EP4408702A1

EP4408702A1 - An armrest mechanism

Info

Publication number: EP4408702A1
Application number: EP22877038.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Emirhan ZEYBEK; Mehmet Cihat OZEL
Original assignee: Tusas Turk Havacilik Ve Uzay Sanayii AS
Current assignee: Tusas Turk Havacilik Ve Uzay Sanayii AS
Priority date: 2021-09-28
Filing date: 2022-06-27
Publication date: 2024-08-07
Also published as: TR2021015111A1; WO2023055318A1; EP4408702A4; CA3231097A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a body (2) provided in air vehicles; an armrest (3) located in the body (2), on which the pilot rests his arm; a shaft (4) located to rotate around its own axis in the body (2), on which the armrest (3) is positioned.

Description

AN ARMREST MECHANISM

The present invention relates to an armrest mechanism in air vehicles, which enables the pilot to adjust the armrest on which he rests his arm.

In air vehicles, the pilot places his arm in an armrest-like structure so that the pilot can control the air vehicle by means of the joystick in a precise and comfortable manner. The armrest has a mechanism adjustable in one or two directions in all air vehicles. The position of the armrest where the pilot feels comfortable can be obtained by adjusting this mechanism.

United States patent document US20190351799A1 , which is included in the known-state of the art, relates to an armrest for a fighter aircraft, in which the height and angle of the armrest on which a pilot rests his arm can be controlled with one hand.

South Korean patent document KR102047770B1, which is included in the known-state of the art, relates to a simple adjustable armrest in which the height of an armrest can be changed with one hand. The armrest provides a simple adjustment armrest that can adjust the up and down movement of the pad portion with one hand.

Thanks to an armrest system according to the present invention, an armrest mechanism is provided, which can be adjusted in three axes according to the width of the pilot's shoulder.

An object of the present invention to provide an ergonomic armrest mechanism in air vehicles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a useful and effective armrest mechanism.

The armrest mechanism realized to achieve the object of the invention and defined in the first claim and the claims dependent thereon comprises a body provided in air vehicles; an armrest inside the body, on which the pilot rests his arm while using the joystick during flight; a shaft capable of rotating on its own axis in the body and on which the armrest is positioned.

The armrest mechanism according to the invention comprises a cylinder into which the shaft is removably inserted, in a form-fitting manner, in the direction it extends; a spherical element located between the armrest and the shaft, enabling the armrest to rotate in all directions within the range of movement specified by the manufacturer; a slot in which the spherical element is placed to rotate; at least one spring located under the slot and surrounding the shaft and cylinder; a ring located on the shaft and cylinder, which triggers the spring. It comprises a first position (I) in which the user grips the cylinder by the thickness of the ring by pushing the ring down to compress the spring, the shaft can move freely, rotate around the axis it extends and is released. It comprises a second position (II) in which, when the user releases the ring such that the ring is triggered by the spring, the ring moves upwards from the first position (I) in the direction it extends and locks the movement of the shaft.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armrest mechanism comprises the shaft which remains outside the cylinder when the ring easily grasps the cylinder in the second position (II), and is placed in the cylinder to rotate about the axis it extends.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armrest mechanism comprises at least one bushing which is located between the armrest mechanism, the cylinder and the shaft, wherein the bushing is form-fitting with the cylinder so as to prevent the wear between the cylinder and the shaft as the shaft rotates around axis it extends.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armrest mechanism comprises at least one stop with one end in contact with the cylinder and the other end in contact with the shaft, which is located substantially under the bushing and prevents the shaft on the body from disengaging from the cylinder when placed into the cylinder.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armrest mechanism comprises the ring placed under the slot, which is in a protruding structure to limit the movement of the shaft by striking the ring, wherein the spring linearly moves the ring by the pushing to bring the ring into the second position (II) from the first position (I). In an embodiment of the invention, the armrest mechanism comprises the ring located substantially between the slot and the spring, which substantially surrounds the shaft, is pushed towards the slot by the spring, and protrudes from the shaft in a protruding structure so that the user can grasp it.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armrest mechanism comprises the ring in which gear-shaped protrusions are provided; and the shaft outside which gear-shaped protrusions are provided, wherein if the ring is brought to the first position (I) by the user, it is linearly separated from the gear-path on which the shaft rests.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armrest mechanism comprises the ring which is brought from the first position (I) into the second position (II) by the user by linearly inserting it into the gear path, wherein the ring grasps the shaft and engages the gear of the shaft so as to stop its movement around its own axis.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armrest mechanism comprises a rod that extends outward from the body; the ring and the spring, which provide a locking system by grasping the cylinder under the rod, into which the shaft is inserted. It comprises a lever (L) with one end in contact with the cylinder located on the side of the rod and the other end with the cylinder under the armrest, which extends almost perpendicular to the axis on which the rod extends, and provides support to the armrest parallel to the floor (Z). It comprises a plurality of step holes (D) located on the axis on which the rod extends; a locking latch (M) which is inserted into the step hole (D) to be connected thereto in a removable manner, moves with the lever (L) in connection with the lever (L), and provides or locks the movement of the armrest vertically to the floor (Z).

In an embodiment of the invention, the armrest mechanism comprises an extension mechanism which enables the armrest to perform linear movement in the direction that the lever (L) extends, in accordance with the position predetermined by the user, by means of the locking latch (M) removably attached to the step holes (D) located linearly on the axis that the lever (L) extends, wherein the extension mechanism can be fixed by the locking latch (M) so as not to move. In an embodiment of the invention, the armrest mechanism comprises at least one fastener which enables the lever (L) to be fixed to the cylinder and to engage the cylinder as a tight fit.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armrest mechanism comprises the body which is a cockpit of an aircraft and/or helicopter.

The armrest mechanism realized to achieve the object of the present invention is illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an armrest mechanism.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an extension mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an armrest mechanism.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an extension mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is an illustration of the cylinder, ring and lever in the first position (I).

All the parts in the figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed as follows:

1. Armrest Mechanism

2. Body

3. Armrest

4. Shaft

5. Cylinder

6. Spherical Element

7. Slot

8. Spring

9. Ring

10. Bushing

11. Stop

12. Rod

13. Extension Mechanism

14. Fastener D. Step Hole

M. Locking Latch

Z. Floor

L. Lever

I. First Position

II. Second Position

An armrest system (1) comprises a body (2) provided in air vehicles; an armrest (3) located in the body (2), on which the pilot rests his arm; a shaft (4) located to rotate around its own axis in the body (2), on which the armrest (3) is positioned.

An armrest mechanism (1) according to the invention comprises a cylinder (5) to which the shaft (4) is removably attached, in a form-fitting manner, in the direction it extends; a spherical element (6) located between the armrest (3) and the shaft (4), which enables the armrest (3) to rotate in all directions within a range of movement predetermined by the manufacturer; a slot (7) on which the spherical element (6) is placed by the manufacturer such that the spherical element (6) rotates; at least one spring (8) located under the slot (7) and surrounding the shaft (4) and cylinder (5); a ring (9) located on the shaft (4) and cylinder (5), which enables the spring (8) to be triggered, wherein the ring (9) has a first position (I) in which the user compresses the spring (8) such that the ring (9) is pushed downwards to grasp the cylinder (5), and a second position (II) in which the user releases the ring (9) such that the ring (9) is triggered by the spring (8) to move along the direction it extends so as to be brought into the second position (II) from the first position (I), wherein the ring (9) allows the shaft (4) to rotate around its axis when in the first position (I), and allows the shaft (4) to be prevented from rotating around its own axis by compressing the shaft (4) when in the second position (II).

During control of an air vehicle in a body (2) provided in air vehicles, the pilot uses a joystick in the body (2). While using the joystick, the pilot rests his arm on an armrest (3). Therefore, the pilot can use the joystick in an ergonomic way. There is provided a shaft (4) inside the body (2), which is rotatable around its own axis, enables the armrest (3) to be adjusted according to the pilot, and on which the armrest (3) is placed.

The shaft (4) is removably attached to a cylinder (5) in the body (2) in a form-fitting manner, on the axis it extends. Rotational movement is provided by a spherical element (6) placed between the armrest (3) and the shaft (4), which allows the armrest (3) to perform rotational movement in all directions within a range of movement predetermined by the manufacturer in order for the armrest (3) to fit anatomically to the arm structure of the pilot on the shaft (4). Therefore, the pilot can easily rest his arm on the armrest (3). The spherical element (6) is placed in a slot (7) by the user so that it can rotate. A spring

(8) is provided under the slot (7), which surrounds the shaft (4) and the cylinder (5). There is a ring (9) on the shaft (4) and cylinder (5), which grasps the shaft (4) and the cylinder (5) and triggers the spring (8). The spring (8) is compressed when the user grasps the ring

(9) and pushes it downwards. The downwardly pushed ring (9) grasps the cylinder (5) such that the shaft (4) is released. Thus, the user can easily move the shaft (4). The shaft

(4) is released in the first position (I). When the user releases the ring (9), the spring (8) pushes the ring (9) upwards. Therefore, the ring (9) grasps the shaft (4) and prevents the movement of the shaft (4). In the second position (II), movement of the shaft (4) is locked. In this way, the pilot adjusts the armrest (3) in accordance with its ergonomic structure when in the first position (I), and brings the mechanism to the second position (II), ensuring that the position is locked (Figure 1).

In an embodiment of the invention, an armrest mechanism (1) comprises the shaft (4) which is placed the cylinder (5) so as to rotate around the axis it extends, wherein in the second position (II), the part of the shaft (4) grasped by the ring (9) is outside the cylinder

(5) such that the ring (9) can easily be grasped. In the second position (II), the ring (9) grasps the shaft (4) along the length of the ring (9). When the shaft (4) is placed inside the cylinder (5), it can rotate around the axis it extends so as to make a full revolution. In this way, the pilot can easily adjust the armrest (3) according to the arm length (Figure - 2).

In an embodiment of the invention, an armrest mechanism (1) comprises at least one bushing (10) form-fitting with the cylinder (5), which is located between the cylinder (5) and the shaft (4), and prevents the wear between the cylinder (5) and the shaft (4) when the shaft (4) rotates around the axis it extends. The bushing (10) is placed in the cylinder (5) before the shaft (4) is placed, in the areas where it is in contact with the shaft (4). Therefore, the wear occurring between the shaft (4) and the cylinder (5) while rotating is prevented.

In an embodiment of the invention, an armrest mechanism (1) comprises at least one stop (11) located on the body (2), with one end in contact with the cylinder (5) and the other end in contact with the shaft (4), wherein the stop (11) prevents the shaft (4) from disengaging from the cylinder (5) during its linear movement on the axis it extends in the cylinder (5). After the stop (11) is mounted on the cylinder (5), the shaft (4) is placed in the cylinder (5) in a removable way. In this way, when the shaft (4) is attached to the cylinder (5) in a removable way, it provides ease of use.

In an embodiment of the invention, an armrest mechanism (1) comprises the ring (9) located under the slot (7) to have a protruding structure that can limit the movement of the shaft (4) by striking the ring (9), wherein the ring (9) is moved linearly from the first position (I) with the pushing of the spring (8), so as to be brought into the second position (II). There is a projection on the ring (9) which limits its movement when it moves from the first position (I) to the second position (II). Therefore, an effective and efficient locking function is provided.

In an embodiment of the invention, an armrest mechanism (1) comprises the ring (9) located substantially between the slot (7) and the spring (8), substantially surrounding the shaft (4), wherein the ring (9) is pushed towards the slot (7) by the spring (8), protrudes from the shaft (4) and has a protruding structure so that the user can grasp it. By grasping the ring (9), the user can provide the movement between the first position (I) and the second position (II). The spring (8) pushes the ring (9) to provide the movement of the ring (9) from the first position (I) to the second position (II). Thus, the position of the shaft (4) is effectively locked.

In an embodiment of the invention, an armrest mechanism (1) comprises the ring (9), an inner part of which has a gear structure; the shaft (4), an outer part of which has a gear structure; wherein if the ring (9) is brought to the first position (I) by the user, it is linearly separated from the gear path on which the shaft (4) rests. The shaft (4), the outer part of which has a gear structure, and the ring (9), the inner part of which has a gear structure, separate linearly in the gear path, passing from the second position (II) to the first position (I) to release the shaft (4) (Figure - 5).

In an embodiment of the invention, an armrest mechanism (1) comprises the ring (9) which is linearly inserted into the gear path by the user so as to be brought into the second position (II) from the first position (I), thus grasping the shaft (4) and preventing the movement of the shaft (4) around its own axis. The shaft (4), the outer part of which has a gear structure, and the ring (9), the inner part of which has a gear structure, linearly intersect in the gear path, such that the ring (9), which has been brought to the second position (II), locks the movement of the shaft (4). Therefore, position of the shaft (4) is fixed and an effective locking is provided for the armrest (3).

In an embodiment of the invention, an armrest mechanism (1) comprises a rod (12) that extends outward from the body (2); the shaft (4) located under the rod (12); the cylinder (5), the ring (9) and the spring (8), which surround the shaft (4); a lever (L) with one end connected to the cylinder (5) under the rod (12) and the other end connected to the cylinder (5) under the armrest (3), which extends almost perpendicular to the axis on which the rod (12) extends, and provides support to the armrest (3) parallel to the floor (Z); a plurality of step holes (D) located on the rod (12) in the axis on which the rod (12) extends; a locking latch (M) which is attached to the step hole (D) in a removable way, connected to the lever (L) and moving with the lever (L), thus ensuring movement of the armrest (3) perpendicular to the floor (Z). A rod (12) is provided on the shaft (4) in the body (2) to ensure the movement of the armrest (3) perpendicular to the ground (Z). With the lever (L) placed perpendicular to the rod (12), the armrest (3) can move in a direction the perpendicular to the rod (12). Length of the armrest (3) perpendicular to the floor (Z) can be adjusted by means of the step holes (D) provided on the rod (12). Position of the armrest (3) can be fixed by inserting the locking latch (M) into the step holes (D). Thus, movement of the armrest (3) perpendicular to the floor (Z) can be easily achieved (Figure - 3).

In an embodiment of the invention, an armrest mechanism (1) comprises an extension mechanism (13) which enables the armrest (3) to perform linear movement in the direction that the lever (L) extends, in accordance with the position predetermined by the user, by means of the locking latch (M) removably attached to the step holes (D) located linearly on the axis that the lever (L) extends, wherein the extension mechanism (13) can be fixed by the locking latch (M) so as not to move. In the direction along which the lever (L) extends, the locking latch (M) is inserted into the step holes (D) in accordance with the length predetermined by the user, so that position of the armrest (3) can be adjusted on the axis along which the lever (L) extends. Thus, length of the armrest (3) along the lever (L) can be adjusted easily (Figure - 4). In an embodiment of the invention, an armrest mechanism (1) comprises at least one fastener (14) which enables the lever (L) to be fixed to the cylinder (5) and to engage the cylinder (5) as a tight fit. Thanks to the fastener (14), the lever (L) and the cylinder (5) can be held together securely.

In an embodiment of the invention, an armrest mechanism (1) comprises the body (2) which is a cockpit of an aircraft and/or helicopter.

Claims

CLAIMS An armrest mechanism (1) comprising a body (2) provided in air vehicles; an armrest (3) located in the body (2), on which the pilot rests his arm; a shaft (4) located to rotate around its own axis in the body

(2), on which the armrest (3) is positioned; characterized by a cylinder (5) to which the shaft (4) is removably attached, in a form-fitting manner, in the direction it extends; a spherical element (6) located between the armrest (3) and the shaft (4), which enables the armrest

(3) to rotate in all directions within a range of movement predetermined by the manufacturer; a slot (7) on which the spherical element (6) is placed by the manufacturer such that the spherical element (6) rotates; at least one spring (8) located under the slot (7) and surrounding the shaft (4) and cylinder (5); a ring (9) located on the shaft (4) and cylinder (5), which enables the spring (8) to be triggered, wherein the ring (9) has a first position (I) in which the user compresses the spring (8) such that the ring (9) is pushed downwards to grasp the cylinder (5), and a second position (II) in which the user releases the ring (9) such that the ring (9) is triggered by the spring (8) to move along the direction it extends so as to be brought into the second position (II) from the first position (I), wherein the ring (9) allows the shaft (4) to rotate around its axis when in the first position (I), and allows the shaft (4) to be prevented from rotating around its own axis by compressing the shaft (4) when in the second position (II). An armrest mechanism (1) according to claim 1 , characterized by the shaft (4) which is placed the cylinder (5) so as to rotate around the axis it extends, wherein in the second position (II), the part of the shaft (4) grasped by the ring (9) is outside the cylinder (5) such that the ring (9) can easily be grasped. An armrest mechanism (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by at least one bushing (10) form-fitting with the cylinder (5), which is located between the cylinder (5) and the shaft (4), and prevents the wear between the cylinder (5) and the shaft (4) when the shaft (4) rotates around the axis it extends. An armrest mechanism (1) according to any of the above claims, characterized by at least one stop (11) located on the body (2), with one end in contact with the cylinder (5) and the other end in contact with the shaft (4), wherein the stop (11) prevents the shaft

(4) from disengaging from the cylinder (5) during its linear movement on the axis it extends in the cylinder (5).

5. An armrest mechanism (1) according to any of the above claims, characterized by the ring (9) located under the slot (7) to have a protruding structure that can limit the movement of the shaft (4) by striking the ring (9), wherein the ring (9) is moved linearly from the first position (I) with the pushing of the spring (8), so as to be brought into the second position (II).

6. An armrest mechanism (1) according to any of the above claims, characterized by the ring (9) located substantially between the slot (7) and the spring (8), substantially surrounding the shaft (4), wherein the ring (9) is pushed towards the slot (7) by the spring (8), protrudes from the shaft (4) and has a protruding structure so that the user can grasp it.

7. An armrest mechanism (1) according to any of the above claims, characterized by the ring (9), an inner part of which has a gear structure; the shaft (4), an outer part of which has a gear structure; wherein if the ring (9) is brought to the first position (I) by the user, it is linearly separated from the gear path on which the shaft (4) rests.

8. An armrest mechanism (1) according to any of the above claims, characterized by the ring (9) which is linearly inserted into the gear path by the user so as to be brought into the second position (II) from the first position (I), thus grasping the shaft (4) and preventing the movement of the shaft (4) around its own axis.

9. An armrest mechanism (1) according to any of the above claims, characterized by a rod (12) that extends outward from the body (2); the shaft (4) located under the rod (12); the cylinder (5), the ring (9) and the spring (8), which surround the shaft (4); a lever (L) with one end connected to the cylinder (5) under the rod (12) and the other end connected to the cylinder (5) under the armrest (3), which extends almost perpendicular to the axis on which the rod (12) extends, and provides support to the armrest (3) parallel to the floor (Z); a plurality of step holes (D) located on the rod (12) in the axis on which the rod (12) extends; a locking latch (M) which is attached to the step hole (D) in a removable way, connected to the lever (L) and moving with the lever (L), thus ensuring movement of the armrest (3) perpendicular to the floor (Z).

10. An armrest mechanism (1) according to claim 9, characterized by an extension mechanism (13) which enables the armrest (3) to perform linear movement in the direction that the lever (L) extends, in accordance with the position predetermined by the user, by means of the locking latch (M) removably attached to the step holes (D) located linearly on the axis that the lever (L) extends, wherein the extension mechanism (13) can be fixed by the locking latch (M) so as not to move.

11. An armrest mechanism (1) according to claim 9 or claim 10, characterized by at least one fastener (14) which enables the lever (L) to be fixed to the cylinder (5) and to engage the cylinder (5) as a tight fit.

12. An armrest mechanism (1) according to any of the above claims, characterized by the body (2) which is a cockpit of an aircraft and/or helicopter.