Vehicle Seat Armrest Rotary Spindle Folding Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing armrest arrangements for vehicle seats are either obstructive when trying to sit down, lack the ability to fold down for increased freedom, or employ costly and complex gear mechanisms, and cannot provide a supporting function during seat movement.
Innovation Solution
A simple and cost-effective armrest arrangement with a latching and adjusting device that allows the armrest to be pivoted and folded down using a rotary spindle and spindle handle, eliminating the need for complex mechanisms by rotating the spindle against a support cam and utilizing a guide nut for precise adjustment and folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the armrest is fixed or pivotable only upwards, then the armrest provides support function, but it obstructs the driver from moving into the seat
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be folded down to a non-obstructive position when not in use, and folded up to a supportive position when needed. The armrest can pivot between multiple positions (fully extended, partially folded, fully folded) to adapt to different operational states of the vehicle seat.
2Ease of operation
If a gear mechanism is used for armrest adjustment and folding, then precise control is achieved, but the device becomes costly and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The complex gear mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simpler cam-based positioning system. The cam mechanism provides sufficient positioning precision without requiring multiple gears, reducing both mechanical complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining the ability to hold the armrest at desired angles.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex gear system, the patent employs a cam profile that geometrically encodes the positioning information. The cam's contour shape directly translates rotational motion into the desired armrest angular positions, simplifying the mechanism while preserving functional precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the armrest cannot be folded down, then the armrest structure is simpler, but it lacks supporting function during seat movement
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest incorporates a folding capability that allows it to transition between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic configuration enables the armrest to provide support during seat adjustment operations while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of a straightforward hinge and cam-based locking mechanism.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
The invention relates to an armrest arrangement (100) for a seat, in particular for a vehicle seat, with an armrest (1) which is pivotably connected to an armrest support (3) by means of a bearing axis (2), wherein a locking and adjusting device (4) is provided for setting an angle of inclination between the armrest (1) and the armrest support (3) in a use position and for folding down the armrest (1) from the use position to a non-use position, wherein the locking and adjusting device (4) for folding down the armrest (1) is rotatably mounted in a rotary element (6) within a housing (5) of the armrest (1) and for adjusting the angle of inclination the locking and adjusting device (4) is rotatably mounted in the housing (5) about its longitudinal axis (L).