Independent Leg Support Segmentation for Vehicle Seating Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicle seats face challenges in accommodating diverse driver and passenger sizes, shapes, and preferred postures, leading to discomfort and reduced endurance during long rides.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seating assembly with independently pivotable and extendable leg supports, each equipped with a motor and spring-biased flange, allowing for customizable positioning between raised, lowered, extended, and retracted positions to optimize leg support and seating area adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single integrated leg support is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different driver and passenger sizes and postures is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single integrated leg support is divided into two independent leg supports, each capable of independent adjustment. This segmentation allows each support to be independently positioned to accommodate different leg lengths, seating preferences, and body types, thereby improving adaptability without requiring a completely complex system as each module can be standardized
2Ease of operation
If fixed leg support positions are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the comfort and endurance for extensive vehicle rides is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The leg supports transition from fixed positions to dynamically adjustable positions through motorized actuation. Each leg support can be independently moved to optimized positions based on the user's needs, providing enhanced comfort and endurance during extended rides while maintaining manageable system complexity through independent control mechanisms
3Adaptability or versatility
If independent adjustable leg supports are implemented, then the adaptability and comfort are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the leg support function into two independent adjustable modules, each with its own motor and control. This segmentation enables customizable positioning for each leg independently, accommodating various body types and seating preferences while keeping each module's complexity manageable and potentially standardized
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between the user and the mechanical adjustment mechanisms. Through controls that may include switches, buttons, or voice commands, the system mediates the adjustment process, allowing users to independently position each leg support without directly manipulating complex mechanical systems
Data Source
AI summary
A seating assembly includes a seat frame. A first leg support is pivotally coupled with a forward portion of the seat frame. The first leg support is operable between raised and lowered positions. A first extendable member is disposed on a top portion of the first leg support and is operable between extended and retracted positions. A second leg support is adjacent to and independent of the first leg support and is pivotally coupled with the forward portion of the seat frame. The second leg support is operable between raised and lowered positions. A second extendable member is disposed on a top portion of the second leg support and is operable between extended and retracted positions.