Multifunctional armrest assembly for chair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional armrest assemblies for chairs are limited in versatility as they cannot be moved forward and backward or rotated relative to the seat, restricting user-adjustability and comfort.
Innovation Solution
The armrest assembly includes a slide seat, first and second slides, a rotation member, retainer, and mounting member, allowing for axial, transverse movement, and horizontal rotation, facilitated by roller units and guide flanges, enabling stepless adjustment of the armrest's position and angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional armrest assembly with a track and rotation knob is used, then the armrest can be locked at a fixed position, but the armrest cannot be moved forward and backward or rotated relative to the seat
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest assembly is divided into multiple independent movable components: a first slide for axial movement, a second slide for transverse movement, and a rotation member for horizontal rotation. Each component handles a specific degree of freedom, allowing complex adjustment capabilities while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest assembly transitions from a static fixed position design to a dynamic multi-degree-of-freedom system. The first slide, second slide, and rotation member enable continuous adjustment in axial direction, transverse direction, and horizontal rotation respectively, providing dynamic adaptability to user needs.
2Ease of operation
If the armrest is fixed relative to the seat, then the structure is simple, but the user cannot adjust the armrest position or angle
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest assembly incorporates three dynamic components: the first slide enabling axial movement, the second slide enabling transverse movement, and the rotation member enabling horizontal rotation. These dynamic elements allow the armrest to be adjusted in multiple directions while maintaining operational simplicity through intuitive manual manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest assembly uses a nested structure where the second slide is mounted on the first slide, and the rotation member is mounted on the second slide. This nesting arrangement allows multiple adjustment functions to be integrated in a compact configuration, improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple slides and rotation members are added to enable multi-directional movement, then the armrest becomes highly adjustable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first slide, second slide, and rotation member are arranged in a nested configuration where each component is mounted on the previous one. This nesting strategy allows three degrees of freedom (axial movement, transverse movement, and horizontal rotation) to be integrated in a compact, organized manner, reducing the apparent complexity despite the multiple moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex adjustment functionality is segmented into three independent modules: the first slide for axial adjustment, the second slide for transverse adjustment, and the rotation member for horizontal rotation. Each module handles a specific function, making the overall complex system manageable through clear functional segmentation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the armrest is made movable in multiple directions, then user comfort is enhanced, but more components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The first slide, second slide, and rotation member are nested within each other, with the second slide mounted on the first slide and the rotation member mounted on the second slide. This nesting approach consolidates multiple components into a compact integrated assembly, reducing the spatial footprint and perceived quantity of parts while maintaining full adjustability functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting member serves multiple functions: it secures the first slide to the armrest support, provides a guide for the second slide, and supports the rotation member. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed while maintaining the required position flexibility and adjustment capabilities.
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
This design allows for easy, energy-efficient adjustment of the armrest's position and angle, enhancing user comfort and aesthetic quality by enabling axial, transverse movement, and horizontal rotation, while minimizing vibration during use.
Implementation Method 1
the roller units of the second slide and the roller units of the rotation member function to facilitate movement of the first slide and the second slide
Implementation Method 2
each of the guide flanges of the second slide is guided by the respective guide groove of the rotation member to facilitate movement of the second slide without incurring vibration
Data Source
AI summary
An armrest assembly for a chair includes an armrest support, a slide seat mounted on the armrest support, a first slide mounted on the slide seat, a second slide mounted on the first slide, a rotation member mounted on the second slide, a retainer mounted on the rotation member, a mounting member secured in the armrest support and provided with a stud extended through the first slide, the second slide and the rotation member and secured to the retainer, and an armrest mounted on the first slide. Thus, the armrest is movable in the axial direction and the transverse direction and is rotatable horizontally relative to the armrest support, so that the position of the armrest can be adjusted easily and freely according to the user's practical requirement.