Force Tripod Vehicle Seat Pivot Axis Redesign

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle seats in trucks face a challenge in providing ample space behind the seat while maintaining safety and minimizing weight, as the rigid frame required for safety increases the weight and complexity of the seat.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle seat design featuring a pivotable backrest with a pivot axis located in the upper area of the backrest, a damper aligned in the height direction, and a connecting element that allows for the distribution of forces through vectors, reducing the structural load and enabling greater pivoting without interference from seat and backrest padding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the pivot axis is arranged on the rear section of the seat part and on the lower end of the backrest, then the backrest can be pivoted forward to create more space behind the seat, but the frame of the seat becomes very massive and the weight of the seat increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace behind the seatVSAvoidweight of the seat
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the pivot axis from the conventional lower rear position to the upper area of the backrest, changing the spatial dimension of the pivot point. This dimensional change allows the backrest to pivot forward while creating a more favorable force distribution that reduces the need for a massive frame structure, thereby decreasing seat weight while still providing the required space behind the seat.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the position parameter of the pivot axis from the lower end of the backrest to the upper area of the backrest. This parameter change fundamentally alters the mechanical leverage and force distribution, allowing the system to achieve the same functional goal (creating space behind the seat) with a lighter frame structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the frame of the seat is made very stable and rigid to absorb large forces in the event of an accident, then the safety of the seat is improved, but the weight of the seat increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of the seatVSAvoidweight of the seat
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By moving the pivot axis to the upper area of the backrest, the patent changes the geometric configuration of the force transmission path. This dimensional change creates a more efficient force distribution that allows the frame to absorb accident forces effectively without requiring excessive material, thus maintaining safety while reducing weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the position parameter of the pivot axis to optimize the mechanical advantage and force distribution in the frame. This parameter optimization allows the frame structure to achieve the required safety performance with reduced material usage, thereby decreasing weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Weight of moving object

If the pivot axis is arranged in the upper area of the backrest, then the weight of the seat frame is reduced, but the pivoting motion may be affected by interference from seat and backrest padding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of the seat frameVSAvoidpivoting motion of the backrest
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the pivot axis in the upper area of the backrest, utilizing the available space in the vertical dimension to avoid interference from the padding. This dimensional placement ensures that the pivoting arc does not intersect with the seat cushion or backrest cushion, maintaining smooth operation while achieving weight reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design allows for increased space behind the seat while maintaining safety by distributing forces effectively, reducing the weight and complexity of the seat frame, and enhancing comfort through vibration absorption.

Implementation Method 1

a damper (10), which is aligned essentially in the height direction of the backrest and is operatively connected to the backrest (4) on the one hand and to the seat part frame (3) on the other by means of a fastening point (9)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3059118B1Force tripod
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 GRAMMER AG
  • EP3059118B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3059118B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3059118B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Vehicle seat (1) comprising a seat section (2), a seat section frame (3) and a backrest (4) which is pivotably connected to the seat section frame by means of at least one pivot axis (5), wherein a first pivot point (6) which is arranged on the pivot axis, a point of application (7) which is arranged in an upper region of the backrest and a mounting point (9) for attaching at least one damper (10), wherein the damper is oriented substantially in the direction of the height of the backrest and is operatively connected to the backrest on the one hand and to the seat section frame by means of the mounting point on the other, are defined vertices of a triangle, along the sides of which vectors of forces are arranged,where, in the case of a forward pivoting of the backrest by a force acting on the backrest, a first vector of a tensile force extends from the point of application to the first pivot point, and a second vector of a compressive force extends from the attachment point to the point of application.