Pivoting Armrest Latch Mechanism for Secure Position Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional armrest devices for juvenile car safety seats lack a mechanism that allows for both pivotable and lockable armrest members, making it difficult to securely position the armrest during use and movement.
Innovation Solution
An armrest device with a pivotable and lockable armrest member design, featuring a pair of latch members and an urging unit, where the latch members are movable between a locking and unlocking position, and an armrest button that drives the latch members to disengage from the locking position, allowing for easy operation and secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the armrest member is designed to be pivotable relative to the armrest mount, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability is worsened because the armrest cannot be securely fixed in position
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest device employs a dynamic design where the armrest member can pivot relative to the armrest mount, but includes latch members that can engage with the armrest mount to lock the armrest in selected positions. This allows the system to transition between movable and fixed states, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability of position fixation.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to the pivotable armrest member, then reliability is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into separate latch members that can engage with the armrest mount independently. Each latch member is a discrete component that can be actuated separately, allowing the locking function to be added without requiring a completely integrated complex mechanism. This segmentation reduces overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If multiple latch members are used to secure the armrest member, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple latch members are merged into a single actuation system where one operational action (pressing the armrest button) simultaneously actuates all latch members. This combining approach maintains reliability through multiple latches while preserving ease of operation by requiring only a single user action to engage or disengage all locking points.
4Reliability
If an urging unit is added to bias the latch members, then reliability is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The urging unit (spring) is designed to automatically bias the latch members into the engaged position with the armrest mount, providing consistent locking force without requiring active control. The spring-loaded mechanism self-regulates to maintain reliable contact and locking, reducing the need for additional control components while improving reliability through consistent mechanical force.
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 easy operation and secure locking of the armrest member relative to the armrest mount, ensuring the armrest can be easily adjusted and securely locked in place, enhancing user convenience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The urging unit is disposed between the latch members for biasing the latch members away from each other to the locking position
Data Source
AI summary
An armrest device includes an armrest mount, an armrest member coupled to and rotatable relative to the armrest mount about a pivot axis, a latch member that extends through the armrest member and into the armrest mount and that is movable in a direction parallel to the pivot axis between locking and unlocking positions, and an armrest button mounted movably on the armrest member and operable to move along a button axis transverse to the pivot axis for driving movement of the latch member from the locking position to the unlocking position. The latch member engages the armrest mount to arrest rotation of the armrest member relative to the armrest mount when in the locking position, and is disengaged from the armrest mount to permit rotation of the armrest member relative to the armrest mount when in the unlocking position.