Adjustable Seat Suspension Assembly for Shock Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Occupants of watercraft and land vehicles experience discomfort and potential injury due to the harsh transfer of shock waves, as existing seat suspension systems fail to adequately absorb and adjust for vibrations and impacts, leading to discomfort and difficulty in controlling vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A seat suspension assembly with a frame secured to a structure, featuring a suspension assembly with a first elongate suspension bar and a shock compensating device, allowing for adjustable shock compensation and height adjustment through a mechanism that changes the movement characteristics of the seat support relative to the frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a rigid seat construction is used, then the seat structure is simple and strong, but the occupant experiences harsh shock transfer and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The seat is divided into multiple functional components: a rigid frame structure, a separate suspension assembly with sliding bars, and shock compensating devices. This segmentation allows the rigid frame to provide structural strength while the suspended components provide shock absorption, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and shock mitigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension assembly acts as an intermediary between the rigid seat frame and the occupant. The sliding bars and shock compensating devices serve as mediator elements that decouple the direct shock transfer path, allowing the rigid frame to remain simple while protecting the occupant from harsh vibrations and impacts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed suspension system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the shock absorption characteristics cannot be adjusted for different occupants or conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system incorporates adjustable elements that allow the shock absorption characteristics to be dynamically modified. The sliding bars can be repositioned along the frame, and the shock compensating devices can be adjusted to change the suspension stiffness and travel, providing adaptability without requiring a completely complex active control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows adjustment of key suspension parameters such as bar position, shock compensator preload, and suspension travel distance. By enabling manual adjustment of these parameters, the system achieves adaptability to different occupants and conditions while maintaining relatively simple mechanical adjustment mechanisms rather than complex electronic control systems.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the seat is rigidly secured to the deck, then the installation is simple and secure, but the occupant experiences direct shock waves and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The seat installation is segmented into a permanently mounted rigid frame and a separately installed suspension assembly. The frame can be简单地 secured to the deck with minimal complexity, while the suspension components are attached to the frame, allowing shock absorption to be added without complicating the fundamental mounting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension assembly serves as an intermediary layer between the deck-mounted frame and the seat cushion. This intermediary structure absorbs shocks before they reach the occupant, while the frame itself remains simply mounted to the deck, preserving installation simplicity while reducing vibration and shock exposure.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If existing suspension systems are used, then some shock absorption is provided, but the systems are limited in capacity and passengers still receive significant shock when moving rapidly over rough terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system combines multiple shock absorption mechanisms: sliding friction between bars and guides, spring elements in the shock compensating devices, and potentially viscous damping. This composite approach to shock absorption provides greater capacity and effectiveness than single-mechanism systems, enabling better isolation even during rapid movement over rough terrain.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system is designed to provide shock absorption in advance before severe impacts occur. The pre-loaded spring elements and positioned sliding bars create a cushioning effect that activates during shock events, reducing the peak forces transmitted to the occupant during rapid movement over rough terrain rather than relying on passive structural flexibility alone.
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 solution effectively isolates occupants from shocks, providing a comfortable and controlled ride by adjusting shock absorption properties and seat height, reducing the risk of injury and improving vehicle control.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is retained within the sleeve and adapted to permit the seat support element to extend therein. The seat support element is permitted to move under bias of the spring in a vertical direction.
Implementation Method 2
The seat includes a pair of telescoping cylinders which contain a coil spring surrounding a hydraulic shock absorber.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat suspension includes a frame fixedly securable to a structure. A suspension assembly is operably connected to the frame. A seat support is adapted to receive a seat, and the seat support is operably connected to the suspension assembly. The suspension assembly includes a first elongate suspension bar slidably disposed on a pivot surface. The first suspension bar has a first end slidingly secured to the seat support and a second opposed end secured to a shock compensating device. The suspension bar is translatable relative to the pivot surface, wherein moving the suspension bar changes the shock compensation of the suspension assembly.