Motor Vehicle Armrest Locking Extension and Brake Shoe Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pivotal motor-vehicle accessories, such as armrests, lack a simple and reliable latch mechanism that allows for secure locking at various positions while being easy to produce and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism featuring a pivotal element with a locking extension and brake shoes that can shift between clamping and release positions, using a spring-loaded system and control cam to enable locking at specific positions, ensuring frictional engagement for secure locking and easy release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latch mechanism is added to enable secure locking at various positions, then the functional reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking extension and brake shoes into an integrated latch mechanism where the brake shoes directly engage with the locking extension to provide both locking and braking functions through a single integrated system, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining functional reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded brake shoes automatically engage with the locking extension when the pivotal element reaches specific positions, providing self-actuating locking without requiring external control mechanisms, thereby improving reliability while minimizing added complexity
2Ease of operation
If a spring-loaded brake shoe system is used to enable easy release, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded brake shoes automatically engage and disengage based on the position of the pivotal element, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex control systems, thereby improving ease of operation while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is divided into separate modular components including the locking extension, brake shoes, and spring assembly, allowing each component to be manufactured independently using standard machining processes and then assembled, balancing ease of operation with ease of manufacture
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 mechanism provides reliable locking at various positions, preventing unwanted movement while allowing controlled pivoting, enhancing the functional reliability and ease of production of pivotal motor-vehicle accessories.
Implementation Method 1
Friction can be applied by the brake shoes to faces of the locking extension, which frictional force acts a right angle to the direction of motion of the locking extension
Implementation Method 2
the brake shoe is biased by a spring into the clamping position and/or into the release position. The spring device is, for example, able to move between a first position and a second position. In the second position, the spring forces the brake shoe into the clamping position
Data Source
AI summary
A motor-vehicle accessory having a pivotal element that can pivot about an axis on a generally fixed support element is provided with a mechanism having an extension on one of the elements offset from the axis and projecting angularly of the axis and a brake on the other of the elements. This brake has a pair of brake shoes flanking the extension and shiftable between a clamping position gripping the element and preventing movement of the element relative to the brake in at least one angular direction and a release position permitting movement of the element relative to the brake both in and against the one direction.