Extendible Rear Seat Armrest With Curved-Slot Forward Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat designs lack flexibility in deployable armrests, and there is a need for an armrest that can extend functionality without altering the seatback design.
Innovation Solution
An extendible armrest mechanism with a pivot plate and extension plate, allowing the armrest to pivot and extend from a stowed position to multiple deployed positions, utilizing curved pivot slots and guide pins to increase usable surface area without modifying the seatback design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the armrest length is increased to provide more functionality, then the usable surface area is improved, but the armrest cannot be accommodated within the existing seatback recess
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is divided into two separate segments: a fixed armrest portion and an extendible armrest portion. The fixed portion remains within the seatback recess while the extendible portion can be deployed outward to increase the total usable surface area, effectively segmenting the armrest functionality to resolve the space constraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest transitions from a single-dimensional static structure to a multi-dimensional deployable structure. By adding the extension mechanism that moves along curved pivot slots, the armrest gains an additional degree of freedom, allowing it to extend in a direction perpendicular to its original orientation and increase surface area without requiring more seatback depth.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the armrest is made extendible to increase functionality, then the versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The extension mechanism is merged with the existing pivot mechanism by integrating the curved pivot slots into the pivot plate. This combination allows the armrest to perform both pivoting and extending functions through a single integrated mechanism rather than requiring separate systems, thereby reducing overall complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved pivot slots serve multiple functions: they guide the extension movement of the armrest and simultaneously provide the pivoting motion. This multi-functional design element allows a single structural feature to accomplish what would otherwise require multiple separate mechanisms, improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Area of moving object
If the armrest is extended beyond the seatback recess, then the usable surface area is increased, but the armrest structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest structure transitions from a static fixed-length design to a dynamic extendible design. The extendible portion can be deployed when needed and retracted when not in use, allowing the structure to adapt its configuration. This dynamic capability enables increased usable surface area while maintaining a compact stowed profile, avoiding the need for a permanently complex extended structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An extendible armrest for a seat structure includes a pivot plate configured to be fixed to the seat structure and having a pivot hole and a first curved pivot slot and a second curved pivot slot. An extension plate includes a pivot pin pivotally connecting the extension plate to the pivot plate and including a guide pin supported by the extension plate and received in the first curved pivot slot. The extension plate further includes a guide slot. An armrest supports a first guide pin received in the second curved pivot slot of the pivot plate and supporting a second guide pin received in the guide slot of the extension plate. The armrest assembly permits a folding type armrest that allows the armrest to move forward when unfolded so that the entire armrest surface can be utilized.