Sliding Armrest Locking and Tilt Design for Ergonomic Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ergonomically designed armrests for vehicles and furniture need to be adjustable in length, rotational position, and angle to accommodate users of varying sizes, while also being durable and self-cleaning to prevent fouling of sliding components.
Innovation Solution
The adjustable sliding armrest incorporates a support member, slide member, locking mechanism, and tilt adjusting mechanism, featuring a self-cleaning design with a plurality of rail engagers to prevent debris accumulation, and a rounded contact surface on the threaded rod to distribute force and increase the bearing pin's lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the armrest is made fixed and non-adjustable, then the structure is simple and durable, but it cannot accommodate users of varying sizes and reduces comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest incorporates multiple adjustable features including slideability along the seat, rotatability for entry/exit, and tilt adjustment, transforming a static fixed structure into a dynamic multi-position support system that adapts to different user needs while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
2Ease of operation
If the armrest is made adjustable with multiple functions, then comfort and ergonomics are improved, but the complexity of the structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple adjustment functions (slide, rotate, tilt) into a unified armrest structure where components serve dual purposes - the support member provides both structural support and sliding capability, while the locking mechanism simultaneously secures both sliding and tilting positions, reducing overall system complexity
3Reliability
If traditional sliding mechanisms are used without self-cleaning features, then the structure is simple, but debris accumulates and causes fouling that reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest incorporates a self-cleaning feature where the relative motion between the slide member and support member automatically removes debris from the sliding interface, eliminating the need for external cleaning mechanisms while maintaining reliability by preventing fouling accumulation
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable sliding armrest that may be extendable in length and varied in rotational position is provided. The armrest generally includes a support member, a slide member, a locking mechanism, and a tilt adjusting mechanism. The support member and slide member are in slidable communication with one another, and the locking mechanism may serve to lock the position of the slide member with respect to the support member. Moreover, the tilt adjusting mechanism may be utilized to selectively increase or decrease the tilt angle of the armrest. Such features allow users of various arm lengths to adjust the armrest to their comfort.