Integrated Armrest Column for Low-Complexity Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional armrests for office chairs often require complex structural solutions for height adjustment, leading to high material, manufacturing, and assembly costs due to numerous interconnected parts.
Innovation Solution
A simplified armrest design featuring a one-piece armrest column with integrated actuating elements, such as a two-armed lever, and a multifunctional connecting element with U-shaped cross section and guide rails, allowing for easy assembly and reduced component count, eliminating the need for screws and additional locking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional complex structural solutions are used for height adjustment, then height adjustment functionality is achieved, but material costs, manufacturing costs, and assembly costs increase due to numerous interconnected parts
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element is integrated directly into the armrest column, forming a unified component. This merging of the actuating element with the column eliminates separate adjustment mechanisms and reduces the total number of parts, thereby lowering material and assembly costs while preserving height adjustment functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating element serves multiple functions: it acts as both the user interface for height adjustment and the mechanical trigger for the locking mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall structure
2Reliability
If numerous individual parts are connected in a complex manner, then height adjustment functionality is achieved, but assembly costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element is formed as an integral part of the armrest column, eliminating the need for separate assembly of adjustment mechanisms. This integration significantly reduces assembly complexity and costs while maintaining the height adjustment function
3Ease of manufacture
If the actuating element is integrated into the armrest column, then material and manufacturing costs are reduced, but the design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element is integrated into the armrest column as a unified component, which can be manufactured in one piece using injection molding. This approach reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating separate parts and assembly steps, while the design complexity is managed through the inherent simplicity of the integrated structure
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an armrest (1), in particular for an office chair or the like, with an armrest support (2) and with an armrest column (3) that can be adjusted in height on the armrest support (2). Such armrests (1) are known in multiple designs from the prior art. In order to provide an armrest (1) of particularly simple construction, it is proposed that the armrest column (3) has an actuating element (26) connected to it in one piece for changing the height position of the armrest column (3).