Cushion length adjuster
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle seat cushions with movable pads face challenges in maintaining consistent support and comfort due to gaps between the pads, which can lead to discomfort and reduced occupant support as the pads adjust between retracted and extended positions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a selectively inflatable and deflatable pneumatic bladder as a gap filler that expands and retracts to continuously fill the gap between the rear and front pads, providing consistent support and comfort across all positions, and utilizing an elastic biasing member to assist in pad movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a movable front pad is used to adjust cushion length, then adaptability to different occupants is improved, but a gap is created between pads causing reduced support and comfort
Solution Approach 1:
A gap filler element is introduced as an intermediary component between the rear pad and front pad. This gap filler selectively expands to fill the gap when the front pad is retracted and remains compact when the front pad is extended, ensuring continuous occupant support while maintaining the adjustability feature
Solution Approach 2:
The gap filler is designed with dynamic expansion and retraction capabilities. It automatically adjusts its volume based on the position of the front pad, expanding to fill gaps when needed and retracting when the pad is in extended position, thus maintaining continuous support dynamically
2Reliability
If a gap filler is added to maintain continuous support, then occupant comfort is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gap filler is implemented as a pneumatic bladder that can be inflated and deflated on demand. This pneumatic approach allows the gap filler to expand and retract smoothly, providing continuous support while using a relatively simple and compact mechanism compared to mechanical expansion systems
Solution Approach 2:
The gap filler utilizes a flexible bladder structure that can conform to the space between the pads. This flexible shell approach allows the gap filler to adapt to varying gap sizes and maintain support without requiring rigid or complex mechanical structures
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 ensures continuous filling of the gap between the pads, providing enhanced support and comfort to the occupant regardless of the pad's position, improving the overall occupant experience and maintaining consistent support throughout the adjustment range.
Implementation Method 1
the gap filler comprises a pneumatic bladder that is selectively inflatable and deflatable. The bladder is inflatable as the front pad moves outwardly away from the rear pad toward an extended position such that the bladder continuously fills the gap between the rear pad and the front pad
Implementation Method 2
utilizing an elastic biasing member to assist in pad movement
Data Source
AI summary
An occupant support having a seat cushion. The seat cushion includes a rear pad and a front pad selectively movable with respect to the rear pad between a retracted position and an extended position.