Control elements in an armrest device

• US 10,266,071 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2017
• Issued: 04/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Grammer AG (Ningbo Jifeng Auto Parts Co.,Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Grammer AG (Ningbo Jifeng Auto Parts Co.,Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kleiber, Daniel, Haller, Thomas, Schanderl, Florian
• Primary Examiner(s): Ference, James M
• Application Number:
  US15/472,487
• Publication Number:
  US 20170282762A1
• Time in Patent Office: 755 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0228 Hand-activated mechanical switches B60N2/0229 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0229 characterised by the shape, e.g. switches having cushion or backrest shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/56 Heating or ventilating devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/643 shape of the back-rests B60N2/66 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/665 using inflatable bladders
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/797 for use as electrical control means, e.g. switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/976 massaging systems

Abstract

Armrest device for utility vehicle seats, wherein the armrest device has a plurality of first control elements and at least one second control element, wherein by means of selecting and actuating one of the first control elements which is arranged on an upper surface of the armrest device, seen in a height direction, a vehicle function can be assigned to the selected first control element and by means of actuating the second control element, which is arranged on a side surface of the armrest device and is connected at least by means of a signal to the selected first control element, the vehicle function is adjustable.

Claims

1. An armrest device for a utility vehicle seat, wherein the armrest device comprises:

a plurality of first control elements arranged on an upper surface of the armrest device, wherein a first control element of the plurality of first control elements is configured to be actuated to assign a vehicle function to the first control element and to form an actuated first control element, and

at least one second control element arranged on a side surface of the armrest device, wherein a second control element of the at least one second control element is operably connected to the actuated first control element via a plurality of signals, and the second control element of the at least one second control element is configured to be actuated to adjust the vehicle function;

a detection device that detects actuation of the first control element of the plurality of first control elements and that generates a signal of the plurality of signals which can be assigned to the actuated first control element, wherein the detection device is configured to transmit the signal generated to an assignment device, which is configured to assign a vehicle function to the actuated first control element; and

a control device, wherein, depending on the actuated first control element with the assigned vehicle function, the control device is configured to adjust the vehicle function on actuation of the second control element of the at least one second control element according to a predeterminable or predetermined plan, wherein the control device is connected via additional signals of the plurality of signals to the assignment device, the at least one second control element, and actuators for adjusting the vehicle function.

2. The armrest device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second control element is arranged on a side surface of the armrest device which faces the utility vehicle seat.

3. The armrest device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second control element is arranged on a side surface of the armrest device which faces away from the utility vehicle seat.

4. The armrest device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second control element comprises two second control elements that are differentiated at least haptically from one another.

5. The armrest device according to claim 4, wherein the two second control elements are arranged on a side surface facing the utility vehicle seat and/or on a side surface facing away from the utility vehicle seat.

6. The armrest device according to claim 4, wherein haptically differentiated is at least one of a size difference and a concavity difference.

7. The armrest device according to claim 1, wherein first control elements of the plurality of first control elements each have backlighting that can be activated when each first control element of the plurality of first control elements is actuated.

8. The armrest device according to claim 1, wherein at least one third control element is arranged on a front surface of the armrest device.

9. The armrest device according to claim 1, wherein actuation of the first control element of the plurality of first control elements can be cancelled automatically after a predeterminable or predetermined period of time.

10. The armrest device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle function is at least one of a driving mode, a massage system, a lumbar support upper balloon, a side contour back cushion, a seat heater, an active seat climate control, a lumbar support lower balloon, and a side contour seat cushion.