Railway Seat Lumbar Support Automatic Depth Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lumbar support adjustment devices in railway passenger seats are often overlooked by passengers due to difficulty in locating and understanding their operation, require manual adjustment for multiple positions, occupy significant space, and are costly.
Innovation Solution
A lumbar support adjustment system that automatically adjusts the depth based on the angle between the lower and upper parts of the backrest, eliminating the need for dedicated control mechanisms and integrating the adjustment device into the backrest, using a deformable flexible element and traction means to optimize comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional lumbar support adjustment device with control handle and traction cable is used, then the lumbar support depth can be adjusted, but the device occupies large space and has high cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dedicated lumbar support adjustment device from the conventional seat structure and replaces it with an automatic adjustment mechanism that utilizes the existing backrest projection movement. The lumbar support is now adjusted indirectly through the backrest's regular curvature movement rather than through a separate control system, eliminating the need for control handles and traction cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The backrest projection mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides the primary seating function while simultaneously controlling the lumbar support depth through its regular curvature. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate adjustment mechanisms, reducing device complexity and space occupation.
2Ease of operation
If a control handle connected to traction cable is used for lumbar support adjustment, then the depth can be modified, but passengers often ignore it due to difficulty in locating and understanding its operation
Solution Approach 1:
The lumbar support adjustment system operates automatically without requiring passenger intervention. As the backrest projects forward during normal seat operation, the regular curvature of the backrest automatically adjusts the lumbar support depth to match the desired position, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for control handles.
Solution Approach 2:
The backrest's regular curvature is pre-configured to provide the correct lumbar support depth at each stage of seat projection. This preliminary configuration ensures that as the seat moves to different positions, the lumbar support is automatically adjusted to the optimal depth without requiring passenger input or understanding of control mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of lumbar support is required for each seat position, then the support can be adapted, but passengers have difficulty adjusting when the seat has multiple positions
Solution Approach 1:
The lumbar support depth is made dynamic and automatically varies with the seat position. As the backrest projects forward to different positions, the regular curvature of the backrest automatically adjusts the lumbar support depth accordingly. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the need for manual re-adjustment when changing between rest and working positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The backrest's regular curvature is pre-configured to provide the correct lumbar support depth at each stage of seat projection. This preliminary configuration ensures that as the seat moves to different positions, the lumbar support is automatically adjusted to the optimal depth without requiring passenger input or understanding of control mechanisms.
4Measurement precision
If indirect control of lumbar support depth through backrest projection is used, then the adjustment precision is increased, but the mechanism requires precise guidance of backrest parts
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest incorporates a regular curvature that is specifically designed to translate the projection movement into precise lumbar support depth adjustment. This curved geometry naturally guides the relationship between backrest position and lumbar support depth, providing precise control without requiring complex mechanical guidance mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The guidance function is merged into the backrest structure itself through its regular curvature design. The curved geometry of the backrest inherently provides the guidance needed to translate projection movement into precise lumbar support adjustment, eliminating the need for separate complex guidance mechanisms while maintaining high precision.
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
Enhances passenger comfort by providing precise lumbar support adjustments that adapt to the seat's curvature, reducing the need for manual adjustments and minimizing space and cost, while maintaining optimal support in various positions.
Implementation Method 1
the lumbar support being in the form of a deformable flexible element, the adjustment device comprises traction means adapted to modify the depth of the lumbar support as a function of the traction force applied to the deformable flexible element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A passenger seat (1) for a transport vehicle, in particular a railway, comprising a structural frame, a seat (2) and a backrest (3) articulated on the seat (2), the seat (2) and the backrest (3) being guided by the structural frame, the backrest (3) comprising at least a lower part (31) and an upper part (32), means for articulating the backrest (3) adapted to modify the angle formed between the lower part (31) and the upper part (32) of the backrest (3) according to the position of the seat (2) in the frame, a lumbar support (5) mounted on the lower part (31) of the backrest (3), and a device for adjusting the depth of the lumbar support (5) configured to automatically control the depth of the lumbar support (5) according to the angle formed between the lower part (31) and the upper part (32) of the backrest (3).