Convertible sofa

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seating solutions for recreational vehicles and mobile living quarters lack flexibility, often requiring complicated mechanisms that can damage the device or living space, or they are limited in their ability to reconfigure without proper interlocks.

Innovation Solution

A configurable seating area with pivotable seat back sections and linear actuators that translate between expanded and closed positions, utilizing sensors and a controller for safe movement and interlocking mechanisms to prevent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If folding or flipping sections are used to reconfigure seating, then reconfiguration capability is improved, but device complexity and risk of mechanical damage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidmechanical mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seating area is divided into multiple independent sections (left section 20, center section 22, right section 24) that can be individually positioned and configured. Each section has its own actuator and can be moved independently to achieve different configurations, reducing the complexity of a single complex folding mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seating sections are made dynamically reconfigurable through linear actuators that can translate between extended and retracted positions. The seat back sections can pivot between raised and lowered positions, allowing the system to adapt to different configurations without complex folding mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If flexible reconfiguration mechanisms are implemented, then adaptability is improved, but risk of mechanical interference and damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidmechanical interference and damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by requiring all seat back sections to be in the lowered position before the linear actuators can extend or retract. The sensors detect the position of seat back sections and prevent actuator movement unless the correct configuration is achieved, preventing mechanical interference before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Sensors are implemented to monitor the position of seat back sections and provide feedback to the control system. The controller uses this feedback to enable or disable actuator operation, ensuring that actuators only move when it is safe to do so, thereby preventing mechanical damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If proper interlocks are added to prevent damage, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of movementVSAvoidinterlock mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical interlock mechanisms with an electronic control system using sensors and a controller. The sensors detect seat back positions and the controller logically determines whether actuator movement is safe, substituting mechanical interlocks with an electronic control architecture that is simpler and more reliable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If seat back sections are made pivotable for reconfiguration, then adaptability is improved, but risk of collision during movement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseat configuration flexibilityVSAvoidcollision risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system requires seat back sections to be in the lowered position as a preliminary condition before allowing actuator movement. This preliminary positioning action ensures that seat back sections cannot collide with other components during the translation of seating sections by the actuators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250235006A1Convertible sofa

Publication Date: 2025.07.24 BRINKLEY RV LLC

AI summary

A convertible sofa can move between a storage/transport position and a fully expanded position. The sofa has a center section that is connected between left and right sections with actuators. The actuators are connected to sensors and a controller to move the sofa between its positions and prevent movement if components are not properly positioned. The center section has foldable seat backs that can fit under the left and right sections when the actuators are retracted and be hinged to be moved into a raised position to become backrests when the actuators are extended. The controller is connected to a slide-out to prevent the slide-out from retracting if the sofa is not in the storage/transport position.