Vehicle Seat Frame Width Extension Using Angled Metal Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle seats in mobile homes often face constraints in width due to restricted wheel housings and other vehicle installations, limiting comfort and usability, while existing designs require significant manufacturing effort and stability support.
Innovation Solution
A seat frame design using thin metal plates attached to crossbars, which can be angled to protrude beyond wheel housings, increasing seat width and stability without additional brackets, and allowing for adjustable backrests and detachable components for flexible installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a conventional rectangular metal frame is used for the seat, then structural stability is ensured, but the seat width is limited by wheel housings and vehicle installations
Solution Approach 1:
The seat frame is divided into two main components: a conventional rectangular metal frame for stability and additional metal plates attached to the crossbars for width extension. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function - the frame provides structural support while the plates increase seating width without interfering with wheel housings
Solution Approach 2:
Metal plates are attached to the top surface of the crossbars, extending the seat width in the horizontal dimension without altering the vertical or depth dimensions of the original frame. This dimensional addition allows the seat to accommodate more passengers while maintaining the original frame's stability characteristics
2Area of stationary object
If the seat width is increased to accommodate more passengers, then comfort is improved, but the distance between wheel housings is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The width extension is achieved by adding separate metal plates to the crossbars rather than enlarging the entire frame. This allows the usable seat surface to be increased while the distance between wheel housings remains unchanged, as the plates are attached to the existing frame structure
Solution Approach 2:
Metal plates serve as intermediary elements between the original frame and the upholstery. These plates provide an extended surface for attaching the seat padding, effectively increasing the usable seat surface without requiring the frame itself to span the full distance between wheel housings
3Stability of the object's composition
If a backrest support frame is welded to the longitudinal sides of the seat frame, then backrest stability is ensured, but manufacturing effort and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest support function is merged with the existing crossbars and metal plates. The backrest is fastened directly to the metal plates that extend from the crossbars, combining the support function with the width-extension structure and eliminating the need for separate side-mounted support frames
Solution Approach 2:
The metal plates serve multiple functions: they extend the seat width for additional seating space and simultaneously provide attachment surfaces for the backrest. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall manufacturing process
4Area of stationary object
If the metal plate is attached horizontally to the crossbars, then seat width is maximized, but the distance to vehicle floor is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The metal plates are designed with adjustable positioning capabilities, allowing them to be attached at different positions and orientations on the crossbars. This enables optimization of both seat width and distance to vehicle floor based on specific vehicle configurations and installation requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment position and orientation of the metal plates can be locally adjusted depending on the specific requirements of different vehicle models. This allows the same basic design to be adapted to maximize either width or height clearance as needed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The seat bench (2) has a seat surface, a backrest and a seat bench frame at which the backrest is fastened. The seat bench frame has two parallely arranged transverse arbors (5). The transverse beams are connected with each other on a seat bench side in a transverse arbor end area (7) by a metal plate (6).