Dual-Pivot Armrest Lid for Vehicle Seat Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing armrest compartments in vehicles are difficult for passengers sitting next to the driver to access, as the traditional opening mechanism requires the driver to move their arm and pivot the lid in a way that is challenging, especially in traffic environments.
Innovation Solution
An armrest design with a pivotable lid that can open from two directions via a hinge arm with a first and second pivot axis, allowing access from both ends and featuring a lid support surface for stability, along with an aperture for easy access and a retaining mechanism to keep the lid in position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid is opened by pivoting from the forward end only, then the opening mechanism is simple, but the driver or adjacent passenger cannot easily access the arm rest compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is segmented into two separate pivot axes (first pivot axis and second pivot axis) located at different ends of the lid. This allows the lid to be opened from either the forward end or the rearward end independently, enabling both the driver and adjacent passenger to access the compartment without interfering with each other's arm position.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid is designed with dual pivot capability, making it universally accessible from multiple directions. The same lid structure serves multiple functions: it can be opened by the driver from the forward end, opened by the adjacent passenger from the rearward end, and still provides structural support when closed.
2Ease of operation
If the lid is made pivotable about multiple axes for dual access, then accessibility is improved, but the mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge arm combines both the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis into a single integrated component. This merging of functions allows the lid to pivot about either axis while using one unified hinge structure, reducing the number of separate components needed and simplifying the overall mechanical design despite the dual-axis capability.
3Ease of operation
If the lid is opened to provide access, then the compartment is accessible, but the lid may be accidentally displaced
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining mechanism automatically engages with the lid when it is in the closed or opened position, providing self-servicing retention without requiring additional user action. The retaining member and retaining surface work together to automatically hold the lid in place, preventing accidental displacement while maintaining easy accessibility.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
The present invention relates to an arm rest (1) for a vehicle seat. The arm rest (1) comprising a pivotable lid (2) and an arm rest compartment (3) having an opening (4). The opening (4) has a first and a second end (4a, 4b), the lid (2) has a first end (2a) and a second end (2b). The lid (2) is attached to the arm rest compartment (3) via a hinge arm (5) extending from the first end (4a) of the opening (4) to the second end (2b) of the lid (2). The lid (2) is displaceable to a first opened position by pivoting about a first pivot axis (P1) and to a second opened position by pivoting about a second pivot axis (P2). The lid (2) having an arm rest side (2') and an opposite under side (2"). When the lid (2) is in the first opened position the underside (2") of the lid (2) is facing upwards providing a temporary unloading surface.