Multipurpose Vehicle Armrest with Slidable Console and Foldable Tables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle armrests are fixedly installed and cannot be easily adjusted to accommodate different user body conditions, limiting their functionality and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A multipurpose armrest that slidably moves forward and backward with a console box, featuring a foldable table, cup holder, memo holder, and lighting, with push buttons and table locking devices for versatile use, allowing the table to be unfolded on either side and supported by a damper for controlled unfolding speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the console box is fixedly installed, then the armrest structure is simple and stable, but the armrest cannot be adjusted to accommodate different user body conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The console box is transformed from a fixed structure to a movable one by mounting it on a guide rail, allowing it to slide forward and backward along the rail. This dynamic positioning capability enables the armrest to be adjusted to different locations according to user body conditions, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the console box is made slidable to allow position adjustment, then user convenience is improved, but the console box cannot be used for various purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is designed with multiple functions: it can serve as a simple armrest, a cup holder (with cup holder groove), a memo holder (with memo holder groove), and a simple table (by unfolding the table). This multi-functionality allows the same structure to be used for various purposes, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest structure is divided into separate functional components: the console box body, the table that can be unfolded, the cup holder groove, and the memo holder groove. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall structural coherence, enabling versatility without excessive complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If tables are mounted on both sides of the console box to be horizontally unfolded, then the armrest can serve as a simple table, but additional locking mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The table locking device uses a self-locking mechanism where the table's own weight and position automatically engage the locking feature. When the table is unfolded to the horizontal position, gravity and the table's structure cause it to lock into place without requiring additional active locking components, reducing the complexity of the locking device while maintaining the table function.
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
Enables users to adjust the armrest to their preferred position, providing a versatile storage and work surface that can be used for various purposes, including as a cup holder, table, and memo holder, with improved convenience and usability, especially for passengers on either side.
Implementation Method 1
an oil damper that constantly controls an unfolding speed of the table may be further mounted on a rotational shaft of the table
Data Source
AI summary
A multipurpose armrest for a vehicle includes: a console box mounted on a guide rail to be slidable forward and backward along the guide rail; an armrest mounted on the top of the console box to be openable or closable; push buttons mounted on the top of the console box; tables mounted on both sides of the console box to be horizontally unfolded at the time of pressing the push buttons; and table locking devices mounted on both sides of the console box to interlock with the push buttons to lock and closely fix the tables onto both side surfaces of the console box at the time of keeping table or horizontally unfold the table at the time of using the table.