Extendable Vehicle Armrest With Automatic Telescopic Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle armrests have fixed lengths, limiting adaptability to different anatomical proportions and requiring manual operation for deployment and folding, which results in packaging constraints and limited versatility.

Innovation Solution

A compact armrest design featuring a pivotable attachment, a movable extension, and a foldable mechanism that converts rotational movement into translational movement, allowing the armrest to be easily adjusted between folded and in-use positions without increasing bulkiness, using simple mechanical means and a transmission mechanism, and incorporating a spring pre-loaded mechanism for effortless folding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the armrest has a fixed length, then the packaging is constrained, but the adaptability to different anatomical proportions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different anatomical proportionsVSAvoidbulkiness of the armrest

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The armrest employs a telescopic mechanism with movable extension segments that allow the armrest length to dynamically adjust between retracted and deployed positions, enabling adaptation to different user anatomical proportions while maintaining a compact form factor when retracted

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The armrest extension segments are nested within each other in a telescopic arrangement, allowing the extension to be housed inside the main armrest body when retracted, thus minimizing the overall bulkiness while providing extended length capability when deployed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the armrest extension is manually deployed, then the adaptability is improved, but the operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different user needsVSAvoidmanual operations required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The armrest system uses a foldable mechanism that automatically deploys the armrest extension when the armrest is folded, and automatically retracts the extension when the armrest is unfolded, eliminating the need for separate manual operations to control the extension

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The deployment and retraction of the armrest extension is merged with the folding and unfolding actions of the armrest itself, so that a single user action simultaneously controls both the armrest position and the extension state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Extent of automation

If the foldable mechanism is added, then the automatic deployment is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic deployment of extensionVSAvoidmechanical means complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The foldable mechanism acts as an intermediary mechanical linkage that couples the armrest folding motion to the extension deployment motion, translating the user's folding action into automatic extension deployment without requiring complex control systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 armrest can be compactly adapted to various vehicle configurations with minimal manual effort, maintaining a reduced bulkiness in both folded and in-use positions, enhancing user comfort and versatility without additional operational complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a foldable mechanism coupling the pivotable attachment to the armrest extension and configured to move the armrest extension from the retracted position to the deployed position when the armrest is moved from the folded position to the rest position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical movement conversion:

Implementation Method 2

incorporating a spring pre-loaded mechanism for effortless folding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring energy storage: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS20240270137A1Extendable compact arm rest

Publication Date: 2024.08.15 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

AI summary

An armrest for a vehicle seat, comprising an armrest main portion, a pivotable attachment for coupling the armrest main portion to a seat backrest, such that the armrest is pivotable between a folded position and a rest position, an armrest extension movable between a retracted position and a deployed position in which the armrest extension extends the armrest main portion, and a foldable mechanism coupling the pivotable attachment to the armrest extension and configured to move the armrest extension from the retracted position to the deployed position when the armrest is moved from the folded position to the rest position.