Slidable Vehicle Armrest Assembly with Integrated Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle door assemblies with fixed armrests do not allow passengers to adjust the armrest to their desired position, and the idle space between the door trim and panel is not utilized for storage.

Innovation Solution

A slidable armrest assembly for vehicles, comprising a door panel, a lower trim, a base, a slider, and a guide, which allows the armrest to move forward and backward, and a case for storing items within the idle space, with a mechanism that opens and closes an outlet when the armrest slides.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the armrest is fixedly installed at a predetermined position, then the structure is simple and stable, but the passenger cannot adjust the armrest to their desired position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearmrest position adjustabilityVSAvoidarmrest assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The armrest is transformed from a fixed structure to a movable one by introducing a slider that can slide along a guide rail. The guide groove with convex portions and corresponding concave portions on the armrest create a controlled sliding mechanism, allowing the armrest to move forward and backward while maintaining structural stability through the guide-rail constraint system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the idle space between the door trim and door panel is left unused, then the structure remains simple, but the storage function is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage functionVSAvoiddoor assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The door assembly is enhanced by adding a storage case that utilizes the idle space between the door trim and door panel. This case provides storage functionality for items such as umbrellas, transforming the previously wasted space into a useful storage compartment without significantly altering the overall door structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the armrest is made slidable to allow position adjustment, then the passenger comfort is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearmrest position adjustabilityVSAvoidarmrest assembly manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The armrest assembly is divided into separate components: the armrest body, the slider, and the guide rail with base. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured independently using standard machining processes, and then assembled together. The guide groove and convex portions are formed as separate features that can be machined or molded independently, simplifying the overall manufacturing process despite the added functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11654809B2Armrest assembly for vehicle and door assembly having slidable armrest for vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.05.23 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A door assembly includes a door panel including a metallic plate material, a lower trim attached to the door panel, and an armrest installed on top of the lower trim and configured to be slidable in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle. The door assembly further includes a base fixedly installed on the top of the lower trim, a slider positioned on top of the base, wherein the armrest is coupled to a top of the slider, and a guide fixedly installed on the base and configured to penetrate the slider.