Vehicle Seat Armrest Support for Rearward Driver Postures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle seats for agricultural utility vehicles lack adequate support during lateral or rearward orientations, leading to discomfort, pressure points, and increased risk of body strain due to limited pivoting range and insufficient backrest support, which can result in premature fatigue and reduced work efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An additional vehicle driver support device is integrated into the side part or armrest, providing an extra support surface that can be temporarily deployed in the vehicle seat-free area, specifically designed to offer relief in the shoulder and chest area, and can be easily activated or retracted using a displacement device, allowing for better support during constrained postures without interfering with normal driving positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the entire vehicle seat is swiveled using a rotary adapter to reach rear space or observe outside, then the driver can better access rear areas, but the driver loses comfortable seat cushion support and experiences pressure points in buttocks and thighs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to reach rear space and observe outsideVSAvoidseating comfort and reliability of pedal operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the seat system into two independent parts: the seat cushion assembly (seat part and backrest part) that remains fixed for comfort, and the additional support device that can be moved independently to provide support in different positions. This segmentation allows the driver to maintain comfortable seating while accessing rear areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The additional support device acts as an intermediary element between the driver and the rear areas. Instead of moving the entire seat, this intermediate support structure provides the necessary support function while the driver maintains their comfortable position on the fixed seat cushion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the backrest contour is highly contoured to support the driver in forward-facing position, then support is improved, but freedom of movement in shoulder and arm area is impeded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport and relief for the driverVSAvoidfreedom of movement in shoulder and arm area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The additional support device provides localized support specifically in the upper body and arm region, while the main backrest maintains its contoured shape for lower body support. This local addition of support functionality allows both forward-facing comfort and arm movement freedom to coexist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The additional support device is designed to be movable and adjustable, allowing it to adapt to different driving positions and arm movement requirements. This dynamic characteristic enables the support structure to accommodate both fixed support needs and movement requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the pivoting range of the rotary adapter is limited to maintain safe steering control, then roadworthiness is maintained, but the driver is forced to assume a forced posture leading to body strain and spine stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafe steering controlVSAvoidbody strain and spine stress

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the support function from the main seat structure and implements it through a separate additional support device. This extracted support function can operate independently without being constrained by the limited pivoting range of the rotary adapter, thereby eliminating body strain while maintaining steering control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of relying on horizontal pivoting motion in the plane of the seat, the additional support device provides support in a vertical dimension and through lateral extension, offering alternative geometric solutions that do not conflict with the limited rotational range required for safe steering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2599661B1Vehicle seat and commercial vehicle

Publication Date: 2016.10.05 GRAMMER AG

Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3A~3D

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle seat (101; 201; 301; 401; 501) comprising a seat part (102; 202; 302; 402; 502), a backrest part (103; 203; 303; 403; 503) and a side part (104; 204; 304; 404; 504), in particular an armrest part (105; 205; 305; 405; 505), for jointly supporting a driver in his seated position on the vehicle seat (101; 201; 301; 401; 501), wherein the vehicle seat (101; 201; 301; 401; 501) is characterized by the fact that a [missing element] is attached to the side part (104; 204; 304; 404; 504) of the vehicle seat (101; 201; 302; 401; 501) arranged in an otherwise vehicle seat-free support area (110; 210; 310; 410; 510) an additional driver support device (111; 211; 311; 411; 511) which can be temporarily arranged, by means of which a driver sitting on the vehicle seat (101; 201; 301; 401; 501) can be additionally supported during a laterally or rearwardly oriented sitting working posture.