Saddle Seat Height Link Cover for Dust-Resistant Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyance seat devices with saddle-type seats, such as those for motorcycles, face challenges in protecting the seat height adjustment unit components from external foreign matter like dust and dirt, especially when exposed to wind and rain.
Innovation Solution
A conveyance seat device with a flexible cover member that encases the rotation link and support members, allowing for protection from all directions and easy operation, including a polyhedron-shaped cover member that changes shape with seat movement and includes overhanging portions to prevent interference during vertical movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the seat height adjustment unit components are exposed for easy access and operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the components become vulnerable to foreign matter such as dust and dirt
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible cover member made of elastic material is used to cover the rotation link and support members. The cover can elastically deform to accommodate the movement of these components while maintaining continuous coverage, thus protecting them from foreign matter while allowing full operational range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover member is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to expand and contract, and change shape in response to the movement of the rotation link and support members. This dynamic flexibility ensures the cover remains effective throughout the entire range of motion without restricting operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a rigid cover is used to protect the rotation link, then the protection from foreign matter is improved, but the ease of manufacture and assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cover member can be easily molded into complex shapes using standard rubber or plastic molding processes, avoiding the need for complex metal fabrication, welding, or assembly required for rigid covers. This significantly simplifies manufacturing and assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic, flexible nature of the cover allows it to be designed as a single-piece elastomeric component that can stretch and deform during assembly and operation, eliminating the need for multiple rigid parts, joints, and fasteners that would complicate manufacturing.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cover member is made rigid to maintain shape, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the ability to accommodate seat movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic flexible cover member can deform and reshape itself to accommodate the changing geometry of the rotation link and support members during their range of motion, while continuously maintaining coverage and protection effectiveness throughout the movement cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover member's dynamic elasticity allows it to adapt its shape in real-time to the moving components, providing consistent protection without restricting the adaptability and full range of motion of the seat height adjustment mechanism.
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
Effectively protects the seat height adjustment unit components from dust, dirt, and water, ensuring smooth operation and easy maintenance while preventing vibration transmission from the conveyance body.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible cover member that covers the rotation link from the outside in a front to back direction of the seat and a width direction of the seat... it is possible to change the shape of the cover member in accordance with the vertical movement of the seat
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyance seat includes a saddle-type seat on which an occupant sits to straddle and a seat height adjustment unit which is attached below the seat and is able to adjust a height position of the seat. The seat height adjustment unit includes a rotation link which rotates together with the seat with respect to a chassis to adjust a height position of the seat, an upper link support member that is provided between the seat and the rotation link and is used so that an upper end portion of the rotation link is attached thereto, a lower link support member that is provided between the rotation link and the chassis and is used so that a lower end portion of the rotation link is attached thereto, and a flexible cover member that covers the rotation link from the outside in a front to back direction of the seat and a width direction of the seat.