Pivot Seat Pad Exposing Object-Support Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle seat designs fail to effectively transition between occupant and object support configurations, leading to potential damage to the seat surfaces when used with objects like child car seats, and do not adequately protect the comfort and aesthetic integrity of the occupant-support surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A seat pad system with a cushion member and outer occupant-support surface that can pivot to expose a tougher object-support surface when an object is present, maintaining the comfort and aesthetic appearance of the occupant-support surface by concealing it from contact with the object.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the seat pad uses a single occupant-support surface for both occupants and objects, then the seat maintains simple structure and ease of manufacture, but the occupant-support surface suffers damage when objects are placed on it
Solution Approach 1:
The seat pad is segmented into two distinct surfaces: an occupant-support surface with comfort and aesthetic materials, and an object-support surface with tougher, more durable materials. This segmentation allows each surface to be optimized for its specific function, preventing damage to the occupant-support surface when objects are placed on the seat.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the seat pad are assigned different material properties. The occupant-contact areas use soft, comfortable materials with aesthetic appeal, while the object-support areas use tougher, more resistant materials. This local differentiation of quality ensures that each area has the appropriate properties for its intended use.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the seat pad uses soft and aesthetic materials for the occupant-support surface, then occupant comfort and appearance are improved, but the surface becomes vulnerable to damage from objects
Solution Approach 1:
The seat pad surface is divided into distinct functional zones: soft, aesthetic materials are applied only to areas that contact occupants, while tougher, more damage-resistant materials are applied to areas that may contact objects. This segmentation ensures that vulnerable materials are protected from damaging contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat pad employs local quality by varying material properties across different regions. Comfort-oriented materials with aesthetic properties are used where occupants make contact, while strength-oriented materials are used in areas susceptible to object contact, optimizing both comfort and durability in their respective locations.
3Strength
If the seat pad uses tough materials for object support, then damage resistance is improved, but occupant comfort and aesthetic appearance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The seat pad is segmented into functional zones where tough, damage-resistant materials are applied only to areas that may contact objects, while soft, comfortable materials with aesthetic properties are applied to occupant-contact areas. This ensures that material strength is applied only where needed for protection.
Solution Approach 2:
Different material qualities are applied locally to different regions of the seat pad. Tough, durable materials are used in object-prone areas to provide damage resistance, while soft, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing materials are used in occupant-contact areas, ensuring each region has the appropriate material properties for its function.
4Device complexity
If the seat pad has a fixed configuration for occupant support, then the structure remains simple, but it cannot effectively support objects without damaging the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The seat pad incorporates a movable flap that can be dynamically repositioned between an occupant-support configuration and an object-support configuration. In the occupant-support configuration, the flap covers and protects the occupant-support surface. When an object needs to be placed on the seat, the flap is moved to expose the tougher object-support surface, preventing damage while maintaining relative structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
An occupant support includes a seat frame and a seat pad coupled to the seat frame. The seat pad includes a cushion member fixed to the seat frame and an outer trim arranged to cover the cushion member. Portions of the outer trim are movable relative to the rest of the occupant support.