Vehicle Seat Armrest Lid Inversion for Back Seat Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing arm rest compartment designs for vehicle seats are difficult to access, especially when sitting in a normal position in the vehicle seat or from the back seat, as they require stretching or moving the arm in an uncomfortable position to open the lid, which can be challenging, especially when driving or buckled.
Innovation Solution
The arm rest design features a pivotable lid with a hinge arm arrangement where the forward end is positioned proximal to the opening and the rearward end is distal to the vertical axis in the opened position, allowing the lid to be easily opened by lifting the rearward end upwards, eliminating the need to raise the forward end, thus enabling easier access from the back seat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the forward end of the lid is positioned distal to the opening in the opened position, then the lid provides a larger rest surface, but the lid cannot be easily opened without moving the arm in an uncomfortable position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the opening mechanism by positioning the hinge at the forward end rather than the rearward end. This allows the lid to pivot upward from the rearward end, maintaining the forward end's distal position for a large rest surface while enabling easy opening through rearward-end pivoting that is accessible to users in seated positions.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present invention relates to an arm rest (1) for a vehicle seat. The arm rest (1) comprises a pivotable lid (2) and an arm rest compartment (3) having an opening (4). The lid (2) is displaceable between an opened position and a closed position so that the arm rest compartment can be accessed. The lid (2) is pivotally arranged so that when it is in the opened position, the forward end (2a) of the lid (2) is arranged proximal of the opening (4) of the arm rest compartment (3) and the rearward end (2b) of the lid (2) is arranged distal to the opening (4) of the arm rest compartment (3) with respect to a vertical axis (x). The lid is in a very favourable position after being opened and further enables the lid to be opened in an easy manner due to the end position of the lid.