Marine Seat Assembly With Adaptive Position Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current marine vessel seating systems lack automated control and positional feedback, requiring manual actuation for seat adjustments based on vessel state and operator preferences, and do not provide adaptive positioning in response to changing conditions such as speed, pitch, and geographical location.
Innovation Solution
A seating system with a controller that adjusts the seat's position relative to the base based on the presence of an operator, power unit state, vessel speed, geographical location, and pitch, using actuators for translation, height adjustment, tilting, and rotation, and includes sensors and input devices for operator input and automated control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual actuation is used for seat adjustments, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation and adaptability deteriorate as operators must manually adjust seats based on changing vessel conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The seat assembly automatically adjusts its own position based on vessel conditions (speed, pitch, roll) detected by sensors. The controller receives data from speed sensors, pitch/roll sensors, and GPS, then autonomously actuates the seat positioner and recliner mechanisms without requiring manual operator intervention, making the system self-regulating according to operational conditions
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical adjustment mechanisms are replaced with an automated electromechanical system. The patent introduces electric actuators controlled by a microprocessor-based controller that receives electronic sensor inputs, substituting the purely mechanical manual adjustment system with an integrated sensor-controller-actuator system that provides automated seat positioning
2Adaptability or versatility
If automated control with multiple sensors is implemented, then adaptability and ease of operation improve, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it processes data from speed sensors, pitch and roll sensors, and GPS receivers; it controls both the seat positioner mechanism and the recliner mechanism; it stores operator preferences in memory; and it provides automated decision-making for seat positioning. This multi-functional integration reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-stores operator preferences for seat position and recline angle in the controller's memory for different operating conditions (e.g., cruising, docking, high-speed operation). When specific vessel conditions are detected by sensors, the controller automatically retrieves and applies the pre-programmed preferences, eliminating the need for real-time manual adjustment and reducing the complexity of real-time decision algorithms
Data Source
AI summary
A seat assembly for a marine vessel includes a base to be connected to a deck of the marine vessel, a seat supported by the base, and an actuator. The actuator adjusts a position of the seat with respect to the base in at least one of the following ways: to translate the seat in a front-back direction with respect to the base, to raise and lower the seat with respect to the base, to tilt the seat at various angles with respect to the base, and to rotate the seat with respect to the base. The seat assembly also includes a controller in signal communication with the actuator, and the controller activates the actuator to adjust the position of the seat with respect to the base to a predetermined position.