Articulating Flexmat Seat Suspension with Cable Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle seat suspensions are not adequately versatile or lightweight, failing to provide optimal comfort and efficiency while maintaining a lean profile, which is essential for improved vehicle performance.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable articulating flexmat seat suspension system that includes upper and lower flexmats with cable regulating motors, allowing independent adjustment and incorporating living hinges, polymeric composite materials, and blower motors for enhanced comfort and support, replacing traditional foam and wire components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional foam and wire components are used in seat suspension, then structural strength and support are provided, but weight increases and versatility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The seat suspension is divided into multiple independent flexmats (upper flexmat, lower flexmat, side flexmats) that can be independently adjusted. Each flexmat is a separate segment controlled by its own cable regulating motor, allowing individual customization for different body regions (thoracic, lumbar, lateral support) without increasing overall system weight significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat suspension transitions from static foam and wire structures to dynamic, adjustable flexmats. The cable regulating motors enable real-time adjustment of each flexmat's tension and position, providing adaptability to various occupant sizes and preferences while maintaining a lightweight profile compared to traditional adjustable mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable mechanisms are added to provide versatility, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable regulating motors serve multiple functions: they tension the cables, position the flexmats, and provide adjustable support firmness. Each motor controls a complete flexmat assembly including cables, anchors, and living hinges, reducing the need for separate adjustment mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexmats themselves act as flexible structural elements that provide both support and adjustment capability. The thin, flexible nature of the flexmats allows them to be controlled by relatively simple cable-pulley-motor mechanisms rather than requiring complex rigid linkage systems.
3Ease of operation
If cable regulating motors are used to adjust flexmats, then comfort and support are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple components are merged into integrated assemblies: the cable regulating motor combines with the cable, anchors, and living hinge connections to form a complete flexmat control unit. This modular approach simplifies manufacturing by allowing pre-assembly of motor-cable-flexmat units that can be installed as complete modules rather than assembling numerous small parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable-pulley-motor system provides self-adjusting capability where the motor automatically tensions the cable to the desired position. The living hinges and cable anchors are designed to self-align and secure during assembly, reducing the need for precise manual adjustment and complex alignment procedures.
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
The system provides improved comfort and reduced weight by allowing adjustable suspension firmness, supporting various occupant sizes and positions, and simplifying assembly processes, while maintaining a lean profile and enhancing vehicle efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The cable regulating motor retracts the cable to shift the flexmat outward and extends the cable to draw the flexmat inward
Implementation Method 2
the upper flexmat and the lower flexmat are coupled with a living hinge and the living hinge enables the upper flexmat and the lower flexmat to be adjusted in forward and rearward directions independently of one another
Implementation Method 3
a blower motor coupled with the articulating flexmat assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seating assembly includes a frame, a front closeout panel supported on the frame and an articulating flexmat assembly operably coupled with at least one of the front closeout panel and the frame. The articulating flexmat assembly includes an upper flexmat extending from a first side of the frame to a second side of the frame. The upper flexmat includes an upper cable coupled with the upper flexmat and an upper cable regulating motor operably coupled with the upper cable. The articulating flexmat assembly also includes a lower flexmat extending from the first side of the frame to the second side of the frame. The lower flexmat includes a lower cable coupled with the lower flexmat and a lower cable regulating motor operably coupled with the lower cable.