Buckling Support Surface Assembly for Leak-Free Seat Contouring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adjustable seat systems, particularly in vehicles, rely on inflatable air bladders that are prone to leakage, susceptible to puncture, and expensive to manufacture, maintain, and replace.

Innovation Solution

A mechanically actuatable structural assembly featuring elastically deformable panels and an actuation assembly with Bowden cables, allowing the panels to buckle into different shapes in response to compressive axial loading, thereby providing a dynamic and adjustable support surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If inflatable air bladders are used to adjust seat shape, then the seat can change contour dynamically, but the system becomes prone to leakage and puncture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic shape adjustmentVSAvoidresistance to leakage and puncture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the pneumatic system (air bladders) with a mechanical system consisting of elastically deformable panels and Bowden cables. The panels are made from elastic material that can buckle into different shapes when subjected to compressive axial loading, eliminating the need for inflatable components and their associated reliability issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the support structure by using elastically deformable panels that can transition between different configurational states. The panels undergo elastic deformation and buckling under controlled compressive loads, allowing dynamic shape adjustment without pneumatic inflation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If inflatable air bladders are used to adjust seat shape, then the seat can change contour dynamically, but the manufacturing and maintenance cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic shape adjustmentVSAvoidmanufacturing and maintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs simple, inexpensive elastic panels and mechanical cable systems instead of complex pneumatic components. The elastic material panels can be manufactured at lower cost and are more easily replaced if needed, reducing both initial manufacturing expenses and ongoing maintenance costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

By substituting the expensive pneumatic system with a simpler mechanical cable and panel system, the patent reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the desired adaptability for dynamic shape adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If traditional support structures with separate cushioning materials are used, then comfort is provided, but weight and cargo space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecomfortVSAvoidseat weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the structural support function and the cushioning comfort function into a single integrated system. The elastically deformable panels serve both as the structural framework and as the comfort-providing surface, eliminating the need for separate cushioning materials and thereby reducing weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic panels perform multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural support, enable dynamic shape adjustment for comfort, and eliminate the need for separate cushioning layers. This multi-functionality reduces the overall weight and cargo space requirements of the seat system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 provides a reliable, cost-effective, and adaptable support structure that can change shape from a flat to a contoured configuration without the need for additional cushioning materials, enhancing comfort and reducing weight and cargo space requirements.

Implementation Method 1

the first elastically deformable region is subjected to compressive axial loading that causes the first elastically deformable region to buckle into a first loaded shape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuckling:

Implementation Method 2

a first elastically deformable region formed from elastic material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250135974A1Mechanically actuatable structural assembly with dynamically configurable support surface

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORP

AI summary

A mechanically actuatable structural assembly includes first and second elastically deformable panels. Each panel includes a respective: leading edge region; trailing edge region opposing the leading edge region; first side edge region; and second side edge region opposing the first side edge region. The leading edge regions are coupled together to form a joined leading edge, and the trailing edge regions are coupled together to form a joined trailing edge. The side edge regions are not directly attached to each other. The structural assembly also includes means for applying a compressive axial load to the joined leading and trailing edges. The load causes the first and second panels to adaptively buckle into respective loaded shapes. Removal of the load causes the first and second panels to return to their relaxed shapes.