Adjustable Seat Bottom Linkage for Custom Thigh Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicle seat assemblies lack adjustable mechanisms that can effectively accommodate varying occupant sizes and activities, leading to suboptimal comfort and posture support.
Innovation Solution
The seat assembly features a seat bottom adjustment mechanism with pivotably connected cushion pans and a linkage system that allows the seat bottom to adjust its position and profile shape, enabling users to customize thigh support based on their height and leg length, with positions that can be altered manually or via motor-driven actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed seat bottom structure is used, then the manufacturing complexity is low, but the adaptability to different occupant sizes and activities is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The seat bottom is divided into multiple cushion pans (front cushion pan, rear cushion pan, side cushion pans) that can move independently relative to each other and the frame. This segmentation allows each cushion pan to be adjusted separately to accommodate different occupant sizes and preferences, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adjustable mechanisms are added to accommodate varying occupant sizes, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it adjusts the position of cushion pans, changes their profile shapes, and coordinates their movements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each adjustment type, improving adaptability while controlling overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat bottom structure transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic one where cushion pans can move between multiple positions and configurations. The linkage system enables continuous adjustment between nominal, lowered, and raised positions, providing adaptability for different activities without requiring completely separate mechanisms for each state.
3Ease of operation
If the seat bottom is made adjustable with multiple positions, then the user comfort improves, but the ease of operation may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanisms for multiple cushion pans are merged into a single coordinated linkage system. When the linkage is actuated, it simultaneously adjusts the position and configuration of the front cushion pan, rear cushion pan, and side cushion pans, reducing the number of separate operations needed and improving ease of use while maintaining high user comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat assembly is provided that may include a seatback and a seat bottom. The seatback may extend generally upright. The seat bottom may be connected to the seatback and may include a frame and a seat bottom adjustment mechanism. The seat bottom adjustment mechanism may include first and second cushion pans that are movable relative to the frame and movable relative to each other between first and second configurations. The first and second cushion pans may support one or more seat cushions.