Rear Seat Armrest Locking Bracket for Collision Pull-Out Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing armrest-locking devices fail to securely prevent armrests from being unexpectedly pulled out during vehicle collisions, leading to potential passenger injury.
Innovation Solution
An armrest-locking device with a locking member, locking bracket, and holding bracket that uses elastic portions and a groove mechanism to firmly secure the armrest in place, allowing easy unlocking via wires, ensuring the armrest remains locked during impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple insertion mechanism is used for the armrest in the armrest case, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates as the armrest can be unexpectedly pulled out during vehicle collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is divided into multiple functional components: a locking member with elastic portions, a locking bracket with groove, and a holding bracket with protrusions. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic portions are pre-loaded to apply continuous locking force on the locking bracket before any collision occurs. This preliminary action ensures the armrest is already secured and prevents unexpected pull-out during vehicle collisions
2Reliability
If a gear-based fastening device is used to prevent free rotation of the armrest, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases and the fastening between gears may separate during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bracket is designed to rotate forward when the locking member is inserted, transforming from a static structure to a dynamic one. This rotation engages the holding bracket's protrusions with the locking bracket's groove, creating a more reliable connection that can withstand collision forces
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member, locking bracket, and holding bracket are combined into an integrated locking system where the elastic portions continuously press the locking bracket against the holding bracket. This merging eliminates the gear separation problem by creating a unified fastening mechanism
3Reliability
If a complex locking mechanism is implemented to firmly secure the armrest, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as unlocking becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Wires are introduced as intermediaries to operate the holding bracket. When the wires are pulled, they rotate the holding bracket backward, causing the protrusions to disengage from the locking bracket's groove. This intermediary mechanism allows easy unlocking without requiring direct manipulation of the complex locking components
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 device effectively prevents armrests from being pulled out during sudden stops or collisions, providing enhanced safety by maintaining the armrest's locked position through elastic torque mechanisms and easy unlocking functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic portion that applies backward torque to the locking bracket when the locking bracket is rotated forward
Implementation Method 2
a second elastic portion that applies forward torque to the holding bracket when the holding bracket is rotated backward
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an armrest-locking device that is disposed in an armrest that is stowed in an armrest case of a rear seatback. The armrest-locking device includes: a locking member disposed at any one of the armrest case and the armrest; a locking bracket rotatably coupled to the other one of the armrest case and the armrest, the locking member inserted into a groove formed on a peripheral portion of the locking bracket when the armrest is stowed; and a holding bracket. In particular, the locking bracket rotates in a forward direction to be fastened to the locking member when the locking member is inserted; and the holding bracket has an end to engage with the locking bracket when the locking bracket is rotated, maintaining the rotation state of the locking bracket.