Seating Assembly Hip Lifter Mechanism for Level Recline
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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, level supine platform and sufficient upper back support for resting or sleeping, often causing discomfort due to the vertical gap between the lower seating structure and seatback in the fully reclined position.
Innovation Solution
A hip lifter mechanism that includes a pivotable bracket with a forward lever and rearward portion, coupled to a seat suspension and seatback linkage, which raises the edge of the seat cushion to the level of the seatback when reclined, creating a substantially horizontal plane and providing adequate upper back support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the seatback is designed to recline to a fully reclined position, then the occupant can rest or sleep, but a substantial vertical gap is created between the lower seating structure and the seatback causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the lower seating structure height adjustable through a lifter mechanism. The mechanism includes a bracket pivotable about a transverse bar with a forward lever coupled to the seat suspension and a rearward portion coupled to a linkage connected to the seatback. As the seatback reclines, the linkage activates the bracket to lift the lower seating structure, dynamically adapting the seat cushion height to eliminate the vertical gap and maintain occupant comfort throughout the recline range.
2Reliability
If the lower seating structure is downwardly inclined to provide ergonomic seating and position the H-point for safety, then crash restraint is improved, but the seatback cannot provide sufficient upper back support when fully reclined for resting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by dynamically adjusting the lower seating structure height based on seatback angle. The lifter mechanism activates as the seatback reclines, raising the seat cushion to a level that maintains the H-point position for crash safety while simultaneously creating a substantially horizontal supine platform for comfortable resting. This dynamic adaptation allows the same seating structure to satisfy both crash restraint requirements and resting comfort requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing the lifter mechanism to serve multiple functions: maintaining crash safety through H-point positioning and creating a level supine platform for resting. The bracket and linkage system automatically performs both functions depending on the seatback angle, making the seating assembly adaptable to both safety-critical and comfort-oriented configurations without requiring separate systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional seatback reclining mechanisms are used, then the seatback can move to a resting position, but the exposed surfaces of the seat cushion and seatback do not occupy the same horizontal plane creating discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by coupling the lifter mechanism to the seatback recline motion through the linkage. As the seatback pivots to a reclined position, the linkage translates this motion into vertical displacement of the bracket, which in turn raises the lower seating structure. This dynamic response ensures that the exposed surfaces of the seat cushion and seatback occupy substantially the same horizontal plane when the seatback is fully reclined, creating a level supine platform for comfortable resting.
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 mechanism ensures a comfortable, level sleeping surface by raising the rear edge of the seat cushion to the same horizontal plane as the seatback, eliminating pressure points and enhancing occupant comfort during rest or sleep.
Implementation Method 1
The bracket includes a forward lever and a rearward portion. The forward lever raises an edge of the cushion assembly upon the seatback pivoting to a predetermined reclined position.
Implementation Method 2
The bracket is pivotable about a transverse bar. The forward lever is coupled to a channel within a flange of a seat suspension. The rearward portion is coupled to a linkage. The linkage is coupled to a seatback.
Data Source
AI summary
A lifter mechanism for an edge of a seat cushion includes a bracket pivotable about a transverse bar. The bracket includes a forward lever and a rearward portion. The forward lever is coupled to a channel within a flange of a seat suspension. The rearward portion is coupled to a linkage. The linkage is coupled to a seatback. The forward lever raises an edge of the seat suspension upon the seatback pivoting to a predetermined reclined position.