Integrated Seat Cushion Operating Element for Compact Rail Vehicle Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passenger seat designs for vehicles, particularly rail vehicles, face challenges in being compact, comfortable, and easily adjustable without occupying excessive space, with existing mechanisms being complex, expensive, and difficult to access.
Innovation Solution
A seat design with an operating element integrated into the seat cushion or back cushion portion, mechanically connected to a locking mechanism, allowing for easy access and operation, utilizing a latching device with a leaf spring element for displacement and locking, minimizing space usage and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If operating elements are arranged laterally next to or under the seat part, then the seat structure is simple, but additional installation space is required and the operating elements are difficult to access
Solution Approach 1:
The operating element is integrated into the seat cushion portion, merging the control function with the seating structure. This eliminates the need for separate lateral mounting space while maintaining full accessibility for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of arranging the operating element laterally in the seat width direction, it is positioned within the seat cushion portion, utilizing the vertical and depth dimensions of the seat structure to achieve space efficiency.
2Reliability
If a complex displacement mechanism with actuators is used, then the seat adjustment is precise and reliable, but the mechanism becomes very expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The complex actuator mechanisms are completely removed from the design. Only essential mechanical components (locking mechanism, latching device, spring element) are retained, dramatically reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining functional reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element automatically provides the force needed for seat adjustment and locking engagement without requiring powered actuators. The system uses the user's manual input and elastic energy storage to achieve reliable positioning.
3Reliability
If the seat part is made robust with comprehensive locking mechanisms, then the seat is stable and secure, but the installation space occupied by the seat increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism components are nested within the existing seat structure. The latching device is integrated into the holding device, and the spring element is positioned within the seat assembly, minimizing additional space requirements while ensuring robust locking.
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 a compact, cost-effective, and user-friendly mechanism for adjusting the seat position, ensuring comfort and optimal space utilization while maintaining robustness and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
The latching projection is arranged on a first section of a leaf spring element. Furthermore, the leaf spring element preferably has a further section which is arranged on the seat part. The spring force of the leaf spring element preferably presses the latching projection into a latching recess of the latching contour.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~4a
AI summary
A seat for a vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, comprising a holding device with at least one retaining profile, on which a backrest with a back cushion component and a seat component with a seat cushion component are arranged. The seat cushion component is arranged to be displaceable relative to the holding device in a longitudinal direction and can be locked to the holding device by means of a locking mechanism. The seat is further characterized by the fact that an operating element is integrated into the seat cushion component or the back cushion component, which is mechanically connected to the locking mechanism and by means of which the locking mechanism can be released.