Stowable Armrest Linkage for Side Impact Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing stature and girth of vehicle occupants reduce the gap between them and armrests, impairing side impact air bag deployment and overall side impact performance, as existing armrest designs fail to effectively compensate for this reduced gap.
Innovation Solution
A displaceable armrest assembly with a linkage system that translates from a deployed to a folded configuration upon impact detection, utilizing hinge springs and an actuator to rapidly change positions, thereby increasing cabin space and improving side impact performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the armrest is kept in a deployed configuration to provide passenger comfort and support, then passenger comfort is improved, but the gap between the occupant and airbag is reduced, impairing side impact air bag deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one that can change configuration between deployed and folded states. The linkage assembly with spring-actuated over-center mechanism enables the armrest to automatically move between positions based on impact detection, resolving the contradiction between comfort during normal use and safety during impact events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for potential harm by pre-positioning the armrest in a folded configuration that protects airbag deployment. The spring bias and linkage design ensure the armrest is ready to move to the safe position before impact occurs, and the frangible fastener with actuator enables rapid transition when needed.
2Strength
If the armrest is designed to be rigid and fixed to meet durability requirements, then structural strength is improved, but the ability to increase cabin space and improve side impact performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest system maintains structural strength when deployed through the rigid linkage assembly and mounting structure, while enabling volume optimization by folding against the door panel when not in use. The spring-actuated mechanism ensures controlled movement between states without compromising structural integrity during the deployed configuration.
3Ease of operation
If the armrest is kept in a deployed configuration to provide arm support surface, then passenger comfort is improved, but side impact performance is impaired due to reduced gap for airbag deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest provides arm support functionality when deployed through the comfortable padded surface, while automatically transitioning to a folded configuration upon impact detection to ensure reliable airbag deployment. The spring-biased linkage system ensures rapid and reliable position change, and the frangible fastener mechanism guarantees consistent activation under impact conditions.
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 displaceable armrest assembly enhances side impact performance by allowing greater space for airbag deployment and improving passenger safety by translating to a folded configuration upon impact, thus addressing the reduced gap issue between occupants and armrests.
Implementation Method 1
The displaceable armrest element is biased to the folded configuration by one or more hinge springs
Implementation Method 2
An actuator is provided which on sensing an impact ruptures a frangible fastener holding the over-center link in a substantially parallel orientation
Data Source
AI summary
An armrest assembly for a vehicle includes a displaceable armrest element and a linkage assembly. The linkage assembly is configured for translating the displaceable armrest element between a deployed configuration and a folded configuration. The linkage assembly includes a spring-actuated pivoting over-center link configured to disengage the linkage assembly to allow the displaceable armrest element to rotate. An actuator is provided which on sensing an impact ruptures a frangible fastener holding the over-center link in a substantially parallel orientation to at least one drive link, thereby allowing the spring-actuated over-center linkage to pivot relative to the at least one drive link.