Seat armrest
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seat armrests are limited in their ability to adjust to different arm postures, providing inadequate comfort for various user activities such as using a cell phone, typing, or reading, as they can only pivot to a single specific angle.
Innovation Solution
A seat armrest design featuring an elbow-rest segment, an arm-rest segment, a mobilizable connecting structure, and a height-locking structure, allowing the arm-rest segment to pivot and adjust to any desired height and angle, enabling users to customize the support for their forearm based on different activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the armrest is designed to pivot to a single specific angle, then the structure is simple and stable, but the adaptability to different arm postures is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is designed with a pivoting mechanism that allows it to rotate from a fixed single-angle position to a dynamic multi-angle position. The connection between the armrest and seat includes a pivot joint enabling the armrest to rotate within a specific range, transforming the static structure into a dynamic one that can adapt to different user needs while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest is divided into multiple segments: a base portion connected to the seat, a pivoting connection portion, and an armrest portion. This segmentation allows the armrest to rotate at the connection portion while keeping other parts stable, achieving adaptability without requiring complete structural redesign
2Adaptability or versatility
If the armrest is allowed to pivot to any angle freely, then the adaptability to different arm postures is improved, but the stability and positioning accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A spring-loaded locking mechanism is integrated into the pivoting connection structure. The spring automatically engages with locking notches at specific angles during rotation, providing self-locking functionality without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems. This ensures the armrest remains stable at desired positions while maintaining adjustability
Solution Approach 2:
A spring mechanism serves as an intermediary element between the pivoting armrest and the locking notches. The spring provides the necessary force to engage the locking mechanism and maintain the armrest at selected angles, mediating between the user's adjustment action and the final stable position
Data Source
AI summary
A seat armrest comprises an elbow-rest segment, an arm-rest segment, a mobilizable connecting structure, and a height-locking structure. The elbow-rest segment is connected to a seat. Both the mobilizable connecting structure and height-locking structure are connected to the elbow-rest segment and the arm-rest segment. The mobilizable connecting structure facilitates the arm-rest segment to surround the mobilizable connecting structure to pivot toward a space above the elbow-rest segment. When the arm-rest segment is pivoted to any desired height, the height-locking structure can fix the arm-rest segment on that desired height. As a result, the user can adjust the height of his forearm on the arm-rest segment freely at different heights according to different occasions, so that the user can rest his forearm comfortably.