Adjustable Seat Linkage for Vertical and Lateral Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Typical pilot or driver seating in common carriers often lacks sufficient vertical and lateral adjustment, obstructing the field of vision and hindering the ability to fully view surroundings, which can lead to safety issues.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable seat design featuring a parallelogram coupling system with pivotally coupled upper and lower rods, a linear actuator, and sliding support legs, allowing for extensive vertical and lateral adjustments to optimize the seating position and enhance visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the seat is designed with fixed seating height and lateral position, then the device complexity is reduced, but the field of vision is obstructed and the pilot cannot properly anticipate and respond to incidents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability by replacing fixed seat positioning with movable mechanisms. The seat includes vertical adjustment capability through a telescoping column and lateral adjustment through a sliding mechanism on the console, allowing the pilot to dynamically change position to optimize field of vision based on operational needs
Solution Approach 2:
The seat system is divided into independent adjustment modules: vertical positioning mechanism, lateral sliding mechanism, and angular adjustment components. This segmentation allows each function to be independently controlled and adjusted without affecting other aspects of seat positioning
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seat is designed with extensive vertical and lateral adjustment options, then the pilot can view the full area of vision, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The console structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the lateral sliding mechanism, contains control systems, and acts as a mounting surface for instruments. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite extensive adjustment capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical and lateral adjustment mechanisms are integrated into a unified seat mounting system where the telescoping column for vertical adjustment is combined with the sliding mechanism for lateral movement, both anchored to the console structure. This merging of functions into a single integrated system prevents exponential growth in complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Described are adjustable seats including an upper frame with a pair of support arms, a lower frame with a pair of support legs, and a coupling system with an upper rod and a lower rod. As examples, the upper rod and the lower rod are pivotally coupled to each of the pair of support arms and the pair of support legs. A linear actuator is coupled to the upper frame, and a track is coupled to the lower frame, wherein the linear actuator is configured to travel along the track. The linear actuator may comprise a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to a coupling location on the lower frame and the second end is coupled to a coupling location on the coupling system.