Movable Armrest Assembly Aisle Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles with a second row of seating and a center aisle, the inboard armrests often project into the aisle, obstructing access and movement, particularly when passengers need to navigate between seating rows.
Innovation Solution
A movable armrest assembly design featuring a seat frame with an inboard side, a lower bracket attached to the frame, an upper bracket pivotally coupled to the lower bracket about a forward-to-rearward axis, and a cushion unit that transitions from an inboard to an outboard position upon application of an outboard force, allowing the armrest to retract from the aisle, utilizing spring elements for biasing and movement control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inboard armrest is positioned to provide passenger support and comfort, then passenger comfort is improved, but the armrest projects into the center aisle obstructing access and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is designed with movable brackets that can transition between inboard and outboard positions. The upper bracket pivots about a forward-to-rearward axis, allowing the armrest to dynamically adjust its position based on whether passenger support or aisle access is the priority, thereby resolving the contradiction between comfort and accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest assembly is divided into separate bracket components (lower bracket and upper bracket) that can move independently. This segmentation allows the armrest to be repositioned without moving the entire assembly, enabling the brackets to clear the aisle while maintaining the cushion's support function
2Ease of operation
If the inboard armrest is moved outboard to clear the center aisle, then passenger access is improved, but the armrest loses its position to provide support and comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest system incorporates spring elements that provide automatic return functionality. When the upper bracket is moved outboard to clear the aisle, the spring stores energy and automatically returns the bracket to its inboard position, ensuring the armrest consistently provides passenger support while temporarily clearing the aisle when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element enables the armrest to self-return to its functional position without requiring manual intervention. The system automatically restores the armrest's support position after being moved outboard, maintaining passenger comfort without additional effort from users
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design effectively removes the armrest from projecting into the center aisle, enhancing passenger access and movement by allowing the armrest to pivot or slide out of the way when needed, while spring elements ensure it returns to its original position when the force is removed, maintaining functionality and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
spring elements for biasing and movement control
Implementation Method 2
spring elements ensure it returns to its original position when the force is removed
Data Source
AI summary
A seating assembly of a row of seating of a vehicle comprising: (a) a seat including a frame having an inboard side; and (b) an inboard armrest assembly comprising: (i) a lower bracket attached to the inboard side of the frame of the seat; (ii) an upper bracket pivotally coupled to the lower bracket about a pivot axis extending generally forward-to-rearward; and (iii) a cushion unit mounted upon the upper bracket, the upper bracket having an inboard position and, upon application of an outboard force to the upper bracket, an outboard position further outboard than the inboard position, the upper bracket transitioning from the inboard position to the outboard position about the pivot axis. The outboard force moving the cushion unit to the outboard position removes the inboard armrest assembly from projecting into a center aisle of a vehicle.