Offset Rib Armrest Support for Side Impact Energy Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing armrest designs face a challenge in balancing strength and energy absorption to effectively reduce abdomen deflection during side impacts without increasing vehicle weight or cost, as traditional reinforcement methods are costly and weight-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A new armrest support featuring interconnected ribs with offset sections and weakened zones, along with support gussets, optimizes energy absorption and vertical loading capacity, eliminating the need for intensive body structure reinforcements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If body structure reinforcement is increased to reduce abdomen deflection, then side impact performance is improved, but vehicle weight and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveside impact performanceVSAvoidvehicle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The armrest support is segmented into multiple interconnected ribs with offset end sections, creating a modular structure that provides both strength and controlled deformation zones. This segmentation allows the armrest to absorb impact energy through progressive rib deformation rather than requiring massive monolithic reinforcement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The armrest support features localized weakened zones at specific rib locations that are designed to deform preferentially during side impacts. This local quality approach concentrates energy absorption in specific areas rather than requiring uniform reinforcement throughout the entire body structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If body structure reinforcement is increased to reduce abdomen deflection, then side impact performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveside impact performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The design changes geometric parameters of the armrest support, specifically the offset distance between end sections and the positioning of weakened zones, to optimize energy absorption characteristics. These parameter adjustments provide effective side impact protection through design optimization rather than material quantity increases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If armrest strength is increased to support vertical loads, then armrest function is improved, but energy absorption capacity for side impacts decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical load supportVSAvoidenergy absorption capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The armrest support transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where the offset ribs and weakened zones are designed to deform in specific sequences under lateral loads. This dynamic response allows the structure to adapt its stiffness characteristics based on the type and direction of applied loads

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The offset end sections and weakened zones are pre-configured to create controlled deformation paths that will absorb impact energy during side collisions. This beforehand cushioning is built into the geometry of the ribs, allowing energy absorption without requiring additional active safety systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 armrest assembly effectively absorbs side impact energy, reducing abdomen deflection while maintaining light weight and cost-effectiveness, thus enhancing safety without significant weight or cost penalties.

Implementation Method 1

the intermediate section may include a weakened zone. That weakened zone may have a cross-sectional area of between 1% and 90% less than the first end section and the second end section of the rib

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy absorption through deformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

the support may further include a first support gusset at the first proximal end of each rib. In addition, the support may include a second support gusset at the second proximal end of the or each rib. Advantageously the two gussets are provided on the underside of the or each rib thereby effectively stiffening the rib for vertical loading

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStructural stiffening: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS10583760B2Armrest and support for an armrest assembly

Publication Date: 2020.03.10 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A support for an armrest assembly includes a plurality of interconnected ribs. One or more of those ribs has (a) a first section, having a first proximal end and a first distal end, (b) a second end section, having a second proximal end and a second distal end, and (c) an intermediate section connecting the first distal end and the second distal end. The first end section and the second end section are offset. An armrest assembly includes a body, the support, a cushioning layer overlying the support and a cover layer overlying the cushioning layer.