Adjustable Seat Bottom Mechanism for Auto Seat-to-Bed Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seating systems lack the ability to automatically adjust between configurations of two separate seats and a flat surface, requiring manual operation and not being adaptable to different user preferences or environments.
Innovation Solution
The development of automatically adjustable seating apparatus with slideably attached seat bottom portions and a frame, controlled by automatic adjusters and a controller, allowing the seating system to transition between retracted and extended positions to form either two seats back-to-back or a substantially flat surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment mechanisms are used for seat bottom portions, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automatic adjuster system that uses motors or actuators to move the seat bottom portions between retracted and extended positions, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining the mechanical transformation function
Solution Approach 2:
The seating apparatus automatically adjusts its own configuration without external intervention, with the automatic adjusters independently controlling the movement of seat bottom portions to transform between seating and flat surface configurations
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seating apparatus is designed to transform between two seats and flat surface configurations, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases due to slideable mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs slideable seat bottom portions that can dynamically change position along rails or tracks, allowing the structure to adapt between configurations. The dynamic movement capability enables transformation from two separate seats to a unified flat surface while managing structural complexity through guided motion paths
Solution Approach 2:
The seating apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate as two separate seats for individual users or transform into a flat surface for other purposes. This multi-functionality is achieved through the slideable mechanism that enables configuration transformation, making a single device serve multiple needs
3Ease of operation
If automatic adjusters are used to move seat bottom portions, then ease of operation improves, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic adjusters operate periodically or on-demand rather than continuously, activating only when configuration transformation is needed. This periodic operation reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining the automatic adjustment capability when required
Data Source
AI summary
Automatically adjustable seating apparatus are described. The automatically adjustable seating apparatus include first and second seat bottom portions that at least one of which is moveable. The first and/or second seat bottom portions are moveable by automatic adjusters that alter the position of a seat bottom portion between a retracted position and an extended position. When the moveable seat bottom portion or portions are in their retracted position, the automatically adjustable seating apparatus is configured as two seats back-to-back, and when the seat bottom portion or portions are in their extended positions, the automatically adjustable seating apparatus forms a substantially flat surface.