Vehicle Door Armrest Assembly for Side-Impact Force Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle interior components, such as door panels with armrest assemblies, lack effective mechanisms to respond and protect occupants during a side impact, potentially leading to increased risk of injury.
Innovation Solution
The proposed vehicle interior component features an armrest assembly with a base section and an armrest section, equipped with a mechanism comprising slots and pins that allow the armrest section to move relative to the base section, thereby covering the base section and partially absorbing the impact force during a side impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the armrest assembly is made fixed and rigid to ensure structural stability, then the structural stability is improved, but the ability to respond to side impact and protect occupants deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest assembly transitions from a fixed rigid structure to a dynamic system where the armrest section can move relative to the base section during side impact. The mechanism includes slots and pins that allow controlled movement, enabling the armrest to respond to impact forces while maintaining structural integrity during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest assembly is divided into separate sections: a base section and an armrest section that can move independently. This segmentation allows the armrest section to move relative to the base section during impact, providing protective movement while maintaining overall structural stability through the connection mechanism.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the armrest section is made movable to improve occupant protection during side impact, then the occupant protection is improved, but the structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest assembly transitions from a fixed rigid structure to a dynamic system where the armrest section can move relative to the base section during side impact. The mechanism includes slots and pins that allow controlled movement, enabling the armrest to respond to impact forces while maintaining structural integrity during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest assembly is divided into separate sections: a base section and an armrest section that can move independently. This segmentation allows the armrest section to move relative to the base section during impact, providing protective movement while maintaining overall structural stability through the connection mechanism.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a mechanism with slots and pins is added to enable armrest movement during impact, then the occupant protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A connection mechanism serving as an intermediary between the base section and armrest section enables controlled movement during impact. The mechanism uses slots and pins that provide simple geometric constraints, allowing the armrest to move in a controlled manner without requiring complex actuators or control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest assembly uses passive mechanical elements (slots and pins) that automatically respond to impact forces without requiring external control systems, sensors, or power sources. The geometry of the slots and pins inherently provides the desired movement behavior during side impact.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle interior component configured for response in event of a side impact may comprise an armrest assembly for a door panel. The armrest assembly may comprise a base section and an armrest section and a region configured for response to side impact at the door panel. The region may comprise a movable/deformable structure. Response of the armrest assembly may comprise deformation to partially absorb force and/or movement of the armrest section relative to the base section to partially cover the base section. The armrest assembly may comprise a carrier and/or mechanism to attach the armrest section to the door panel. The carrier/mechanism may be configured to guide/direct movement of the armrest section and/or to partially absorb the side impact force. The mechanism may comprise a set of pins movable within a set of slots to provide for movement of the armrest section.