Vehicle Armrest Vertical Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing height-adjustable armrests are complex and expensive to manufacture, often requiring integration with other devices like storage compartments, and suffer from angle changes when pivoting, limiting independence and ease of adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A vertically adjustable armrest with a linear guide system featuring a toothed rack and wheel mechanism, synchronized by a gear shaft, and a locking device using a wrap spring for independent height adjustment, allowing manual or electrical operation without tilting, and featuring a guide rod with a large surface area for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the armrest is integrated with storage compartments and telescopic housing mechanisms, then height adjustability is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the height adjustment function from the storage compartment, creating an independent adjustment device. The adjustment mechanism operates autonomously without requiring integration with the storage compartment structure, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining height adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The height adjustment function is extracted from the integrated console system and implemented as a separate, standalone mechanism. This extraction allows the adjustment device to be manufactured and assembled independently, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while preserving the desired height adjustability feature.
2Length of moving object
If a swivel mechanism is used for height adjustment, then vertical position change is achieved, but angle changes occur causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a parallelogram linkage mechanism that dynamically maintains parallelism between the armrest and the console base during vertical movement. This dynamic geometric constraint ensures that the armrest remains horizontally level at all heights, preventing unwanted angle changes while achieving smooth vertical adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The parallelogram linkage uses asymmetric link arrangements where opposite sides remain equal and parallel, creating a mechanism that inherently prevents rotational movement. This asymmetric geometric design ensures stable angular orientation while allowing vertical displacement.
3Device complexity
If manual operation is used for height adjustment, then device simplicity is maintained, but adjustment precision and ease of operation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces direct manual manipulation with a mechanical advantage system using the parallelogram linkage and integrated gear mechanisms. This substitution provides smoother, more controlled adjustment with less physical effort while maintaining the overall simplicity of the device structure.
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 solution enables easy, independent vertical adjustment of the armrest to fit occupants, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost, while preventing canting and ensuring smooth vertical movement, thus enhancing user comfort and manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The coil spring interacts with a guide rod of the guide associated with the vehicle structure or with a gear shaft associated with the armrest, wherein the armrest is locked in the set vertical position in the locking position
Implementation Method 2
A linear guide guides the rotor along a linear path. This path can, for example, include a toothed rack that meshes with a gear, which is part of the rotor.
Implementation Method 3
A linear guide guides the rotor along a linear path. This path can, for example, include a toothed rack that meshes with a gear, which is part of the rotor.
Implementation Method 4
The guide rod provides the runner with a large guiding surface. For example, the runner can at least partially grasp the circumference of the guide rod.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to an armrest with an arm support (11) and with an adjustment device (10), wherein the adjustment device (10) comprises a guide (12a) with at least one guide track on which at least one runner (13) associated with the arm support (11) is guided. The adjustment device (10) can be attached to a vehicle structure such that the armrest is vertically adjustable (z1, z2).