Pop-Up Arm Rest With Gas Springs for Flexible Boat Seating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Watercraft seating arrangements often face space limitations, necessitating configurable seating solutions that can accommodate varying numbers of passengers effectively.
Innovation Solution
An arm rest system featuring a housing with internal actuators, such as gas springs, and a lock mechanism that allows the arm cushion to be raised or lowered, providing adjustable seating height and retention in desired positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed seating arrangements are used on watercraft, then structural simplicity is maintained, but space utilization and passenger accommodation flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The arm rest is designed with dynamic adjustability, allowing it to transition between multiple positions (raised, lowered, stowed) through actuators and lock mechanisms. This enables the seating system to adapt to different passenger configurations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm rest can be stowed within or adjacent to the seat structure when not needed, allowing the seating arrangement to be reconfigured for different numbers of passengers. The actuator and lock mechanisms are integrated into the housing, minimizing additional space requirements.
2Ease of operation
If adjustable arm rest mechanisms are added to seating, then seating comfort and configurability are improved, but mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage at specific positions, and the actuator self-regulates the arm rest position based on mechanical constraints. This reduces the need for complex control systems while maintaining ease of operation through user-activated mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Gas spring actuators are used to provide the necessary force for raising and lowering the arm rest with minimal user effort. The gas springs offer progressive resistance and automatic positioning, simplifying the mechanical control while improving operational ease.
3Reliability
If multiple locking positions are implemented for the arm rest, then position retention reliability is improved, but mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is segmented into discrete locking positions corresponding to specific arm rest heights. Each position has its own lock engagement point, allowing reliable retention at multiple predetermined positions while using a relatively simple cam or detent-based locking system rather than a continuous adjustment mechanism.
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 flexible seating configurations on watercraft by allowing users to easily adjust the arm rest height, optimizing space usage and passenger accommodation.
Implementation Method 1
the one or more actuators include one or more gas springs
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations include an arm rest system. The system includes a housing, one or more actuators, and an arm cushion. The actuators are at least partially disposed within a cavity of the housing. Each of the actuators includes a cylinder defining an opening, a piston slidably disposed within the cylinder opening, and a piston rod having a first end coupled to the piston and a second end opposite and spaced apart from the first end. Each of the actuators is movable between a first position and a second position. One of the cylinder or the piston rod of each of the actuators is static with respect to the housing and the other is coupled to the arm cushion such that moving the actuators between the first and second positions moves the arm cushion relative to the housing.