ARM REST FRAME, ARM REST AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN ARM REST FRAME

Abstract

An arm rest frame (1) includes at least one frame component (7, 8, 9, 11). The at least one frame component (7, 8, 9, 11) is made from a organosheet. An arm rest and a method for producing an arm rest frame (1) are also provided.

Claims

1. An arm rest frame comprising at least one frame component formed from an organosheet.

2. The arm rest frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein a rib structure is formed on the organosheet.

3. The arm rest frame as claimed in claim 2, wherein a material connection is formed between the organosheet and the rib structure.

4. The arm rest frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the organosheet comprises a thermoplastic matrix.

5. The arm rest frame as claimed in claim 4, wherein a rib structure is formed on the organosheet and the thermoplastic matrix and the rib structure to are formed from the same material.

6. The arm rest frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one axle body is arranged on the frame component for forming a pivot axis.

7. An arm rest comprising an arm rest frame comprising at least one frame component formed from an organosheet.

8. A method for producing an arm rest frame comprising the step of: forming at least one frame component from an organosheet.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the step of forming comprises heating the organosheet and subsequently shaping by pressing.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the step of forming further comprises integrally forming a rib structure on the organosheet in an injection-molding tool.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the organosheet shaped to form the frame component is introduced into the injection-molding tool and at least partially encapsulated by being injection-molded with a thermoplastic material for producing the rib structure.

12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the organosheet is introduced into the injection-molding tool, subsequently heated in the injection-molding tool and shaped to form the frame component and subsequently at least partially encapsulated by being injection-molded with a thermoplastic material for producing the rib structure.

13. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least one connection geometry is shaped and/or integrally formed during the shaping of the organosheet.

14. An arm rest as claimed in claim 7, wherein a rib structure is formed on the organosheet.

15. An arm rest as claimed in claim 14, wherein a material connection is formed between the organosheet and the rib structure.

16. An arm rest as claimed in claim 7, wherein the organosheet comprises a thermoplastic matrix.

17. An arm rest as claimed in claim 16, wherein a rib structure is formed on the organosheet and the thermoplastic matrix and the rib structure are formed from the same material.

18. An arm rest as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one axle body is arranged on the frame component and forms a pivot axis

19. An arm rest as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one frame component is formed by heating the organosheet and subsequently shaping by pressing the heated organosheet to form the frame component.

20. An arm rest as claimed in claim 19, wherein: a rib structure is integrally formed on the organosheet in an injection-molding tool and the organosheet shaped to form the frame component is introduced into the injection-molding tool and at least partially encapsulated by being injection-molded with a thermoplastic material for producing the rib structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In the drawings:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an upper part of an arm rest frame according to the prior art;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a lower part of an arm rest frame according to the prior art;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an arm rest frame formed from the upper part and the lower part according to FIGS. 1 and 2 according to the prior art;

[0024] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an arm rest frame according to the prior art;

[0025] FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded view of the arm rest frame according to FIG. 4;

[0026] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross section of the arm rest frame according to FIG. 4;

[0027] FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of the arm rest frame according to FIG. 4;

[0028] FIG. 8 is a schematic first perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an arm rest frame according to the invention;

[0029] FIG. 9 is a schematic second perspective view of the arm rest frame according to FIG. 8;

[0030] FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded view of the arm rest frame according to FIG. 8; and

[0031] FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view of the arm rest frame according to FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Referring to the drawings, parts which correspond to one another are provided in all of the Figures with the same reference numerals.

[0033] FIGS. 1 to 7 show in a perspective view an upper part (FIG. 1) and a lower part (FIG. 2) of an arm rest frame 1 (FIG. 3) as well as the arm rest frame 1 for an arm rest according to the prior art. The arm rest in this case is provided for use inside a vehicle. In this case the arm rest is configured to be foldable. For producing this folding mechanism two axle bodies 2, 3 are able to be fixedly arranged on the vehicle, wherein the arm rest in its entirety is pivotable about a first pivot axis predetermined by the axle bodies 2, 3. For producing this folding mechanism, the two axle bodies 2, 3 are able to be fixedly arranged on the vehicle, in each case by one fastening element 4, 5.

[0034] The lower part of the arm rest frame 1 is formed from a first frame component 7 as well as a second frame component 8 connected thereto and a third frame component 9, wherein the second and third frame components 8, 9 are in each case configured as a cranked profile element and are fixedly connected to the first frame component 7.

[0035] Additionally, a further axle body 10 which is configured as a stop element is provided for limiting a pivoting path and thus a pivoting angle of the arm rest about the axle bodies 2, 3. The frame components 7, 8, 9 and the axle bodies 2, 3, 10 in this case are formed from metal, in particular welded together, and form a load-bearing structure for the arm rest.

[0036] The further axle body 10 in this case is arranged on the upper part of the arm rest frame 1, wherein the upper part of the arm rest frame 1 is formed from a fourth frame component 11. The fourth frame component 11 is configured, for example, as a plastics injection-molded part and forms a storage compartment of the arm rest. Moreover, the fourth frame component 11 is configured for fastening further components of the arm rest, not shown in more detail, for example a storage compartment cover, a foam part, a cover, a can and/or bottle holder, a storage compartment and/or further components.

[0037] In FIGS. 8 to 11 a possible exemplary embodiment of an arm rest frame 1 according to the invention for an arm rest is shown in different views. The arm rest is in this case provided for use inside a vehicle between two front seats or two rear seats. In particular, the arm rest is configured to be foldable. For producing this folding mechanism, two axle bodies 2, 3 are able to be fixedly arranged on the vehicle, wherein the arm rest in its entirety is pivotable about a first pivot axis predetermined by the axle bodies 2, 3. A further axle body 10 is configured as a stop element for limiting a pivoting path and thus a pivoting angle of the arm rest about the axle bodies 2, 3.

[0038] In contrast to the arm rest frame 1 according to the prior art, shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the arm rest frame 1 comprises frame components 8, 9, 11 which are formed from a so-called organosheet.

[0039] The organosheet is a conventional organosheet. An organosheet is a planar semi-finished product made from a thermoplastic material, a woven fabric made of glass fibers, carbon fibers and/or aramid fibers or a mixed form thereof being introduced therein such that the fibers are completely coated and enclosed by the thermoplastic material. Organosheets are thus endless fiber-reinforced thermoplastic panels. Organosheets may be shaped by heating and subsequent pressing in short cycle times to form three-dimensional components.

[0040] In this case, during the shaping process, different connection geometries, such as for example receivers 9.1 for the axle bodies 2, 3 and further fastening geometries, not shown in more detail, may be shaped or integrally formed in a particularly simple manner.

[0041] Thus, relative to the arm rest frame 1 according to the prior art shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, a significant simplification of the construction of the arm rest frame 1 may be achieved, wherein functions of the frame components 7 to 9, 11 are integrated in a common component. In this case, a high degree of weight-saving is achieved without impairing the mechanical stability.

[0042] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the frame components 8, 9, 11 are formed from an organosheet which, for example, has a thickness of 1.5 mm. In particular, the frame components 8, 9, 11 are formed from a one-piece organosheet, so that a homogenous component without joints may be formed, with a particularly high level of mechanical stability.

[0043] Moreover, rib structures RS1 to RS4 are formed on the frame components 8, 9, 11 formed from the organosheet, on a lower face and on outer side regions, wherein a material connection is formed between the organosheet and rib structure RS1 to RS4 so that an integral frame component 11 is formed.

[0044] In this case by means of the rib structures RS1 to RS4 partial reinforcements may be achieved by overmolding the organosheet. If specific load paths or force introduction points are subjected to high forces, these may be reinforced by additional overmolding, for example wall thickening and/or ribbing. Preferably the frame component 7 is also produced during this overmolding process, said frame component being provided as a transverse strut for mechanically stabilizing the frame components 8, 9 and connecting said components in a front region remote from the axle bodies 2, 3.

[0045] Moreover, a wall thickness may be reduced relative to conventional frame components, with the same load-bearing capacity. Thus, frame components 7 to 9 and 11 produced in this manner are advantageously reduced in weight and particularly flexurally rigid.

[0046] In this case, a significant weight-saving of, for example, up to 30 percent relative to conventional frame components 7 to 9 and 11 for arm rests may be achieved.

[0047] In order to increase the strength and torsional stiffness further, the individual ribs are arranged so as to intersect within the rib structures RS1 to RS4. In this case an arrangement and/or a pattern of the rib structures RS1 to RS4, a height of the rib structures RS1 to RS4, a thickness of the ribs and the positions thereof are configured according to the load, i.e. adapted to a subsequent mechanical loading of the arm rest frame 1. In this case, the rib structures RS1 to RS4 in each case may have different heights, thicknesses and patterns, wherein both the height and the thickness of the ribs of the rib structures RS1 to RS4 may become gradually larger or smaller. Thus, in particular, with a variable height it is possible to compensate for free spaces of different heights between the frame elements 7 to 8, 11. Such different heights of the free spaces result, for example, from the different heights and arrangements of the frame elements 7 to 8, 11.

[0048] For example, the ribs of the rib structures RS1 to RS4 have a thickness of 2 mm.

[0049] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the rear face of the frame component 11 apart from the region forming the storage compartment is entirely provided with the rib structures RS3, RS4, wherein the rib structures RS3, RS4 are also configured for stabilizing between the region of the frame component 11 forming the storage compartment and the frame components 8, 9. The rib structures RS1, RS2 are in each case formed on an outer face of the frame components 8, 9.

[0050] In particular, the rib structures RS1 to RS4 are formed from a thermoplastic material which forms a material connection with the material of the organosheet.

[0051] In particular, the production of the frame components 7 to 8 and 11 takes place in a so-called one shot method. In this case, a shaping of the organosheet and the production of the rib structures RS1 to RS4 is carried out by means of the injection-molding method in an injection-molding tool, by the thermoplastic matrix of the organosheet being fused in the injection-molding tool and, for example, being encapsulated by being injection-molded with the same thermoplastic material. In this manner, the rib structures RS1 to RS4 which consist, for example, of the same thermoplastic material as the organosheet are applied to the organosheet so that an integrated, and thus an integral, component which comprises the frame components 7 to 9 and 11 is formed from the organosheet and the rib structures RS1 to RS4. Also, by carrying out the so-called one shot method the number of tools and the number of processing steps are significantly reduced.

[0052] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the axle bodies 2, 3 are formed with a diameter of 10 mm from solid material and the axle body 10 is formed as a tube with an external diameter of 10 mm and a wall thickness of 1.5 mm. In this case, the axle bodies 2, 3 and 10 are formed, for example, from metal.

[0053] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.