Vehicle Seat Cushion Mat Assembly with Adjustable Depth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seat cushion assemblies experience a modification in cushion properties when the seat depth is adjusted due to the engagement of the spring structure with seat parts, leading to inconsistent user comfort.

Innovation Solution

A cushion mat assembly featuring a spring structure made of snake wires and plastic links, integrated with a substantially rigid frame that allows for adjustable seat depth without altering the cushion properties, using attaching and coupling means such as T-shaped extensions and hooks to maintain the spring structure's position relative to the seat parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the spring structure is engaged to parts of the seat such that an alteration of the relative position of said parts of the seat occurs, then the seat depth can be adjusted, but the cushion properties are modified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseat depth adjustmentVSAvoidcushion properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the seat cushion assembly into two independent functional components: a rigid frame assembly that handles depth adjustment and a spring structure that maintains cushion properties. The rigid frame is segmented from the spring structure, allowing the frame to move relative to the seat pan while the spring structure remains stationary and maintains its cushioning characteristics. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the adjustment function from the cushioning function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid frame acts as an intermediary component between the seat pan and the spring structure. It couples to both the seat pan and the spring structure, allowing relative movement between the seat pan and the spring structure while maintaining the cushion properties. The rigid frame mediates the adjustment motion without transmitting it to the spring structure, thus preserving cushion characteristics during depth adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the spring structure position varies relative to the slidable parts of the seat during adjusting operations, then seat depth adjustment is enabled, but the resilient features of the cushion mat assembly are altered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseat depth adjustmentVSAvoidresilient features

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the spring structure from the moving components of the seat adjustment mechanism. The spring structure is taken out from the engagement with the slidable parts, allowing the rigid frame to move independently relative to the seat pan. This extraction ensures that the spring structure remains stationary and maintains its resilient features while the seat depth is adjusted through movement of the rigid frame only.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a rigid frame is used to carry the spring structure with attaching means to slidable parts, then seat depth adjustment is achieved, but the complexity of the assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseat depth adjustmentVSAvoidassembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the rigid frame with the attaching means into a single integrated component. The rigid frame incorporates attaching means such as T-shaped extensions and hooks that directly engage with the seat pan and slidable parts. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the assembly process while maintaining the ability to adjust seat depth without affecting cushion properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables comfortable and consistent seat depth adjustment while maintaining the resilient features of the cushion mat assembly, ensuring user comfort throughout the adjustment process without compromising the mechanical properties.

Implementation Method 1

a spring structure made of snake wires and plastic links suitable for user's comfort

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The cushion mat assembly further includes a substantially rigid frame for carrying said spring structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

using attaching and coupling means such as T-shaped extensions and hooks to maintain the spring structure's position relative to the seat parts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Fastener: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP2261075B1Cushion mat assembly for use in a vehicle seat

Publication Date: 2015.09.02 FICO CABLES LDA (PT)

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AI summary

It comprises a spring structure (110) and a substantially rigid frame (120) for carrying the spring structure (110) provided with attaching means (170, 180) to respective two different, mutually slidable parts (210, 220) of the vehicle seat (200) such that the position of the spring structure (110) can be varied relative to one of said slidable parts (210, 220) of the vehicle seat (200). A vehicle seat (200) comprising such a cushion mat assembly (100) is also provided further including fixing means (260) for fixing the relative position of said mutually slidable parts (210, 220).