Flexible structural component and use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible structural components for seats, such as vehicle seats, face challenges in easily adjusting to multiple positions without stretching or compressing their surfaces, limiting their versatility and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A kinetic structural component featuring a combination of folding/lever elements and spacer elements, allowing for defined movement and bending without surface expansion, enabled by clever design and construction, including motor-transmission units for controlled deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a structural component is formed as a relatively thick composite panel to provide structural strength, then strength is improved, but the component cannot be bent without surface stretching or expanding
Solution Approach 1:
The structural component is segmented into multiple thin layers (first surface element, multiple spacer elements, second surface element) rather than using a single thick panel. This segmentation allows each layer to move independently, enabling bending without surface stretching while maintaining overall structural integrity through the coordinated movement of all layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer elements are designed to move relative to one another in the thickness direction of the component, transforming the static thick panel into a dynamic multi-layer structure. This dynamic configuration allows the component to adapt its shape and bend without stretching the surface elements, resolving the contradiction between structural strength and bending capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If folding elements or lever elements are integrated into the structural component to enable position adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer elements serve dual functions: they maintain the spacing between surface elements and simultaneously act as folding or lever elements that enable position adjustment. By merging these functions into a single integrated mechanism, the patent reduces device complexity while maintaining adaptability for position adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer elements are designed as multi-functional components that can operate as both structural spacers and adjusting mechanisms. This universality allows the same elements to provide both structural support and position adjustment capabilities, reducing the need for separate components and thereby decreasing overall device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the structural component is designed to allow bending movement, then adaptability is improved, but surface elements may stretch or compress
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the component into multiple thin surface elements and spacer elements allows bending to occur through the movement of spacer elements in the thickness direction, rather than through stretching of the surface elements. This segmentation preserves surface integrity while enabling bending flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The bending movement is achieved by translating spacer elements in the thickness direction (z-axis) rather than by stretching the surface elements in the plane. This dimensional change allows the component to bend while maintaining surface element integrity, as the deformation occurs perpendicular to the surface plane.
Data Source
AI summary
A structural component may have a flexible structure with at least one adjusting mechanism, which may be formed at least from a plurality of folded elements or lever elements and spacing elements that are coupled to one another in such a way that their upper surfaces are connected to one another by an upper flat element and their lower surfaces are connected to one another by a lower flat element. The upper flat element and the lower flat element may be configured to be moved in a defined manner in the event of a tilting movement of the flexible structure.