Active Material Seat Bolster for Adaptive Lateral Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seat bolsters are inflexible and often result in one-size-fits-all configurations, leading to accelerated wear and tear due to repetitive engagement by occupants, and increased maintenance costs, while failing to provide optimal support and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A manipulable seat bolster utilizing active material actuation, which allows for adjustable configurations through the use of shape memory alloys, electroactive polymers, and other active materials to change geometric shape or orientation in response to activation signals, improving energy efficiency and reducing complexity and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed seat bolsters are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different occupant sizes and preferences deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seat bolster is designed with movable wings that can dynamically adjust their position between retracted and extended configurations. This dynamic capability allows the bolster to adapt to different occupant sizes and preferences while maintaining a relatively simple underlying structure that does not require complex mechanical actuation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical actuation systems (motors, linkages, springs) with active material elements that respond directly to applied fields (electrical, magnetic, or thermal). This substitution eliminates complex mechanical components while achieving the same adaptive function, thereby improving adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Reliability
If conventional fixed seat bolsters are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but wear and tear from repetitive engagement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable wing design allows the bolster to dynamically adjust its engagement characteristics. By retracting when not in use and extending only when needed, the system reduces repetitive friction and wear on the exterior surfaces while maintaining adequate support functionality. This dynamic behavior improves reliability without requiring complex protective mechanisms.
3Use of energy by moving object
If active material actuation is used, then energy efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces energy-intensive mechanical actuation systems with active material elements that consume minimal energy to change state. These materials respond directly to applied fields (electrical, magnetic, or thermal) without requiring continuous power input or complex mechanical transmission components, thereby improving energy efficiency while the manufacturing complexity is managed through standardized material integration.
4Ease of operation
If adjustable bolster configurations are implemented, then occupant comfort is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable wings provide dynamic adjustment capability that allows occupants to achieve comfortable configurations. The wings can be positioned to provide lateral support, lateral guidance, or a combination thereof, accommodating different occupant preferences and body sizes. This dynamic adaptability improves ease of operation without requiring complex control systems or multiple discrete adjustment mechanisms.
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 active material actuated seat bolster provides customizable support and comfort, reduces wear and tear, and enhances occupant safety during side-impact events by adjusting to different driving positions, thereby improving energy efficiency and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator, drivenly coupled to the structure, and includes an active material element. A signal source is operable to generate and deliver an activation signal to the element, so as to power the bolster. The actuator is configured to move the structure to a second position spaced from the surface a second distance different from the first, when the material element is activated.
Data Source
AI summary
A manipulable seat bolster including an active material actuator configured to selectively cause or enable a condition, such as the geometric configuration, or position of the bolster to be modified, when the active material is activated.