Sliding Door Armrest Positioning for Different Occupant Builds
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional armrest devices in vehicles do not adequately account for the fore and aft position of the vehicle occupant, leading to suboptimal positioning, particularly for drivers of smaller builds whose elbows are positioned more forward and inward, resulting in discomfort and inefficient use of space.
Innovation Solution
An armrest device that can be moved in a translational manner between an initial and a projecting position more inboard and forward, allowing for optimal positioning based on the occupant's build, featuring a slide mechanism with a rail and slider system and a load-absorbing rib structure for impact protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the armrest is fixed at a conventional position on the door, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the armrest cannot be positioned optimally for occupants of different builds, particularly for smaller occupants whose elbows are positioned more forward and inward
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be adjusted between a retracted position and a projected position. This dynamic positioning enables the armrest to adapt to different occupant builds, particularly accommodating smaller occupants who need the armrest positioned more forward and inward, while maintaining structural simplicity through a straightforward sliding mechanism on rails.
2Strength
If the armrest is made rigid to provide stable support, then the support stability is improved, but the armrest cannot effectively absorb impact loads during crashes
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest incorporates a load-absorbing rib structure with predetermined deformation characteristics. These ribs are designed to deform in a controlled manner during impact events, absorbing crash loads before they can be transmitted to the occupant. This beforehand cushioning mechanism allows the armrest to maintain rigid support stability during normal use while effectively mitigating impact forces during crashes.
3Manufacturing precision
If the armrest main body is moved in both inboard and forward directions, then the positioning accuracy for different occupant builds is improved, but the movement mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest positioning system utilizes a two-dimensional translational movement mechanism, allowing the armrest main body to move both inboard/outboard and forward/aft along guided rails. This dimensional approach enables precise positioning for different occupant builds without requiring complex multi-axis actuators, as the movement is constrained to predetermined linear paths that simplify the mechanism while achieving accurate positioning.
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 armrest device can be positioned to suit the occupant's build, enhancing comfort and reducing impact loads during crashes by absorbing forces through deformable ribs, while maintaining a unified appearance and efficient use of space.
Implementation Method 1
a load-absorbing rib structure configured to absorb crash loads
Implementation Method 2
featuring a slide mechanism with a rail and slider system
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an armrest device that can be positioned in an appropriate position suitable for the build of the vehicle occupant. The armrest device comprises an interior member provided on an inboard side of a vehicle door, and an armrest main body supported by the interior member so as to be moveable between an initial position and a projecting position more inboard and forward than the initial position.