Rotating Vehicle Seat Support Structure Without Frame Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor-vehicle seats that rotate around a vertical axis require modifications to the seat frame for interface with the vehicle's frame, leading to diversified production and increased costs, while maintaining safety and simplicity in manufacturing remain a challenge.
Innovation Solution
A motor-vehicle seat design that maintains an unchanged seat structure, utilizing a support structure with a rotating platform and locking mechanism to allow rotation around a vertical axis, facilitated by a simple and economical mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the seat is designed to rotate around a vertical axis, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A rotation indicator is introduced as an intermediary element that visually communicates the rotational position and direction of the seat to the user. This mediator simplifies the user's understanding of the complex rotational mechanism, making the operation easier while the mechanical complexity remains managed through the indicator system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical feedback systems with a visual indication system. Instead of using complex mechanical linkages to communicate seat position, a rotation indicator provides visual feedback, substituting mechanical complexity with a simpler visual communication mechanism that improves ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seat structure is made more complex to enable rotation, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seat is divided into separable components: a seat base and a seat module that can be detached and reattached. This segmentation allows the rotational mechanism to be manufactured and tested independently, then integrated into the final product, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining the adaptability of the rotating seat design.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat design incorporates dynamic elements including rotational movement around a vertical axis and height adjustment capabilities. These dynamic features are achieved through modular components that can rotate and adjust independently, providing versatility while allowing each component to be manufactured separately using standard manufacturing processes.
3Ease of repair
If the seat module is separated from the seat base, then the ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seat is segmented into a seat base and a separate seat module that can be easily detached and reattached. This segmentation enables independent repair of the seat module without affecting the seat base, improving ease of repair while the segmentation itself is designed to be simple and straightforward.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows the seat module to be easily removed and replaced if damaged or worn. Instead of repairing complex integrated mechanisms, the entire seat module can be detached and replaced as a unit, simplifying the repair process while the attachment mechanism remains relatively simple.
Data Source
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AI summary
A motor-vehicle seat (1) comprises a seat frame (2) rotatably mounted about a vertical axis (Z) on a motor-vehicle floor (F). The frame (2) is connected to a support structure (5) comprising a base portion (6) which can be fixed to the floor (F), and a rotating platform (7) carrying the seat frame (2) and rotatably mounted on the base portion. The support structure (5) comprises mutually engaging locking means (8) configured for locking the rotating platform (7) in a rotated position with respect to a normal use position of the seat (1). The support structure (5) is configured to enable a vertical translation of the rotating platform (7) with respect to the base portion (6), to be carried out preliminarily and subsequently to the rotation of the seat (1), respectively moving away and approaching the floor (F). The seat frame (2) is connected at its lower part to the rotating platform (7) at guide means (10) for adjusting the position of the seat (1) with respect to the floor (F) in the longitudinal direction of the motor-vehicle (V).