DE102023201665A1 - Armrest device with a locking device designed as a modular unit and center console with at least one such armrest device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an armrest device (100) for a motor vehicle, with
- a base body (110) having at least one integrated storage compartment;
- a movable armrest body (120) which also serves as a cover for the storage compartment; and
- a locking device (130) which holds the armrest body (120) in its closed position closing the storage compartment, wherein this locking device (130) is designed as a modular unit.
The invention further relates to a center console for a motor vehicle, which has at least one such armrest device (100).

Description

The invention relates to an armrest device for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1. The invention further relates to a center console with at least one such armrest device.

• - einen Grundkörper, der wenigstens ein integriertes Staufach aufweist;
• - einen beweglichen, insbesondere schwenkbaren oder linearverschiebbaren, Armauflagekörper, der zugleich als Deckel für das Staufach vorgesehen ist; und
• - eine Verriegelungseinrichtung, die den Armauflagekörper in seiner das Staufach verschließenden Schließstellung bzw. -position festhält bzw. sichert, insbesondere derart, dass der Armauflagekörper erst nach Betätigung eines Betätigungselements bewegt und dadurch das Staufach geöffnet werden kann.

An armrest device in question comprises at least the following components:

• - a base body having at least one integrated storage compartment;
• - a movable, in particular pivotable or linearly displaceable, armrest body, which is also intended as a cover for the storage compartment; and
• - a locking device which holds or secures the armrest body in its closed position or position closing the storage compartment, in particular in such a way that the armrest body can only be moved after an actuating element has been actuated and the storage compartment can thus be opened.

Such an armrest device is, for example, from the EN 10 2018 202 391 A1 known.

The invention is based on the object of optimizing a previously described armrest device with regard to the locking device.

The object is achieved by the armrest device according to the invention of patent claim 1. With the independent patent claim, the invention also extends to a center console for a motor vehicle, which has at least one armrest device according to the invention. Further features of the invention arise analogously for both subject matters of the invention from the dependent patent claims, the following description of the invention (this expressly also includes features described as examples and optionally) and the figures.

According to the invention, the locking device, which particularly means the complete locking device, is designed as a modular unit. In other words, the locking device is a structural or functional unit designed as an independent module, which is prefabricated as a whole and installed in the armrest device and can also be removed again if necessary. A locking device designed as a modular unit is also referred to below for the sake of simplicity as a modular unit.

The armrest device according to the invention can also have more than one armrest body. A (common) locking device designed as a modular unit can be provided for all armrest bodies. Or a separate locking device designed as a modular unit can be provided for each armrest body.

The invention brings with it many advantages and improvements. The number of components and units required to assemble the armrest device is significantly reduced, which also reduces the construction and assembly costs and any repair costs. Furthermore, simplifications can also be made for the manufacture of the base body and/or the armrest body, particularly with regard to tool design. Combining them into a modular unit enables a more reliable design and a more robust structure of the locking device. A specific design variant of the locking device designed as a modular unit can be used for different types of armrest devices. In addition, different design variants of the locking device designed as a modular unit can be provided (which, with identical installation and connection or fastening dimensions, differ for example in terms of the mode of operation, the direction of actuation and/or the direction of unlocking), which can then be installed or mounted depending on the intended equipment configuration of the armrest device and can also be replaced at a later date. In addition, modifications and structural changes to the locking device can be implemented more easily. (This is not an exhaustive list.)

The module unit can have an actuating element and at least one locking element coupled to the actuating element, which are in particular fastened or held on a carrier element. The actuating element enables the manual actuation of the locking device, in particular for the purpose of unlocking, and is designed, for example, as a button, actuating lever or the like. The locking element effects the locking, in particular the mechanical locking, of the armrest body in the closed position and is designed, for example, as a latch or the like. The carrier element can be designed as a base plate, frame or the like. The carrier element is preferably made of metal, in particular of sheet metal, or of plastic, in particular being a stamped part or plastic injection-molded part. The same applies analogously to the actuating element and the locking element.

Preferably, the actuating element and the locking element are mechanically coupled. The actuating element and the locking element can also be electromechanically coupled, in particular in such a way that the actuating element is designed as a switch, ie as an electrical switch or the like, and the movement of the locking element is brought about or implemented by means of at least one electric motor, wherein the electric motor can also be fastened or held (directly or indirectly) to the carrier element.

The modular unit can have at least one further element, which can also be attached or held (directly or indirectly) to the carrier element. For example, at least one spring element, which in particular causes the actuating element and/or the locking element to return, and/or at least one lighting element, in particular for illuminating the actuating element, can be provided. This makes it possible to integrate many elements and functions into the modular unit.

The module unit is preferably attached to the base body at at least two attachment points, in particular screwed in place. These attachment points are preferably located on the carrier element and are designed, for example, as holes. The attachment points can also be provided as support points or as receiving points for supporting and/or as a movement stop for the armrest body (in the closed position), for example by using suitably designed attachment screws (which, for example, have a rubber head or the like). In other words, the attachment points can also serve as a holder for the armrest body itself.

The module unit can also have a cover, in particular a hood-like cover. This cover can simultaneously function as a support and/or as a movement stop for the armrest body (in the closed position).

• 1 zeigt eine erfindungsgemäße Armauflagevorrichtung für ein Kraftfahrzeug.
• 2 zeigt die in der Armauflagevorrichtung der 1 verbaute Verrieglungseinrichtung, die als Moduleinheit ausgebildet ist.
• 3 zeigt die als Moduleinheit ausgebildete Verrieglungseinrichtung der 2 mit einer Abdeckung.

The invention is explained in more detail below by way of example and in a non-limiting manner with reference to the figures. The features shown in the figures and/or explained below can be general features of the invention, even independently of specific combinations of features.

• 1 shows an armrest device according to the invention for a motor vehicle.
• 2 shows the armrest device of the 1 built-in locking device, which is designed as a modular unit.
• 3 shows the locking device designed as a modular unit of the 2 with a cover.

The 1 The armrest device 100 shown comprises a base body 110 with an integrated storage compartment, a movable armrest body 120, which also functions as a lid or cover for the storage compartment, and a locking device 130, which holds the armrest body or lid 120 in its closed position (as shown) that closes the storage compartment. The armrest body 120 can be pivoted or moved relative to the base body 110 after the locking device 130 has been actuated in order to open the storage compartment. The armrest device 100 shown is in particular part of a center console.

The locking device 130 is designed as a modular unit, as in 2 shown. The module unit has an actuating element 132 and two locking elements 133 mechanically coupled thereto, which are fastened or held on a carrier element 131 and are mounted in a suitable manner, e.g. pivotable and/or displaceable. Furthermore, spring elements (not shown) are provided for resetting the actuating element 132 and the locking elements 133. The carrier element 131 has two fastening points B designed as bores for fastening, in particular screw fastening, to the base body 110. The armrest body 120 can also be supported at these fastening points B, as explained above.

3 shows a hood-like cover 134, which can be attached to the carrier element 131 in a suitable manner, for example by means of a clip fastening. The cover 134 functions as a protective device. Furthermore, the cover 134 also functions as a support and/or as a movement stop for the armrest body 120.

Further details, possible designs and variants of the armrest device 100 and the locking device 130 designed as a modular unit are described above.

List of reference symbols

100

Armrest device

110

Base body

120

Armrest body

130

Locking device (modular unit)

131

Support element

132

Actuator

133

Locking element

134

cover

B

Attachment point

x/y/z

Vehicle coordinate system

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102018202391 A1 [0003]

Claims (10)

Armrest device (100) for a motor vehicle, with - a base body (110) which has at least one integrated storage compartment; - a movable armrest body (120) which is also provided as a cover for the storage compartment; and - a locking device (130) which holds the armrest body (120) in its closed position closing the storage compartment; characterized in that the locking device (130) is designed as a modular unit. Armrest device (100) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the locking device (130) designed as a modular unit has an actuating element (132) and at least one locking element (133) coupled to the actuating element (132), which are fastened to a carrier element (131). Armrest device (100) according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the carrier element (131) is made of sheet metal or plastic. Armrest device (100) according to Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the actuating element (132) and the locking element (133) are mechanically coupled. Armrest device (100) according to Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that the actuating element (132) and the locking element (133) are electromechanically coupled. Armrest device (100) according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the actuating element (132) is designed as a switch and the movement of the locking element (133) is realized by means of at least one electric motor, wherein the electric motor is also fastened to the carrier element (131). Armrest device (100) according to one of the preceding Claims 2 until 6 , characterized in that the locking device (130) designed as a modular unit also has at least one spring element and/or at least one lighting element which are fastened to the carrier element (131). Armrest device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device (130) designed as a modular unit is fastened to at least two fastening points (B) on the base body (110) and these fastening points (B) are simultaneously provided as support points for the armrest body (120). Armrest device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device (130) designed as a modular unit has a cover (134) which is simultaneously provided as a support and/or as a movement stop for the armrest body (120). Center console for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one armrest device (100) according to one of the preceding claims.

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