Vehicle Seat Backrest Displacement Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Generic vehicle seats for agricultural utility vehicles often require drivers to adopt non-forward sitting positions, leading to the upper backrest part being displaced laterally or rearwardly, but existing solutions leave remnants of the backrest in the driver's field of vision, which is perceived as annoying.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle seat design featuring a displacement device with a first section fixed to the lower backrest and a second section connected to the upper backrest, allowing complete displacement of the upper backrest out of the driver's field of vision through a frictional engagement mechanism, with optional actuation by pressure sensors and actuators, and a guide track for controlled movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the upper backrest part is displaced laterally to improve driver visibility when working in sideways or rearward-facing positions, then the driver's field of vision is improved, but remnants of the backrest remain in the driver's field of vision which is perceived as disruptive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver's field of visionVSAvoiddriver comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The backrest is divided into two independent sections: a lower backrest part that remains stationary and an upper backrest part that can be displaced laterally. This segmentation allows the upper section to be moved completely out of the driver's field of vision while the lower section maintains proper positioning and support, eliminating the disruptive visual remnants caused by partial displacement in conventional single-section backrests.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Illumination intensity

If the upper backrest part is completely displaced out of the driver's field of vision, then driver visibility and comfort are improved, but the complexity of the displacement device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver's field of visionVSAvoiddisplacement device
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The displacement capability is extracted as a separate, dedicated function implemented through a specialized displacement device with guide tracks and frictional engagement mechanisms. This allows the upper backrest part to be completely removed from the driver's visual field while the displacement mechanism itself remains relatively simple and manageable, avoiding excessive complexity by focusing the displacement function in a dedicated subsystem rather than integrating it throughout the entire backrest structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If frictional engagement is used to secure the upper backrest part in displaced positions, then the displacement device remains mechanically simple, but the upper backrest part may not remain stable during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplacement deviceVSAvoidbackrest stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The displacement device employs frictional engagement that allows the upper backrest part to be easily moved when force is applied (during adjustment) while maintaining stable positioning when at rest. The friction mechanism provides dynamic behavior: it offers low resistance during intentional displacement operations but sufficient holding force to maintain the displaced position stably during normal use, thus achieving both simplicity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Ensures that no elements of the vehicle seat remain in the driver's field of vision after displacement, providing improved visibility and comfort by allowing the upper backrest to be fully relocated, maintaining stability and comfort of the lower backrest without unnecessary movement.

Implementation Method 1

the displacement movement can be initiated by overcoming the frictional connection between the first and second sections, which mechanically secure the respective position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3738825B1Vehicle seat with displaceable backrest top part
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 GRAMMER AG
  • EP3738825B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3738825B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3738825B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle seat with a seat part and a backrest part, which comprises a backrest lower part and a backrest upper part arranged adjacent to it in the vertical direction of the vehicle seat, wherein a displacement device is arranged with a first section which is fixedly connected to the backrest lower part and with a second section which is fixedly connected to the backrest upper part, wherein the second section can be completely displaced relative to the backrest lower part together with the backrest upper part by means of a displacement movement directed at least partially in the lateral direction of the vehicle seat, wherein the first section is arranged completely below the backrest upper part in the vertical direction and forms a guide track for the displacement movement of the second section.