Modular Vehicle Seat with Interchangeable Bolsters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle seating systems lack flexibility and adaptability, as they do not allow for easy customization or replacement of components such as side bolsters and headrests without requiring the entire seat to be removed, and they often do not provide adequate energy attenuation for blast impacts.
Innovation Solution
A modular seating system featuring a universal center module with interchangeable side bolsters and headrests, equipped with a plug-in mechanism using rigid parallel bars and sockets, allowing for easy installation and removal of components while maintaining energy attenuation capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional integrated seating system is used, then the seat structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the system lacks flexibility and adaptability for customization
Solution Approach 1:
The seating system is divided into distinct modular components including a center module, side bolsters, and headrest assemblies. Each component can be independently manufactured, customized, and replaced. The side bolsters are separated from the center module and can be interchangeably attached using the bar and socket mechanism, enabling customization without redesigning the entire seat structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The center module is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple configurations of side bolsters and headrests. The standardized bar and socket interface allows different bolster designs to be mounted on the same center module, providing multi-functionality and adaptability across various seating applications.
2Ease of repair
If the entire seat is removed for component replacement, then component replacement is possible, but the maintenance time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The side bolsters are designed as separable components that can be independently removed from the center module. The bar and socket connection allows bolsters to be detached and replaced without affecting the center module or other seat components, enabling rapid maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The bar and socket mechanism allows side bolsters to be easily extracted from the center module. The removable bars can be quickly detached from the sockets, enabling component replacement without disassembling the entire seat structure or removing the seat from the vehicle.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional seating systems are used, then the structure is simple, but energy attenuation for blast impacts is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The modular structure with separable side bolsters and energy attenuation layers creates discrete zones for energy management. The side bolsters can be designed with specific energy-absorbing characteristics, and the modular arrangement allows these protective elements to be positioned optimally without requiring a complete structural redesign.
4Adaptability or versatility
If customized seating configurations are implemented, then adaptability improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the seating system into standardized modules with consistent interfaces, each component can be manufactured independently using optimized processes. The repetitive bar and socket connection design simplifies manufacturing across different configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal center module design serves as a common platform for multiple bolster and headrest configurations. This allows the majority of the seat structure to be mass-produced once, while only the interchangeable components need varied manufacturing, reducing overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are provided for a modular vehicle seating system. In one embodiment the seating system has a universal center module that is mountable to a seating position in a vehicle and includes seat pan and seat back portions. The seating system may further include a matched pair of modular side bolsters selectable from an assortment of matched pairs of side bolsters, where each matched pair has a particular physical property defined by a unique value in a range of values of the physical property in the assortment. The side bolsters are detachably connectable to the to left and right sides of the universal center module with fasteners.