Pivoting Center Console Armrest for Accessible Vehicle Controls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing center console designs in vehicles do not facilitate easy accessibility and operation of control devices while maintaining a comfortable seating position for the user.
Innovation Solution
A center console design with a pivotable armrest that includes a second armrest surface adjacent to the operating device, allowing the armrest to pivot open to expose both the operating device and the second armrest surface, enabling comfortable operation without requiring the user to change their seating position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the control device is mounted on the center console in existing designs, then the control device can be integrated into the vehicle structure, but the user must leave their comfortable seating position and move their arm to operate it
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is designed to be pivotable between a closed position (covering the control device) and an open position (exposing the control device and second armrest surface). This dynamic configuration allows the structure to adapt between two states: providing armrest support when not in use, and providing access to the control device when needed, without requiring the user to change their seating position.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a second armrest surface that is spatially arranged adjacent to the operating device in the open position. This creates a new spatial dimension for armrest support, allowing the user's arm to remain supported even when the control device is accessed, thereby solving the contradiction between accessibility and structural simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If the armrest is kept in a fixed closed position, then the center console maintains a compact structure, but the control device remains inaccessible without moving the user's arm
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable armrest mechanism allows dynamic transition between closed and open positions. When opened, it simultaneously provides access to the control device and maintains arm support through the second armrest surface, ensuring user comfort is preserved during operation without requiring position changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The second armrest surface acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the armrest function and control device access. It provides continuous arm support during the transition from closed to open position, mediating between the need for compact structure and the need for easy operation.
3Device complexity
If the control device is exposed continuously, then it is always accessible, but the center console cannot provide a compact armrest structure when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is segmented into two functional surfaces: the first armrest surface on the upper side of the armrest and the second armrest surface on the lower side. This segmentation allows each surface to serve different functions - the first surface provides armrest support in closed position, while the second surface provides armrest support and control device access in open position.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest structure serves multiple functions: it provides armrest support in both closed and open positions, houses the control device, and enables access to the control device when opened. The second armrest surface specifically adds the function of providing arm support during control device operation, making the structure universally useful in both states.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a center console, comprising a carrier component (2) and a armrest (3), which is arranged on the top side of the carrier component (2) for pivoting about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the center console (1), the armrest having a top side and a bottom side, which bears an operating device (5), wherein: the armrest (3) can be transferred by pivoting about the axis from a closed position, in which the top side of the armrest (3) forms a first armrest surface (4), into an open position, which enables the operation of the operating device (5), and vice versa; the carrier component (2) has a second armrest surface (6); the second armrest surface (6) is covered by the armrest (3) when the armrest (3) is in the closed position and is adjacent to the operating device (5) when the armrest (3) is in the open position.