Door Armrest Engagement Claw Detachment Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing door armrest designs face issues where the armrest upper part detaches from the switch finisher when the pull handle is pulled, leading to insufficient performance, and conventional solutions like screw-fastening or welding increase costs and manufacturing steps.
Innovation Solution
The door armrest incorporates an engagement claw portion on the armrest upper part that extends and engages with a fixing portion on the armrest lower part, along with a restriction piece on the switch finisher to prevent detachment, utilizing a flexible claw body and projection claw for secure fitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the armrest upper part is positioned to overlap with the back surface of the switch finisher, then the armrest can be compactly arranged, but the armrest upper part detaches when force is applied to the pull handle
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest upper part is divided into a body portion and an engagement claw portion. The engagement claw portion is a separate flexible element that can bend and engage with the switch finisher, allowing the main armrest body to maintain its compact arrangement while the claw provides secure attachment through its ability to deform and lock into place.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement claw portion is designed with flexibility, allowing it to change its shape parameter from a bent state during assembly to a locked state during use. This parameter change enables the claw to initially bend to engage with the switch finisher and then maintain a stable engaged position that prevents detachment when force is applied.
2Reliability
If screw-fastening or welding is used to fix the armrest upper part to the armrest lower part, then detachment is suppressed, but the number of manufacturing steps and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement claw portion serves itself by using its own flexibility to achieve both assembly and locking functions. During assembly, the claw bends to engage with the switch finisher, and during use, the same flexibility maintains the locked state. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external fastening systems like screws or welding equipment, simplifying the manufacturing process while ensuring reliable attachment.
3Strength
If the engagement claw portion is made rigid, then attachment strength is improved, but the ability to accommodate assembly variations and absorb force is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement claw portion utilizes controlled flexibility as a design parameter rather than treating it as a weakness. The claw is designed with specific bend characteristics that allow it to deform during assembly to accommodate variations in positioning, then maintain sufficient engagement strength during use. This parameter optimization enables the claw to simultaneously provide adaptability during assembly and strength during operation.
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 configuration effectively suppresses detachment of the armrest upper part, ensuring the required performance is met without the need for additional fastening methods, thereby reducing costs and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
The claw body has flexibility such that a distal end of the extension portion is allowed to bend to front and rear sides
Data Source
AI summary
An armrest upper part covering an upper portion of an armrest lower part includes a front end portion adjacent to a switch finisher and an engagement claw portion extending from the front end portion. An upper part of the engagement claw portion is covered with the switch finisher. At the armrest lower part, a fixing portion for engagement with the engagement claw portion is provided. At a back surface of the switch finisher adjacent to a front of the armrest upper part and covering the upper portion of the armrest lower part, a restriction piece is provided at a position facing the fixing portion via the engagement claw portion. The restriction piece restricts detachment of the engagement claw portion from the fixing portion.