the desired orientation of the cables 11,12 relative to the axis A0 extending the lever 7 in the rest position. The sleeves 14, 15 are preferably extended by sheaths or the like, to facilitate the sliding guidance of the cables 11, 12 at the output of the mechanism and, where appropriate, to allow the cables 11, 12 to move in the case where the mechanism is embedded in inside a cellular mass constituting the armrest 1.

According to the illustrated embodiment on the fig.4 to fig.8 , the cables 11,12 are oriented in the same plane P1 orthogonal to the axis A0 extending the lever 7 in the rest position. The connection in mobility between the first guide member 17 and a first anchoring member 23 is of the type by joining between the heel 27 and the anchoring member 23. The link mobility between the second guide member 18 and a second anchoring member 24 is of the sliding keying type to obtain their tilt connection while allowing their relative mobility by sliding. For this purpose, the heel 28 that includes the second anchoring member 18 is provided with a spherical conforming cleat 29 which is housed inside a slideway 30 that includes the second anchoring member 24. The fingers 26 on which are threaded the return members 25 are secured to the distal end of the corresponding anchoring member 23,24, while the proximal end of the anchoring members 23,24 is linked in mobility to the corresponding guide member. The distal end of the anchoring members 23, 24 is also used for fixing a cable 11, 12.

According to the illustrated embodiment on the fig.9 and fig.10 , the cables 11,12 are oriented in the same plane P1 parallel to the axis A0 extending the lever 7 in the rest position. In the case where such a mechanism is integrated in an armrest, this orientation of the cables 11,12 corresponds to an orientation of the cables 11,12 vertically between the mechanism and the ground. The cables 11,12 are optionally housed inside a front column relative to the seat 5 of the seat 2, such a column being capable of being retractable. The arrangement of the mechanism shown is rather applicable to other installation sites that an armrest, to avoid impeding easy access for an operator to the seat 5 of the seat 2. The anchoring members 23, 24 are shaped square, which are each secured to the corresponding guide member 17,18 in the junction zone between the branches that compose them. This joining is carried out indifferently by direct connection or by indirect connection between the anchoring members 23,24 and the guide members 23,24. Such an indirect connection is for example made by means of trunnions respectively assigned to pivot axes A2, A3 corresponding, these pins themselves being secured to the guide member 17,18 to which they are assigned.

On the fig.11 to fig.17 , a cable control mechanism comprises a control lever 101 which is pivotally mounted on a carrier structure 102, itself mounted to move on a chassis, such as a not shown housing. This handle 101 is provided at its proximal end with a gripping handle 103 by an operator, and is pivotally articulated at its distal end on the carrier structure 102 about respective pivot axes A1 and A2. More particularly, the support structure 102 is composed of two guide members 104, 105 of the joystick 101 tilting in respective directions monodirectional and concurrent D1 and D2. These guide members 104, 105 are each articulated on the frame around a respective pivot axis A1 and A2, and are engaged on one or more cables 106 assigned to them for the purpose of maneuvering them from a corresponding movement of the joystick 101 tilting. One of these guide members 104 forms a receiving cage of the other guide member 103, so that their pivot axes A1, A2 are coplanar perpendicular to the general axis A of extension of the handle 101. It should be noted that this arrangement of tilting assembly of the joystick 101 is preferred because of the advantage provided by the gain in size and the availability left at its distal end to easily arrange means for securing the operation of the mechanism. However, it is conceivable to arrange the mobility of the handle 101 on the carrier structure 102 in other ways able to cooperate with the security mechanism proposed by the present invention. More particularly, this securing mechanism is applicable to any control mechanism by one or more cables, independently of the operating modes in tilting of the lever 101 on the carrier structure 102 or the frame, such as for example a tilting maneuver of the joystick 101 unidirectional or omnidirectional.

The lever 101 is operable in each of its tilting directions D1, D2 between a rest position, in which no traction is exerted on the cables 106, and a corresponding working position in which traction is exerted on the one or more cables 106 for the implementation of a remote body to maneuver. As is usually the case, the handle 101 is provided with restoring means in the rest position in the absence of a tilting maneuver by an operator. According to the present invention, such return means of the handle 101 in the rest position are advantageously integrated with the mechanism of securing means. There arises the problem of an accidental and / or involuntary maneuvering of the handle 101 to tilt. To secure the mechanism, and in particular to prevent an accidental displacement of the lever 101 according to at least one of its tilting directions D1, D2, it is equipped with means for securing the maintenance of the joystick 101 in the rest position in the absence of a voluntary gesture that must necessarily perform an operator.

More particularly, the mechanism is provided with means for spontaneous locking of the handle 101 in the rest position. These locking means implement a latch 107 which is interposed between the handle 101 and the support structure 102 for locking them to each other in the rest position of the handle 1, as illustrated in FIGS. fig.12 and fig.16 . This latch 107 is operable to a locking position, illustrated on the fig.13 and fig.17 , under the effect of the force exerted by deformable means 108. These deformable means 108 are for example a torsion spring 109, as in the variant shown in FIGS. fig.11 to fig.13 , or a compression spring 110, as illustrated on the fig.15 to fig.17 . These deformable means 108 are put under stress during the operation of the latch 107 in the locking position, under the effect of a gesture maintained by the operator on a monostable member 111. When the operator stops the action he performs on the monostable member 111, the latter takes its stable rest position by spontaneously operating the latch 107 in the unlocked position, in which the handle 111 is released from its locking to the carrier structure 102. The monostable member 111 is for example A steering wheel 112 as on the variant illustrated on the fig.11 to fig.14 , or an articulated flap 113 such as the variant illustrated on the fig.15 to fig.16 . The monostable member 111 is connected to the latch 107 via mechanical connection means 114. These connecting means 114 are constituted by one or more connecting members which extend parallel or coaxially with the general axis A d. extension of the controller 111. For example on the illustrated variant on the fig.11 to fig.14 , the connecting member consists of a shaft 115 which axially extends the flywheel 112. For example still on the variant illustrated on the fig.15 to fig.17 , the connecting members consist of rods 116 or the like connecting the latch 107 to the hinged flap 113.

The latch 107 is placed at the distal end of the handle 111, being housed inside the guide member 104 forming a cage for the other guide member 105. This latch 107 is provided with securing means 117 for locking one to the other of the joystick 111 and the supporting structure 102, which are of the keying type. In the exemplary embodiments illustrated, the securing means 117 consist of keys 118,119 integrated in the latch 107 extending longitudinally at its periphery. These keys 118,119 cooperate with complementary notches 120,121 which are formed on the bearing structure 102, and more particularly with notches 120,121 respectively formed on one and the other of the guide members 104,105. It will be noted that according to the provisions of the invention, the latch 107 may have only one or more keys 118 or 119 cooperating with notches 120 or 121 provided on only one of the two guide members 104, 105 to secure the mechanism following at least one corresponding direction D1 or D2 of tilting of the joystick 111.

The latch 107 is shaped as a sleeve integral in rotation with the handle 111 and free sliding axially along the latter, to allow its operation between its locking position and its unlocking position. This junction is achieved by means of engagement 122, such as by pinning, broaching or the like on the exemplary embodiments illustrated. For example, the latch 107 is traversed by a pin which extends radially towards the handle 111, the latter having a longitudinal peripheral light, not visible in the figures, which allows its passage through the pin without impeding an axial sliding mobility of the latch 107.

On the embodiment variant shown on the fig.11 to fig.14 , the deformable means 108 consist of the torsion spring 109, which is engaged between the handle 111 and the monostable member 111 consisting of the flywheel 112, being housed in the barrel 115 that comprises the latter. The connection means 114 between the latch 107 and the monostable member 111 consist of a pair of helical ramps 123 that includes the shaft 115 for guiding a radial finger 124 that includes the latch 107. The flywheel 112 is in taken on the handle 103 by means of a lateral handle 131 that it comprises, so that the operator can naturally grasp the flywheel 112 and the handle 103 and cause their joint drive in rotation to place the latch 107 in the unlocked position.

On the embodiment variant shown on the fig.15 to fig.17 , the deformable means 108 consist of the compression spring 110, which is axially interposed in antagonistic supports between the handle 101 and the latch 107, being threaded around the handle 101. The flap 113 is articulated on a connecting member 125 which is attached proximally to the handle 101 and which carries the handle 103, arranged in a knob. The flap 113 is articulated as a lever on this connecting member 125, through the rods 116 constituting the connecting means 114 between the flap 113 and the latch 107. More particularly, the rods 116 each comprise a return 126 which are housed in longitudinal grooves 127 that includes the connecting member 125, and that together constitute a first axis of articulation of the flap 113 on the connecting member 125. These returns 126 are in particular housed in corridors 128 of an arm of lever 129 of the flap 113, the latter being moreover articulated on the junction member 125 around a second hinge pin 130, so that a maneuvering of the flap 113 around the second axis of articulation 130 causes an axial displacement of the rods 116, and therefore the latch 107, between the locking position and unlocking.

Incidentally, the mechanism is completed by control means of the electromechanical, electropneumatic and / or electronic type, to multiply the number of orders offered.

Claims (11)

1. Cable controlling mechanism for controlling at least a distant organ to be operated, this mechanism including a control lever (7) axially extended that is movably mounted on a supporting structure (9) about at least one pivot axis and which is arranged at its proximal end as a gripping handle (10) for gripping by an operator so as to be actuated to tilt in at least one direction between a rest position and at least one working position, the lever (7) being connected with at least one anchor member (23, 24) of a control cable (11, 12) to cause an operation of the cable (11, 12) as a result of a tilting of the lever (7) around the corresponding pivot axis, the lever (7) being operable to tilt in respective monodirectional and intersecting directions (B1, B2) about a plurality of pivot axis (A2.A3), and being connected to a plurality of anchoring members (23, 24) for anchoring at least one respective cable (11, 12) assigned to a direction of tilt (B1, B2) of the lever (7); the supporting structure (9) is composed a plurality of guide members (17, 18) for guiding the tilt movement of the lever (7), each of which being articulated on a frame (19, 8) about a respective pivot axis (A2, A3); the lever (7) is connected to each of the guide members (17, 18) through connecting means for monodirectional move in a respective direction of tilt (B1, B2), these connecting means allowing an unidirectional mobility of the lever (7) on a guide member in any other direction of tilt (B1, B2),

   - the lever (7) being pivotally mounted in a first direction of tilt (B1) on a first guide member (17), itself pivotally mounted on the frame (8), and the lever (7) extending through a window (21) that includes a second guiding member (18) pivotally mounted on the frame (8) in a second direction of tilt (B2);

   - the window (21) being extended transversely to the pivot axis (A2) of the first guide member (17) on the frame (8) and arranging a movement corridor for the movement of the lever (7) in the second direction of tilt (B2), and lateral edges (22) of the window (21) constituting the bearing members of the lever (7) in the first direction of tilt (B1);

   the controlling mechanism being characterized in that:

   - the second guiding member (18) forms a cage for receiving the first guide member (17) so that the first guide member (17) is capable to be housed inside of the cage and the pivot axes (A2, A3) of the guide members (17, 18) on the frame (8) are capable to be placed in the same plane (P2) orthogonal to the expansion axis (AO) of the lever (7).
2. Cable controlling mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring member (23, 24) of a cable (11, 12) is connected with mobility to a respective guide member (17, 18) through connecting means and has a return member (25) for returning the guide member (17, 18) to the rest position.
3. Cable controlling mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the mobility connecting means connecting a first anchor member (23) and the first guide member (17) are of the attachment type, and the mobility connecting means connecting a second anchoring member (24) and the second guide member (18) are of the slide keying type.
4. Cable controlling mechanism according to claims 2 and 3, wherein the return member (25) is a compression spring interposed between the anchoring member (23, 24) and frame (8, 19) and bearing axially there between.
5. Cable controlling mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the return member (25) is slipped over a shouldered finger (26) that the anchoring member (23, 24) includes, this finger bearing in a spherical sliding manner against the frame (8, 19).
6. Cable controlling mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the support structure is provided with means for integration into the armrest of a seat, this means for integration being constituted by a casing (8) which is provided with means for joining and with sleeves (14, 15) for guiding wires (11, 12) for mounting inside the armrest (1) according to directions of extension located in a same guiding plane (P1).
7. Cable controlling mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the plane (P1) for guiding the wires (11, 12) is orthogonal to the axis (AO) of extension of the lever (7) and is parallel to a plane (P2) containing a plurality of pivot axes (A2, A3) of the lever (7) on the supporting structure (9).
8. Cable controlling mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the plane (P1) for guiding wires (11, 12) is parallel to the axis (AO) of extension of the lever (7) and is orthogonal to a plane (P2) containing a plurality of pivot axes (A2, A3) of the lever (7) on the supporting structure (9).
9. Controlling mechanism according to claims 6-8, wherein the sleeves (14, 15) are carried by the housing (8) through a plate (31) provided with reversible attachment means on the housing (8) at alternative positions corresponding to one of the directions of the plane (P1) for guiding wires (11, 12).
10. Armrest (1) of a seat (2) including a cable controlling mechanism according to any one of claims 6 to 9.
11. Armrest (1) of a seat (2) according to claim 10, characterized in that it includes the cable controlling mechanism which lever (7) is oriented orthogonally to the extension direction (P1) of the cables (11, 12) out of the armrest (1), this extension direction (P1) of the cables (11) corresponding to the extension direction of the armrest (1) between the front and rear zones of the seat (2) so that the armrest (1) is capable to be free of junction column with the floor and/or the seat located in front of the seat surface (5) of the seat (2).

Images