Movable Armrest Guide Device for Operator Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machine operators experience discomfort and strain due to rigidly attached armrests in construction machine seats, leading to annoying movements and potential skin chafing during long operating processes, as they must either relieve their arm or slide it relative to the armrest during forward and backward movements.
Innovation Solution
A guide device is integrated into the machine operator's seat, allowing the armrest to move freely in a defined longitudinal and lateral displacement range relative to the base part, enabling the armrest to follow the operator's arm movements and maintain optimal positioning with the control elements, thus reducing strain and improving comfort and precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the armrest is firmly or rigidly attached to the base part, then the structural stability is improved, but the operator experiences strain and discomfort during operating movements
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is transformed from a rigid, fixed structure to a dynamic, movable one by introducing a guide device that allows longitudinal displacement. The guide device includes a guide rail and guide element configuration that enables the armrest to move freely along the longitudinal axis while maintaining structural stability through controlled guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest assembly is segmented into movable and fixed components. The guide device separates the armrest (movable) from the base part (fixed), allowing independent movement of the armrest while the base remains stationary, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and mobility.
2Ease of manufacture
If the armrest is rigidly mounted on the base part, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the operator must slide the arm back and forth causing friction and skin chafing
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is designed to move dynamically along the longitudinal axis through the guide device, eliminating the need for the operator to slide the arm back and forth. The guide rail and guide element configuration provides smooth, low-friction movement that prevents skin chafing while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If the armrest is made movable along the base part, then the operator comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the guide device
Solution Approach 1:
The guide device is segmented into simple, discrete components: a guide rail attached to the base part and a guide element on the armrest. This segmentation allows for easy assembly and disassembly, reducing the perceived complexity despite adding movement functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the fixed base part and the movable armrest. It provides the necessary guidance and support for armrest movement without requiring complex control systems or additional actuation mechanisms.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the armrest is rigidly fixed, then the positioning stability is improved, but the operator cannot maintain optimal positioning during forward and backward movements
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest transitions from a static, fixed position to a dynamic, adjustable position along the longitudinal axis. The guide device enables continuous adjustment while maintaining stability through controlled guidance, allowing the operator to optimize positioning during different operating movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The longitudinal position of the armrest is changed as a variable parameter rather than being fixed. The guide device allows the armrest to move to different positions along the longitudinal axis, enabling the operator to adapt the positioning to different operating conditions and personal preferences.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
The seat (10) has a backrest (13) arranged in a longitudinal direction (a) of a seat surface, and an armrest (14) arranged parallel to the seat surface. An arm support (16) and an operating element (17) arranged in rear and front regions of the armrest in the longitudinal direction. The arm support is supported over a guiding device at a base part (15) of the armrest. The guiding device is formed such that the arm support is freely movable in a limited longitudinal displacement region along the longitudinal direction and/or in a limited side displacement region with respect to the base part. An independent claim is also included for a construction vehicle comprising a machine operator seat.