PLC-Controlled Seat Row Movement With Continuous Floor Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solutions for transforming spaces to accommodate either free or seated arrangements are laborious, expensive, and lack efficient automation for seat row movement and guide coverage.
Innovation Solution
A motor-driven seat assembly movement system using grooved guides, rolling carriages, and PLC-controlled motors for individual or collective movement, with data transmission via busbars or wireless communication, and automatic plate pivoting for surface continuity, allowing flexible deployment and storage of seats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional foldable chairs are used for space transformation, then the space can be adapted for different activities, but the process becomes laborious and time-consuming due to manual placement and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming static chairs into mobile units that can automatically move along guides. The chairs are equipped with motors and controllers that enable them to travel from storage areas to deployment areas automatically, resolving the contradiction between space adaptability and transformation time by making the system dynamic and automated rather than manual and static
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile chair system performs self-service by autonomously navigating to and from storage and deployment locations without human intervention. The chairs have integrated motors, controllers, and sensors that enable them to self-propel and self-position, eliminating the need for manual handling and significantly reducing transformation time while maintaining full adaptability
2Device complexity
If manual placement and removal of chairs is used, then no complex automation system is needed, but the process becomes laborious and requires significant human effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the chair into modular components: a base unit with motor and controller, seat portion, and navigation elements. This modular segmentation enables automated operation while keeping each component relatively simple, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and ease of operation by making the system automatable without requiring overly complex integrated mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated electromechanical system. Motors, controllers, and sensors substitute for human hands and brains in operating the chairs, dramatically improving ease of operation while the modular design keeps the overall system complexity manageable through standardized components
3Ease of manufacture
If chairs are stored in fixed locations, then storage is simple, but the surface of the premises cannot be freely used for activities requiring open space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming fixed storage locations into mobile storage units that travel along guides. The chairs move from compact storage areas to deployment areas and back automatically, enabling the premises surface to be fully utilized for activities while maintaining organized storage capability, thus resolving the contradiction between storage simplicity and available surface area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the space conflict by utilizing the vertical dimension and the third spatial dimension through guided movement. Instead of spreading chairs across the floor surface for storage, they are stored in compact configurations and transported along vertical or lateral guides, freeing up the horizontal surface area for activities while maintaining simple organized storage
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 efficient, automated, and cost-effective transformation of spaces by individually controlling seat row movements and maintaining surface continuity, simplifying the process of adapting spaces for different activities.
Implementation Method 1
guides formed by grooved profiles which are inserted in the floor, on which guides the bases for supporting the seats forming each row are incorporated in a rolling assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
Seat-assembly movement system, for collecting up and deploying rows of seats (1) at the installation site, by means of sliding on guides (2) arranged in the floor, the movement of the rows of seats (1) being managed by means of a control system comprising a master PLC or a computer unit, for governing the installation, in combination with respective slave PLCs arranged on the carriages (3) carrying the rows of seats and in connection with devices for controlling the position of said carriages (3) on the mounting guides (2).