Sofa Armrest Assembly with Extendable Panels for Compact Packaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional sofas have fixed armrests that cannot be adjusted, leading to limited space savings when modularized for transportation, as the volume of components like armrests remains constant.
Innovation Solution
An extendable and retractable sofa armrest assembly is provided, featuring a fixed inner panel and a movable outer panel connected by an extendable and retractable assembly with cross-hinged rotating rods, allowing the armrest to adjust thickness by folding or opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the sofa is modularized with fixed components for easy assembly and disassembly, then the ease of manufacture and transportation is improved, but the volume of components cannot be changed and space savings are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest assembly transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic one with movable outer panels that can be folded or extended. The extendable and retractable assembly allows the armrest to change its volume state between use and transportation, directly addressing the contradiction between ease of assembly and volume reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable outer panel is nested within or adjacent to the fixed inner panel structure. When folded, the armrest components nest together to minimize volume, while maintaining the modular assembly benefit of easy connection and disconnection.
2Volume of moving object
If the armrest thickness is reduced for compact packaging, then the volume for transportation is reduced, but the comfort and support function of the armrest is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest provides dynamic thickness adjustment - thin during transportation and thick during use. The movable outer panel extends to provide comfortable arm support when in use, and retracts to minimize volume during packaging, resolving the contradiction between compactness and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of armrest thickness is changed based on operational state. The extendable and retractable mechanism allows the armrest to transition between different thickness parameters, being thin for packaging and thick for use, thus satisfying both contradictory requirements at different times.
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
This design allows the armrest assembly to compress in thickness during transportation, reducing packaging volume while maintaining functionality and aesthetics similar to traditional armrests.
Implementation Method 1
the two rotating rods can rotate with each other so that the movable outer panel has a folded or closed state or position close to the fixed inner panel and an open state or position away from the fixed inner panel
Implementation Method 2
the part of the armrest cover located between the inner panel and the outer panel forms a flexible support part of the armrest. During use, the movable outer panel is in the open state, the flexible supporting part of the armrest is correspondingly tensioned. In the closed state, the movable outer panel and the fixed inner panel are folded together to compress the thickness of the armrest assembly, and the flexible supporting part of the armrest is correspondingly relaxed.
Data Source
AI summary
An extendable and retractable sofa armrest assembly includes, a fixed inner panel for sofa attachment, a movable outer panel parallel and spaced on the sides, and an extendable and retractable assembly between them. The extendable and retractable assembly includes interconnected rotational rods, allowing the movable outer panel to switch between folded and open positions. An armrest cover wraps both panels, creating a flexible support portion. In use, the outer panel is open, tensioning the support. In a packed state, the outer panel draws close to the fixed panel, compressing the assembly.