U.S. patent application number 15/675503 was filed with the patent office on 2019-02-14 for resettable armrest bracket, armrest mounting system and method of mitigating injury in event of a side impact.
The applicant listed for this patent is FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. Invention is credited to S. M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi.
Application Number | 20190047447 15/675503 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65084749 |
Filed Date | 2019-02-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190047447 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Faruque; Mohammad Omar ; et
al. |
February 14, 2019 |
RESETTABLE ARMREST BRACKET, ARMREST MOUNTING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF
MITIGATING INJURY IN EVENT OF A SIDE IMPACT
Abstract
An armrest mounting system includes an armrest having at least
one projecting mount, a door inner including an inner margin
defining an armrest accommodation feature and at least one
resettable armrest bracket carried on the door inner and engaging
the at least one projecting mount extending through the armrest
accommodation feature. A related method of mitigating an injury in
the event of a side impact is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Faruque; Mohammad Omar; (Ann
Arbor, MI) ; Jaradi; Dean M.; (Macomb, MI) ;
Farooq; S. M. Iskander; (Novi, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
65084749 |
Appl. No.: |
15/675503 |
Filed: |
August 11, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/78 20180201; B60J
5/0461 20130101; B60N 2/4235 20130101; B60N 2/777 20180201; B60N
2/42709 20130101; B60R 13/0243 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60N 2/46 20060101
B60N002/46 |
Claims
1. A resettable armrest bracket; comprising: a body including a
first segment connected to a second segment by a first bend, said
second segment connected to a third segment by a second bend and
said third segment connected to a fourth segment by a third bend,
said first segment forming a door inner abutment and said fourth
segment forming an armrest support wherein said fourth segment
includes a receiver to receive and hold a mount projecting from an
armrest and said receiver is a first half socket.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. An armrest mounting system, comprising: an armrest including at
least one projecting mount; a door inner including an inner margin
defining an armrest accommodation feature; and at least one
resettable armrest bracket carried on said door inner and engaging
said at least one projecting mount extending through said armrest
accommodation feature.
6. The armrest mounting system of claim 5, wherein said door inner
includes an inboard face and an outboard face and said armrest is
displaceable in response to a side impact from a home position on
an inboard side of said door inner to an injury mitigation position
extending at least partially through said armrest accommodation
feature to an outboard side of said door inner.
7. The armrest mounting system of claim 6, wherein said at least
one resettable armrest bracket has a first segment forming a door
inner abutment fixed to said door inner and a receiver to receive
and hold said at least one projecting mount.
8. The armrest mounting system of claim 7, wherein said at least
one resettable armrest bracket has a second segment connected to
said first segment by a first bend.
9. The armrest mounting system of claim 8, wherein said at least
one resettable armrest bracket has a third segment connected to
said second segment by a second bend.
10. The armrest mounting system of claim 9, wherein said at least
one resettable armrest bracket has a fourth segment connected to
said third segment by a third bend.
11. The armrest mounting system of claim 10, wherein fourth segment
comprises said receiver.
12. The armrest mounting system of claim 11, wherein said receiver
is a first half socket.
13. The armrest mounting system of claim 12, wherein said at least
one projecting mount includes a second half socket and a rod, said
second half socket extending partially around said rod.
14. The armrest mounting system of claim 13, wherein said first
half socket includes a first set of opposed flanges and said second
half socket includes a second set of opposed flanges complementary
to said first set of opposed flanges.
15. The armrest mounting system of claim 14, further including a
fastening feature securing said first set of opposed flanges with
said second set of opposed flanges.
16. A method of mitigating injury in event of a side impact,
comprising: mounting an armrest on a resettable armrest bracket
fixed to a door inner; incorporating an armrest accommodation
feature into said door inner; and displacing said armrest through
said armrest accommodation feature from a home position inboard
said door inner to an injury mitigation position at least partially
outboard of said door inner in response to said side impact.
17. The method of claim 16, further including incorporating a
resilient bend line into said resettable armrest bracket and
bending said resettable armrest bracket about said resilient bend
line to guide displacement of said armrest through said armrest
accommodation feature in said door inner.
18. The method of claim 17, further including returning said
armrest to said home position upon release of lateral load produced
by said side impact.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This document relates generally to the motor vehicle
equipment field and, more particularly, to a new and improved
resettable armrest bracket, an armrest mounting system
incorporating that resettable armrest bracket and a resulting
method of mitigating injury in the event of a side impact.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In a side impact, the door of a motor vehicle being impacted
generally bows inboard, intruding into the passenger compartment.
In the event the impact force is sufficient, the intrusion may be
significant. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the armrest A is generally
aligned with the ribs R of the occupant O. The armrest A is
generally stiff and may cause high rib deflections and rib injury
when a side impact causes a significant inboard intrusion of the
armrest into the ribs R of the occupant O.
[0003] This document relates to a new and improved resettable
armrest bracket and an armrest mounting system incorporating that
resettable armrest bracket that are adapted or configured to
mitigate rib injury otherwise possible due to a side impact causing
intrusion of the door and the armrest carried thereon into the
passenger compartment and the ribs of the motor vehicle
occupant.
SUMMARY
[0004] In accordance with the purposes and benefits described
herein, a resettable armrest bracket is provided. That resettable
armrest bracket comprises a body including a first segment
connected to a second segment by a first bend. The second segment
is connected to a third segment by a second end. The third segment
is connected to a fourth segment by a third bend. The first segment
forms a door inner abutment and the fourth segment forms an armrest
support.
[0005] The resettable armrest bracket further includes a receiver
to receive and hold a mount projecting from an armrest. The fourth
segment may comprise the receiver. In some embodiments that
receiver may form a first half socket.
[0006] In accordance with an additional aspect, an armrest mounting
system comprises an armrest, a door inner and at least one
resettable armrest bracket. The armrest includes at least one
projecting mount. The door inner includes an inner margin defining
an armrest accommodation feature. The at least one resettable
armrest bracket is carried on the door inner and engages the at
least one projecting mount extending through the armrest
accommodation feature.
[0007] The door inner may further include an inboard face and an
outboard face. The armrest may be displaceable in response to a
side impact or lateral load from a home position on an inboard side
of the door inner to an injury mitigation position extending at
least partially through the armrest accommodation feature to an
outboard side of the door inner.
[0008] The at least one resettable armrest bracket may have a first
segment forming a door inner abutment fixed to the door inner and a
receiver to receiver and hold the at least one projecting mount.
The at least one resettable armrest bracket may also have a second
segment connected to the first segment by a first bend. Further,
the at least one resettable armrest bracket may have a third
segment connected to the second segment by a second bend. In
addition, the at least one resettable armrest bracket may have a
fourth segment connected to the third segment by a third bend. The
fourth segment may comprise the receiver. That receiver may
comprise a first half socket.
[0009] The at least one projecting mount may include a second half
socket and a mounting lug or rod. The second half socket may extend
partially around that rod.
[0010] The first half socket may include a first set of opposed
flanges. The second half socket may include a second set of opposed
flanges complementary to the first set of opposed flanges. A
fastening feature may be provided for securing the first set of
opposed flanges with the second set of opposed flanges. That
fastening feature may comprise screw fasteners or other appropriate
means.
[0011] In accordance with yet another aspect, a method is provided
for mitigating injury in event of a side impact. That method
comprises the steps of: (a) mounting an armrest on a resettable
armrest bracket fixed to a door inner, (b) incorporating an armrest
accommodation feature into the door inner and (c) displacing the
armrest through the armrest accommodation feature from a home
position inboard the door inner to an injury mitigation position at
least partially outboard of the door inner in response to the side
impact.
[0012] The method may further include the step of incorporating a
resilient bend line into the resettable armrest bracket and bending
the resettable armrest bracket about that resilient bend line to
guide displacement of the armrest through the armrest accommodation
feature in the door inner. In addition, the method may include the
step of returning the armrest to the home position upon release of
the lateral load produced by the side impact. This is done by the
resilient spring action of the resettable armrest bracket.
[0013] In the following description, there are shown and described
several preferred embodiments of the resettable armrest bracket,
the armrest mounting system incorporating that resettable armrest
bracket and the related method of mitigating injury in the event of
a side impact. As it should be realized, the resettable armrest
bracket, the armrest mounting system and the related method are
capable of other, different embodiments and their several details
are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without
departing from the resettable armrest bracket, armrest mounting
system and method as set forth and described in the following
claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be
regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0014] The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and
forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of
the resettable armrest bracket, armrest mounting system and related
method of mitigating injury in the event of a side impact and
together with the description serve to explain certain principles
thereof.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the orientation of
the door and armrest with respect to a motor vehicle occupant
showing how the armrest is aligned with the ribs of the
occupant.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded detailed perspective view of
the armrest.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating
that the armrest is mounted on the door in alignment with an
armrest accommodation feature provided in the door inner.
[0018] FIG. 4a is a detailed perspective view illustrating the
armrest on the door in a home position.
[0019] FIG. 4b is a detailed perspective view illustrating the
resettable armrest brackets on the outboard face of the door inner
when the armrest is in the home position illustrated in FIG.
4a.
[0020] FIG. 5a is a detailed perspective view illustrating the
armrest in the injury mitigation position in response to a lateral
load input due to a side impact.
[0021] FIG. 5b is a view similar to FIG. 4b but illustrating the
armrest in the injury mitigation position as shown in FIG. 5a.
[0022] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiments of the resettable armrest bracket and the
armrest mounting system, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawing figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Reference is now made to FIGS. 2, 3, 4a, 4b, 5a and 5b
illustrating the resettable armrest bracket 10 and the armrest
mounting system 12 incorporating that resettable armrest bracket.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 4b and 5b, the resettable armrest
bracket 10 has a first segment 16 connected to a second segment 18
by a first resilient bend 20. The second segment 18 is connected to
a third segment 22 by a second bend 24. The third segment 22 is
connected to a fourth segment 26 by a third bend 28.
[0024] As further illustrated, the first segment 16 forms a door
inner abutment that may be welded or otherwise connected to the
outboard face 30 of the door inner 32. The fourth segment 26 may
form an armrest support.
[0025] More specifically, the fourth segment 26 of the resettable
armrest bracket 10 may further comprise a receiver 34 to receive
and hold a mount 36 projecting from an armrest 38. In the
illustrated embodiment, the receiver 34 forms a first half socket
40 between a first set of opposed flanges 42.
[0026] The resettable armrest bracket 10 may be made from various
half strength steels of grades such as HSLA250 or HSLA350.
Alternatively, the resettable armrest brackets 10 may be made from
other steel grades, aluminum and even certain types of plastics
which provide the desired operating characteristics. Generally, the
operating characteristics of the resettable armrest bracket 10 may
be tuned as desired by adjusting the length of the first segment
16, and the gauge and type of material from which the body 14 is
constructed in order to ensure that the bracket deformation remains
in the elastic range when subjected to lateral loads associated
with a side impact.
[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the armrest 38 may comprise a
stiff, compressible core 44 which provides strength. The core 44 is
covered by a relatively soft outer layer 46 which provides the
desired tactile feel for the armrest. At least one mount 36
projects from the core 44 of the armrest 38. In the illustrated
embodiment, two mounts 36 are shown in the form of lugs or
rods.
[0028] The armrest mounting system 12 is best illustrated in FIGS.
3, 4a, 4b, 5a and 5b. The armrest mounting system 12 of the
illustrated embodiment includes the armrest 38 and the two
projecting mounts 36. The armrest mounting system 12 also includes
a door inner 32 including an inner margin 48 defining an armrest
accommodation feature 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the
armrest accommodation feature 50 comprises an aperture through
which the armrest 38 may be displaced during a side impact. In
addition, the armrest mounting system 12 of the illustrated
embodiment includes two resettable armrest brackets 10 configured
to engage and hold the two projecting mounts 36.
[0029] The two resettable armrest brackets 10 are both carried on
the door inner 46 by securing the first segments 16 thereof to the
inner margin 48 of the door inner 32 above the armrest
accommodation feature 50. As will be described in greater detail
below the two resettable armrest brackets 10 engage the two
projecting mounts 36 that extend through the armrest accommodation
feature 50.
[0030] As best illustrated in FIGS. 4a, 4b and 5a and 5b, the door
inner 32 includes an inboard face 52 in addition to the outboard
face 30. As will become apparent from the following description,
the armrest 38 is displaceable in response to a side impact from a
home position on the inboard side of the door inner 32 as
illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b to an injury mitigation position
extending at least partially through the armrest accommodation
feature 50 in the door inner to an outboard side of the door inner
as best illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5b.
[0031] Toward this end, the first segment 16 of each resettable
armrest bracket 10 forms a door inner abutment fixed to the inner
margin 48 along the outboard face 30 of the door inner 32. Further,
each resettable armrest bracket 10 includes the receiver 34 to
receive and hold one of the mounts 36 projecting from the armrest
38.
[0032] More specifically, as best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4b,
each projecting mount 36 includes a second half socket 54 between a
second set of opposed flanges 56. The second half socket 54 extends
partially around the rod. Thus, the first half socket or receiver
34 includes the first set of opposed flanges 42 while the second
half socket 54 includes the second set of opposed flanges 56
complementary to the first set of opposed flanges. A fastening
feature 60, such as screws or other means appropriate for the
intended purpose, secure the first set of opposed flanges 42 to the
second set of opposed flanges 56 and thus secure the armrest 38 to
the door inner 32 by means of the resettable armrest brackets
10.
[0033] Consistent with the above description a method is provided
of mitigating injury in the event of a side impact. That method
comprises mounting the armrest 38 on the resettable armrest bracket
10 fixed to the door inner 32. Further, the method includes the
step of incorporating the armrest accommodation feature 50 into the
door inner 32. In addition, the method includes the step of
displacing the armrest 38 through the armrest accommodation feature
50 from a home position inboard the door inner 32 as illustrated in
FIGS. 4a and 4b to an injury mitigation position at least partially
outboard the door inner as illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5b in
response to the side impact.
[0034] The method may further include the step of incorporating a
resilient bend line into the resettable armrest bracket 10 and
bending the resettable armrest bracket 10 about that resilient bend
point to guide displacement of the armrest 38 through the armrest
accommodation feature 50 in the door inner 32. In the illustrated
embodiment, the resilient bend line is defined by the first
resilient bends 20 of the two resettable armrest brackets. More
specifically, those two resilient bends 20 are longitudinally
aligned.
[0035] In the event the armrest 38 intrudes inboard and engages
with the ribs R of the occupant O as a result of a side impact, the
armrest 38 is deflected through the accommodation feature 50 from
the home position to the injury mitigation position. During this
displacement, the two resettable armrest brackets 10 bend about the
first resilient bends 20 and the included angles G (see FIG. 5b)
between the first segments 16 and the second segments 18 decrease.
Once the lateral loading on the armrest 38 is released, the energy
stored in the resettable armrest brackets 10, returns the armrest
38 back through the accommodation feature 50 to the home position
inboard of the door inner 32. When this occurs, the included angles
G are restored to their original value. Thus, it should be
appreciated that the method may include the step of returning the
armrest 38 to the home position upon release of the lateral load
produced by the side impact.
[0036] In summary, numerous benefits and advantages are provided by
the resettable armrest bracket 10 and the armrest mounting system
12 incorporating the resettable armrest bracket. The resettable
armrest bracket 10 may be made of steel or other appropriate
material having sufficient stiffness to support the required
vertical load coming from the mount 36 while at the same time be
able to bend in the elastic range (not yield) and absorb energy
when the armrest 38 is pushed outboard when the armrest has been
bowed inboard by a side impact into the ribs R of an occupant O.
Once the loading is removed, the brackets 10 reset and return to
their original positions thereby displacing the armrest 38 back to
the home position from the injury mitigation position. The door
inner 32 includes the armrest accommodation feature 50 comprising
an aperture or cutout matching the periphery of the armrest. Thus,
the armrest accommodation feature 50 allows the armrest to deflect
outboard in order to mitigate injury.
[0037] Advantageously, the resettable armrest bracket 10 and
armrest mounting system 12 provide a softer armrest stiffness in
the lateral direction in the event of a side impact while meeting
vertical load stability requirements. Advantageously, the armrest
mounting system 12 resets itself after the side impact is over and,
therefore, can be reused so as to reduce repair costs.
Advantageously, the armrest mounting system 12 is more robust and
repeatable than other breakable or collapsible armrest technology
while still fully functioning to mitigate occupant lower rib injury
in the event of a side impact.
[0038] The foregoing has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teachings. All such modifications and variations are within the
scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with
the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably
entitled.
* * * * *