Vehicle Seat Armrest Assembly with Backrest-Synchronized Linkage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing armrest assemblies in vehicle seats do not effectively adjust their inclination angle in response to changes in the backrest frame's position, limiting comfort and usability throughout the range of motion from upright to reclined positions.

Innovation Solution

An armrest assembly with an armrest support and positioning mechanism that adjusts the armrest body's inclination angle based on the backrest frame's angle, utilizing a scissor mechanism and actuator for powered or manual operation, ensuring the armrest maintains a comfortable position throughout the seat's motion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the armrest is fixed to the backrest or seat base, then the structure is simple, but the armrest cannot maintain comfortable position throughout the seat's range of motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearmrest position adaptabilityVSAvoidarmrest assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The armrest assembly is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to move between stored and deployed positions and adjust its inclination angle. The armrest support includes a positioning mechanism with multiple adjustment positions that enable the armrest to adapt to different seat configurations and user preferences, transforming a static fixed structure into a dynamic adjustable one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The armrest assembly is divided into separate functional components: an armrest body, an armrest support with positioning mechanism, and connection interfaces. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each component, enabling the armrest to maintain comfort throughout the seat's range of motion while keeping the overall structure manageable through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the armrest is part of the backrest and moved between stored and deployed positions, then space is saved, but the armrest cannot synchronize with backrest recline angle changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearmrest angle synchronizationVSAvoidarmrest operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The armrest positioning mechanism is connected to the backrest frame through a linkage system that provides mechanical feedback. As the backrest reclines, the linkage automatically adjusts the armrest's inclination angle to maintain the optimal relationship between the armrest and backrest angles, ensuring synchronization without requiring additional sensors or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A linkage mechanism serves as an intermediary between the backrest frame and the armrest support. This intermediary component translates the backrest's angular movement into corresponding armrest angle adjustments, enabling automatic synchronization while maintaining operational simplicity through pure mechanical action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a reclining mechanism is added to synchronize armrest angle with backrest angle, then comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearmrest angle adjustment capabilityVSAvoidpositioning mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The armrest positioning mechanism is merged with the backrest connection structure through a integrated linkage system. The same mechanical components that connect the armrest support to the seat base and backrest frame also provide the angle synchronization function, combining multiple functions into a unified structure rather than adding separate independent mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The linkage mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it connects the armrest support to the backrest frame, enables angular adjustment of the armrest, and provides mechanical feedback for angle synchronization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and keeps the overall device complexity manageable while achieving sophisticated angle coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3999377B1Armrest assembly with armrest moveable between egress position and use position and vehicle seat with moveable armrest

Publication Date: 2023.02.08 ADIENT US LLC

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

Armrest assembly (6) for connection to a seat cushion assembly (10), the armrest assembly comprising an armrest body (20); an armrest support (21) supporting the armrest body; an armrest positioning means (8) connected to the armrest support, the armrest positioning means for raising and lowering the armrest body between a down position and an up position and also for setting an inclination angle of the armrest body, at least based on an inclination angle of a backrest frame (24), the armrest positioning means comprising a seat base connection interface (4) for connection with the seat cushion assembly; a backrest connection interface (7) for connection with a backrest frame; an armrest adjustment arrangement (22) connected to each of the seat base connection interface, the backrest connection interface and the armrest support for raising and lowering the armrest body and changing an inclination angle thereof based on an inclination angle of at least the backrest frame; and an actuator (9) for actuating the movement between the down position and the up position.