Foldable Armrest Divider With Charging for Narrow Row Seating

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Row seating in public areas like airplanes and movie theaters often features narrow, unsanitary armrests that are difficult to use comfortably for adjacent passengers, and there is a lack of space and charging facilities for travelers.

Innovation Solution

A portable armrest divider that can be easily mounted on existing armrests, providing a wider, sanitized surface and incorporating an electronic charging source, designed to be compact and lightweight for convenient transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If portable armrest dividers are added to existing armrests, then armrest width and sanitation are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearmrest widthVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The armrest divider is divided into multiple flat surfaces connected by hinges, allowing it to be segmented into foldable sections that can be easily stored and deployed. This segmentation enables the device to expand from a compact state to a functional state that increases armrest width without requiring a complex fixed structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The armrest divider employs hinges and mounting straps that allow dynamic adjustment and positioning. The device can be folded and unfolded, adjusted to different angles, and easily removed, providing dynamic adaptability that simplifies the overall system compared to fixed permanent modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If electronic charging sources are integrated into the armrest divider, then charging availability is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging availabilityVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The armrest divider is designed to perform multiple functions: providing additional armrest surface area, creating sanitation barriers, and incorporating electronic charging sources. This multi-functionality consolidates several needs into a single device, reducing the overall weight compared to adding separate devices for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of moving object

If the armrest divider is made compact for transport, then portability is improved, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage volumeVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The armrest divider folds into a compact nested structure where flat surfaces are stacked and connected sections are folded together, creating a space-efficient configuration that is easy to store in overhead compartments or under seats while maintaining full functionality when deployed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The divider uses thin, flexible mounting straps and hinged connections that allow the structure to fold flat and compact while maintaining structural integrity during use. These flexible elements enable easy deployment and storage without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS10117519B2Portable armrest divider and expander

Publication Date: 2018.11.06 CHANG ARTHUR

AI summary

Disclosed is divider for an arm rest including two upright members with the top of the first upright member connected to a top of the second upright member at an acute angle, a bottom of the first upright member, the bottom of the first upright member spaced apart from a bottom of the second upright member, a first horizontal member, the first horizontal member hingedly connected to the bottom of the first upright member; and a second horizontal member, the second horizontal member hingedly connected to the bottom of the second upright member.