Collapsible Vehicle Armrest Support Bands for Side-Impact Intrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle armrests can pose a hazard during side-impact collisions as they project into the cabin space and may not effectively absorb or distribute impact forces, potentially causing further intrusion into the cabin area.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible vehicle armrest design featuring an armrest substrate extending between a door frame and door trim with parallel support bands and stubs that disengage laterally during impacts, allowing the armrest to compress and minimize lateral support, while maintaining vertical support and cushioning functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the armrest is designed with rigid support structure, then vertical support and cushioning functionality are maintained, but the armrest may cause further intrusion into cabin space during side-impact collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple parallel support bands instead of a single rigid structure. These bands can independently deform during impact while maintaining vertical support capability, resolving the contradiction between strength and impact safety
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest substrate is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to transition from a rigid support state during normal use to a collapsible state during impact. The parallel support bands can flex and deform dynamically to absorb impact energy while maintaining structural integrity for vertical support
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the armrest substrate is made collapsible to reduce impact intrusion, then safety during collisions is improved, but vertical support and cushioning functionality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the armrest substrate are given different properties: the parallel support bands are designed to be flexible in the lateral direction for impact absorption, while maintaining sufficient stiffness in the vertical direction for support functionality. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between collapsibility and vertical support
3Strength
If parallel support bands are used to provide vertical support, then cushioning functionality is maintained, but device complexity increases compared to traditional rigid armrest structures
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into the parallel support bands structure: they provide vertical support, enable collapsibility during impact, and offer cushioning functionality all through a single integrated component design. This merging approach achieves the required performance without proportionally increasing complexity
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 design enables the armrest to absorb and distribute impact forces effectively, reducing the risk of intrusion into the cabin space and providing sufficient vertical support and cushioning without permanent deformation, thus enhancing safety and comfort during collisions.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible substrate spans across the opening in a direction parallel with the slots
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of support bands extends co-planar across the opening and parallel with the longitudinal axis. A plurality of stubs extends across each gap defined between adjacent support bands
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible vehicle armrest includes an armrest substrate extending between a door frame and a door trim and defining an opening therebetween. The opening has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel with the door frame. A plurality of support bands extends co-planar across the opening and parallel with the longitudinal axis. A plurality of stubs extends across each gap defined between adjacent support bands. Each stub is free of alignment with each other of the plurality of stubs in a direction perpendicular to the plurality of support bands. A cover member extends over the armrest substrate and the plurality of support bands, wherein the cover member is vertically supported proximate the opening by the plurality of parallel support bands and the plurality of stubs.