Contoured Armcap with Raised Surface for Shared Armrest Space Division
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing armrest designs for commercial transportation vehicles are not intuitive, often requiring occupants to compromise on shared armrests, leading to discomfort and potential injury due to complex configurations or reduced space, especially in multi-seat scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A contoured armcap with a sculpted surface featuring a raised edge or surface that divides the armrest into sections, providing an intuitive guide for occupants on which portion to use, minimizing space reduction and fitting existing armrests, while being fabricated as a single piece to avoid complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a shared armrest is used between adjacent seats, then space utilization is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to lack of clear division and compromise requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The armcap is segmented into multiple usage zones through contoured surfaces and raised edges, creating distinct left and right portions for adjacent occupants. This segmentation provides clear visual and tactile guidance for each user's designated space while maintaining the armrest as a single integrated structure, thus preserving space utilization while improving user comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the armcap surface are given different contours and elevations to create localized functional zones. The raised edges and sculpted surfaces provide varying tactile feedback and visual cues in different areas, allowing each occupant to intuitively identify their portion without requiring complex mechanical divisions.
2Ease of operation
If complex configurations are used to divide shared armrests, then user comfort is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The armcap employs sculpted curved surfaces and contoured shapes instead of sharp geometric divisions or mechanical mechanisms. The smooth transitions and organic forms provide intuitive guidance through tactile and visual cues alone, achieving clear zone differentiation without adding mechanical complexity to the armrest configuration.
3Ease of operation
If contoured armcap is used to provide clear division, then user comfort is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contoured armcap integrates multiple functions into a single molded component: structural support, aesthetic covering, and usage zone differentiation are all combined in one piece. The contoured surfaces and raised edges are formed through integral molding processes, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps or multiple parts, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while providing clear visual and tactile guidance for user comfort.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C~1D
AI summary
A contoured armcap for multi-seat occupant usage may include a top surface (102) and a raised surface (104). The raised surface may be configured to separate the top surface into two areas. The raised surface may be offset from the top surface at a select height (120). The raised surface may be continuously coupled to the top surface via a set of sides. At least one side of the set of sides may be defined by a contour line. The two areas may include a first area configured to support a portion of an arm of a first seat occupant in a first aircraft seat coupled to a shared armrest including the contoured armcap. The two areas may include a second area configured to support a portion of an arm of a second seat occupant in a second aircraft seat coupled to the shared armrest including the contoured armcap.