Patent Application
20150239375
The invention relates generally to a vertically adjustable armrest assembly for a vehicle interior component.
Certain vehicles include an armrest to facilitate passenger comfort. The armrest may be coupled to a vehicle seat, a door panel, and/or a floor console. In certain configurations, the vertical position of the armrest is adjustable to accommodate vehicle occupants of different heights and/or builds. For example, the armrest may be configured to rotate about a pivot joint between a lowered position and a raised position. An adjustment mechanism may be employed to hold the armrest in a desired position (e.g., between the lowered position and the raised position). Certain adjustment mechanisms are integrated within the pivot joint and/or coupled to the pivot joint to selectively block rotation of the armrest when a desired armrest position is achieved. Unfortunately, such adjustment mechanisms may be subjected to a large torque as the vehicle occupant applies weight to the armrest. Accordingly, the adjustment mechanisms may be constructed from heavy and/or expensive materials (e.g., steel) to resist the torque, thereby increasing the weight and/or manufacturing cost of the vehicle.
In certain configurations, the vertically adjustable armrest may be positioned over a storage compartment. The armrest is configured to block an opening in the storage compartment while in the lowered position, thereby retaining items (e.g., portable electronic devices, glasses, documentation, etc.) within the storage compartment. Unfortunately, when the armrest is rotated to the raised position, the opening may be uncovered, thereby enabling items to be released from the storage compartment during vehicle operation.
The present invention relates to an armrest assembly including a pivot joint positioned at a first longitudinal end of the armrest assembly. The pivot joint is configured to rotatably couple the armrest assembly to a housing of a vehicle interior component. The armrest assembly also includes an armrest configured to rotate about the pivot joint between a lowered position and a raised position. The armrest assembly further includes a shroud positioned below the armrest and configured to rotate with the armrest about the pivot joint. The shroud and the armrest are configured to substantially cover an opening in a storage compartment of the housing while the armrest is in the lowered position, the raised position, or a position therebetween. In addition, the armrest assembly includes an adjustment mechanism positioned at a second longitudinal end of the armrest assembly, opposite the first longitudinal end. The adjustment mechanism is configured to hold the armrest in one of a variety of vertical positions including the lowered position and the raised position.
The present invention also relates to an armrest assembly including a pivot joint positioned at a first longitudinal end of the armrest assembly. The pivot joint is configured to rotatably couple the armrest assembly to a housing of a vehicle interior component. The armrest assembly also includes an armrest configured to rotate about the pivot joint between a lowered position and a raised position. In addition, the armrest assembly includes an adjustment mechanism positioned at a second longitudinal end of the armrest assembly, opposite the first longitudinal end. The adjustment mechanism is configured to hold the armrest in one of a variety of vertical positions including the lowered position and the raised position.
The present invention further relates to an armrest assembly including a pivot joint configured to rotatably couple the armrest assembly to a housing of a vehicle interior component. The armrest assembly also includes an armrest configured to rotate about the pivot joint between a lowered position and a raised position. In addition, the armrest assembly includes a shroud positioned below the armrest and configured to rotate with the armrest about the pivot joint. The shroud and the armrest are configured to substantially cover an opening in a storage compartment of the housing while the armrest is in the lowered position, the raised position, or a position therebetween.
In certain embodiments, the armrest assembly includes an adjustment mechanism positioned at a second longitudinal end of the armrest assembly, opposite the first longitudinal end. For example, the pivot joint may be positioned at a rear portion of the armrest assembly, and the adjustment mechanism may be positioned at a front portion of the armrest assembly. The adjustment mechanism is configured to hold the armrest in one of a number of vertical positions including the lowered position and the raised position. Because the adjustment mechanism is positioned at the opposite longitudinal end of the armrest assembly from the pivot joint, the adjustment mechanism may be subjected to less loading (e.g., torque) than an adjustment mechanism integrated within or coupled to the pivot joint. Accordingly, the adjustment mechanism may be constructed from lighter and/or less expensive materials, thereby reducing vehicle weight and/or manufacturing costs.
While the vertically adjustable armrest assembly is described below with reference to a floor console, it should be appreciated that the vertically adjustable armrest assembly may be employed within other vehicle interior components. For example, a seat, a door panel, and/or a rear seat assembly may include a vertically adjustable armrest configured to be raised and/or lowered to a position that facilitates driver and/or passenger comfort. In certain embodiments, the armrest assembly may include a shroud configured to substantially cover an opening in the storage compartment while the armrest is in the lowered position, the raised position, or a position therebetween. The armrest assembly may also include an adjustment mechanism positioned at the opposite longitudinal end of the armrest assembly from the pivot joint to facilitate reduced structural loading on the adjustment mechanism.
In the illustrated embodiment, the shroud 24 is disposed about a vertical extension of the housing 18. Accordingly, with the armrest 22 in the illustrated lowered position, the shroud 24 substantially covers the vertical extension. However, when the armrest is rotated in an upward direction 26, a portion of the vertical extension is exposed. Contact between the shroud 24 and the vertical extension blocks items from being released from the storage compartment. As a result, items within the storage compartment are retained regardless of armrest position. The armrest 22 may also be rotated in a downward direction 28 to the illustrated lowered position. As discussed in detail below, an adjustment mechanism may be employed to control movement of the armrest relative to the floor console 16, and to hold the armrest in one of a variety of vertical positions.
In the illustrated embodiment, the armrest assembly 20 includes a pivot joint 34 positioned at a rearward longitudinal end of the armrest assembly 20. The pivot joint 34 is configured to rotatably couple the armrest assembly 20 to the housing 18 of the floor console 16. The armrest 22 is configured to rotate about the pivot joint 34 between the lowered position and the raised position. In addition, the shroud 24 is configured to rotate with the armrest 22 about the pivot joint 34. Accordingly, the shroud 24 and the armrest 22 are configured to substantially cover an opening in the storage compartment 32 while the armrest 22 is in the lowered position, as shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the armrest 22 is configured to rotate about the pivot joint 34 relative to the shroud 24 to facilitate access to the storage compartment 32. For example, while the armrest 22 is in the closed position, as illustrated by the phantom lines, the armrest 22 and the shroud 24 substantially cover the opening in the storage compartment 32, thereby blocking access to items within the storage compartment. However, a vehicle occupant may rotate the armrest 22 to an open position, as illustrated by the solid lines, thereby enabling the occupant to access items within the storage compartment 32. In certain embodiments, the armrest assembly 20 includes a release mechanism 36 configured to selectively block rotation of the armrest 22 relative to the shroud 24. Accordingly, the armrest 22 may be held in the closed position during vehicle operation. However, by engaging the release mechanism 36, an occupant may rotate the armrest 22 to the open position, thereby facilitating access to the storage compartment 32. As will be appreciated, the armrest 22 may be rotated between the open position and the closed position independently of the vertical height adjustment. Therefore, a vehicle occupant may access the storage compartment while the armrest is in the raised position, the lowered position, or a position therebetween.
As previously discussed, the shroud 24 is disposed about the vertical extension 30 of the housing 18. In this configuration, contact between the shroud 24 and the vertical extension 30 blocks items from being released from the storage compartment 32. As a result, items within the storage compartment 32 are retained regardless of armrest position. In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment mechanism 38 is positioned within a cavity between an exterior surface of the floor console 16 and an interior surface of the storage compartment 32. Accordingly, the adjustment mechanism 38 is hidden from the vehicle occupants, thereby enhancing the appearance of the vehicle interior.
Similar to the embodiment described above with reference to
Similar to the embodiments described above, the armrest 22 is configured to rotate between a lowered position and a raised position. A shroud 24 is positioned below the armrest 22 and configured to rotate with the armrest. The shroud 24 and the armrest 22 are configured to substantially cover the opening in the storage compartment while the armrest is in the lowered position, the raised position, or a position therebetween, and the tambour door is closed. As previously discussed, access to the storage compartment 32 is provided by the tambour door 50. In the illustrated embodiment, a gap 56 is formed between the armrest 22 and the housing 18 to facilitate rotation of the armrest 22 relative to the housing 18. As illustrated, the tambour door 50 extends across the gap 56, thereby substantially enclosing the storage compartment regardless of armrest position.
While an armrest configured to rotate relative to the shroud, and an armrest having a tambour door have been described above, it should be appreciated that the armrest assembly may include other armrest configurations. For example, certain armrest assemblies may include an armrest configured to slide in the longitudinal direction (e.g., fore and aft) relative to the shroud. In such a configuration, the armrest may be positioned at a desired vertical position and a desired longitudinal position, thereby enhancing passenger comfort. Similar to the embodiments described above with reference to
In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment mechanism 38 includes a biasing member, such as the illustrated tape spring 66, extending between the carrier 62 and a mount 68 on the guide 58. The tape spring 66 is configured to urge the armrest 22 toward the lowered position, thereby resisting upward movement of the armrest during operation of the vehicle. In addition, the adjustment mechanism 38 includes a damping member 70 extending between the carrier 62 and the guide 58. The damping member 70 is configured to damp movement of the armrest 22 relative to the housing 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the damping member 70 includes a gear configured to engage a rack 72 of the guide 58. The damping member 70 is configured to resist rotation of the gear, thereby damping movement of the carrier 62 along the guide 58.
Furthermore, the adjustment mechanism 38 includes a follower 74 rotatably coupled to the carrier 62, and a track 76 within the guide 58. A biasing assembly 78 is configured to urge a pin 80 of the follower 74 into the track 76, thereby enabling the pin 80 to follow the contours of the track 76. In the illustrated embodiment, the follower 74 includes a protrusion 82 configured to engage an extension 84 of the carrier 62. Contact between the protrusion 82 and the extension 84 blocks rotation of the upper end of the follower 74 away from the guide 58, thereby substantially reducing or eliminating the possibility of the pin 80 disengaging the track 76. However, the protrusion 82 and the extension 84 facilitate rotation of the follower 74 in the direction 86, thereby enabling the pin 80 to follow the contours of the track. As discussed in detail below, the track 76 includes multiple notches configured to capture the pin 80, thereby blocking downward movement of the armrest 22 relative to the housing 22.
As previously discussed, the track 76 includes multiple notches configured to capture the pin 80, thereby blocking downward movement of the armrest relative to the housing. In the illustrated embodiment, the track 76 includes a first notch 94 corresponding to the lowered position of the armrest. To increase a height of the armrest, an occupant lifts the armrest in the upward direction 26 until a desired armrest position is achieved. The occupant then releases the armrest, and a combination of the weight of the armrest and the force of the tape spring 66 drives the armrest in the downward direction 28 until the pin 80 engages the first notch below the release point. For example, if the occupant releases the armrest while the pin is between the first notch 94 and a second notch 96, the armrest moves downwardly until the pin 80 engages the first notch 94. In addition, if the occupant releases the armrest while the pin is between the second notch 96 and a third notch 98, the armrest moves downwardly until the pin 80 engages the second notch 96. The pin 80 may engage the third notch 98, a fourth notch 100, or a fifth notch 102 (e.g., corresponding to the raised position of the armrest) in a similar manner. To lower the armrest, the occupant lifts the armrest above the fifth notch 102 such that the pin 80 engages a straight portion 104 of the track 76. Upon release of the armrest, the combination of the armrest weight and the force of the tape spring 66 urges the armrest back to the first notch 94. As the armrest moves in the downward direction, the damping member 70 limits the speed of the armrest, thereby reducing the contact force between the pin 80 and the first notch 94, and providing smooth armrest movement.
To raise the armrest 22 to the next higher vertical position, the occupant lifts the armrest in the direction 26. A second ramp 112 drives the pin 80 outwardly (e.g., away from the guide 58) against the bias of the biasing assembly 78. At the end of the ramp 112, which corresponds to a second ridge 114, the pin 80 moves inwardly (e.g., toward the guide 58). Contact between the pin 80 and the ridge 114 blocks movement of the pin 80 toward the second notch 96. In addition, the ridge 114 directs the pin 80 toward the third notch 98 in the direction 116. Accordingly, if the armrest is released between the third notch 98 and the fourth notch 100, the combination of the armrest weight and the force of the tape spring 66 drives the pin 80 into the third notch 98. The track 76 also includes a third ramp 118 extending to a third ridge 120, which is configured to direct the pin 80 in a direction 122 toward the fourth notch 100. In addition, the track 76 includes a fourth ramp 124 extending to a fourth ridge 126, which is configured to direct the pin 80 in a direction 128 toward the fifth notch 102.
The forth ridge 126 is also configured to direct the pin 80 toward the straight portion 104 of the track 76 upon upward movement of the armrest 22 beyond the fifth notch 102. Accordingly, to transition the armrest to the lowered position, the occupant lifts the armrest to the maximum vertical position, and then releases the armrest. The weight of the armrest and the force applied by the tape spring 66 drive the pin in the direction 28 to the first notch 94, thereby returning the armrest to the lowered position. While the illustrated embodiment includes five notch, which correspond to five vertical armrest positions, it should be appreciated that alternative embodiments may include more or fewer notches/vertical armrest positions. For example, in certain embodiments, the track 76 may include 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or more notches, thereby providing a corresponding number of vertical armrest positions.
As previously discussed, the biasing assembly 78 is configured to urge the pin 80 against the track 76, thereby enabling the pin 80 to follow the contours of the ramps and ridges. For example, as the pin moves along a ramp, the pin 80 is driven in the direction 148, thereby compressing the spring 138. At the end of the ramp, the compressed spring 138 drives the pin 80 in the direction 150, thereby facilitating contact between the pin and a correspond ridge and/or notch. As a result, the possibility of the pin disengaging the track is substantially reduced or eliminated.
While only certain features and embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, many modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters (e.g., temperatures, pressures, etc.), mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention. Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concise description of the exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not have been described (i.e., those unrelated to the presently contemplated best mode of carrying out the invention, or those unrelated to enabling the claimed invention). It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation specific decisions may be made. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation.
This application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/703,886, entitled “VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE ARMREST ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE INTERIOR COMPONENT”, filed Sep. 21, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2013/060623 | 9/19/2013 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61703886 | Sep 2012 | US |
