Seat cushion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seat cushions with adjustable cushion lengths can allow foreign objects to get trapped between the front and rear portions when the cushion length is extended, which is undesirable.

Innovation Solution

A seat cushion design with a cushion length variable mechanism that includes protruding portions from the frame front and rear portions to cover the gap formed during extension, preventing foreign objects from entering by planar coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the cushion length of the top plate main portion is extended by moving the frame front portion toward the seat front side with respect to the frame rear portion, then the cushion length is adjusted, but foreign objects may be trapped between the main front portion and main rear portion from the side

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecushion length adjustmentVSAvoidforeign object trapping

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protruding portion extends in the width direction (lateral dimension) to cover the gap between the main front portion and main rear portion, preventing foreign objects from entering the gap from the side. This adds a dimensional barrier perpendicular to the primary cushion length adjustment direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The protruding portion acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the main front portion and main rear portion. It physically blocks the gap without interfering with the cushion length adjustment mechanism, serving as a mediator that prevents foreign object intrusion while allowing the primary function to operate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the top plate main portion is separated from the top plate side portions to allow independent cushion length adjustment, then the cushion length can be varied, but gaps may form between the main front portion and main rear portion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent cushion length adjustmentVSAvoidgap formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The seat cushion is divided into separate components: the top plate main portion that can be independently adjusted in length, and the top plate side portions that remain fixed. This segmentation allows the main portion to be extended or retracted without affecting the side portions, enabling independent cushion length adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protruding portion extends in the width direction to cover the gap formed by the segmented structure during length adjustment. By addressing the gap problem in a different dimension (width direction rather than length direction), the design maintains both segmentation benefits and gap prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20250353416A1Seat cushion

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 TOYOTA BOSHOKU KK

AI summary

There is provided a seat cushion including: a seat frame; and a cushion body divided into three elements that are a top plate main portion forming a central portion in a seat width direction, and top plate side portions each forming a side portion in the seat width direction. The seat frame includes a frame front portion supporting a main front portion from the seat back surface side, and a frame rear portion supporting a main rear portion and each of the top plate side portions from the seat back surface side. The seat cushion further includes: a cushion length variable mechanism configured to extend a cushion length of the top plate main portion; and a first protruding portion protruding from one of the frame front portion and the frame rear portion to the other to planarly cover a gap formed between the one and the other.