AN ARMREST MECHANISM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an armrest mechanism which provides movement of the armrest, used in vehicle seats, in more than one position in the rotary axis.

PRIOR ART

In automotive, particularly in public transport vehicles, there are armrests positioned at the lateral regions of the passenger seats and driver seats. Armrests provide a safe and comfortable voyage. Armrests provide aesthetical and mechanical improvements together with the developing technology, and basically the common characteristic of these mechanisms is that they can be moved downwardly and upwardly.

In the known state of the art, armrests are fixed to the seat lateral surface by means of a shaft. Armrests can move to a usage position and to a closed position according to the seating position. In order to provide adjustment of the armrest to more positions, there are armrests with mechanism in the present art. In the armrests comprising mechanism, the armrest angle can be adjusted at specific levels according to the angle of the seat back part.

In the literature, there is the patent application with number US2016052429. Said application relates to an arm support for a vehicle seat. Said arm base comprises an arm support assembled in a rotatable manner around a rotatable axis between a resting position and a usage position of an injection molded plastic console part. The console part comprises an assembly collar at the opposite sides of the console part. In the arm support, an assembly stud is assembled to the collar. A metal bearing ring, injected to the assembly collar, covers the assembly stud in the form of a ring, and here, a bearing surface is arranged which extends radially outwardly at each of the assembly collars, it is carried by a protrusion molded integrally to the bearing ring. In said mechanism, since the number of parts used is excessive, production costs are high. Moreover, said mechanism comprises a three- dimensional structure because of the protrusions provided on the geared part structures for transferring movement to the collar. For this reason, it cannot be produced with normal press processes as the production technology. This leads to high material costs. As a result, because of all of the abovementioned problems, an improvement is required in the related technical field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an armrest mechanism, for eliminating the above mentioned disadvantages and for bringing new advantages to the related technical field.

An object of the present invention is to provide movement of the armrest arm, used in vehicle seats, in more than one position in the rotary axis.

Another object of the present invention is to provide reduction of labor and production costs of armrest arm which can move in more than one position in the rotary axis.

In order to realize the abovementioned objects and the objects which are to be deducted from the detailed description below, the present invention relates to an armrest mechanism in order to provide movement of an arm, existing in armrest structure used at vehicle seats, in more than one position in the rotation axis and having a bracket where said arm is connected, a fixed gear positioned by means of a shaft between the mutual lateral surfaces of said bracket, more than one tooth positioned at predetermined distance provided on said fixed gear wall, and a movable gear having at least one matching gear associated with said teeth and connected to the bracket by means of a pin. Accordingly, the subject matter armrest mechanism comprises a first housing and a second housing provided on said movable gear; a positioning element having a housing protrusion and which provides movement of said matching gear, which is associated with said tooth, in an upward direction by means of resting of the movable gear to the fixed gear wall by means of engagement into said first housing and which provides separation of the matching gear, provided on the movable gear, from the teeth provided on the fixed gear by means of engagement into said second housing and which provides movement of the movable gear in a downward direction; a resetting point provided on said fixed gear and which provides diverging of said movable gear from a center of said fixed gear and pushing thereof downwardly in said pin axis in order to provide passage of said housing protrusion, provided on said positioning element, from the first housing to the second housing provided on the movable gear; a step provided on the fixed gear in order to provide passage of the housing protrusion, provided on the positioning element, to the first housing from the second housing provided on the movable gear; and a stop end provided on the movable gear and pushed by said step and which provides pushing of the movable gear upwardly in the pin axis. Thus, the armrest arm, used in vehicle seats, is moved in more than one position in the rotary axis.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the number of teeth provided on the fixed gear is at least one six in a manner providing fixation of the arm in at least six separate positions. Thus, the arm is fixed at six separate positions.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the teeth are positioned on the fixed gear in a manner providing said arm to be at degrees of minus fourteen degrees, minus seven degrees, zero degree, plus seven degrees, plus fourteen degrees and plus twenty one degrees with respect to the position thereof which is parallel to the floor.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the structure of the teeth and the matching gear which corresponds to the teeth provides movement easily in the upward direction and when force is exerted in the downward direction, the teeth and the matching gear extend in the upward direction angularly in a manner preventing passage of the arm to the lower positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a representative dismantled view of the subject matter armrest mechanism.

Figure 2 is a representative lateral cross-sectional view of the subject matter armrest mechanism at the first position.

Figure 3 is a representative lateral cross-sectional view of the subject matter armrest mechanism at the second position.

Figure 4 is a representative lateral cross-sectional view of the subject matter armrest mechanism at the third position.

Figure 5 is a representative lateral cross-sectional view of the subject matter armrest mechanism at the fourth position.

Figure 6 is a representative lateral cross-sectional view of the subject matter armrest mechanism at the fifth position. Figure 7 is a representative lateral cross-sectional view of the subject matter armrest mechanism at the sixth position.

Figure 8 is a representative lateral cross-sectional view of the form of the arm which advances towards the seat back part in the subject matter armrest mechanism.

Figure 9 is a representative lateral cross-sectional view of the form of the arm which is parallel to the seat back part in the subject matter armrest mechanism.

Figure 10 is a representative lateral cross-sectional view of the form of the arm which advances downwardly in the subject matter armrest mechanism.

Figure 1 1 is a representative lateral cross-sectional view of the step of passage of the housing protrusion, provided in the positioning part, from the second housing to the first housing for the passage of the arm to the first position in the subject matter armrest mechanism.

Figure 12 is a representative lateral cross-sectional view where the arm has engaged to the first position in the subject matter armrest mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the subject matter armrest mechanism (1 ) is explained with references to examples without forming any restrictive effect only in order to make the subject more understandable.

In Figure 1 , a representative dismantled view of the subject matter armrest mechanism (1 ) is given. The present invention relates to an armrest mechanism (1 ) which provides movement of the armrest, used in the vehicle seats, in more than one position in the rotary axis. In said armrest mechanism (1 ), there is a bracket (10) connected to an arm (80). There is a fixed gear (20) positioned between the mutual lateral surfaces of said bracket (10) by means of a shaft (70). Said fixed gear (20) has a fixed position and said bracket (10) can realize rotational movement in a central (I) axis of said shaft (70) by means of force exerted to said arm (80). Said fixed gear (20) is associated with at least one movable gear (30). In order to provide movement of said armrest arm (80) around said center (I) of the shaft (70) in an upward direction (II) and a downward direction (III) at more than one predetermined position, there is at least one positioning element (40) which provides movement adjustment of said movable gear (30) on the fixed gear (20) wall.

In the armrest mechanism (1 ), one each holes (1 1 ) are provided on the mutual surfaces of the bracket (10). On the fixed gear (20), a gear hole (24) is provided which has a diameter which is compliant to said hole (1 1 ). The fixation of the armrest mechanism (1 ) onto the seat lateral surface and the connection of the fixed gear (20) with the bracket (10) are provided by means of the shaft (70). The diameter of the shaft (70) is compliant to said hole (1 1 ) and said gear hole (24) diameter. The shaft (70) engages to a hole (1 1 ) existing on a lateral surface of the bracket (10). After the shaft (70) engages to the hole (1 1 ), it realizes passage through the gear hole (24) provided on the fixed gear (20). The shaft (70), which realizes passage through said gear hole (24), extends outwardly from the hole (1 1 ) provided on the other lateral surface of the bracket (10). One each friction preventers (60) are positioned, which encircle the hole (1 1 ), in the holes (1 1 ) provided mutually for preventing friction in the passage part through the holes (1 1 ) provided on the lateral surfaces of the bracket (10) around the shaft (70). Said friction preventer (60) prevents friction of the bracket (10) during the movement thereof around the shaft (70). In order to prevent removal of the shaft (70) from the hole (1 1 ) and from the gear hole (24), at least one washer (50) is connected which provides locking of the shaft (70) from the part which extends outwards the bracket (70).

The movable gear (30) associated with the fixed gear (20) is connected to the bracket (10) by means of a pin (31 ). The movable gear (30) can move in the axis of said pin (31 ). Moreover, a first housing (32) and a second housing (33) are provided on the movable gear (30). At an end of said positioning element (40), there is a housing protrusion (41 ) which has a structure which is compliant to said first housing (32) and said second housing (33). Said housing protrusion (41 ) realizes passage into the first housing (32) and into the second housing (33) provided on the movable gear (30) and position adjustment is realized for providing advancing upwardly (II) of the movable gear (30) by being pushed to the fixed gear (20) surface and advancing downwardly (III) of the movable gear (30) by being removed from the fixed gear (20) surface. The positioning element (40) is connected to the surface which remains between the mutual surfaces of the bracket (10).

In the armrest mechanism (1 ), moreover, there is a cover (90) which covers the outer part of the bracket (10).

In Figure 2, a representative lateral cross-sectional view of the subject matter armrest mechanism (1 ) at the first position is given. In order to provide movement of the arm (80) existing in the armrest mechanism (1 ) at predetermined positions at the center (I) axis of the shaft (70), more than one tooth (21 ) is provided on the fixed gear (20). Said tooth (21 ) number is provided in a compliant manner to the number of the desired positions. Said teeth (21 ) are associated with the matching gear (34) provided on the movable gear (30). When said matching gear (34) is associated with the ones at the bottom of the tooth (21 ) provided on the fixed gear (20), said arm (80) is at the first position. In order for the arm (80) to change position, the matching gear (34), existing on the movable gear (30), moves towards the upper tooth (21 ) as one step as from the teeth (21 ) existing on the fixed gear (20). At the first position, the arm (80) exists at a position of minus fourteen degrees with respect to the position thereof which is parallel to the floor. While in this position, the housing protrusion (41 ) provided on the positioning element (40) is positioned in the first housing (32) provided on the movable gear (30).

In Figure 3, a representative lateral cross-sectional view of the subject matter armrest mechanism (1 ) at the second position of the arm (80) is given. At the second position of the armrest mechanism (1 ), the arm (80) exists at a position of minus seven degrees with respect to the position thereof which is parallel to the floor. By means of the force exerted for passage of the arm (80) to an upper position, the housing protrusion (41 ), provided in the positioning element (40), bends in the first housing (32) provided on the movable gear (30) and meanwhile, the matching gears (34), provided on the movable gear (30), are moved to an upper tooth (21 ) among the teeth (21 ) provided on the fixed gear (20).

In Figure 4, a representative lateral cross-sectional view of the subject matter armrest mechanism (1 ) at the third position of the arm (80) is given. At the third position of the armrest mechanism (1 ), the arm (80) exists in the position which is parallel to the floor. In this case, the matching gear (34), provided on the movable gear (30), moves to the upper tooth (21 ) again one step further among the teeth (21 ) provided on the fixed gear (20). In Figure 5, the form of the armrest mechanism (1 ) at the fourth position is given. In this position, the arm (80) is at a position which is six-seven degrees with respect to the position of the arm (80) which is parallel to the floor. In Figure 6, in the form of the armrest mechanism (1 ) at the fifth position, the arm (80) is at a position which is plus fourteen degrees with respect to the position thereof which is parallel to the floor. In Figure 7, in the form of the armrest mechanism (1 ) which is at the sixth position, the arm (80) exists at a position which is plus twenty one degrees with respect to the position which is parallel to the floor. In the whole of the process which is up to this part, the housing protrusion (41 ), provided on the positioning element (40), is positioned in the first housing (32) provided on the movable gear (30), and as it bends in the upward direction (II) as a result of the effect of the exerted force, the passage of the matching gear (34) to an upper tooth (21 ) is provided.

The structure of the gears (21 ) provided on the fixed gear (20) and the structure of the matching gears (34) provided on the movable gear (30) extend angularly in the upward direction (II), and as force is exerted, it moves easily in the upward direction (II), and as force is exerted in the downward direction (III), the arm (80) cannot pass to the lower positions.

In Figure 8, a representative lateral cross-sectional view of the form of the arm (80) which advances towards the seat back part in the subject matter armrest mechanism (1 ) is given. In the step of advancing of the arm (80) towards the back part of the seat, the movable gear (30) advances towards a resetting point (22) provided on the surface of the fixed gear (20). At said resetting point (22), the movable gear (30) diverges from the center (I) of the fixed gear (20), and by means of this, the movable gear (30) is pushed in the downward direction (III) in the pin (31 ) axis. As the movable gear (30) is pushed downwardly (III) at the pin (31 ) axis, the housing protrusion (41 ), provided on the positioning element (40), moves towards the second housing (33) from the first housing (32) provided on the movable gear (30). In this case, the matching gears (34), provided on the movable gear (30), diverges from the gears (21 ) provided on the fixed gear (20) and the contact thereof is broken. After this step, if desired, the arm (80) gains the characteristic of moving towards the first position again. Moreover, as seen in Figure 9, the arm (80) can be advanced to a position which is parallel to the seat back.

In Figure 10, a representative lateral cross-sectional view of the form of the arm (80) which advances downwardly in the subject matter armrest mechanism (1 ) is given. Thanks to the passage of the housing protrusion (41 ), provided at the positioning element (40), to the second housing (33) from the first housing (32) provided on the movable gear (30), the movable gear (30) can move in the downward direction (III) without contacting the teeth (21 ) provided on the fixed gear (20).

As can be seen in Figure 1 1 , in order for the arm (80) to pass to the first position again in the armrest mechanism (1 ), a stop end (35) of the movable gear (30) contacts a step (23) provided on the fixed gear (20). In this part, when downward (III) force is exerted to the arm, since said step (23) creates an opposite force to said stop end (35) in the upward direction (III), it is pushed in the upward direction (II) in the axis of the pin (31 ) of the movable gear (30). As the movable gear (30) is pushed upwardly (II) in the pin (31 ) axis, the housing protrusion (41 ), provided on the positioning element (40), is passed from the second housing (33) to the first housing (32) again. Thus, the matching gear (34) provided on the movable gear (30) contacts the gear (21 ) surfaces provided on the fixed gear (20) and the armrest mechanism (1 ) passes to the first position as seen in Figure 12.

Thus, the armrest, used in vehicle seats, can move in more than one position in the rotary axis.

The protection scope of the present invention is set forth in the annexed claims and cannot be restricted to the illustrative disclosures given above, under the detailed description. It is because a person skilled in the relevant art can obviously produce similar embodiments under the light of the foregoing disclosures, without departing from the main principles of the present invention.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 Armrest mechanism

10 Bracket

1 1 Hole

20 Fixed gear

21 Tooth

22 Resetting point

23 Step

24 Gear Hole

30 Movable gear

31 Pin

32 First housing

33 Second housing

34 Matching gear

35 Stop end

40 Positioning element

41 Housing protrusion

50 Washer

60 Friction preventer 70 Shaft

80 Arm

90 Cover

(I) Center

(II) Upward direction

(III) Downward direction