Segmented Seatback Lift Mechanism for Supine Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern motor vehicle seating assemblies do not adequately address the needs of occupants when the vehicle is parked, as they fail to provide a comfortable and supportive surface for resting or sleeping, often causing discomfort due to the creation of a significant vertical gap between the seatback and lower seating structure during recline and insufficient upper back support.
Innovation Solution
A manually actuated adjustable seatback upper back support system comprising a pair of frame members, a tubular member pivotally attached to these frame members, a support surface, and a latch that allows the tubular member to be restrained in multiple positions between a stowed and fully raised position, providing incremental adjustments of 1.5° and a ratchet mechanism for automatic return to the stowed position, along with a cushion to form a continuous support surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the seatback is allowed to recline to a fully reclined position, then the occupant can achieve a more relaxed sleeping position, but a substantial vertical gap is created between the lower seating structure and the seatback causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The seatback is divided into two independent reclining segments: an upper seatback portion and a lower seatback portion. The upper portion can be selectively positioned at different angles (upright, intermediate, or fully reclined) relative to the lower portion, allowing the occupant to achieve a level supine platform without creating a substantial vertical gap when sleeping position is desired
Solution Approach 2:
The seatback incorporates dynamic adjustability through multiple reclining positions. The upper seatback portion can be moved between upright, intermediate, and fully reclined positions relative to the lower portion, enabling the system to adapt to different occupant needs (driving vs. sleeping) and eliminate the fixed gap problem
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seatback is allowed to recline to a fully reclined position, then the occupant can achieve a more relaxed sleeping position, but the seatback fails to provide sufficient upper back support
Solution Approach 1:
The upper seatback portion is segmented from the lower portion and can be independently positioned. When the upper portion is in the upright or intermediate position relative to the lower portion, it provides adequate upper back support for driving, while still allowing the lower portion to be reclined for sleeping comfort
3Ease of operation
If a mechanism is added to provide incremental adjustments and automatic return to stowed position, then the ease of operation and comfort are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed to automatically return the upper seatback portion to its stowed position relative to the lower portion without requiring manual intervention. The mechanism self-actuates based on the relative motion between the upper and lower seatback portions, reducing the operational burden on the occupant while maintaining simplicity
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 solution enables a more comfortable and relaxed position for occupants by providing a relatively level supine platform and adequate upper back support, eliminating pressure points and wrinkles, and allowing for easy transition between driving and sleeping positions.
Implementation Method 1
a ratchet mechanism for automatic return to the stowed position
Implementation Method 2
a tubular member pivotally attached to these frame members
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle comprises an upper back support comprising a substantially U-shaped tubular member pivotally attached at a first end to one of a pair of opposed lateral seatback frame members and pivotally attached at a second end to the other of the pair of opposed lateral seatback frame members, a substantially rigid planar base attached to a central portion of the tubular member, a latch operably coupling the first end of the tubular member to the one of a pair of opposed lateral seatback members to restrain the tubular member in one of a plurality of positions between a stowed position and a fully raised position, and a cushion disposed above the upper back support to form a movable exposed surface.