Adjustable Vehicle Hand Rest for Smartphone Viewing Comfort

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand rest devices for vehicle occupants lack the ability to adjust their height, leading to inadequate support and increased fatigue, motion sickness, and reduced ease of viewing for smartphone screens due to improper positioning.

Innovation Solution

A hand rest device with an adjustable height mechanism that can be set between 320 mm to 500 mm from the hip point, allowing support from the sternum to the shoulder, and an accompanying arm rest with a protruding portion to support the arm, enhancing comfort and visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the hand rest is fixed at a single height position, then the device structure is simple, but the hand rest cannot be adjusted to appropriate heights for different occupants, causing discomfort and fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of hand rest heightVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hand rest device transitions from a fixed static structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The adjustment mechanism enables the hand rest to move between multiple height positions (at least two distinct levels), allowing the device to adapt to different occupant sizes and preferences while maintaining structural integrity through controlled mechanical movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the vertical position parameter of the hand rest by providing an adjustment mechanism that enables height variation. This allows the same device to serve multiple occupants with different physical characteristics by modifying its vertical position parameter without changing its fundamental structure or function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the hand rest is positioned at lower heights, then the device structure is simpler, but the hand rest cannot support the hand at appropriate heights, increasing arm and shoulder fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomfort and fatigue reductionVSAvoidcomplexity of height adjustment system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hand rest device transitions from a fixed static structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The adjustment mechanism enables the hand rest to move between multiple height positions (at least two distinct levels), allowing the device to adapt to different occupant sizes and preferences while maintaining structural integrity through controlled mechanical movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the vertical position parameter of the hand rest by providing an adjustment mechanism that enables height variation. This allows the same device to serve multiple occupants with different physical characteristics by modifying its vertical position parameter without changing its fundamental structure or function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the hand rest is positioned at lower heights, then the structure is simpler, but occupants must bend to view smartphone screens, reducing ease of viewing and increasing neck fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of viewing smartphone screenVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hand rest device transitions from a fixed static structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The adjustment mechanism enables the hand rest to move between multiple height positions (at least two distinct levels), allowing the device to adapt to different occupant sizes and preferences while maintaining structural integrity through controlled mechanical movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the vertical position parameter of the hand rest by providing an adjustment mechanism that enables height variation. This allows the same device to serve multiple occupants with different physical characteristics by modifying its vertical position parameter without changing its fundamental structure or function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20240123886A1Hand rest device and vehicle occupant support device

Publication Date: 2024.04.18 NHK SPRING CO LTD

AI summary

A hand rest device, including: a hand rest that is disposed at a front side of a seat of a vehicle, the hand rest being disposed at a usage position for supporting a hand of a vehicle occupant seated at the seat and an adjustment mechanism that adjusts a height of the usage position of the hand rest.