Swing Armrest Rotation Bracket for Door Clearance Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In self-driving or connected vehicles with swivel seats, the armrest moves closer to the vehicle door during rotation, creating a narrow gap that can trap a passenger's arm between the door and the armrest, leading to potential injury during door closure.
Innovation Solution
A swing armrest system with a fixation bracket, rotation bracket, and return spring mechanism that allows the armrest to rotate inwardly when pressure is applied, securing a safe space between the armrest and door to prevent injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the seat is rotated to implement face-to-face mode, then the seating functionality is improved, but the gap between the armrest and door becomes too narrow causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is designed with rotational freedom around a vertical axis, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position relative to the door. When the seat rotates to face-to-face mode, the armrest can rotate inward to maintain adequate clearance from the door, preventing arm trapping while preserving seating functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest assembly is divided into separate rotational components: a fixation bracket attached to the seatback frame, a rotation bracket that rotates relative to the fixation bracket, and an armrest fixed to the rotation bracket. This segmentation allows independent rotational movement to solve the clearance problem.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the armrest is fixed rigidly to the seatback, then the structural stability is improved, but the safety hazard of arm trapping occurs during door closure
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest transitions from a rigid fixed connection to a dynamic rotational connection. The rotation bracket enables the armrest to rotate inward when needed, providing safety while maintaining structural integrity through the bracket mechanism and return spring.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation bracket acts as an intermediary mechanism between the fixation bracket and the armrest. It mediates the conflict between structural stability and safety by providing controlled rotational movement that allows the armrest to adjust its position relative to the door during closure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the armrest is designed to rotate inward automatically, then the safety hazard is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest rotation mechanism is self-activating through the return spring. When the seat rotates and the armrest contacts the door or approaches it, the return spring automatically provides the rotational force to swing the armrest inward, eliminating the need for sensors, motors, or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex automated control systems (sensors, motors, controllers) with a simple mechanical return spring mechanism. This mechanical substitution achieves the safety function through passive elastic energy storage and release, significantly reducing device complexity.
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 system effectively prevents arm injuries by automatically creating a safe gap between the armrest and door, enhancing vehicle safety and marketability.
Implementation Method 1
a return spring configured to elastically support the rotation bracket towards the stopper portion
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment is a swing armrest for a seat, the swing armrest including a fixation bracket fixed to a seatback frame or fixed to a seatback bracket that is fixed to the seatback frame, a rotation bracket rotatably fixed to the fixation bracket by a rotation pin, a return spring configured to elastically support the rotation bracket in a direction in which the rotation bracket rotates with respect to the fixation bracket, a fixing post protruding from the rotation bracket to a side of the seat, and an armrest coupled to the fixing post.