Vehicle Seat Suspension with Adjustable Horizontal Spring Characteristic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horizontal vehicle seat suspension systems require a spring element oriented in the direction of springing, leading to an unoptimized spring characteristic that cannot be altered, resulting in either a large or small spring characteristic, and are not adaptable to varying parameters like passenger weight or vehicle inclination.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat suspension system with a spring device featuring a deformable spring element that can be bent and adjusted by a setting member, allowing for a customizable spring characteristic, capable of being positioned precisely and adaptable to different parameters, including passenger weight and vehicle inclination, using a combination of mechanical, electrical, or pneumatic means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a spring element oriented in the direction of springing is used, then the suspension system achieves a specific spring characteristic, but the spring characteristic cannot be altered and the system becomes unadaptable to varying parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is made dynamically adjustable through a deformation device that can change its geometric configuration. The setting member allows the spring characteristic to be modified by altering the angle between the spring element and the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, transforming a static spring system into a dynamic one that adapts to different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the spring element by varying its orientation angle relative to the vehicle's longitudinal direction. By adjusting the angle between the spring element and the longitudinal axis (preferably between 45° and 135°, particularly 90°), the spring characteristic can be optimized for different passenger weights and vehicle inclinations without changing the spring element itself.
2Reliability
If the spring characteristic is optimized for specific conditions, then performance is improved, but the system cannot adapt to different passenger weights and vehicle inclinations
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system incorporates a deformation device that enables dynamic adjustment of the spring element's geometry. This allows the system to maintain optimal suspension performance across varying conditions by changing the spring characteristic through mechanical deformation rather than requiring multiple fixed spring elements.
Solution Approach 2:
A single spring element serves multiple functions by being adjustable to different orientations. The same spring element can be configured for different passenger weights, vehicle inclinations, and driving conditions through the deformation device, eliminating the need for multiple specialized spring elements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the spring element is positioned at an angle to the longitudinal direction, then the spring characteristic can be optimized, but the positioning precision must be improved
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the spring element and the setting member. It provides a controlled interface that translates the adjustment movements into precise angular changes of the spring element, ensuring accurate positioning without requiring extreme manufacturing precision in the spring element itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces direct mechanical positioning of the spring element with a deformation-based adjustment system. Instead of precisely positioning the spring element through rigid mechanical mounting, the system uses the deformation device to achieve the desired orientation through controlled geometric changes.
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
The system achieves a desired spring characteristic with a long service life, is adaptable to varying conditions, and reduces loading jumps, enabling precise control over the spring characteristic and damping, enhancing the overall performance and cost-effectiveness of the suspension system.
Implementation Method 1
the spring device has at least one spring element which extends in an elongate manner between two application regions and which is capable of being bent by a deformation device
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a seat for a vehicle, in particular for all-terrain vehicles, with at least one seat area extending in the longitudinal direction (X) of the vehicle and in the width-wise direction (Y) of the vehicle for receiving a person, a backrest for supporting the back of the person and a holding device connected in the vertical direction (Z) under the seat area and to the latter for keeping the seat area at a distance from a coupling region for coupling the seat to the vehicle, wherein the holding device has at least one spring device for the movable arrangement at least for a time of at least the seat area with respect to the coupling region in the longitudinal direction (X) of the vehicle and/or in the width-wise direction (Y) of the vehicle.