Portable Armrest with Door Panel Mounting Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle armrests provide minimal comfort, leading to driver and passenger distraction and fatigue due to constant seat adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A portable armrest with a moldable high-impact material forming a planar surface and a base, secured to a vehicle door panel via a sliding or snapping mechanism, featuring a protrusion for fitting into an existing armrest pull cup, providing elevated support and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing vehicle armrests are used, then the vehicle structure remains simple, but driver and passenger comfort is minimal leading to distraction and fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest system is divided into separate components: a base that attaches to the door panel and a removable padded armrest component. This segmentation allows the comfort-enhancing padding to be added without redesigning the entire door structure, thereby improving driver comfort while maintaining simple vehicle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable armrest acts as an intermediary element between the driver and the door panel. It provides a comfortable surface that mediates the interaction, reducing the need for drivers to shift positions and thereby minimizing distraction while improving comfort.
2Ease of operation
If a portable armrest is added to enhance comfort, then driver comfort and upright positioning are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is designed to be removable and repositionable rather than fixed. The base allows the armrest to be dynamically adjusted and removed as needed, providing comfort when required while maintaining simplicity when not in use. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by allowing comfort enhancement without permanent structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable armrest is designed as an affordable, simple-to-manufacture accessory that can be easily added or removed. The use of basic materials and simple attachment mechanisms keeps the device complexity low while still providing significant comfort benefits.
3Ease of manufacture
If the armrest is made removable for portability, then ease of installation is improved, but the reliability of the mounting connection may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism merges the mounting function with the armrest structure itself. The base integrates attachment features directly into its design, combining the support function with the mounting function in a single component that is both easy to install and reliable when secured.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a portable armrest for use with vehicles. The device includes a moldable, high density foam forming a planar surface and a base attached. The device is mounted to a door panel by a sliding or snapping mechanism for quick installation. When installed, the device allows a user to rest his or her arm on the device while driving in a vehicle. The device provides a comfortable place for drivers and passengers to rest their arm and prevents drivers from constantly shifting positions and becoming distracted. The device inserts into the existing molded pull cup on a vehicle's door panel. The device encourages drivers to sit in an upright position by slightly elevating their arm and accommodates most vehicles for maximum convenience and functionality.