Deployable armrest
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle armrests require excessive effort for deployment and stowing, and lack sophisticated mechanisms for smooth operation, impacting user comfort and experience.
Innovation Solution
A deployable armrest system featuring a gear assembly with a crown gear, planetary gear, and pinion gear, along with a mounting assembly and resilient member, allowing for rotational and vertical motion, enabling soft-open and soft-close deployment with reduced effort through a dynamic pivot point and ramp structure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional armrest deployment mechanism is used, then the armrest can be deployed and stowed, but excessive effort is required for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic pivot point that moves during deployment, transitioning from a first pivot point during initial deployment to a second pivot point during subsequent motion. This dynamic adjustment of the pivot point optimizes the mechanical advantage throughout the deployment stroke, reducing the effort required by the user while maintaining control over the armrest movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The deployment mechanism is segmented into distinct phases with different pivot points. The system divides the deployment motion into an initial phase (using first pivot point) and a subsequent phase (using second pivot point), allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific function - initial deployment with higher mechanical advantage, followed by positioning with different characteristics.
2Ease of operation
If a simple deployment mechanism is used, then the structure remains simple, but smooth operation and user comfort are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple gear components (crown gear, planetary gear, pinion gear) and the rack mechanism into a single integrated gear assembly. This merging of components achieves smooth, controlled deployment motion through coordinated interaction of the gears, while the entire assembly is mounted on a single mounting assembly, consolidating complexity into a unified structure that provides both smooth operation and structural coherence.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack acts as an intermediary element between the pinion gear and the armrest. The pinion gear engages with the rack to convert rotational motion into vertical linear motion, mediating the force transmission and enabling smooth, controlled deployment. This intermediary mechanism transforms the complex gear rotations into the desired smooth vertical movement of the armrest.
3Speed
If rapid deployment is implemented, then the armrest deploys quickly, but control and precision in positioning are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic pivot point provides progressive mechanical advantage throughout the deployment stroke. During rapid initial deployment, the first pivot point enables quick motion. As the armrest approaches its final position, the transition to the second pivot point provides increased mechanical advantage, naturally slowing the motion and enabling precise positioning. This dynamic adjustment inherently balances speed and precision without requiring separate control systems.
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 system reduces the effort required for armrest deployment and stowing, providing a comfortable and aesthetically improved user experience by facilitating smooth transitions between stowed and deployed positions with enhanced mechanical efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member that biases the gear assembly in a vertically upward direction toward a deployed position of the armrest
Implementation Method 2
a ramp structure that is engaged by a protrusion on the crown gear; the protrusion interacts with the ramp structure such that deployment of the armrest is accomplished in a soft-open manner
Data Source
AI summary
An armrest includes a gear assembly with a crown gear directly coupled to the armrest that imparts rotational motion to the armrest, a planetary gear engaged with the crown gear, and a pinion gear coupled to the crown gear that imparts vertical motion of the entire gear assembly, and the armrest, along a rack.