Sliding Center Console Table Without Compromising Armrest Ergonomics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle center consoles struggle to combine ergonomic armrests with adequate support surfaces for items, compromising either functionality or aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle center console design featuring a fixed top structure as an armrest with slidably attached planar components that can retract and extend to provide a support surface, allowing for ergonomic armrest use while enabling item placement without compromising the armrest function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed top structure is designed as an arm rest, then ergonomic support for occupants is improved, but the ability to provide a planar support surface for items is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The planar component is made movable relative to the fixed top structure, allowing it to slide between a retracted position (below the arm rest) and an extended position (providing support surface). This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt between providing pure ergonomic arm rest function and providing item support surface as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The center console is divided into separate functional components: a fixed top structure providing ergonomic arm rest and a separate planar component for item support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while the planar component can be moved independently to provide or withdraw support surface as needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a planar component is added to provide item support surface, then versatility is improved, but the ergonomic arm rest function is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The planar component is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be retracted below the fixed top structure when not in use. This ensures that the fixed top structure maintains its ergonomic arm rest function without obstruction, while the planar component can be extended when item support is needed.
3Device complexity
If the planar component is made fixed, then structural simplicity is improved, but the ability to maintain clean arm rest surface is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The planar component is designed to slide along guide structures, allowing it to be retracted completely below the fixed top structure. This dynamic movement enables the arm rest surface to remain clean and unobstructed when the planar component is not in use, while still providing support surface when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The planar component is designed to nest below the fixed top structure when retracted, similar to a nested doll configuration. This allows the planar component to be stored within the space beneath the arm rest, keeping the overall structure compact and the arm rest surface clean and unobstructed.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The disclosed subject matter relates to a vehicle center console (200) comprising a fixed top structure providing an arm rest for vehicle occupants, and at least one planar component (102) adapted to support items placed thereon. The proposed vehicle center console (200) provides the planar component for the vehicle occupant without compromising the ergonomics provided by the fixed top structure providing the arm rest for the vehicle occupant. The fixed top structure advantageously provides for an arm rest for the occupant that can be designed in nearly any desired shape as long as it is fixed. The fixed top structure advantageously allows for the at least one planar component to slide with respect to the fixed top structure into a stowed position below the fixed top structure, and to slide to a use position such that an item is placeable on a substantially planar surface of the planar component (102).