Vehicle Seat Depth Adjustment Using Pivoting Leaf Spring Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seat depth adjustment mechanisms often result in undesirable changes in body position due to forward movement of the seat, leading to uncomfortable and ergonomically unfavorable sitting, and are prone to upholstery wrinkling and high costs.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle seat with a pivoting device mounted on two spaced pivot axes, allowing the seat part to be extended or shortened without forward movement of the backrest, using a support device and stiffening elements to prevent bending and ensure comfortable seating, and an adjusting device to lengthen or shorten the seat depth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the seat part is moved forward to extend seat depth, then the seat depth is increased, but the backrest position remains unchanged causing undesirable body position changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat depthVSAvoidergonomic comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The seat part is divided into two separable sections: the seat cushion portion and the backrest. By moving only the seat cushion forward while keeping the backrest stationary, the invention allows independent adjustment of seat depth without compromising backrest positioning, thus maintaining ergonomic comfort while extending seat depth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the seat cushion to be moved forward or backward relative to the backrest. This dynamic capability enables the seat depth to be adjusted according to user needs while maintaining proper backrest alignment, resolving the contradiction between extended seat depth and ergonomic comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Length of moving object

If traditional seat depth adjustment mechanisms are used, then seat depth can be adjusted, but large formation of folds in the upholstery occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat depthVSAvoidupholstery appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the seat cushion from the backrest, the invention allows the upholstery to be adjusted in segments rather than as a whole. This segmentation enables the upholstery cover to be repositioned along with the seat cushion without creating large folds, as the separation point allows for cleaner fabric transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If complex adjustment mechanisms are used to maintain backrest position, then ergonomic comfort is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveergonomic comfortVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention achieves ergonomic comfort through simple segmentation of the seat into movable cushion and stationary backrest portions. This straightforward separation eliminates the need for complex mechanisms to maintain backrest position, as the backrest naturally remains stationary while the cushion moves, thereby reducing device complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 simple, cost-effective method to adjust seat depth without wrinkling the upholstery, maintaining ergonomic comfort and preventing undesirable body position changes, thus enhancing sitting experience.

Implementation Method 1

The pivoting device can comprise a spring biased to a maximum biasing position in which both the first and second pivot axes are parallel to the line of V of the V-shaped notch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2301794B1Vehicle seat with ability to adjust seat depth and method for adjusting the seat depth of a seat section of a vehicle seat
Publication Date: 2012.05.09 GRAMMER AG
  • EP2301794B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2301794B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The seat (100) has a seat part (120) including a V-shaped recess (123) at a bottom part. A pivoting arrangement part (140) is arranged at the recess. A seat part section (121) is arranged at two arms (123a, 123b) of the recess. One of the arms of the recess is located near a front edge of the seat part than the other arm of the recess. The pivoting arrangement part includes a leaf spring (141) that is pivotally mounted at two separately spaced rotation axes (142, 143). One of the rotation axes is oppositely arranged on a line (123c) of the recess. The leaf spring is made of rigid band steel. An independent claim is also included for a method for adjusting depth of a seat part of a vehicle seat.