Dynamic Seat Pan Fastening via Elongated Slots and Bolts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seat arrangements for physically handicapped individuals, such as wheelchairs, face challenges in providing a simple and reliable mechanism for the sliding and adjustable attachment of the seat shell, which is complex and costly due to the use of axial warehouses and reset forces.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves using long holes in the frame's wooden components with pivoting connecting bolts and bearing sleeves, along with a fastening plate and elastic clamping elements, to create a high-strength, cost-effective, and easily assembled connection that allows for the required degrees of freedom and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If axial bearings with bearing bushings and helical springs are used to attach the seat surface to the frame, then the seat can be pivotally attached with reset forces, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepivotal attachment with reset functionVSAvoidfastening unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the complex axial bearing and bearing bushing components from the fastening unit. Instead, it uses simple elongated holes in the stiles that directly receive and guide the connecting bolts, eliminating the need for separate bearing structures while maintaining the pivotal attachment function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening unit is divided into independent functional elements: elongated holes for guidance, connecting bolts for attachment, and elastic clamping elements for securing. This segmentation allows each component to be simple and replaceable, reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If axial bearings with bearing bushings are used in the fastening unit, then pivotal movement is enabled, but the manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepivotal movement capabilityVSAvoidassembly simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the bearing bushing component entirely. The elongated holes in the stiles directly provide the guiding function that previously required a bearing bushing, simplifying manufacturing and assembly while maintaining pivotal movement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The elongated holes themselves serve as the guiding mechanism for the connecting bolts, eliminating the need for separate bearing structures. The geometry of the holes provides the necessary guidance and movement constraints without additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If complex axial bearings and reset forces are used for seat attachment, then reliable pivotal movement is achieved, but the mechanical stress on patients increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidmechanical stress on patient
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening unit allows dynamic movement of the seat surface through the elongated holes and connecting bolts, enabling the seat to move with the patient's body during spasms rather than resisting with rigid constraints, thereby reducing mechanical stress while maintaining attachment reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic clamping elements pre-load the connecting bolts into the elongated holes, creating a secure initial attachment that maintains reliability. This preliminary securing allows subsequent movement without compromising the fundamental attachment stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 configuration enables a stable and reliable attachment of the seat shell, allowing for necessary movement and adjustment, reducing mechanical stress on patients and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining reliability and affordability.

Implementation Method 1

The connecting bolt is guided in the elongated hole by a bearing sleeve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The fastening unit has an elastic clamping element which generates a clamping force holding the seat surface in a position on the frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4070773A1Seat assembly with dynamic seat pan
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 INTERCO GRP GMBH
  • EP4070773A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4070773A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4070773A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a seating arrangement with a frame having two parallel uprights (10), and a seat surface arranged on the frame which is slidably and pivotably attached to the frame in the direction of the uprights (10), and with a fastening unit which slidably and pivotably attaches a seat surface of the seating arrangement to at least one of the uprights (10). The object of the invention is to propose a simple and reliable arrangement for the slidably and pivotably attached seat shell of the seating arrangement. To achieve this object, each upright (10) and the fastening unit for the slidably and pivotably attached seat surface (7) to the frame (1) have cooperating guide elements which include elongated slots (13) extending longitudinally along the uprights (10) and connecting bolts (14) projecting through the elongated slots.