Vehicle Seat Backrest Adjuster with Movable Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle seat backrests lack adjustable mechanisms to optimize support and comfort for passengers, as existing designs do not allow for dynamic adjustment of the backrest shape to accommodate varying passenger preferences or needs.
Innovation Solution
A backrest adjuster system featuring a hinge, a movable plate, and an actuator that pivots the plate between a back position and a forward position, allowing the backrest to change shape and angle for enhanced support and comfort, with optional deformable grommets, inflatable bladders, or pneumatic actuation for additional flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a backrest adjuster mechanism is added to a vehicle seat, then the adaptability and comfort are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest adjuster mechanism is nested within the existing seat back structure. The movable plate is positioned within the seat back assembly, and the actuator is integrated into the same structure, allowing the adjustment mechanism to be contained within the overall seat assembly without requiring external components.
Solution Approach 2:
The backrest is designed with dynamic adjustability through the movable plate that can pivot between different positions. The deformable grommet allows the backrest to transition between rigid and flexible states, enabling dynamic adaptation to passenger needs while maintaining structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a movable plate with hinge and actuator is implemented, then the backrest shape can be changed, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grommet is designed as a flexible component that can deform to accommodate the movement of the vertical post. This flexible element allows the backrest to change shape without requiring complex mechanical linkages or multiple rigid parts, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining the desired adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The backrest is segmented into fixed and movable portions through the movable plate and vertical post assembly. This segmentation allows the backrest to change shape by moving specific segments relative to others, rather than requiring the entire structure to be complex or replaceable.
3Ease of operation
If deformable grommets are used for the hinge, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The grommet's physical parameters (such as its deformation characteristics and material properties) are optimized to provide both ease of operation and reliability. The grommet is designed to deform smoothly during operation while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to support the backrest in adjusted positions, achieving both operational ease and reliability through parameter optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom coupled to floor of a vehicle and a seat back coupled to the seat bottom to move relative to the seat bottom. The seat back includes a backrest and a backrest adjuster configured to move relative to the backrest to change a shape of the backrest.