Reversible Seat Armrest Automatic Stowing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reversible seats for vehicles do not automatically stow the armrest when transitioning between forward-facing and rearward-facing positions, requiring manual adjustment and lacking an efficient mechanism for automatic return to a neutral position.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable armrest mechanism coupled to a base bracket with a spring-loaded lock pin and arbor plate system, allowing manual deployment and automatic return to a stowed position through a lock release mechanism, ensuring the armrest moves with the seat back and locks in deployed positions before returning to a neutral, upright position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the armrest is made manually adjustable between deployed and stowed positions, then the occupant can control armrest position for comfort, but the armrest does not automatically return to neutral position during seat reversal requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest mechanism automatically returns itself to the neutral position during seat reversal without requiring manual intervention. The spring-loaded lock pin and arbor plate system self-actuates through the mechanical motion of the seat back itself, making the system serve itself rather than requiring external control.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock pin is pre-positioned on the arbor plate and the spring is pre-loaded to automatically engage the locked position once the armrest reaches the neutral position during reversal. This preliminary positioning ensures that as soon as the armrest passes through neutral, it automatically locks without requiring any additional action.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the armrest is locked in deployed positions, then the armrest remains stable for occupant use, but the armrest cannot automatically return to stowed position during seat reversal
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest system transitions from a static locked position to a dynamic reversible state during seat reversal. The lock pin can engage or disengage from the arbor plate depending on the position and direction of movement, allowing the system to adapt its stability characteristics based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical parameters of the armrest system change during reversal - the lock pin's engagement status changes from locked to unlocked, and the spring's stored energy changes from neutral to activated state, enabling automatic return while maintaining stability when needed.
3Extent of automation
If a spring-loaded lock pin mechanism is used, then automatic return to neutral position is achieved, but the device complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The lock pin is integrated directly into the arbor plate structure, and the spring mechanism is combined with the existing armrest pivot points. By merging these functions into existing structural elements rather than adding separate independent mechanisms, the patent achieves automatic return with minimal additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The arbor plate serves multiple functions: it acts as the rotation axis for the armrest, provides the travel slot for the lock pin, and incorporates the spring mechanism for automatic return. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed while achieving the desired automatic return capability.
4Reliability
If the armrest automatically returns to neutral position during reversal, then safety and visibility are improved, but the armrest deployment time and user control are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic return mechanism operates periodically based on the seat reversal motion itself. The armrest returns to neutral only when the seat back passes through the upright position during reversal, making the action periodic and tied to the natural operational cycle of the seat rather than continuous or immediate.
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 seamless transition between seating orientations with automatic armrest stowing, enhancing user convenience and safety by ensuring the armrest is always in an optimal position for occupant comfort and visibility during vehicle movement.
Implementation Method 1
a return spring, which is wound from the inside upon rotation of the armrest and exerts a spring force biasing the armrest back toward the neutral position
Implementation Method 2
the lock pin is held in place by the opposing forces of a coiled return spring and a rotating arbor plate, which act on opposite sides of the lock pin
Data Source
AI summary
An improved armrest is provided for a reversible seat that is movable between a forward-facing position and a rearward-facing position. The armrest is rotatably mounted to the seat assembly so as to be rotatable downwardly to a fully deployed position or upwardly to a neutral, stowed position. The armrest may project forwardly in a first deployed position or rearwardly in a second deployed position depending upon whether the seat is in the forward-facing or rearward-facing positions. The seat is reversible from the forward-facing position to the rearward-facing position, or vice versa, wherein the armrest automatically returns to the neutral, stowed position as the seat is moved between these positions.