Adjustable armrest assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional armrests for pilot seats in aircraft are complex, costly, and heavy, which increases operational inefficiencies due to their complex series of interconnected parts and excessive weight.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable armrest assembly featuring a base, armrest, and shafts with a locking mechanism that allows for quick height and tilt adjustments, including a graspable handle to actuate the locking mechanism, enabling independent sliding and pivoting of the shafts within slots, and utilizing clamp rings with spring elements for secure engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional armrests use a complex series of interconnected parts and moving components to provide height and tilt adjustability, then adjustability is improved, but device complexity increases and weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight and tilt adjustabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of interconnected parts and moving components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The armrest is divided into modular components: a base, a shaft with clamp ring for height adjustment, and a separate tilt mechanism with its own clamp ring. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of height and tilt while simplifying the overall structure compared to conventional interconnected mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The armrest employs dynamic adjustment mechanisms where the shaft can slide within the base slot for height adjustment, and the tilt mechanism allows angular adjustment. The locking mechanism transitions between locked and unlocked states, enabling dynamic reconfiguration while maintaining structural integrity during each state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional armrests use a complex series of interconnected parts and moving components to provide height and tilt adjustability, then adjustability is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight and tilt adjustabilityVSAvoidcost of production

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the armrest into discrete, standardized components (base, shaft, clamp rings, tilt mechanism), each part can be manufactured independently using simpler processes, reducing overall production cost while maintaining adjustability functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp ring mechanism with spring elements provides self-locking and self-releasing functionality through user actuation, eliminating the need for complex motorized or pneumatic systems, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while preserving adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If conventional armrests use excessive weight in structure and components, then structural strength is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidoperational efficiency of aircraft

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented design allows each component to be optimized for minimal weight while maintaining sufficient strength for its specific function. The shaft, base, and tilt mechanism can be sized independently based on actual load requirements rather than over-engineering the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The use of threaded shafts with clamp rings and spring elements allows for parameter optimization in terms of material usage and component dimensions, achieving the necessary strength-to-weight ratio for aircraft applications without excessive mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If conventional armrests use excessive weight in structure and components, then structural strength is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidweight of armrest assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Segmenting the armrest into lightweight modular components enables each part to be designed with minimal necessary mass, reducing total weight while maintaining overall structural strength through proper distribution of structural functions across components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution simplifies the armrest design, reduces weight and cost, and provides customizable height and tilt adjustments, enhancing operational efficiency and user comfort.

Implementation Method 1

each of first clamp ring and the second clamp ring comprises two portions coupled together via a spring element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS11713125B2Adjustable armrest assembly

Publication Date: 2023.08.01 BE AEROSPACE INC

AI summary

An adjustable armrest assembly provides for quick and easy height and tilt adjustments to the armrest. Generally, the armrest assembly disclosed herein includes a base, an armrest, and one or more shafts extending from the base and being pivotably coupled to the armrest. By moving the one or more shafts relative to the base, the height and/or tilt of the armrest relative to the base can be adjusted.