Extendable Vehicle Seat Cushion With Elastic Cover Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat designs face challenges in ensuring the covering element folds correctly between the main and movable sitting parts when the movable sitting part transitions from the extended to the retracted position, leading to inadequate pressing of the covering element against the main sitting part and hindering the movable sitting part's return to its retracted position.
Innovation Solution
Securing the covering element to the seat frame using at least one elastic band near the rear edge of the frame, which exerts a restoring force to ensure the covering element is properly pressed against the main sitting part in the retracted position, simplifying the connection between the covering element and the movable sitting part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex connecting device is used to ensure the covering element folds correctly between the main sitting part and the movable sitting part, then the covering element can be properly positioned in the retracted position, but the device complexity increases and the connection becomes more difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the covering element from the complex connecting device system by securing it directly to the frame using a simple elastic band mechanism. This removes the need for complex connecting devices while maintaining reliable positioning of the covering element in both retracted and extended positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic band provides self-service by automatically exerting a restoring force on the covering element to maintain its retracted position. This eliminates the need for complex mechanical connecting devices while ensuring the covering element remains properly positioned through the elastic restoring force alone.
2Reliability
If a complex connecting device is used to ensure the covering element folds correctly, then the covering element can be properly pressed against the main sitting part, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex, expensive connecting devices with a simple, inexpensive elastic band that can be easily manufactured and installed. The elastic band provides sufficient pressing force to maintain the covering element against the main sitting part without requiring complex mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the complex connecting device from the assembly and replaces it with a simplified elastic band attachment system. This extraction of complexity significantly improves ease of manufacture while maintaining the necessary pressing effectiveness through the elastic restoring force.
3Device complexity
If the covering element is secured to the frame using an elastic band, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the pressing force on the covering element may be insufficient without proper elastic band design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting elastic bands with specific physical properties (elongation at break ≥120%, appropriate elastic modulus, and suitable dimensions) to ensure the elastic band can exert sufficient restoring force. This maintains simple device complexity while achieving adequate pressing force through proper material parameter selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the elastic band attachment at specific locations on the frame (near the rear edge) and selecting elastic bands with localized properties appropriate for the required pressing force. This ensures sufficient force is applied at the critical location where the covering element needs to be pressed against the main sitting part.
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 solution ensures the movable sitting part is properly positioned in the retracted position, maintains the comfort and appearance of the seat, and simplifies the overall structure of the sitting element by eliminating the need for complex connection devices.
Implementation Method 1
the covering element is secured to the frame, in the vicinity of the rear edge of said frame, by at least one elastic band, said elastic band exerting a restoring force on the covering element towards the retracted position
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat sitting element having a main sitting element portion and a movable sitting element portion slidable on a frame between a retracted position and an extended position. The sitting element further includes a covering element extending between the main sitting element portion and the movable sitting element portion, the covering element being movable between a retracted position and a deployed position, wherein the covering element fills the space between the main sitting part and the movable sitting part along the extension direction when the movable sitting part is in the extended position. The covering element is fastened to the frame by an elastic band, exerting a restoring force on the covering element towards the retracted position, when the covering element is in the deployed position.