Vehicle Armrest Hinge Unit Plastic Resin Lattice-Rib Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional armrest hinge units in vehicles are structurally weak, prone to breakage, and costly due to their steel material, which results in high weight, poor durability, and inadequate opening and closing functionality.
Innovation Solution
The armrest hinge unit is designed using plastic resin for both the lower and upper brackets, incorporating a frictional member with rubber elements to maintain proper frictional force, ensuring stability and smooth operation, and featuring a lattice-rib structure for reduced weight and enhanced strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional hinge units are made of steel material to ensure structural strength, then strength is improved, but weight increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from steel to plastic resin, fundamentally altering the weight and cost characteristics while maintaining structural functionality through design optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material strategy by combining plastic resin with strategically placed reinforcement ribs and frictional members, creating a hybrid structure that achieves metal-like strength with plastic-like weight and cost benefits
2Strength
If conventional hinge units are made of steel material to ensure structural strength, then strength is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from steel to plastic resin, fundamentally altering the cost characteristic while maintaining structural functionality through design optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the hinge unit into modular components (lower bracket, upper bracket, frictional member) that can be manufactured separately and assembled, enabling efficient production and reducing overall manufacturing cost
3Strength
If conventional hinge units are made of steel material to ensure structural strength, then strength is improved, but durability worsens due to twisting and permanent deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the structure into multiple rib segments that work together to distribute and resist applied forces, preventing the twisting and permanent deformation that plagues monolithic steel designs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies reinforcement ribs at specific locations where stress concentration occurs, providing localized strength enhancement exactly where needed rather than uniformly throughout the entire structure
4Weight of moving object
If plastic resin is used for brackets to reduce weight and cost, then weight decreases and cost decreases, but structural strength may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies reinforcement ribs at specific locations where stress concentration occurs, providing localized strength enhancement exactly where needed rather than uniformly throughout the entire structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material strategy by combining plastic resin with strategically placed reinforcement ribs and frictional members, creating a hybrid structure that achieves metal-like strength with plastic-like weight
5Ease of operation
If frictional member is added to maintain proper frictional force for opening and closing, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the frictional member with the lower bracket assembly, integrating it into the existing structure rather than adding it as a separate external component, thus minimizing complexity increase
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 solution results in a lightweight, durable, and cost-effective armrest hinge unit with improved opening and closing properties, preventing deformation and ensuring the armrest cover can be maintained at various angles, thus enhancing user safety and vehicle interior design.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic member may include at least a groove on at least a lateral surface thereof so that the elastic member can be deformed in being pressed by the upper bracket
Implementation Method 2
at least an inner surface of the receiving groove of the upper bracket is in elastic contact with the frictional member so that a position of the arm rest cover is maintained by frictional force therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
An armrest hinge unit for a vehicle includes a lower bracket fixed to one side of an armrest container near an opening thereof and including a pivoting-allowable space in the lower bracket, a frictional member disposed in the pivoting-allowable space of the lower bracket and fixed to the lower bracket, and an upper bracket having a hinge portion hingedly coupled to the lower bracket and a receiving groove to elastically receive the frictional member therein, the upper bracket being connected to an armrest cover, wherein at least an inner surface of the receiving groove of the upper bracket is in elastic contact with the frictional member so that a position of the arm rest cover is maintained by frictional force therebetween.