Retractable Vehicle Armrest for Side Airbag Clearance

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle armrests integrated with door trim compromise interior roominess, interfere with side airbag deployment, and can engage occupants during side crashes, leading to reduced safety and styling issues.

Innovation Solution

A retractable armrest system activated by a pyro-activated pretension unit, which includes a pretensioner and cable mechanism, allowing the armrest to quickly retract during adverse events like side impact crashes, enhancing airbag deployment and occupant safety while improving interior styling and roominess.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If armrests are permanently mounted on door trim, then structural stability is improved, but interior roominess deteriorates and airbag deployment is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidinterior roominess

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The armrest is designed to transition from a fixed state during normal operation to a retracted state during adverse events. The armrest assembly includes a mounting mechanism that allows the armrest to be positioned in multiple locations along the door trim, enabling it to move from an extended position (affecting interior roominess) to a retracted position (improving airbag deployment and interior space) based on operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If armrests are permanently mounted on door trim, then structural stability is improved, but side airbag deployment is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidairbag deployment interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The armrest is designed to transition from a fixed state during normal operation to a retracted state during adverse events. The armrest assembly includes a mounting mechanism that allows the armrest to be positioned in multiple locations along the door trim, enabling it to move from an extended position (affecting interior roominess) to a retracted position (improving airbag deployment and interior space) based on operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system includes a sensor and actuator mechanism that detects adverse events (such as side collisions) and automatically activates to retract the armrest before airbag deployment. This preliminary action prevents the armrest from interfering with airbag deployment by removing it from the deployment path in advance of the airbag inflation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Strength

If stiff armrests are mounted on door trim, then structural support is improved, but occupant safety during side crashes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidoccupant injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The armrest is designed to transition from a fixed state during normal operation to a retracted state during adverse events. The armrest assembly includes a mounting mechanism that allows the armrest to be positioned in multiple locations along the door trim, enabling it to move from an extended position (affecting interior roominess) to a retracted position (improving airbag deployment and interior space) based on operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system includes a sensor and actuator mechanism that detects adverse events (such as side collisions) and automatically activates to retract the armrest before airbag deployment. This preliminary action prevents the armrest from interfering with airbag deployment by removing it from the deployment path in advance of the airbag inflation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Device complexity

If armrests are integrated with door trim, then device complexity is reduced, but interior styling flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration complexityVSAvoidinterior styling flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The armrest is designed as a separate, modular assembly that can be independently mounted and positioned on the door trim. This segmentation allows the armrest to be integrated with the door trim structure while maintaining the ability to adjust its position and configuration, thereby providing interior styling flexibility without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The retractable armrest system increases the gap between the occupant and door trim for proper airbag deployment, repositions the armrest away from vulnerable zones, and enhances interior aesthetics and functionality, improving safety and egress/ingress during adverse events.

Implementation Method 1

the pretension unit may be an anchor pretension unit, and in particular an anchor pretension unit that may be pyro-activated and cable mounted, in which a pyrotechnical pretensioner may be used

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPyrotechnic combustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS9573497B2Armrest retractable upon an adverse event and seat assembly employing the same

Publication Date: 2017.02.21 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

The present invention in one or more embodiments provides a seat assembly of a vehicle, including a seat base, a seat back communicating with the seat base, an armrest communicating with at least one of the seat back and the seat base, and a pretension unit connected to the armrest such that the armrest is retractable upon activation of the pretension unit. The pretension unit may include a pretensioner, a pulley, and a cable.