Patent Publication Number: US-2007108830-A1

Title: Door armrest system with pull cup

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The invention relates to an armrest that extends from a door trim panel in a vehicle. More specifically, the invention includes an armrest that deforms to absorb forces associated with side impacts, yet exhibits strength and rigidity in response to pulling forces exerted by an in-vehicle occupant who wishes to close an open door.  
      2. Background Art  
      Most doors in automobiles have a stiff frame that supports an inner trim panel. Often, that panel includes an armrest. The armrest supports the arm of a driver or passenger and the weight of the occupant if he or she leans on the armrest, perhaps with an elbow.  
      The armrest is ideally designed to absorb forces generated by side impact, while being soft enough to cushion a sideways blow to minimize injury to the vehicle occupant.  
      In some vehicles, the armrest also includes a recess or cup which may be gripped by an occupant&#39;s hand in order to close an open door. Thus, there is a requirement that an armrest with a pull cup exhibit strength and rigidity when subjected to pulling forces. But when the occupant and armrest interact during a side impact, there is an opposing requirement: low stiffness so that the blow may be cushioned.  
      Among the art identified in a search that was undertaken before filing this patent application are the following U.S. references: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,453,760; 4,783,114; 4,919,470; 4,929,017; 5,527,084; 5,884,434; 5,931,682; 5,967,470; and 6,893,077.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In one embodiment of the invention, an armrest system is provided for a door trim panel assembly in a vehicle. The armrest system has an inner skin that faces a vehicle occupant. Positioned within the inner skin is an energy-absorbing material that cushions forces associated with side impact. A substrate is situated at least partially around the energy-absorbing material so that the energy-absorbing material is contained between the inner skin and the substrate.  
      A cup is detachably attached to the substrate. Forming the cup is a base with a pair of lateral edges and a pair of longitudinal edges. A longitudinal wall extends from one of the longitudinal edges. A pair of lateral walls extends from the pair of lateral edges.  
      To provide support to the cup when it is grasped by a vehicle occupant while closing the vehicle door, a tether girds the pair of lateral walls and the longitudinal wall. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an armrest system in a door trim panel assembly;  
       FIG. 2  is a vertical sectional view taken along the line of A-A of  FIG. 1 ; and  
       FIG. 3  is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line of B-B of  FIG. 1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)  
       FIGS. 1-3  of the drawings depict an armrest system  10  that is located in a door trim panel assembly for a vehicle. The armrest system  10  has an inner skin  14  ( FIG. 2 ) that faces a vehicle occupant (not shown). Positioned within the inner skin  14  is an energy-absorbing material, such as foam  16 . The energy-absorbing material  16  absorbs energy during a side impact, as does the armrest skin, the armrest substrate, and a cup, thereby serving to protect the vehicle occupant.  
      Turning with particular reference to  FIG. 2 , a substrate  18  is situated at least partially around the energy-absorbing material  16  so that the latter is contained between the inner skin  14  and the substrate  18 .  
      As depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 , the armrest system  10  includes a cup  20  that is detachable, attached to the substrate  18 . Designed to collapse and absorb energy during side impact, the cup can be grasped by a vehicle occupant while closing the vehicle door and thereby subjecting the armrest system  10  to inwardly directed pulling forces. The cup has a base  22  ( FIGS. 2-3 ), which is partially defined by a pair of lateral edges  24 , 24 ′ ( FIG. 3 ). Extending between the lateral edges  24 ,  24 ′ is a pair of longitudinal edges  26 , 26 ′ ( FIG. 3 ). A longitudinal wall  28  extends from one of the longitudinal edges  26 . Each lateral wall  24 , 24 ′ has an open edge  29 , 29 ′ ( FIG. 3 ). Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the cup is defined primarily by its base  22 , and three walls: i.e., pair of lateral walls  27 , 27 ′ and one longitudinal wall  28  that are preferably joined by curved sections.  
      In alternate embodiments, the pull cup may be shaped as a part of a hemisphere or one part of a spheroid and more particularly, a prolate spheroid.  
      To provide support to the cup when it is grasped by a vehicle occupant, a tether  30  girds the pair of lateral walls  27 , 27 ′ and the longitudinal wall  28 . The tether  30  itself plays little role in energy absorption. Thus, the armrest system  10  provides stiffness in opposing inwardly directed forces exerted by a vehicle occupant who desires to close the vehicle door, yet the overall system  10  offers a cushioning effect when side impact forces are directed inwardly from outside the vehicle.  
      In an alternate embodiment, a longitudinally extending bracket  32  ( FIGS. 2-3 ) spans the open edges  29 , 29 ′ of the lateral walls  27 , 27 ′. Preferably, the tether  30  provided with end regions  34 , 34 ′ that are secured to the bracket  32 . In one embodiment, an outer energy absorbing material  36  ( FIG. 2 ) is provided between the open edges  29  of the lateral walls  27 , 27 ′.  
      As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the armrest system  10  includes means  38  for securing the tether  30  to the bracket  32 . In some embodiments, the means  38  is selected from a group consisting a nut-bolt combination, a rivet, a glue, an adhesive, a weld stud, and combinations thereof.  
      As best shown in  FIG. 1 , extending from the bracket is means  40  for attaching the bracket to sheet metal (not shown) associated with the vehicle door. In some embodiments, the means for attaching  40  is selected from the group consisting of a J-shaped member, a nut-bolt combination, a rivet, a weld stud, a screw, a glue, an adhesive, and combinations thereof.  
      As best illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the tether  30  is accommodated by a channel  42  that is defined at or in the sides of at least one of the lateral walls  29 , 29 ′ and the longitudinal wall  28 . Preferably, the channel  42  is located toward an upper area of these walls. As illustrated, the channel  42  is defined at least in part by a lip  44  ( FIGS. 1-2 ) that extends inwardly (in relation to the vehicle interior) from the cup  20  and a rib  42  ( FIG. 2 ).  
      Turning now to  FIG. 2 , there is depicted an applique  32  that preferably is a stiff plastic or other material with similar stiffness characteristics. Examples include but are not limited to composites, metals, and metal alloys. Thus, the outer energy absorbing material  36  lies between the applique  32  and the cup  20 .  
      If desired, as shown in  FIG. 3 , one or more stiffening ribs  54  may extend toward the longitudinal wall  28  from the substrate  18 . The stiffening ribs preferably extend laterally in relation to the cup, although they could also extend in a direction that is inclined thereto, especially around the edges of the cup where the lateral and longitudinal walls unite.  
      While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.