Adjustable Vehicle Seat Backrest Width via Displaceable Cross Strut

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seats lack adjustability to accommodate drivers of different heights and widths, leading to suboptimal back support and increased production complexity due to the need for multiple backrest widths, while safety is compromised by mechanisms that pull out or attach cushion supports.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle seat design featuring hingedly connected backrest longitudinal supports and a displaceable backrest cross strut in the upper region, allowing for adjustable backrest width to fit individual drivers' dimensions, maintaining support in the pelvic area and reducing production costs by using a single seat configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the backrest width is fixed for a specific driver size, then optimal back support is achieved for that driver, but the seat cannot accommodate drivers of different heights and widths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackrest width adaptabilityVSAvoidseat structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The backrest longitudinal supports are made movable relative to each other through a linkage mechanism with pivot joints, allowing the backrest width to dynamically adjust to different driver sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The backrest is divided into multiple longitudinal supports (left, middle, right) that can move independently relative to each other, enabling width adjustment without requiring complete structural redesign

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple backrest widths are produced to accommodate different drivers, then adaptability improves, but production complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackrest width varietyVSAvoidproduction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A single seat design with adjustable backrest width serves multiple driver sizes, eliminating the need to produce multiple fixed-width backrest variants and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Length of moving object

If cushion elements are pulled out over the entire height of the backrest to widen it, then backrest width increases, but lateral support in the pelvic region is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackrest widthVSAvoidloss of pelvic support

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The backrest width adjustment mechanism allows different sections of the backrest to have different widths - the upper backrest can widen to accommodate larger drivers while the pelvic region maintains its original width to preserve lateral support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If the backrest structure is made complex to accommodate various driver sizes, then adaptability improves, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver size accommodationVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The width adjustment mechanism is integrated into the existing backrest structure using the same longitudinal supports and cushion elements, combining multiple functions (support, adjustment, cost-effectiveness) into a unified design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables rapid and safe adjustment of the backrest for optimal upper body support, maintaining lateral support in the pelvic region, and simplifies production by allowing a single seat to accommodate various backrest widths, ensuring comfort and safety across different user sizes.

Implementation Method 1

The backrest longitudinal supports are hingedly connected in their lower end regions to the seat part and/or the seat-part frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHinge mechanism: Hinge

Implementation Method 2

it is possible to vary a distance between at least two backrest longitudinal supports by displacing the at least one backrest cross strut in the vertical direction of the backrest

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical displacement: Displacement

Data Source

PatentUS9827881B2Vehicle seat with adjustable backrest

Publication Date: 2017.11.28 GRAMMER AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising a seat part and a backrest, wherein the backrest comprises at least one left-hand backrest longitudinal support at least one middle backrest longitudinal support and at least one right-hand backrest longitudinal support extending in the vertical direction of the backrest. The backrest longitudinal supports are each connected to the seat part and/or a seat-part frame in a lower region and comprise at least one cushion element. The backrest longitudinal supports are hingedly connected to the seat part and/or the seat-part frame and are interconnected by means of an elongate backrest cross strut, wherein it is possible to vary a distance between at least two backrest longitudinal supports by displacing the at least one backrest cross strut along the vertical direction of the backrest in the upper region of the backrest.