Armrest with integrated effect delivery system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seating systems lack an integrated system for delivering fluid effects, such as air flow and liquid mist, that enhance the viewing experience by synchronizing with multimedia content, particularly in entertainment facilities like cinemas.
Innovation Solution
An armrest with a housing containing a fan unit and louver assembly that directs a laminar air flow and a liquid delivery nozzle, synchronized with multimedia content to enhance the user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fluid delivery systems are integrated into armrests to deliver effects to users, then the viewing experience is enhanced through synchronized fluid effects, but the device complexity increases due to integration of fan units, nozzles, and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the fluid delivery system components (housing, fan unit, louver assembly, and nozzle) directly into the armrest structure. The housing is configured to receive and contain these components, creating a unified integrated armrest assembly that delivers fluid effects without requiring separate external systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest serves multiple functions: it provides structural support as a conventional armrest while simultaneously housing and operating as a fluid delivery system. The integrated design allows the same component to fulfill both seating support and effect delivery roles, reducing the need for additional separate systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If fan units and louver assemblies are integrated into the armrest housing, then laminar air flow can be directed towards the user, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to precise assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid delivery system is divided into distinct modular components: housing, fan unit, louver assembly, and nozzle. Each component can be manufactured separately and then assembled into the complete armrest system, allowing for specialized manufacturing processes for each part while simplifying the overall production through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the fan unit is positioned within the housing, the louver assembly is integrated into the housing structure, and the nozzle is contained within the housing. This nested configuration allows compact integration of multiple components within the armrest footprint while maintaining access for assembly and maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If the air outlet is positioned to face rearward when mounted to the seating assembly, then air flow can be directed towards the user, but the spatial arrangement constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air outlet is designed with adjustable orientation capability, allowing it to be positioned at different angles relative to the armrest. This dynamic positioning allows the outlet to be oriented rearward to direct air flow toward the user when mounted on certain seat configurations, while potentially being adjusted to other orientations for different installation scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing and air outlet are designed with asymmetric features that optimize air flow delivery in specific directions. The louver assembly includes angled blades configured to direct air flow rearward toward the user's face, while the housing geometry is optimized for this specific flow pattern, providing localized optimization for the intended use case.
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
Enhances the viewing experience by providing synchronized fluid effects that complement the multimedia content, creating an immersive environment.
Implementation Method 1
The fan unit is contained within the housing and positioned in the airflow pathway, wherein the fan unit is operable to draw air in through the air inlet and expel air through the air outlet
Implementation Method 2
The louver assembly is positioned at the air outlet, wherein the louver assembly is arranged to direct the expelled air as a substantially laminar flow of air towards a user seated in the user seat
Data Source
AI summary
An armrest for a seating assembly includes a housing having an air inlet, an air outlet, and an airflow pathway extending between the air inlet and the air outlet. A fan unit is contained within the housing and positioned in the airflow pathway, the fan unit operable to draw air in through the air inlet and expel air through the air outlet. A louver assembly is positioned at the air outlet, the louver assembly arranged to direct the expelled air as a substantially laminar flow of air towards a user seated in the user seat. The armrest is mountable to the seating assembly and the air outlet is arranged facing at least partially in a rearward direction when the armrest is mounted to the seating assembly.