SMM Morphing Seat Actuator for Dynamic Lateral Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle seats lack the ability to dynamically adjust to maintain healthy posture during long periods of use, particularly during vehicle rides, as they provide fixed lateral support that does not adapt to changing occupant positions or vehicle movements.
Innovation Solution
The integration of shape-memory material (SMM) actuators within the seat, which include a first and second hinge assembly and an outer skin, allowing the seat to morph in response to activation inputs. These actuators change configuration when heated, altering the seat's dimensions to provide enhanced support and comfort by adjusting the seat surface in real-time based on sensor data from the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed shape seat bolsters are used, then lateral support is provided, but the seat cannot adapt to changing occupant positions or vehicle movements
Solution Approach 1:
The seat bolster transitions from a fixed shape to a dynamic, morphing structure using SMM actuators that can change configuration in response to activation inputs, enabling the seat to adapt to changing occupant positions and vehicle movements while maintaining lateral support
Solution Approach 2:
The SMM actuators change their physical configuration (shape, length, or rigidity) in response to thermal or electrical stimuli, allowing the seat bolster to dynamically adjust its properties to provide optimized support under different operating conditions
2Reliability
If motors are used for seat adjustment, then active adjustment is achieved, but mechanical failure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional motor-driven mechanical adjustment systems are replaced with SMM actuators that use thermal or electrical fields to induce shape changes, eliminating motors, gears, and other mechanical components that are prone to failure while maintaining the ability to actively adjust seat configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The SMM actuators utilize phase transitions or reversible shape memory effects in response to thermal or electrical stimuli to achieve actuation, providing a non-mechanical means of adjusting the seat configuration that inherently reduces mechanical failure risk
3Adaptability or versatility
If SMM actuators are integrated into the seat, then real-time morphing capability is achieved, but the actuator structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The SMM actuators are integrated within the existing seat bolster structure, with the actuators nested within or alongside the bolster components, allowing real-time morphing capability to be achieved while minimizing additional structural complexity through space-efficient integration
Solution Approach 2:
The SMM actuators serve multiple functions simultaneously: providing structural support, enabling morphing capability, and acting as the actuation mechanism itself, thereby reducing the need for separate components and minimizing overall actuator structure complexity
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 solution improves seating comfort and occupant safety by automatically adjusting the seat to provide increased lateral support during turns, accelerations, and periods of high g-forces, reducing the need for motors and minimizing mechanical failure, while maintaining comfort and preventing occupant displacement.
Implementation Method 1
One or more shape-memory material (SMM) members may be operatively connected to the first hinge assembly and the second hinge assembly. The one or more SMM members may be located substantially within the cavity. The actuator is configured such that, when an activation input is provided to the one or more SMM members, the one or more SMM members change from a first configuration to a second configuration
Implementation Method 2
At least one spring member may be positioned within the cavity and structured to exert forces on the first actuator side and second actuator side tending to urge the first actuator side and second actuator side away from each other along the second dimension
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator includes a first hinge assembly and a second hinge assembly. The actuator has a first dimension and a second dimension, the first dimension extending through the hinge assemblies. An outer skin is connected to the hinge assemblies. The outer skin defines a first actuator side, a second actuator side residing opposite the first actuator side, and a cavity. Shape-memory material (SMM) members are connected to the opposed hinge assemblies. At least one spring member is positioned within the cavity and structured to exert forces on the opposed first and second actuator sides tending to urge the sides away from each other along the second dimension. When an input is provided to the SMM members, the SMM members change their configurations and cause the actuator to morph into an activated configuration in which the first dimension decreases and the second dimension changes inversely to the first dimension.