Telescoping Armrest Locking Mechanism for Stable Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable armrests for task chairs lack stability and reliability, often resulting in wobbly and unreliable operation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a telescoping mechanism with a lower casting, sleeve halves, and a locking disk system, along with a trigger handle for smooth height adjustment and pivoting armrest pads, ensuring stability and ease of operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable armrests are designed with prior art structures, then height adjustment functionality is provided, but stability and reliability deteriorate resulting in wobbly and unreliable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is divided into multiple independent components: a base portion, a telescoping adjustment mechanism with inner and outer tubes, and a pad portion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, improving overall reliability while maintaining adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping mechanism employs nested tubes where the inner tube is received within the outer tube. This nesting arrangement provides a compact structure that enables height adjustment while maintaining structural stability and preventing wobbly operation through proper alignment and fitting.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable armrests are designed with prior art structures, then height adjustment is enabled, but operation smoothness and ease of use remain elusive
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest incorporates a dynamic telescoping mechanism that allows smooth relative movement between the inner and outer tubes. The design enables continuous adjustment along the longitudinal axis without binding or resistance, providing ease of operation while maintaining adjustability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable armrests are designed with prior art structures, then basic adjustment function is provided, but stability deteriorates causing wobbly operation
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism features an asymmetric design where the locking element engages with asymmetric cam surfaces on the telescoping tubes. This asymmetric geometry provides stable locking in the adjusted position while allowing smooth adjustment during operation, preventing wobbly behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping mechanism incorporates a self-locking feature where the relative movement between inner and outer tubes automatically engages disengages the locking element through cam action. This self-service mechanism maintains stability without requiring external locking components, preventing wobbly operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable armrest with an central core with a longitudinal channel, a locking slide slidably received in the longitudinal channel, and locking members retained by the central core. The locking slide has a first position wherein the locking members are pressed to a position projecting outboard of the elongate central core and a second position wherein the locking members are permitted to retract within the elongate central core. An elongate core sleeve receives the elongate central core, and the core sleeve has a plurality of longitudinally spaced inlets and ridges. A first arm portion is fixed in relation to the elongate central core, and a second arm portion fixed in relation to the elongate core sleeve. The first arm portion can be extended and retracted in relation to the second arm portion by an actuation of the locking slide from the first position to the second position.