Cantilevered Leaf Spring Shock Mitigation for Marine Seat Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shock mitigation systems for high-speed watercraft are complex, costly, and primarily designed for vertical shock absorption, failing to effectively mitigate lateral impacts, which can lead to spinal injuries and are often heavy due to the use of marine-grade stainless steel and multiple pivot points, resulting in increased weight and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A shock mitigation apparatus utilizing cantilevered leaf springs with freely articulating pivots at one end, allowing for reduced pivot points, increased flexibility, and the use of lightweight materials, enabling absorption of shocks in three planes of movement and axes of rotation, with adjustable aperture for tunable compliance and optional damping systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple pivot points and rigid arms are used for shock absorption, then vertical shock mitigation is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential shock absorption function from complex multi-pivot mechanisms and implements it through a single rigid arm with one pivot point. The rigid arm directly connects the seat to the base structure, eliminating the need for multiple intermediate pivot points while maintaining vertical shock mitigation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using flexible arms with multiple pivots to achieve shock absorption, the patent inverts the approach by using a rigid arm that maintains structural integrity while absorbing shock through its single pivot connection and inherent rigidity, thereby simplifying the overall mechanism.
2Reliability
If marine-grade stainless steel and multiple components are used, then reliability in marine environment is improved, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes unnecessary components such as multiple pivot points, separate springs, and complex mounting mechanisms from the design. By retaining only the essential rigid arm with a single pivot, the system achieves reliable shock absorption with significantly reduced weight and material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid arm serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, absorbs vertical shocks, and maintains seat positioning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components that would otherwise be required to achieve each function individually, reducing overall weight while maintaining reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If parallel leaf springs with fixed clamps are used, then shock absorption is improved, but manufacturing cost and weight increase due to high-stress materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the shock absorption function from complex parallel leaf spring assemblies with fixed clamps and implements it through a simpler rigid arm mechanism. This eliminates the need for expensive high-stress materials and complex clamp assemblies while maintaining effective shock mitigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid arm design uses simpler, more cost-effective materials compared to the expensive titanium and heavy stainless steel required for parallel leaf spring systems. The simplified structure reduces manufacturing complexity and material costs while providing adequate service life for the application.
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 apparatus reduces the transmission of shock forces to occupants, preventing excessive movement and potential injuries, while minimizing weight, cost, and complexity by using fewer components and materials, such as injection-molded plastics, and providing adjustable stiffness and damping for improved comfort and safety.
Implementation Method 1
each pair of leaf springs is cantilevered at one end and pivoted at a distal end thereof, and wherein the pivoted end is free to articulate upon flexure of the leaf spring
Implementation Method 2
optional damping systems
Data Source
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AI summary
Described herein is a shock mitigation apparatus. The shock mitigation apparatus may be utilised in a marine environment, able to absorb shocks transmitted to a seat system from a structure to which the seat is affixed. The shock mitigation apparatus includes at least one leaf spring wherein the leaf spring is cantilevered at one end and pivoted at a distal end thereof, and wherein the pivoted end is free to articulate upon flexure of the leaf spring.