Pivotable Armrest with Pendulum Element for Vehicle Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pivoting armrests in vehicles can swing out of their stowed position during accidents or sharp braking, increasing the risk of passenger injury due to uncontrolled forces.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a pendulum element connected via a spring element, which prevents the armrest from pivoting out of its stowed position by counteracting forces with a restoring force, and includes a second stop to ensure positive interaction with the connecting element only when forces exceed a threshold, ensuring the armrest remains secure during accidents or braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the armrest is made pivotable to save space when not in use, then space utilization is improved, but safety deteriorates because the armrest can swing out of control during accidents or sharp braking
Solution Approach 1:
The pendulum element is pre-positioned by a spring element to protrude into the path of the armrest, creating a preliminary counter-action that prevents the armrest from swinging out of control during accidents or braking. This preliminary positioning ensures that when forces act on the armrest, the pendulum element is already in place to block uncontrolled movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The pendulum element acts as an intermediary between the armrest and the mounting means. During normal operation, it allows controlled pivoting. During accidents or braking, it mediates the force interaction by engaging with the connecting element to prevent dangerous uncontrolled swinging, thus protecting the passenger.
2Reliability
If a pendulum element is added to prevent uncontrolled swinging, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety function is segmented into separate components: the spring element that positions the pendulum, the pendulum element itself that blocks uncontrolled movement, and the connecting element on the armrest. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in itself while collectively providing robust safety functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The pendulum element transitions from a static spring-loaded position to an active engagement state during accidents or braking. The system dynamically adapts its complexity - remaining simple during normal use but activating additional safety mechanisms only when needed, thus minimizing overall structural complexity while maintaining high safety.
3Ease of operation
If the spring element is designed to hold the pendulum element away from the connecting element during normal operation, then ease of operation is improved, but the threshold force requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element's force characteristics are carefully selected to create a threshold effect. During normal operation, the spring force keeps the pendulum retracted, allowing smooth armrest movement. During accidents or braking, the apparent forces exceed this threshold, overcoming the spring force and enabling the pendulum to engage with the connecting element to prevent uncontrolled swinging.
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 system effectively prevents the armrest from swinging out during accidents or sharp braking, reducing the risk of injury and allowing for quick return to a functional state post-event.
Implementation Method 1
the pendulum element is connected to the mounting means via a spring element having a restoring force, the spring element being configured such that the restoring force counteracts a pivoting movement of the pendulum element along the first direction of rotation
Implementation Method 2
the form-fitting interaction of the connecting element and pendulum element prevents the pivotable armrest from leaving a stowed position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system comprising a pivotable armrest (1) and a pendulum element (18), wherein the armrest (1) is pivotably hinged on a holding means (10) around a primary axis (11), wherein the armrest (1) is connected rotatably fixed to a connection element (15) and the holding means (10) comprises the pendulum element (18), wherein the pendulum element (18) is pivotable around a secondary axis (12), the connection element (15) and the pendulum element (18) being configured such that the pendulum element (18) is pivoted into a first position when a force is exerted on the system, wherein the pendulum element (18) pivoted in the first position interlockingly interacts with the connection element (15) in such a way that a pivoting of the connection element along a second direction of rotation (32) is countered, wherein the first direction of rotation (31) runs counter to the second direction of rotation (32).