Side-Facing Sliding Seat Assembly for Flat Sleeping Surface Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional side-facing sliding seats in vehicles do not provide a comfortable, flat sleeping surface when converted into beds, as they leave gaps and create uneven surfaces due to exposed elements and manual operation, posing hazards and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
The development of adjustable side-facing sliding seat assemblies that can convert automatically or manually into a flat sleeping configuration, using modular cushions to fill gaps and integrate with sofa-bed assemblies, allowing for powered operation and secure mounting options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional sofa-beds are converted into beds, then sleeping function is provided, but gaps and uneven surfaces are created between seat cushion and back cushion
Solution Approach 1:
The seat assembly is divided into separate modular components including seat cushion, back cushion, and base assembly that can independently move and adjust. This segmentation allows each component to be precisely positioned to eliminate gaps and create a flat sleeping surface when converted to bed mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat assembly incorporates dynamic movement capabilities through sliding mechanisms and adjustable components that allow the seat to transition between seated and sleeping configurations. The base assembly can slide along rails and the back cushion can adjust its position to maintain flatness during conversion.
2Ease of operation
If manual side-facing sliding seats are used, then seat functionality is provided, but exposed elements create hazards and do not create flush sleeping surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The manual operation mechanism is merged with the sleeping surface structure, where the same components that enable manual adjustment also form part of the flush sleeping surface when extended. This integration eliminates exposed hazardous elements while maintaining ease of manual operation.
3Quantity of substance
If jack-knife seats are used, then additional seating is provided, but uneven sleeping surface is created
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the seat assembly have different functional properties - the seat portion provides seating while the extended base portion provides a flat sleeping surface. The local quality of each component is optimized for its specific function, with the base assembly designed to extend flatly to compensate for any unevenness from the jack-knife mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Adjustable driver's side and passenger's side side-facing sliding seat assemblies. Each side-facing sliding seat assembly is adjustable between an original seat orientation to an extended, sleeping surface configuration wherein the two side-facing sliding seat assemblies converge together, forming a flat sleeping surface. The side-facing sliding seat assemblies may also mate with a lay-flat sofa bed assembly for a larger flat sleeping surface. Each of the side-facing sliding seat assemblies may be powered and adjustable using a motor to transform between their two respective configurations.