Vehicle Armrest Positioning Assembly With Helical Lock Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle armrests lack efficient mechanisms for adjusting their position relative to the vehicle seat frame, limiting user comfort and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle armrest positioning assembly featuring a pivotal support arm with an elongated adjuster, a helical lock spring, and a release mechanism that allows the armrest to be adjusted vertically and inclined, using a biasing spring and release actuator to change the diameter of the lock spring, enabling the armrest to be positioned at various angles for optimal comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed armrest position is used, then the structure is simple, but user comfort is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest positioning assembly transforms a static fixed-position armrest into a dynamic adjustable system. The adjusting rod can extend and retract to change the armrest angle, while the lock spring maintains selected positions. This dynamic mechanism allows the armrest to adapt between horizontal (0°), intermediate (15° downward), and vertical (25° upward) positions, resolving the contradiction between positioning flexibility and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting rod is nested within the housing, and the lock spring is nested around the adjusting rod. This nested configuration allows multiple functional components to be compactly integrated without significantly increasing the overall size or visual complexity of the armrest assembly, enabling adjustable positioning while maintaining a relatively simple external structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment mechanism is added, then armrest positioning is adjustable, but ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lock spring automatically engages with the adjusting rod to maintain selected positions without requiring additional locking actions from the user. The spring's elastic force provides self-locking functionality, and the release member allows easy disengagement when adjustment is needed. This self-service mechanism reduces operational complexity while maintaining full adjustability across multiple positions.
3Reliability
If lock spring mechanism is used, then adjusting rod position is secured, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock spring automatically engages and disengages from the adjusting rod based on its elastic deformation, providing self-locking functionality. When the adjusting rod is moved to a desired position, the spring's elastic force naturally secures it without requiring additional locking components or complex control mechanisms. This self-service locking approach ensures position stability while minimizing the addition of complex mechanical elements.
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 assembly provides adjustable armrest positions, enhancing user comfort by allowing inclinations of up to 15° downward and 25° upward from horizontal, and a rearward nonuse position, improving seating experience.
Implementation Method 1
A helical lock spring mounted within the housing receives the one end of the adjusting rod and the helical lock spring has a first end that is fixed to the housing and a second end that is movable with respect to the housing about the one end of the adjusting rod. The helical lock spring clamps about the one end of the adjusting rod to position the adjusting rod against movement inwardly or outwardly of the housing.
Implementation Method 2
The vehicle armrest positioning assembly is disclosed as having the adjuster including a biasing spring that biases the adjusting rod outwardly with respect to the housing. The biasing spring as disclosed is a helical spring through which the adjusting rod extends, and the biasing spring has one end that contacts the adjuster housing and another end that contacts the adjusting rod adjacent its distal end to provide the biasing of the adjusting rod outwardly with respect to the housing.
Implementation Method 3
The release actuator includes a release button mounted on the support arm, and a button spring biases the release button into contact with the second end of the release lever.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle armrest positioning assembly (12) for adjustably positioning a vehicle armrest (10) on a vehicle seat frame (14) includes an elongated adjuster (20) that provides armrest positioning and is released by a release actuator (44) a release mechanism (42) to permit angular adjustment of the armrest positioning. The adjuster (20) includes a housing (22) that positions an adjusting rod (24) by a helical lock spring (32) to control the armrest positioning and adjustment.