Patent Application
20150175039
The disclosed inventive concept relates generally to an armrest retractable upon an adverse event, such as upon the occurrence of a crash and in particular a side impact crash.
Certain existing vehicle interiors are designed with armrests integrated with the door trim. Since they are permanently mounted on the door trim they affect, often negatively, the overall interior roominess. Therefore, these existing armrests may limit the potential in door trim design such that interior styling and volume may thus be unnecessarily compromised.
The existence of these armrests may also reduce the gap between the occupant and the door trim, and thereby affect proper side airbag deployment and airbag volume. Moreover relatively stiff armrests may engage the occupant during side crashes and result in relatively greater rib deflections.
It would thus be advantageous if an armrest may be provided to solve one or more of these identified problems.
The disclosed inventive concept is believed to have overcome one or more of the problems associated with vehicular armrests.
The present invention in one or more embodiments provides a seat assembly of a vehicle, including a seat base, a seat back communicating with the seat base, an armrest communicating with at least one of the seat back and the seat base, and a pretension unit connected to the armrest such that the armrest is retractable upon an activation of the pretension unit. In certain instances, the pretension unit may be an anchor pretension unit, and in particular an anchor pretension unit that may be pyro-activated and cable mounted, in which a pyrotechnical pretensioner may be used.
The pretension unit may include a pretensioner and a cable wherein the cable connects the pretensioner and the armrest to effect a retraction of the armrest upon an activation of the pretensioner. The pretension unit may further include a pulley such that a movement direction of the cable may be varied.
The armrest may be positioned on the seat back. In this configuration, the armrest may include a first part, a second part, and a lockable hinge connecting the first and second parts, the second part extends away from the seat back in an open position and retracts towards the seat back in a closed position. The second part may be received within a cavity of the seat back when fully retracted.
The armrest may be positioned on the seat base. In this configuration, the armrest may be connected to the seat base via a rail, such that the armrest extends away from the seat base via the rail in an open position and retracts towards the seat base via the rail in a closed position. The armrest may be positioned no higher than a seat surface of the seat back when fully retracted. The armrest may be received within a cavity of the seat base when fully retracted. The armrest may be positioned alongside the seat base.
The above advantages and other advantages and features will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
For a more complete understanding of embodiments of this invention, reference should now be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples wherein:
FIG. 4C1 illustratively depicts a perspective view of a pretension unit for use with the armrest referenced in
FIG. 4C2 illustratively depicts a cross-sectional view of the pretension unit referenced in FIG. 4C1; and
As referenced in the FIG.s, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same components. In the following description, various operating parameters and components are described for different constructed embodiments. These specific parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting.
The present invention in one or more embodiments is advantageous at least in that an armrest may be provided as retractable in response to an adverse event, such as a crash and in particular a side impact crash. Upon the occurrence of or during such adverse event, the armrest may be quickly retracted to increase the gap between the occupant and the door trim for proper side airbag deployment and improved safety. This design also helps re-position the armrest away from the vulnerable zones of the occupant such as ribs and thereby improve occupant performance and safety.
Another advantage of the armrest according to the present invention in one or more embodiments is the capability of the armrest to enhance an interior smooth feel and flowing appearance. This contributes to improved interior styling and roominess. The armrest may be retracted when the vehicle is not moving and the engine is off. Accordingly, the vehicle interior may appear relatively roomier with improved egress and ingress.
In at least one embodiment, and as illustratively depicted in
In certain instances, and as illustratively depicted in
Referring back to
The tubular chamber 208 includes therein combustible gas and explosive igniter material separately positioned from the combustible gas. The explosive igniter material may be contained within a smaller chamber outfitted with two electrodes, which are wired to a vehicle RCM (Restraints Control Module). When the RCM detects a collision, it immediately applies an electrical signal or current across the electrodes. The spark from the electrodes ignites the igniter material, which combusts to ignite the combustible gas in the tubular chamber 208. The gas generates a great high output pressure. The pressure pushes against the piston and pulls the cable 128, and stows the armrest 106 on position away as shown in
Referring back to
Any suitable pretensioner such as pretensioners used in connection with safety belt buckle, safety belt retractor or safety belt anchor may be used to effect the retraction of the armrest 106 described herein. As mentioned herein elsewhere, the pretensioner is used to retract the armrest 106 during certain adverse events, and may deploy with or without airbag deployment. Depending upon the vehicle, the pretensioner may activate in certain frontal, side, rear and/or rollover crashes.
In certain instances, the pretensioner may be a pyro-activated or pyrotechnic pretensioner, which uses a pyrotechnic gas generator to propel a piston that is attached to the armrest with a cable. When vehicle sensors trigger the armrest retraction, the pyrotechnical gas generator is ignited, releasing a gas that expands and builds up pressure in a guiding tube. This pressure acts on the piston which may be forcefully propelled on to a pinion. The pinion transmits significant torque to the cable to pre-tension the armrest. Upon activation, the cable pulls and causes the armrest to retract. The whole activation process may take a number of milliseconds.
Activation of the pretension unit 108 and hence the retraction of the armrest 106 may be achieved via an algorithm that depends on ignition on/off states, via seatbelt latching and vehicle speed, and/or manually using an on/off switch.
In certain instances, the pretension unit 108 may be an anchor pretension unit, and in particular an anchor pretension unit that may be pyro-activated and cable mounted, in which a pyrotechnical pretensioner may be used.
In at least another embodiment, and as illustratively depicted in
The armrest 106 described herein may be positioned to hug the seat edges tightly or aligned and flush with the seat surface so that the armrest 106 does not affect occupant egress/ingress and lap seatbelt interference. When activated, the armrest 106 may move into a locked position. This can be more desirable from interior styling point of view.
In yet another embodiment, and as illustratively depicted in
Referring back to
The pretension unit 108 may work in this design in a fashion and manner similar to that referenced in
Referring back to
FIG. 4C1 illustratively depicts the cable 128 of the pretension unit 108 at a slack state. In this state, the pretension unit 108 may further include a cover 416 to partially restrain the cable 128 so as to prevent disengagement of the cable 128 away from the pulley 138. This state is relevant when the armrest is at a stowed position.
FIG. 4C2 illustratively depicts a cross-sectional view of the pretension unit 108 referenced in FIG. 4C1, taken along a line 4C2′-4C2. This view demonstrates that the cable 128 is being restrained by the cover 416.
In yet another embodiment, and as illustratively depicted in
The manner of operation for the pretensioner may be similar to that referenced in
For instance, and as illustratively depicted in
Referring back to
Referring back to
In one or more embodiments, the disclosed invention as set forth herein overcomes the challenges faced by known production and uses of vehicle armrests. However, one skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the true spirit and fair scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
