Vehicle Seat Extension Structure With Single-Handle Size Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle seats lack the ability to easily adjust length to accommodate varying occupant sizes, such as children and adults, which can lead to improper fitting of the seatbelt and discomfort, as well as inadequate support for the thighs.
Innovation Solution
A seat assembly with a dual-function operating arrangement that allows both height and length adjustments using a single handle, featuring a linkage structure for height adjustment and an extension structure with a locking mechanism for length adjustment, enabling the seat to be adapted to different occupant sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the seat length is fixed, then the manufacturing and design are simpler, but the seat cannot accommodate varying occupant sizes (children and adults) properly
Solution Approach 1:
The seat assembly is divided into two main segments: a fixed base seat and an extendable seat portion. The extendable seat portion can be separated from and attached to the base seat, allowing the seat length to be adjusted for different occupant sizes while keeping the base structure simple and easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat assembly transitions from a static fixed-length design to a dynamic adjustable-length design. The extendable seat portion can be moved between retracted and extended positions using a linkage structure operated by a handle, enabling the seat to adapt to different occupant lengths while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If the seat portion is made adjustable in both height and length, then the fitting and comfort are improved, but the operating mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The height adjustment linkage structure and the length extension structure are merged into a single integrated operating mechanism. A single handle controls both the height adjustment of the seat portion and the extension/retraction of the seat length, reducing the number of separate controls and simplifying the user interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle-operated linkage structure serves multiple functions: it adjusts the height of the seat portion relative to the base seat and simultaneously controls the extension and retraction of the seat length. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate operating mechanisms needed.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A seat assembly (1) configured to be integrated into a vehicle seat (2) is provided. The seat assembly (1) comprises a seat portion (8); a linkage structure (10) and a seat extension structure (20). The linkage structure (10) is configured to allow the seat portion (8) to be movable between a first elevation in which the seat portion (8) is adapted for an adult, and a second elevation in which the seat portion (8) is adapted for a child. The seat extension structure (20) is configured to allow the seat portion (8) to be linearly movable between a retracted position in which the seat portion (8) is adapted for an occupant of a first size, and an extended position, in which the seat portion (8) is adapted for an occupant of a second size, said first size being smaller than the second size.