Vehicle Seat Side Area Leveling Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat arrangements in vehicles that convert to reclining positions are not ergonomically comfortable due to elevated areas that do not level properly, leading to an uncomfortable lying surface, and previous solutions like air-filled cushions are cumbersome and unsatisfactory.
Innovation Solution
A seat arrangement with an adjustably mounted back surface element and seat surface element that automatically adjusts to a reclining position, leveling the side areas with the main back and seat parts to form a flat lying surface, using a drive unit such as an electric motor or manual crank mechanism for precise and reproducible adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If air-filled cushions are used to form raised areas of the seat contour, then seating comfort is improved, but the system becomes cumbersome and requires additional pneumatic devices for filling and deflating
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic cushion system is extracted and replaced with a mechanical adjustment mechanism. Instead of using air-filled cushions that require pumps and valves, the invention uses a drive unit with adjustment means that mechanically raises or lowers the side areas. This eliminates the complex pneumatic system while achieving the same ergonomic effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The pneumatic system is replaced with a mechanical adjustment system. The drive unit uses mechanical components (such as motors, actuators, or linkages) to adjust the position of the side areas, substituting the pneumatic cushion mechanism with a more reliable and simpler mechanical system that provides the same ergonomic benefit without the complexity of air filling and deflating.
2Device complexity
If manual adjustment of air cushions is required, then no additional pneumatic devices are needed, but the user must manually inflate or deflate the cushion which is cumbersome and impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment system is designed to automatically adjust the side areas without requiring user intervention. The drive unit with its adjustment means autonomously raises or lowers the side areas based on the selected mode (seating or reclining), eliminating the need for users to manually manipulate cushions or controls. The system serves itself by automatically adapting to the required configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive unit acts as an intermediary between the control system and the side areas. Instead of requiring direct manual manipulation of the side areas or cushions, the user interacts with a simple control interface, and the drive unit mediates the adjustment process, automatically positioning the side areas in the correct configuration.
3Ease of operation
If the seat arrangement is converted to a reclining position, then lying comfort is improved, but the side areas create undesired folds and depressions that reduce comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The side areas are dynamically adjusted to a lowered position during reclining, transforming from a raised contouring shape to a flat, level surface. This dynamic shape change eliminates folds and depressions that would otherwise occur with fixed or improperly adjusted side areas, ensuring a uniform and comfortable lying surface.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a seating arrangement for a vehicle comprising a seat surface element and an adjustable backrest element, wherein the backrest element is adjustable into a reclining position and the seating arrangement has a usable side which forms a seat contour for use as a seat for a person, wherein side areas (4b, 4c, 5b, 5c, 6b, 6c, 7b, 7c) of the usable side are raised relative to other areas of the usable side. According to the invention, adjustment means are provided to enable the seating arrangement to be adjusted into a reclining position, wherein the adjustment means are designed such that the adjustment into the reclining position results in the leveling of the side areas (4b, 4c, 5b, 5c, 6b, 6c, 7b, 7c) relative to the other areas.