Pneumatic Air Bladder for Compact Seat Height Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional height adjustment mechanisms in seat assemblies are bulky and heavy, making them unsuitable for applications with low volume and weight constraints, such as sport seats, where correctly positioning the occupant for safety and visibility is essential without the space for traditional adjustment mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic actuated air bladder and rigid reaction plate system that adjusts the height of the seating surface by inflating the air bladder, moving the reaction plate and cushion independently of the seat frame, providing a compact and lightweight solution for height adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional height adjustment mechanisms are used, then height adjustment function is achieved, but weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pneumatic air bladder system to replace traditional mechanical height adjustment mechanisms. The air bladder inflates and deflates to move the reaction plate and cushion assembly vertically, providing smooth height adjustment without the weight and complexity of mechanical linkages, motors, or actuators. This pneumatic approach significantly reduces seat assembly weight while maintaining precise height control.
Solution Approach 2:
The air bladder is constructed as a flexible thin-walled chamber that can be mounted within the seat structure. This flexible membrane design allows the bladder to expand and contract efficiently, moving the rigid reaction plate through pneumatic pressure while adding minimal weight. The thin-film construction of the bladder provides the necessary volume displacement without significant mass increase.
2Measurement precision
If traditional height adjustment mechanisms are used, then height adjustment function is achieved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic air bladder system provides compact height adjustment functionality. The bladder can be positioned in the dead space between the cushion and frame, utilizing available volume efficiently. When inflated, the bladder expands to provide the necessary lifting force and adjustment range (at least 25 mm) without requiring additional external space or bulky mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The air bladder is nested within the existing seat structure, specifically positioned between the cushion assembly and the frame. This nested configuration allows the height adjustment mechanism to occupy space that would otherwise be empty, avoiding any increase in the overall external dimensions of the seat assembly while still providing full height adjustment functionality.
3Measurement precision
If air bladder is inflated to adjust height, then seating surface height changes, but support firmness may change
Solution Approach 1:
The seat assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones: the air bladder handles vertical height adjustment, while the cushion and reaction plate maintain support firmness. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function - the bladder provides precise height control without compromising the cushion's supportive properties, as the cushion remains intact and properly supported by the rigid reaction plate throughout the adjustment range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines different material properties to achieve both height adjustment and support firmness. The air bladder uses elastic membrane materials for flexible volume change, the reaction plate uses rigid materials for structural support, and the cushion uses foam or compliant materials for comfort. This composite approach ensures that height adjustment via bladder inflation does not compromise the support firmness provided by the rigid reaction plate and cushion assembly.
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
Enables precise height adjustment of the seating surface without altering the support firmness, offering at least 25 mm of adjustment and maintaining comfort and support, suitable for various seating environments including vehicles with space and weight limitations.
Implementation Method 1
An air bladder is mounted to the frame. As the air bladder is inflated, a distance between the frame is adjusted, thereby adjusting a height of the seating surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat assembly is provided with a seat bottom having a seat frame. An air bladder is mounted to the frame. A seat cushion is spaced vertically from the seat frame by the air bladder at height-adjustment distance being variable. The cushion defines a seating surface. A height-adjustment distance between the frame and the seating surface is increased as the air bladder is inflated, thereby adjusting a height of the seating surface without adjusting the frame.