Extensively reconfigurable vehicle seat design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional adjustable vehicle seats are costly and heavy due to complex moving parts and motors, which negatively impact fuel efficiency, and they lack fine control over cushioning, potentially leading to discomfort and increased risk of injury during accidents.
Innovation Solution
An extensively reconfigurable seat design utilizing a pneumatic bladder system with individually adjustable air pockets, controlled by a central supply and valves, providing customizable cushioning and ventilation, and integrated with machine learning for real-time adjustments based on various factors, including driving conditions and user preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional adjustable seat mechanisms with motors and moving parts are used, then seat adjustability is achieved, but weight and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a pneumatic bladder system with multiple air pockets that can be individually inflated and deflated to adjust seat cushioning and support. This replaces traditional motorized mechanical adjustment mechanisms, significantly reducing weight while maintaining adaptability. The bladders are controlled by valves that regulate air pressure in each pocket independently, enabling fine-grained adjustment of seat characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional adjustable seat mechanisms with motors and moving parts are used, then seat adjustability is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases due to complex parts and installation
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic bladder system eliminates the need for expensive motors, gears, and mechanical linkages. The bladders can be integrated directly into the seat cushion structure using additive manufacturing techniques, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing assembly complexity. The control system uses simple valves and pressure sensors instead of complex motor control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts seat characteristics by changing the pressure parameter in each air pocket rather than physically moving mechanical components. This allows for continuous, fine-grained adjustment of cushioning and support levels without the discrete steps inherent in mechanical adjustment mechanisms, providing superior adaptability at lower cost.
3Ease of operation
If traditional seat cushioning is used, then basic support is provided, but fine control over cushioning is lacking leading to discomfort and bottoming out effect
Solution Approach 1:
The seat cushion is divided into multiple independent air pockets or bladders, each controllable by its own valve. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of pressure in each region, enabling fine control over cushioning characteristics in different areas of the seat. Users can customize support levels for specific body regions without affecting other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls cushioning by varying the air pressure parameter in each bladder independently. This provides continuous adjustment capability rather than discrete mechanical positions, allowing precise control over softness and support levels. The pressure can be dynamically adjusted to prevent bottoming out by maintaining optimal cushioning pressure.
4Loss of energy
If vehicle weight is reduced for fuel efficiency, then fuel efficiency improves, but seat safety and comfort features may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic bladder system provides lightweight yet effective seat cushioning and support. The air-filled bladders offer excellent energy absorption characteristics for safety while maintaining low weight. The system can actively adjust pressure levels to optimize both comfort and safety performance without adding significant mass to the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts pressure parameters in the bladders to optimize the balance between weight, comfort, and safety. By controlling air pressure rather than using heavy mechanical structures, the system achieves high reliability in safety and comfort functions while minimizing weight penalty.
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
This solution reduces the weight and cost of the seat while offering superior comfort and safety by providing fine control over cushioning, preventing the 'bottoming out' effect, and potentially reducing injury risk during accidents through adaptive pressure adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
A vehicle seat system can use a pneumatic bladder system to change seat configuration, and the resulting seat can be fully customizable. The pressure levels within multiple air pockets/bladders can be individually adjusted
Implementation Method 2
In addition, some implementations can incorporate free air channels to provide ventilation. Air flow in these channels, e.g., in the spaces between the pressurized pockets/bladders/chambers, can make the seat 'breathable'.
Data Source
AI summary
An extensively reconfigurable seat design can include a vehicle seat system including: a vehicle seat defining a vehicle occupant accommodating space, the vehicle seat including a seat cushion portion including multiple individually adjustable bladders, where each of the multiple individually adjustable bladders has a connected valve that controls fluid communication with an internal space of the individually adjustable bladder to adjust a pressure level within the internal space of the individually adjustable bladder, and an associated sensor configured to detect the pressure level within the internal space of the individually adjustable bladder. A computer can actively sense and control the pressure levels within the bladders, using the sensors and valves, to provide customization, adaptive, ride-active and intelligent control over a reconfigurable cushion for a vehicle.