JPS624031Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a center console disposed between the left and right front seats of an automobile, and particularly to a center console equipped with a console box having a lid that also serves as an armrest.

Generally, in the front seats of automobiles such as passenger cars, a door armrest that also serves as a pull handle is attached to the side of the vehicle interior of the door, while a door armrest that also serves as a pull handle is attached to the front seat of the vehicle, and a It is widely practiced that the lid of the console box of the center console provided doubles as an armrest to reduce the fatigue of the occupants when driving.

Incidentally, in order to further reduce occupant fatigue, these armrests are desired to have a height adjustment function that allows the height position to be adjusted according to the occupant's physique, seating posture, etc.

Conventionally, in order to meet such demands,
Regarding the door armrest, for example,
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 89620, various structures have been proposed, such as a structure in which a door armrest can be attached to a predetermined height position relative to a door body, thereby making the height adjustable. Also, regarding the armrest on the center console side, for example,
As shown in Japanese Patent No. 52-8836, a structure has been proposed in which the height of the lid of a console box can be adjusted to a predetermined height position with respect to the main body of the console box. However, with this structure, when the lid is raised, only the hinge part is supported on a cantilever, which causes problems such as the lid becoming unstable when a passenger places their arms on it, and breaking when a large load is applied. . Furthermore, since a gap is created between the lid and the console box body, there is a problem in that the appearance is poor.

In view of this, the present invention provides a center console for an automobile in which the height of the console box constituting the armrest on the center console side is adjustable, thereby further reducing the fatigue of the occupants during driving. It is intended to be

That is, the present invention provides a center console for an automobile equipped with a console box having a lid that also serves as an armrest, and includes a guide mechanism that holds the console box so as to be able to move up and down in the vertical direction, and a guide mechanism that locks and fixes the console box at a desired height position. The console box is characterized in that it is provided with an operation mechanism that allows the height of the console box to be adjusted.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, in which reference numeral 1 denotes a cabin floor constituting a tunnel for a propeller shaft located between a driver's seat and a passenger's seat of an automobile, and a console is placed on the floor 1. The main body 2 is fixed, and a console box opening 3 is formed on the upper rear surface of the console main body 2 (a portion corresponding to the arms of the occupants seated in the driver's seat and the passenger seat), and a console box opening 3 is formed on the periphery of the opening 3. A guide portion 4 that hangs downward is formed.

The console box opening 3 has a console box 5 having an opening 5a approximately the same size as the console box opening 3 on the upper end surface.
However, the flange portion 5 formed around the opening 5a
b is locked to the periphery of the console box opening 3 and fitted in such a way that it cannot be retracted, and the opening 5a of the console box 5 is covered with a lid 6 which doubles as an armrest and opens forward with a rear hinge. In addition, a rib 7 is protruded from the front and rear surfaces of the outer periphery of the console box 5 to make sliding contact with the guide portion 4 of the console main body 2, and the sliding contact between the rib 7 and the guide portion 4 allows the console box 5 to be raised and lowered in the vertical direction. A guide mechanism _A1 is configured to be held freely.

Further, an operating knob 8 is rotatably supported at the lower part of the rear wall of the console main body 2, and a male threaded member 9 extending forward inside the console main body 2 is coupled to the operating knob 8. A female thread member 10 is screwed into the male thread member 9, and one end of a link 11 is connected to the female thread member 10 by a pin.
The other end of the console box 5 is pin-coupled to a bracket 12 protruding from the bottom of the console box 5.
Therefore, by rotating the operating knob 8 and screwing the female screw member 10 back and forth, the console box 5 is raised and lowered via the link 11, and the console box 5 is locked and fixed at a desired height position. An operating mechanism _B1 is configured. Above guide mechanism A ₁ and operating mechanism B ₁
This allows the lid 6 (armrest) of the console box 5 to be height-adjustable. Furthermore, 1
A guide member 3 is fixed to the upper surface of the floor 1 below the male threaded member 9, and guides the lower end of the arm portion 10a hanging down from the female threaded member 10 so as to be slidable in the front and rear direction. This is to ensure smooth threading. Further, 14 is a flange portion 5 of the console box 5.
A bellows 15 is disposed between the console body 2 and the console body 2 to hide the outer peripheral surface of the console box 5 when the console box 5 is raised. This is a stopper that restricts the rising end position of the box 5.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, when increasing the height of the armrest constituted by the lid 6 of the console box 5, the operating mechanism B ₁
When the operating knob 8 is rotated, the male threaded member 9 rotates with the rotation of the operating knob 8, and the female threaded member 10, which is threaded with the male threaded member 9, is guided by the guide member 13 and rotates forward (to the left in the figure). When the female screw member 10 moves forward, the link 11
The link rotates in the upright direction (clockwise in the figure) to push up the console box 5, which causes the console box 5 to rise while being guided by the guide mechanism _A1 to the height of its lid 6 (armrest). The position changes upward.

At that time, the console box 5 has a guide mechanism.
Since it is held in a nearly horizontal state by A ₁ ,
There is no rotational play, and the ascent can be performed smoothly.

Then, when the rotation of the operating knob 8 is stopped when the console box 5 reaches a desired height position, the console box 5 locks the locking mechanism of the operating mechanism B ₁ (that is, the screw between the male threaded member 9 and the female threaded member 10). The armrest is locked at the desired height position by the coupling action), thereby completing the adjustment of the height position of the armrest.

At this time, since the console box 5 is locked and fixed by the operating mechanism _B1 , the armrest will not descend from the desired height position even if the load of the occupant's arm is applied to the armrest.

On the other hand, when lowering the armrest, the operating knob 8 is rotated in the opposite direction to that when the armrest is raised, causing the female threaded member 10 to retreat and the link 11 to lie down (counterclockwise in the figure). By lowering the console box 5 through the rotation, the lowering adjustment of the armrest is performed in the same manner as when the console box 5 is raised.

In the above embodiment, the coupling part on the female threaded member 10 side of the link 11 is arranged on the rear side of the coupling part on the console box 5 side, so that the console box 5 is raised by advancing the female threaded member 10 and lowered by retreating. However, on the contrary, the connecting part on the female threaded member side of the link is placed in front of the connecting part on the console box side, and the console box is changed so that when the female threaded member retreats, the console box rises, and when it moves forward, it lowers. Good too. Furthermore, the operating knob 8 of the operating mechanism B ₁ can be relocated not only on the rear surface of the console main body 2 but also on the left and right sides or the front surface.

In addition, Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention (the same parts as in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals and detailed explanation thereof is omitted), and the height can be adjusted by directly holding the armrest with your hand. It was designed to do so.

That is, in FIG. 2, reference numeral 16 is a fixed guide member fixed to the inner surface of the console main body 2 behind the console box 5, and the front edge of the fixed guide member 16 has a rear rib 7' of the console box 5. Vertical tooth profile 7'a formed on the rear edge
A toothed portion 16a is formed to engage with the console box 5, thereby forming a guide mechanism _A2 that holds the console box 5 so as to be vertically movable.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a rod supported by the console main body 2 in front of the console box 5 via a bracket 18 so as to be slidable in the front and back direction, and the front end of the rod 17 protrudes outward from the console main body 2.
An operating knob 19 is attached to the protruding portion. A movable guide member 20 is attached to the rear end of the rod 17, and the rear edge of the movable guide member 20 has a vertical toothed portion 7'a formed on the front edge of the front rib 7' of the console box 5. Teeth portions 20a that mesh with each other are formed. Further, between the movable guide member 20 and the bracket 18, the movable guide member 20 is placed rearward (fixed guide member 1
A spring 21 is interposed to bias the console box 5 at a desired height position, thereby forming an operating mechanism _B2 that locks and fixes the console box 5 at a desired height position.
In addition, 22 is the console box 5 and the passenger compartment floor 1.
This is a spring for pushing up the console box that is compressed between the

Therefore, in the second embodiment, when adjusting the height of the lid 6 of the console box 5 constituting the armrest, first the operation knob 19 is adjusted.
When the movable guide member 20 integrated with the operation knob 19 moves forward, the movable guide member 2 is pulled forward against the urging force of the spring 21.
The toothed portion 20a of the fixed guide member 16 and the toothed portion 7'a of the front rib 7' of the console box 5 are disengaged from each other, and the toothed portion 16a of the fixed guide member 16 and the rear rib 7' of the console box 5 are disengaged from each other. Tooth section 7'a
The engagement with the console box 5 can be released, and the console box 5 becomes free. Then, when the now free console box 5 is positioned at a desired height position and the pulling operation of the operating knob 19 is stopped, the movable guide member 20 moves the spring 2
The console box 5 is moved backward by the biasing force of 1, and the above-mentioned meshing parts engage again.
is locked at the desired height position, and the armrest can be adjusted to the desired height. In this case, there is an advantage that the height of the armrest can be easily adjusted with a one-touch operation.

Furthermore, FIGS. 3 and 4 show a third embodiment of the present invention (the same parts as in FIGS. 1 and 2 are given the same reference numerals and detailed explanation thereof is omitted), and an armrest. It is designed to be raised and lowered electrically.

That is, in FIG. 3, 23 is a forward/reverse motor fixed to the upper surface of the floor 1 below the console box 5, and the motor 23 is equipped with a speed reduction device 24 equipped with a worm and a worm wheel (both not shown). A rod 25 is connected to the deceleration device 24 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, for example, by a rack and pinion connection, and the upper end 25a of the rod 25 is fixed to the bracket 12 on the bottom surface of the console box 5. This constitutes an operating mechanism _B3 for locking and fixing the console box 5 at a desired height position. Furthermore, 26 is an upper limit switch which is disposed at the upper end 25a of the rod 25 at the lower end position of the console box 5 and opens upon detecting the lower end position of the console box 5; The console box 5 is disposed at the lower end 25b of the rod 25 in the
This is a lower limit switch that opens by detecting the rising end position of the lower limit switch.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the motor 23
The forward rotation side terminal (upward rotation side terminal) of the motor 23 is connected to the battery 29 via the lower limit switch 27 and an upward operation switch 28 attached to the console body 2, etc., and the reverse rotation side terminal (downward rotation side terminal) of the motor 23 is The rotation side terminal) is connected to the battery 29 via the upper limit switch 26 and a lowering operation switch 30 attached to the console body 2 or the like. In addition, in FIG. 4, 31 is the motor 23.
This is a thermo switch that prevents burnout during overload.

Therefore, in the third embodiment, when the height position of the armrest is desired to be raised, when the raising operation switch 28 is closed, the motor 23 is energized and rotates forward, and the motor 23 is connected to the deceleration device 24.
The armrest can be adjusted upward by raising the rod 25 connected through the armrest and raising the console box 5 which is integrated with the rod 25. On the other hand, if you want to lower the height of the armrest, close the lowering operation switch 30, and the motor 23 rotates in the opposite direction, lowering the rod 25 and lowering the console box 5, thereby adjusting the armrest downward. I can do it.

Furthermore, since the rod 25 and the reduction gear 24 are connected by rack and pinion, the rod 25 will not be inadvertently lowered due to the load applied to the armrest when not in operation, and the console box 5 can be reliably positioned at the desired height. can be kept locked.

Furthermore, FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention (the same parts as in FIGS. 1 to 4 are given the same reference numerals and detailed explanations thereof are omitted), which uses a lever drive system. It is.

That is, in FIG. 5, reference numeral 32 is a substantially dogleg-shaped operating lever disposed at the lower front side of the console box 5, and the operating lever 32 is fixed to the vehicle interior floor 1 at its bent portion. It is pivotably supported on a bracket 33 that is swingable in a vertical plane. A pin 34 is provided protruding from the side surface of the rear end of the operating lever 32, and the pin 34 is inserted into a longitudinally elongated hole 3 formed in the bracket 12 on the bottom surface of the console box 5.
5, and a threaded portion 32a is formed at the front end of the operating lever 32. Further, an arc-shaped control panel 36 centered on the pivot point of the operating lever 32 is integrally formed on the console main body 2 in front of the console box 5, and the control panel 36 has a vertical elongated hole 37. is drilled. The threaded portion 32a of the operating lever 32 passes through the elongated hole 37 and projects outward from the control panel 36 (outward from the console body 2), and an operating knob 38 is screwed into the projecting portion. . The above constitutes an operating mechanism _B4 that locks and fixes the console box 5 at a desired height position.

Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, when adjusting the height position of the armrest, first, the operating knob 38 is turned in the loosening direction to loosen the tightening of the knob 38 against the control panel 36. Next, when the operating knob 38 is moved up and down along the elongated hole 37 of the control panel 36, the operating lever 32 swings about the pivot point as the knob 38 moves, and the operating lever 32 The console box 5, which is engaged with the rear end of the console box 5, moves up and down. Then, when the armrest reaches the desired height position, by turning the operating knob 38 in the tightening direction and tightening it against the control panel 36, the console box 5 is locked and fixed at the desired height position. The height position can be adjusted.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the first to fourth embodiments described above, but also includes various other modifications.

As explained above, according to the present invention, the height of the console box, which has a lid that also serves as an armrest, can be adjusted, which has the advantage of significantly reducing the fatigue of the occupants while driving and contributing to safe driving. This has practical effects.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings illustrate embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the second embodiment, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are longitudinal sectional views of the third embodiment. An example is shown in which FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view, FIG. 4 is an electric circuit diagram, and FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the fourth embodiment. 2...Console main body, 4...Guide section, 5...
...console box, 6...lid, 7,7'
...Rib, A ₁ ... Guide mechanism, 8 ... Operation knob, 9 ... Male thread member, 10 ... Female thread member, 1
1...link, _B1 ...operation mechanism, 16...fixed guide member, _A2 ...guide mechanism, 19...operation knob, 20...movable guide member, 21...spring, _B2 ...operation Mechanism, 23...Motor, 2
4... Reduction device, 25... Rod, 28... Ascending operation switch, 30... Descending operating switch,
32... Operating lever, 32a... Threaded portion, 38
...Operation knob, B ₄ ...Operation mechanism.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A center console of an automobile equipped with a console box having a lid that also serves as an armrest is provided with a guide mechanism for holding the console box in a vertically movable manner and an operating mechanism for locking and fixing the console box at a desired height position. , an automobile center console characterized by a height-adjustable console box.