Seat Support Assembly Offset Channel Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat support assemblies lack the ability to efficiently adjust seat height, slide, and tilt, often requiring separate mechanisms for each function, resulting in a complex and bulky design.
Innovation Solution
A seat support assembly featuring a lower member with offset channels and pivotably coupled linkages that allow for simultaneous translation, tilting, and raising/lowering of the upper member relative to the lower member, utilizing actuators and motors for controlled movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate mechanisms are used for height adjustment, sliding, and tilting functions, then each function can be adjusted independently, but the overall device complexity and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines height adjustment, sliding, and tilting functions into a single integrated mechanism. The scissors linkage structure with pivotable linkages allows all three adjustment functions to be achieved through one coordinated system rather than separate mechanisms, reducing overall complexity while maintaining full adjustability
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously - it provides height adjustment through vertical movement, sliding through horizontal translation, and tilting through angular rotation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each adjustment type
2Ease of operation
If multiple separate adjustment mechanisms are installed, then comprehensive seat position control is achieved, but the design becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly merges multiple adjustment functions into a compact integrated structure. The scissors linkage with its interconnected linkages achieves comprehensive seat position control (height, slide, tilt) within a smaller volume compared to separate mechanisms that would each require their own space
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage structure employs a nested arrangement where linkages are interconnected and folded within each other. The pivotable linkages can be compacted into a smaller configuration when not in use, reducing the overall volume of the support assembly while maintaining full adjustment capability
Data Source
AI summary
A seat support assembly has a lower member with a first channel extending in a front-back direction of the seat support assembly and an upper member positioned above the lower member and having a second channel extending in the front-back direction. A first linkage has a lower end pivotably coupled to the lower member and translatable in the front-back direction by way of the first channel and an upper end pivotably coupled to the upper member. A second linkage has a lower end pivotably coupled to the lower member and an upper end pivotably coupled to the upper member and translatable in the front-back direction by way of the second channel. The first and second channels are offset from one another in the front-back direction.