Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
  • G05G5/00—Means for preventing, limiting or returning the movements of parts of a control mechanism, e.g. locking controlling member
  • G05G5/005—Means for preventing, limiting or returning the movements of parts of a control mechanism, e.g. locking controlling member for preventing unintentional use of a control mechanism
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
  • G05G1/00—Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
  • G05G1/58—Rests or guides for relevant parts of the operator's body
  • G05G1/62—Arm rests
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
  • G05G9/00—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously
  • G05G9/02—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only
  • G05G9/04—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously
  • G05G9/047—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks

Definitions

• the invention is in the field of cable control mechanisms of a remote body to maneuver, particularly 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.
• the control mechanisms by cable, rod or the like of a remote member 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 controller whose movements printed by the operator are transmitted to the cable, which in turn maneuver 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 maneuver the remote body.
• 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.
• it has been proposed to articulate the handle omnidirectionally on the housing and connect it to a plurality of operating cables of a respective remote member.
• the cables are maneuvered by the joystick depending on the direction of its handling.
• the mechanism is completed by control means of the electromechanical, electropneumatic and / or electronic type, to multiply the number of orders offered.
• 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.
• 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.
• electromechanical or electronic control mechanisms whose small size is used to facilitate the integration of the control mechanism inside the armrest.
• 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.
• 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).
• US4040499 INT HARVESTER CO
• it has been proposed to articulate the column on the floor and the armrest to allow its retraction and landing at the obstacle it is against easy access to the seat as described by GB2390415 (BAMFORD EXCAVATORS LTD).
• 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.
• the articulation of the handle 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 displacement 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.
• 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 capabilities 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 with easy access to the seat by an operator, this armrest being likely to be of any arrangement, including a thin armrest which is placed in elevation distant from the seating plane seat and / or which is retractable towards the back of the seat.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a cable control mechanism of a remote body to maneuver, which is equipped with securing means of maintaining the handle in the rest position to avoid accidental and / or unwanted maneuvering by an operator. It is more particularly aimed at such a mechanism whose security is optimized, without overly complexifying its structure and without compromising the reliability and robustness of its operation, avoiding inducing additional costs prohibitive and limiting a possible increased congestion of the mechanism.
• the mechanism of the present invention is a cable control mechanism of at least one remote member to maneuver.
• This mechanism comprises an axially extended control handle which is movably mounted on a supporting structure around at least one pivot axis.
• the handle is arranged at its proximal end as a gripping handle by an operator, for its switching maneuvering at least one direction between a rest position and at least one working position.
• the lever is in connection with at least one anchoring member of a control cable, to cause a maneuver of this cable as a result of a tilting of the handle around the corresponding pivot axis.
• the joystick is capable of being operable to tilt indifferently omnidirectionally or in one or more concurrent and / or coplanar one-direction directions, and that at each of the tilting directions of the joystick corresponds to a respective rest position.
• a cable control mechanism is mainly recognizable in that the joystick is operable in tilting in respective one-way and concurrent directions around a plurality of pivot axes.
• the handle is in relation with a plurality of anchoring members of at least one respective cable assigned to a tilting direction of the joystick.
• the handle is more pivotally mounted through the carrier structure in a plurality of concurrent directions of monodirectional tilting about respective pivot axes.
• the organization of the carrier structure into a plurality of guide members respectively assigned to a tilting direction of the joystick optimizes the number of commands obtained and freely articulate the joystick tilting around each of the pivot axes.
• Such freedom offers an easy adaptation of the support structure according to the installation site of the mechanism, and in particular an armrest of a seat.
• the pivot axes are preferably placed in the same plane orthogonal to the axis of extension of the handle, being materialized by fingers, trunnions or similar members for a one-way tilting of the handle around a pivot finger corresponding, without increasing the size of the mechanism.
• pivot pins are capable of being articulated in a coplanar manner on a common frame of the mechanism, through corresponding guide members assigned to them respectively.
• One of the fingers may take a sliding bearing against the guide member assigned to the other finger, along a slide or the like.
• such a sliding support is taken by the finger against a heel of an anchor of the corresponding cable.
• the guide members are capable of being successively articulated in two-by-two stages.
• the guide members are each articulated on a fixed frame of the supporting structure, the individual link mobility of the handle with each of the guide members being a monodirectional connection in a respective direction of tilting.
• a link in one-way mobility is a link which allows a mobility of the lever on a guide member in a different direction of tilting than that for which the joystick is linked in mobility with this guide member.
• Such a preferred organization makes it possible to compact the support structure and to make reliable the mobility of the lever according to each of its tilt directions, while allowing easy adaptation of the mechanism according to the site intended for its installation.
• the articulation of the joystick around a plurality of monodirectional pivot axes does not hinder its omnidirectional general mobility.
• the lever is preferably connected to each of the guide members via connection means in one-way mobility in a respective direction of tilting.
• These means of connection in one-way mobility are means which allows a mobility of the lever on a guide member in any other direction of tilting.
• the movable connection of the handle with a guide member is a monodirectional connection about a pivot axis of the guide member on the frame.
• This unidirectional link in failover corresponds to a link in mobility exclusively in a single direction in switchover of the joystick, that is to say a monodirectional mobility which allows a mobility of the lever independently of the guide member in another direction of tilting.
• This authorization allows the joystick to be mobile on the guide member despite their connection to one another in a given direction of tilting of the joystick.
• the joystick is thus linked in monodirectional mobility independently with several guide members in respective directions of tilting, while being freely movable with each of these guide members according to other tilting directions than that assigned to their connection.
• the lever is particularly maneuverable tilting in two separate directions. It will be understood that for the same direction of tilting, the lever is capable of being maneuverable in two directions on either side of a central zone of rest of the lever in the tilting direction considered.
• the handle is pivotally mounted in a first direction of tilting on a first guide member itself pivotally mounted on the frame.
• the handle extends through a window that includes a second guide member pivotally mounted on the frame in a second direction of tilting.
• the window is preferably extended transversely to the pivot axis of the first guide member on the frame by providing a circulation corridor of the lever in the first direction of tilting.
• These provisions are such that the window does not form an obstacle to the operation of the lever in the first direction of tilting, and avoids an increase in the size of the mechanism for satisfactory guidance of the corresponding pivot axis.
• the lateral edges of the window constitute support members of the lever in the second direction of tilting.
• At least one guide member forms a receiving cage of at least one other guide member, so that the pivot axes of the guide members on the frame are able to be arranged in the same plane orthogonal to the axis of extension of the handle, especially in the rest position.
• the extension of the pivot axes are coplanar, and oriented transversely to the axis of extension of the joystick, orthogonally in particular.
• at least one of the pivot axes takes a sliding support along a slide or the like provided on the anchoring member of the corresponding cable. It follows that not only the size of the cage and the guide members are restricted because of their orientation in the same plane, but also that this size is further reduced due to the gliding support of the axis pivoting on the corresponding anchoring member.
• the guide members are housed in each other, so that the overall size of the carrier structure substantially corresponds to the size of the terminal guide member hinged to the frame.
• This terminal guide member is the one designated as housing the one or more guide members. It follows that the various pivot pins, arranged in a finger, in a trunnion or the like, of the handle on the support structure can be contained in the same plane orthogonal to the axis of extension of the handle between its two ends, with for the benefit of minimizing the clutter of the mechanism.
• pivot axes are ideally placed in the same plane orthogonal to the axis of extension of the lever in the rest position to limit the bulk of the carrier structure, but that a shift of these axes l With respect to each other in the extension direction of the joystick is nevertheless possible, such an offset may be chosen by the designer and used to adapt the carrier structure to the environment of the mechanism according to the installation site.
• Such an orientation coplanar pivot axes is obtained in particular with a small footprint thanks to the sliding support of one of the pivot fingers along the window, slide or the like, that includes an outer heel or the like which is equipped with guiding member assigned to the other pivot axis.
• the grouping in the same volume of all the guide members interlocked with each other promotes a grouping of the anchoring zones of the cables on the support structure.
• These can be arranged close to each other to the nearest of the same plane, or ideally be arranged in the same plane, with the advantage of simplifying the organization of the emergence of cables out of the mechanism.
• This simplification of the emergence of the cables makes it possible to facilitate the integration of the mechanism in any installation site, including in a site of restricted dimensions such as a column-free seat armrest before joining the floor and / or the seat. .
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• the support structure is provided with integration means in 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.
• 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 of 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 able to be 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 supporting structure allows easy modification of the orientation of the cable guide plane.
• 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.
• 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 having the features that have been stated, taken alone or in combination.
• the present invention also relates to a seat incorporating such an armrest.
• the armrest is of elongated conformation and is free of front connecting column with the ground and / or the seat, or similarly with the seating plane of the seat. Such an armrest is able to be placed at a distance overhanging the seating plane of the seat.
• the armrest of the present invention lodges in its area before the supporting structure while the cables extend towards the rear of the seat to a mechanism for returning the cables vertically towards the ground.
• a return mechanism is likely to be of any arrangement and to be housed inside a rear column relative to the seat cushion.
• the armrest comprises means for cooperation with a mechanism for returning the cables vertically to the ground housed in a column disposed in a rear area of the seat cushion.
• an armrest of the present invention will be recognized in that it incorporates a cable control mechanism whose handle is oriented orthogonally to the direction of extension of the cables at the output of the armrest, this direction extension of the cables corresponding to the direction of extension of 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 ground and / or the seat such as that arranged at the front of the seat seat.
• 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.
• 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 likely to implement a control cable.
• the controller can also be used for the implementation of additional control means different from those assigned to its switching maneuver.
• the handle can be rotatably mounted about its general axis of extension on the support structure, for the operation of actuators or similar control members placed at its periphery.
• the handle can be mounted on the supporting 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.
• 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 .
• the cable control mechanism is equipped with spontaneous locking means of the handle in the rest position.
• These locking means comprise a latch interposed between the handle and the support structure for locking them to each other in the rest position of the handle.
• This latch is operable towards its locking position under the effect of the force exerted by deformable means against their stressing, and to its reverse unlocking position releasing the lever from its locking with the bearing structure under the effect of a sustained gesture of the operator on a monostable member stressing the deformable means.
• This monostable member is connected to the latch by means of mechanical connection means. It will be understood that access to a maneuver in mobility of the joystick is subject to the maneuver of the monostable organ.
• the cable control mechanism incorporates mechanical locking securing means in the rest position of the joystick, which are of a simple structure mainly associating the latch, the deformable means and the monostable member.
• This integration on the own connection structure of the controller with the cables can be easily achieved at lower costs, without significantly increasing the overall size of the mechanism.
• the operation of the latch in the locking position is spontaneously caused by the deformable means.
• the lever In the locking position, the lever is immobilized on the support structure to prevent it from tipping in the absence of a voluntary gesture and maintained by the operator causing the unlocking position of the latch from a stressing means deformable.
• the monostable member is more particularly a control member that can be grasped by the operator to deliberately maneuver the latch in the unlocked position and to induce the stressing of the deformable means, preferably against its spontaneous retention in a stable rest position.
• Such a monostable member is advantageously able to induce an inconvenience for the operator wishing to access the controller, so that his maneuver is made indispensable, at least because of discomfort, prior to any action by the operator on the controller.
• the simplicity of the structure of the locking means does not affect the reliability of the security provided, the operator being forced to perform and maintain a voluntary gesture on the one-shot organ to release the lever of its immobilization on the structure carrier.
• the position of stability of the operating member corresponds to a rest position in which a prohibition of maneuvering the handle and / or discomfort deterrent gripping the handle by the operator are opposed.
• the voluntary act of the operator on the monostable member simultaneously causes stressing of the deformable means that continues as long as the said gesture of the operator is maintained. Conversely, an interruption of this gesture causes a return of the monostable member in stable rest position, releasing the deformable means which cause a maneuver of the latch in the locking position and thus a locking of the handle in the rest position.
• the latch is indifferently:
• the latch is secured to the lever in its tilt direction and is slidably mounted on the handle between its locking position in which means of fastening of the latch are engaged on the carrier structure and its unlocking position in which said socket is broken.
• the latch is permanently secured to the lever in its direction of tilting while being free sliding, preferably coaxial with respect to the joystick. This freedom of mobility of the latch alternatively allows to engage or release the securing means on the carrier structure to immobilize the lever on the latter.
• the structure of the securing means and the arrangement of the latch are simplified, with the advantage of limiting the size of the locking means while allowing their spontaneous maneuver by the deformable means.
• the monostable nature of the stress member of the deformable means can be realized from a mounting of this member on the mechanism by means of return means assigned to it for the place spontaneously in the latch lock position.
• these return means are combined with the deformable means to limit the number of constituent members of the locking means and to simplify their organization and their integration into the mechanism.
• the monostable member is mounted movably on the gripping handle between the locking position in which it is spontaneously maintained by the deformable means and the unlocking position in which it is held from a constant gesture of the operator.
• the proximity between the handle and the one-shot organ provides comfort to the operator, who can easily maintain the monostable member simultaneously tilting maneuvers it applies to the lever to his or her working positions.
• Mounting the monostable member on the gripping handle allows to place it in an open environment allowing its setting any conformation according ergonomics sought the most satisfactory possible. This freedom of ergonomics makes it possible, in particular, to arrange the monostable member to obstruct access to the grip handle in the absence of a voluntary action by the operator and / or to prohibit maneuvering of the handle.
• the connecting means consist of at least one connecting member extending at least parallel, if not coaxially, to the handle.
• a connecting member may be constituted by a rod or the like disposed parallel to the vicinity of the handle, or an axial extension of the monostable member around the handle.
• the latch is advantageously shaped sleeve mounted coaxially sliding on the handle, which it is integral in rotation on itself by gripping means.
• Such an organization of the latch makes it easy to secure the latch to the handle while allowing it to slide along the latch.
• a coaxial mounting makes it easy to organize the connecting means connecting the latch to the monostable member and to limit the size of the locking means.
• the gripping means can be easily made by pinning at axial freedom.
• the engaging means are constituted by at least one pin or the like, which is integral with the latch and which passes through the handle through a longitudinal peripheral lumen. It will be understood by longitudinal direction oriented parallel to the general axis of extension of the joystick.
• the securing means that the latch comprises are of the type by keying.
• the securing means consist of at least one key or the like formed longitudinally at the periphery of the latch, which cooperates with a complementary notch provided on the supporting structure.
• the deformable means are interposed between the monostable member and the handle. More particularly and according to a preferred embodiment of this variant, the monostable member is arranged by flying mounted coaxially rotating on the handle, preferably being secured to the handle by junction means.
• the deformable means consist of a torsion spring which is housed in an interlocking barrel of the monostable member.
• the connecting means consist of at least one helical ramp formed on the shaft for guiding a radial finger that includes the latch. In the absence of a voluntary gesture made by the operator on the steering wheel, the maneuver of the rocker lever is prohibited.
• the deformable means are interposed between the latch and the handle.
• the monostable member consists of a lateral flap articulated on the handle.
• This side flap is an obstacle to discomfort and / or prohibition of access to the handle.
• the deformable means consist of a compression spring axially interposed in opposing supports against the handle and against the latch.
• the connecting means consist of at least one rod or the like connecting the latch to a lever arm of the flap. In the absence of a tilting of the flap freeing access to the handle, any maneuvering of the tilting handle is prohibited.
• the lever is preferably operable tilting in respective directions monodirectional and concurrent around a plurality of pivot axes.
• the carrier structure is in this case advantageously composed of said plurality of guide members tilting of the handle, which are each hinged to a frame about a respective pivot axis.
• the latch in the locking position is engaged on one, on several or all of the guide members.
• the organization of the carrier structure in a plurality of guide members induces a rest position of the lever according to a plurality of rest positions respectively assigned to its tilting by means of a corresponding guide member.
• the organization of the locking means, and in particular of the securing means cooperating with at least one of the guide members makes it possible to offer a locking of the handle selectively in at least one of the rest positions, chosen according to the functionality of the mechanism. More particularly, the handle is capable of being locked in one or more rest positions according to respective corresponding tilt directions, while being free from one or more other tilting directions.
• the latch is mounted coaxially sliding on the handle between its distal end articulated on the other organ guide and the proximal end of the joystick. Note that the latch is likely to be housed inside the cage to prevent its presence does not induce an increase in the size of the mechanism.
• the simple organization of the components of the control mechanism, and in particular those constituting the securing means, makes it easy to produce these components, such as by molding a filled resin, possibly accompanied by an overmolding operation, and / or by molding a metallic material.
• Fig.1 to Fig.3 are illustrations of a cable control mechanism integrated in a seat armrest according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively in Fig.1 in perspective assembled, in fig.2 side and in fig.3 exploded perspective.
• 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.
• Figs. 9 and 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.
• 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.
• Fig.14 is a sectional view of a flywheel constituting the mechanism shown in Fig.11 to Fig.13.
• 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 unlocking position.
• a cable control mechanism is integrated in the armrest 1 of a seat 2.
• This armrest 1 is thin and is arranged overhanging the seating plane PO of the seat 2
• the mounting of the armrest 1 on the seat 2 is carried out 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.
• 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 without a front column located in the front area of the 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.
• 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.
• 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 maneuver in respective directions monodirectional and concurrent B1 and B2.
• the lever 7 is operable in two concurrent switching directions B1, B2 and in two directions of maneuver for each of these switching directions B1, B2.
• At each of the switching directions B1, B2 corresponds to a maneuvering of a cable 11, 12, with a view to controlling the implementation of a remote member assigned to this cable 11, 12.
• the handle 7 is also rotatable R on itself, for the operation of actuators placed at its periphery for example, and comprises on the handle 10 of the control knobs 13 of actuators.
• actuators placed at its periphery for example, and comprises on the handle 10 of the control knobs 13 of actuators.
• Such actuators 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 in Fig.4 to Fig.1O confers to the housing 8 a small footprint allowing its integration into the armrest 1, in its front area relative to the seat 2
• the housing 8 is provided with ducts 14, 15 for guiding the cables 11, 2 which define a plane P1 for guiding the cables which is oriented orthogonally to the extension axis AO of the lever 7 and parallel to the seating plane. PO of the seat 2.
• the cables 11, 12 are contained in a same plane P1 guide corresponding to the extension of the armrest 1 between the front and rear areas of the seat 2.
• the rear column 4 advantageously houses a deflection 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 PO 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.
• the control mechanism is advantageously embedded in a mass of cellular material, such as based on an expanded natural and / or synthetic material.
• 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 sheaths constitute a protective enclosure of the 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.
• the control mechanism comprises the supporting structure 9 which is composed of several guide members 17, 18 on tilting of the lever 7.
• These guide members 17, 18 are individually hinged to a frame 19, as constituted by at least a portion of the housing 8, or similarly constituted by an element 19 provided with fixing means on the housing 8, or even directly on a reinforcement integrated to the armrest 1 or a reinforcement integrated into any organ a mechanism installation site.
• the handle 7 is pivotally mounted in a first direction of tilting B1 on a first guide member 17.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• pivot axis A1 and the pivot axis A3 are necessarily oriented parallel to each other, either offset from the extension axis AO 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 extension axis AO of the lever 7, and more particularly which is orthogonal to the axis AO extension of the handle 7 in the rest position.
• the reduction in the size of the control mechanism is optimized along the extension axis AO 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.
• 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 PO 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 shouldered finger 26, particularly visible in Fig.9, that includes 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.
• 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.
• 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 AO extension of the handle 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.
• the cables 11, 12 are oriented in the same plane P1 orthogonal to the axis AO extension of the handle 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.
• 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.
• the cables 11, 12 are oriented in the same plane P1 parallel to the extension axis AO of the lever 7 in the rest position.
• 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 integral with the guide member 17,18 to which they are assigned.
• a cable control mechanism comprises a joystick 101 which is pivotally mounted on a carrier structure 102, itself mounted movably on a frame, such as a housing not shown.
• 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.
• 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 which are assigned to them for a maneuver thereof 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.
• this securing mechanism is applicable to any control mechanism by one or more cables, regardless of the maneuvering modes of tilting of the handle 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.
• the handle 101 is provided with restoring means in the rest position in the absence of a tilting maneuver by an operator.
• return means of the handle 101 in the rest position are advantageously integrated with the mechanism of securing means.
• 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 shown in Fig.12 and fig.16.
• This latch 107 is operable to a locking position, illustrated in Fig.13 and Fig.17, under the effect of the force exerted by deformable means 108.
• deformable means 108 are for example a torsion spring 109, as on the variant illustrated in Fig.11 to Fig.13, or a compression spring 110, as illustrated in Fig.15 to Fig.17.
• 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.
• a monostable member 111 When the operator ceases the action he performs on the monostable member 111, the latter takes its stable rest position by spontaneously maneuvering the latch 107 in the unlocked position, wherein the lever 111 is released from its locking to the carrier structure 102.
• the monostable member 111 is for example A steering wheel 112 as in the variant illustrated in Fig.11 to Fig.14, or a hinged flap 113 such as the variant illustrated in Fig.15 to Fig.16.
• the monostable member 111 is connected to the latch 107 via mechanical connection means 114.
• 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 handle 111.
• the connecting member consists of a shaft 115 which axially extends the wheel 112.
• 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.
• 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 support structure 102, and more particularly with notches 120,121 respectively formed on one and the other of the guide members 104,105.
• 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 formed 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 unlocked position. This junction is achieved by means of engagement 122, such as by pinning, broaching or the like on the exemplary embodiments illustrated.
• 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.
• the deformable means 108 consist of the torsion spring 109, which is in engagement between the handle 111 and the monostable member 111 constituted by the flywheel 112, while being housed in the barrel 115 that includes 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.
• the deformable means 108 consist of the compression spring 110, which is axially interposed in opposing supports between the handle 101 and the latch 107, while being threaded around the Handle 101.
• the flap 113 is articulated on a junction member 125 which is fixed proximally end of the handle 101 and which carries the handle 103, arranged in 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.
• 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 flap 113 can be maneuvered around the second hinge pin 130 causes an axial displacement of the rods 116, and therefore the latch 107, between the locking position and unlocking.
• the mechanism is completed by control means of the electromechanical, electropneumatic and / or electronic type, to multiply the number of orders offered.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
• Mechanical Control Devices (AREA)
• Driving Mechanisms And Operating Circuits Of Arc-Extinguishing High-Tension Switches (AREA)
• Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
• Seats For Vehicles (AREA)
• Chairs Characterized By Structure (AREA)

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• 2007
  • 2007-04-24 FR FR0702949A patent/FR2911377B1/fr active Active
• 2008
  • 2008-01-11 WO PCT/FR2008/000037 patent/WO2008107530A2/fr active Application Filing
  • 2008-01-11 AT AT08761758T patent/ATE537497T1/de active
  • 2008-01-11 EP EP09170127A patent/EP2124127B1/de not_active Not-in-force
  • 2008-01-11 DE DE08761758T patent/DE08761758T1/de active Pending
  • 2008-01-11 EP EP08761758A patent/EP2109802B1/de not_active Not-in-force

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