Foldable Armrest with Dual-Hinge Design for Independent Seat Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle armrests often follow the backrest during displacement, making them inconvenient to fold away and access, and may pose a risk during side impacts or rollovers.
Innovation Solution
A foldable armrest with a pad portion and arm portion connected by parallel hinges, allowing independent movement from the backrest, which can be easily mounted to a seat arrangement and features a locking mechanism for secure positioning, and can automatically deploy to a fold-away position during accidents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the armrest is mounted to or within the backrest, then the armrest structure is simplified and integrated, but the armrest will follow the backrest during displacement which reduces accessibility and convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest system is divided into two independent rotational mechanisms: a first hinge connecting the pad portion to the arm portion, and a second hinge connecting the arm portion to the seat arrangement. This segmentation allows the armrest to be mounted to the seat arrangement (simplifying structure) while the independent hinges enable the armrest to fold away independently of backrest movement (improving accessibility).
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest is designed with dynamic folding capability through the second hinge, allowing it to rotate between a deployed position (providing support) and a retracted position (improving access). The dynamic nature of the hinge connection enables the armrest to adapt its position independently of the backrest, resolving the contradiction between structural integration and operational accessibility.
2Reliability
If the armrest is mounted to the backrest, then the armrest provides continuous support, but the armrest cannot be independently folded away during backrest displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest structure is segmented into the pad portion, arm portion, and mounting structure, connected by two independent hinges. This segmentation enables the armrest to maintain support functionality when deployed while allowing independent folding away when needed, providing both reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-hinge mechanism provides dynamic positioning capability, allowing the armrest to transition between deployed and retracted states independently of backrest movement. This dynamic design ensures continuous support when needed while enabling independent folding for versatility.
3Strength
If the armrest remains in deployed position during side impacts or rollovers, then the armrest provides structural support, but it may pose a safety risk to occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest incorporates a dynamic folding mechanism via the second hinge, enabling it to transition from a deployed position (providing structural support during normal use) to a retracted position (reducing injury risk during side impacts or rollovers). This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between maintaining structural strength and minimizing harmful effects during accidents.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest design anticipates potential accident scenarios by enabling the armrest to be folded away in advance or automatically during side impacts or rollovers. This preliminary anti-action prevents the armrest from becoming a harmful factor during accidents while maintaining its supportive function during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an armrest (9) for a seat arrangement (1) of a vehicle or a vessel. The armrest is foldable between a use position and a fold-away position and comprises a pad portion (11, 11′), an arm portion (13), a first hinge (15) having a first hinge axis and a second hinge (17, 17′) having a second hinge axis. The pad portion is elongate along a longitudinal axis. The first hinge rotatably connects the pad portion and a first end portion (19) of the arm portion. The second hinge rotatably connects a second end portion (21) of the arm portion to the seat arrangement. The first hinge axis and the second hinge axis have extension directions being parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pad portion.