Vehicle Console Armrest Hinge Guide Structure for Stable Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinge units for vehicle console armrests lack a guide structure that enables stable rotation of the upper bracket relative to the lower bracket and do not allow the upper bracket to be in a fully open/closed state, leading to friction-related abrasion issues.
Innovation Solution
The hinge unit incorporates upper and lower bracket covers with guide protrusions and jaws that facilitate stable rotation and define the fully open/closed states, along with a spring for rotational force application, and uses different materials for the covers to reduce abrasion, such as plastic for the upper bracket covers and rubber for the lower bracket covers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the upper bracket rotates directly against the lower bracket without guide structures, then the structure is simple, but the rotation is unstable and causes abrasion due to friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces guide protrusions and guide jaws as intermediary elements between the upper bracket and lower bracket. These guide structures mediate the interaction between the rotating upper bracket and the stationary lower bracket, enabling stable rotation while preventing direct frictional contact between the main bracket bodies, thus resolving the contradiction between rotation stability and structural simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If the upper bracket is allowed to rotate freely without guide structures, then the device complexity is low, but the upper bracket cannot maintain fully open/closed states
Solution Approach 1:
The guide protrusions and guide jaws act as intermediary elements that enable the upper bracket to achieve and maintain fully open and closed states. The guide structure provides controlled interaction points that allow the bracket to settle into defined positions, improving ease of operation while adding only moderate structural complexity.
3Reliability
If the upper bracket and lower bracket are made of similar hard materials for durability, then strength is high, but friction-induced abrasion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide protrusions and guide jaws serve as intermediary contact elements that replace direct contact between the main bracket bodies. This mediation reduces friction-induced abrasion on the main structural components, thereby improving durability without requiring a compromise in material strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different surface treatments or material properties to the guide protrusions and guide jaws compared to the main bracket bodies. By changing the surface parameters (such as using softer or more wear-resistant coatings on the guide elements), the patent reduces friction and abrasion while maintaining the overall structural strength and durability of the hinge unit.
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 the upper bracket to stably rotate and maintain fully open/closed positions while significantly reducing friction-induced abrasion between the brackets, enhancing user convenience and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a spring, and an auxiliary bracket that is located between the upper bracket and the lower bracket
Implementation Method 2
capable of remarkably reducing an abrasion phenomenon due to friction between an upper bracket and a lower bracket
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a hinge unit of a console armrest for a vehicle, which includes an upper bracket including an armrest installation part coupled to an armrest, and upper hinge parts formed at both sides of the armrest installation part, each having a first upper hinge hole, a lower bracket including a console installation part coupled to a console, and lower hinge parts formed at both sides of the console installation part, each having a first lower hinge hole, an upper bracket cover configured to surround at least a portion of each of the upper hinge parts and to have a second upper hinge hole formed at a position corresponding to the first upper hinge hole, and a lower bracket cover configured to surround at least a portion of each of the lower hinge parts and to have a second lower hinge hole.