Pivotable Armrest Grip for Mobile Object Width Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile objects, such as electric wheelchairs, face issues with user stability, armrest obstruction, increased size, and instability when carrying baggage due to the armrest's configuration, which affects convenience and maneuverability, especially in narrow spaces.
Innovation Solution
A mobile object with a moving base, a seat, and armrests that can pivot between a position of use and a lift-up position, where the armrest's grip is positioned outward in the width direction, reducing the vehicle's width and preventing obstruction, while enhancing user stability and supporting baggage securely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the armrest is positioned along the front-rear direction of the seat in the position of use, then the user can hold the armrest comfortably, but the space over the entire width direction of the seat is formed in front of the user, reducing the sense of stability
Solution Approach 1:
The grip is designed to protrude in the width direction from the body part, changing the spatial arrangement from a simple front-rear positioning to a three-dimensional configuration. This allows the grip to extend outward laterally, providing hand support while maintaining forward-facing space for the user, thus resolving the contradiction between armrest usability and seating stability.
2Ease of operation
If the armrest is configured to pivot to the flipped-up position for dismounting, then the user can easily get off the mobile object, but the armrest may become an obstacle for the user during the pivoting motion
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot motion is designed to move the grip primarily in the width direction rather than along the front-rear direction. This lateral pivoting path prevents the grip from intruding into the user's forward space, eliminating the obstruction problem while still allowing the armrest to move to a flipped-up position for easy dismounting.
3Ease of operation
If the armrest protrudes outward in the width direction of the seat in the position of use, then the grip can be held by the user's arm, but the width of the mobile object increases, reducing maneuverability in narrow spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is designed with pivotable supporting parts that allow the body part and grip to move between different positions. In use, the grip protrudes outward to provide hand support; when not in use or during dismounting, the armrest can pivot to reduce its width projection. This dynamic configuration maintains armrest functionality while minimizing the mobile object's width for better maneuverability.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile object of the invention includes: a moving base including a front wheel and a rear wheel; a seat having a seating surface; and an armrest located outward of the seating surface in a width direction of the mobile object. The armrest includes: a supporting part supported on the moving base; a body part supported by the supporting part; and a grip protruding from the body part. The armrest is configured so as to be changeable between the position of use in which a user seated on the seating surface can hold the grip with the arm positioned upward of the armrest, and the lift-up position in which the grip is positioned upward of the position of use. The grip in the lift-up position is located outward in the width direction of the mobile object with respect to the grip in the position of use.