Vehicle Seat Height Adjustment via Piston Rod Hinges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat adjustment systems fail to allow a low seating position close to the vehicle floor, compromising comfort and safety, especially in sports vehicles where aerodynamic and stability requirements demand a low vehicle center of gravity.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat design featuring a support system with four piston rods, each with upper and lower hinges, allowing the seat to adjust its height by rotating and moving closer to the vehicle floor, with the lower face of the seat positioned below a base plane to minimize distance from the floor, enabling a flat driver posture while maintaining comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the seat is lowered to reduce the distance from the vehicle floor, then the driver's pelvis position H is reduced improving aerodynamic performance and vehicle stability, but the seating comfort is compromised due to reduced cushion thickness or elimination of soft padding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamically adjustable seat system using four piston rods that can vary the seat height and orientation in real-time. This allows the seat to adapt between a low position for aerodynamic performance and a higher position for comfort, resolving the contradiction by making the seat configuration changeable rather than fixed
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the seat support system by introducing adjustable piston rods that can modify the distance between the seat and vehicle floor, as well as the orientation of the seat. This enables optimization of both height position and comfort by adjusting parameters like cushion thickness and seat angle independently
2Shape
If traditional seat adjustment systems are used, then the seat can be lowered to some extent, but the downward movement is prevented by the dimensions of the tracks against which the supports abut, preventing further height reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional track-based constraint system and replaces it with piston rod supports that connect directly to the vehicle floor. This extraction of the track structure eliminates the geometric constraints that previously prevented further seat lowering, allowing the seat to achieve a lower position without being blocked by track dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The piston rods serve as intermediary elements between the seat supports and the vehicle floor, replacing the direct track contact system. This intermediary mechanism allows for greater adjustment range and lower minimum height by decoupling the seat from the constrained track geometry
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
Enables the seat to be positioned with the pelvis close to the vehicle floor, achieving a minimum distance of about 15 cm from the floor without sacrificing comfort, thus enhancing safety and usability for sports driving.
Implementation Method 1
each of said piston rods having a respective upper hinge connected to said flanks of said seating, and a respective lower hinge suitable to be constrained to the vehicle floor, each of said hinges having a respective rotation center
Implementation Method 2
a first piston rod and a second piston rod arranged at the front part and externally facing on opposite sides said flanks of said seating, and comprising a third piston rod and a fourth piston rod arranged at the back and externally facing on opposite sides said flanks of said seating
Data Source
AI summary
A seat for a vehicle having a seating. The vehicle having a floor. The seating having a first flank and a second flank, on the opposite sides with respect to the seating. The seating further having a lower face facing at least one portion of the vehicle floor. The seat comprising a support for the seating suitable to allow at least the height adjustment of the seating relative to the vehicle floor, comprising a first piston rod and a second piston rod arranged at the front part and externally facing on opposite sides the flanks of the seating, and comprising a third piston rod and a fourth piston rod arranged at the back and facing on opposite sides the flanks of the seating or elongations thereof.