Seating assembly having lower leg support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle seating lacks enhanced support arrangements for the legs of a user, particularly in terms of adjustability and space optimization.
Innovation Solution
A seating assembly with a leg extension assembly and a calf support assembly that includes a rotatable and translatable calf support, driven by motors and actuators, allowing for enhanced leg support and space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional seat with basic leg support is used, then the structure is simple, but the leg support functionality is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The leg support system is divided into two distinct assemblies: a leg extension assembly and a calf support assembly. Each assembly can be independently adjusted and positioned, allowing for customized leg support configurations while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The calf support assembly incorporates a rotatable calf support with a translatable rotation axis, enabling dynamic adjustment of the support angle and position. This dynamic capability enhances leg support functionality while the controlled translation mechanism keeps the overall structure manageable
2Adaptability or versatility
If the calf support is made fixed, then the structure is stable, but the adjustability and user comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The calf support is designed to be rotatable about a rotation axis that can translate relative to the seat pan, providing adjustability for different user preferences and leg positions. The dynamic adjustment capability is achieved through a controlled mechanism involving guide sleeves and rods that maintain structural stability while enabling movement
Solution Approach 2:
Guide sleeves and rods are introduced as intermediary components between the calf support and the seat pan. These intermediaries enable the translation and rotation of the calf support while maintaining controlled movement and structural stability, adding adjustability without excessive complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If the rotation axis is fixed, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the adaptability of leg support is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Guide sleeves serve as intermediary components that facilitate the translation of the rotation axis relative to the seat pan. The guide sleeves constrain the movement to specific paths, enabling the rotation axis to translate while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized guiding mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation axis position is made variable through translation relative to the seat pan, allowing the leg support configuration to be adjusted for different users and applications. This parameter change is achieved through a controlled translation mechanism that maintains manufacturing practicality
Data Source
AI summary
A seating assembly includes a seat frame, a seat pan coupled with the seat frame, a leg extension assembly coupled with the seat pan, and a calf support assembly disposed under the leg extension assembly and translatable relative to the seat pan. The calf support assembly includes a calf support rotatable about a rotation axis. The rotation axis is translatable relative to the seat pan.