Armrest Cable Routing Within Foamed Resin for Simplified Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing armrest designs face difficulties in routing cables due to the foamed resin material filling the inner space, making it challenging to connect portable devices to vehicles for charging or audio playback, as cables cannot be easily routed within the armrest.
Innovation Solution
The armrest incorporates a routing section within the frame where the cable is disposed, allowing the foamed resin material to surround the cable, eliminating the need for additional fixing members and simplifying the structure, while using retaining portions and lift-up ribs to secure the cable in place before filling with foamed resin, ensuring the cable remains protected and in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the inner space of the skin is filled with foamed resin material, then the armrest provides structural support and comfort, but routing the cable inside the armrest becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is routed through the frame before the foamed resin material is injected into the skin. The routing sections are formed in the frame structure, allowing the cable to be positioned and secured before the foam filling process occurs, thus enabling cable integration without compromising the structural integrity provided by the foam.
2Reliability
If additional fixing members are used to secure the cable, then the cable is firmly fixed in place, but the structure of the armrest becomes complex and the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable routing function is merged into the frame structure itself. The frame includes integrated routing sections that guide and secure the cable, eliminating the need for separate fixing members. This integration maintains cable fixation reliability while simplifying the overall structure and reducing component count.
3Ease of operation
If the cable is exposed without being surrounded by foamed resin, then the cable is accessible for connection, but the cable is vulnerable to external forces and thermal stress
Solution Approach 1:
The foamed resin material is selectively positioned to surround and protect specific portions of the cable that are vulnerable to thermal stress and external forces, while leaving other portions accessible for connection. The routing sections in the frame provide localized protection where needed, creating different protective qualities in different regions of the cable path.
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
This configuration enables cable routing within the armrest, protecting the cables from external forces and thermal stress, simplifies the armrest's structure, and improves production efficiency by preventing cable displacement during filling, while allowing convenient connection of portable devices to the vehicle without needing cables routed within the vehicle compartment.
Implementation Method 1
the foamed resin material is put in a space that is on an inner side of the skin. Then, the foamed resin material is foamed and accordingly, the cable is put within the foamed resin material
Data Source
AI summary
An armrest includes a first branch cable and a second branch cable, a frame, a skin covering the frame, and a foamed resin material. The frame includes a first routing section and a second routing section in which the first branch cable and the second branch cable are arranged, respectively. The foamed resin material is disposed on an inner side of the skin. The first branch cable and the second branch cable are disposed within the foamed resin material in the first routing section and the second routing section.