Vehicle Seat Armrest Bracket Nested in Slide Rail Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat technologies often lack independent and flexible adjustment mechanisms for both the seat and armrests, which limits user customization and requires more complex designs that increase cost and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat apparatus with a fore and aft seat adjustment mechanism and a separate fore and aft armrest adjustment mechanism, utilizing a base, seat slide rails, spacers, armrest brackets, and armrest slide rails, along with a latching mechanism for independent armrest positioning, allowing for flexible and cost-effective adjustment of both seat and armrests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate fore and aft armrest adjustment mechanism is provided in addition to seat adjustment, then independent armrest positioning capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the armrest adjustment mechanism with the existing seat adjustment mechanism by integrating armrest brackets into the seat slide rails. The armrest brackets are positioned to ride along the same rails that accommodate seat movement, allowing both functions to share common structural elements and reduce overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat slide rails serve dual purposes: they enable both seat fore-aft adjustment and armrest independent positioning. The same mechanical infrastructure supports multiple functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated armrest adjustment structures and reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If independent armrest adjustment is added to existing seat mechanisms, then user customization is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest adjustment functionality is merged with the existing seat adjustment infrastructure. By using the same slide rails and spacer components for both seat and armrest adjustment, the patent avoids duplicating expensive mechanical elements, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while providing independent armrest positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Existing seat adjustment components are designed to perform multiple functions - both seat positioning and armrest adjustment. This multi-functionality reduces the total bill of materials and manufacturing complexity, making the customized armrest adjustment feature more cost-effective to produce.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex adjustment mechanisms are provided for both seat and armrests, then adjustment functionality is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the armrest adjustment mechanism within the existing seat adjustment space envelope. The armrest brackets are integrated into the seat slide rail assembly, utilizing the same vertical space between the seat and slide rails, thereby avoiding additional space requirements while maintaining full adjustment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest adjustment mechanism is nested within the existing seat adjustment structure. The armrest brackets are positioned inside the vertical space already defined by the seat and slide rails, effectively nesting one adjustment system within another without increasing the overall space envelope.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat apparatus comprising a base, a seat, a fore and aft seat adjustment mechanism, an armrest bracket, and a fore and aft armrest adjustment mechanism. The fore and aft seat adjustment mechanism connects the seat to the base and includes seat slide rails and spacers thereby defining a vertical space between the seat and seat slide rails. The armrest bracket is positioned below the seat in the vertical space between the seat and seat slide rails and includes side supports to which armrests or armrest associated components may be mounted. The bracket also has a plurality of slots positioned coincident with the spacers of the fore and aft seat adjustment mechanism. The fore and aft armrest adjustment mechanism connects the bracket to the seat and includes a pair of armrest slide rails, whereby the position of the armrest bracket relative to the seat may be adjusted.