Vehicle Armrest Assembly with Pyrotechnic Actuator for Side Impact Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle safety measures, such as those tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, do not adequately address the need for effective occupant protection during side collisions, particularly in vehicles without center consoles, where occupants lack a suitable reaction surface.
Innovation Solution
A seat armrest assembly with a pyrotechnic actuator that automatically raises an armrest during a vehicle impact to serve as a reaction surface for occupants, including a track, slider, link, and pyrotechnic actuator system, which supports the occupant's arm and controls kinematics during impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an armrest assembly is added to provide a reaction surface during side collisions, then occupant safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest assembly transitions from a static structure to a dynamic system that automatically changes position based on impact conditions. The armrest moves between a lowered position (normal operation) and a raised position (impact response), allowing the structure to adapt its characteristics to different operational states and provide reaction surface only when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest assembly is divided into separate functional components: the armrest structure itself, the link mechanism, the slider, and the pyrotechnic actuator. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall system simplicity and ease of manufacture
2Reliability
If a pyrotechnic actuator is used to raise the armrest during impact, then the timing and effectiveness of the reaction surface is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pyrotechnic actuator is pre-positioned and pre-configured within the armrest assembly during manufacturing. The actuator is connected to the slider and link mechanism in advance, so that upon ignition during impact, the entire raising mechanism activates immediately without requiring complex real-time control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic sensors, controllers, and motors with a simple pyrotechnic actuator that converts chemical energy directly into mechanical motion. This substitution simplifies the manufacturing process while ensuring reliable and timely activation during vehicle impact
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 armrest assembly effectively acts as a reaction surface for occupants during vehicle impacts, enhancing safety by providing support and reducing the risk of injury in side collisions, especially in vehicles without center consoles.
Implementation Method 1
A pyrotechnic actuator connected to the slider is arranged to move the slider to the forward position in response to a vehicle impact
Data Source
AI summary
A seat for a vehicle includes a seat back and a seat bottom extending from the seat back along a seat-bottom axis. A track is fixed relative to the seat bottom and is elongated along the seat-bottom axis. A slider is slidably engaged with the track along the seat-bottom axis. A link is pivotally engaged with the slider. An armrest is pivotally engaged with the link. A pyrotechnic actuator connected to the slider. In the event of a sensed vehicle impact, the pyrotechnic actuator pulls the slider to move the armrest to a raised position.