Pivoting Armrest Lock With Top-Press Release for Child Seat Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional armrest devices for juvenile safety seats are not simple or easy to operate, particularly in facilitating the movement of children into and out of the seat, as they lack intuitive locking mechanisms accessible from the top side.
Innovation Solution
An armrest device with a locking unit featuring a press member accessible from the top side, which can be moved from a locking to an unlocking position to allow pivoting of the armrest member between two positions, utilizing a pivot connecting portion with an arcuate slide slot and latching notch configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional locking mechanism is used in the armrest device, then the armrest member can be secured in position, but the operation becomes complex and difficult to access
Solution Approach 1:
The press member is repositioned from a side-access configuration to a top-access configuration. The second pivot connecting portion includes a top wall with a top opening, allowing the press member to be accessed from the top side of the armrest member rather than from the side, making it more intuitive and easier to operate
Solution Approach 2:
The press member is extracted or protrudes outwardly through the top opening of the second pivot connecting portion. This allows the press member to be accessible from externally (top side) while remaining operably connected to the locking tab unit inside the pivot connecting portion, separating the access interface from the locking mechanism
2Ease of operation
If the press member is made accessible from the top side, then the ease of operation is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second pivot connecting portion serves multiple functions: it provides the pivot connection between armrest member and armrest mount, contains the locking unit, and includes the top wall with top opening that provides access to the press member. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components
3Ease of operation
If the armrest member is made pivotable between multiple positions, then the ease of operation for child entry/exit is improved, but the reliability of position retention may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The locking tab unit is preliminarily positioned to engage with the first pivot connecting portion before the armrest member reaches its final position. When the armrest member is moved to a desired position, the locking tab unit automatically engages with the first pivot connecting portion to secure it, ensuring reliable position retention
Solution Approach 2:
The locking tab unit automatically engages and disengages from the first pivot connecting portion based on the position of the armrest member. The system self-regulates the locking state without requiring additional components or complex control mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
An armrest device includes an armrest mount, an armrest member, and a locking unit. The armrest mount and the armrest member are respectively formed with pivotally interconnected first and second pivot connecting portions such that the armrest member is pivotable relative to the armrest mount between first and second positions. The locking unit is mounted operably in the second pivot connecting portion, and includes a press member accessible externally of the second pivot connecting portion, and a locking tab unit projecting from the press member. The press member is operable to move from a locking position, where the locking tab unit engages the first pivot connecting portion to arrest pivoting movement of the armrest member, to an unlocking position, where the locking tab unit is disengaged from the first pivot connecting portion to permit pivoting movement of the armrest member between the first and second positions.