Adjustable Seat Cushion Insert With Auto-Locking Angle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seats lack adjustable cushion inserts, leading to discomfort for various users and complicating the installation of child seats, which require proper cushion positioning.
Innovation Solution
A seat assembly with a cushion insert frame rotatably coupled to the seat cushion, featuring a locking device that allows for adjusting the angle of the cushion insert frame with respect to the seat cushion, utilizing a combination of springs, pins, and a motor-actuated strap to engage and disengage the locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-component seat cushion is used, then the seat structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the seat cannot be adjusted to accommodate different users or child seats
Solution Approach 1:
The seat cushion is divided into a main seat cushion and a separate cushion insert frame that can be independently adjusted. The cushion insert frame includes multiple positioning holes and can be repositioned relative to the main cushion, allowing different configurations for various users and child seat installations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a cushion insert adjustment mechanism is added, then the seat can accommodate different users and child seats, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device incorporates a spring-loaded pin mechanism that automatically engages with positioning holes when the cushion insert frame is moved to a desired position. The spring provides automatic locking without requiring manual intervention, making the adjustment process simple and intuitive while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If a locking device with spring and pin is used, then the cushion insert can be securely fixed at different positions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is extracted as a separate, simple spring-pin mechanism independent of the main cushion structure. The spring-loaded pin can engage with multiple positioning holes in the cushion insert frame, providing reliable locking at different positions without requiring a complex integrated locking system.
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 adjustable comfort for a range of users and facilitates the proper installation of child seats by allowing customizable cushion positioning, enhancing both user comfort and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a spring that applies a biasing force against the barrel to engage the pin in the hole
Implementation Method 2
a strap for applying a countering force on the barrel against the biasing force to disengage the pin from the hole. The seat assembly further includes a motor for applying the countering force at the strap.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a seat assembly. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion, a cushion insert frame rotatably coupled to the seat cushion, and a locking device for engaging the cushion insert frame to the seat cushion and for disengaging the cushion insert frame from the seat cushion to allow for adjusting an angle of the cushion insert frame with respect to the seat cushion.