Armrest Locking Mechanism That Blocks Crash-Induced Unlocking

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional armrest locking devices face the challenge of unintentional unlocking during a car crash due to high-strength elastic members, which compromise user convenience and operating performance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a sensor member with a rotating shaft, weight, and inclined surface to prevent retraction of the hook member during a rear car crash, ensuring the armrest remains locked without degrading user convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the elastic member is designed with high strength to prevent unintentional unlocking during a car crash, then the safety and reliability of the locking device is improved, but the force required by the user to press the push button increases significantly, degrading ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of unintentional unlockingVSAvoidforce required to press push button

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is divided into two functional subsystems: the elastic member (32) responsible for normal unlocking operation, and the sensor member (100) responsible for crash detection and prevention of unintentional unlocking. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized independently - the elastic member can be designed with low strength for easy operation, while the sensor member provides high-strength protection during crashes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor member (100) acts as an intermediary between the push button (30) and the hook member (35). During normal operation, it allows the push button to move freely. During a crash, it detects the abnormal rearward movement and prevents the hook member from disengaging, thus mediating between normal operation requirements and safety requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the elastic member is designed with low strength to allow easy pressing of the push button, then the ease of operation is improved, but the push button may be unintentionally pushed rearward during a car crash, compromising safety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of pressing push buttonVSAvoidprevention of unintentional unlocking

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is divided into two functional subsystems: the elastic member (32) responsible for normal unlocking operation, and the sensor member (100) responsible for crash detection and prevention of unintentional unlocking. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized independently - the elastic member can be designed with low strength for easy operation, while the sensor member provides high-strength protection during crashes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor member (100) is pre-configured to detect abnormal rearward movement of the push button caused by crash shocks and to prevent unintentional unlocking before it can occur. The supporting portion (140) and weight (120) are positioned in advance to engage and block the hook member (35) when excessive rearward movement is detected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Device complexity

If a conventional locking device structure is used without additional safety components, then the device complexity is low, but the device cannot fulfill safety regulations requiring no unlocking during car crashes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidcompliance with safety regulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor member (100) is designed with multi-functionality: the weight (120) serves as both a gravity-based detection element and a blocking element; the supporting portion (140) serves as both a support structure and a blocking barrier; the rotating shaft (110) serves as both a pivot and a detection mechanism. This multi-functionality allows compliance with safety regulations while minimizing the addition of separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If additional safety components are added to prevent unintentional unlocking during crashes, then the reliability and safety compliance are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of unintentional unlockingVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor member (100) is designed with multi-functionality: the weight (120) serves as both a gravity-based detection element and a blocking element; the supporting portion (140) serves as both a support structure and a blocking barrier; the rotating shaft (110) serves as both a pivot and a detection mechanism. This multi-functionality allows compliance with safety regulations while minimizing the addition of separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor member integrates multiple functions into a single component assembly: detection of crash conditions, determination of movement direction, and physical prevention of unlocking are combined in one mechanism. The weight, supporting portion, and rotating shaft work together as a unified system rather than separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively prevents unintentional unlocking during a car crash while maintaining ease of use by utilizing a sensor member that restricts retraction of the hook member, ensuring compliance with safety regulations without increasing the force required for normal operation.

Implementation Method 1

a weight (120) connected to the rotating shaft (110)... the weight (120) is vertically oriented under the influence of gravity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

an elastic member (32) provided at the rear side of the push button (30) for providing the push button (30) with an elastic force in a protruding direction of the push button (30)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS7607727B2Armrest locking device

Publication Date: 2009.10.27 HYUNDAI MOBIS CO LTD

AI summary

An armrest locking device for preventing unintentional unlocking thereof upon a car crash is disclosed. The armrest locking device includes an armrest body defining a receiving space therein, an armrest cover pivotally rotatably coupled to the armrest body for opening and closing the armrest body, a push button provided at the armrest cover for regulating locking and unlocking of the armrest, a hook member configured to move along with the push button, so as to be caught by the armrest body, an elastic member provided at the rear side of the push button for providing the push button with an elastic force in a protruding direction of the push button, and a sensor member having a rotating shaft pivotally rotatably disposed in a space defined at the rear side of the hook member, a supporting portion for supporting the hook member, and a weight connected to the rotating shaft.