Vehicle Seat Linkage Coupling for Smooth Bed Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seats with adjustable positions often require complex mechanisms that increase material and production costs, while providing limited user-friendliness and comfort during transitions between sitting and bed positions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat with a sloping mechanism that includes two prong mechanisms, which remain decoupled in the upright seating position and couple when the inclination mechanism is activated, allowing for a smooth transition to a horizontal bed position with reduced complexity and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple drive units are used to adjust the seat support structure, then the seat can achieve various positions, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adjustment of the seat pan and backrest into a single coupled movement mechanism. When the tilt mechanism is activated, both the seat pan and backrest move simultaneously in a coordinated manner, eliminating the need for separate drive units for each component. This merging of adjustment functions reduces device complexity while maintaining full positional adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilt mechanism serves multiple functions: it adjusts the backrest angle, moves the seat pan, and transitions the seat between upright and horizontal bed positions. This single mechanism performs what would traditionally require multiple independent adjustment systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity while preserving versatility.
2Ease of operation
If multiple drive units are used to operate the linkage mechanisms, then complete seat adjustment is achieved, but the weight and material expenditure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single drive unit to operate both the first and second linkage mechanisms through a coupled movement system. The seat pan and backrest are adjusted simultaneously by one driving force, eliminating redundant drive units and reducing overall seat weight while maintaining complete adjustment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary drive units from the seat mechanism. By identifying that a single drive unit can accomplish the work of multiple units through proper linkage design, the redundant components are removed, directly reducing weight and material usage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the linkage mechanisms are always coupled, then the seat provides continuous adjustment, but the mechanism complexity and material expenditure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic coupling system where the linkage mechanisms can transition between coupled and decoupled states. The coupling element allows the first and second linkage mechanisms to connect when adjustment is needed and separate when not needed, providing continuous adaptability while reducing mechanical complexity and material requirements compared to a permanently coupled system.
4Reliability
If a robust tilt mechanism is designed to handle full range movement, then reliability is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tilt mechanism into segmented linkage mechanisms (first and second linkage mechanisms) that can operate independently or in coupling. This segmentation allows each mechanism to be optimized for specific movement ranges while the coupled system provides full-range reliability, reducing overall complexity compared to a single robust mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a seat (100, 1000), in particular a vehicle seat, comprising at least the following: - a seat support structure (130) comprising at least one fixed base element (140), a seat shell (102) and a backrest (104) adjustable relative to the base element (140), and - a tilting mechanism (200) configured to move the seat support structure (130) between an upright sitting position (150) and at least one horizontal bed position (152), characterized in that - the tilting mechanism (200) comprises a first linkage mechanism (210) with which the seat shell (102) is coupled to the base element (140), and a second linkage mechanism (220) with which the backrest (104) is coupled to the base element (140), - wherein both linkage mechanisms (210,220) in the upright sitting position (150) are or are held in a decoupled state (202) relative to each other and assume a coupled state (204) when the tilting mechanism (200) is activated in order to transfer the seat support structure (130) into the horizontal bed position (152).