Dual-Axis Rotating Armrest Assembly for Passenger Seats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional armrest assemblies in passenger vehicles, such as aircraft, do not effectively maximize surface area for supporting passengers' arms and elbows, as they lack a secondary rotation axis that allows for ergonomic adjustments and stowing configurations.
Innovation Solution
The armrest assembly features a moveable arm with a first and second portion that rotate about distinct axes, where the second portion includes an ergonomic face wider than the stowing face, and an indexing pin to prevent rotation about the second axis, allowing for automatic rotation between deployed and stowed configurations, optimizing surface area and ergonomics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a conventional single-axis armrest assembly is used, then the structure is simple, but the surface area for supporting passenger arms and elbows is not maximized
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest assembly is divided into two distinct portions: a first portion that rotates about a first rotation axis, and a second portion that rotates about a second rotation axis. This segmentation allows each portion to independently contribute to the overall surface area while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a second rotation axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first rotation axis, adding a dimensional aspect to the armrest's movement capability. This dual-axis configuration enables the armrest to present different surface areas at different angles, effectively maximizing the supporting surface without requiring a larger single-plane structure.
2Ease of operation
If the armrest is designed to rotate about two axes to maximize surface area, then ergonomic support is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest assembly incorporates dynamic rotation capabilities about two perpendicular axes, allowing the structure to adapt its orientation and surface area presentation based on operational needs. The first portion rotates about the first axis while the second portion rotates about the second axis, creating a dynamically adjustable ergonomic surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-axis rotation mechanism serves multiple functions: it maximizes surface area for arm support, enables ergonomic adjustments, and provides different configuration options for passenger comfort. The same mechanical structure accomplishes both the ergonomic adjustment and the surface area optimization simultaneously.
3Area of moving object
If the second portion rotates about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, then the ergonomic surface area is maximized, but the stowing configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The perpendicular second rotation axis enables the second portion to dynamically adjust its orientation relative to the first portion, maximizing the ergonomic face surface area when needed. The same dynamic capability allows the components to fold or retract into a compact stowing configuration by rotating about these axes, transforming the structure between extended and retracted states.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
An armrest assembly for a passenger seat includes a moveable arm including a proximal end and a distal end, a stowed configuration wherein the moveable arm is disposed adjacent and approximately parallel to a seatback of the passenger seat, and a deployed configuration wherein the moveable arm is approximately parallel to a seat pan of the passenger seat. The moveable arm may include a first portion and a second portion. The armrest assembly may include a first rotation axis such that the moveable arm pivots about the first rotation axis when moving between the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration. The armrest assembly may include a second rotation axis such that the second portion pivots about the second rotation axis relative to the first portion.