Vehicle Armrest with Deformable Sling for Motion Sickness Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Occupants in vehicles experience motion sickness and discomfort when trying to hold and view objects while the vehicle is moving, as existing support systems fail to maintain a comfortable arm position that aligns the object line of sight with the horizontal reference plane within the occupant's field of view.
Innovation Solution
An occupant support system with an arm support that includes a rigid frame and a deformable comfort sling, allowing the arm to be positioned to keep the object line of sight and horizontal reference plane within the occupant's field of view, mitigating motion sickness and maximizing comfort by supporting the arm in a way that relieves trapezius, neck, and shoulder muscles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the arm support is made rigid to provide stable support, then support stability is improved, but comfort is worsened due to lack of adaptation to occupant's arm position
Solution Approach 1:
The arm support transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system with multiple degrees of freedom. The support includes pivot joints that allow automatic adjustment to match the occupant's arm position and movements, providing both stability and adaptability. This dynamic capability enables the support to maintain stability while adapting to varying occupant positions and vehicle motions.
2Device complexity
If the arm support structure is simplified to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to position the arm for optimal viewing is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The arm support is divided into multiple independent segments connected by pivot joints. Each segment can move independently to achieve the desired arm position, allowing complex positioning functionality to be built from simpler modular components. This segmentation enables sophisticated arm positioning while maintaining manageable structural complexity through standardized joint designs.
3Reliability
If the arm support is fixed in position to provide consistent support, then support reliability is improved, but adaptability to different occupant positions and vehicle motions is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The arm support system incorporates passive feedback mechanisms through its pivot joints and linkage structure. As the occupant moves their arm or the vehicle experiences motion, the support automatically adjusts its configuration in response to these changes, maintaining optimal support without requiring active control systems. This feedback-based adaptation preserves reliability while enhancing versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
An occupant support system includes a vehicle seat and an arm support. The vehicle seat supports an occupant in a vehicle while the vehicle is moving. The arm support supports the occupant's arm.