Adjustable Armrest Assembly With 3-Axis Ergonomic Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seating units, such as office chairs, often have complex and difficult-to-manipulate armrest adjustment mechanisms that fail to provide ergonomic fit for occupants with varying physical characteristics, lacking adjustments beyond vertical movement.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable armrest assembly that includes a lift mechanism for vertical adjustment, an angle-adjustment mechanism for angular articulation, and translational movement, utilizing interconnected components like actuation levers, support members, racks, biasing devices, shuttles, and compressive devices to facilitate effortless and ergonomic adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional complex assemblies (including rotating shafts) are used for vertical armrest movement, then vertical adjustment capability is achieved, but the mechanism becomes difficult to manipulate and complicated to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex rotating shaft mechanism from the armrest adjustment system and replaces it with a simplified telescoping tube assembly. The inner tube slides within the outer tube to provide vertical movement, eliminating the need for rotating shafts and associated complex components while maintaining the vertical adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a rotating shaft mechanism where rotation enables vertical movement, the patent inverts the approach by using direct linear sliding movement of the inner tube within the outer tube. This inversion simplifies the mechanism by removing the rotational intermediate step and achieving vertical adjustment through straightforward telescoping action.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional armrest mechanisms are used, then basic vertical movement is provided, but additional angular and translational adjustments are lacking to maximize ergonomic fit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability by enabling the armrest to move in three independent directions: vertical telescoping, angular rotation, and translational sliding. Each degree of freedom is equipped with its own adjustment mechanism, allowing the armrest to dynamically adapt to various ergonomic requirements and occupant preferences.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest assembly is designed as a multi-functional system that combines vertical adjustment, angular articulation, and translational movement in a single integrated structure. This universal design allows one armrest mechanism to provide comprehensive ergonomic adjustment capabilities that would otherwise require separate independent mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple vertical adjustment mechanisms are used, then assembly is simplified, but the ability to provide comprehensive ergonomic adjustments is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest adjustment system is segmented into three independent functional modules: the telescoping tube module for vertical adjustment, the rotation module for angular articulation, and the sliding module for translational movement. Each module can be manufactured and assembled separately, then integrated into the final armrest assembly, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving comprehensive adjustment capabilities.
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
Enables occupants to achieve an ergonomically optimized seating experience by allowing precise vertical, angular, and translational adjustments, accommodating diverse physical characteristics and enhancing user comfort and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing device (e.g., compression spring)... the biasing device to impart a sustained downward force on control bar with respect to the support member
Implementation Method 2
the compressive device (e.g., compression spring)... the compressive device to a resistive force between the detent key and rail
Data Source
AI summary
An armrest assembly is provided for adjusting an armrest of a seating unit in three degrees of motion. The armrest assembly includes an angle-adjustment mechanism that allows the armrest to pivot and to translate forward, and a lift mechanism that enables vertical articulation of the armrest. The angle-adjustment assembly includes a pivot bracket with a downwardly disposed pin and a shuttle with an arcuate slot to receive the pin. The arcuate slot includes contoured walls that form detents for restricting movement of the pin, thereby restraining rotation of the shuttle, with respect to the pivot bracket, to predefined angular positions. The lift mechanism includes a rack with ride element(s) extending therefrom and locking teeth, and a control bar with track(s). An upward manual actuation of the control bar causes the track to shift laterally and retract the locking teeth, via interaction between the track(s) and ride element(s), respectively.