Powered Telescopic Seating Riser Alignment for Smooth Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable seating systems lack efficient mechanisms for automatic deployment and retraction, particularly in uneven or slick terrain, and often require manual intervention to prevent binding or misalignment of seating risers.
Innovation Solution
A powered telescopic seating system with a belt drive system and a control system that includes a controller and laser/sensor feedback loop to monitor alignment and misalignment, providing corrective steering instructions to prevent binding and facilitate smooth deployment and retraction, along with a control pendant for user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual deployment and retraction mechanisms are used, then the system is simpler in structure, but the operational efficiency and user safety deteriorate due to required manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The seating system performs deployment and retraction operations autonomously without requiring manual intervention. The powered riser automatically detects terrain conditions and adjusts its movement accordingly, while the control system monitors alignment and corrects binding issues independently, enabling the system to serve itself throughout the operational cycle
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical deployment mechanisms are replaced with an automated powered system. The patent introduces a powered riser equipped with a belt drive system and electronic control architecture that substitutes human-operated mechanical systems with motorized actuation and electronic control, thereby improving operational efficiency while managing complexity through integration
2Productivity
If powered deployment mechanisms are added, then operational efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional control systems and sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the deployment process using sensors that detect alignment, binding conditions, and terrain characteristics. This feedback is processed by the controller, which automatically adjusts the belt drive system to maintain optimal operation, enabling rapid deployment while managing complexity through closed-loop control that eliminates the need for complex manual coordination
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it monitors alignment, detects binding conditions, adjusts belt tension, and coordinates the movement of multiple seating risers. By integrating these diverse functions into a single unified control architecture, the system achieves fast automated deployment without proportionally increasing overall complexity
3Reliability
If automatic alignment correction is implemented, then reliability improves by preventing binding, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors mounted on the seating risers continuously monitor alignment relative to the terrain and adjacent structures. When misalignment or binding conditions are detected, the feedback signal triggers automatic correction through the powered belt drive system, which adjusts the position of affected risers in real-time. This closed-loop alignment correction significantly improves reliability by preventing binding while managing complexity through automated response that eliminates the need for complex mechanical alignment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Complex mechanical alignment mechanisms with multiple adjustment points are replaced with a simplified sensor-based detection system coupled with powered actuation. The system uses electronic sensing and motorized correction instead of complex mechanical linkages and manual adjustment mechanisms, thereby achieving high alignment accuracy while actually reducing overall mechanical complexity
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 automatic and efficient deployment and retraction of seating systems over uneven terrain without manual intervention, preventing binding and ensuring accurate alignment, thus improving operational efficiency and user safety.
Implementation Method 1
laser/sensor feedback loop to monitor alignment and misalignment
Data Source
AI summary
An example of the disclosed seating system includes a plurality of seating risers configured to telescope relative to one another, and at least one of the seating risers is a powered seating riser configured to deploy and retract the seating risers. Further included is a control pendant. The powered seating riser is drivable in response to said control pendant.