Vehicle Armrest Detent Assembly for Smooth Position Transition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing armrest assemblies for vehicle seats lack an efficient mechanism to smoothly transition between usage and storage positions, often resulting in jerky movements and inadequate support.

Innovation Solution

The armrest assembly incorporates a dual shaft system with rotational dampers and detent mechanisms, allowing for controlled rotation between usage and storage positions, featuring a bushing and insert assembly for low friction movement and a detent body with stops to secure the armrest in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the armrest assembly is made movable between usage and storage positions, then the adaptability and space utilization are improved, but the mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearmrest position adaptabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The armrest assembly is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to transition between fixed (storage) and movable (usage) states. The detent mechanism enables the armrest to be held securely in either position while allowing controlled transition between them, providing adaptability without requiring a continuously complex adjustment system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanism is divided into discrete functional components: the armrest body, shaft, detent body with first and second detents, and stop. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall mechanism while achieving the desired positional adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If a detent mechanism is added to secure the armrest in position, then the stability and support quality are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearmrest positional stabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detent mechanism operates automatically through the interaction between the stop and the detent body. When the armrest reaches a predetermined position, the stop engages with the appropriate detent (first or second) to secure the armrest in place without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The detent body is integrated with the shaft, and the stop is integrated with the armrest body, combining multiple functions into unified components. This merging reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the stability-providing detent functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If rotational dampers are incorporated to control movement, then the smoothness of transition is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement smoothnessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The rotational damper acts as an intermediary element between the armrest body and the shaft. It provides controlled resistance to rotational movement, ensuring smooth transitions between positions without requiring complex active control systems or precision manufacturing throughout the entire mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution enables smooth and controlled movement of the armrest between positions, providing comfortable support and secure retention, while the rotational damper prevents sudden movements, enhancing user experience and durability.

Implementation Method 1

rotational dampers and detent mechanisms, allowing for controlled rotation between usage and storage positions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

bushing and insert assembly for low friction movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS20230406182A1Armrest assembly with detent assembly

Publication Date: 2023.12.21 LEAR CORP

AI summary

An armrest assembly for a vehicle seat includes an armrest body and a first shaft that extends from a first side of the armrest body along an armrest axis and is attached to the armrest body for relative rotational movement about the armrest axis. The armrest assembly also includes a second shaft that extends from a second side of the armrest body along the armrest axis and is attached to the armrest body for relative rotational movement about the armrest axis. A detent body is fixed on the first shaft and includes a first detent and a second a second detent. A stop is fixed on the armrest body. The stop is retained in the first detent when the armrest body is in a first position relative to the first shaft. The stop is retained in the second detent when the armrest body is in a second position relative to the first shaft.