Patent ID: 12240415

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

DE 20 2016 106 055 U1 discloses, for example, an armrest which can be adjusted in terms of height by means of a scissor-like frame having axles which are guided in bearings.

FIGS.1A and1Bshow schematic illustrations of a console element1for a vehicle having a top subassembly10and a bottom subassembly12. The top subassembly10can be adjusted in terms of height relative to the bottom subassembly12. The bottom subassembly12is arranged on a vehicle floor FB so as to be secured to the floor.

The console element1further has an adjustment subassembly11. The adjustment subassembly11is arranged between the bottom subassembly12and the top subassembly10. Via the adjustment subassembly11, the top subassembly10can be adjusted relative to the bottom subassembly12along an adjustment axis V. For example, the top subassembly10may be able to be adjusted in a motorized or electronic manner. The adjustment axis V is arranged perpendicularly to the vehicle floor FB.

The adjustment subassembly11has a first adjustment element111and a second adjustment element112which is pivotably coupled to the first adjustment element111. The first adjustment element111is articulated to an upper articulation location100of the top subassembly10. The second adjustment element112is articulated to a bottom articulation location120of the bottom subassembly12.

The first adjustment element111is arranged in a stationary manner on the top subassembly10and the second adjustment element112is arranged in a stationary manner on the bottom subassembly12. The two adjustment elements111,112are fixed in position. The first adjustment element111cannot, for example, be displaced relative to the top subassembly10and the second adjustment element112cannot, for example, be displaced relative to the bottom subassembly12. The first adjustment element111and the second adjustment element112are articulated in a static manner to the top subassembly10and the bottom subassembly12. As an example, the first adjustment element111and the second adjustment element112are rotatable and non-displaceable relative to the top subassembly10and the bottom subassembly12.

The first adjustment element111can be pivoted relative to the top subassembly10and the second adjustment element112can be pivoted relative to the bottom subassembly12. The first adjustment element111and the second adjustment112are coupled to each other at a common coupling location110. At the coupling location110, the first adjustment element111and the second adjustment element112can be pivoted relative to each other. A pivoting of the first adjustment element111relative to the top subassembly10also brings about a pivoting of the second adjustment element112relative to the bottom subassembly12. A pivoting of the second adjustment element112relative to the bottom subassembly12also brings about as a result of the coupling location110a pivoting of the first adjustment element111relative to the top subassembly10. The coupling location110moves when the first adjustment element111and the second adjustment element112are pivoted along an adjustment path B which is constructed in a curved manner. The adjustment path B of the coupling location110along which the coupling location110can be moved when the top subassembly10is adjusted is illustrated as a circular arc.

The console element1can be adjusted with the adjustment subassembly11between a first position which is illustrated inFIG.1Aand a second position which is illustrated inFIG.1B.

In the first position, the spacing between the top subassembly10and the bottom subassembly12along the adjustment axis V is smaller than in the second position. In the second position, the top subassembly10is arranged higher along the adjustment axis V than in the first position relative to an adjacent vehicle seat, for example.

In the first position, the first adjustment element111and the second adjustment element112form an acute angle. In the second position, the first adjustment element111and the second adjustment element112are pivoted relative to each other so that they form an obtuse angle with each other. In principle, a first angle between the first adjustment element111and the second adjustment element112in the first position is smaller than a second angle between the first adjustment element111and the second adjustment element112in the second position.

The first and the second adjustment elements111,112are arranged in the manner of a single-sided scissor lifting mechanism. The first adjustment element111protrudes with a first free end beyond the second adjustment element112and the second adjustment element112protrudes with a second free end beyond the first adjustment element111so that the two adjustment elements111,112intersect each other at the coupling location110. The adjustment elements111,112may intersect each other an odd number of times. For example, the adjustment elements111,112may intersect each other once or three times. The two free ends are in each case shorter than a portion of the adjustment elements111,112between the respective articulation location100,120and the coupling location110.

As a result of this construction, an adjustment subassembly11which saves construction space and enables the longest possible adjustment path along the adjustment axis V can be produced in a simple manner.

FIGS.2A and2Bshow schematic illustrations of a console element1, wherein the first adjustment element111has a first extension portion1111which protrudes from the top subassembly10in a first extension direction and a first adjustment portion1112which protrudes from the first extension portion1111in a direction oblique relative to the first extension direction. The first adjustment element111consequently forms at least one angle. The first adjustment portion1112protrudes from the first extension portion1111at the coupling location110. The first adjustment portion1112forms a first free end on the first adjustment element111. The first adjustment element111extends from the upper articulation location on the top subassembly10beyond the coupling location110to the first free end.

The second adjustment element112has a second extension portion1121which protrudes from the bottom subassembly12in a second extension direction and a second adjustment portion1122which protrudes from the second extension portion1121in a direction perpendicular to the second extension direction. The second adjustment element112is constructed in an L-shaped manner. The free ends in each case extend from the coupling location110in the direction of the articulation location of the respective adjustment element111,112. The adjustment elements111,112can intersect each other an even number of times. For example, the adjustment elements111,112intersect each other not at all or twice. The first free end protrudes at the top side from the coupling location110and the second free end protrudes at the base side from the coupling location110. In a first position of the console element1, the first adjustment portion1112or the first free end extends parallel with the second extension direction.

In a variant which is not illustrated, the first adjustment element111is constructed in an L-shaped manner and the second adjustment portion1122protrudes from the second extension portion1121in a direction oblique relative to the second extension direction.

In the present embodiment, the coupling location110is arranged on the second adjustment portion1122. The second adjustment portion1122comprises a second free end which protrudes from the coupling location110. The second adjustment element112extends from the lower articulation location on the bottom subassembly12, via the second extension portion1121, the second adjustment portion1122and the coupling location110to the second free end.

The first free end and the second free end protrude from the coupling location110. The size of an opening angle W between the free ends is dependent on a position of the console element1. In the first position which is illustrated inFIG.2A, the opening angle W is larger than in the second position of the console element1which is illustrated inFIG.2B. The opening angle W and the angle between the adjustment elements111,112at the articulation locations100,120are inversely proportional with respect to each other.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.3A, an electromotive adjustment device14is arranged at the second free end. In order to adjust the top subassembly10, the adjustment device14engages on the first free end. The adjustment device14is configured to change the opening angle W between the first free end and the second free end in order to adjust the adjustment subassembly11. When the opening angle W is decreased, the top subassembly10is adjusted along the adjustment axis V away from the bottom subassembly12. When the opening angle W is increased, the top subassembly10is adjusted along the adjustment axis V in the direction toward the bottom subassembly12. When the adjustment elements111,112are arranged with respect to each other in the manner of a single-sided scissor lifting mechanism, a decrease of the opening angle W brings about an adjustment of the top subassembly10in the direction toward the bottom subassembly12and an increase of the opening angle W brings about an adjustment of the top subassembly10away from the bottom subassembly12.

The adjustment elements111,112also comprise in this embodiment, as in the previous embodiment, an extension portion1111,1121and an adjustment portion1112,1122. The adjustment device14is arranged on the second adjustment portion1122of the second adjustment element112. Alternatively, the adjustment device14may be arranged on the first adjustment portion1112of the first adjustment element111.

The adjustment device14comprises a drive apparatus140and a drive element141which can be adjusted relative to the drive apparatus140. The drive element141is articulated to the first free end. The adjustment device14is in the form of a spindle drive. The drive element141is a spindle. The adjustment device14is kinematically connected to the second adjustment element112. It thus also moves with the second adjustment element112.

In principle, the adjustment device14can also be arranged at the first free end of the first adjustment element111. For example, the first adjustment element111may have a first extension portion1111and a first adjustment portion1112which extends in a direction which extends perpendicularly to the extension direction of the first extension portion1111. The adjustment device14may be arranged on the first adjustment portion1112. As a result of the arrangement of the adjustment device14on the adjustment subassembly11, the console element1may take up a particularly small amount of structural space. In principle, the adjustment device14may also be arranged on the top subassembly10or on the bottom subassembly12.

The console element1further comprises a guiding means subassembly13which is arranged on the bottom subassembly12in order to guide the top subassembly10along the adjustment subassembly11. The adjustment subassembly11provides a drive force for adjusting the top subassembly10along the adjustment axis V. Via the guiding means subassembly13, the top subassembly10is guided during the adjustment by the adjustment subassembly11along the adjustment axis V.

The guiding means subassembly13has three guiding means131,132,133which can be fitted one inside the other in the manner of a telescope. A first guiding means131is received in a second guiding means132which in turn is received in a third guiding means133. The third guiding means133is received in a bottom guiding means121of the bottom subassembly12. It can be displaced along the bottom guiding means121relative to the bottom subassembly12. The first guiding means131is arranged on the top subassembly10. When the console element1is adjusted from the first position into the second position, the first guiding means131is displaced along the adjustment axis V relative to the second guiding means132and the second guiding means132is displaced along the adjustment axis V relative to the third guiding means133. The third guiding means133is in turn displaced along the adjustment axis V relative to the bottom guiding means121. The guiding means121,131,132,133have guiding rails for guiding one on the other.

An adjustment of the console element1in a direction away from the bottom subassembly12is carried out by the drive element141being adjusted by the drive apparatus140from the first free end of the first adjustment element11in the direction toward the drive apparatus140. The opening angle W between the first free end and the second free end is thereby reduced. At the extension portions1111,1121of the adjustment elements111,112, as a result of the reduction of the opening angle W at the free ends, an angle between the first and the second adjustment element111,112is increased. The top subassembly10moves along the adjustment axis V predetermined by the guiding means subassembly13away from the bottom subassembly12. As a result of the adjustment subassembly11, the top subassembly10is moved along the adjustment axis V. The guiding means subassembly13extends in a telescopic manner.

FIG.3Billustrates a second position of the console element1, in which the guiding means subassembly13is fully extended. An arrangement of the adjustment elements111,112and the adjustment device14in the first position according toFIG.3Ais indicated with dashed lines. Starting from the first position, the coupling location110has moved along a curved adjustment path B away from the bottom subassembly12. The first free end and the drive apparatus140are spaced closely with respect to each other in contrast to the first position.

The second adjustment element112has a stop by means of which a pivot movement of the second adjustment element112in the direction toward the bottom subassembly12can be limited. The stop is constructed as a base portion1120, via which the second adjustment element112is articulated to the bottom subassembly12. Starting from the base portion1120, the second extension portion1121extends in an extension direction. The second extension portion1121is arranged in a direction oblique with respect to the base portion1120. When the second adjustment element112is adjusted in the direction toward the bottom subassembly12, the base portion1120strikes a block element122of the bottom subassembly12. The base portion1120is arranged parallel with the vehicle base FB when striking the block element122. The second extension portion1121extends at an angle with respect to the vehicle base FB. In this first position, a height of the top subassembly10is minimal.

FIGS.4A and4Bshow illustrations of the console element1in a first position and in a second position. The guiding means subassembly13is covered with a trim component123of the bottom subassembly12. A portion of the adjustment subassembly11protrudes beyond the trim component123. The adjustment subassembly11consequently enables a compact construction of the console element1with an adjustment mechanism having an increased adjustment range. In the second position, the first guiding means131and the second guiding means132protrude beyond the trim component123.

FIG.5Ashows a console element1in a first position. The upper articulation location100is formed by means of a plate element on the top subassembly10. The first adjustment element111is articulated to the plate element. The top subassembly10is displaceably supported on the bottom subassembly12by means of two guiding means subassemblies13. The guiding means subassemblies13are constructed symmetrically relative to an adjustment plane in which the first and the second adjustment elements111,112can be adjusted. A stable guiding of the top subassembly10during the adjustment by the adjustment subassembly11is thereby possible.

A trim component123of the bottom subassembly12is arranged in each case on the two guiding means subassemblies13so that the guiding means subassemblies13are at least partially covered.FIGS.5B and5Cshow two views of the console element1in the second position. The guiding means subassembly13is extended to the maximum extent.

FIG.6AandFIG.6Bshow two additional views of the console element1in a first position and a second position. The guiding means131,132,133of the guiding means subassembly13are fitted one inside the other. The two first guiding means131are in each case received in the second guiding means132. The second guiding means132are at least partially received in the third guiding means133. The third guiding means133are received on lower guiding means121of the bottom subassembly12. A telescopic height adjustment of the guiding means subassembly13is thereby enabled.

FIG.7AandFIG.7Bshow an embodiment, in which the adjustment device14is arranged on the bottom subassembly12. The adjustment device14engages on the second adjustment element12in order to adjust the top subassembly10. As an example, the adjustment device14engages on the second extension portion1121between the lower articulation location120of the second adjustment element112and the coupling location110between the second adjustment element112and the first adjustment element111. The adjustment device14comprises a drive apparatus140and a drive element141. Using the drive apparatus140, the drive element141can be adjusted relative to the bottom subassembly12. The drive element141is further articulated to the second adjustment element112. The adjustment of the drive element141away from the bottom subassembly12directly brings about a pivoting of the second adjustment element112relative to the bottom subassembly12.

In a variant according toFIG.7CandFIG.7D, the drive apparatus140is arranged on the top subassembly10and engages on the first adjustment element111. Using the drive apparatus140, the first adjustment element111can thereby be directly adjusted relative to the top subassembly10, whereby an adjustment of the top subassembly10is brought about.

In one embodiment according toFIGS.8A to8D, a resilient element15which supports an adjustment of the top subassembly10is provided.

FIG.8Ashows an embodiment in which the resilient element15is arranged on the bottom subassembly12and engages on the top subassembly10. For example, the resilient element15may be compressed in a first position of the console element1so that stored resilient energy can be used during adjustment from the first position into the second position as a support for the adjustment of the top subassembly10.

FIG.8Bshows an embodiment in which the resilient element15is arranged on the bottom subassembly12and engages on the second adjustment element112. The resilient element15supports a pivoting of the second adjustment element112relative to the bottom subassembly12. For example, the resilient element15may be compressed in the first position. When the second adjustment element112is pivoted relative to the bottom subassembly12in order to adjust the top subassembly10into the second position, the resilient element15can support the adjustment of the second adjustment element112and thereby also support the adjustment of the top subassembly10.

According toFIG.8C, the resilient element15is arranged on the top subassembly10. The resilient element15engages on the first adjustment element111. It can thereby, for example, support a pivoting of the first adjustment element111away from the top subassembly10. An adjustment of the top subassembly10can thereby be supported.

In one embodiment according toFIG.8D, the resilient element15is arranged on the first adjustment element111. It engages on the second adjustment element112. The increase of the angle between the first and the second adjustment elements111,112at the articulation locations100,120can thereby be supported.

FIG.9shows a vehicle seat arrangement having two vehicle seats S, S′ between which a console element1is arranged. The console element1has a top subassembly10and a bottom subassembly12which is arranged on a vehicle base FB of the vehicle. The top subassembly10can be adjusted relative to the bottom subassembly12along an adjustment axis V. As an example, the top subassembly10can be adjusted in terms of height relative to the vehicle base FB.

In order to adjust the top subassembly10, an adjustment subassembly11is provided. The adjustment subassembly11is coupled to a control device16. Via the control device16, the adjustment of the top subassembly10can be controlled. The adjustment of the top subassembly10can, for example, be controlled mechanically or electronically.

The following is a list of reference numbers shown in the Figures. However, it should be understood that the use of these terms is for illustrative purposes only with respect to one embodiment. And, use of reference numbers correlating a certain term that is both illustrated in the Figures and present in the claims is not intended to limit the claims to only cover the illustrated embodiment.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1Console element10Top subassembly100Upper articulation location11Adjustment subassembly110Coupling location111,112Adjustment element1120Base portion1111,1121Extension portion1112,1122Adjustment portion12Bottom subassembly120Lower articulation location121Lower guiding means122Block element123Trim component13Guiding means subassembly31,132,133Guiding means14Adjustment device140Drive apparatus141Drive element15Resilient element16Control deviceB Adjustment pathFB Vehicle baseS, S′ Motor vehicle seatV Adjustment axisW Opening angle

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments 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. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.