Armrest Trash Compartment with Expandable Flexible Cavity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional armrest assemblies in vehicle seats lack a convenient and efficient means to store trash, with existing compartments often being fixed in size and not easily accessible.
Innovation Solution
An armrest assembly with a trash compartment featuring a movable member and a flexible member that expands the trash cavity volume, allowing it to be concealed when not in use and enlarged when needed, utilizing mechanisms like scissor wire mechanisms or disposable bags for easy access and increased capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a fixed-size trash compartment is provided in the armrest assembly, then the trash storage capacity is limited, but the armrest assembly structure remains simple and compact
Solution Approach 1:
The trash compartment is designed with a movable member that can transition between a stored position (flush with the A-surface) and an extended position, allowing the compartment volume to dynamically adjust based on trash storage needs. This dynamic configuration enables the trash storage capacity to increase without permanently altering the armrest assembly structure
Solution Approach 2:
The movable member is nested within the armrest body when in the stored position, concealing the trash compartment mechanism within the existing armrest structure. The flexible member forming the trash cavity is also contained within the armrest body until extended, allowing the trash compartment to be hidden when not in use while providing expanded capacity when needed
2Volume of stationary object
If a movable member is added to expand the trash cavity volume, then the trash storage capacity increases, but the armrest assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible member forms the trash cavity, allowing the compartment volume to expand and contract as needed. The flexible member can be easily extended when trash storage is required and returned to a compact state when stored, providing variable volume without requiring complex rigid structural changes to the armrest assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The movable member transitions between stored and extended positions to dynamically adjust the trash cavity volume. This dynamic mechanism allows the trash storage capacity to be increased on-demand without permanently complicating the armrest assembly structure
3Shape
If the movable member is concealed flush with the A-surface when stored, then the armrest aesthetics are maintained, but the access to the trash compartment becomes less obvious
Solution Approach 1:
A cupholder panel serves as an intermediary element that, when moved to a deployed position, provides access to the trash compartment. This mediator allows the movable member to remain concealed flush with the A-surface when stored, maintaining armrest aesthetics, while still providing a clear indication and pathway for accessing the trash compartment when needed
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to an arm rest trash compartment. An arm rest assembly includes an arm rest body having an A-surface with a trash cavity defined therethrough; and a trash compartment corresponding to the trash cavity. The trash compartment includes a movable member releasably secured at the A-surface, and a flexible member which forms the trash cavity. The trash compartment has a stored position and an extended position, where, in the stored position, the movable member is flush with the A-surface, and in the extended position, at least a portion of the flexible member is positioned below the A-surface such that a trash cavity volume in the extended position is greater than a trash cavity volume in the stored position.