JP2003088446A - Armrest - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an armrest which does not jump out from a storage position even in the case of a collision, i.e., a case when an impact load being equal to or more than a prescribed amount is given to a vehicle. SOLUTION: A main body frame 20 is supported by a spindle 50 so as to be rotatable and rotated backward with the spindle 50 as a center when the frame 20 is not used, and then, the armrest 10 is stored in an erected posture at a prescribed position in a seat back constituting a vehicle seat. The armrest includes a rotary damper 30 which has a damper function for delaying a forward rotary operation and a lock function for suppressing the rotary operation when the impact load being equal to or more than the prescribed amount is added. Thus, the armrest is rotated at a low speed, stopped at a terminal point without causing an impact and set in a usage state. Even when the impact load which is larger than the prescribed amount is added to the vehicle, the armrest does not jump out from the storage position.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an armrest mounted on a seat of a vehicle such as an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a main body frame is rotatably supported by a support shaft, and when it is not in use, it is rotated rearward about the support shaft to make a seat back of a vehicle such as an automobile. There is known an armrest that can be stored in a standing position in a predetermined position such as a storage recess formed in a side portion or a front surface of a seatback.

[0003]

However, in the conventional armrest, when the vehicle suddenly stops or collides,
When a large impact load of a predetermined amount or more is applied to the vehicle, the vehicle may jump out from the storage position to the front, possibly injuring an occupant. This phenomenon may occur more often when the armrest itself has a large weight, or when an armrest capable of accommodating an article therein accommodates a heavy article. In addition, particularly in the case of a heavy armrest, when the armrest in the stored state is rotated forward to make the armrest ready to be used as an armrest, the armrest vigorously rotates, and at the end of the armrest, a large movement is generated. There is a problem of generating shock.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and it rotates forward at a slow speed to generate almost no impact at the end point thereof, and when a vehicle collides with a vehicle at a predetermined time, such as during a collision. An object of the present invention is to provide an armrest that does not jump out from the storage position even when the above large impact load is applied.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention according to claim 1 is such that a main body frame is rotatably supported by a support shaft, and when not in use, the main frame is centered around the support shaft. A casing that has a liquid chamber filled with a viscous liquid and is fixed to the main body frame in an armrest that can be stored in a standing position in a predetermined position of a seat back that constitutes a vehicle seat by rotating backward. A bearing portion disposed in the casing, to which the support shaft is connected, a vane projecting from the bearing portion, disposed in the liquid chamber, and a viscous liquid formed in the vane pass through. There is provided an armrest comprising a rotary damper having a possible liquid channel and a lock valve that closes the liquid channel when a predetermined pressure or more is applied.
The present invention according to claim 2 provides the armrest according to claim 1, wherein the lock valve is formed of a leaf spring that is deformed when a pressure of a predetermined value or more is applied. The present invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the lock valve has a predetermined mass and is supported by a spring member that is deformed when a load of a predetermined amount or more is applied thereto. I will provide a. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the vane is provided with a unidirectional valve mechanism capable of exerting a braking force only when the vane rotates in one direction relative to the casing. The armrest according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is provided.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a right side view showing a main part of an armrest according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. As shown in these drawings, in the armrest 10 according to the present embodiment, the main body frame 20 rotates around a spindle 50 supported by a bracket 40 attached to a seat back (not shown) that constitutes a rear seat of an automobile. It is movably supported.

The armrest 10 includes a body frame 2
0 and a cushion member (not shown) supported by it
And a skin member (not shown) that covers the surface thereof, and has a conventionally known structure that can be used as at least an armrest of an occupant, and further includes a rotary damper 30 described later.

The main body frame 20 is provided with a guide bar 60 which is arranged in a guide groove 41 of which both ends are formed in the bracket 40 and which has a substantially circular arc shape. The guide bar 60 rotates the main body frame 20. Accordingly, the range in which the armrest 10 can move in the guide groove 41 is set as the rotation angle range of the armrest 10 in the front-rear direction.

The rotary damper 30 includes a body frame 2
The engagement pin 70, which is provided inside the 0, and which is provided on the main body frame 20, is engaged with the substantially U-shaped engagement groove 31b formed on the protruding portion 31a, which is provided on the outer periphery of the casing 31. By doing so, the casing 31 is fixed to the main body frame 20 so as to be able to rotate about the support shaft 50 as the main body frame 20 rotates in the front-rear direction, and the portion of the bearing portion 32 protruding from the casing 31 is removed. Connecting pin 80
Is connected to the support shaft 50 using.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the rotary damper 30. As shown in this figure, the rotary damper 30 includes a casing 31, a bearing 32, vanes 33a and 33b, a liquid flow path 34 and It has a lock valve 35.

The casing 31 has two partition wall portions 31a, which project from the inner peripheral surface 31c toward the axial direction and partition a space formed between a bearing portion 32 and a casing 31 which will be described later. 31b are provided so as to face each other with the bearing portion 32 interposed therebetween. The two chambers thus formed by partition walls 31a and 31b and formed in the casing 31 are liquid chambers, and each liquid chamber (hereinafter referred to as first and second liquid chambers 31c and 31d). A viscous liquid 36 such as silicone oil is filled inside the casing 31 including the.

The bearing portion 32 is formed in a substantially tubular shape having a shaft insertion hole 32a penetrating along the axis, and one end portion is arranged so as to project from the casing 31, and the other end portion is arranged. It is supported by a hole formed in the bottom wall of the casing 31, and is disposed inside the casing 31 along the axis of the casing 31. The support shaft 50 is inserted into the shaft insertion hole 32a of the bearing portion 32, and is connected to the support shaft 50 via the connecting pin 80 as described above.

The vanes 33a and 33b are protruded from the bearing portion 32 so as to face each other with the bearing portion 32 sandwiched therebetween, and are provided in the first and second liquid chambers 31c and 31d, respectively. Of the vanes 33a and 33b respectively arranged in the first and second liquid chambers 31c and 31d, the vane 33a (hereinafter referred to as the first vane) 33a provided in the first liquid chamber 31c is thick. A liquid channel 34 is formed so as to penetrate in the depth direction, and a lock valve 35 is provided in a space 33c formed in the middle of the liquid channel 34.

The liquid passage 34 is set to have a small diameter so that the diameter of the hole that opens on one surface side of the first vane 33a can be closed by the lock valve 35, and the liquid flow path 34 is formed on the other surface side of the first vane 33a. The diameter of the opening hole is set to be large so as not to be closed by the lock valve 35. The lock valve 35 has a predetermined mass, and is formed in a shape capable of closing a hole opening to one surface side of the first vane 33a of the liquid flow path 34 by swinging in the space 33c, It is supported by the spring member 35a. Spring member 35a
Is composed of a leaf spring that is deformed when a load greater than a predetermined value is applied, and one end thereof is supported by the bearing portion 32.

On the other hand, a vane (hereinafter referred to as a second vane) 33b provided in the second liquid chamber 31d is provided with an orifice 37 formed of a small hole penetrating in the thickness direction. A unidirectional valve mechanism 38 is provided.

The one-way valve mechanism 38 includes a second vane 3
The third vane has a large-diameter portion (large-diameter hole) 38b and a small-diameter portion (small-diameter hole) 38c having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the large-diameter portion 38b within the thickness range of 3. A valve body 38a, which is formed in a large diameter portion 38b and includes a return passage that penetrates 33 in the thickness direction, a steel ball having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 38c of the return passage, and the valve body Large diameter part 38 of 38a
The valve body 38a is configured to have a stopper 38d that prevents the valve body 38a from falling out, and the valve body 38a receives the flow pressure of the viscous liquid 36 to close the boundary portion between the large diameter portion 38b and the small diameter portion 38c. Or, it operates to open.

It should be noted that a substantially arcuate choke groove (width) is formed on the inner surface of the bottom wall of the casing 31 such that its width gradually decreases in the braking force exerting direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3). By providing (not shown), the armrest 10 is swiftly rotated within a predetermined angle range from the start point of the forward rotation operation of the armrest 10 to the point before the end point, and the armrest 10 is swiftly rotated from that point. In the angular range up to the end point, the armrest 10 can be slowly rotated with a large braking force exerted.

When the armrest 10 according to the present embodiment is used, the armrest 10 stored in an upright position in a storage recess (not shown) formed in the front surface of a seat back forming a rear seat of an automobile is pulled out to the front. And rotate it forward. At this time, the armrest 10
Even if the hand is released from the arm rest 10, the damper function of the rotary damper 30 causes the armrest 10 to rotate at a slow speed, and at the end point thereof, the armrest 10 stops with almost no impact and is in the use posture.

That is, in the rotary damper 30, when the armrest 10 rotates forward, the casing 31 fixed to the main body frame 20 of the armrest 10 moves in one direction around the support shaft 50 (counterclockwise in FIG. 3). Rotate). The first and second vanes 33 a and 33 b are the bearing portion 3 connected to the support shaft 50.
Since the casing 31 rotates in one direction, the valve body 38a provided on the second vane 33b serves as a return passage due to the pressure of the viscous liquid 36 pressed against the partition wall 31a. The boundary between the large diameter portion 38b and the small diameter portion 38c is closed. As a result, the viscous liquid 36 in the second liquid chamber 31d moves only through the orifice 37 provided in the second vane 33b, and the rotation speed of the casing 31 is reduced by the resistance generated at that time. Therefore, the armrest 10 rotates forward at a slow speed and quietly stops at its end point.

At this time, in the first liquid chamber 31c, since the pressure of the viscous liquid 36 pressed against the partition wall 31b does not reach a predetermined value or more, the lock valve 35 provided in the first vane 33a is Does not work, and therefore the first liquid chamber 31
The viscous liquid 36 in c moves through the liquid flow path 34 provided in the first vane 33a.

When the armrest 10 is not used,
The armrest 10 in the use posture is rotated backward about the support shaft 50. At this time, the rotary damper 30
Because the casing 31 rotates in the opposite direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 3) about the support shaft 50,
By the pressure of the viscous liquid 36 pressed against the partition wall 31b,
The valve body 38a moves so as to contact the stopper 38d,
As a result, the boundary between the large diameter portion 38b and the small diameter portion 38c of the return path is opened. Therefore, the viscous liquid 36 in the second liquid chamber 31d moves in a large amount through the orifice 37 and the return passage (the large diameter portion 38b and the small diameter portion 38c), and the damper function of the rotary damper 30 does not work. Therefore, the armrest 10 can be rotated by a force corresponding to its own weight. Then, the armrest 10 is stored in a storage recess formed on the front surface of the seat back. In addition, even when the lock valve 35 swings by swiftly rotating the armrest 10 rearward during storage, the liquid flow passage 34 formed in the first vane 33a does not have the liquid flow passage 34 formed in the first vane 33a. Since the diameter of the hole that opens to the other surface side is set to be large so as not to be closed by the lock valve 35, the liquid flow path 34 is not closed, and the viscous liquid 36 in the first liquid chamber 31c is
It moves through the liquid flow path 34. Therefore, the armrest 10 is stored in a predetermined position without being locked during the rotation.

On the other hand, in the state where the armrest 10 is housed, if a shock load larger than a predetermined amount is applied to the vehicle due to a collision or the like, the armrest 10 has a force to jump forward. According to this, the lock function of the rotary damper 30 can prevent the armrest 10 from protruding from the storage position.

That is, at this time, the rotary damper 30
The casing 31 tries to rotate rapidly as the body frame 20 of the armrest 10 rapidly rotates forward.
The pressure of the viscous liquid 36 in the liquid chamber 31c becomes a predetermined value or more. When the lock valve 35 receives this pressure, the spring member 35a is deformed, the lock valve 35 swings, and the liquid flow path 34 is closed. As a result, the viscous liquid 36 in the first liquid chamber 31c cannot move, so that the viscous liquid 36 is locked. As a result, it is possible to prevent the armrest 10 from rotating forward about the support shaft 50, and prevent the armrest 10 from jumping out from the storage position.

Since the lock valve 35 has a predetermined mass, when the vehicle is subjected to an impact load of a predetermined amount or more,
By applying a predetermined pressure (pressure of the viscous liquid 36) to the weight, the reaction force of the spring member 35a can be overcome and the liquid flow path 34 can be reliably closed. That is, since the spring member 35a having a large reaction force can be used so as not to close the liquid flow path 34 during normal use, malfunction can be prevented. Further, since the lock valve 35 is supported by the spring member 35a, when the impact load on the vehicle is relaxed, the lock valve 35 returns to the original position by the elasticity of the spring member 35a. Therefore, the locked state is released without any special operation.

As described above, according to the armrest 10 of this embodiment, a damper function for delaying the forward rotational movement and a lock function for suppressing the rotational movement when an impact load of a predetermined amount or more is applied. Since the rotary damper 30 having both is provided, it rotates forward at a slow speed, and almost no impact is generated at the end point. Further, even when a large impact load of a predetermined amount or more is applied to the vehicle at the time of a collision, the vehicle does not jump out from the storage position. Further, by adopting such a rotary damper 30, it is possible to have a simple structure and manufacture at low cost.

In the above description, the armrest 10 mounted on the rear seat of the automobile has been described. However, the present invention is, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
It can also be applied to armrests mounted on automobile driver's seats. As shown in FIG. 4, the armrest 10 is rotatably attached to a side portion of a seat back 110 that constitutes the driver's seat 100. In the armrest 10 as well, as shown in FIG. 5, the rotary damper 30 configured as in the above-described embodiment fixes the casing 31 to the inside of the body frame 20 of the armrest 10, and the bearing portion 32 as the support shaft 5.
It is connected to 0 and arranged.

The armrest 10 also has a damper function of delaying the forward rotation operation and a lock function of suppressing the rotation operation when an impact load of a predetermined amount or more is applied. Is provided, it rotates forward at a slow speed, and almost no impact is generated at its end point. Further, even when a large impact load of a predetermined amount or more is applied to the vehicle at the time of a collision, the vehicle does not jump out from the storage position.

Further, the rotary damper 30 is not limited to the one having the above-mentioned structure, and for example, as shown in FIG. 6, it is composed of a leaf spring which is deformed when the lock valve 35 receives a predetermined pressure or more. It may have been done. The lock valve 35 includes the first and second vanes 33a,
It is arranged along the side surface (liquid pressing surface) of 33b, one end side is supported by the first and second vanes 33a and 33b, respectively, and the other end side which is a free end is the first and second vane 33a in the normal state. , 33b are arranged so as to be separated from the side surfaces thereof.

In the rotary damper 30 having such a structure, when the armrest 10 is rotated forward, the casing 31 is moved in one direction around the support shaft 50 (FIG. 6).
, In the counterclockwise direction). This allows
The viscous liquid 36 pressed against each of the partition walls 31a and 31b is
It moves only through the liquid flow path 34 functioning as an orifice provided in each of the first and second vanes 33a and 33b, and the resistance generated at that time reduces the rotational speed of the casing 31. Therefore, the armrest 10 rotates forward at a slow speed,
At the end point, it stops and produces a use posture with almost no impact.

When an impact load of a predetermined amount or more is applied to the vehicle, the casing 3 is moved along with the body frame 20 of the armrest 10 rapidly rotating forward.
Since 1 tends to rotate rapidly, the pressure of the viscous liquid 36 in the first and second liquid chambers 31c and 31d becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value due to the rotational force. Then, by receiving this pressure, the lock valve 35 composed of a leaf spring is deformed,
The liquid flow path 34 is closed. As a result, the viscous liquid 36 cannot move, so that the viscous liquid 36 is locked. This allows
It is possible to prevent the armrest 10 from rotating forward, and to prevent the armrest 10 from jumping out of the storage position.

Further, any of the rotary dampers 30 described above is configured to include the bearing portion 32 having the shaft insertion hole 32a through which the support shaft 50 is inserted. The bearing portion 32 is used as the shaft insertion hole. It is also possible to employ a shaft portion in which 32a is not formed, and the shaft portion is connected to the support shaft 50, or the shaft portion has the support shaft 50.
It is also possible to adopt a structure that also functions as.

[0032]

As described above, according to the armrest of the present invention, the main body frame is rotatably supported by the support shaft, and when not in use, the main frame is rotated rearward about the support shaft. An armrest that can be stored in a standing position in a predetermined position of a seat back that constitutes a vehicle seat, has a liquid chamber filled with a viscous liquid, and has a casing fixed to the body frame, and disposed in the casing. A bearing portion to which the support shaft is connected, a vane projecting from the bearing portion and disposed in the liquid chamber, and a liquid flow passage through which the viscous liquid formed in the vane can pass.
Since a rotary damper having a lock valve that closes the liquid flow path when receiving a predetermined pressure or more is provided, it is rotated forward at a slow speed, and almost no impact occurs at its end point. It does not occur.
Further, even when a large impact load of a predetermined amount or more is applied to the vehicle at the time of a collision, the vehicle does not jump out from the storage position.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a right side view showing a main part of an armrest according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of the rotary damper adopted in the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which an armrest according to another embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a driver's seat of an automobile.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing an internal structure of an armrest according to another embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the bottom surface side.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the rotary damper.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Armrest 20 body frame 30 rotary damper 31 casing 32 Bearing 33a, 33b vanes 34 Liquid flow path 35 Lock valve 36 Viscous liquid 37 Orifice 38 One-way valve mechanism 40 bracket 50 spindles 60 guide bar

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Masanori Itagaki             1-34-6 Honsho, Sumida-ku, Tokyo So Corporation             Within Mick Engineering F-term (reference) 3B087 DC02 DE10                 3J070 AA02 BA41 BA47 BA90 CB11                       CD21 CE04 DA01

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A main body frame is rotatably supported by a support shaft, and when not in use, it is erected at a predetermined position of a seat back constituting a vehicle seat by rotating backward about the support shaft. In an armrest that can be stored in a posture, a casing that has a liquid chamber filled with a viscous liquid, is fixed to the main body frame, a bearing portion that is disposed in the casing, and that is connected to the support shaft, A vane protruding from the bearing portion and disposed in the liquid chamber, a liquid flow passage through which the viscous liquid formed in the vane can pass, and the liquid flow passage closed when a predetermined pressure or more is applied. An armrest comprising a rotary damper having a lock valve for 2. The armrest according to claim 1, wherein the lock valve is formed of a leaf spring that deforms when a pressure higher than a predetermined value is applied. 3. The armrest according to claim 1, wherein the lock valve has a predetermined mass and is supported by a spring member which is deformed when a load of a predetermined amount or more is applied. 4. The unidirectional valve mechanism, which is capable of exerting a braking force only when the vane rotates in one direction relative to the casing, is provided in the vane. The armrest according to any one of claims 1 to 3.