Dual-Seat Adjustment Mechanism for Stable Lumbar and Depth Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seat designs that adjust seat depth and lumbar support simultaneously often result in structural complexity and instability, as they rely on elastic deformation of spring plate elements, leading to unintended backward movement of the seat.

Innovation Solution

A seating group with two adjacent seats, each comprising a seat part and backrest part, allowing independent adjustment of seat depth and lumbar support through rotatable connecting frames and support elements, ensuring stable and precise adjustment without the need for elastic deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If spring plate elements are used for simultaneous seat depth and lumbar support adjustment, then both functions can be achieved, but the seat part tends to be displaced backward and the structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimultaneous adjustment capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjusting mechanism is divided into two independent subsystems: a seat depth adjusting mechanism with its own actuator and a lumbar support adjusting mechanism with its own actuator. Each mechanism operates independently through separate adjustment elements, eliminating the need for complex spring plate elements that combine both functions in a single system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If spring plate elements are used for simultaneous seat depth and lumbar support adjustment, then both functions can be achieved, but the seat part tends to be displaced backward

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimultaneous adjustment capabilityVSAvoidseat position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adjusting mechanism is divided into two independent subsystems: a seat depth adjusting mechanism with its own actuator and a lumbar support adjusting mechanism with its own actuator. Each mechanism operates independently through separate adjustment elements, eliminating the need for complex spring plate elements that combine both functions in a single system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A connecting frame is introduced as an intermediary component that couples the seat part and backrest part. This connecting frame provides stable mechanical linkage during adjustment operations, preventing unintended backward movement of the seat part while enabling coordinated adjustment of seat depth and lumbar support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If independent adjustment of seat depth and lumbar support is implemented, then each seat can be adjusted independently, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent adjustabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjusting mechanism is divided into two independent subsystems: a seat depth adjusting mechanism with its own actuator and a lumbar support adjusting mechanism with its own actuator. Each mechanism operates independently through separate adjustment elements, eliminating the need for complex spring plate elements that combine both functions in a single system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting frame serves multiple functions: it couples the seat part and backrest part, provides stable mechanical linkage during adjustment, and enables both seat depth and lumbar support adjustment operations. This multi-functional design reduces the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4385812A1Seating group with seats for adjusting a seat depth and a lumbar support
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 GRAMMER AG
  • EP4385812A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4385812A1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D
  • EP4385812A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

A seating group comprising a first seat (2) and a second seat (3), which are arranged side by side and are each adjustable in seat depth and lumbar support, each comprising a seat section and a backrest section. It may be provided that the first seat and the second seat are each designed and intended for simultaneous adjustment of seat depth and lumbar support, wherein the seating group is designed such that the first seat and the second seat are independently adjustable in their respective seat depth and lumbar support.