Reversible Marine Seat Back with Longitudinal Guide Bar Translation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reversible seat systems for marine vessels require significant operational space and complex hardware, making them bulky and unsuitable for tight spaces, while also compromising on comfort and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A reversible seat design featuring a backrest that translates longitudinally across guide bars attached to the seat bottom, with pivotable support assemblies and locking members, allowing for multiple seating positions with minimal footprint and easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a swivel mounted seat back is used to rotate between forward and aft positions, then reversibility is achieved, but a large amount of free space around the seat base is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the seat back movement from horizontal swiveling (2D rotation around vertical axis) to vertical pivoting (1D rotation around horizontal axis). The seat back pivots upward about the seat bottom to an upright position, then translates along guide bars, eliminating the need for lateral clearance required by traditional swivel mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a dynamic combination of pivoting and translating movements rather than a static swivel mechanism. The seat back first pivots vertically to clear the base area, then translates horizontally along guide bars, allowing reversibility in a compact footprint by sequencing movements through different spatial dimensions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a pivoting seat back with complex hardware mounted below the seat is used, then reversibility is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and occupies large operational space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex mounting hardware from below the seat base and relocates it to the seat bottom itself. The guide bars are attached directly to the seat bottom, and the spindles connect the seat back to these guide bars, eliminating the need for extensive fiberglass support bases and complex below-seat mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The reversible seat mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: guide bars attached to the seat bottom, spindles for rotational connection, and a seat back assembly. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing overall complexity compared to integrated complex hardware systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the entire seat rotates 180 degrees to reverse position, then reversibility is achieved, but a substantial amount of free space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The reversal function is segmented into two independent movements: seat back pivoting (vertical rotation) and seat back translation (horizontal movement along guide bars). This separates the reversal action from the entire seat structure, allowing the seat base to remain stationary and minimizing the free space required compared to rotating the entire seat assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses vertical pivoting motion to achieve the reversal effect without requiring horizontal clearance for 180-degree rotation. By moving the seat back through the vertical dimension first, the system eliminates the need for substantial lateral free space that would be required for complete seat rotation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional reversible seat systems are used, then seating position reversal is achieved, but operational space is increased and ergonomics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic positioning capability where the seat back can be adjusted to multiple positions (fully forward, fully aft, and intermediate positions) along the guide bars. This dynamic adjustment allows passengers to optimize ergonomics for different activities such as forward seating during motion or aft seating for sunbathing and fishing.
Solution Approach 2:
The reversible seat mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides forward seating for navigation monitoring, aft seating for relaxation and fishing, and intermediate positions for varied ergonomics. The same mechanical system accommodates different passenger needs and vessel operating conditions without requiring separate seating solutions.
Data Source
AI summary
A reversible seat comprising a backrest, a seat bottom, two guide bars, and two corresponding backrest support assemblies. The guide bars are attached to and disposed on either side of said seat bottom and are disposed on the outside of a base assembly of the seat bottom. The backrest is attached to and disposed between the backrest support assemblies. The backrest support assemblies include a plurality of spindles and a spindle carrier. The spindles of each assembly are in rotational communication with their respective guide bar, providing a sliding engagement. The backrest is pivotably engaged with the backrest assemblies so that it can be adjusted depending on the seating position. The backrest assemblies translate longitudinally across guide bars to provide a plurality of seating positions. The backrest assemblies may also include locking members that engage the base assembly of the seat bottom for securing the backrest in place during use.