Armrest Through-Space Design for Secure Grip and Guided Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing armrest designs for chairs lack operability and comfort when adjusting the position of movable members, as users often inadvertently touch unexpected portions, leading to discomfort and difficulty in securely holding and moving the upper layer member due to surface contact requirements and potential slippage.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a guide portion, such as a recessed portion on the outer surface of the movable member, which indicates the touching position and allows for stable finger insertion, preventing contact with the support member and enhancing grip security, while a finger-inserting space between the upper and lower layer members enables stable movement without widening the side surface, improving operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the upper layer member and lower layer member are in surface contact for sliding movement, then the structure is simple, but the user's hand easily slips and operability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a through-space (finger-inserting space) at a specific location on the upper layer member, creating a localized structural feature that provides finger insertion capability without changing the overall surface contact sliding mechanism. This local modification allows users to securely grip the armrest by inserting fingers through the space, preventing hand slippage while maintaining the simplicity of the surface contact structure.
2Ease of operation
If a wide side surface is provided on the upper layer member for gripping, then the user can securely hold the armrest, but design restrictions prevent sufficient width
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the width of the side surface in the horizontal direction, the invention creates a through-space that extends in the vertical direction through the upper layer member. This dimensional shift allows users to insert their fingers vertically through the space, providing secure grip capability without requiring increased horizontal width, thus overcoming design restrictions on side surface dimensions.
3Ease of operation
If the seated person touches an unexpected portion to move the movable member, then movement can occur, but the support member may touch the fingertip causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The through-space is positioned and dimensioned in advance during design to guide the user's fingers to the correct location for gripping and moving the armrest. By providing this predetermined finger-inserting space, the invention ensures that users naturally touch the intended portion of the movable member, preventing accidental contact with the support member and eliminating fingertip discomfort before it can occur.
Data Source
AI summary
An armrest (8, 208) and a chair (100, 200) according to the present invention are provided with: an armrest body (8b, 208b) which is a movable member including a placing surface for supporting a limb of a seated person, and which is supported by a support rod (8a, 208a) from below so as to be movable in a horizontal direction; and a through-space (S, 200S) which is a guide portion indicating the position to be touched by the seated person when moving the armrest body (8b, 208b).