Vehicle Armrest Detent With Asymmetric Deflection Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle armrests in vehicles with bench-type seats lack effective mechanisms to prevent unintentional movement during sudden deceleration or driving over uneven surfaces, and existing restraints can be difficult for occupants to easily switch between use and stowed positions.
Innovation Solution
A detent assembly with a stop rod and detent base, featuring deflection arms and a bumper, that engages at different stop indents to securely hold the armrest in place in both use and stowed positions, allowing easy manual adjustment by occupants with minimal resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latch or detent is used to restrain the armrest, then the armrest is prevented from unintentional movement, but the mechanism becomes more complex and harder to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The detent mechanism is segmented into multiple independent detent members (first detent member, second detent member, third detent member) that can engage with corresponding stops at different positions. Each detent member operates independently to provide restraint at specific locations, simplifying the overall mechanism while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The detent members are designed with resilient or movable characteristics, allowing them to dynamically engage and disengage from stops. This dynamic behavior enables easy operation by occupants while maintaining reliable restraint when engaged, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.
2Reliability
If a latch is used to restrain the armrest, then the armrest is held securely in place, but it requires a release mechanism that increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The detent members are designed to be automatically engaged or disengaged based on the armrest position and applied forces. The resilient nature of the detent members allows them to self-reset after engagement, eliminating the need for complex release mechanisms while maintaining secure restraint.
3Device complexity
If a detent with equal arm lengths is used, then the structure is symmetric and simple, but it provides insufficient resistance in certain positions
Solution Approach 1:
The detent members are designed with asymmetric arm lengths, where the first arm has a different length than the second arm. This asymmetry allows optimization of the mechanical advantage and resistance force provided at different positions, while the overall structure remains relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the detent mechanism have different properties - the first arm and second arm have different lengths to provide appropriate resistance at different positions. This local variation in geometry allows the mechanism to provide sufficient resistance force where needed while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
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
The detent assembly effectively prevents the armrest from moving unintentionally while allowing easy switching between positions, ensuring comfort and safety by providing the necessary resistance to maintain the armrest in predetermined positions during vehicle movements.
Implementation Method 1
The detent includes a deflection arm supported on a detent base. The detent includes an arm space between the deflection arm and the detent base.
Data Source
AI summary
An armrest assembly includes a frame. The armrest assembly also includes an armrest mounted on the frame for relative rotational movement between a first position and a second position. A stop rod is mounted on one of the frame and the armrest. A detent mounted on the other of the frame and the armrest. The detent includes a first stop indent and a second stop indent. The stop rod is located in the first stop indent when the armrest is in the first position. The stop rod is located in the second stop indent when the armrest is in the second position. The detent includes a deflection arm supported on a detent base. The detent includes an arm space between the deflection arm and the detent base. The detent includes a detent bumper located in the detent space.