Armrest Height Adjustment Mechanism With Fewer Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing height adjustment mechanisms for armrests are complex, labor-intensive, and costly, with many components and screws, making assembly difficult and increasing manufacturing costs without improving structural strength or stability.
Innovation Solution
A simplified height adjustment mechanism featuring a strip rack, pull handle, positioning member, press member, and alignment member, where the alignment member facilitates easy assembly and mold production, and the positioning member automatically locks into place, reducing the number of components and molds required, and enhancing structural strength through design features like inclined projections and increased thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional height adjustment mechanisms are used, then structural strength may be maintained, but the number of components increases and assembly becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple components into integrated structures. The alignment member integrates positioning and alignment functions, the positioning member combines locking and positioning features, and the press member integrates pressing and limiting functions. This merging reduces the total component count while maintaining structural strength through optimized integrated designs.
2Strength
If multiple screws are used for fastening, then connection strength is improved, but assembly becomes more labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary screws from the assembly. The alignment member uses integrated positioning structures instead of screws, the positioning member employs snap-fit or integrated locking mechanisms, and the press member uses built-in limiting features. This extraction of unnecessary fastening elements maintains connection strength while dramatically improving assembly efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more molds are used for production, then component variety is increased, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs universal components that serve multiple functions. The alignment member provides both alignment and positioning functions, the positioning member handles both locking and positioning, and the press member combines pressing with height limitation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of specialized molds needed while maintaining component variety through functional integration.
4Ease of operation
If conventional press member connection is used, then assembly is simple, but connection reliability decreases and breakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The press member incorporates preliminary action features including pre-positioned locking structures and built-in limiting mechanisms that engage automatically during assembly. The positioning holes and inclined projections are pre-configured to guide automatic locking. This preliminary preparation ensures reliable connection without complicating the assembly process.
Data Source
AI summary
A height adjustment mechanism for armrests is revealed. The height adjustment mechanism includes a tubular base disposed with positioning holes, an outer sleeve disposed around the tubular base and having an opening arranged at a top end thereof, a strip rack mounted in the outer sleeve and disposed with an insertion slot on a lower part thereof, a pull handle mounted in the strip rack, a positioning member arranged at a lower end of the pull handle and inserted through the insertion slot of the strip rack to be locked in the positioning hole of the tubular base, a press member passed through the opening of the outer sleeve to be connected to a top end of the pull handle, and an alignment member disposed on corresponding surfaces of the strip rack and the pull handle for limiting vertical displacement of the pull handle and the strip rack.