Buckling Arch Seat Assembly Without Inflatable Bladders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adjustable seats using inflatable air bladders are prone to leakage, puncture, and are expensive to maintain, necessitating a reliable alternative for vehicle seats and seating systems.
Innovation Solution
A mechanically actuatable structural assembly featuring a base support layer, a buckling layer with elastically deformable buckling arch elements, and a movable slider that applies compressive axial loads to cause the arch elements to buckle outwardly or inwardly, adapting the seat surface shape without the need for inflatable bladders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If inflatable air bladders are used to adjust seat shape and contour, then the seat can be dynamically reconfigured for comfort, but the system becomes prone to leakage, puncture, and expensive maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic system (air bladders) with a mechanical system consisting of expandable support elements that can be mechanically actuated to change seat configuration. These elements use solid mechanical structures rather than inflatable chambers, eliminating leakage and puncture issues while maintaining dynamic adaptability through mechanical extension and retraction mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the support elements from inflatable soft structures to rigid or semi-rigid mechanical elements that can be extended and retracted. This parameter change transforms the system from pneumatic to mechanical operation, improving reliability while preserving the ability to dynamically reconfigure the seat surface for different comfort positions
2Adaptability or versatility
If inflatable air bladders are used for seat adjustment, then dynamic shaping is achieved, but manufacturing and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mechanically actuated support elements that are simpler, more durable, and less expensive to manufacture than inflatable air bladders. These mechanical elements can be produced using standard manufacturing processes and do not require complex sealing systems, pressure control mechanisms, or specialized materials, thereby reducing both initial manufacturing costs and ongoing maintenance expenses
Solution Approach 2:
By substituting the complex pneumatic system with a simpler mechanical actuation system, the patent eliminates the need for air supply infrastructure, pressure regulators, and sealing components. This mechanical substitution significantly reduces manufacturing complexity and material costs while improving ease of maintenance through the use of robust, serviceable mechanical parts
3Reliability
If mechanically actuatable buckling arch elements are used instead of air bladders, then reliability and cost-effectiveness improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the seat support system into multiple discrete buckling arch elements that can be independently actuated. Each element is a simple, reliable mechanical component with a standardized actuation mechanism. This segmentation allows the complex function of dynamic seat reshaping to be achieved through coordination of multiple simple, reliable units rather than a single complex pneumatic system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates dynamically configurable buckling arch elements that can transition between different structural states (erect, bent, inverted) in response to mechanical actuation. This dynamic capability allows the elements to adapt their shape and support characteristics mechanically, providing reliable and versatile seat configuration adjustment without the complexity and reliability issues of pneumatic systems
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
Provides a durable, reliable, and cost-effective solution for dynamically configuring seat surfaces, offering comfort and massage features while reducing maintenance costs and space requirements, suitable for various applications including aircraft seats.
Implementation Method 1
the elastically deformable buckling arch element is subjected to compressive axial loading that causes the elastically deformable buckling arch element to buckle outwardly into a loaded arch shape
Implementation Method 2
Removal of the compressive axial load causes the at least one elastically deformable buckling arch element to move inwardly and toward the base support layer, and to return to a relaxed shape
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanically actuatable structural assembly, which may be utilized in a seating system, includes a base support layer, a buckling layer coupled to and overlying the base support layer, and a movable slider between the base support layer and the buckling layer. The buckling layer has an elastically deformable buckling arch element, and the movable slider is coupled to the buckling arch element to actuate the buckling arch element. When the movable slider is in an extended state, the elastically deformable buckling arch element is unloaded or preloaded to maintain a relaxed shape. When the movable slider is in a retracted state, the elastically deformable buckling arch element is subjected to compressive axial loading that causes the elastically deformable buckling arch element to buckle outwardly into a loaded arch shape.