Electromagnetic Seat Attachment for Tool-Free Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seat attachment systems in vehicles require mechanical fastening elements and tools, making it difficult and time-consuming to reposition seats, and also necessitate disconnecting and reconnecting electrical wiring for power supply, which complicates the process.
Innovation Solution
An electromagnetic seat assembly that uses a ferromagnetic attachment post and an electromagnetic rail with magnetic coils to securely attach and release seats from the floor assembly, allowing for tool-free repositioning and wireless power supply through a resonant inductive coupling system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical fastening elements (bolts, pins, wedges) are used to attach seats to the floor, then the seat attachment is secure and reliable, but the process becomes difficult and time-consuming requiring tools and manual fastening operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fastening system (bolts, pins, wedges) with an electromagnetic attachment system. The electromagnetic attachment assembly uses magnetic attraction forces to secure the seat to the floor, eliminating the need for mechanical fastening elements and manual tool operations while maintaining secure attachment during vehicle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the attachment mechanism from mechanical (physical fastening) to electromagnetic (magnetic field interaction). By utilizing controllable magnetic field strength through powered electromagnets, the system achieves both secure attachment when powered and easy release when deactivated, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If mechanical fastening elements are used to attach seats, then secure attachment is achieved, but the process requires workers to crouch down and manually operate fastening elements, increasing time and labor requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic system replaces manual mechanical operations with automated magnetic attraction. Workers simply position the seat near the floor location, and the electromagnetic attachment assembly automatically secures it through magnetic force, eliminating the time-consuming manual fastening process while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic attachment system performs the attachment function automatically through magnetic attraction when the seat is positioned in the correct location. The system self-activates to secure the seat without requiring manual intervention to tighten or secure fastening elements, significantly reducing labor time and effort.
3Reliability
If electrical wiring is connected to seats for power supply, then power is reliably delivered to seat components, but repositioning seats requires disconnecting and reconnecting wiring, complicating the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired electrical connections with wireless power transmission using electromagnetic fields. A power transmission assembly communicates wirelessly with the seat's power receiver, delivering electrical power without physical wiring. This allows seats to be repositioned freely without disconnecting or reconnecting electrical connections, maintaining power supply reliability while greatly improving ease of operation.
4Reliability
If traditional seat attachment systems are used, then seats can be securely attached, but the slot structure limits repositioning to specified increments only
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic attachment system replaces the slot-and-land mechanical guidance system with magnetic field-based positioning. The electromagnetic attachment assembly can be positioned at any location along the floor track where magnetic attraction is sufficient, allowing continuous positioning rather than discrete incremental positions, thereby maximizing adaptability while maintaining secure attachment.
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
Enables efficient and ergonomic repositioning of seats without tools, reducing the time and effort required, and eliminates the need for wired electrical connections, improving operational efficiency and flexibility in rearranging seat configurations.
Implementation Method 1
When the power supply is turned on, a magnetic field is generated to secure or lock the seat to the floor assembly
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnetic rail with magnetic coils to securely attach and release seats from the floor assembly
Implementation Method 3
uses a ferromagnetic attachment post and an electromagnetic rail with magnetic coils
Implementation Method 4
wireless power supply through a resonant inductive coupling system
Data Source
AI summary
A seat assembly, a multi-passenger vehicle, and a method for attaching seats to a floor of a vehicle that employ an electromagnetic coupling between the seats and the floor. A power supply supplies electricity to the electromagnetic coupling to secure the seats to the floor and is turned off to release the seats from the floor without tools or workers bending down below the seats to remove coupling devices. The seats can therefore be readily repositioned or rearranged to adjust the spacing between the seats. Resident induction coupling is included between the floor of the vehicle and the seats to provide wireless power to the seats.