Seat Suspension Linkage With Split Vibration and Impact Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional seat suspension mechanisms for vehicles, particularly in earth-moving machines, face complexity in structure due to the need for multiple spring-damper units, which complicates vibration and impact absorption, especially on rough road surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A seat suspension mechanism with a simpler configuration, utilizing a base frame, seat support frame, intermediate frame, and link mechanisms with torsion bars and magnetic springs, along with a damper positioned between the base and seat support frames, to achieve high vibration and impact absorption characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple spring-damper units are stacked to improve impact absorption, then impact absorption characteristic is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact absorption characteristicVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension system is divided into two functional segments: a first suspension unit handling vibration absorption and a second suspension unit handling impact absorption. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity, avoiding the need for multiple redundant spring-damper stacks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A lever mechanism acts as an intermediary between the first and second suspension units. The lever transfers and transforms forces between the vibration absorption path and the impact absorption path, enabling complex motion patterns to be achieved through simple mechanical components rather than multiple complex spring-damper assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If spring mechanism and damper mechanism are separated into different tiers, then vibration absorption and impact absorption are optimized, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration absorption characteristicVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first suspension unit combines both spring and damper mechanisms in a single tier, integrating vibration absorption and impact absorption functions. The second suspension unit supplements this with additional impact absorption capability. This merging approach reduces structural complexity compared to separating these mechanisms into multiple tiers while maintaining optimized performance for both vibration and impact absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If parallel link structure with opposite rotation directions is used, then vibration absorption performance is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration absorption performanceVSAvoidlink alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The parallel link structures in the first and second suspension units are configured with opposite rotation directions, creating an asymmetric arrangement. This asymmetry generates opposing forces during vibration that effectively cancel each other out, improving vibration absorption performance. The symmetric counterbalancing effect naturally compensates for minor manufacturing tolerances, reducing the stringent precision requirements that would otherwise be needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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

This configuration allows for effective vibration and impact absorption with a simpler structure, differing phases of vibration between the seat support and intermediate frames, enhancing overall vibration and impact absorption performance.

Implementation Method 1

an upper frame provided to be movable up and down relative to a lower frame is elastically supported by a magnetic spring and torsion bars

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic spring: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

an upper frame provided to be movable up and down relative to a lower frame is elastically supported by a magnetic spring and torsion bars

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorsion bars: Torsion Spring

Implementation Method 3

energy caused by impact vibration is absorbed by a damper suspended between the upper frame and the lower frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamper: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4049892B1Seat suspension mechanism
Publication Date: 2024.04.03 DELTA KOGYO CO LTD
  • EP4049892B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4049892B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4049892B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There are improved a vibration absorption characteristic and a impact absorption characteristic. In a seat suspension mechanism (1) of the present invention, an intermediate frame (300) is supported through a first link mechanism (130) by a base frame (100), and a seat support frame (200) is supported through a second link mechanism (230) by the intermediate frame (300). A first spring mechanism (140) which elastically biases the intermediate frame (300) and a second spring mechanism (240) which elastically biases the seat support frame (200) are included, and meanwhile, a damper (150) is suspended between the base frame (100) and the seat support frame (200) excluding the intermediate frame (300). Phases with respect to vibrations differ between the seat support frame (200) on which damping force of the damper (150) acts directly and the intermediate frame (300) on which a characteristic of the damper (150) does not act directly, which makes it possible to exhibit high vibration absorption characteristic and impact absorption characteristic.