Motorcycle Seat Height Link Cover for Dust and Water Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyance seat devices with saddle-type seats, particularly for motorcycles, face challenges in protecting the seat height adjustment unit components from external foreign matter such as dust and dirt, especially when exposed to wind and rain.

Innovation Solution

A conveyance seat device with a flexible cover member that encases the rotation link and support members, allowing for protection from all directions and easy operation, including a polyhedron-shaped cover member that changes shape with seat movement and includes overhanging portions to prevent interference during vertical movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the seat height adjustment unit components are exposed to enable operation, then ease of operation is improved, but protection from foreign matter deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidprotection from foreign matter
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible cover member made of elastic material is used to cover the rotation link and other components of the seat height adjustment unit. The cover can elastically deform to accommodate the rotational movement of the rotation link while maintaining continuous coverage, thus protecting components from foreign matter while allowing operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The cover member is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to elastically expand and contract as the rotation link moves. This dynamic flexibility ensures the cover remains intact during operation without requiring rigid structures that would impede movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a rigid cover is used to protect components, then protection from foreign matter is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from foreign matterVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifically uses a flexible elastic cover instead of a rigid structure. This flexible material allows the cover to deform elastically during the rotational operation of the rotation link, maintaining both protection and operational ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the cover member is tightly fitted to protect components, then protection from foreign matter is improved, but adaptability to seat movement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from foreign matterVSAvoidadaptability to seat movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic material of the cover member allows it to stretch and deform as the seat moves vertically and the rotation link rotates. This flexibility maintains tight coverage for protection while adapting to various positions and movements of the adjustment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The cover member's dynamic elastic properties enable it to adapt continuously to the changing geometry of the adjustment unit during operation, maintaining both protective coverage and movement adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Effectively protects the seat height adjustment unit components from dust, dirt, and water while ensuring smooth operation and easy maintenance, enhancing the durability and functionality of the seat adjustment mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible cover member that covers the rotation link from the outside in a front to back direction of the seat and a width direction of the seat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3960598B1Vehicular seat device
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 TS TECH CO LTD
  • EP3960598B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3960598B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3960598B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide a conveyance seat device capable of appropriately protecting components of a seat height adjustment unit from the outside. A conveyance seat S includes a saddle-type seat on which an occupant sits to straddle and a seat height adjustment unit which is attached below the seat and is able to adjust a height position of the seat. The seat height adjustment unit includes a rotation link 60 which rotates together with the seat with respect to a chassis to adjust a height position of the seat, an upper link support member 40 that is provided between the seat and the rotation link 60 and is used so that an upper end portion of the rotation link 60 is attached thereto, a lower link support member 50 that is provided between the rotation link 60 and the chassis and is used so that a lower end portion of the rotation link 60 is attached thereto, and a flexible cover member 90 that covers the rotation link 60 from the outside in a front to back direction of the seat and a width direction of the seat.