Scissors Seat Suspension With Stabilized Isolator to Prevent Canting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle seat isolators suffer from canting and increased friction due to dimensional and tolerance issues, leading to reduced lifespan and a loose seat ride, especially on uneven terrain, and are often separate components increasing cost and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat suspension system with a stabilized isolator system integrated into a scissors suspension assembly, featuring a scissors linkage assembly with guide rollers and an elongated guide member to minimize side loads and prevent canting, and a compact design with a lockout device for isolator deactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional isolators use side tracks with rollers for reciprocating motion, then isolator function is provided, but dimensional and tolerance constraints cause canting and increased friction between tracks and rollers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces guide rollers as intermediary elements between the isolator plate and side tracks. These guide rollers act as mediators that convert lateral forces into vertical forces, preventing direct contact and friction between the isolator plate sides and track walls, thereby reducing wear and interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the stabilizing function from the side tracks and implements it through a separate guide member with guide rollers. This separation allows the side tracks to focus on providing reciprocating motion while the guide member handles lateral stabilization, reducing the harmful interactions
2Strength
If isolator tracks bear against the sides of rollers on uneven terrain, then isolator provides support, but interference and friction increase reducing suspension life
Solution Approach 1:
Guide rollers serve as intermediaries that prevent direct bearing between track sides and isolator rollers. By introducing this intermediary element, the system maintains support capability while eliminating the harmful side-bearing contact that reduces suspension life
3Reliability
If prior art isolators are provided as separate components, then isolator function is achieved, but cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the isolator plate with the scissors linkage assembly by integrating the guide member directly onto the isolator plate. This combination eliminates the need for separate stabilizing components while maintaining the isolator function, thereby reducing device complexity and space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The isolator plate is given multiple functions: it serves as both the isolating component and the mounting structure for the guide member. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the system
4Reliability
If conventional isolators are used, then isolator function is provided, but perceived looseness in seat ride occurs which is undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rollers act as intermediaries that provide positive guidance and prevent lateral play or looseness in the isolator system. By mediating the lateral motion through controlled rolling contact, the system eliminates perceived looseness while maintaining isolator function
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
The solution provides enhanced isolator performance with reduced wear and friction, a more compact design, and cost-effectiveness by integrating the isolator function within the scissors suspension assembly, addressing the issues of canting and loose ride while maintaining reliability.
Implementation Method 1
two guide engaging rollers, each guide engaging roller having a generally vertical axis and being mounted to one of the scissors linkage assembly cross members. The guide engaging rollers cooperating with the guide member at spaced locations to stabilize the upper housing in a direction generally perpendicular to the fore and aft travel path
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of rollers each disposed along a horizontal axis, the rollers being mounted to or supported by the scissors linkage assembly and received within the side tracks of the upper housing
Implementation Method 3
a scissors linkage assembly connecting the lower and upper housings and permitting vertical movement of the upper housing relative to the lower housing
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat suspension comprises a scissors assembly connecting lower and upper housings and permitting vertical movement of the upper housing; reciprocating means; an elongated guide member; and guide engaging rollers. Laterally extending front and rear cross members engage upper ends of the scissor links. The reciprocating means allows the upper housing to move fore and aft, and includes horizontally disposed rollers supported by the scissors assembly and received within side tracks forming part of the upper housing. The guide member is mounted to the upper housing and oriented parallel to the fore and aft travel path. Two vertically disposed guide engaging rollers are mounted to the scissors assembly cross members. The guide engaging rollers cooperate with the guide member at spaced locations to stabilize the upper housing in a direction generally perpendicular to its fore and aft travel path.