Compliant Vehicle Seat Shell for Dynamic Posture Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle seats lack the ability to dynamically adjust shape in response to occupant movement and posture changes, which can lead to discomfort and increased risk during external impacts, as they do not provide adequate support or adaptability.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle seat incorporates a variable-shape design with a deformable seat shell and a compliant shell-motion controller, featuring free-pivoting links and a pan-support frame, allowing the seat to change shape sympathetically with the occupant's position and posture, providing customized support and minimizing sliding during impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional rigid seat shell is used, then structural strength and stability are maintained, but occupant comfort and adaptability to posture changes deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The seat shell is designed as a dynamic structure with multiple pivot points that allow it to change shape and orientation in response to external forces. The shell can rotate and deform to adapt to different occupant postures and impact conditions, transitioning from a static rigid structure to a dynamic adaptive one.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat shell's geometric parameters (orientation, shape, position) are changed dynamically through the mechanism of free-pivoting links. These parameter changes allow the shell to optimize its configuration for different scenarios: comfortable support during normal use and protective positioning during impacts.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed-shaped seat pan is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but occupant comfort during movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seat pan is segmented into multiple sections connected by free-pivoting links, allowing each section to move independently. This segmentation enables the seat pan to conform to the occupant's body and movements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured as modular components.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat pan incorporates a deformable shell that can flex and change shape to accommodate occupant movement. This flexible shell design provides comfort during movement without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, balancing simplicity with adaptability.
3Reliability
If a rigid seat structure is used, then impact resistance is limited, but dynamic response to external forces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seat structure incorporates dynamic elements that allow it to respond actively to impact forces. The free-pivoting links and deformable shell enable the structure to rotate and deform in a controlled manner during impacts, optimizing protection by redirecting forces and maintaining occupant support during dynamic events.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat mechanism is designed to automatically position the shell and pan in protective configurations in anticipation of impact forces. The compliant mechanism can pre-position the occupant in a more protected posture before impact occurs, and dynamically adjust during the impact event to maximize protection reliability.
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
This design enhances occupant comfort by dynamically adjusting to various postures and reduces the risk of sliding during external impacts by raising the knees and lowering the seat bottom, thereby improving safety and support.
Implementation Method 1
The deformable seat shell is configured to change in shape in response to a force applied in a rearward direction to the deformable seat shell by a person sitting on the seat bottom
Implementation Method 2
a compliant shell-motion controller comprising a first shell mount coupled to a first side of the deformable seat shell and a second shell mount coupled to a second side of the deformable seat shell and arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to the first shell mount
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back extending upwardly from the seat bottom. The seat back includes a backrest and a headrest.