Aircraft Armrest Assembly Slide-Lock and Overmolded Armpad
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft passenger seat armrests lack customization options, ergonomic design, and structural integrity to serve as a comprehensive seat control center, leading to inadequate occupant comfort and functionality.
Innovation Solution
The armrest assembly features a universal armpan with slide-lock engagement, an overmolded armpad for delamination resistance, a scalloped gusset for strength, and a pivotable support member with a latch system, along with a one-piece stamped high-cycle leaf spring for enhanced ergonomics and durability, allowing for interchangeable armcaps and seamless integration with seat frames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional armrest designs are used, then manufacturing is simple, but customization capability and ergonomic functionality are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is divided into separate modular components: armpan, armcap, and armpad. These segments can be independently manufactured and then assembled through slide-lock engagement, enabling customization while maintaining manufacturing simplicity for each individual component.
Solution Approach 2:
The armpan is designed as a universal base structure that can accommodate multiple interchangeable armcaps and armpads. This universal design allows the same armpan to support different configurations and styles, providing customization capability without requiring multiple complete armrest designs.
2Strength
If traditional armrest structure is used, then manufacturing cost is low, but structural integrity and load-bearing capacity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest employs composite construction with an aluminum armpan providing structural strength, plastic armcap for durability, and foam armpad for comfort. The slide-lock mechanism creates a composite assembly that achieves high structural integrity while each component remains manufacturable using standard processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate component assembly is used, then customization is enabled, but delamination and part separation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The armpad is overmolded directly onto the armcap, merging these two components into a single integrated piece. This eliminates the bonding interface between separate parts, preventing delamination while allowing the armcap and armpad to remain part of the interchangeable assembly system.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide-lock structure is pre-formed on both the armpan and armcap during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation of locking features ensures that when components are assembled, they automatically engage securely without requiring additional bonding operations, maintaining reliability while enabling customization.
Data Source
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AI summary
An armrest assembly including an armpan defining an elongate channel and including slide-lock structure positioned about a top opening of the channel and at opposing ends thereof for engaging an armcap, an armcap covering the channel and having complimentary slide-lock structure and defining at least one cavity for receiving overmold material of an armpad, and an overmolded armpad covering a portion of the armcap and filling the at least one cavity of the armcap to retain the armpad on the armcap.