Adjustable Vehicle Seat Cushion Spring Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat designs lack the ability to effectively change the movement properties of seat cushions, such as movable range and restoration force, to accommodate varying user preferences.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat design featuring a main frame, a swingable seat cushion supported by a flat spring with an adjustable clamp mechanism that changes the spring constant and movable range by altering the clamping position along the spring's longitudinal axis, allowing for adjustable swingable range and spring constant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the seat cushion is designed with a fixed spring constant, then the structure is simple, but the movement properties cannot be adjusted to accommodate varying user preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the effective length of the flat spring to be variable through the clamp mechanism. By changing the clamping position along the longitudinal axis of the flat spring, the spring constant can be adjusted without changing the physical spring itself. This enables adjustment of movement properties (spring constant and movable range) while keeping the spring mechanism structure relatively simple.
2Force
If the spring constant is increased to provide stronger restoration force, then the restoration force is improved, but the movable range of the seat cushion is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making both the spring constant and movable range adjustable through the same clamp mechanism. The user can dynamically adjust the clamping position to achieve the desired balance between restoration force and movable range. When stronger restoration force is needed, the clamp is positioned to reduce effective spring length; when larger movable range is needed, the clamp is positioned to increase effective spring length.
3Length of moving object
If the movable range of the seat cushion is increased, then the comfort is improved, but the restoration force becomes weaker
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by enabling independent adjustment of both parameters through the clamp mechanism. By changing the clamping position, the effective length of the flat spring changes, which simultaneously adjusts both the spring constant and the movable range. This allows the system to achieve either larger movable range with reduced restoration force or smaller movable range with increased restoration force, depending on user preference.
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 customizable movement properties of the seat cushion, allowing for a tailored user experience by adjusting the swingable range and spring constant based on occupant preferences, enhancing comfort and usability.
Implementation Method 1
The vehicle seat includes a flat spring with one end supported by the main frame and the other end supported by the seat cushion. The flat spring biases the seat cushion to a neutral position.
Implementation Method 2
An effective length of the flat spring is changed by changing the clamping position on the flat spring such that the spring constant of the flat spring and the movable range of the seat cushion are changed.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat cushion is swingable about an axis A with respect to a seat cushion support frame that is a part of a main frame. A cushion return spring that is a flat spring is disposed between the seat cushion and the seat cushion support frame so that an elastic force of the cushion return spring returns the seat cushion to a neutral position. A pair of clamp rollers that clamps the cushion return spring is disposed. The clamp rollers are movable along a longitudinal axis of the cushion return spring. Changing of a clamping position by moving the clamp rollers changes an effective length of the cushion return spring. In this way, a swingable range of the seat cushion and a force to return the seat cushion to the neutral position are changed.