Foldable Armrest Step for Overhead Access Without Space Loss

Solution Overview

Problem

Passenger seats in vehicles lack a mechanism to facilitate reaching overhead areas, and existing step assemblies are often fixed, reducing functionality and occupying valuable space.

Innovation Solution

An armrest assembly with a movable attendant step that pivots and slides between stowed and deployed positions, allowing for adjustable height and reduced profile, enabling access to overhead compartments while maintaining space for other components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fixed step assembly is installed in the armrest, then passengers can access overhead compartments, but the armrest loses functionality and valuable space is occupied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to overhead compartmentsVSAvoidarmrest functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The step assembly is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to pivot between a deployed position for accessing overhead compartments and a stowed position within the armrest. This dynamic capability enables the step to provide assistance when needed while preserving armrest functionality when not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The step assembly is configured to nest within the armrest structure when not in use. The step can be received within a receptacle or cavity in the armrest, allowing the step to be stored compactly without permanently occupying functional space or compromising the armrest's primary functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If a fixed step assembly is installed in the armrest, then passengers can access overhead compartments, but valuable space within the passenger vehicle is occupied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to overhead compartmentsVSAvoidspace occupied in passenger vehicle

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The step assembly is configured to nest within the armrest structure when not in use. The step can be received within a receptacle or cavity in the armrest, allowing the step to be stored compactly without permanently occupying functional space or compromising the armrest's primary functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The step assembly is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to pivot between a deployed position for accessing overhead compartments and a stowed position within the armrest. This dynamic capability enables the step to provide assistance when needed while preserving armrest functionality when not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the armrest is made vertically movable between lowered and raised positions, then passenger comfort is improved, but the step assembly becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger comfortVSAvoidstep assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The step assembly is integrated with the vertically movable armrest structure, sharing common mounting points and support mechanisms. The step's pivot mechanism is coupled with the armrest's vertical movement system, allowing both functions to coexist within a unified structural framework rather than requiring separate independent systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4140887B1Foldable attendant step

Publication Date: 2024.10.30 ZODIAC SEATS US LLC

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AI summary

An armrest assembly for a passenger seat may include an armrest and an attendant step assembly. The armrest may include a top side and a bottom side, and the attendant step assembly may be connected to the bottom of the armrest. The attendant step assembly is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position relative to the bottom side of the armrest.