Vehicle Armrest with Hinged Segments 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 seat and arm support systems fail to maintain a comfortable and stable 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 comprising a vehicle seat and an arm support coupled to the seat back, featuring a rigid frame with a deformable comfort sling that positions the occupant's arm to keep the object line of sight and horizontal reference plane within the field of view, mitigating motion sickness and enhancing 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 and fixed to the seat back, then structural stability is improved, but occupant comfort and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The arm support transitions from a fixed rigid structure to a dynamic system with multiple degrees of freedom. The upper arm support and forearm support are coupled through a hinge mechanism that allows relative movement, enabling the structure to adapt to different arm positions and occupant preferences while maintaining structural integrity through controlled articulation points.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm support is divided into separate functional segments: an upper arm support portion and a forearm support portion, connected by a hinge. This segmentation allows each portion to independently adjust and position itself, providing adaptability for different arm configurations while the overall structure maintains stability through the connected hinge mechanism.
2Device complexity
If the arm support structure is simplified and made compact, then device complexity is reduced, but functionality and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The upper arm support and forearm support are merged into a single integrated arm support assembly that functions as one cohesive unit. The hinge connection allows the two portions to move relative to each other while remaining part of the same structure, providing enhanced functionality without requiring completely separate support mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated arm support incorporates dynamic hinge mechanisms that allow the structure to transform between different configurations. This enables the simplified structure to provide multiple functional positions and comfort adjustments, effectively increasing versatility without adding significant complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the arm support is fixed in an extended position, then occupant comfort for viewing objects is improved, but space utilization and storage capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The arm support employs dynamic hinge mechanisms that allow the structure to fold and retract when not in use. The upper arm support and forearm support can collapse into a compact configuration, freeing up space in the vehicle interior while maintaining the ability to extend to the comfortable viewing position when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The forearm support portion can be positioned within or adjacent to the upper arm support when folded, creating a nested configuration that minimizes the overall space occupied by the arm support system. This nesting capability allows the structure to provide full functionality when extended while occupying minimal space when retracted.
Data Source
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.